Edge Davao 6 Issue 124

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 124 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2013

www.edgedavao.net

Serving a seamless society

THROUGH A HUGE HEART. A security personnel is through a heart-shaped signage at SM City Davao Annex yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

NGOs STILL FAVOR PDAF

By EJ DOMINIC FERNANDEZ

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HUSH. A man using his mobile phone passes by a huge wall graphic of a music equipment brand. Lean Daval Jr.

ejf@edgedavao.net

ESPITE the recent pronouncement of President Benigno Aquino III abolishing the priority development assistance fund (PDAF), a big network of non-government organizations still prefer not to let go of the so-called pork barrel system.

Caucus of Development Non- Government Organizations (CODE-NGO) has crafted recommendations for improving priority development assistance fund (PDAF) guidelines to ensure integrity and promote effective use.

CODE-NGO chair Patricia Sarenas, speaking at the 14th anniversary celebration of Club 888 at The Marco Polo Davao yesterday, told members of the media that there are still a lot of NGOs that have proven themselves through the years as credible and legitimate, unlike the perception of most that all NGOs are a medium for corruption as portrayed in the controversial pork barrel scam of Janet Lim Napoles.

Code NGO consists of 12 civil society organizations with over 1,600 members nationwide.

Sarenas said “our efforts now are doubled, as we have to show the other face of NGOs, since what most people see is only the Napoles (Janet Lim Napoles) type of NGOs.” “Legitimate NGOs are making sure that some changes in the government bureau-

FNGOs,10

INSIDE:

2 3 16

Davao businessman accused faking fertilizer also a victim Ricafort Group belies claims of rival Calalang in Pantukan TRMH Duterte Agilas gun for title

2 THE BIG NEWS DOT targets 1.3M tourists in 2013 EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 124 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2013

By EJ DOMINIC FERNANDEZ

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ejf@edgedavao.net

HE Department of Tourism Region 11 expects 1,320,000 tourists shall have visited Davao City by the end of 2013, according to its head, Art Boncato.

At the observance of Club 888’s 14th anniversary yesterday at The Marco Polo Davao, Boncato said that the bulk of travelers converge on Davao City basically in the third and fourth quarters of the year, starting with the Kadayawan Festival.

From January to June, some 600,000 visi-

tors visited the city, a 10 percent increase on the same period last year, Boncato said, hoping that the increase continues in the next half of the year to hit the targeted 1,320,000 visitors compared to 2012’s 1.2 million visitors.

“A modest 10 percent increase is not bad, given the circumstances we are in,” he said, adding that that the DOT is expecting more Chinese tourists to come to the Philippines, hopefully to include Davao City in their itin-

FDOT,10

RODY WITH FOREIGN STUDES. Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte talks to foreign students who are in Davao City as part of the exchange student program of the Ateneo de Davao University during their courtesy call at Quezon Park

Davao businessman accused faking fertilizer also a victim

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businessman in Davao City accused of adulterating fertilizer products as alleged yesterday denied involvement in the crime, as he is in in fact also a victim of such nefarious activity.

This clarification was made by the lawyer of Davao businessman Lyndon U. Teves of Abuno Trading.

The lawyer of Teves – Ramon Edison C. Batacan said that “Last August 30, 2013, news reports have circulated that a Davao businessman in the name of my client, Mr. Lyndon U. Teves of Abuno Trading, is indicted for violation of Section 168 of Repub-

lic Act No. 8293 or Unfair Competition, allegedly in relation to adulterating Amigo Planters fertilizer products.

“It is in this light that we would like to clear out some details and make known that Mr. Teves, contrary to said charges, was never part of any operations on adulterating fertilizer products, much more that he acted with conspiracy with one Edgar Calledo. The truth is that Mr. Teves is likewise a victim of having received said adulterated products. His name and reputation were undeservingly dragged into this mess based on baseless and false accusations, with no

concrete evidence to sustain conviction.

Batacan said that “the charges, now docketed as Criminal Case Nos. 75,816-13 to Crim. Case No. 75,823-13, all come as a shock to us especially considering the new charges of conspiracy with Calledo – a matter not presented in the preliminary investigation.

We are exhausting all legal means to clear Mr. Teves’s name so he and his family can continue with their dealings with fewer trauma and without these issues stalking them.

He said “it must be made clear at this point that Mr. Teves and/or

Abuno Trading did not in any way intend to deceive their customers, patrons and the public.

Rest assured that the public can still anchor on their already established goodwill in trade and business.

“As the matter is now sub-judice,” Batacan said, “we trust that our judicial system could ultimately resolve the matter so Mr. Teves can finally clear his name.”

Batacan is a managing partner of the Batacan Montejo and Vicencio Law Firm holding office at the 7th Floor of Abreeza Corporate Center, JP Laurel Avenue, Davao City.

Antonio M. Ajero

where Mayor Duterte temporarily relocated his office due to electrical problem which affected the entire City Hall building Monday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

Terrorist’s wife acquitted, but waits for her release

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR

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HE Regional Trial Court Branch 14is still working on the release order for the wife of the Malaysian national tagged as operative of the terrorist group Jema’ah Islamiyah, from the custody of the authorities after the counsel of the accused filed a motion for such an order last August 28.

Yesterday, the court conducted a hearing on the motion.

Judge George Omelio had as of this writing not issued the release order for the liberty of Anabelle Nieva Lee, a Muslim convert from Sorsogon. Authorities recovered from her possession a 60mm mortar shell which was rendered ineffective by the police.

Lee’s husband, Mohd Noor Fikrie Bin Abd Kahar, was killed by the policemen led by Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa on December

24, 2012 after he allegedly tried to detonate an improvised bomb among a crowd of people but was killed in a reported shootout with police.

Last July 31, Omelio issued a resolution acquitting Lee of the charge of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition or explosives for “insufficiency of evidence” which did not include an order for the release of the accused.

Lawyer Behn Joseph Tesiorna, counsel of the accused, wants the court to issue an order for the immediate release of Lee from the custody of the Naval Intelligence and Security Group Eastern Mindanao at Naval Station Feliz Apolinario in Panacan, this city.

“We have nothing to do with it, but will follow the court’s order,” dela Rosa said in a text message.

SP to look into Panabo City’s ‘encroachment’in Lasang

By GREGORIO G. DELIGERO

The crew of a fishing vessel docked off the sea in Sta. Ana Wharf uses a small boat to fetch clean water which is being sold at the entrance of the wharf for P10 per gallon. Lean Daval Jr.

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greg@edgedavao.net

AVAO City’s Sangguniang Panlungsod will look into the alleged encroachment of Panabo City local government along the shoreline of Bucana, Lasang, Davao City.

Referred to the committees on rules and privileges and environment on first reading during the City Council’s regular session last Tuesday, the alleged encroachment

was formally reported by Gilberto Abella, chair of theBarangay Fishery and Aquatic Resources Management Council in barangay Lasang.

In a letter-complaint addressed to the City Council, Abella narrated that a group of people boarding a multi-cab with official seal of Panabo City passed through Lanang Proper on

FSP,10

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 124 •THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2013

THE BIG NEWS 3 DOT 11 to send incentive group to mainland China

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR

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Osmeña Park in Magallanes Street becomes a temporary shelter for transient families who came from different provinces around Mindanao to find a better life in Davao City just like this family of five who spend their morning lying down on a shaded portion of the park. Lean Daval Jr.

HE Department of Tourism 11 will send 20 representatives to The Marco Polo Parkside in Beijing, China for the “Davao Cultural Festival” to be held there from September 9 to 27 as a way to attract more Sinos to visit Davao, an official said.

Director Art Boncato of DOT 11 said the second batch is sponsored by The Marco Polo Davao composed of 16 members, including dancers and chefs while four executives from the Cebu Pacific airline.

“This is part of the China development

project,” he said.

It is expected to gather around 100 media people and travel trade agencies in the event.

They will meet with travel agents, attend press meetings, conduct product presentations and the festival will also feature Filipino celebrity chef Gene Gonzalez and Gino Gonzalez of the Center for Asian Culinary Studies featuring authentic Davao cuisine.

In 2011, the first delegation also went to the same place which resulted to the visit of incentive travelers to Davao City. These “in-

FDOT 11,10

Peñas highly upbeat Ricafort Group belies claims on ‘Araw ng Digos’ of rival Calalang in Pantukan

By EJ DOMINIC FERNANDEZ

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ejf@edgedavao.net

IGOS City Mayor Joseph Peñas is positive that the Araw ng Digos which culminates on September 8 will be successful due to the cooperation of the people.

