Edge Davao 6 Issue 147

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 147 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

www.edgedavao.net

Serving a seamless society

SPIDERMEN. Workers imitate spiderman’s daring stunts rather recklessly while installing the lights of the tallest Christmas tree in Davao City owned by a shopping mall along J.P. Laurel Avenue yesterday. Dabawenyos’ yuletide season would not be complete without the giant Christmas tree and the amazing Christmas display courtesy of an antique store. Lean Daval Jr.

FACEBOOK LIBEL Brgy. captain sues woman for FB post A

womAn was indicted for libel after she allegedly maligned a barangay captain on Facebook for reportedly not complying with his promise to put street lights on the lot

Zarate:

donated by her grandfather.

Prosecutor Pampilo Lovitos charged Alma Bates for libeling complainant, Romulo Tubal, barangay captain of Dacudao, Cali-

FFACEBOOK,10

Why we should abolish pork

By EJ Dominic FErnanDEz ejf@edgedavao.net

B

AyAn muna representative Carlos Isagani Zarate has bared what he claims would be four major bene-

fits for the country should the pork barrel system be abolished.

In yesterday’s Kapehan

FZARATE,10

BIRIT QUEENS. Choral singers from Toril District belt out a medley of various notable Filipino songs during yesterday’s 2013 Mutya ng Senior Citizen and Socio-cultural Competition at the Annex of SM City Davao. The said event was part of the Senior Citizens’ week celebration. Lean Daval Jr.

INSIDE: Prof. Kim Gargar: ‘I was doing research’ Gensan dads ask CAAP to upgrade int’l airport

‘Jordan is beyond compare’

2 4 16

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 147 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

‘Ex-cop’nabbed for selling shabu A

n alleged “ex-cop” is facing charges for possessing and selling illegal drugs after he was nabbed during a police buybust operation last Saturday afternoon inside a room of Boholand Apartelle Hotel, macArthur Highway.

Talomo police station officer Po3 Joel Degamo went to the City Prosecution office yesterday to file cases against Roy Aloi macabuat, 52, of Royal Valley, Bangkal, this city.

Degamo said that at around 5:00 p.m. they received a report that a certain “Roy” was allegedly engaged in illegal drug activities and selling ‘shabu’ inside the hotel.

Immediately.

P/Supt.

Julius SIlagan, commander of the Talomo police station, formed a team composed of SPo1 Dennis Austria, Po3 mara, Po3 Agor Jr., Po1

Russel Elesterio led by P/ Inspector Adonis Zozobrado to conduct a buy-bust operation against macabuat.

The team proceeded to the hotel where Degamo was instructed to act as a buyer, bringing with him P1,000 in marked money as payment for drug (shabu). After the informant introduced him to the suspect, Degamo told macabuat that he wanted to buy P1,000 worth of shabu and handed over the marked money. Degamo then gave the signal to the team to arrest the suspect.

Recovered from the latter were another P1,000 worth of shabu packed in a small plastic sachet , lighters, and personal belongings of the suspect like cellphone, wallet, etc. macabuat had told Agor that he (Agor) was a former cop, which the police have yet to confirm. EPC

ABOLITION OF PORK BARREL. Bayan Muna partylist representative Carlos Isagani Zarate believes the abolition of pork barrel system and the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) will minimize corruption, political dynasties and election violence and make taxpayer’s money really benefit the people during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

Prof. Kim Gargar:

‘I was doing research’ m

ATI CITy, Davao oriental – Physicist and former professor Kim Ajeas Gargar is spending his 34th birthday on Sunday (oct. 6), behind bars.

Gargar, found with a head and foot injury hours after a 2 a.m. clash between government forces and the new Peoples’ Army (nPA)

in Sitio Spur Dos, Barangay Aliwagwag in Cateel, Davao oriental on october 1, is facing four criminal charges : violation of RA 9615 or illegal possession of explosives, firearms and ammunitions; two counts of multiple frustrated/attempted murder; and violation of the election gun ban.

“Hindi totoo lahat yan”

(These are not true), Gargar, Local and International networking officer of the Quezon City-based Center for Environmental Concerns –Philippines (CECPhils) and a PhD candidate in Chronobiology from the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen in the netherlands, told mindanews Friday afternoon while awaiting the

taking of his fingerprints and mug shots at the mati City Police Station.

Gargar, who hails from Iligan City, finished BS in Physics, magna cum laude, at the mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology in 2000 in his hometown, Iligan City; and his mS in Physics at the University of the Philippines in

CAPTURED. Physicist Kim Gargar narrates his experience at the Mati City Police Office last Friday, October 4, following his capture by the military near the site of a clash between New People’s Army rebels and governmentsoldiers in Barangay Alwagwag, Cateel, Davao Oriental on October 1. Gargar is a doctorate student of chronobiology at the University of Groningen in The Netherlands. The military has filed charges of illegal possession of firearm and murder against him. [MindaNews photo by Toto Lozano]

Diliman, Quezon City.

Gargar was transferred from the Davao oriental Provincial Hospital to the Davao oriental Provincial Jail in Barangay Sainz late Friday afternoon, becoming the 213th inmate there.

He is scheduled for arraignment on october 24.

(Carolyn o. Arguillas / mindanews) Col. Benjamin madrigal, chief of the 701st Infantry Brigade, told mindanews in a telephone interview wednesday night that Gargar was “intercepted” by soldiers near the site of a clash with the nPA and was turned over to the Philippine national Police’s Criminal Investigation Detection Group (CIDG). He said he was immediately given first

aid treatment. madrigal narrated that troops from the 67th IB were deployed to Spur Dos following intelligence reports that the nPA would set off landmines in the area. He said a landmine exploded at around 2 a.m. october 1, injuring five soldiers, followed by a 30-minute clash. Recovered from the encounter site was the body of a slain nPA member later identified as Gerald Tagal Antepuesto and four IEDs (improvised explosive device).

23-year-old student is facing a case of frustrated murder after he shot a construction worker on Saturday inside the nicolas Apartment, on nile St., in Bacaca.

Po2 Herministo Galope, investigator of San Pedro police station, said that Jeric Basa, who is a renter in the apartment, surrendered to police after the incident.

Basa reportedly shot

nelson Senillo nalzalo, 22, who is confined at the Southern Philippine medical Center for treatment of a right thigh wound.

Galope said, that Basa was under the influenced of liquor when he shot nalzalo while singing on videoke inside the store of the apartment.

Recovered was one empty shell of a .45 caliber pistol allegedly used by the suspect. EPC

“not from me” A press release issued by the Public Information office of the Eastern mindanao Command (East-

FPROF. KIM10

Frustrated murder case filed versus 23-year old A

THE BIG NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 147 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

3

Eid’l Adha on Oct. 15 is a national holiday o FAMILY BONDING. A family spends a weekend dip at the famous Hagimit Falls in the Island Garden City of Samal on Sunday. Hagimit Falls is one of the emerging resort destinations in IGaCoS . Lean Daval Jr.

GenSantos couple arrested in anti-cyber porn operation

P

oLICE operatives rescued two minors and arrested a couple in a raid on an alleged cyber pornography base in a village in General Santos City on Sunday night.

Senior Insp. Leo Dolfiles, head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Region 12’s cybercrime unit, said monday suspects Argie and Richel noro were nabbed at around 7 p.m. in a rented apartment in Diaz Subdivision, Purok Balite in Barangay Lagao that reportedly served as a base for a cyber pornography operation.

He said the couple,

who came from malungon town in Sarangani Province, was allegedly caught during the raid in the act of facilitating a lewd show via the Internet involving two minors. “we have long been monitoring them and we immediately decided to launch the raid after confirming their activities,” Dolfiles said in a radio interview.

He added that they initially got wind of the couple’s illegal activity several weeks ago through a tip from a concerned resident.

He said they immediately monitored their

Customs ‘tug-of-war’ hampers reform agenda

T

HE reform program designed to keep the Bureau of Customs (BoC) at par with international standards on customs administration is getting bogged down with legal intervention called temporary restraining order (TRo) into purely government office administrative matters such as personnel movement.

The latest development on the legal front underlying the BoC imbroglio is the 17-day extension granted by a manila Regional Trial Court to 72-hour TRo earlier granted to 15 customs port collectors who resisted their reassignment to the newly-created Customs Policy Research office (CPRo) under the Department of Finance.

The TRo extension will remain in effect until october 20.

Ironically, however, even if the resisting 15 out of 27 port collectors manage to wangle a TRo preventing them from being reassigned to CPRo, they still have to contend with the fact that they cannot go back now to their ports considering that it will constitute a violation of the ComELEC election ban on appointments.

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon insisted that the BoC’s reform program, which is essentially a major government reform agenda, will not be sidetracked by the TRo. “The President has spoken before about the needed reforms in the BoC, and we have to follow,’ Biazon said, adding that “we should be involved in this opportunity to reform the BoC and be part of a customs legacy that pushes for real reforms in the bureau.” [PnA]

activities through a cyber pornography website and later confirmed that they were indeed operating in the city.

“They offer live sex shows through the website in exchange for some amount,” Dolfiles said.

The couple’s clients would usually purchase “stars” or credits to view their shows and they later receive the payments through money transfer.

Based on their monitoring, Dolfiles said the couple’s clients were mostly foreigners from the United States, France, Qatar and Ukraine.

He said the shows were

done “day and night” and the couple reportedly earns P1,000 to P6,000 per day from the illegal activity.

Dolfiles said they were able to track down the location and address of the suspects by getting information through their accounts at the popular social networking site Facebook.

City mayor Ronnel Rivera and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel Pacquiao, who rushed to the CIDG headquarters at Camp Fermin Lira here after the raid, condemned the illegal activity and vowed to help clamp down on other similar operations in the area. (mindanews)

CToBER 15 is a national holiday in observance of Eid’l Ahda, the Islamic Feast of the Holy Sacrifice.

President Benigno S. Aquino III on october 3 signed Proclamation no.

658 declaring october 15, 2013, a regular holiday throughout the country to celebrate Eid’l Adha.

Eid’l Adha is one of Islam’s two major festivals celebrated by 1.6 billion muslims around the world.

It is celebrated yearly to mark the end of Hajj, the pilgrimage to mecca and to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham among Christians) act of sacrificing his eldest son, Ishmael. God spared the boy’s life and instead gave Abraham a lamb to sacrifice.

Republic Act 9849 provides that Eid’l Adha, though falling on movable dates every year, shall be celebrated as a national

holiday.

RA 9492 had earlier provided that Eid’l Adha be celebrated as a regional holiday in the Autonomous Region in muslim mindanao’s Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Lanao del Sur, maguindanao and the cities of marawi and Lamitan.

nDEPEnDEnT oil players will adjust prices of their fuel products 6am Tuesday in line with the movements in the international petroleum market.

In an advisory, Seaoil Philippines Inc. said it will implement a P0.55 per liter cut on the prices of its gasolines Extreme 97, Extreme 95, and Extreme U on october 8, 2013.

However, price of the Exceed diesel will go up by P0.35 per liter during the same time.

Also, PTT Philippines

Corp. said prices of its gasolines namely Performa, Superb, and Eco Gas will be slashed off P0.55 per liter while the price of Dynamic diesel will go up by P0.35 per liter.

