Edge Davao 6 Issue 150

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 150 • FRIDAY-SATUDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2013

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Serving a seamless society

GROOVY AND TECHIE OLDIES. An elderly woman proudly shows to fellow senior citizen her “Candy Crush Saga” score during the culmination program of the 2013 Elderly Filipino Week at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 11 office yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Local lawyers call for abolition

UNITED VS ‘PORK BARREL’

By Emilord P. Castromayor

V

arious organizations of lawyers in Davao City call for the speedy prosecution of alleged plunderers involved in the P10-billion pork barrel scam and the abolition of the priority development assistance fund (PDaF) during a press conference on Thursday at the integrated Bar of the Philippines-Davao chapter office.

Lawyer Jose Edgar ilagan of iBP-Davao, said investigations being conducted in relation to the alleged misuse of the PDaF should not stop at the mere collection of evidence rather, it should lead to the prosecution of the plunderers. He cited the case of indonesia where government offi-

cials involved in corruption were ousted, including the president.

“The Commission on audit (Coa) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) merely pass their audit reports to the office of the ombudsman. Due to the many cases that reach the ombudsman, it would take forever before all of them are read,” ilagan said. ilagan added that the Coa and DBM should do their job by filing formal complaints if they see discrepancies in the release and use of funds, instead of just passing the audit reports without highlighting any violations.

Bayan Muna represen-

FUNITED, 10

ROWDY FOREIGNER. Sri Lankan Methsiri Ambegoda Liyanage lands in Sta. Ana Police station jail for allegedly pointing a gun at his live-in partner inside the Quality Plaza Inn in R. Castillo Ave. yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 150 • FRIDAY-SATUDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2013

DTI-DILG

Enhancing LGU competitiveness

By Ej dominiC FErnandEz

E

SCAVENGER-FRIENDLY FORUM. Elisa P. Madrazo, head of City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), says she will gather some 100 garbage scavengers for the first ever scavenger-friendly forum on October 18. The scavengers became a problem in the city’s garbage collection operations due to the mess they leave every time they rummage through the garbage bins. Lean Daval Jr.

ejf@edgedavao.net

ParTMENT of Trade and industry (DTi) 11 regional Director Marizon s. Loreto believes that region 11 is “looking at a much better business environment in the future.”

Loreto in Wednesday’s Local Chief Executive Convergence on Competitiveness at the Pinnacle Hotel and suites, Davoao City, said DTi and the Department of Local and interior Governance (DiLG) is united in adding competitiveness among the local government units from

different cities and provinces in the region.

Yesterday, DTi, DiLG `and 50 local chief executives in region 11 signed an agreement to ensure the implementation of activities outlined in the DTiDiLG Joint Memorandum Circular No. 01, series of 2012, “guidelines in implementing the standards in processing business permits and licenses in all cities and municipalities” and jointly facilitate the application for clearances, permits, and licenses to ensure compliance of poli-

DMS docs, Rotarians target budget for ‘zero-dengue’ in campaign Four-year saba development

Drive starts in Buhangin By antonio m. ajEro

T

ama@edgedavao.net

HE DaVao MEDiCaL soCiETY and rotary international have joined forces to wage war against dengue in Mindanao, starting in Davao City. “our objective is to achieve a zero-dengue situation here,” said Dr. ana Liza P. Lanuza, DMs president for 2013-2014.

Dr. Lanuza said the objective may be ambitious but it is doable as shown in Cebu last august.

The campaign, which started last week in sitio Dumangas, involves the broadcast of powdered temethos chemical in dump places in order to

kill the larvae of mosquitoes. she said killing the larvae, locally termed “kiti-kiti,” is better than killing mosquitoes.

“Kung papatayin natin ang lamok, manganak pa rin sila, dahil nakapag-iwan ng larvae,” Dr. Lanuza said, adding that “pagnamatay yong kitikiti wala nang lamok.” after Dumanlas, the campaign will go to another part of Buhangin this saturday.

Lanuza said that the DMs member physicians themselves, joined by volunteers from rotarians led by Dr. romeo

Davao City plans river promenade T

HE City Government of Davao, spearheaded by the City Environment and Natural resources office (Cenro) is eyeing the development of a promenade alongside the Davao river, and the rehabilitation of existing public parks.

Eliza Madrazo, Cenro head, said they have submitted the river promenade plan to the City Planning and Development office for approval.

The plan entails the extension of the existing promenade from Bolton Bridge to Generoso Bridge. a river promenade was built on the

riverbank beside Bolton Bridge but had been neglected, Madrazo said that the plan under the Davao river Development Program will have the promenade expanded. she said the promenade will be useful as a viewing deck where people can watch fluvial parades. Future plans will include the expansion of the promenade to Madapo beyond Generoso Bridge. she said that although the riverbanks at the proposed promenade are presently occupied by informal settlers, it has also

FDAVAO, 10

Du, past president of the rotary Club of Davao, students, barangay residents will put the powdered temethos chemical on places identified to be breeding places of vector mosquitoes. she said the campaign will first focus on Buhangin because the bulk of dengue cases, including deaths, came from Buhangin.

The barangay residents themselves will identify the breeding places where the campaign will focus.

To be effective, the activity is scheduled every three months in a target-

ed place. she said the activity in putting temethos in places identified to be with mosquito larvae takes only one hou. Before the activity, the barangays residents led by their offficials are educated through a one-hour seminar on dengue, how to avoid getting sick with dengue and what to do if one is already sick of it.

The seminar takes only one hour, she said.

Lanuza said in waging the campaign, the DMs needs more volunteers and donations as the chemical being used is quite expensive.

s

aBa banana is one of the important commodities being focused om by the Department of agriculture (Da) regional field office 11 to maintain agriculture production on a high level, according to assistant regional director Bernadette san Juan. san Juan said the Da, together with saba stakeholders, has proposed a budget of P84.6 million for the next four years to support the production of saba banana starting year2014 up to 2017 subject to the approval of the government.

This amount is a correction a previous news release that the P84.6 million is proposed for one year only.

The proposed four

FDTI, 10

year program fund will prioritize the production research and development, which is necessary to achieve high export quality saba banana produce; postharvest and marketing to avoid postharvest loses and increase the income of the farmers; and regional banana extension and institutional development to equip our banana farmers with knowledge on banana production.

The Bureau of agricultural statistics (Bas) reported that 41 percent of the total area planted with saba nationwide is located in Mindanao. in terms of volume production, 61 percent of saba is produced in Mindanao. Based on a separate

FFOUR-YEAR, 10

SATELLITE OFFICE. A client enjoys the fast service of the spacious Land Transportation Office (LTO) satellite branch at SM City Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 150 • FRIDAY-SATUDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2013

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THE BIG NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 150 • FRIDAY-SATUDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2013

Cenro to gather 100 scavengers

By Ej dominiC FErnandEz

JOB FAIR. JobStreet.com Marketing and Communication manager Eileen G. Camarillo discusses the company’s history and background during yesterday’s press briefing for JobStreet Career Fair 2013 set on October 12 at the New Commercial Complex Center Mall.

Lean Daval Jr.

Police arrest Sri Lankan a

53-year-old sri Lanka national could be facing cases after he was irked by his former live-in partner over a lewd video shown on television inside their room at the Qualiy inn Plaza in agdao on Thursday.

The sri Lankan, Methisiry ambegoda Liyanage kept insisting that she (Meleah Canaya, 23) was the nude woman in the lewd show while she denied the

accusation.

Meleah had gone to meet Liyanage to ask financial support for their two year-old child about 10:00 a.m.

Meleah who was about to leave the inn signaled her two nieces and nephew to prepare to leave but the suspect blocked her way.

The suspect ran and knocked on the door of the vehicle, opened it and slapped aludenah Canaya,

her niece, and not content Liyanage struck her with a small bag containing his .45 pistol caliber with tampered serial number, police said. she tried to escape from the car but the suspect slammed the door that caused her right forefinger to get caught in the jamb of the door.