Peñas on Monday told Edge Davao that their vision of having fun activities would be the major key for success in coordination with all Digoseños.

The theme of the Araw ng Digos is “Padayon sa Paglambo Subay sa Maayong pang Gobyerno..

Abante Digos! (Continue to Prosper in line with Good Governance…For-

ward igos!).”

Some of the highlights of Araw ng Digos are; Miss Digos 2013-Pageant on September 2; Hiyas ng Digos, September 3; Coca-cola Night, Septembet 4; SK Night, September 5, Governor’s Night, September 6; Pista Kadig-garan and Digos City Cultural Night, September 7, Lechonan sa Kadalanan in the morning of September 8 and in the evening are Culmination Program, San Miguel Beer Night, Hudyaka sa kadalanan, and two Fireworks Dis-

FPEÑAS,10

RTC 14 going over records of Phoenix Petroleum Phils

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regional trial court is going over the records of the case filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) against an independent oil company in the country for alleged violations of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines if there is probable cause before the issuance of the warrant of arrest.

Phoenix Petroleum Philippines was charged on allegations of unlawful and fraudulent imports of gas oil, unleaded gasoline and petroleum products at the Port of Davao and SubPort of Bauan, Batangas from June to November in 2010, January to March 2011 and June 2010 to April 2011.

Records of the case are still pending at the Regional Trial Court Branch 14 under Jud George Omelio.

One of the court’s staff said that the court has the discretion to go over the

case even if the DOJ indicted the company for the said violations.

Meanwhile, Dennis Ang Uy, president of the petroleum company, said “What is absolutely clear and unequivocal is the innocence of Phoenix Petroleum, the Phoenix family and our president, of these false and unsubstantiated allegations”.

According to Phoenix, the allegations were unsubstantiated and are troubling to the company, considering that Phoenix is regularly honored as one of the Philippine’s biggest taxpayers as recognized by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Bureau of Customs (BOC). Phoenix was also cited as one of the top 7 importers during the 111th celebration of BOC last February 6 with P4.7 billion taxes paid to the national government. EPC

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HE Jose Ricaport Group (JGR), one of the two rival factions in the Nationwide Development Corporation (Nadecor) in Kingking, Pantukan (Compostela Valley) tenement, belied several alleged claims in the news story by its rival Conrado T. Calalang Group.

The news story is about the shooting in Pantukan wherein one person died and another was wounded in an alleged attack two Sundays ago.

Officials of the JRG led by lawyer Deo Contreras Jr., Nadecor mining consultant and legal, human resource and administrator, and Cesar “Chile” Bauza, assistant vice president.

First off, the story claimed that “government

Attackers still in the area authorities assisted the Nadecor in consolidating control of its mining operations in Pantukan, Compostela Valley province over the weekend.”

The Ricafort group told Davao media practitioners that Nadecor has always had control of KK (Kingking) mining tenement.

The storyclaimed that suspected armed personnel from the Jose G. Ricafort (JGR) Group, a “dissident minority shareholder in Nadecor,” allegedly attacked Nadecor’s security guards around 10 p.m.

Saturday Bausa and Contreras said the JGR-group has never employed armed personnel nor guards but only village watchmen who are unarmed.

This after the news story alleged that armed personnel from the Ricafort Group attacked Nadecor.

They said that the tenement is under an MPSA (Mineral Production Sharing Agreement) which is currently held by Nadecor of which JGR is a majority shareholder.

The other clarifications that Bausa and Contreras made the following: --fatalityRamilPuli worked as a watchmen contractor of JGR group but was not armed as this is not legally allowed.

--watchmen are posted in and around the KK tenement to provide security but are not armed.

They said suspected armed personnel are from

the Calalang group have no legal right to be in the tenement.

-- there was no fire fight according to witness’ account and that Nadecor personnel in the tenement area to provide security do not carry firearms though the fatality ( Puli) and the wounded (Celis) personnel were Nadecor employees.

--suspected armed personnel are from the Calalang group have no right to be in the tenement, they said.

They said the fatality was identified as Puli, while the wounded, a certain Corporal Celis, was a former soldier was injured after he was hit in the leg.

Reports said Puli and Celis

FRICAFORT,10

A fisherman slowly sails through the brownish water of the Davao River while looking for the right spot to fish, Quimpo Blvd. yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

4 THE ECONOMY Stat Watch HP’s expanded portfolio accelerates adoption, monetization of information EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 124 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2013

1. Gross National Income Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)

7.1 1st Qtr 2013

2. Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)

7.8 1st Qtr 2013

3. Exports 1/ 4. Imports 1/ 5. Trade Balance 6. Balance of Payments 2/ 7. Broad Money Liabilities

USD 3,741 million Feb 2013 USD 4,708 million Feb 2013 USD -967 million Feb 2013 USD -640 million Dec 2012 P 4,964,560 million Feb 2013

8. Interest Rates 4/

2.4 % Mar 2013 P113,609 million Mar 2013 P 5,281 billion Mar 2013

9. National Government Revenues 10. National government outstanding debt 11. Peso per US $ 5/

P 41.14 Apr 2013

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

6,847.5 Mar 2013

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

132.8 Apr 2013

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.6 Apr 2013

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.1 Apr 2013

16. Visitor Arrivals

418,108 Feb 2013

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

20.9% Jan 2013

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.1% Jan 2013

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2012-April 2013) Month Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

2013

2012

2011

40.67 40.73

42.23 41.01 41.12 41.45 41.75 42.04 41.91 42.78 42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62

43.31 43.64 43.27 43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52 43.70 44.17

H

P yesterday announced an expanded big data portfolio designed to enable organizations to gain better insight into their data and deliver real-time outcomes.

According to research commissioned on behalf of HP, 60 percent of companies surveyed in APJ will spend at least 10 percent of their IT innovation budget on big data this year. A third of the organizations surveyed also believe strongly that Big Data is the largest competitive differentiator for their organizations. However, the study found thatnearly half of these organizations have failed with a big data initiative they had implemented.

To help organizations reap the rewards of big data, HP announced HAVEn, a big data analytics platform, which leverages HP’s analytics software, hardware and services to create the next generation of big data-ready analytics applications and solutions.

“Big data enables organizations to take advantage of the

totality of their information— both internal and external—in real time. It produces extremely fast decision making, resulting in unique and innovative ways to serve customers and society,” said Kamal Dutta,vice president, Software, Hewlett-Packard Asia Pacific and Japan. . “HP has the breadth and depth of both the platform and the product portfolio to assist enterprises in unleashing the power of big data.”

HP also is expanding its big data portfolio with new capabilities that help clients build and operate their big data solutions.

The first integrated big data analytics solution built on HAVEn is HP Operations Analytics, which delivers insight into all aspects of IT operations,so organizations can ensure quality service levels. The solution allows organizations to efficiently consume, manage and analyze massive streams of IT operational data from a variety of HP products, including HP ArcSight Logger and the HP Business Service Management portfolio, as well as third-party sources.

BY THE NUMBERS Tourist arriv first seven maols in the nths of 2013 hit

2.8 million about 51% of the

5.5 million target for the y ear.

SOURCE: DOT

Country’s BDO improves worldwide ranking

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HE ranking of BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) in the list of top 1000 banks in the world has improved by 145 notches in 2013, according to a report published by the UK-based premier banking and finance magazine The Bank-

er.

From 396th place in 2012, BDO now holds the 251st spot on the back of an enhanced overall performance, particularly in terms of tier 1 capital, assets and profit.

For the Philippine coun-

try listing, BDO has cornered the number one spot, said The Banker.