These announcements came after major oil players such as Petron Corp. made the same disclosure.

Petron said price of its gasoline products will be cut

by P0.35 per liter while price of its diesel will increase by P0.35 per liter. [PnA]

The Presidential proclamation said the national Commission on muslim Filipinos recommended that the observance of Eid’l Adha be on october 15 and the Eid’l Adha prayer be performed on the final declaration of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. w o r l d w i d e , Eid’l Adha is observed through a gathering of the Islamic community in prayer, and sacrificing a lamb or goat and distributing its meat to family, friends and relatives, particularly the poor. [mindanews]

Independent oil players to adjust prices Tuesday I

TETANUS TOXOID SHOT. A resident receives free Tetanus Toxoid shot which is part of the services offered by ABS-CBN Davao’s outreach program in connection with its 60th anniversary over the weekend at Teodoro Palma Gil Elementary School along Quirino Avenue in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 147 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

GENERAL SANTOS CITY

Gensan dads ask CAAP to upgrade int’l airport

U

PSET with what it considers poor quality of services and the lack of standard amenities at the international airport in General Santos City, the city council has urged the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to prioritize the development and upgrading of the facility.

In a resolution, the council specifically asked CAAP to immediately upgrade the physical features

and amenities of the city airport’s main terminal building and its other vital structures, which have fast deteriorated in the last several years. “(CAAP should make it) at par with the international airports in other highly-urbanized cities in the country,” it said.

City Councilor Shandee Theresa Llido-Pestaño, who authored the resolution, said the airport’s terminal building mainly needs a major upgrade to keep pace

with the growing number of passengers and flights that are using the facility daily.

“The airport now caters to thousands of passengers so CAAP should set the necessary improvements to meet the needs of travelers, especially in terms of their safety, convenience and comfort,” she said.

The official noted that the security inspection at the airport has remained on manual mode as the replacement of its damaged

x-ray or baggage screening machines has remained pending, seven months after they broke down.

She said the manual inspection has been causing long queues at the airport’s entrance causing delays in the check-in of most passengers.

Pestaño said airline passengers have also complained about the airport terminal slowly becoming crowded due to the increasing number of flights and with very few chairs

to accommodate the volume of waiting passengers; its poorly maintained comfort rooms; unkempt building structure; and, limited shops, food stalls and restaurants inside the pre-departure area.

“These (complaints) are attributes of a low-grade airport,” she stressed.

Pestaño said CAAP should immediately address these concerns being the government agency responsible for the implementation of policies on civil aviation to ensure safe, economical and efficient air travel.

It should give proper attention on the need to improve the airport’s amenities, specifically those under the check-in, arrival, transfers, shopping, security and departure services, she said.

She said the agency should also pursue the provision of advanced amenities that would eventually transform the airport into a world-class aviation gateway such as internet facilities, best restaurants, electronic carts, elegant shops, nursing rooms, prayer rooms, banks and foreign currency exchange counters and airline lounges.

“These will make the airport at par with its counterparts, become globally competitive and eventually help attract more tourists and investors to the area,” she added.

Allan Punay, CAAP

TAGUM CITY

manager here, earlier assured that agency has been continually working on the improvement of the airport’s facilities and services but said these initiatives could take some time.

He said they have been addressing the concerns raised by some sectors regarding the airport, among them the need to put up a new terminal building; acquisition of new x-ray or baggage screening machines; provision of new trolley/pushcarts that will be free of charge to passengers; setting of improved security scheme for passenger inspections; and, the reduction of the taxi rates from the airport to the city proper.

The Department of Transportation and Communication central office opened last may the bidding for the “supply, installation, testing and commissioning” of passenger and baggage screening equipment for the city airport, oTS central office and 31 other airports in the country.

The agency said it is “further improving air travel safety and security by procuring a properly layered passenger, baggage and cargo screening system for various airports” in the country.

The approved budget for the acquisition of the new equipment, which comprises 401 units, is around P297 million. [mindanews]

Rellon makes report on first 100 days New rooms restore normalcy of classes FRUIT SEASON. Fresh exotic fruits like durian, lanzones, rambutan and mangosteen are sold along the highway in Barangay Saguing in Makilala, North Cotabato in a photo taken on October 6, 2013. [MindaNews photo by Bong S. Sarmiento]

CATEEL, DAVAO ORIENTAL

S

CHooL kids of the Cateel Central Elementary School no longer spend learning hours under tents on school grounds as an eight-classroom building was turned over here last october 1.

This new edifice is a gift from the Tulong Kapatid Consortium, which is the network for disaster response under the giant conglomerate mVP Group of Companies.

Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Amendras, who graced the turn-over

ceremony, said he is glad to see that normalcy starts to manifest here. “normalization starts when kids go back to school,” he said.

“That’s why I am exceptionally happy that the mVP group decided to put up this school,” he added.

He also described the construction of this new edifice as symbolic while serving a functional role.

“It is symbolic in the context that it is such a relief to see children go back to school again and learning again, while functional in

the sense that it is the community center. If there happens to be another storm pass by, people will always flock by the school because that’s where they find relief and security.”

Sec. Almendras who linked the mVP Group to the provincial government, said he was not mistaken to match the pair as they together forged a strong partnership focused to accomplish one great role—that is to help rehabilitate and reconstruct the typhoon devastated towns in the

province.

“Governor malanyaon is so dedicated to be with her people at a time of difficulty. She left the Capitol and decided to come down to ground zero and be at the center of the disaster,” he said. “I had to make sure that the very dedicated and professionally-run mVP Group would be matched with a local government who is going to treat them just as professionally, just as structurally as organized as they would want to be,” said Sec. Almendras. [PIo Davor]

R

oAD less taken, but Tagum City mayor Allan Rellon would like to travel back and look at his accomplishments during his first 100 days in administration as the new city mayor of Tagum. marking his 99th day in office yesterday, he gave his initial recount of the things he had done but he encouraged local government leaders, city employees and media practitioners to listen to his full report tomorrow at Tagum Biz Talk at Big 8 hosted by the Big 8 Corporate Hotel in Tagum City.

He centered his report on the his development agenda bearing the acronym EAGLE wInGS which stands for Education, employment and culture; Agriculture, fisheries and Environment; Genuine peace, safety and security; Livelihood and tourism development; Economy and affordability of taxes; wellness, sports and health; Infrastructure and Communication Development; nGos, Gos and Cooperative convergence; God-centered good governance. [PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan]

5 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 147 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

Aboitiz coal power plant ready by 2015 T

HE entire 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant of Therma South, Inc., a subsidiary of AboitizPower Corp., is “on track to go on stream by the first half of 2015,” a company executive said.

Bobby orig, AboitizPower first vice president for mindanao affairs, said construction of the facilities for the plant is about 50-percent complete, with around 2,000 workers on site, many working round-the-clock. once fully commissioned, it would become the largest baseload coal-fed power plant in mindanao.

Currently, STEAG State Power, Inc. operates the 210mw coal-fired plant in Villanueva, misamis oriental, where AboitizPower is also one of the investors. “we are fully committed in delivering our power to our customers on time and helping relieve mindanawons of the debilitating effects of the mindanao power crisis,” orig said in a statement released Sunday.

The P25-billion power plant started its site preparation works in late 2011 after it received approval from the Davao City Council. Full construction started in 2012.

During a site visit on Saturday sponsored by the company, several mindan-

ao-based journalists saw that the mammoth structure of the first of two 150-mw power plant units has been erected, while foundation works for the second unit has been completed. of the committed large power projects in the island, the mindanao Development Authority, though its mindanao Power Situation report released last June, said Therma South targets the commissioning of the first 150-mw in the third quarter of 2014.

Therma South is also constructing a coal dome, the first of its kind in the Philippines, according to the statement.

In fulfillment of the environmental conditions set by the Department of Environment and natural Resources, Therma South is building a fully-enclosed dome to secure and contain its coal supply. more steel structures are being delivered on the site between Binugao, Davao City and Inawayan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur to complete the other parts of the power plant complex. orig said that close to 20 electric cooperatives and distribution utilities across mindanao will buy power from Therma South.

Despite an expanding economy and population, no

major power plant has been built in mindanao since 2007. with demand for power increasing and no additional supply, parts of the island suffered from daily rotating brownouts, some lasting from six to eight hours, since 2011.

Half of mindanao’s power supply comes from the hydropower power plants operated by the state-owned national Power Corp., which have become vulnerable to low water supply during summer months or long dry spells.

Besides Therma South, the Alcantara-led Sarangani Energy Corp. is also constructing a 200-mw coalfired power plant in maasim, Sarangani If not arrested, the power shortage in mindanao is projected to hit 484-mw by 2015, enough to cut off power supply to the major cities of Davao, Gen. Santos, Cagayan de oro, Butuan and Zamboanga, according to the AboitizPower statement.

Environmental groups like Greenpeace and other church-backed organizations have been opposing the construction of coalfired power plants on concerns over human health and the environment. [Bong S. Sarmiento/mindanews]

SC authorizes DCWD’s levy on commercial and industrial ground water use

L

et it be known to all of a resolution issued on November 26, 2012 by the Supreme Court (SC) declaring with finality Davao City Water District’s authority to collect production assessment and / or royalty fee from any entity that extracts ground water for commercial and industrial use.

Said resolution also affirms that DCWD was able to comply all requirements needed to impose production assessment as stated in Section 39 P.D. 198 or the Provincial Water Utilities Act, namely, the notice and hearing and the proof that it experienced injury or reduction from the private entities’ ground water production as opposed to the claims made by the Beverage Industry Association of the Philippines (BIAP), “a corporation of companies engaged in the manufacturing, packaging and bottling quality beverages and soft drinks, received notices to said public hearing”. With this decision, DCWD will be collecting the accumulated production assessment from BIAP members over the years that the case had ran. the case started in 1992 after BIAP filed a complaint with the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) asking to nullify DCWD’s collection of Php.689 per cubic meter of ground water drawn within Davao City even after DCWD conducted a public hearing on June 5, 1991 and a series of hearings from July 12 to August 30, 1991. the Local Water Utilities Administration approved said imposition which took effect on November 19, 1991.

NWRB’s decision dated February 25, 2003 sided with the BIAP’s claims but later made some changes after DCWD filed a motion for reconsideration. NWRB acknowledged DCWD’s right to impose production assessment, however, it still questioned the validity of DCWD’s levy as the water utility purportedly had not complied with the needed conditions.

Discontented with NWRB’s verdict, both DCWD and BIAP appealed before Regional trial Court, Davao City. However, in February 27, 2009, the RtC Branch 10 renderred a decision favouring DCWD. RtC Branch 10 denied BIAP’s claim that DCWD’s levy imposition is unlawful because contrary to BIAP’s contention, Articles 83 and 85 of PD 1067 or the Water Code of the Philippines which gives the NWRB the sole right to collect fees for water resources development do not repeal Section 39 of P.D. 198. In fact, there have been many instances when NWRB deputized DCWD for certain functions which show that NWRB acknowledged DCWD’s power and existence such as on February 2, 2000 when DCWD was empowered to accept, process, investigate and make recommendations on water permit application; and on April 11, 1978 when NWRB recognized DCWD’s authority to collect production assessment.