Canaya’s nephew, ruchz rushed to the suspect and punched him.

The victims claimed that Liyanage pointed a gun at Fareenah the other niece.

P/supt Ceazar Cabuhat, commander of the sta ana police station that, Liyanage, will be facing cases of violation against women and children, illegal possession of firearm, serious physical injury, grave threats and violation of the Comelec gun ban. [EPC]

u

typhoon as early as Friday, bringing strong winds and heavy rains.

Kerry had planned to meet with Philippine officials in Manila on Friday and saturday. it was to be the last stop in a southeast asia tour that has included indonesia and Brunei and

is moving on to Malaysia later Thursday.

Kerry made the announcement as he wrapped up his sessions at the association of southeast asian Nations summit. He said he would try to make the trip up in a month or so and reaffirmed the “firm partner-

ship” between the u.s. and the Philippines.

During much of Kerry’s trip he has been filling in for President Barack obama, who canceled a planned asia tour because of the government shutdown gripping Washington. [AP]

s

ejf@edgedavao.net

oME 100 garbage scavengers will converge on october 18, 2:00 pm, for the first ever scavenger-friendly forum of the Davao City Environment and Natural resources office (Cenro).

Cenro department head Elisa Madrazo, in yesterday’s ispeak forum at the city hall said, these garbage scavengers are among the problems of Cenro for the mess that they leave every time they rummage through the garbage bins. “i really hope they would cooperate so that they won’t leave too much mess, and they will be more organized,” she said, adding, “in return, we are planning to give them healthcare benefits such as medicine, and assistance from our (Cenro)

nurses.”

Madrazo said that when the scavengers learned of the event, they became excited.

The scavengers who will join the event have their own groups, some are elder garbage collectors, and some have their own tricycles for garbage collection.

This event will help the scavengers be recognized, and perhaps get permission to enter those subdivisions that have banned them.

Later on, Cenro plans to create a depository area for recyclable items that will help scavengers to earn more from the garbage they collect.

“The mayor (rodrigo Duterte) will definitely support this program,” Madrazo said.

Davao City Muslims Kerry cancels stop in PHL due to storm set for Eid al-Adha

.s. secretary of state John Kerry said Thursday that he has canceled a scheduled trip to the Philippines due to the threat posed by tropical storm Nari.

Forecasters say the storm could strike the northern Philippines as a

ASEAN agrees to adopt haze monitoring system

s

outheast asian leaders gathered here for their bi-annual summits have adopted a recommendation by the asEaN environment ministers for a transboundary haze monitoring system.

Brunei’s sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said in a statement that they also welcomed indonesia’s commitment to ratify a regional haze agreement.

“We look forward to indonesia’s ratification of the agreement at the earliest time,” said the sultan, who is chairing the 23rd asEaN summit and related summits.

The leaders said they took note of the outcome of the trilateral meeting on transboundary haze between the foreign ministers of indonesia, Malaysia and singapore at the asEaN Foreign Ministers’ retreat in Hua Hin, Thailand, last august.

on the sidelines of the 23rd asEaN summit here, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk seri Najib Tun razak had a brief discussion yesterday on the haze with indonesian President susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. according to officials, the haze monitoring system that will include digitised land-use maps and concession maps of fire-prone areas that cause transboundary haze will be shared on a government-to-government basis. in July, indonesia announced it would ratify the asean agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution by the end of this year or early next year.

Countries affected by the haze had been pressuring indonesia to ratify the agreement after thick smog, resulting from forest fires in

FASEAN, 10

o

VEr a thousand Muslims in Davao City will celebrate the Eid al-adha through a unified prayer at the agro football field, Ecoland on october 15.

Madrasa executive director aleem Jamal Munib, in yesterday’s ispeak forum at the city hall said, there were about 1,000 partic-

ipants last year, and they expect the same number to attend this year.

He said, they already spoke to Task Force Davao and the Philippine National Police here about security measure for the event, adding that everything (security) is being arranged for that day.

FDAVAO CITY, 10

PASALUBONG CENTER NOW AT SM CITY GENSAN. To provide locals, tourists and excursionists a blend of SOCCSKSARGEN products and authentic pasalubong crafts and foods, the Department of Trade and Industry Region 12 has finally brought these products at SM City General Santos. Products including food, fashion accessories, Gift, decors, and health and wellness products and services, are being sold at producer’s price are located at the Second Level of the. Hurry! Visit DTI Region 12’s Pasalubong Center at SM City General Santos.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 150 • FRIDAY-SATUDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2013

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THE ECONOMY

VOL. 6 ISSUE 150 • FRIDAY-SATUDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Policy making pushed for financial inclusion POVERTY SUMMIT. Budget Secretary Florencio Abad (in rostrum) deliver his message during the 2013 Partnerships against Poverty Summit held at Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City Wednesday (October 9, 2013). Abad assures the

government’s role to provide ample support to micro finance clients, especially those coming from the poor.[PNA photos by Jess M. Escaros Jr.]

iNaNCiaL inclusion or accessibility of finance services up to the poorest community can be achieved through policy making, according to experts speaking during the 2013 Partnerships against Poverty summit.

The alliance of Financial inclusion (aFi), a net-

a positive direction,” aFi said.“This will contribute to economic growth and stability.” aFi noted that in the past five years, awareness on the importance of creating policies for financial inclusion grew worldwide. it cited the growing number of countries that

F

work of financial inclusion policymakers, said policy making will provide security, confidence and competitiveness for the industry.

Well-designed policies will also increase the level of financial access in a country, thus providing a higher quality of living, aFi said. in its study, it was found

in Nepal that access to savings accounts has increased 16 percent of household assets while opening a bank account in Mexico resulted to seven percent increase in population engaging in small businesses. ”Policies shall ensure that the impact of financial inclusion will go to

committed to The Maya Declaration, a pledge of common principles in the development of financial inclusion, which is now posted in 45 countries compared to 2011’s 17 countries. aFi added that partnerships among private sector, non-government organi-

zations, and policy makers will create opportunities such as alignment of interests, technological innovations, and global advocacy to achieve financial inclusion. ”Quality of lives is the measurement of an effective financial inclusion,” it said. [PNa]

7 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 150 • FRIDAY-SATUDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2013

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/

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) Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

T

HE amreco-PsaG (association of Mindanao rural Electric Cooperative- Power supply aggregation Group) has assured Mindanao consumers a 300-MegaWatt power supply by 2017. amreco President sergio C. Dagooc said different provinces in Mindanao relying on the different electric cooperatives for their power supply are assured of but they are at a quandary as to where to source power from now up to 2015.

“We have already contracted with GN Power and amreco-PsaG for our projected 300-MW demand for 2017,” he said. amreco is composed of 33 electric cooperatives, six of which are considered sPuG or small Power utilities Group located in different Mindanao islands such as Jolo, sulu, TawiTawi, Dinagat and Basilan. The six cooperatives have their own generators while the 27 others rely on the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). all the six electric cooperatives are under the National Power Corporation (NPC) as per republic act 9136 which mandates the NPC to operate power plants in

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

9. National Government Revenues

Month

Amreco assures 300MW power supply in Mindanao by 2017

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

isolated islands in the country.

He said amreco accounts for 60 percent market share or an estimated 1,941,554 residential consumers in Mindanao. The rest of the market is accounted for by private electric companies like the Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) and the Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company, inc. (CEPaLCo).

Dagooc said 80% of their member cooperatives are Triple a cooperatives which means these are “financially, technically and institutionally stable.”

However, he added, 20 percent of its members are hard-up electric cooperatives located in the autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao (arMM). among the top cooperatives are servicing the Davao region namely Davao del sur Electric Cooperative (Dasureco), Davao oriental Electric Cooperative (Doreco) and the Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative (Daneco) which used to be a top-performing cooperative before it got embroiled in its present controversy.