The Banker’s Top 1000 World Banks ranking has been setting the industry benchmark since 1970, providing comprehensive intelligence about the health

and wealth of the banking sector. The report enables investors and clients worldwide to assess the strength and weakness of the banks, identify banking partners for the future, and track the big movers and new arrivals in the sector.[PNA]

SIDEWALK BUSINESS. A young vendor mans a makeshift store of colorful trek shorts along C.M. Recto Avenue in Davao City yesterday. A proposed establishment of a night market for the street vendors is being finalized by the city government of Davao to lessen the traffic congestion and violation of the 1/3-2/3 sidewalk policy. Lean Daval Jr. as of May 2013

Cebu Pacific Daily Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Thu

5J961 / 5J962 Z2390 / Z2390 5J593 / 5J348 PR809 / PR810 PR819 / PR820 5J394 / 5J393 5J599 / 5J594 5J347 / 5J596 5J963 / 5J964 PR811 / PR812 5J595 / 5J966 5J965 / 5J968

5:45 5:45 6:00 6:10 7:50 7:50 8:00 9:10 9:40 11:30 12:00 12:55

Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Iloilo Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Zamboanga-Davao-Zamboanga Cebu-Davao-Cebu Iloilo-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila

6:15 6:25 6:30 7:00 8:50 8:10 8:30 9:40 10:10 12:20 12:30 13:25

Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat 5J965 / 5J968 13:35 Silk Air Mon/Sat MI588 / MI588 13:35 Silk Air Wed/Sun MI566 / MI566 15:20 Silk Air Thurs MI551 / MI551 12:05 Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 5J507 / 5J598 15:00 Philippine Airlines August 15:55 Mani2Mani 16:50 Zest Air Daily Z2524 / Z2525 16:05

Manila-Davao-Manila Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Cebu-Davao-Cebu

14:05 18:55 18:55 15:45 15:30

Cebu-Davao-Cebu

16:45

THE ECONOMY 5

VOL. 6 ISSUE 124 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2013

PHL improves six notches in Global Competitiveness Report T

HE Philippines’ ranking in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report 2013-2014 has improved by six notches from rank 65 out of 144 economies worldwide in 2012 to 59th this year out of 148 economies.

This is disclosed by WEF through the Makati Business Club (MBC) which called a press conference Wednesday morning for the announcement of the latest Global Competitiveness Report.

The Global Competitiveness Report is an annual report measuring the competitiveness of an economy through 146 indicators grouped into 12 pillars. The report also determines the economic prosperity of a country.

Further, the Philippines has scored 4.3 in this year’s Global Competitiveness Index from 2012’s 4.2 and 2011’s 4.1.

The higher ranking in the Global Competitiveness Report is contributed by the improvement of ten

out of 12 pillars identified in the report.

These include Institution which ranked 94th in 2012 to rank 79 this year; Infrastructure from rank 98 to rank 96; Health and Primary Education also from rank 98 to rank 96; Higher Education and Training from rank 64 to rank 57; Goods Market Efficiency from rank 86 to 82; Labor Market Efficiency from rank 103 to rank 100; Financial Market Development from rank 58 to rank 48; Technological Readiness from rank 79 to rank 77; Market Size from rank 35 to rank 33; and Innovation from rank 94 to rank 59.

However, the pillar of Macroeconomic Environment went down to rank 40 from last year’s rank 36.

On the other hand, the pillar of Business Sophistication remained at rank 49 over the year.

Despite the improvement in competitiveness of the Philippines in the world ranking, MBC President Ramon del Rosario said

MASSAGE GADGETS. A firm selling different massage gadgets offers free massage to passersby along San Pedro Street in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr. the country has ranked below average among ASEAN members.

Singapore remained

as 2nd most competitive economy in the world; Malaysia at 24th from last year’s rank 25; Brunei

Darussalam at 26th from 2012’s rank 28; Thailand at 37th from previous year’s rank 38; and Indo-

nesia, which is the fastest growing economy, ranking at 38th from last year’s rank 50. [PNA]

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 124 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2013

Quitain’s resignation

HE resignation of Councilor Melchor Quitain from the Davao City Council and his anticipated transfer to City Hall, particularly his assumption to the office of the city administrator, sometimes called the “little mayor” was the subject of serious talk among public officials and civilians interested in the affairs of government.

Some members of the city council, especially women, were even reported to have shed tears after Quitain read his resignation letter. No overacting (OA) there, we believe. It’s just that women are easily moved to tears when it comes to parting of ways. Besides, Quitain’s resignation was a serious matter, considering that he was one of the brightest, if not the brightest, local lawmakers.

EDGEDAVAO

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Creative Solutions

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Neophyte Antoinette “Petite” Principe admitted that she stood to learn a lot from a senior councilor, who is not only a seasoned lawyer like her, but one who is the teaching type.

It may be said the city council’s loss will be city hall’s gain. Not really. As city administrator, Quitain will be a major player in city affairs, considering that he would be the top adviser of Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte. As city administrator and main spokesperson for the mayor, Quitain and his former colleagues are expected to often engage each other in the future.

While they belong to separate branches now, nothing will prevent the neophyte councilors from seeking the advice of Quitain. No doubt, too, they would be the better for it.

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate Editor

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. • JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA Photography Contributing Photographer

EJ DOMINIC C. FERNANDEZ Reporter

Columnists: CARLOS MUNDA • MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NICASIO AGUSTIN • VIDA A. MIA VALVERDE • Economic ENRICO“ADDIE” “GICO” G. Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER ANGELO C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA Analysts: • BERNADETTE B. DAYANGIRANG M.QUISIDO PEREZ • Lifestyle Columnists: BAISR., FAUZIAH SINSUAT •AMBOLODTO • MEGHANN STA. INES BORBON • MARY• JONALLIER ANN “ADI” C. • LEANDRO B. DAVAL • NIKKIFATIMA GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY •ZEN NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

GENERAL OFFICE SANTOS CITY CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OLIVIA D. VELASCO OLIVIA D. VELASCO RICHARDRICHARD C. EBONAC. EBONA SOLANI D. MARATAS SOLANI D. MARATAS MARKETING OFFICE | Marketing Manager General Manager General ManagerMarketingAdvertising Supervisor SpecialistFinance FinanceLEIZEL A. DELOSOLEIZEL A. DELOSO | MarketingFLORENCE ManagerS. VILLARIN

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

AQUILES Z. ZONIO Correspondent

KRISTINE D. BORJA AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Marketing Specialist Circulation

Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Marketing Specialist Cagayan de Oro City c/o PZ Villarin Marketing Cagayan de Oro City Tel: (088) 852-4894

Tel: (088) 852-4894

Salvani St., Oringo Brgy. City Heights Tel: (083) 303-2215

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

ANGELICA R. GARCIA | Marketing Manager Blk. 1, Lot 10, La Mar Townhomes, Apitong St., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 942-1503

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 124 •THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2013

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Timeworn principles

HINGS CAN HORRIBLY GO WRONG – The Aquino leadership’s effort to get the economy back into shape has to include a return to the old values that made some neighboring economies world-renowned. Clearly, large amount of money and drastic policy shifts are needed to heal a sick economy but they won’t work without the right values guiding people. As we contemplate, the litany of ‘I-told-you-so’ prescription for the country’s economic malaise, spare a thought for good, old Filipino values.

Many respected economists and financial experts were simply trying to draw attention to the gloomy state of the country’s economy. They are passionately concerned about the prevailing business climate, so concerned that they have urged the government and the public to return to timeworn principles. No, not the authoritarian kind, but the likes of thrift, learning, hard work, perseverance and humility, which played as much a role in the surge as technology, export, capital outlay and productivity. In the finger pointing between the leadership and the opposition over the alleged slumping economic growth and slipping competitiveness, the erosion of enriching values ranks high in the list of ultimate whys.

But over the past years, however, more and more of the country’s filthy rich and owners of giant conglomerates, particularly the nouveau variety have sought to impress with wasteful displays of wealth: from nightly bottles of bubbly expensive wines and liquors to exclusive VIP entertainment, fleet of luxury cars and closets bulging with every “in thing” importable and fashionable. What all that profligacy has done for inflation and the current state of the economy – financial experts and economists know only

H

VANTAGE POINTS

too well. One glaring example is that from free-spending yuppies who made one of our neighboring economies the largest buyer of luxurious and highly expensive top-of-the-line items some years back to a bankrupt corporation who piled up debt twenty times its equity – not a few Filipino entrepreneurs have lost the traits underpinning the economic rise and the country is paying for it.

Remember thrift, hard work, learning, determination and humbleness?

These and other ethics have slipped out a bit of fashion among Filipinos.

For one thing, producing quality, durable, affordable goods and services used to be the main ticket to wealth, but a growing number of Filipino entrepreneurs notably the younger set now dream of instant riches from property market and stock trading – the kind of attitude twirling speculative spirals and, unluckily many lost their corporate shirts. Many people in business have remarked that matching words with action means doing something about the country’s staggering economic situation.

Unfortunately, there are government bureaucrats who are not so pro-active. They seemed to shrug off the prevailing economic problem.

Queries to the present economic condition were met with the why ‘areyou-so-concerned’ response that the economy is “all right today,” but what about tomorrow and the day after tomorrow? At the same time these gov-

ernment functionaries swallowed the hype about the country’s “economic miracle” and probably assumed there would be endless miraculous times ahead. Such fantasies led some of the government’s high-profile economic planners and financial managers to talk about multi-million investments – foreign and domestic amid nationwide shortages. If there is one lesson our current leaders should learn from the ongoing economic slowdown, it is the one that their predecessors knew painfully well: things can go horribly wrong.