On the grounds that DCWD was not able to comply the requirements, RtC Branch 10 ruled that DCWD was able to conduct notice and hearing which some BIAP members had actively participated. Also, the water utility, through the manager of its then engineering and Construction Division, discussed the loss that DCWD suffered when private entities drill ground water for commercial and industrial use during the August 30, 1991 public hearing.

After the RtC Branch 10 ruling, BIAP appealed to the Court of Appeals (CA) which likewise favoured DCWD in a CA Decision dated June 19, 2012 and Resolution dated September 18, 2012 in CA-G.R. SP 03398.

BIAP then appealed the case to the Supreme Court which also denied its petition and affirmed the CA’s decision. (Jovana T. Duhaylungsod)

6

THE ECONOMY

Stat Watch 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

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

VOL. 6 ISSUE 147 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

World Bank:

PH to grow 7% in 2013

T

HE world Bank said the Philippines will grow at a faster pace in 2013 and 2014 as it estimates other economies in the region to slow down.

In its East Asia Pacific Economic Update released monday, october 7, the multilateral lender said it expects the Philippines to grow at 7% in 2013 and 6.7% in 2014 as the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals remain strong.

These are upward revisions from world Bank’s April estimates of 6.2% to 6.4%, respectively, and matches the 2013 growth forecast of Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The manila-based lender upgraded its growth forecast for the Philippines in 2013 and said in its recently released Asian Development outlook report that the Philippines will grow 7% this 2013, higher than its forecast of 6% in April. while the Philippines was the only Southeast Asian country to have its growth forecasts revised higher by the ADB, it was among the 3 economies the world Bank has upgraded. The others include the region’s “frontier markets” like mongolia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic, which are expected to register growth of 10% and 8.1%, respectively, this 2013.

Inclusive growth

The Philippines’ healthy topline growth, however, has yet to translate to poverty reduction, noted Rogier van den Brink, world Bank’s lead economist poverty reduction and economic management.

“The 7% growth is not enough to reduce poverty,” Van de Brink said, citing the need to further develop the agriculture and manufacturing sectors, both key job generators.

He also echoed calls to improve tax collection, which funds majority of the government’s social investments.

“The first step is to make tax structure simple and less complicated…world Bank thinks there is no need to increase taxes to increase revenue but look at efficiency in tax collection,” he said.

Bert Hofman, the bank’s regional chief economist, stressed: “more revenue generating measures are needed in the medium term to sustain inclusive growth programs for Philippines.”

Van de Brink also noted the delays in infrastructure projects meant to help sustain economic growth. “The government was ambitious on PPPs (public-private partnership scheme) in 2010. But when government started looking closely, they found it complicated.”

He added: “we sup-

port government’s track to scrutinize PPP deals first as so many past deals have gone wrong.”

Developing Asia to grow slower These forecasts were in contrast to the world Bank’s estimates for developing Asia, which it now expects to grow 7.1% in 2013 and 7.2% in 2014.

The bank cited the slower growth of the region’s powerhouse, China. “Slow down in China remains a big risk for East Asia and Pacific countries,” Bert Hofman, chief East Asia and the Pacific economist for world Bank, said in a press briefing on monday. China is a key trading partner and aid source of its neigh-

bors.

The bank now expects China to meet the official indicative growth target of 7.5% in 2013 — far lower than world Bank’s previous 8.3% estimate, which was premised on a recent expansion in credit that turned out to be “less effective in generating growth.”

“Developing East Asia is expanding at a slower pace as China shifts from an export-oriented economy and focuses on domestic demand,” the bank said in a statement.

It also cited the “softening” in the economic growth rates of larger middle income countries, including Indonesia, malaysia, and Thailand. It cited lower investment,

lower global commodity prices and lower than expected growth of exports.

Excluding China, growth in developing East Asia is expected to decline from 6.2% in 2012 to 5.2% in 2013, before rebounding to 5.3% in 2014 and 5.7% in 2015. “while this is a slight downward revision from world Bank projections in April 2013, developing East Asia is leading other regions,” the bank said in a statement.

East Asia Pacific contributes 40% of the world’s GDP growth, “more than any other region,” stressed Axel van Trotsenburg, world Bank East Asia and Pacific Regional Vice President.

[Rappler.com]

the local newsprint industry. newsprint is used in newspapers, books, magazines, school pads, notebooks and wrappers, among others. ”The investigation will make a preliminary determination whether the increasing volume of imported newsprint is causing serious injury to the local producer

of newsprint,“ said DTI. Base on data from DTI, the year 2012 registered highest newsprint imports with 31,462 metric ton (mT).

In 2011, imports of newsprint posted at 26,356 mT from 2007’s 2,956mT, a 792 percent increase. It was also reported that majority of imported newsprints were

sourced from United Kingdom, People’s Republic of China, and South Korea. ”DTI has notified all interested parties and has required them to submit their reply and other evidence or information relevant to the said investigation,” it. “If DTI’s preliminary determination is positive, the case will be forwarded to the Tariff

Commission which will conduct its formal investigation of the petition,” DTI added.

According to Republic Act 8800 or the Safeguard measures Act, it declares the State to provide safeguard measures to protect local players against rampant imports that threaten the domestic industries.

[PnA

POWER TOOLS CENTER. A guest checks out Bosch’s top-of-the-line power tools during the inauguration of the company’s regional hub along Roxas Avenue in Davao City yesterday. Bosch’s regional business hub in Davao City will serve as a service center for power tools, a technical training facility, and a showroom for its products. Lean Daval Jr.

DTI probes increasingimports of newsprint T

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) looking into the increasing volume of news print imports, in response to petition of local producers.The Trust International Paper Corporation (TIPCo) submitted documents to DTI showing the increasing imports of newsprint which is causing slowdown to

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

as of May 2013

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

7 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 147 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

New Global Assessment:

Maintaining rich biodiversity in and around cities is possible

I

nCREASInG urbanization over the next decades presents not only unprecedented challenges for humanity, but also opportunities to curb climate change, reduce water scarcity and improve food security, according to the world’s first global assessment on the relationship between urbanization and biodiversity loss, released today in new york.

The assessment, entitled Cities and Biodiversity outlook (CBo), argues that cities should facilitate for a rich biodiversity and take stewardship of crucial ecosystem services rather than being sources of large ecological footprints. The volume of research is produced by Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC) together with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in partnership with Un-Habitat and ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability.

The detailed scientific foundation of the CBo, Urbanization, Biodiversity and Ecosystem services: Challenges and opportunities - A Global Assessment, which was launched today in new york as part of local celebrations to mark world Habitat Day, has involved more than 200 scientists worldwide. It states that over 60 percent of the land projected to become urban by 2030 has yet to be built.

It further states that if current trends continue, 70 percent of the global urban population will be urban by

2050.

This presents a major opportunity to greatly improve global sustainability by promoting low-carbon, resource-efficient urban development that can reduce adverse effects on biodiversity and improve quality of life, it says.

EmBERS of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) need to fast track sustainable development policies and implement them now, said a top environmental expert in Indonesia on Sunday.

The sustainable development forum that took place on the sidelines of APEC meetings launched two initiatives with the United nations Sustainable Development Solutions network (UnSDSn) to gather together scientists, academics, think tanks and organizations to formulate solutions to climate change challenges in Indonesia as well as the larger Asia Pacific region.

Leaders from Peru and new Zealand also attended the forum. with the unprecedented scale of sustainable development

challenges confronting the world, the Un think tank hopes to synergize worldwide efforts to address sustainable development challenges of ending poverty, increasing social inclusion, and sustaining the planet.

The APEC members need to start work on sustainable development now, and Even though after the Rio climate conference world leaders agreed to sign specific goals for addressing climate change challenges in 2015, there is no need to wait till then. The world is not on a sustainable path and must move quickly, said SDSn head Jeffrey Sachs.

The sustainable development deal in 2015 will be presented at the United nations and will be ratified by all its members. The new set of climate change goals will

From emitters to carbon sinks Production and consumption activities heavily concentrated in cities have contributed to some 80 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions; yet innovative solutions to combating climate change will also come from cities. with rich biodiversity, cities have enormous potential to mitigate climate change.

Preservation of larger outlying green areas, green corridors that connect larger green patches, green roofs and “brownfields”, or land previously used for industrial purposes or certain commercial uses, can also be used as carbon sinks rather than emission sources.

The Japanese district

of yokohama, for instance, which emitted almost 20 million tons of Co2 in 2007, has recognized the importance of biodiversity in stabilizing the local climate. Revenues from a new tax system have since been used to conserve green areas, and roof tops and walls were fitted with greenery. yokohama now aims to reduce per capita carbon emissions by at

least 60 percent by 2050. what is important, according to the assessment, is to develop and incorporate already existing green spaces into the functional infrastructure of a city.

“The innovation lies not so much in developing new infrastructural technologies but to work with what we already have. The results are often far cheaper and more sustainable

as well,” said Professor Thomas Elmqvist, scientific editor of the assessment.

Dr. Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary of the CBD, added that “the sphere of influence of city leaders goes well beyond urban habitats. The decisions taken by local authorities affect ecosystems near and elsewhere, with important

feedback effects. By taking the steps to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity, local authorities can ensure that biodiversity will continue to provide cities and their inhabitants with much needed services including freshwater, clean air, food security and protection and resilience against extreme weather, floods and other environmental risks.” [UNEP]

SERIES of sessions as well as related events to approve a global legally-binding instrument on mercury began monday morning in the southwestern Japanese city of Kumamoto.

These talks include the Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the heavy metal, which starts on wednesday.

The international events, led by the United nations Environment Program (UnEP) in cooperation with the Japanese government, non- governmental organizations and other international bodies, will attract more than 1,000 senior representatives from 140 countries and regions around the globe to adopt the minamata Convention on mercury.

The forthcoming treaty, named after a city

in Japan where serious health damage occurred as a result of mercury pollution in the mid20th century, provides controls and reductions across a range of products, processes and industries where mercury is used, released or emitted. These range from medical equipment such as thermometers and energy-saving light bulbs to the mining, cement and coal-fired power sectors. on monday, a regional meeting and a preparatory meeting were opened prior to the full session at conference rooms of a major hotel in Kumamoto, while panel discussion events and an exhibition telling the dark history caused by a major chemical company using the poisonous metal are also scheduled in the seaside city of mi-

namata, southern Kumamoto Prefecture.

According to the Japanese Environment ministry, the treaty, which has been negotiated over the past four years, is meant to address the direct mining of mercury, the export and import of the metal as well as the safe storage of waste mercury.

The ministry said government representatives will be able to sign the document during the three-day Conference of Plenipotentiaries, which ends on Friday.

Prior to the full conference in Kumamoto, governments already agreed to the text of the new binding instrument at the fifth session of the intergovernmental negotiating committee held in Geneva, Switzerland in January 2013.

[PNA/Xinhua]

APEC members urged to act UNEP session on mercury on sustainable development pollution prevention starts m A draw out the world agenda till 2030.