Twenty-seven of the member coops are hooked up with the island’s transmission grid while another six operate in the off-grid islands

by the numbers The global eco nomy is expected to gro w

2.9 percent ye

ar-over-year in 2013 and

3.6 percent

in 2014, revisin g July estimates dow n by 0.3 and 0.2 percen tage points, respect iv ely.

Source: IMF

surrounding the main island of Mindanao.

“While most of our member cooperatives are doing good, we have to unify our resources to help ailing members such as those in the arMM,” he said. amreco-PsaG Executive Director Clint Django Pacana

said these cooperatives are nonstock, non-profit organizations that rely on the P6,000 monthly dues of its members for its continued operation.

“This is mainly the reason why PsaG was formed and do business in the power industry,” he added. [PNa]

August exports surprise: 20% growth fastest in 10 months M

ErCHaNDisE e x p o r t s in august accelerated by 20.2%, the fastest since september 2012.

Data from the National statistics released on Thursday, october 10, showed that august exports reached $4.581 billion.

This was the highest spike achieved year-todate amid weak global economic recovery.

This also brought the aggregate January-to-

august merchandise exports $35.003 billion, 0.8% slower from the $35.297 billion a year ago. in a briefing in Malacañang, Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda highlighted the country’s performance.

“The Philippines is the strongest performer amongst its East and southeast asia neighbors in terms of export growths in august 2013.”

“Following the

Philippines as top export performer, Vietnam recorded an annual increase of 15.5% and then followed by the republic of Korea, which placed third with 7.7% annual gain followed by the People’s republic of China at 7.2%,” Malacañang added.

Top exports Electronics products, the company’s top export, however, was down 0.4% to $1.785 billion in august from $1.791 billion a year ago.

E l e c t r o n i c s accounted for 39% of the total exports revenue during the month.

Lacierda highlighted the products that contributed to the improvement of the export performance in august.

“Manufacture goods rose by 8.7% to us 3.7 billion from 3.4 billion a year ago,” he said. “Higher exports of total agro-based and forest products also contributed to the

robust export in 2013.”

Export markets The following were the Philippines’ main export markets in august: Japan – 25% share; $1.147 billion total, up 67 %, usa - 12.6% share; $575.44 million total, up 15.2%, China 10.5% share; $479.88 million total, up 26.1 %, singapore 8.5% share and HongKong - 7.6% share; $348.46 million total up 13.5%. [rappler.com]

as of May 2013 Cebu Pacific Daily Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Thu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cebu-Davao-Cebu

16:45

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 150 • FRIDAY-SATUDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2013

EDITORIAL

o

Fake NGOs, illegal foundations

F THE more than 80 fake non-government organizations (NGos), only about a dozen allegedly belongs to Janet Lim Napoles.

What about the rest? Will government also look into their operations to see if they are also involved in multi-million peso scams like those of Napoles? aside from fake NGos, there are also spurious foundations organized by lawmakers themselves which they stuffed with their relatives as officers and directors. in a statement on the controversial Priority Development assistance Fund during the inauguration and blessing of the district office of 1BaP party-list rep. silvestre H. Bello iii Wednesday afternoon, Mayor rodrigo r. Duterte said that it is not only Janet Napoles who is involved in the plunder of the people’s money. He said the other bogus NGos must also be investigated to determine their participation in wholesale theft of public funds.

The mayor zeroed in on foundations which may have

EDGEDAVAO

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

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been organized by politicians to become conduits of their PDaF allocations.

Duterte blames some concerned government agencies for having tolerated the practice despite its being a violation of republic act 1319. The mayor must be referring to the securities and Exchange Commission, which approves the creation of foundations, and the Commission on audit which should have checked on the foundations’ role in the squander of the people’s money by erring lawmakers. in sum, Duterte is for the abolition of PDaF, warning that the shenanigans involving the pork barrel system “will drag the spirit of the people and bring us down as a nation.”

The mayor’s stand on PDaF is credible considering the PDaF allocations that the city got from lawmakers –mostly senators—totaling some P70 million through the years had barely been touched by the city government under his watch.

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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VOL. 6 ISSUE 150 • FRIDAY-SATUDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2013

Making systemic changes

NE BiG BusiNEss, TaX-FrEE – We’ve been saying all along that it is so degrading to talk about corruption particularly those that actually happened in different government agencies. But the private sector is also corrupt. There have been previous cases of banks and other financial institutions looted by their owners and officials and the losses passed on to the government and the unknowing taxpayers.

This is corruption but nobody is talking about it in these terms. The only corruption we used to know is what happens in various government offices.

The main challenge for the aquino administration right now is how to get back the economic dynamism and strengthen basic institutions partially derailed because of the highly-sensational issues surrounding the multi-billion Priority Development assistance Fund (PDaF) and Disbursement acceleration Program (DaP) fund anomalies embroiling some enterprising members of Congress and other ranking public officials. another equally degrading issue is the unabated corruption in the Bureau of Customs (BoC) that caught President Benigno aquino iii’s attention. Corruption really is a big problem and is coming out even to the fore even as resources become scarce. sad to lament, though, many government officials are such cash-oriented freaks and avaricious personages that they will cling on tightly to their lucrative positions for dear life like hungry leeches as if there is no life after the government.

Yes, corruption in its worst form is rampant from top to bottom. it has been institutionalized and many officials, elective or otherwise, believe it is a way of living. Corruption has become one big business, taxfree and has a subconscious effect on the

a

young generation because they think that it is something normal already.

Corruption will never stop unless we make systemic changes in the bureaucracy. and President PNoy made a precise move recently by implementing drastic reforms in the Customs bureau, the second largest source of government revenue yet among the most graft-ridden line agencies. We are looking at an office where an estimated P200 billion was lost annually from our nation’s coffers because of patronage and blatant corruption that have long plagued the Customs bureau. The President even issued a stern warning to ranking Customs officials against clinging to the corrupt ways of the past.

President PNoy “reset the button” for reorganization in the much maligned office due to widespread corruption yet 15 thick-faced out of the 27 district customs collectors still have the audacity to questioned their reassignment to the Department of Finance (DoF), which is the BoC’s principal agency. The callous and stubborn officials claimed their transfer to the DoF made possible through E.o. No. 146 that created the Customs Policy research office (CPro) is some sort of demotion in rank prompting them to elevate their grievances to the court and seek redress.

When an institution’s corrupt practices are entrenched, nothing would ever

come of government’s effort if it would only reshuffle erring officials among different positions. allowing these alleged hard-nosed and rapacious officials to remain where they are and strut around like little kings in their newly-found opulent kingdoms, they could still continue to do their illegal but highly-profitable activities.

The administration’s answer to the perennially corrupt Customs agency is to reset the button for it has long been the ugly face of corruption in government.

The misconduct becomes endemic because the biggest perpetrators of corruption are those who are in power and sensitive positions that do not have the capability and the will to give up their prerogatives, perks and absolute power. Big-time transactions in the Customs bureau have become more discreet and non-transparent because those in high positions wanted to do it themselves, of course, for obvious reasons.

President PNoy, as his wont, was frank enough to say that the first order of the day was to put again semblance of order and equanimity followed by a tough directive replacing quite a number of people in very key positions to effect the objectives of having the Customs office do what it is supposed to do, which is to perform efficiently by improving collections, and ridding itself completely of corruption.

Probably irate and aghast because of the unabated corruption, President PNoy challenges corrupt BoC men by telling them: “Try me and see where that brings you.” The discretion that allows this kind of officials to illegally exact government revenues should be removed posthaste.

More than that, government should set the example and go after the “big fish, not just the small fry.”

the world. But what is becoming clear to us is that the united states of america is no longer as strong and invincible we thought it to be. still fresh in our minds was the us financial collapse of 2008-2009 when most of Wall street’s strongest and oldest financial firms like Bear stearns, Lehman Brothers, Morgan stanley, Merrill Lynch, american insurance Group, etc all went bankrupt and collapsed like a deck of cards.