Has government gone far in the struggle against economic downtrend? As we’ve stated, lots of money and radical economic policy shifts are urgently needed to heal our sickening economy, but they won’t work without the right values guiding people.

Those principles, of course, have to be observed and strictly carried out to the letter. Moreover, there may be also some reasons that tend to discourage certain Filipino ways of doing business. Cronyism and corruption, in particular, rob business people of opportunities for enterprise, add to business costs and create rapacious monopolies. A well-planned and determined government effort to strengthen the country’s economic structure will eventually help diminish the current woes and harmful values while enhancing helpful ones.

To the extent that it increases the public’s expectations of a robust and vibrant economy – and generates measures to alleviate socio-economic condition, a well-meaning ethical formation can work wondrously. Inevitably, no pain, no gain: recovery for both the economy and values will be a long, difficult struggle. That too will help teach another wealth-creating principle lost in the economic labyrinth – patience.

WORM’S EYEVIEW

ing?

Be a plunderer, coup plotter, traitor?

How do we now disabuse the minds of the youth that a senator or congressman can be a plunderer or traitor? This may have been going on for years—meaning they’ve been getting away with it for so long! So the corruption is much more serious and deeper than anyone can say! This is a question of national pride and integrity Let’s hope PNoy uses the Rule of Law as a rod to discipline such malefactors! [MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Manny Valdehuesa writes from Cagayan de Oro and is the president and national convenor of Gising Barangay Movement Inc. He can be reached at valdehuesa@gmail.com.]

Pork: Testament to recklessness

OW many Filipinos earn this much? How many Filipinos can manage this much with minimal transparency and accountability—and come out clean? And how many impoverished Filipinos continue to be hungry because these amounts are placed in the hands of senators and congressmen?

Any way you look at these huge gratuitous allowances, they are an invitation to financial mischief. Is it wise for the leadership to think that these funds will be managed efficiently or honestly by these fellows??

If so, it speaks lowly of their sense of probity. Do they actually expect themselves or their colleagues to be forthright or honest about its handling? Billions are involved, maybe even trillions. There are myriad, ingenious ways of subterfuge and dissem-

MANNY VALDEHUESA

(Conclusion) bling. And there is no lack for experts in concealing loot or the identity of looters. They are being reckless!

Consider the enormity of today’s scandal: 50% or one-half of the senate may well have committed plunder, while 180 congressmen (more than 60% of the House of Representatives) may have betrayed the public trust! In all, 192 members of our lawmaking body are now tainted by dishonesty!

The question now arises: who elected these 12 senators and 180 congressmen? And how many of them won by using their allocations to buy political favors including vote-buy-

7

Obama’s flawed case for a Syria strike COMMENTARY

BY ARI MELBER

W

(1st of two parts)

e should not bomb Syria without a vital national security interest and a precise foreign policy objective.

Right now, the Obama administration has not established either.

Under the United States’ legal and historical precedents, a president faces the highest burden for justifying military attacks that are essentially optional: actions not required for self-defense and which are not in response to an attack on the United States — or imminent threat of such attack. Intervening in the Syrian civil war fits that difficult category.

Even supporters of Syrian intervention do not claim it is required for U.S. security, since the Assad regime has not directly attacked the United States or its interests. In fact, the mission’s stated goal doesn’t attempt to qualify as traditional self-defense. The aim is to “prevent or deter” Syria from killing its citizens with chemical weapons, according to the Obama administration’s original draft resolution.

The White House has every right to make the humanitarian case for intervention, a rationale pressed earnestly in Bosnia and dishonestly in Iraq. This altruistic argument, however, has rarely provided the sole policy or legal justification for a proactive attack on a sovereign nation. That’s true both in American history and under international law.

Given that context, the administration’s piecemeal case for limited intervention is particularly hard to accept.

Administration officials are proposing a military operation that claims to fall short of war while sidestepping any notion of conventional victory over the Assad regime.

The potential attack is “not about regime change,” White House officials said last week. Thus the draft resolution limits the use of force for containing the “use of chemical weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in the conflict in Syria.”

Those promised boundaries make the operation sound like far less of a commitment than declaring war. And as a legal matter, those boundaries mean explicit congressional approval is probably not required. But this approach risks boxing the entire effort in as a tactical campaign with no foreign policy strategy.

Attacking Assad’s infrastructure without aiming at his authority leaves the operation without a long-term goal.

Even that assumes a “best case,” limited attack.

The larger risk is that promised boundaries will prove illusory. Yes, the administration can sell intervention as a surgical strike — “quick” and “limited,” an antidote to the mission creep or the “third war” many Americans wish to avoid.

Does anyone familiar with military history, however, believe intervention can be so tightly scripted?

Surely if Syria responded to a foreign attack by retaliating against the United States or its interests — which is the right of any sovereign nation under attack — then U.S. objectives and operations could shift dramatically.

Given all the talk in Washington, these questions are moving quickly past whispered hypotheticals.

On Monday, Syrian officials said they would respond to any U.S. bombing by attacking American ships in the Mediterranean Sea, in coordination with Hezbollah. (The Lebanese Shi’ite group, which has fought Israel since the early 1980s, backs Assad in the civil war.) That reaction would risk a wider conflict with the United States, and possibly Israel or Iran.

Obama can genuinely propose a limited operation — but no president can guarantee one. And once Congress hands over authority to attack another country, it is hard to take back.

8

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cracy can be put in place,” she said, adding that they have identified the changes needed.

She said, however, that there are so many “Napoleses” and that there are a lot of congressmen and senators who have their own personal “Napoleses,” which is why the system needs to be checked. “However, we have not decided whether we are for the abolition of the PDAF and the congress or not.

This is the reason they have come up with recommendations on how to make the PDAF more transparent, used properly, and for the congress and senate to be more responsible.

Their recommendations for improved guidelines addressed to the Senate, Senate, House of Representatives and concerned government implementing agencies: That the PDAF should be linked to local development plans and initiatives; publicize the projects they support; ensure that they go to legitimate development projects and organizations.

For the utilization of the PDAF, the recommendation report “requires all PDAF projects of the congresspersons and senators to come from the approved comprehensive development plan (CDP) and local development investment plan (LDIP) or the local poverty reduction action plan (LPRAP) of the concerned LGU or endorsed by the concerned local development council (LDC) or local poverty reduction action team (LPRAT) to ensure that the projects are coordinated with the other projects in the locality.”

On Transparency,

Monitoring and Evaluation of the PDAF, the House of Representatives (HoR) and the Senate should include in the HoR and Senate websites a link to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) website where PDAF releases are reported and e-copies of the annual reports on their PDAF projects as provided in 1.2 and 1.3 below.

Next, the DBM and all implementing agencies, should give a copy of the program of work/ project information and any updated version of this, including the total budget and breakdown per major component and work schedules, to the barangay captain and the NGO or People’s Organizations (PO) members of the barangay development council of the area where the project is being implemented or to the appropriate government agency and NGO/PO. All implementing agencies including the LGUs must also prepare transaction flow charts and quarterly reports on the status of project implementation and fund utilization On Ensuring the Legitimacy and Accountability of CSOs that will Receive PDAF Funding Support, Code-NGO gave 5 recommendations.

First is to immediately require all government agencies releasing funds to a CSO to validate these records with the Security and exchange commission (SEC), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) or the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Then the personnel of the government agency who did the said validation should be required to clearly certify

under oath to the authenticity of the documents and the qualification of the CSO and be made accountable in case any such validated CSO be later found to be bogus or fake.

Then transition to better alternative validation bodies such as the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) must be done. This independent third party validation would better ensure the integrity and reliability of the validation of the legitimacy of the applicant CSOs. The PCNC is an independent and CSO-initiated and managed certification institution duly recognized by the Department of Finance that certifies CSOs for good governance, financial management, and track record for creating impact to their beneficiaries.

Third, amend Commission on Audit (COA) Circular 2007-001 to remove the provision that for NGOs and POs in existence for less than 3 years, an accomplishment and financial report for the period it has been in operation shall be sufficient. Organizations in existence for less than 3 years should not be qualified to receive PDAF funding support.

Fourth, oppose any move to centralize CSO vetting in any government agency since the broad diversity of CSOs means that no government agency can effectively and exclusively cover all CSOs. Last, require the DBM and the Senate and House of Representatives to conduct an annual review of the effectiveness of the PDAF guidelines and to include CSOs in this review process.

erary.