But Sachs believed that APEC economies need to make use of the SDSn global knowledge network now to find solutions to many of the members’ significant climate and inclusive development problems.

“There are many countries that can benefit from joining our global knowledge network that aims to find solutions for sustainable development challenges around the world.

China for example, which is facing huge problems with its environment, is one example,” he added.

Since 30 percent of the world’s 1 billion tourists travel to the APEC region, there is greater need to assimilate the travel industry with the sustainable development initiative, he added. [PNA/ Xinhua]

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 147 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

EDITORIAL

An ugly legacy

y

ESTERDAy’S headline of a popular daily newspaper must have been truly depressing for many Filipinos, especially honest-to-goodness parents who desire nothing more than the best for their children.

This refers to the news story that two children of P10-billion pork barrel alleged mastermind Janet Lim napoles may also be charged with plunder like their mother for reportedly being involved in the looting of the P900-million malampaya Fund intended to assist victims of massive flooding during the time of President Gloria macapagal-Arroyo.

According to Levito Baligod, lawyer of the pork barrel scam whistleblowers, he would amend the original complaint to include a daughter and a son of napoles --- Jo Christine and James Christopher --- in the plunder case. The two participated in forging signatures of beneficiaries, according to whistleblower merlina Sunas.

Aside from faking documents, Jo Christine and James Christopher were top officers of JLn Corp., the company

EDGEDAVAO

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of Janet n. napoles.

It is certainly saddening that parents would allow their children to participate in the commission of a crime, let alone plunder, which is a capital economic offense. what kind of parents would leave behind an unconscionable legacy such as this for their children? It would seem that we would be seeing more of the same shameless show of unmitigated greed and avarice. Didn’t we see this happen in the story of a military general whose children were caught with oodles of stolen money in a foreign country? Didn’t we see children of proven thieving leaders, who rank high in the world’s kleptocracy register, themselves eyeing to become the kind of leaders their parents had been? will the current anger reach the tipping point where a thoroughly aggrieved people will make certain that a family that steals together will end up in jail together?

To paraphrase william Shakespeare’s Hamlet in his soliloquy --- “T’is a consummation devoutly to be wished!”

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 / EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR Reporters

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

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EDGEDAVAO

Bedlam in society

C

RAB mEnTALITy, wHAT ELSE? – There are two strikingly different views of the country’s recent economic development. For one thing, after renowned investment rating agency Fitch upgraded the Philippine’s economic status several days ago, moody Analytics, a sister firm of another reputable credit rating watchdog moody’s Investor Service described the country as a “rising star” – economically. The agency cited the risks of an impressive rate of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth as low and most sectors of the economy are growing solidly. moreover, moody’s Investor Service only recently again upgraded the country’s economic status from BBA to BAA, an indication that government can now avail of loans from foreign financing entities at lower interest rates. The rating agency likewise expects the GDP growth to remain between 7 to 8% this year and next year making the country one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

The other conventional view held by some line agencies of the government and self-professed pro-poor advocates is that poverty incidence had remained unchanged since 2008 amid high economic growth. According to the national Statistical Coordination Board (nSCB) poverty incidence in the first quarter of 2013 was 27.9%, “practically unchanged” from the same period in 2010 (28.6%) and in 2008 (28.8%). In a similar way, political adversaries and harsh critics denounced the Aquino administration for its failure to address the country’s poverty situation. They alleged that despite the overhyped economic progress “the gains actually have not trickled down especially to the poor and the downtrodden”- their hackneyed phrase.

As all this is taking place, the present leadership has embarked on a new phase in its economic development agenda. It is rather unfortunate that with big and direct foreign investors and reputable investment grade and credit rating

G

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 147 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

agencies fully appreciated the upshot and optimistic view of the country’s economic growth, our people particular the marginal sector undermined the government’s effort to address the socio-economic drawbacks. well, such concerns are understandable, especially in our society where the instincts of many people have been blunted by decades of life under the so-called “crab mentality.” Sad to lament, though, many of us don’t want to see others succeed in their endeavors probably because of envy, mistrust or whatever.

Same is true in the government sector - with so many vested interest groups roaming around like packs of hungry hyenas looking for rotten carcasses and scrambling to be heard or seen aimed at promoting their hidden personal agenda, eventually it’s the government that takes the brunt.

Such shenanigans are the primary reason for confusion and bedlam in society. For obvious reasons, these classes of people have a bad habit of pulling down successful individuals into the gutter including unswerving government officials. what is even more lamentable is the fact that even politicians with dubious characters and others known to be left-leaning political figures still have the rudeness to severely criticize the present dispensation. Commenting with derision, they solely blamed the government for alleged lack of plans to solve widespread poverty. They likewise accused other government line agencies like the national Economic Development Authority (nEDA) and the national Anti-Poverty Commission (nAPC) as over-imaginative. If govern-

ment people have done nothing to alleviate the sad plight of the masses amid its much-vaunted economic growth, what then have they done in their many years as public servants or self-professed propoor advocates to help the poor and the underprivileged aside from their being (traditional and recycled politicians) “trapos and repos”, it might be asked?

Shades of hypocrisy!

They should not make sweeping accusations by directly putting the blame solely on the government and other concerned sectors in society for the misfortune suffered by the poor majority. who’s to blame, by the way? Apparently, talking about the country’s abject poverty situation, all of us are partly to blame for the recurring problem. Under such circumstances, the marginal sector should never be confused over how to assert their rights to avoid being exploited by vested interest groups. They will hear many voices from the sidelines cheering them on to tirelessly continue denouncing the government for being remiss in its task to deliver basic social services to the poor. now it’s the turn of the ordinary people in the streets to ask critics and detractors this simple question: “when the economy is vibrant and robust, where will these people – political opportunists, different vested groups and mischievous prodders be? will they be in the country to experience the ambience of prosperity? or will they continue to stealthily pursue their hidden personal agenda, which is to contain and disparage the government in order to slow down or abort the growth into becoming a future big economic power?” what we have had right now is a government exerting the maximum effort to develop the country’s economy while on the other side of the fence are nasty and scheming politicians and their cohorts, instead of lending a hand are actually dragging down the effort into the economic quagmire. That’s it, crab mentality, what else?

Someone else’s windows

ETTInG rid of the national budget of the pork barrel is not only good for the public funds. It can also restore some health to politics as a whole.

Here’s why. There are two main reasons why politicians are eager to land in the House of the Representatives or in the Senate – to protect and enhance vested interests like family business, and to earn kickbacks from the pork barrel or the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). In addition, holding high office means getting perks and rewards from an assortment of sources, some of whom are engaged in illegal activities like smuggling.

But since getting hold of the pork carries a semblance of legitimacy it can be presumed that this is the biggest incentive for lawmakers. Imagine earning 7-, 8- or even 9-digit “commissions” delivered right at your doorstep with just a stroke of the pen and some phone calls to the right people.

Expectedly, pork-addicted lawmakers would say they need the PDAF for projects which are not funded under the development plans of local government units but which are supposedly needed by the people.

DIET SANS PORk H. MarcoS c. Mordeno This argument however only shows the flaws in the planning system of the local governments. It suggests the absence of grassroots participation and the token presence of civil society groups in local development councils. As an nGo official who used to sit in the provincial development council of Bukidnon said, “Pang-quorum ra man mi diha kada meeting. Readymade na man ang mga plano, igo na lang mi motando” (our only role is for the council to have a quorum during meetings. The plans are readymade, we just approve them).

Back to the PDAF, erase it – or whatever name it has assumed by now -- from the equation, and I’d swear on my ancestors’ graves that no lawmakers of the kind we currently have would seek election or reelection. (A good way to lessen political dynasty, isn’t it?)

Comedians, actors, actresses and a boxer who have invaded Congress will go back to

their original trade. what a way to cleanse the legislature of incompetents – and unremorseful plagiarists too. nonagenarians who have been with us since the unlamented martial Law era will lose any incentive to remain in office. They may find it more rewarding to remain at home and play “Bejeweled” or to visit their stem cell therapists every now and then.

After all, it really is an anomaly to let lawmakers handle huge amounts for “development projects” when their job is to make laws. worse, this added function has become a smokescreen for their incompetence as legislators in the eyes of their constituents.

The people in the districts would no longer mind how their representatives are performing as long as they deliver the dough for infrastructure and even for items like coffins and wedding expenses.

In other words, the pork has made many people misunderstand the real job of a lawmaker. That’s one good reason to impose a diet without pork on both Houses of Congress. [mindaViews is the opinion section of mindanews. H. marcos C. mordeno can be reached at hmcmordeno@gmail.com]

9

Is mining really bad for the country ?

(1st of two parts)

I

F mInInG still l o o k s bad to most Filipinos, blame that to the poor public relations image of the industry, despite the various projects and activities done by some responsible mining companies to neutralize this negative image. yes, there are mining companies like Holcim which mines lime for its cement or even Sagittarius, which plans to mine copper soon in mindanao, that have well-planned PR programs that actually help villagers and tribal groups surrounding their mining areas. Thousands of trees are planted in these areas and villagers enjoy the benefits of new schools for their children, new hospitals, farm-to-market roads, livelihood programs, etc And yes, there are also the hundreds of illegal and legal smallscale miners under the government’s minahan ng Bayan who are still coping with the idea of what it really means to be a “responsible miner”.

These are the miners being targeted by the mining industry cluster, a group of large and small miners organized under the national Industry Capacity Enhancement Project, a joint project of a foreign agency and a government agency that hopes to make Filipino miners more responsible. while stories circulate about mining companies leaving behind a wide swath of destruction, wiping out forests, long after they’ve dug out all the precious gold, copper and silver worth billions of dollars from open pit mining operations---- there are also many stories going around of small miners destroying the environment with mercury pollution, chopping down trees for their tunnels, etc. Sad thing is, they are all true.

Since both big and small miners are still blaming each other for destroying the environment and taking out all that natural wealth without giving back to the poor mountain people, you don’t see them sitting next to each other during regular meetings and activities of the mining industry cluster. what this industry group wants to see are the small-scale miners of Diwalwal, Pantukan and South Cotabato sitting side by side with the large scale miners from Davao region. “we’ve invited them many times to our meetings, but they don’t show up. Since they don’t want to come to us to learn about responsible mining, we’re reaching out to them by radio programs and regular seminars,” says Arvin Carlom, chair of the mining industry cluster and community relations manager of Asiatica management Corporation, a mining firm based in Davao oriental.

10 NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 147 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Bosch opens first branch in Davao

By EJ Dominic FErnanDEz

C

Zarate... FFROM 1

omPAnIES offering closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras must be consultative, since there are plenty of factors that must be considered in setting up the cameras in malls to enhance the safety of certain establishments, according to Bosch Security System general manager matthias Böhm.

At the opening of Bosch’s mindanao regional business hub along Roxas Avenue, Davao City yesterday, Böhm said that besides the location of cameras, other factors to consider are lighting, foot traffic, size of the area and more.

Bosch is a leading global supplier of technology and services that offer consultative selling for security products for their customers.

This is the edge Bosch

has over others, according to Böhm. yesterday’s opening marked the company’s expansion to the mindanao region, completing its market in the three major islands of the country.