This financial collapse was blamed on a financial instrument called “Mortgage-Backed securities” ( home mortgages that were packaged by banks into a bond and traded like securities). since this MBs was also sold to foreign governments, like iceland, Greece, italy, Great Britain, France, Germany, etc--- most of these countries which were exposed to this bond also went bankrupt when the us stock market crashed in 2009.

Loose and easy credit for home loans, combined with extreme greed brought down the us financial market in one great

market crash whose waves rippled around the world, bringing down with it such countries as iceland, Greece, italy.

This time, angry contempt against the administration of President Barack obama for his health care programs by Congress, is bringing down the entire us federal government.

What a way to bring down the usa. No one needs to declare war and no one needs to invade the most powerful country on this planet!

While the Philippines seems to get all the good economic news with its soaring growth rate and improving credit ratings, the us seems to be getting all the bad news these days.

My sister told me not to stop dreaming of america because she wants me to come and settle over there in Virginia. she and her husband Ed are reserving a car for me and buying another house so i could join them --- that is, if i ever have the chance to go there. i’ve began to dream of weekends fishing with them in a nearby lake.

“Just keep on dreaming. one day, before you know it, that dream will come true,” she said. oh well, with all these financial and political problems faced by america these days, i’m beginning to have second-thoughts…

(Comments ? Email > tradingpost_ davao@yahoo.com)

US shutdown : Just keep on dreaming !

MEriCaNs look like they’re reeling from the current us “shutdown” but a quick email reply from my sister in the state of Virginia, says it’s the federal government that has no money to run its various offices--- not the state governments which have their own budget and funds.

My sister Marilyn works for the state government of Virginia, which happened to be america’s richest state, according to her email. a bonafide us citizen, she lives in springfield, Virginia, just a three hour drive to Washington DC, the seat of the federal government.

“Thanks for your concern. Don’t worry about us here. We’re oK, all our state government offices all over america are open and running normally. it’s the federal government that can longer open their offices because Congress failed to approve the federal budget,” Marilyn said in her email to me last week. if this is happening in the Philippines, it’s like all the national offices all over the country have run out of funds to operate, when Congress fails to pass and approve the national budget. Thank goodness, it’s not happening to us in this country!

The appeal of america as the “land of milk and honey” seems to peel off some more in our minds as this problem is unfolding over there. one still have no idea how this “shutdown” will affect the rest of

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Road narrows ahead SOMEONE ELSE’S

By H. MarcoS c. Mordeno

N

aTioNaL television last week reported on a road project in Luzon funded under the Priority Development assistance Fund. The road was apparently overpriced given its length and substandard quality – its concrete pavement collapsed a few years after its completion.

That project was one glaring example of how the PDaF, popularly called the pork barrel, has been misused and abused by lawmakers and their cohorts in and out of government.

The same thing may be said too of President Benigno aquino iii’s “daang matuwid” program. it is crumbling apart ironically because he is building it in a manner that is anything but straight. Either he often gets bad advice or he thinks his approval rating allows him to squander his political capital every now and then. This may explain his obstinacy to retain the pork under a new guise.

Note that when the House of representatives approved the 2014 budget on second reading, it deleted the PDaF but parceled out P25.4 billion among six government agencies.

However, the honorable lawmakers may “recommend” five public works projects at most. in exchange, the House members kept their hands off the P450-billion special Purpose Fund, the President’s own pork barrel. since this is a discretionary fund the Palace can dictate its terms on the lawmakers who would be salivating for allocations for projects from which they could pocket fat kickbacks. only a few may have noticed it, but the executive branch has effectively usurped the legislature’s power of the purse through such setup, and made the latter hostage of its agenda. This the Palace has accomplished by playing down the notion that the discretionary funds of the President are also pork. it has tried to contain public outrage and discourse within the PDaF issue, to keep aquino’s image as a serious graft buster untarnished.

But alas, senator Jinggoy Estrada exposed the Disbursement acceleration Program, which like the PDaF has evolved into something that now threatens to blow in the face of this administration. Like the PDaF too, the constitutionality of the DaP has been questioned before the supreme Court.

Questions on the constitutionality of the PDaF and DaP would be resolved mainly on technical grounds. The supreme Court will simply examine if their existence has not violated the limits on the powers of each branch of government based on the principle of separation of powers. Can the lawmakers identify projects? Can the President realign funds for items which are not specified in the approved national budget? These are some of the questions that the Court will have to settle.

For the public at large, however, the bigger issues behind the PDaF and DaP are not only legal and technical but also moral and political. aside from the legal issues, the discovery of questionable PDaF disbursements that have implicated lawmakers and private personalities like Janet Lim-Napoles, and Estrada’s claim that the President dangled DaP allocations to secure the conviction of former supreme Court Chief Justice renato Corona in the impeachment trial are among the reasons for those series of protests and the petitions now being heard by the High Tribunal. it’s unfortunate that the Palace would hear nothing of the legal questions. With regard to the DaP in particular, Palace spokespersons have stuck to the argument that the issue should focus on whether the funds for it were properly used. in effect, they are saying that there is no crime even if the DaP is illegal as long as the money for it has been spent as intended. The end justifies the means.

The Palace is now saying the executive may flout the law on the use of public funds if the intentions are good. it’s a dangerous proposition. if legal funds can be abused and misused, it should worry us more if allocations go out of the public coffers through dubious means even if the avowed purpose is to build cloudless happiness for us all.

Maybe “daang matuwid” actually means taking legal shortcuts.

(MindaViews is the opinion sections of MindaNews. H. Marcos C. Mordeno can be reached at hmcmordeno@gmail.com.)

10 NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 150 • FRIDAY-SATUDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Jardeleza maintains PDAF is constitutional s

oLiCiTor General Francis Jardeleza Thursday maintained the provision of the Priority Development assistance Fund under the 2013 General appropriations act is constitutional.

During the second day of the oral arguments at the supreme Court on the PDaF, Jardeleza stressed under the 2013 Gaa, the lawmakers are allowed to propose and identify projects and this system is in consistent with the decision of the sC in the case of Philippine Constitution association. in the case filed by Philconsa in 1994, the sC uprepublic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications LaND TraNsPorTaTioN FraNCHisiNG aND rEGuLaTorY BoarD regional office No. Xi Davao city Petition for renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PuJ DuaL ordinary regular service.

FlorEntino m. landasan, Case No.94-Xi-00353 Petitioner x------------------x

notiCE oF HEarinG Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PuJ-DuaL ordinary regular service on the route: TaLoMo rouTE and for cargoes as dual service from said route to any point in region Xi with the use of oNE (1) unit, which certificate will expire on May 27,2014. in the petition filed on september 26, 2013, petitioner request authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NoTiCE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on oCToBEr 23, 2013 at 09:40 a.m. at this office at the above address.

at least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

WiTNEss the Honorable BENJaMiN a. Go, CEso V, regional Director, this 26th day of september 2013 at Davao City.

TErEsiTa DELa PEÑa-YÑiGuEZ Chief Transport Development officer

held the power of Congress which was delegated to the lawmakers pertaining to the pork barrel because the proposal and the identification of projects are all merely “recommendatory” in nature.

Nevertheless, Jardeleza pointed out under the 2013 Gaa, at the end of the day, it is still the President who will make the decision on the allotment of pork barrel fund of the lawmakers, and he can also issue order for the release of the fund. under such a process, he said, there are no constitutional powers of the Executive Branch and the Legislature which are over-

stepped or impeded.

Jardeleza also made a comparison of the provision of pork barrel fund under the 1994 Gaa and 2013 Gaa. at the current national budget, he said, there has been a detailed “menu” on the use of PDaF and it can be considered as “self-imposed limitation” on the part of Congress.

This means, Jardeleza said, in the passage of time Congress has become stringent on the use of PDaF. Jardeleza added no realignment of funds has been done, but rather, only realignment of projects.

[PNA]

“Muslims feel welcome in Davao City,” he said, adding that this is the only city where the Muslims and the Christians live together in harmony.

Eid al-adha is an islamic feast of sacrifice in commemoration of the obedience of ibrahim (abraham) to the will of allah to sacrifice his son, ishmael.