In 2012, 4,098 Chinese tourists came to Davao City in 2012 while 3,178 came in 2011, and 2,893 in 2010.

“We are confident that we shall get more tourists if we continue on marketing Davao and Samal as well as making direct flight connections. We have what they like--our beaches, our culture, our strong ties

with them as we have the only Chinatown in the country aside from Manila and the largest city in the world. At present, the multi-lingual guides trainings we conducted already produced more Chinese-speaking guides,” Boncato said.

Chinese authorities expect the number of Chinese outbound tourists to grow to 100 million by 2020. The Chinese spend

some $45 billion to $50 billion on travel. This big market of tourists is what Davao tourism would like to target.

Despite the political concerns, the Department of Tourism wants Chinese tourists to come to the Philippines. Trading and Tourism are definitely over and above the present concerns, according to the national government.

the way to Tourist Beach in sitio Bucana and constructed a concrete pyramid monument thereat.

He said the monument has three sides with one side marked with “J.P. Laurel, Panabo City” while another side is marked “Lasang, Davao City, P.B. 11-000016.” Abella said the P.B. means Political Boundary of Panabo City.

He also reported that on April 26, 2013, a group

of people aboard three large motorized bangas marked with “Panabo Mariculture Park” unloaded hardwood lumber and construction materials on the beach area.

Abella, who is also a deputized environment and natural resources officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), said he was told by a certain Oliver Oriol, the leader of

the group, that they were going to build an office building of the Panabo City CENRO and fisheries department.

With this, he asked Davao City legislators to bring the issue to the DENR as he believes that the area “encroached” by Panabo City belongs to the jurisdiction of Davao City.

“It is the place where I was born and continue to stay,” he said.

DOT... FFROM 2

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EDGEDAVAO

DOT 11... FFROM 3 centive travelers” refer to Sino executives who had free travel expenses courtesy of their companies because of their good performance.

Two batches of incentive travelers visited Davao City, particularly Pearl Farm Beach Resort. They stayed at

least three nights in the city.

Despite the territorial conflict between China and Philippines, the DOT is still hoping that they can attract more Chinese travelers to visit Davao.

“We are confident that we will get more

tourists if we continue on marketing Davao and Samal as well as develop direct flight connections. We have what they like, our beaches, our culture, our strong ties with them as we have the biggest China town outside of Manila,” Boncato said.

are members of Jose Ricafort group.

Puli died after he was hit in the back, Pantukan police chief Clifford John Naborsaid, adding that the victim may have been been accidentally shot by his own comrades when they attacked the Calalang camp.

--Up to this writing, they said no official PNP report has been released regarding the incident.

-- According to a witness’ account (supported by an affidavit) there was no gunfight and that there was no attack made by personnel from JGR group.

As earlier stated, Nadecor watchmen are unarmed, Bausa and Contreras said.

They charged that the suspected armed personnel are from the Calalang group have no right to be in the tenement.

The duo also refuted claims that most of the attackers were no longer in the area except for the wounded and the dead.

“The armed attackers who are not employees of Nadecor are still in the area despite Pantukan Mayor Yugo’s order for them to vacate the tenement,” they said.

They said that due to the presence of the armed personnel, Nadecor field management were delayed in retrieving the body of Puli, the fatality, “ which is inhuman and unFilipino.”

The JRG spokesmen also belied the line in the story stating that “Nadecor’s licensed security agency has received assurances from the authorities that the government will help them maintain peaceful control of mining site.”

The two officials said that the premise of the statement is flawed because Nadecor has no licensed security agency, only watchmen.

At the same time, the duo said that their group (Ricafort group) “has always been in control of the Nadecor KK copper and gold project being the majority shareholder,”adding that “it is the minority Calalang group that has made four unsuccessful attempts to illegally take over the tenement.”

On the claim that “the Court of Appeals (CA), in a decision dated February 18, recognized the Calalang Board and executives as the rightful group to represent Nadecor,” the Ricafort group spokespersons said “The CA injunction is under SC appeal and is not yet final and executory.”

They also answered the line that “the challenge of dissident shareholders Jose Ricafort was thrown out by the CA, and the administrative complaint filed against the CA justices who rendered the same decision, was dismissed by the Supreme Court by a vote of 15-0 on February 19.”

Bauza and Contreras told Davao media persons that “this is a mix of two issues --(1) the CA decision on the Bato case which is pending at the SC and --(2) the administrative complaint against Justice Bato that was dismissed by the SC with the comment that an administrative complaint is not the basis for a pleading. The administrative case dismissed by the SC has nothing to do with the main case which is still

under appeal with the SC. They also refuted the claims that “re-elected president ConradoCalalang, who leads the largest investor group and its independent shareholders, reported that foreign partner St. Augustine has made a significant new investment in Nadecor.”

The JGR holds the“largest Nadecor shareholder of 62% of Nadecor shares, they said. “The statement that Calalang was re-elected as Nadecor president at the recent August 2013 ASM did not elect him as a director or as president, “ adding that St. Augustine is not a foreign partner of Nadecor since the MOU and all agreements were rescinded on March 26, 2012 Also, they said that no less than the BangkoSentralngPilipinas(BSP) said has not registered any investment of St. Augustine in Nadecor, according to a letter written by BSP Deputy Governor Diwa C. Gunigundo which, in part, says that “our records do not show any foreign investment registered by the BSP involving the Nationwide Development Corp., Saint Augustine Gold and Copper Ltd. And Saint Augustine Mining Ltd.” One of the largest shareholders in St. Augustine is Queensberry Mining and Development Corp., (Queensberry), the resource investment arm of the family of former senator Manny Villar.

Following its investment in May 2013, Queensberry now holds 18 percent of St. Augustine and has the option to increase its holding up to 32 percent.

plays.

“This is a once-in-ayear event, and it would be unfortunate if we do not push through with it,” Peñas said, adding that there have been threats to peace and security, but he is intensifying security measures.

“We are in full coordination with the police, military, barangay tanods, including the civilians, and even the Muslim community gave their full support in maintaining the peace and security of Digos, especially during the Araw ng Digos,” he said.

Meanwhile, the mayor has also been aggressively developing tourism and inviting more investors to the city to boost the economy and job opportunities.

For the Tourism Promotion Development

Program of Digos, Peñas recently endorsed the development of the circumferential road from Cogon Kapatagan, Mainit, Balutakay, and Bansalan to the Regional Development Council (RDC) 11.

“We will continue to ask for more funding because if we develop this road, the tourism industry here will bloom,” he said.

To increase employment opportunities in the city, he has been inviting more investors to come in to the city.

He cited Gaisano, and Nakayama as some of the major companies that invested in the city.

He said, they already passed a resolution for Malañang to declare the area near Nakayama as an export processing zone (EPZ), adding that invitations have been sent to prospective investors

to take advantage of the city’s relatively peace and order condition and geographical location as advantageous to the city’s development.

“From Davao City to General Santos, Kidapawan, or Cotabato, or vice versa, you will have to pass through Digos, which makes the city of 200,000 people the center of commerce and industry in the region,” he said.

Peñas cited some major business establishments in the city, including two Gaisano shopping malls, five radio stations, some 16 private and public hospitals, plenty of gasoline stations, 20 banks, and several colleges and universities.

He said, “it can cater to the needs of the people, being the center of business transaction and education programs.”

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DAVAO DEL NORTE

Del Rosario vows to buckle down all the way T

HERE is no stopping Governor Rodolfo del Rosario in attaining his vision for Davao del Norte.

In local politics, where term limits usually affect the efficiency of chief executives, del Rosario made it clear that he will continue

his brand of no-nonsense and untiring leadership until the last day of his governorship.

The last-termer governor said there will be no let up in his innovative governance as he vowed to faithfully carry out and implement relevant and

responsive policies and programs that will have genuine impact in the lives of the Dabaonons.

“While I am still here let us continue rolling up our sleeves and stay late at night until we finish what we need to do,” he said, during the recent celebra-

tion of his 79th birthday at the Clubhouse of the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Tagum City.

The Septuagenarian governor was greeted by his family, close friends and associates, local officials and his official family

BEAMING. Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo Rodolfo del Rosario beams as he reminisces his colorful 36 years in public services, during the celebration of his 79th birthday at the DNSTC Clubhouse. [Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO]

in the provincial government.

Looking every inch an institution in local governance, Del Rosario hinted he is not slowing down a bit although he is poised to celebrate his Ruby Jubilee 80th anniversary next year.