Bosch Philippines managing director Joseph Hong said, “in recent years, Davao has strengthened its position as the financial and service hub of Southern Philippines, which presents new market opportunities for Bosch’s diverse solutions that we can offer for government services, transportation, real estate, business subsectors, and property development.”

The new business hub serves as a service center for power tools, a technical training facility, and a showroom for Bosch products.

sa Dabaw at the Café Rysus Sm City Davao, Ecoland, Zarate said that if the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) and the disbursement acceleration program (DAP) are abolished, corruption, political dynasties, and election violence would be minimized, and the national budget would really benefit the Filipino people.

He said that the characteristic of a pork barrel system being in the form of s lump sum over which only and a few high ranking government officials have discretion on how it would be spent, which makes the budget an easy target for corruption. But without the pork barrel system, corruption could easily be avoided.

Another advantage is

that political dynasties and patronage politics could be avoided since there would be no money to invite corruption, and politics would cease to be a business anymore.

Political violence could also be avoided or largely minimized since there would no longer be money to kill or die for.

The best advantage for not having the pork barrel system, he said, is that the money of the people would definitely go to the people since the it could be properly allocated among the right agencies to benefit the people, for after all the money rightfully belongs to them in the first place.

Zarate added that Bayan muna would initiate concrete and legal actions to abolish the pork barrel

system, when congressional hearings resume on october 14.

They would be filing a bill called Congressional Budget and Importation Control Act, where the President needs to get the approval of Congress (both Houses) for using the DAP, thereby institutionalizing the realignment of budget.

He said that DAP is far worse than PDAF, since DAP is not in the country’s budget, it is a far bigger amount, and is under the discretion of only one person--the President.

The DAP is a compilation of all the extra funds not obliged by government agencies during the midyear and was brought to the Department of Budget and management (DBm) as a centralized fund.

nessed today in the ceremony was an affirmation of love and a celebration of joy and togetherness.

This annual event of the school had been conducted in their gym before, and this is the first time it was held it in church.

This was a UIC High community outreach program for Purok Talisay and nearby residents in Buhangin in partnership with the Hotel and Restaurant management (HRm) program of the UIC High Parents and Teachers Association (PTA).

The reception after

the mass wedding was held at the school’s Bajada gym.

HS community development service coordinator Flordelis Sedo said, “may they truly become an inspiration to other families in their love, commitment and loyalty for each other and for the families, especially their dedication and devotion for their children.”

Gamboa said, “this is a grand event with a noble cause through the strong collaboration and support of the administration, faculty, parents, students, and our adopted community.” [EJF]

SENIOR CITIZEN’S PAGEANT FIXES. A beautician fixes an elderly lady’s make up before performing with her group in yesterday’s 2013 Mutya ng Senior Citizen and Socio-cultural Competition at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

Facebook... FFROM 1 nan, on october 4 after finding sufficient cause.

Lovitos said in his resolution that admission of Bates that she posted the libelous item maligning Tubal on Facebook is sufficient evidence, citing Article 355’s using “any similar means” (internet) to degrade a person and was read by third parties is sufficient grounds for libel.

Bates was ordered to post bail of P10,000 for her temporary liberty.

Bates had posted several comments on her FB account and tagged Jebson and Jessa mae, children of Tubal. However, Bates said it was the children of Tubal who started about the issue on the social media site. on January 14, 2006, she allegedly maligned Tubal by commenting on her account that she was angered by the fact that only the Tubal family’s property had many lights while other lots, including

hers, have no street lights.

She also said that Tubal did not sign clearances for persons who did not vote for him and that most of Tubal’s relatives had been killed, leaving only few still alive, without stating reasons for the killings.

“I did not comply with my promise to her grandfather to put lights on the streets and that what were placed were only posts,” Tubal said in his affidavit.

EPC

mincom) on october 3 said Gargar was “captured by the troops who were pursuing the rebels after a firefight in Aliwagwag.”

Quoting from documents submitted to the court, Police Inspector Carmelo Teneros, public information officer of the Provincial Police, told mindanews that the following items were confiscated from Gargar: “assorted IEDs, wires, assorted ammos, one unit m-16 rifle without magazine, eight pieces blasting cap, assorted personal belongings, medical kit, one unit handheld radio, one unit transistorized radio.” “wala sa akin lahat yung mga ebidensya na hinarap sa fiscal” (All the evidences presented to the prosecutor were not from me), Gargar said.

armed and conscious when a K-9 dog brought by the soldiers during the pursuit operations, found him on the side of a river near a small waterfalls.

He recalls having followed the river away from the firing when “nahulog ako doon sa pagmamadali at kaba, kaya ako nagkaroon nito” (in my haste and out of fear, I fell that’s why I got these), he said, pointing to the bandage on his head and his right foot in plaster cast.

Gargar said he fell into that spot at around 4:30 a.m., and waited for someone to pass by. He said he had expected the local resident who ran along with him when the firing started, would return for him.

For nine hours -- from the time he fell to the time he was found at 1:30 p.m.

-- Gargar said he dried his clothes, used up the two canned sardines in his bag for breakfast and lunch and tried to fight off sleep. “Kinatatakutan ko baka di na ako magising” (I was afraid I would not wake up anymore).

Although the bleeding was not profuse, he wanted

the head wound attended to immediately.

Gargar said that when the soldiers came, he shouted wala koy pusil” (I have no firearm) but shifted to Filipino when he heard a number of them speak the language. “wala akong baril” Six-month research Gargar was among 69 members of a fact-finding team in mid-April 2013 that documented the march 4 killing of a Baganga village councilor and the state of the environment in the typhoon-hit areas in Davao oriental and Compostela Valley.

Both provinces were the hardest hit when super typhoon Pablo struck on December 4, 2012.

Gargar told mindanews he returned to Compostela Valley in late June for a six-month resource mapping for the rehabilitation of the devastated areas, “mainly for rainforestation program,” in coordination with Balsa mindanao and the environmental group, Panalipdan.

He said it would be the locals who would manage the program. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

Prof. Kim... FFROM 2

Unarmed, conscious The Eastmincom press release also said that Gargar was “found unconscious while clutching a rifle 200 meters away from the encounter site.”

“An m16 rifle, landmines and subversive documents were recovered,” it added.

Gargar said he was un-

ejf@edgedavao.net

UIC High sponsors mass wedding for 31 couples T

hirty-one couples from Purok Talisay in Buhangin, this city, were united in the blessed sacrament of marriage wedding Saturday at the mother of Perpetul Help Parish (Redemptorist Church), Bajada, courtesy of the University of Immaculate Conception (UIC) high school.

It was the fourth Kasalan ng Bayan sponsored by the school whose principal, Rhodora Gamboa, said, “UIC high stands firm to advocating the building of Christian families through the sacrament of marriage. what we wit-

EDGEDAVAO

NATION

VOL. 6 ISSUE 147 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

MANILA

11

PHL planning to acquire 3 submarines I

n a likely shift in focus to territorial defense, northern Luzon Command head major Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang presented on monday a paper detailing the country’s plan to acquire three submarines.

He said submarines, by their inherent stealth capability, can be deployed to monitor and protect the country’s extensive maritime domains.

These vessels are the conventional-powered or diesel-electric type and generally cheaper than nuclear-powered ones.

Also being eyed is the acquisition of six frigates for anti-air warfare, 12 corvettes for anti-submarine warfare, 18 offshore patrol vessels and three anti-mine warfare ships.

However, the paper presented by Catapang did not specify on how long and how much it will cost the Philippines to complete this acquisitions.

BALI, INDONESIA

An earlier Philippine navy (Pn) study revealed that it would need around P497 billion to fully upgrade its fleet. once it has this money, the navy can acquire the above-mentioned items along with four sealift vessels, 18 landing craft utility vessels, three logistics ships, 12 coastal interdiction patrol boats, 30 patrol gunboats, and 42 multi-purpose assault crafts that can be equipped with torpedoes and missiles.

Also envisioned are eight amphibious maritime patrol aicraft, 18 naval helicopters, and eight multi-purpose helicopters.

“Looking at the Pn’s inventory of mission essential equipment, it is very discernible that majority of our assets and vessels were acquired not necessarily because they fit into our strategy or operational requirement but because they are available as grant from the US or from our allies,” the Pn study stated. [PnA]

TURN OVER. Camarines Sur 3rd district Rep. Leonor “Lennie” Robredo symbolically turns over firearms to three members of the graduating class of the new 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army at the unit’s headquarters in Pili, Camarines Sur recently. Seventy-five recruits successfully finished the six-month basic training that emphasized human rights. [PNA photo Legaspi Bureau]

Indonesian security lauded C

ommUnICATIonS Development and Strategic Planning office Secretary Ramon Carandang cited on monday Indonesian security forces for their immediate action against journalists from Hong Kong whom he said “crossed the line” for shouting questions to President Benigno S. Aquino III. In an interview, Carandang said the Indonesian security forces deemed it fit to have the journalists removed for “rude”

MANILA

behavior in questioning President Aquino as he was about to lead the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEo Summit held here on Sunday.

“As a former journalist, I know what it’s like to aggressively question a subject. The behavior of those reporters crossed the line from mere questioning to heckling and was even construed by Indonesian security personnel assigned to the President as a potential physical threat

ALACAnAnG confirmed monday Land Transportation office chief Asst. Sec. Virginia Torres sought President Aquino’s permission to retire at the end of the month.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Torres spoke with Aquino last monday and volunteered to retire. He, however, said he does not know the details of the conversa-

tion between Aquino and Torres.

Quoting a text message from Transportation and Communications Sec. Joseph Emilio Abaya Jr., Lacierda said, “I’ve spoken to Asec. Virgie Torres and she has spoken with the President. She has volunteered to file for retirement and she’s eligibile to retire.”

“As to the details ano ang napag-usapan, siguro it might be discussed later sa

to him so they took what they believe was appropriate action,” Carandang said.

“And you know, we’re all from the same industry. you would know how it is when you ask aggressive questions. There’s a line that can be crossed. And the assessment of the security, which was granted to us by Indonesia was that they were potentially a threat; and so they took the appropriate action,” he added.

After the event, Indonesian authorities revoked the permit of the journalist to cover the event.

Carandang said the President remained “calm” during the commotion.

“The President remained calm throughout.

As he was walking into the plenary session with the CEos, he was accosted very rudely and aggressively by a number of people claiming to be journalists from Hong Kong,” Carandang said. [PnA]

Palace confirms LTO chief set to retire this month m coffee meeting ni President with the Philippine media [covering the APEC summit],” he said. on monday, Torres announced that she will be retiring, saying she had already asked the permission of Aquino.

There have been speculations, however that the LTo chief was sacked after she met with Aquino before he left for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders summit in Bali, In-

donesia.

Torres was in hot water after an amateur video showing her playing a slot machine inside a casino circulated online.

“I cannot speculate kasi the details are between the President and Asec Torres .

I won’t be able to speculate why she decided to retire,” Lacierda said.