Munib said they celebrate this feast to thank allah for letting them experience the Hajj, which is one

of the Five Pillars of islam.

The first pillar is the shahada, which is the declaration of faith that there is no other God, but allah and that Muhammud is His messenger.

The next pillar is the salat, which consists of five daily prayers called Fajr during the dawn, Dhuhr for noon, asr for afternoon, Maghrib for evening, and isha’ for night.

The third pillar is the sawm, which is fasting and

self-control during the period of the blessed ramadan.

The fourth pillar is the Zakat, which is the practice of charitable giving according to how much a Muslim earns.

Finally, the fifth pillar is the Hajj. it is a pilgrimage that happens every islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah to the Holy City of Mecca. all able-bodied Muslims should undergo this pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.

been identified as a permanent hazard area, and the settlers would have to be relocated.

Part of the plan is for the opposite riverbank to be covered with trellises and its banks planted with mangroves to hide illegal settlers and at the same time prevent them from throwing garbage

along the river. a small river park is planned at the Tiongko Football Field just beside the Bolton Bridge.

Madrazo said it will be developed as a coastal park, and Madrazo hopes that the project will be implemented during the current three-year term of Mayor rodrigo Duterte.

Madrazo said they are planning to make osmeña Park, a retirees park where kiosks, benches will be put up for the elderly visiting the park. she has noticed that some people have turned the park into a sleeping quarter. thus the need to put up a fence around it. [PIA/ RG Alama]

study of Medium and small scale industries Coordinated action Program (MasiCaP), 35 percent of the total saba produce in Mindanao is processed into banana chips. san Juan said that to constantly support the export milestone of saba banana, Davao region is tar-

geting about 11, 155 hectares for expansion. These potential areas are found in Davao oriental with the potential area of 6,000 hectares, Davao del sur with 2,000 hectares, Davao del Nortewith 1, 280 hectares, CompostelaValleywith 1,000 hectares and Davao Citywith 875hectares.

The roadmap workshop was attended by Banana industry stakeholders that include Local Government unit representatives in the region, Department of Trade and industry, Department of science and Technology (DosT), private sector and saba growers. [LLBocado/ Aggie Media Service]

cies, rules and regulations.

The main objective of the convergence was to update stakeholders of the Philippine’s competitiveness status; to establish a joint task force to assist investors in the processing of business permits and licenses; and to forge an agreement to assist investors expeditiously.

DiLG assistant regional director Wilhelm M. suyco said, they aim to create transparency through the 2/5 system where only two signatories are needed and a process duration of not

more than five days for any business application.

He said, this will minimize the usual problems of applying for business, which are the long process it takes to finish, the numerous signatories needed, and “under the table” transactions.

He also said that they are incentivizing LGus, where in they give loan funding for LGus that are doing a good job in promoting their communities to attract investors.

Loreto said businessmen who are looking at investing in an LGu that is competitive will be

very happy, since that area would be very conducive for business. she said, they have organized a regional Competitiveness Committee (rCC) to make sure that competitiveness measures among LGus will be monitored and to help formulate programs to enhance competitiveness among LGus. she said, this will increase the consciousness of LGus that the competition is not among other LGus, but with other association of southeast asian Nations (asEaN) countries as well.

SHORTAGE OF MENTORS. Madrasah executive director Aleem Jamal Munib says that the biggest problem of Madrasah schools in Davao City is lack of teachers during this week’s edition of I-Speak media forum at Sangguniang Panlungsod yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

United...FFROM 1

Davao City... FFROM 4

Davao... FFROM 2

Four-year...FFROM 2

DTI...FFROM 2

tative Carlos isagani Zarate said, “as members of the legal community, we cannot just sit down and relax. although we understand that there is still an ongoing case questioning the constitutionality of the PDaF, different lawyer organizations of Davao have united to intensify the call to end graft and corruption involving the pork barrel system.”

Zarate said that Congress should be accountable and the judicial system should be persistent in prosecuting the people involved.

“We see impunity in the current situation. Just like impunity in human rights violations, this is an impunity in the budget. Without accountability, officials believe that they can get away with it,” Zarate said.

Lawyer Manuel Quibod of the Free Legal assistance Group (FLaG) said that people should know what the PDaF is and why it should be abolished. if more people are more knowledgeable about the PDaF and how it is prone to graft and corruption, more people would unite to protest against it.

January Faye risonar-Bello of the ateneo Public interest and Legal advocacy (aPiLa), called

for information dissemination on why the pork barrel should be abolished down to the grassroots level.

“Transparency and accountability are not enough. Even though many have called for the such values, there is no realization of those values into a law such as the Foi Bill. if the people involved in the pork barrel scam are not accountable for their misdeeds, then the people could expose the violations if they have access to the data of Coa and DBM. But that is until the Foi Bill is passed,” Bello said.

Lawyer Eduardo Estores of uPLM said that their group is calling for the rechanneling of pork barrel funds to the people. “indeed they have done projects for their constituents, but these projects are just a small part of the funds that they should be giving back to address the needs of their constituents.

Congress and the President have made the government as their business instead,” Estores said in the vernacular.

The lawyers also conducted a ceremonial smashing of a piggy bank filled with peso bills signifying their support for the abolition of the pork barrel.

sumatra and riau, engulfed parts of Malaysia and singapore. in the latest occurrence in June, Malaysia had to declare a state of emergency in Muar and Ledang, with many schools forced to close due to the thick smog and the air Pollution index reaching the hazardous level. indonesia is the only asEaN country which has yet to ratify the asEaN agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution which came into force in 2003 -despite most of the forest

and peat soil fires originating from indonesia.

The agreement was established in 2002 involving asean nations to reduce haze pollution, whereby it recognises that transboundary haze pollution resulting from land or forest fires should be mitigated through concerted national efforts and international cooperation. it was established due to haze that hit southeast asia in the late 1990s, following land clearing via open burning on the indonesian island of sumatra. [PNA/Bernama]

Asean... FFROM 4

11 SUBURBIA

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 150 • FRIDAY-SATUDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2013

DAVAO DEL NORTE

Dabaonons honor centenarians C

iTiZENs of Davao del Norte were thrilled to honor the centenarians of the province for their selfless service and significant contribution to nation-building.

To highlight this year’s Elderly Filipino Week celebration of the province, the provincial council of the elderly, known as the aCHiEVErs, launched the search for the outstanding Centenarian of Davao del Norte. aCHiEVErs Director Leonilo Lariosa said the search aims to honor and celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of the aging seniors, particularly to the development of the province.

“Their living example inspires the Dabaonons to work for better quality of life through dedication, hard work and by pursuing healthy lifestyle,” he said.

Centenarian alfredo Pulmano of Tagum City, who turned 105 years old last May, clinched the oustanding Centenarian

COTABATO CITY

award for his valuable achievements in shaping modern Tagum.

Pulmano was recognized as the first public school teacher of Tagum City.

He was also among the 1,500 Filipino guerillas who fought and pushed back over 3,000 Japanese soldiers in the epic “Battle of ising” in 1945, which has become one of the most decisive battles against the imperial army during World War ii.

Primitiva Payot of New Corella town and Juan Juaban of Kapalong, who are both 102 years old, settled the first and second runners-up, respectively.

Governor rodolfo del rosario said it is but fitting that the province pays tribute to the “living treasures” of our modern society. “in this event we renew our vow to uphold and promote the rights and well-being of our elderly, as we highlight their contribution in building the nation,” he

OUTSTANDING CENTENARIANS. Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario and Vice Gov. Victorio Suaybaguio Jr. together with Outstanding Centenarian awardee, 105-year old Alfredo Pulmano, (center seated), of Tagum City, with runners-up Primitiva Payot of New Corella town and Juan Juaban of Kapalong, who are both 102 years old. [NOEL BAGUIO/DAVNOR PIO] said. welfare of the elderly, as other activities high- ty, Dancercise competiHe assured the pro- Capitol steps up its hu- lighting the celebration tion and the raffle-forvincial government con- man development thrust include the search for a-cause. [NoEL BaGuio/ tinues to look into the called P.E.o.P.L.E. Lolo Pogi and Lola Beau- DaVNor Pio]

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to be jointly implemented in June 2014. amihilda sangcopan, chief of staff of the office of the regional Governor (orG), said Gov. Hataman has initially allocated P5 million to start with the comprehensive scholar-

ship project dubbed “iskolar.” sangcopan said the scholarship project is an expansion of the commission’s regular educational assistance thrusts.