The decorated leader said he intends to realize his legacy of making Davao del Norte a premier and outstanding province, before he takes his final bow in public service in 2016.

“I will work hard as if this is my first term of office and I will do it up to the last day of my governorship,” the governor said.

His retirement from office will coincide with the observance of the 50th founding anniversary of the province.

The unblemished political career of Governor Dolfo, as he is fondly called, started in 1978 as assemblyman of the Batasang Pambansa, where he concurrently served as minister of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and of Natural Resources until 1986.

He continued to serve the legislature when democracy was restored, being elected as Congress-

man of the 3rd District of Davao del Norte for three consecutive terms in 1987, 1992 and 1995.

He was elected as governor in 1998, and reelected in 2001, during which he was elected by his peers to be the president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines and, subsequently, the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines: a rare acknowledgment of his being a primus inter pares.

With the sound policies adopted by del Rosario, Davao del Norte leapfrogged from the 52nd spot in the 2000 Human Development Index, to 32nd in 2003 HDI, outpacing the other 20 Provinces already in the top 30.

This was brought about by the dynamism of his development agendas that were attuned to the changing needs of the times.

In 1998, the governor put premium on the Minimum Basic Needs approach to development to uplift the living condition of the Dabaonons. While in 2007, he elevated the locus of intervention through his RDR WHEELS, which is community hard-infra oriented platform. [Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO]

GENERAL SANTOS CITY

DIGOS CITY

DENR to probe intrusion of tribal group, mining firm in reforestation sites

Rural Bank of Digos adjudged again as best RB in Region 11

T

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 12 is set to launch an in-depth investigation into the alleged encroachments by a tribal group and a mining company on areas covered by its community forestry projects in the mountains of North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

Datu Tungko Saikol, DENR-Region 12 executive director, said Wednesday he directed the agency’s forestry personnel to look into the reported intrusions and come up with recommendations that will help resolve the problem.

He designated DENR12’s regional technical director for forestry Muripaga Umpar to spearhead the investigation.

Saikol ordered the probe after stakeholders of people’s organizations (POs) that were accredited by DENR-12 to implement their reforestation projects in the mountains of Arakan in North Cotabato and Bagumbayan in Sultan Kudarat reported the encroachments by “interest groups” into their

project areas.

He said a member of the Kabalantian Farmers Association, Inc. (KAFAI) based in Arakan complained that a tribal group from Bukidnon province reportedly encroached into their Integrated Social Forestry (ISF) project area.

KAFAI, which was earlier granted with an ISF area covering 5,402 hectares in Barangay Kabalantian in Arakan, is a rural worker’s association that is also registered with the Department of Labor and Employment. The group is composed of around 200 rural workers.

He said its members, who are composed of Ilongo settlers and Manobo-Kulamanon tribal residents, are claiming prior rights over the area by virtue of a Certificate of Stewardship Contract issued by the DENR in 1997.

Saikol said the intrusion into KAFAI’s project area was reportedly led by members of the Matigsalog tribe under the FEMATRIC or Federation of Matigsalog Tribe CADT Holders based in Kitaotao town in Bukidnon. [Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews]

R

URAL Bank of Digos, Inc. was again adjudged by the Land Bank of the Philippines as “Most Outstanding Rural Bank in Region XI for 2012”.

This is the 8th Regional Award received by RBDI. RB Digos Asst. Vice President – Administration Group Head Giovanni D. Gabriento personally received the awards at the Land Bank Plaza in Manila last August 28, 2013. He also

received plaques and cash prizes for the said award.

Land Bank is on its 15th year of recognizing Outstanding Countryside Financial Institutions (CFI).

The award was presented by Chairman on Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries Nelson P. Collantes; LBP President and CEO Gilda E. Pico; LBP EVP Agricultural and Development Lending Sector Cecilia C. Borromeo.

The event was also attended by LBP First VP Mindanao Branches Group Joselito P. Gutierrez, LBP VP Mindanao Lending Group Head Celeste A. Burgos, LBP AVP Davao Lending Center Head Charlotte I. Conde and Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines President Vittorio Z. Almario.

RBDI bested the other rural banks in the region and in the country in the three criteria set by LBP

– (1) Organizational Management, Business Operations & Financial Management, (2) Pass on Rate to Small Farmers * Fishermen, and )3) Partnership with LBP. RB Digos was organized in December 1955 and was the first bank to operate in Digos and the southern part of the then empire province of Davao. That is why it earned the acronym “The Pioneer Bank.”

REGION’S BEST. RB Digos AVP Giovanni D. Gabriento (center) with (from left) LBP EVP Cecilia C. Borromeo, LBP President & CEO Gilda E. Pico, Hon. Nelson P. Collantes, LBP VP Celeste A. Burgos and LBP AVP Charlotte I. Conde

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EDGEDAVAO

PHL Malditas eye AFC semis berth S

ECURE in their feelings now that they have been cleared for participation in the Dec. 11-22 27th edition

of the Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar, the talented under- 17 Philippine Malditas can now concentrate in barging to

the semifinals of the the ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championships on Sept. 10 in Yangon, Myanmar.

The Malditas are bracketed in Group B of the AFF tourney together with Japan’s under-23 squad, Indonesia, Laos,

MALDITAS. The Philippine women’s football team, more popularly known as the Malditas, will eye for the AFC semifinals this time.

and host Myanmar, while Group A is composed of Australia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Jordan.

But the Malditas’ dream has been clouded with the last minute entry of Japan’s under-23 team which is a real threat to the Filipinas since at least four of the Japanese ladies have already played in the 2012 World Cup women’s competition.

However, coach Douglas Nierras, who was joined by assistant coach Trey Scharlin and FilAms Camille Wilson, Olivia Schmitt and Amanda Empleo at the PSA Forum is hopeful that his wards will reach the semis and the finals despite the strength of Japan and host Myanmar.

Nierras said his current crop of players is stronger than last year.

The Malditas lost to Myanmar, 2-4, in last year’s AFF competition but “We are fielding a much stronger squad that has been training sideby-side with my Stallions squad, the reigning UFL Cup and League champion,” said Nierras.

Nierras said he expects the Malditas to beat Indonesia and Laos as both were beatable “so

the game against Myanmar will be crucial. If we beat them then we will advance to the semifinal round.”

He has been coaching the national women’s squad since the 2005 Philippine Southeast Asian Games where the country was the overall regional champion for the first time.

“Japan has an under-23 squad while I practically have an under-17 squad,” said Nierras who included a lot of young players as part of his long-range plans for next year’s AFC under-17 football tournament.

The Malditas are currently ranked No. 4 in SEA behind Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar, respectively, and is No. 75 in the FIFA world rankings, which largely due to their strong play in the AFC Women Cup qualifiers last May in Bangladesh where they had two wins and one loss.

They blanked Middle East powerhouse Iran 6-0 to win the nod of the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission to earn their place in the Philippine delegation in Myanmar.

(PNA)

Suns unload Beasley P

HOENIX (AP) -The Phoenix Suns and Michael Beasley have reached an agreement to terminate the contract of the troubled forward.

The move on Tuesday will cost the franchise $7 million, a $2 million savings from what Beasley would have been due had he simply been waived. It also represents a significant reduction in what the hit on the team’s salary cap would have been.

Beasley was arrested a month ago in suburban Scottsdale on charges of felony marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

It was the latest in a series of incidents involving the drug that have plagued his NBA career after he was selected as the No. 2 overall draft pick out of Kansas State in 2008. ‘’The Suns were devoted to Michael Beasley’s success in Phoenix,’’ Suns President for Basketball Operations Lon Babby said in a statement released by the team. ‘’However, it is essential that we demand the highest standards of personal and professional conduct as we develop a championship culture.

‘’Today’s action reflects our commitment to those standards.’’

The Suns took a chance on Beasley despite his history of offthe-court problems.

In June 2011, Beasley was ticketed for marijuana possession and speeding in a Minneapolis suburb. He has acknowledged that while he was with the Miami Heat, he twice violated the NBA’s drug policy and entered a treatment facility in 2009.

But at the news conference announcing his signing of a three-year, $18 million contract with Phoenix, Beasley vowed that his marijuana days were over. ‘’I realize 10 minutes of feeling good is not really worth putting my life and my career and my legacy in jeopardy,’’ he said then, ‘’so I’m confident to say that that part of my career, that part of my life, is over and won’t be coming back.’’

But early on Aug. 6, his Mercedes was pulled over for a traffic stop and a Scottsdale officer said he smelled marijuana. Police said they found three marijuana cigarettes in the car Beasley was driving.