The Palace has yet to announce who will replace Torres. [PnA]

MANILA

Law postponing SK polls does ot allow holdover capacity

S

EnAToR Ferdinand marcos Jr. on monday clarified that the recently-signed law postponing the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections does not allow incumbent SK officials to retain their posts in a holdover capacity. marcos, who authored the law in the Senate, said even appointments that would fill the positions to be vacated by the incumbent SK officials will not be allowed under the law which President Benigno Aquino III signed last oct. 3. marcos explained that the “no holdover, no appointment” provision was the compromise reached at the bicameral committee deliberations on the SK poll postponement measure although the Senate proposal contained a holdover provision.

“That is why we are rushing to finish the work on the SK reform bills so we can restore

youth representation as early as possible,” marcos said. marcos said the Senate committee on local government had begun hearing on the two bills for SK reforms even before the signing into law of the SK poll postponement measure. “we have already covered a lot of ground in our initial hearing on the SK reform bills. I believe with just one more hearing we can hand over the work to a technical working group to hammer out a consolidated version of the bill,” marcos said. marcos had filed Senate Bill 1186 seeking to postpone the SK polls, originally scheduled for october 28 this year to give way for reforms in the youth organization widely criticized for corrupting youth leaders.

SB 1186 was the first bill passed by the Senate under the 16th Congress. [PnA]

12 CLASSIFIEDS There’s a better way to get attention.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 147 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

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13 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 147 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

DSWD, partners mark Elderly Filipino Week T

HE Department of Social welfare and Development, the Regional Coordinating and monitoring Board (RCmB) and the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on older Persons (RIACoP) spearhead the observance of the Elderly Filipino week.

Proclamation no. 470,

declares every first week of october and every year thereafter as Linggo ng nakatatandang Pilipino or the Elderly Filipino week. This year’s celebration carries the theme, nakatatanda: Pagtulungan Isulong Benepisyo’t Karapatan Tungo sa maginhawa at masayang Pamayanan.

To underscore the ob-

servance, DSwD national office suggested the conduct of advocacy activities such as media Launch, walk for Life, Reading of message and Prayer at the flag raising ceremony, Forum on RA 9994 or The Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, Consultative Conference for older Persons, Thanksgiving mass

PERMANENT SHELTER FOR LAAK. DSWD policy and plans division chief and TS Pablo coordinator for Compostela Valley Raquel E. Nuñez buries the time capsule during the ground breaking ceremonies for the Modified Permanent Shelter in Brgy. Kidawa, Laak, Compostela Valley. Some 115 families whose houses were totally damaged by

and Photo Exhibit.

Earlier, DSwD met up with heads and representatives of LGUs and national line agencies to report on their respective issues and concerns relative to implementation of programs for older persons.

DSwD also conducted radio announcements and interviews to drum up the

event.

DSwD Focal Person on older Persons Berlita A. Silagan said DSwD will host a culminating event on Thursday, october 10 at the DSwD Conference Hall where the offices of DSwD, DILG, DoH, DoLE, DA, DTI and PhilHealth will provide updates on RA 9994. Recognition of the Sampung

Ulirang nakatatanda and Payout of Social Pension to Davao City beneficiaries will also be slated Thursday at DSwD, she added. meanwhile, some 51 residents of the DSwD Home for the Aged are celebrating the event through parlor games and a special dinner. [DSwD/Carmela Cadigal-Duron]

Typhoon Pablo will benefit from this project funded by DSWD and will be constructed in partnership with the local government. Each unit measures 6 X 4 meters with two bedrooms and a comfort room. [DSWD]

14 SPORTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 147 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

ANECIA PEDROSO:

Champion judoka, trainer

By ViDa mia VaLVErDE Photos By Lean Daval Jr.

A

mindanaoan created UAAP history for the De La Salle University in manila when she propelled the women’s judo team to its first-ever championship crown and the men’s team to a 1st runner-up victory. Coach AneciaPedroso proved to be the magic formula that ended the two-decade drought of the Green Archers Judo Team. The recently concluded 76th UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) judo tournament held last September 28-29, 2013 at the Blue Eagle Gym of ADmUbrought tears and intense joy to the Green Archers. The newest addition to the DLSU coaching staff powerfully motivated and intelligently trained the Taft-based players. The UAAP is the premier sports association of eight universities in manila composed of Adamson University, Ateneo de manila University, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, national University, University of the East, University of the Philippines, and University of Sto. Tomas.

Last Thursday, october 3, the DLSU coach spent time with the judo team of her alma materand shared her experience and expertise. A graduate of Davao Christian High School and the University of mindanao, she later on brought pride to the Philippines by winning bronze medals in the 1993

and 1997 Southeast Asian Games, and the much-coveted gold medal in 1995 .

She has trained champions from the Philippine national Team, developed young children, adolescents, and adults into accomplished and performing judokas, more often than not, at her own expense. Aside from being a topnotch athlete and coach, Coach Annie has a lucrative scrap metal business that allows her to comfortably fulfill her love for judo. more often than not, she shells out her own resources to help judokas in need and effectively trains players for victory pro bono. She was initially hesitant to take up the invitation of DLSU to officially join their coaching staff.

She reasoned that she was already training the players anyway sans the official title, papers, and pay. All she wanted was a parking space at the DLSU Sports Complex. But Judo Head Coach Samson Bernales insisted on clinching the deal with Coach Annie. The rest is history. Indeed, Coach Annie made history when she gave DLSU Judo their first championship title.

Coach Annie has the eye and sensitivity to identify each player’s strengths and weakness and trains them accordingly. It is not a onetechnique-fits-all approach.

Her brand of training consists first in breaking the bad habits and sense of privilege and entitlement of the

Demonstrating skillful execution, Coach Annie lets EDGE writer and judo blackbelt Vida Valverde fly. (photo by Lean Daval, Jr.)

students. Utmost discipline and humility were inculcated into the team. Tardy players were automatically sent home. minor discomforts like cramps and mat burns were not indulged even if the players felt like they were dying. Knowit-alls and braggarts in the dojo were silenced. Judo is a martial art and must be practised with respect and acknowledgement of values and hierarchy of elders.

The DLSU judo team used to train three times a week.

However, Coach Annie demanded that players train daily, morning and afternoon, if championship was the ultimate goal. when she took the helm in January of this year, the players were put on a strengthening and conditioning regimen they have never yet undergone. The forty-something, five feet- something judo fireball exerted credible authority and demanded obedience. Used to a comfortable life and training regimen, the players were shocked and awed into shaping up. Shape up or ship out. Shape up they did with Coach Annie’s fearless style, technical knowhow, and heart-searing commitment.

Having trained and worked in Japan, Coach Annie brings with her the integral values of discipline and integrity that the land of hara-kiri is known for. In a sport riddled withcorruption and

controversy, it is refreshing and inspiring when a fellow judoka shows love for the sport by improving, not just the game of the players, but their lives and v a l u e systems as well.

Even as C o a c h Annie has reached g re a t e r heights, she still gives back respect and recognition to the seniors of Davao City Judo-then judo association president RomyTancontian and Um Coach Edwin Pelaez- who have given her the jumpstart and foundation of her judo career.when asked how she was able to accomplish what she did, she firmly and passionately answered, “Binigyankotalagasariliko at ang players ng goal at idiniinkosakanilanakailanganangpusosa training atlaro. Kailangantalagamalakas at matibayangpusoparakayaninlahatnghirap at pressure, parakahitanongmang-

With UM head coach Edwin Pelaez, who jumpstarted Coach Annie’s judo career. (photo by Lean Daval, Jr.)

yaritumatayo at lumalaban pa rin.” when the jubilant Green Archers lifted their Coach Annie on their shoulders, they irrevocably recognized and celebrated the indelible stamp their tough judo mentor made on their game and their character.

Game changer AneciaPedroso, also partnered in life with a n -

other accomplished judoka, shows how it is to truly live and love a martial art that is meant to elevate and unite all those who engage in it.

Coach Annie emphatically giving instructions at UM Judo Team training in Davao City. (photo by Lean Daval, Jr.)

INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 147 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

On the road with the Blackberry Z10 IF you go back a couple of years, travelling usually means merely putting your mobile phone on international roaming and pray that nothing untoward at work happens while you are away gallivanting on the streets of whatever city you are exploring.

You are either literally chained to the WiFi service of your hotel or searching in vain for the free WiFi they provide in the malls. Enter the smartphone and all the communication hassles while traveling are literally thrown out of the window.

The key though is to purchase a local sim card that you can use with either your smart phone or your mobile hotspot.

For my recent Hong Kong and Phuket trips, I was lucky enough to be able to test drive the BlackBerry Z10.

The Z10 is a beautifully crafted phone, the front of the phone is free of any buttons and clut-

The high resolution display on the Z10 is clear even in bright sunlight. ter. In my hand, the phone feels solid and the finishes on the phone are exquisite. Its high-resolution 4.2-inch glass display is clear even in the brightest sunlight which allows for easy reading of messages or emails.

Taking photos on the Z10 is actually a breeze

The BlackBerry Keyboard allows for quick typing.

with just a couple of swipes, one is taken directly to the 8 megapixel camera. The camera has auto focus which helps in taking beautiful photographs. For those who love taking videos, the Z10’s camera also has image stabilisation for a more professional looking video. Selfies are easily taken by the Z10’s 2 megapixel front camera.

The Z10’s hardware performance is snappy and quick thanks to it’s 1.5 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor and the updated Blackberry 10 software which allowed me to check on my Facebook and Twitter feeds directly on my BlackBerry Hub without the need to open the app which gives me more time to enjoy my adventures even more.

What I love the most about the BlackBerry Z10 however is the smart BlackBerry Keyboard which allows me to text messages quickly and effortlessly. With next-word prediction and a person-

alised learning engine, the words pop up on the keyboard as I typed and are easily flicked up onto the message I was composing.

Unfortunately, I have to talk about its downside.

Although the BlackBerry is a beautiful phone to see and use, I just find that friends using BlackBerry messaging are few and far in between. Also, for the traveller, the lack of Instagram and some other famous apps on BlackBerry 10 can be a bit disappointing.

But these are just minor quirks as I hear there will be BB Messaging Apps that will be available soon for iOS and Andriod as well as Instagram for the BlackBerry 10 platform.

On the whole though, the Z10 is one serious smartphone with lots of spunk for the traveller as well as those who travel on business.

Follow me on Instagram and on Twitter @kennethkingong for more foodie finds, travel tips and happenings in, around and beyond Durianburg.

An image taken on the Z10.

The 8MP camera is easy to access and allows you to capture moments quicky and effortlessly.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

UP AnD ABOUT

CEB more than doubles flight frequency to Japan with daily Manila-Osaka flights ThE PhiLiPPinEs’ leading low-cost carrier, Cebu Pacific Air (PsE:CEB) offers more than twice as much flights to Japan, when it begins operating daily Manila-Osaka-Manila flights on December 20, 2013.

CEB currently operates flights between Manila and Osaka every Tuesday, Thursday and sunday. The additional four weekly flights will utilize CEB’s modern Airbus A320 aircraft.

This translates to a seat capacity increase of 133%.

Osaka is the economic center of the Kansai region, and one of the most important cities in Japan.

“We are proud to offer more low-fare great-value flights to the Kansai region, as we continue with our commitment to boost tourism and trade between the Philippines and Japan.