To date, there are 337 scholars presently studying in various schools with the help of CHED-arMM.

ARMM allots P5M for scholarship a

uToNoMous region in Muslim Mindanao (arMM) regional Governor Mujiv Hataman has ordered the release of P5 million for the region’s scholarship to help poor but academically qualified students.

The program was in partnership with the

The “iskolar” program, according to sangcopan, is in line with the regional government’s “Kalusugan, Karunungan at Kabuhayan Handog ng arMM” good governance advocacy. she said the orG and CHED aim to have the iskolar fully operational by the start of school year

2014-2015. sangcopan said Hataman is open to any increase in the orG’s funding for the program should there is a need to do so.

“The P5 million the governor committed is just an initial grant. it can be increased as the proj-

ect goes on and as the situation calls for it,” sangcopan told reporters.

Later this month, sangcopan said a qualifying examination for scholarship grants will be administered in designated testing centers across the autonomous region.

[PNa]

STO. TOMAS, DAVAO DEL NORTE

Cooperative month celebrated

o

STORAGE. The coal storage facility for the300-megawatt coal-fired power plant of Therma South in Barangay Binugao, Toril District, Davao City and Barangay Inawayan, Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur. [MindaNews photo by Froilan Gallardo]

FFiCErs and members of different cooperatives sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte spearheaded by saint Michael Multi-purpose Cooperative (saMiMuPCo) and Knights of Columbus Credit Cooperative (KCBCC) have officially marked this october’s month-long celebration of Cooperative Month bearing the theme, “Cooperatives pave the way for inclusive growth.” in an interview, rene Bongabong, saMiMuPCo Manager, said that this month-long celebration is traditionally recognized and participated in by cooperatives and our members, the government sector, the non-government organizations including the entire cooperative movement.

Eight cooperatives composed of teachers,

drivers, motorists, private school employees and government workers joined the launching ceremony last october 6, 2013 held at sto. Tomas town plaza to mark the celebration which will be culminated on october 29, 2013.

“We usually conduct various activities that promote cooperativism that could create impact to social and economic development here in sto. Tomas,” Bongabong added.

Bongabong said that celebrating cooperative month will promote awareness building among the public about cooperatives.

He cited that in promoting sustainable development, “cooperatives must focus on capacitating the people to improve their economic and social growth.” [aurEL LaraBasTEr]

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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 150 • FRIDAY-SATUDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2013

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EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 150 • FRIDAY-SATUDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2013

NATION

13

MANILA

Senate sets plenary debates on FOI s

EN. Grace Poe on Thursday vowed to defend Freedom of information bill as the senate begins the measure’s plenary debates at the resumption the regular sessions on Monday. ”We look forward to defending this important measure on the floor and hurdling its passage in the senate,” Poe, chair of the senate committee on public information and mass media and sponsor of the bill, said.

Poe said she expects not to spend too much time debating the important measure due to the “ overwhelming support of my fellow senators and the public.” she said the announcement of Malacanang that the bill will be included in the list of priority measures would also hasten the passage of the Foi bill.

Poe said the mea-

sure serves to complement the strong public clamor for transparency and accountability and the safeguarding of public funds. ”The proposed Foi act is long overdue. Let us not delay its passage anymore. Let us heed the clamor of the people and approve this measure without further delay,” Poe said. according to the neophyte lady senator, the measure shall allow every Filipino citizen to request and be granted access to any record or information that is under the control of the government, subject to certain exceptions.

Government includes all agencies—the executive, legislative and judicial branches, constitutionally mandated bodies, local government, government-owned or controlled corporations and government financial institutions. [PNa]

TESDA-MECO MOU. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) secretary Joel Villanueva (right) and Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) chairman and chief executive officer Amadeo R. Perez Jr. exchanged documents after signing a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to help Taiwan-bound Filipino workers adapt their new environment and be more effective workers. Both parties will develop competency-based curriculum and competency-based learning materials for the workplace-based Mandarin language and cultural training programs. The event was held Wednesday, October 9 at TESDA main office in East Service Road, South Luzon Expressway, Taguig City. Shown in photo at left is MECO director Cesar M. Drilon. [PNA photo by Jhonny Guevarra]

14 SPORTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 150 • FRIDAY-SATUDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 150 • FRIDAY-SATUDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

EVENTS

The homecoming season is here again

OCTObER is here and with the holiday season just around the corner, one can be sure that a bevy of reunions and homecomings are sure to happen with friends and loved ones flying home from all over the world. I was fortunate enough to be a witness to the homecoming of 100 Lucky Juans who flew home direct from Dubai onboard Cebu Pacific’s Dubai-Manila maiden flight last October 8 at Resorts World Manila.

A total of 100 winners were named in the promo’s 14-week run from June 3 to September 2, 2013. To join, the contestants simply had to “like” the official Cebu Pacific Facebook page, click on the 100 Lucky Juans application, and answer the question: “How will I make my homecoming in the Philippines fun?”

Answers were sub-

mitted as a photo collage, two-minute video or essay with 200 words or less. These were judged based on creativity, adherence to the theme and the number of “likes” they garnered on the social networking site. The contestant’s length of stay in the UAE was also a factor in the results.

The balikbayans

were greeted by their families once they reached Resorts World Manila’s Mall Atrium.

The atrium was filled with a whirlwind of activities with Filipino folk dances, and music as GMA’s Jonalyn Viray belted out much-loved Pinoy classics. Seeing the smiles of our kababayans and the warmth of the welcome, I can’t help but shed tears of

joy.

“Cebu Pacific is very proud to be reuniting 100 of our hardworking kababayans with their families in the Philippines. This has made our maiden DubaiManila flight a truly meaningful milestone,” said Cebu Pacific President and CEO Lance Gokongwei. “We look forward to be of service to even more Filipinos,

as we continue to offer our trademark low fares to even more long haul destinations in the future. ” “I commend Cebu Pacific for their commitment to serve Global Filipinos. We at the UAE are fortunate to now have a low fare travel alternative so we can come home more often,” said Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates

(UAE) Grace RelucioPrincesa. “We look forward to more Cebu Pacific flights in the Middle East soon.”

With the spreading of Cebu Pacific’s daily flights to Dubai, the first and only Philippine carrier with direct flights to Dubai in more than 15 years, I can see many more reunions and homecomings this year many thanks to Cebu Pacific’s affordable year-round rates. Congratulations and a job well done for bringing Filipino families even closer.

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

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 150 • FRIDAY-SATUDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

UP AND AboUT

Globe unveils most unbeatable unlimited data plan offer for Samsung Galaxy Note 3 GlobE TElEcom has officially launched the most unbeatable and affordable unlimited data plan offer for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 in the market today. The best postpaid plan deal is already bundled with unlimited long Term Evolution (lTE) that gives subscribers mobile internet speeds of up to 42 mbps.

For as low as P1799 monthly, subscribers can already avail of the latest Galaxy Note at Plan 999 with a monthly cashout of P800* over a 24-month contract period. The postpaid plan offer already comes with unlimited data that allows subscribers enjoy the powerful features of the Galaxy Note 3, including a monthly consumable amount for calls and texts.