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FOOD

Toryano’s Chicken Haus: Food, passion and love THE busy streets of Davao makes the ambiance all the more enticing. People from all walks of life line the streets after a tiring day at school and office. Nonetheless, despite the stress, everyone seems alleviated as soon as they step inside one of Davao’s premier food spot, Toryano’s!

Not a stranger to the food scene, I have been most intrigued by the powerful pull this particular establishment have on people. No, not just people but people who are as keen as me when it comes to food.

Yes, they serve the juiciest grilled native chicken!

Now, how is that even possible?

From the moment you allow yourself to be dragged by your gastro-

Media Partner

EDGEDAVAO

nomically inclined senses, you will be treated to an

array of par excellence pinoy dishes that are not only tummy friendly but more so, budget friendly.

Their menu speaks forth of how much they value the well being of their clients. From celebrities like Martin Nievera to students dependent on parents’ allowance, they know how to strike a balance and deliver at the same time.

For most of us, Toryano’s Chicken Haus appears like any other. It did to me.

However, as I savour their dsihes, I was made to believe that I did miss part of my Davao life when I often snobbed their delicacies.

FTORYANO’S, A4

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UP AND ABOUT

Globe goes Google GLOBE TELECOM recently started using Google business solutions and tools that empower employees of the Philippine telecommunications company to serve its customers better.

The collaboration will provide Globe with flexibility to deliver more for its customers by enhancing mobility of close to 6,000 Globe employees, supportive of a 24-7 service. Joining Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu (second from right) at the launching of the collaboration are from left, Herald Uy, Chief Technology Evangelist of Singularity, Ricky Kapur, Head of Google Enterprise Asia and Henry Aguda, Globe Chief of Information Officer and Head of Information Systems.

Abreeza’s first-ever mall valet parking service in Mindanao ABREEZA MALL, the premier shopping, dining, and entertainment destination in Davao, presents an impressive new offering that will give customers more reasons to keep coming back.

Launched on June 8, 2013, valet parking is now available at Abreeza—the first mall in Mindanao to introduce such a service. For only Php 50, Abreeza’s experienced and efficient valet attendants will ensure that your vehicle is driven quickly and safely to the parking area; once you return to pick it up, they will deliver it back to you just as quickly and safely.

This new service comes in especially handy for patrons who are pressed for time, and on those days when parking is sure to be a challenge. “During Abreeza’s peak days, which are on weekends, our parking spaces easily get filled up,” says Joseph Ryan Pastrana, who is project head of the valet parking program. “It’s convenient for customers to avail of valet parking, which is guaranteed to give them fast—and secure—service.”

Abreeza has allotted a space exclusively for valet vehicles near the exit of the basement parking area to make certain that vehicles are transported to and from the parking area in the shortest time possible.

This new offering further strengthens Abreeza’s commitment to putting the customer first. “The valet parking project came about because Abreeza truly wants to give excellent customer service,” Pastrana reveals. “As part of our initiatives in giving customers the best service that we can give, we’ve extended more convenience and security even to the parking experience.”

Avail of Abreeza’s valet parking service at the Italianni’s entrance from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. For inquiries, please contact the Abreeza hotline at (082) 321-9332. For more information on Abreeza, please visit the official Ayala Malls website at www.ayalamalls.com.ph or Abreeza’s official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AbreezaMall.

FOOD

Treats from the gardens of Eden DAVAO has literally transformed itself as just a mere producer of food into a haven of gastronomic and culinary delights. This is due to the fact that food tastes better when it is consumed where it is grown and this is the mind-set of Eden Nature Park’s restaurant.

The resort is already known for it’s fresh garden salads which use resort grown salad greens as well as herbs and spices in the past with the fresh infusion of culinary ideas, the resort now also features various locally grown and sourced ingredients in their buffet spreads. An example of their eat local campaign is their Tuna Tartar which features fresh locally caught tuna served with their inhouse grown cucumber.

The freshness of the tuna and the sweet crunchiness of the cucumber pairs well and leaves me excited of the other dishes on the table.

Of course when at Eden, their salad takes the centre stage of the buffet spread, with the greens literally picked fresh from the pot and into the salad bowl.

Pair with their famous Asian sesame dressing and you can actually almost

Desserts at the buffet.

BULGOGI BROTHERS INTRODUCES AFFORDABLE SET MEALS. Have a taste of Korean Pork Belly, Seafood Soybeen Stew, Bulgogi Bibimbap, Beef Bulgogi, Claypot style Bulgogi, Spicy Boneless Chicken, Boneless Pork Rib BBQ, and Pork Bulgogi all day long from Monday to Sunday for only Php 295 per set.

Each set comes with classic Korean side dishes as well as free refillable cold Korean tea. Bulgogi Brothers is located at the second floor Fountain Court of SM Lanang Premier.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 124 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2013

Tuna tartar.

Eden’s famous garden salad greens.

swear off meat.

I say almost because I cannot for the life of me swear off Eden’s grilled pork belly which is cooked hot and fresh by the cooks for everyone to see and smell. I lament the fact that I cannot share the delicious smokey, salty smell of Eden’s pork belly since no one has yet invented ink that can smell exactly like the slices of pork belly I smelled and tasted, but trust me, it was the pork they kept me from becoming a total vegetarian.

And what is a complete

Macadamia nut cookies with nuts that are grown in-house.

Heart of palm and shirmp salad.

Grilled swordfish. meal without dessert right?

At Eden, desserts take a playful turn with the use also of local favours and ingredients. From the creamy taro and sweet potato pastillas de leche to the sweet potato maja, everything was well balanced, creamy without being too sweet, making one crave for an extra bite here and there.

For halo-halo lovers, there is also a halo-halo buffet with ingredients Cooking up pork bellies. taken from the pages of one the resort actually grows of Davao’s best halo-halos, its own macadamia nuts, Aling Fupings (which is making the cookies made also owned by the Ayala with the nuts extra special family). The best des- and extra worth the calosert bite though would be ries.

Eden Nature Park’s buttery, Follow me on Twitter crumbly Macadamia Nut or on Instagram for more Cookies. Now you may foodie finds, travel tips and be wondering what is lo- happenings in, around and cal about the cookie? Well, beyond Durianburg.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Pawn Stars and Kings of Restoration move to Primetime Friday BEGINNING September 6, History’s hit reality series “Pawn Stars” and “Kings of Restoration” move to primetime - every Friday at 8PM - on GMA News TV. On “Pawn Stars”, Rick Harrison gets a chance to buy one of the quietest air crafts ever made - a vintage Schweizer glider. Will he soar into a good deal and restore this glider to its high flying status? Then Corey meets a man selling a jersey autographed by famed New York Yankees icon Lou Gehrig. Will the owner get the 7,000 dollars he wants for it?

And the Old Man is speechless when a guy comes into the shop with an extremely rare casino chip – a 1950s Las Vegas

Club five-dollar chip – one of only eight known pieces available. Will the Old Man bet the house for this historic Vegas relic or fold when the stakes get too high?

On “Kings of Restoration”, Rick Dale and the guys aim to please when an 1800s cannon rolls into the shop.

Rick admits it’s his first time to restore one so he asks for an expert’s help. Will the team get this historic piece

to fire again?

And later, a client brings in a 1960s slot machine from the old Silver Slipper Casino. Can the shop hit the jackpot on this 10-cent contraption?

Dubbed in Filipino, “Pawn Stars” and “Kings of Restoration” air back-to-back on its new timeslot – every Friday at 8PM – starting September 6 on GMA News TV Channel 11.

“Wansapanataym Presents My Fairy Kasambahay” airs pilot episode this Saturday

Kim Chiu hailed as best TV drama actress KAPAMILYA ACTRESS Kim Chiu is on cloud nine after receiving the Best TV Drama Actress award in the recently held 3rd EdukCircle Awards for her portrayal in the toprating primetime family drama series “Ina Kapatid Anak.”

THE CONJURING 2D / *THE FROZEN GROUND 2D

According to Kim, she is overjoyed with all the blessings that she has been receiving this year including the success of her first movie team-up with Xian Lim “Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo?” which earned

R 13 / *R 16

Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson / * Nicolas Cage, John Cusack 12:40 | 3:00 LFS / *5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

OTJ 2D Piolo Pascual, Gerald Anderson R 16

12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

MORTAL INSTRUMENTS CITY OF BONES 2D

more than P100 million.