This is great news on Cebu Pacific’s 5th year of operations in Japan,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice iyog.

Because of this, CEB holds a special Japan seat sale from October 4 to 7, 2013 through www.cebupacificair.com.

Passengers can buy PhP1 seats between Manila and Osaka, for travel from January 1 to June 30, 2014. Moreover, those traveling from november 1 to December 31, 2013 can buy PhP2,488 seats. Quoted fares are exclusive of government taxes and fuel surcharges. After the seat sale, lowest year-round fares start at P3,999.

Meanwhile, CEB remains bullish about the expansion of its operations to more key cities in Japan, especially after the Philippines-Japan Air Consultation Talks in Tokyo last month.

“The recently concluded air talks were very successful and will definitely pave the way for more direct linkages between the two countries. With more flights to the Philippines, we believe Japan can rival south Korea when it comes to foreign tourist arrivals,” iyog said.

CEB offers flights to 22 international destinations, namely Bali, Bangkok, Beijing, Brunei, Busan, Dubai, Guangzhou, hanoi, ho Chi Minh, hong Kong, incheon (seoul), Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Osaka, Phuket, shanghai, siem Reap, singapore, Taipei and Xiamen. it also operates the most extensive network in the Philippines with 34 domestic destinations and hubs in Manila, Cebu, Clark, Kalibo, iloilo and Davao. since its inception in 1996, CEB has flown over 80 million passengers. it continues to stimulate short-haul travel of passengers around Asia, with an 11% system-wide passenger growth in 2012.

THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE AT THE SM STORE. Welcome the holidays with SM Homeworld’s delightful décor. Check out our new collections and choose your favorite designs and colors!

Visit SM Homeworld and bring home your new Christmas Décor finds!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 147 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

Korean Film Festival at SM Lanang Premier s

M Cinemas, together with the Embassy of Korea and Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, will be holding the 2013 Korean Film Festival in sM Lanang Premier in Davao City from October 10 to 13.

Banking on the strength of the Korean Wave in the Philippines, the Korean Film Festival will feature six popular family-friendly films that will highlight contemporary trends in Korean cinema. it will also provide a platform for promoting cultural exchange between Filipinos and Koreans.

The film festival was kicked off in sM Megamall in september 18, then followed by sM City iloilo and sM City Cebu. itwill have its final run at Cinema 5, sM Cinema Lanangbeginning Friday, October 10. Admission is free.

The public is invited to avail of this rare opportunity to screen the films Green Days, Masquerade, sunny, A Werewolf Boy, Deranged, and Dancing Queen.

The animated film Green Days, voiced by actors PARK shin-hye, sOnG Chang-eui and Oh Yeon-soo, is a coming-of-age story of Yi-Rang, a track runner, soo-Min, a pretty transfer student from seoul and Chul-soo, as they work towards their dreams.

Topbilling the period film Masquerade are LEE Byunghun of the G.i. Joe fame and hAn hyo-joo as their respective characters tackle the intricacies of court life during the Joseon dynasty. in a turn of events, King Gwang-hae was poisoned and a court jester who looks remarkably like the king, ha-sun, fills in the role of the king until the true king recovers fully. hasun’s vastly different personality incites change in the morale among the people in the castle for the better.

Third in the roster is the critically-acclaimed film sunny that retells the story of seven girls whose friendship stretches far back in high school through the journey of na-mi, one of the seven

girls. Chun-hwa, one of the girls, is presently terminally ill and asks na-mi to get together the old members of sunny for the last time before she dies.

Popular actors sOnG Joong-ki and PARK Boyoung grace the fantasyromance flick A Werewolf Boy about the young “wolf boy” and a girl who had just moved to the small rural village as these two strangers find affection from each other against a cold world that shuns them both. in Deranged, panic grows across the country as an epidemic of suicides occur where the victims jump into the river. The alarmed government declares a state of emergency. Medical supplies salesman Jae-hyuk suspects his family is showing symptoms of the drowning victims and through his brother, Detective Jae-pil, they search for the antidote to such. in Dancing Queen, the wife of the seoul mayoral

candidate was a Dancing Queen, formerly a popular talent whose chase for her dreams came to an abrupt stop when her husband, Jung-min, decided to run for office. The movie goes through the journey of Junghwa as she balances her life as a wife of a political candidate and as a leader of the Dancing Queen.

The 2013 Korean Film Festival is in cooperation with the Korean Film Council (KOFiC), the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the Korea Tourism Organization – Manila (KTO), the Korea Copyright Commission, sM Cinema, sM Cinema Megamall, sM Cinema Lanang and LG. The Davao Korean Association is also helping organize the festival in sM Lanang Premier.

For further information, please contact the Korean Cultural Center at 555-1711 or email events@koreanculture. ph, or call sM Cinema Lanang at 285-2356 for screening schedules.

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL. 6 ISSUE 147 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

EnTERTAinMEnT

Musikademy meets Javajive: The premier Davao homegrown brands

JAvAJIvE is Davao City’s premier coffee, tea and soda shop. Featuring a family-oriented and OPM-themed ambiance, Javajive features various beverages, meals and pastries for guests to enjoy. Javajive also showcases nightly performances from Davao’s prime musicians and homegrown talents. Proudly Pinoy and Dabawenyo Brand, Javajive is Nightly Performances at JavaJive always open 24/7 and located at 1.18 Centron Bldg., Quirino Ave. corner Gen. Luna St., Davao City. With its tagline: “Welcome Home!” Javajive invites everyone to visit Davao’s most promising café and tagged as the “Best MilkTea Place in Town” by Manila and Cebu Blog- Ella Velez gers. best music instruction posOn October 19, 2013, JavaJive shall celebrate its one year anniversary tagged: O.N.E. (The One Night Event) Thanksgiving Anniversary Celebration.

Staging a musical showcase and talent extravagance of Davao’s homegrown musicians with Ms. Juris Fernandez, Javajive has invited MUSIKADEMY, the metro’s premier music school, to join the celebration.

Musikademy is Davao City’s premier vocal music school, staffed by competent, highly-trained instructors with extensive performing experiences as musicians and as trainers.

Located at Unit 209, McPOD Building, McArthur Highway Davao City, the prime music school offers lessons that are oriented towards training young kids and teens perform before an audience. For music lessons, one can choose from a range of options: Private Lessons, Group voice/Guitar Class, Music Theater; and at the end of every semester and summer program, the training would be completed with a Musikat stint recital.

Musikademy was founded in April 2010 by siblings Mrs. Pie Basiao and Mr. Alvin “Bong Aviola, who both got their music education from the University of the Philippines. “Offering short-term lessons in voice, piano, guitar and violin, Musikademy positions itself as Davao’s prime music studio by keeping teaching standards high and striving to offer the

sible,” Mr. Aviola states.

Musikademy gauges its success not by the number of enrollees it has, or how much revenue the school makes, but on its ability to hone students as performers and on how these students have applied the skill and acquired musicianship in their individual or group performances. Also, the school has completed its faculty as vocal coaches: some are members of Davao City’s renowned Himig Singers and others are locally known musician in the city’s performing arts scene.

“Musikademy’s emphasis on the practical application of musical talent and skill has also led to high standards for the staging of its recital series, known as Musikat, which will soon be seeing its 10th edition,” Mr. Aviola adds. In its continuation to give a bigger platform for its students to perform, the school has also produced Something Wonderful, Something Musical concert held at SM Centerstage last December 2012.

This year 2013, Musikademy has accepted the invitation of JavaJive Inc. to showcase some of the school’s talented scholars and perform during the O.N.E. One Night Event Thanksgiving Anniversary Celebration of the JavaJive Café. Singing the themesong of JavaJive: “Java Jive” arranged by Mr. Kirby Shaw (an American Acapella Pop Jazz arranger) and some mainstream classics, the Musikademy

Gabby Sombilon

Nica Dorothea Tupas Scholars comprising Ms. Nica Dorothea Tupas, Ms. Jillian Derequito, Ms. Ella velez, and Ms. Gabby Sombilon shall complete the musical extravagance of the event. Together with the Soothing voice of Asia, Ms. Juris Fernandez-Lim, the Musikademy scholars shall perform also for the benefit of the A1 Scholarship Program of the Ateneo de Davao University. JavaJive vIP-Gold and vIPSilver ticket donations are now available at 1.18 Centron Bldg. Quirino Avenue corner General Luna St., Davao City. For Seat Reservations, kindly call JavaJive at 082.224.0272. For voice classes and piano/guitar lessons, call Musikademy at 082.297.4542 Proudly Pinoy and Davao Homegrown, JavaJive and Musikademy are two local brands that continues to excel in their own fields. Looking forward for Davao community’s support and patronage, these two brands are looking forward to develop its brand, maintain an excellent quality of products and services, and prosper in their future expansions.

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KUNG FU DIVAS 2D Ai Ai Delas Alas, Marian Rivera PG 13

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OGGY & THE COCKROACHES 2D GP

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R-16 INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2 2D Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne PG 13

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A4 INdulge!

EnTERTAinMEnT EDGEDavao Davao Partners

VOL. 6 ISSUE 147 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

More than 70,000 run for the Pasig River

Filipinos in PH and US unite in ‘One Run, One Philippines’ FiLiPinOs in the country and in the United states joined forces for the protection of the environment in ABs-CBn’s five-city advocacy run “One Run, One Philippines: isang Bayan Para sa Kalikasan,” on sunday (October 6) with a total of 88,190 participants in its local legs.

The “One Run, One Philippines,” which was held simultaneously in Quezon City, Bacolod, Cebu, Davao and Los Angeles, is part of ABs-CBn’s two-day event “Kwento ng Kasiyahan: The Grand Kapamilya Weekend” to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Philippine television.

Kapit Bisig Para sa ilog Pasig’s (KBPiP) “10.06.13 Run for the Pasig River,” the Quezon City leg of “One Run, One Philippines,” crusaded and clamored again for Pasig River rehabilitation and cleaner esteros in Metro Manila with 79,000 participants.

The participants of the “10.06.13 Run for the Pasig River” in 3k and 5k categories started at 6 AM at the Technohub in Philcoa going to Commonwealth Avenue, then finished at the Elliptical Road of Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC).

Among the runners were Quezon City Mayor herbert Bautista, ABs-CBn Foundation managing director Gina Lopez, ABs-CBn news and Current Affairs head Ging Reyes, broadcasters noli de Castro and Korina sanchez, and Kapamiya stars Anne Curtis and Xian Lim, Kim Chiu.

The crowd stayed until the post-race program that featured live performances of 6 Cyclemind, itchyworms, Rivermaya, and The Voice of the Philippines’ Klarisse de Guzman and Mitoy Yonting, while some of the runners toured at other areas of QMC where booths of ABs-CBn programs were installed to offer different activities, treats and public service.

KBPiP has organized four successful runs for the Pasig River and had raised P25.94 million since 2009 that helped raise awareness and fund part of the rehabilitation of the esteros in Metro Manila that leads to the Pasig River. The historic “10.10.10 Run for the Pasig River” still holds the Guinness World Record for the “most number of participants in a running event” with 116,086 runners.

Meanwhile, funds raised from four other legs of “One Run, One Philippines” will aid various environmental projects.