In addition to the aggressive pricing for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Globe is also offering the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear bundle for free starting at Plan 5000 over a 24-month contract period.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 has a 5.7-inch full HD Super AmolED display, a 2.3 GHz Quad-core Processor, Android 4.3 Jelly bean, 13-megapixel rear auto-focus camera with flash and zero shutter lag and a 2-megapixel front camera, 32Gb user memory and is a 4G lTE-capable device. Additional features include the Air command, Action memo, Scrapbook, Screen Write, S Finder, Pen Window, Direct Pen Input, New Easy clip, New S Note, Samsung WatchoN and chatoN, and S Voice. meanwhile, Samsung Galaxy Gear boasts of an 800 mHz single core processor, has a 1.63-inch Super AmolED display, and 1.9 megapixel auto-focus camera. Additional features include the S Voice, memographer, Smart Relay, and Voice memo. It also has a 4Gb user memory plus a 512mb RAm. “Globe has been a proud partner of Samsung as we bring its latest smartphones and devices to our subscribers for many years now. This month, we welcome a new addition to Samsung’s roster of handsets, the revolutionary Samsung Galaxy Note 3, with its features best enjoyed with an unlimited lTE plan from Globe which offers a plan value that’s almost double of what you pay for,” said Raul macatangay, Head of Globe Postpaid. macatangay added, “With the best-Ever mySuperPlan and the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, you don’t only get the lowest and most affordable unlimited data plan offer available in the market today, you also get a postpaid plan and a device that will allow you to see life clearly and design it according to your lifestyle.”

Aside from these innovative and value-for-money offers, all new and re-contracting postpaid subscribers are entitled to a free one-month subscription of Globe Gadget care, the first-ever mobile phone protection program in the country today that offers comprehensive coverage for mobile phone theft and accidental damage, guarantees hassle-free handset replacement, easy claims processing, and worldwide protection coverage. on the back of these competitive offers is a strategic partnership that Globe recently forged with Samsung as part of the SingTel Group focused on driving next-generation mobile communication, infotainment and technology services in Asia. The new collaboration takes advantage of the scale of the SingTel Group and Samsung’s innovative products and services.

Under this partnership, both parties will offer applications and digital services to customers of SingTel Group companies. In addition, the SingTel Group will work with Samsung to identify opportunities for joint launches and marketing campaigns of key Samsung device announcements. The companies will also be able to leverage each others’ distribution channels to extend their retail reach to more customers.

To know more about the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 from Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph/galaxy-note3 or call the Globe Sales Hotline at 730-1010.

MUZIC’SKOOL:

Metro Davao’s newest music academe DAVAO’S newest and most modern music hub, MUZIC’SKOOL, has already opened its doors to music enthusiasts. From its teachers with incontestable musical background to their best architectural design that’s conducive for teaching and learning, it is truly one great experience to be part of something bigger.

MUZIC’SKOOL is equipped with a variety of professional instructors who are well-experienced practitioners in the music and performing industry, most of whom have educational background on music and are recognized in their field of practice.

They also provide good music experience and best rehearsal environment through their finest rehearsal studio with complete amenities and tutorial rooms that suit their students’ needs. Designed by singer and architect Maila Manalang–Mitra of Mitra Architectural

Studios, MUZIC’SKOOL provides a venue for public performance and experience in music production with their fully air-conditioned and sound proofed studios.

With more to offer, MUZIC’SKOOL invites all music aficionados to be part of their grand opening on October 11, 2013 Friday. Motorcade will start at 3:00 PM followed by a ribbon-cutting cer-

emony at 4:00 PM and an open house at 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM where guests are welcome to check out the school’s facilities. There will also be a showcase of in-house talents at the Damosa Gateway at 6:30 PM. Music’skool is located at Door # 7 Damosa building, JP Laurel Avenue, Lanang, Davao City. For inquiries and assistance, you may contact their school administrator Ka-

trine Sarmiento at 09228627209/0920-9281695 or check their website at www.muzicskool.com.

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL. 6 ISSUE 150 • FRIDAY-SATUDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2013

ENTERTAINmENT

Aiai and Izzy star in ‘Wansapanataym’s’ Halloween special comEDy QUEEN AiAi delas Alas and kapamilya child wonder Izzy canillo will trick and treat TV viewers this october as they star in the upcoming Halloween special of AbS-cbN’s awardwinning fantasy drama anthology “Wansapanataym.”

“I’m excited about this project because it’s my first time to play lead in ‘Wansapanataym,” said AiAi who will portray the role of a fake spiritualist named Joanna in “Wansapanataym Presents ‘moomoo knows best” which will air its pilot episode this Saturday.

“It’s a perfect story for the whole family this Halloween. They will surely enjoy Joanna’s adventures, especially when all her lies come true and she begins to see ghosts like kwatzy (Izzy),” shared the comedy Queen.

For Izzy, being part of ‘moomoo knows best’ is a huge blessing. “It’s another chance for us to teach viewers good lessons just like what we did in ‘my little Juan,” he said.

Joining AiAi and Izzy in “Wansapanataym Presents

moomoo knows best” are cherry Pie Picache, marco Gumabao, Jojit lorenzo, and michelle Vito. It is written by Arlene Tamayo and directed by Jerry lopez Sineneng.

Don’t miss the beginning of AiAi a n d I z z y ’s

month-long Halloween special this Saturday in the storybook of Pinoy kids, “Wansapanataym” after “TV Patrol Weekend” on AbScbN. For updates, log on to www.abs-cbn.com or follow @abscbndotcom on Twitter.

Derek Ramsay plays controversial role in TV5’s ‘For Love or Money’ DEREk RAmSAy, today’s most sought-after leading man, returns on TV with a controversial role that brings to light the complications and moral issues entailed when people have to make the difficult choice between love and an indecent offer that comes with an opportunity of a lifetime.

In TV5’s upcoming weekly primetime drama For love or money, Derek teams up anew with TV5 drama princess Ritz Azul as they play a loving couple who face the ultimate test of love and morality when a rich and beautiful woman (portrayed by Alice Dixson) presents an indecent proposal to pay ten million pesos in exchange for a few intimate days with the husband.

Indeed, For love or money’s highly controversial plot is a big leap from Derek’s past projects with TV5 – the primetime fantasy hit kid-

GRAVITY 2D Sandra Bullock, George Clooney PG 13

12:25 | 2:20 | 4:15 | 6:10 | 8:05 | 10:00 LFS

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 2D Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan GP

12:00 | 2:00 | 4:00 | 6:00 | 8:00 | 10:00 LFS

ARTHUR NEWMAN 2D Colin Firth, Emily Blunt R13

R-16

lat where he played the superhero title role and was first teamed up with Ritz Azul, and the action series Undercover wherein Alice Dixson played the main villain.

Now that the three of them are together to portray equally challenging roles in For love or money, viewers are bound to be captivated by the heartrending

story of how the fate of their three characters are intertwined when money fuels a cougar’s desire and complicates a couple’s love for each other.

Directed by renowned movie and TV director mac Alejandre, For love or money airs every Thursday starting october 17, 8:30pm-9:30pm on TV5.

12:25 | 2:20 | 4:15 | 6:10 | 8:05 | 10:00 LFS

ESCAPE PLAN 2D Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger R 13

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

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 150 • FRIDAY-SATUDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

ENTERTAINmENT

Meet the Ambassadors!

T

HEy’RE called ambassadors, but they hold no diplomatic posts. Ambassador International is a civic and fellowship club which was born in bern, Switzerland more than 50 years ago.

The idea of Ambassador has its origin in humanism. It aims “to respect human dignity, take

the young men’s christian Association (ymcA) and its service sister club, y’s men, knights of columbus and many others. Among the pioneer Ambassadors are Antonio V.A. llamas, Wendel Avisado, luis bonguyan, leoncio “Nonoy” Villa-Abrille, miguel Inigo, Rogelio “Rolly” Santos, the late Antonio m. Garcia, the

Retired RTC Isaac Robillo Jr., new president of Ambassador Club Davao. responsibility in creating late (real) Ambassador to freedom, humanity in ev- brunei Ramon “monet” Tieryday life, justice, toler- rol, former IGacoS mayor ance and mutual aid as Roger P. Antalan, Davao principles in dealing with city chamber of comeach other. It encour- merce past presidents Joji ages interest in cultural bian, Sofronio Jucutan knowledge which leads and Domingo Duerme, to comprehension, gives more than half a dozen rise to mutual trust, se- members of the Davao cures agreement between city council and other people and nations and civic and business leaders. enables friendship across Three of them—Tirol, Garnational boundaries.” cia and Villa-Abrille—are Pioneers past district governors of Ambassador club- Rotary International.