“I am very thankful to EdukCircle Awards for recognizing me as a drama actress. And of course, to ABS-CBN, Dreamscape, and the whole staff of ‘Ina Kapatid Anak’ for always bringing out the best in me,” said Kim who is set to topbill the newest “Wansapanataym” month-long special.

In the pilot episode of “Wansapanataym Presents My Fairy Kasambahay” this Saturday (September 7), Kim will portray the role of Elyza, a young lady who is punished by the Fairy Mayordoma (John ‘Sweet’ Lapus) to become a maid because of her disrespectful attitude towards their house helpers. How will

Elyza’s life change when she is given a taste of her own medicine?

Also in “Wansapanataym Presents My Fairy Kasambahay” are Joseph Marco, Shamaine Buencamino, Miguel Vergara, Arnold Reyes, Simon Ibarra, and Angel Aquino. It is written by Cris Lim and Arlene Tamayo, and directed by Jerry Sineneng.

Don’t miss the beginning of Kim’s magical fairy tale this Saturday in the newest month-long special of the storybook of Pinoy kids, “Wansapanataym,” after “Kapamilya: Deal or No Deal” on ABS-CBN. For updates, log on to www. abs-cbn.com or follow @abscbndotcom on Twitter.

Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower PG 13

12:00 | 2:30 | 5:00 | 7:30 | 10:00 LFS

R-16 PEE MAK 2D Mario Maurer PG 13

12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

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FOOD

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

Toryano’s...

FFROM A1

What made me smile most was their NATIVE CHICKEN. As abovementioned, it was juicier than expected. Dwelling on its greatness will rob you of your sanity thus I advice you to try it for yourself.

The BANGUS SISIG made me think twice of my food preferences. The simplicity of the dish made it out of the ordinary, to say the least. I was convinced though that what I was having was more than a bangus!

Another delicious dish was their KINILAW that was freshly, soothing all together. Not a kinilaw fan, I was munching on them like a kid inside a candy store. It was too good to be true -- with a hint of spicy

on the side, patrons and newbies will be treated to an explosive experience!

Another is their CRISPY BANGUS that was so

crispy you would mistake it for something else. I say that because the fish flavour was well preserved despite the deep frying.

I loved how I was able to taste it mildly and not deal with a fishy after taste that we often have of fish.

The PANCIT and CHOP SUEY were also winners!

Yes, you can verily acquaint the dishes with something typical of pinoys but these were neither. It exemplified that even traditional staples could be given additional notch and have an outstanding result in the end.

Have it while hot and you’ll never have to ask for rice!

Of the many dishes tasted, I was delectably intrigued on their simple yet intoxicating CHICKEN TINOLA. I wonder how they kept the native chicken super soft and juicy at the same time? People who are watching what they eat will surely love this soup.

Capping the night off, we were treated with a unique dessert of BUKO SALAD served on cleaned and trimmed coconut

shell. Nonetheless, be not stopped by the presentation as the salad was the perfect ending to a gastronomical heart attack that took me by surprise!

I simply adored how the cheese intertwined the mang sahog of the salad.

No, it did not taste foreigh; it tasted holistically in sync with the dessert.

This has got to be the most delicious salad I have ever tasted -- except for my Mom’s , that is.

So, if good food and fun night is what you are after, then visit TORYANO’S CHICKEN HAUS infront of the Apo View Hotel and be transported into a different realm with their dishes!

Want to be a part of Davao’s Thursday habit?

What are you waiting for?

Email me at bffsa457@ gmail.com or leebai@ chefroyale.com and together we will experience a gastronomical indulgence like no other. Visit chefroyale.com for recipes and features you have missed!

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 124 •THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2013

TOO GOOD. Serena Williams coasted to a double bagel win in the quarterfinals and will be meeting Li Na (inset) next. Lower photo, Ana Ivanovic lost a rain-delayed match to Victoria Azarenka.

SUPER SERENA Double bagel win shoves Williams to semis N

EW YORK (AP) -- From an ace on the first point to a stinging return on the last, Serena Williams was close to perfect in the U.S. Open quarterfinals.

The score said it all Tuesday night: 6-0, 6-0.

Yes, Williams is looking better and better with each match at the year’s last Grand Slam tournament. With two more wins - no matter the exact

scores - she’ll earn a fifth title at Flushing Meadows and 17th major championship overall.

The No. 1-ranked and No. 1-seeded Williams shut out 18th-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain, the first ‘’double bagel’’ in a quarterfinal at Flushing Meadows since 1989, when 18-time major title winner Martina Navratilova did it to Manuela Maleeva.

Williams won 53 of 71 points and dominated pretty much every statistical category. The first set took all of 19 minutes.

The second was slower, lasting 33 minutes, but no less lopsided. ‘’When you play against Serena,’’ Suarez Navarro said, ‘’you know these things can happen.’’

In Friday’s semifinals, Williams will play 2011 French Open champion Li

Na of China.

Asked in an on-court interview if her game is peaking, Williams replied: ‘’No. Not yet. I hope not. I’m just trying to do the best that I can.’’

Well, that just happens to be rather good.

Through five matches, Williams has dropped a total of 13 games so far.

For comparison’s sake, know this: Suarez Navarro lost more games than that in her previous match alone, 15, while eliminating No. 8 Angelique Kerber.

That victory, and her seeding, should have demonstrated that Suarez Navarro is quite capable of playing well, too.

But not on this evening.

Not against Williams, who is 65-4 with eight titles in 2013. Going back to the start of Wimbledon last year, the 31-year-old American is 96-5 with 13 trophies, including from three of the past five Grand Slam tournaments plus the London Olympics.

PRESIDENT’S CUP ASPIRANT. Before the 2013 PGA Tour season kicked off, Jordan Spieth was a relative nobody in the professional golf ranks, a kid that fit the mold of the confident amateur-turned-pro with lots of promise but no set plan for his immediate future. Playing great golf lately, Spieth could land a spot in the President’s Cup.

GOLF RANKINGS Golf World rankings on Monday, Sept 2 (U.S. unless stated, last week’s positions in brackets): 1. (1) Tiger Woods 14.38 average points 2. (2) Adam Scott (Australia) 9.44 3. (3) Phil Mickelson 8.62 4. (4) Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) 8.18 5. (5) Justin Rose (England) 7.88 6. (6) Matt Kuchar 6.58 7. (7) Brandt Snedeker 6.32 8. (8) Jason Dufner 5.99 9. (9) Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) 5.82 10. (10) Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 5.77 11. (11) Luke Donald (England) 5.09 12. (12) Keegan Bradley 5.06 13. (13) Lee Westwood (England) 4.93 14. (14) Steve Stricker 4.92 15. (15) Jim Furyk 4.70

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FOR THE TITLE TRMH Duterte Agilas gun for title W

HAT they failed to achieve at home, they try to achieve on the road.

Two-time Davao champion The Royal Mandaya Hotel-Duterte Agilas try to annex a third straight championship this time in Gen. Santos City when they clash with Cebu’s Omega Pain Killer Pro for the 2013 Tuna Festival Pacman Cup. Gametime is set late last night after the battle for third between MP Pacman Warriors and Team Villar-Zamboanga City.

The TRMH Duterte Agilas, owned by hotelier Glen Escandor and managed by CMO executive assistant Bong Go, earned the trip to the finals in the Gen. Santos City

tournament which serves as the sporting highlight of the annual Tuna Festival when it hacked out a close 87-85 win over the Pain Killer Specialists of Cebu’s International Pharmaceuticals Inc. The TRMH Duterte Agilas toppe d the four-team single round robin eliminations with a clean 3-0 slate.

The Cebu squad booked the other finals berth after MP Pacman Warriors lost out on its finals bid with a heartbreaking loss to Team Villar 70-71. The three teams finished the elims with identical 1-2 cards but the Cebuanos got the best quotient with a plus 25 compared to Pacman’s 0 and Team Villar’s minus 25.

The TRMH Duterte Agilas, then

carrying the TRMH-CMO name, was prevented from winning a triple crown after organizers cancelled the controversy-rocked Kadayawan Basketball Tournament last month in Davao City.

Team owner Escandor, who assembled this team at the last minute, was set to catch up with his team in the finals but his tight schedule in Manila could leave him no choice but to cancel his flight to Gen. Santos City.

“I wanted to watch the finals and cheer for the boys but my schedule is too tight, I will just pray for them and hopefully we will win the title,” said Escandor in a text message to Edge Davao.

NJB

ONE VERSUS THREE. Mario West of Meralco of Meralco challenges the defense of Cyrus Baguio, Calvin Abueva and JV Casio of Alaska during the PBA Governor’s Cup last Tuesday night.