The three provincial legs all started at 4:30 AM with its 21K category followed by the 5K and 10 K at 5:30 AM. These runs were led by Kapamilya stars Joem Bascon, Paul Jake Castillo, and Bangs Garcia in Bacolod, Paulo Avelino and Jayson Abalos in Cebu, Maja salvador, and Aaron Villaflor and Bryan Termulo in Davao.

The Bacolod leg, which will benefit the mangrove and livelihood projects in Punta Taytay, sum-ag River rehabilitation, and ecotourism projects in Bacolod City Water District Campuestuhan Watershed was attended by 2,960 participants. in Cebu, 3,500 run for the coastal conservation in Daan Paz, while 3,000 runners supported the ecotourism projects in Marilog Tourist Center. hundreds of Filipinos in the Us, along with hunk actor Jake Cuenca, also took part in the Los Angeles leg held at Burbank, California, which will fund the projects of Bantay Kalikasan’s Green initiative. Burbank Mayor Emily Luddy showed her support in the advocacy by joining in the event.

Reporters Paolo Abrera, Dyan Castillejo and Atom Araullo with ABS-CBN managing director Gina Lopez.

Korina Sanchez, Noli de Castro, ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs head Ging Reyes and Herbert Bautista lead the warmup exercises.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 147 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

THE CLINCHER D UBLIn, ohio (AP) -nobody figured that Tiger woods, bad back and all, would have to hit a meaningful shot on Sunday at the Presidents Cup. The International side made sure he had to. woods took the lead over the unheralded Richard Sterne with a par at the 16th hole and then had to lag a long birdie putt to within a foot to clinch the United States’ fifth consecutive Presidents Cup victory, 18 1/2-15 1/2 over the International side. ‘’It’s been a long week for all of us,’’ woods said of the stops and starts inflicted by yet another series of torrential rains at muirfield Village, where he’s won five memorial Tournaments. ‘’I’m a little bit sore. Certainly I’m looking forward to not touching a club in a while.’’

Teeing off ninth in the U.S. order in singles, it was woods who supplied the clincher for the third time in a row in the biennial international competition

against a team comprised of players from everywhere in the world except Europe.

A strong finish in foursomes that were concluded early on Sunday morning gave the Americans an overwhelming 14-8 lead.

They needed to win just 3 1/2 of the 12 singles matches in order to run their record to 8-1-1 alltime in the event. yet for at least a little while in between storm fronts on Sunday, it appeared the International team might just duplicate the final-day turnaround engineered by the European Ryder Cup team against the Americans a year ago. ‘’we were walking around and I must have asked 500 times, how are we getting this fourth (clinching) point? where is the fourth point coming from?’’ U.S. captain Fred Couples said. ‘’At no given time was I a nervous wreck, but it was nice when Tiger two-putted that last green to get the 18th point.’’

An emotional nick Price, the International captain, had praised his team’s hard work and

HoEnIX Petroleum Philippines has drawn the 50 lucky winners to the nBA Global Games Philippines 2013. The winners will receive free tickets to watch the Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers live at the Sm mall of Asia Arena on october 10, 2013, plus hotel accommodation and P10,000 travel allowance.

The grand raffle draw of the ‘Gas Up, match Up’ national

promo was held on September 23, 2013 for Vismin and September 24, 2013 for Luzon.Twenty five winners were drawn from Luzon, two from Visayas, and 23 from mindanao.

Promo ran in participating Phoenix stations nationwide.

The list of winners can be found at http://www.phoenixfuels.ph.

The national Basketball

Association (nBA) has entered into a multi-year marketing partnership with Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. As official Petroleum Partner of the nBA in the Philippines, Phoenix Petroleum will conduct nBA-themed promotions in 300 service stations nationwide, giving fans in the provincial areas a chance to win exciting prizes and unique nBA experiences.

SPORTS 15

Tiger gets the much needed win for USA

TIGER WOODS. Playing hero for Team USA.

Phoenix draws 50 NBA tickets winners P

togetherness before the singles began, but also expressed regrets at the ‘’tall order’’ ahead.

‘’They feel pretty bad right now,’’ he said of his players. ‘’They have played their tails

off this week. It’s disappointing to go into singles with a 6-point deficit.’’

EIJInG (AP) -- Having lost his top ranking to Rafael nadal, novak Djokovic showed he can still compete with the Spaniard one-on-one.

A day after nadal made sure of wresting the no. 1 ranking away from Djokovic, the Serb gained some consolation by beating his big rival 6-3, 6-4 victory Sunday to claim his fourth China open title in five years.

In the women’s final, top-ranked American Serena williams maintained her dominant form, beating Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 6-2, 6-2. nadal only needed to reach the final in Beijing in order to replace Djokovic as no. 1 when the new rankings come out on monday.

But the Serb handed nadal his first loss on hard court this year, breaking him in the second game of the first set and again in the first game of the second. He served four aces to nadal’s two and hit 19 winners to the Spaniard’s

nine. ‘’I needed this win today. I really wanted to get my hands on the trophy and win against nadal who has been the best player so far in 2013,’’ said Djokovic, who had lost their last three meetings, including in the U.S. open final.

Djokovic credited his almost flawless serve for the win this time, as well as his ability to keep calm. He said playing doubles also helped sharpen his game and build his confidence. ‘’That’s crucial to get that necessary confidence when you’re playing top guys, somebody like nadal, who loves to get into the rally, loves to be in his comfort zone and I was always trying to move him around the court and I’ve done pretty well,’’ Djokovic said.

Djokovic has yet to lose a match in Beijing. ‘’Center Court is exceptional. I enjoy it, and I try to cherish every moment that I spend here. And the results are showing how much I

really enjoy being here and enjoy playing in this tournament.’’ nadal, the reigning

French open and U.S. open champion, has had a dominant year since returning in February from a seven-month layoff due to a left knee injury. He has won 10 titles and reached 12 finals overall, compiling an ATP Tour-best record of 65-4 on the season.

He hadn’t lost a match since falling in the opening round at wimbledon to 135th-ranked Steve Darcis of Belgium in June, his only previous blip this year. nadal also said Djokovic’s serve made the difference. ‘’I was not able to have any chance when I was returning through the whole match,’’ nadal said. ‘’when that’s happening against a player like novak, you are dead.’’ yet nadal seemed to put the setback behind him in light of an extraordinary comeback season that sees him returning to the top ranking for the first time since July 2011.

L

and four rebounds in his preseason debut for the Lakers.

Steve nash had six assists in 22 scoreless minutes before going to the locker room in the third quarter of his own exhibition debut.

JaVale mcGee had 12 points and seven assists for the nuggets, who commit-

ted 28 turnovers and 33 fouls. They still won a poorly played game by both teams for Shaw, the longtime Lakers guard and assistant coach.

Xavier Henry had 15 points in his second high-scoring game for the Lakers.

Djokovic whips Nadal in China B

Lakers bow to Nuggets

BACK IN ACTION. Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash (10) looks to make a pass with Denver Nuggets forward Anthony Randoph durng an NBA preseason game in Los Angeles. The Nuggets won this one.

oS AnGELES (AP) -Ty Lawson and Jordan Hamilton scored 15 points apiece, and the Denver nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 97-88 Sunday night in their preseason debut under new coach Brian Shaw.

Pau Gasol had 13 points

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 6 ISSUE 147 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013

INTERVIEW WITH RON HARPER:

‘Jordan is beyond compare’

By nEiLWin JoSEPH L. BraVo

y

njb@edgedavao.net

ou can only count with your fingers who are the nBA players with at least a championship ring on every finger. one of them is Ron Harper who has five.

The 6-6 native of Dayton, ohio won three championships with the Chicago Bulls in 1996-1998 and with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000 and 2001. what made those championships extra special is that they were achieved alongside two of the greatest basketball players in the nBA-michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

That puts Harper in elite company.

Edge Davao had the rare opportunity to be among six sportswriters given the privilege to interview Harper on Saturday.

Harper is in the country as ambassador of the nBA for the pre-season game between the Houston Rockets and the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. “we are excited to be here. This is a beautiful country and the people are great. I learned how crazy you are about basketball,” said H a r p e r, now 49.

Harper, who starred at miami University in ohio where his high flying playing style drew rousing comparisons to Julius Erving, is in the country for the first

time. He conducted a basketball clinic on Saturday morning and led the nBA Cares program in Aurora, Quezon.

Asked who he thinks is the best basketball player of all time, Harper’s quick answer: michael Jordan.

“He is the best ballplayer of all time. mJ by far is the best player of all time with the size and the speed.

I wouldn’t even compare him to these guys,” said Harper referring to comparisons made between Jordan and current nBA stars Bryant and Lebron James. on his other former teammate, Harper said: “Kobe, he’s a great player, he’s a great competitor.”

Then he put Jordan and Bryant in one sentence: “one thing I learned about playing with these players (Jordan and Bryant), they are great competitors. mJ is the best player, best competitor of all time.”

H a r p e r signed a lucrative free agent deal with the Bulls

i n 1994 after playing with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Bulls were then rebuilding following the first retirement of Jordan. He found his niche with the Bulls upon Jordan’s return on his second year with the fran-

RON HARPER. Five championship rings with the Bulls and the Lakers. Dante Peralta chise, eventually becoming a fan favorite by reinventing himself as a big perimeter defender, ballhandler, and midrange scorer.

Harper relishes being a member of Chicago’s record-setting 72-win season in 1996.

“It was great, we had a great basketball team, g r e a t coach (Phil Jack-

WITH PHILIPPINE MEDIA. Ron Harper is interviewed by the writer (left) with Tina Maralit of Balita and Richard Dy of spin.ph. Dante Peralta son), and we just love to play,” Harper said of his Chicago championship run. He con-

the

SHOOTING OPTION. Ron Harper shoots as Michael Jordan watches during their Chicago Bulls days.

fessed 72-win season capped by a championship in 1996 was his most memorable of all his five career nBA championships.

A testa-

ment to that is he fondly wears the 1996 ring although he was seen wearing the 2001 back-to-back ring with the Lakers during the interview.

“I change rings out, I wear them once in a while, I got five, I rotate all that,” Harper said. on winning championships in Chicago and LA, Harper said he never thought about winning. But once he tasted a championship, he swore he developed an appetite for winning. “when you get one ring, you try to get two rings, when you get two you try to get three rings, when you get four, you wanna get five,” he said.

Harper also had high respect for his coach Jackson who has eleven career nBA championships.

“He’s one of my favorite coaches. He’s a very intriguing coach, a very smart

coach. He knows how to get the best out of you. He’s the guy who knows how to get guys to play as a team,” Harper said of the Zen master.

Harper also candidly shared his thoughts on other nBA personalities and the pre-season game in manila. on Fil-American coach Eric Spoelstra: “Great coach, very good basketball team, it isn’t bad that he has Lebron James.” on former Lakers center Dwight Howard who is now with Rockets: “I’ll wait and see.” on Dennis Rodman: “I ain’t answering that question. I ain’t going to north Korea. I don’t have the drive to go there.”

And finally, on the pre-season game in manila, Harper said that it’s a good start. “It will be beautiful for the fans to be exposed to nBA guys.”