Davao itself is more than Unlike other civic a decade old started by groups, Ambassador some of the city’s more Davao works silently to prominent citizens, many help distressed Filipiof whom are also Rotari- nos during calamities. ans, lions and members of Through the connections

and genius of Ambassador Scott Nimmo, for instance, the club raised about half a million pesos from the international community.

This amount was distributed in relief goods, schools supplies and cash given to victims of Sendong in cagayan de oro, Iligan and Dumaguete last year.

The club also came to the succor of residents of a town in compostela Valley hit by typhoon Pablo last December.

Changing of the guards Tonight at 6 p.m. at the marco Polo Davao, a new set of Ambasador Davao officers will be inducted, led by retired RTc Judge Isaac Robillo Jr. as new president to replace Antonio m.

Ajero. Ambassador Robillo was picked during a special election held last August as a result of the untimely demise of civic leader Severo dela cruz. Robbillo will be

sworn into office by mTc Judge Jill Jaugan-lo. Also to be installed are Amb. Antonio “ony” Partoza Jr. as vice president, Amb. Pacencio “Jun” Rosalem Jr., treasurer; Amb. Alvin Pinpin, assistant treasurer; Amb. Edwin Garcia, assistant secretary. malaysian consul General Abdullah Zawawi bin Tahir will be the guest of honor and speaker. Also invited to the affair are Honorable consul koichi Ibara of Japan and Honorable consul Eko Hartono of Indonesia and honorary consuls based in Davao.

How does it feel to be called “ambassador” without really holding a diplomatic position?

“To find out, join the Ambassador club Davao,” quipped former Vice mayor louie bonguyan who was once a national president of Ambassador club Philippines. [EJ Dominic Fernandez]

Distributing relief to Sendong victims.

Amb. Uy Ching Siong congratulates Amb. Edwin Garcia after being elected assistant secretary of the Ambassador Club Davao

Dr. Roy B. Ferrer, past national president of Ambassador Club Philippines, inducts Dr. Hector Z. Nazareno, cosmetic surgeon, and Alvin M. Pinpin, SGV Davao-Gensan head, as new members.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 150 • FRIDAY-SATUDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2013

SPORTS 15 Manny Pacquiao takes part in a training session on Wednesday in General Santos City.

(Jeoffrey Maitem/Getty Images)

JMM: I won’t fight Pacquiao again

J

uaN Manuel Marquez believes he is still good for four more fights after his upcoming title bout against WBo welterweight champion Timothy Bradley this weekend.

Marquez admitted he was close to being done

with his professional career after knocking out Manny Pacquiao last December.

“After that fight [with Pacquiao,] you know, my family thought i was done, it was over. But in my mind, i wasn’t done

yet. But they were. They thought it was over,” said the Mexican in ringTV. com.

But the Mexican counterpuncher felt he still has more gas left in his tank and this prompted him to reconsider.

FIRST TIME. First time for a Duterte to step inside Maa barangay hall for decades. Maa used to have barangay captain allied with Nograles’. Mayor Paolo “Pulong Duterte, third from left (L-R) Brgy Capt. Marlon Balite (Brgy 35D), Brgy Capt. Oliva Cal (Brgy Ma-a), Brgy Capt. Rolando Bantayan (Brgy 32-D), Brgy Capt. Artemio Jimenez (Brgy Talomo), Brgy Capt. Rome Torejas (Brgy Magtuod).-Karl Norman Alonzo

Messi’s absence a blow to Argentina

B

uENos airEs (reuters) - Lionel Messi’s injury absence is a psychological blow to argentina and requires a solution so rivals cannot take advantage, coach alejandro sabella said on Wednesday. argentina will also be without Gonzalo Higuain, Fernando Gago and Javier Mascherano against Peru at home on Friday and for their last qualifier in Uruguay next Tuesday. sabella, whose team secured their place in next year’s World Cup in Brazil

last month, will use the last two matches to try fringe players as he looks to settle on a final squad of 23.

“Messi’s absence is always impossible to disguise,” sabella told argentina’s radio 9. “it’s a different story, not just for us but also our rivals. it’s a psychological blow when Leo’s not on the pitch and it’s a challenge to find a solution to the problem.”

Captain Messi is argentina’s match-winner and top scorer with 10 in quali-

fying, a tally he shares with uruguay’s Luis suarez, and rarely do the team fail to win when he finds the net.

“The team’s heart will be missing,” said sabella of the additional absences of Mascherano and Gago before adding that he now has the chance to test Lucas Biglia and Ever Banega together in central midfield. “on the one hand, i’d prefer to field the same team to run it in more, but i also can’t help thinking this is a good chance to try out players and bed them in.”

While preparing for the Bradley fight, Marquez said he found out that his body can still withstand the rigors of training. “i’ve trained well. i love this. i’ll keep working hard. i know that there

are like four more fights,” he said.

Marquez, however, clarified that Pacquiao won’t be having one of those bouts.

“Everybody knows what happened in the last three fights with Man-

ny, and i think that the chapter is closed,” he said.

“The chapter is closed because i want to keep this feeling. on Dec. 8, i felt a great victory. i had great victory over a fighter like Pacquiao. i want to keep this great feeling for me.”

HaNGHai (aFP) Defending champion Novak Djokovic shrugged off an injury scare to win his shanghai Masters opener on Wednesday, keeping alive the prospect of a mouthwatering quarter-final against roger Federer. in a late-evening match, newly recrowned world number one rafael Nadal polished off ukraine’s alexandr Dolgopolov in less than an hour, with just five unforced errors in a 6-3, 6-2 win.

Top seed Djokovic cantered through his first set against spain’s

Marcel Granollers with the loss of only two games. But early in the second he pulled up in obvious discomfort and called for the aTP trainer, who applied heavy taping to his right foot and ankle.

Despite the medical treatment, the 26-year-old did not look inconvenienced as he returned to the court to seal a 6-2, 6-0 victory, hitting a total of 26 winners. “it was just an awkward movement. i was in an off-balance position. i was running and i made a quick movement that caused a sharp pain at that

instant moment,” said Djokovic.

“But after the match we determined that it’s nothing serious, so it’s all fine.”

View gallery.”roger Federer of switzerland acknowledges the crowd …roger Federer of switzerland acknowledges the crowd after his men’s singles match against andreas se …

Federer, who has slipped to seventh in the world rankings and faces a battle to qualify for next month’s World Tour Finals in London, won 6-4, 6-3 against italian andreas seppi after a testing start.

Djokovic romps to Shanghai win s

Novak Djokovic hits a return against Marcel Granollers at the Shanghai Masters on Wednesday. (AFP Photo/Peter Parks)

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 6 ISSUE VOL. 150 6 ISSUE • FRIDAY-SATUDAY, 149 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER OCTOBER 11-12, 10, 2013

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

Outgoing NBA Commissioner David Stern officially gave his hello and goodbye to NBA fans of the Philippines during yesterday’s press conference at the MOA Arena prior to the first ever NBA preseason game in the country between the Houston Rockets and the Indiana Pacers. NJB

Stern: Pinoys can play in the NBA By nEilWin josEPH l. BraVo njb@edgedavao.net

N

Ba Commissioner David stern y e s t e r d a y made both his hello and goodbye to the Philippines, one of the league’s strongest international markets. stern, 71, will end his 30-year tenure at the helm of the NBa on February next year to give way to his successor adam silver who was his understudy for 10 years.

He walked into the press room inside the Moa arena to the cheers of reporters from the host country.

stern summed up his tour of duty with two major legacies— elevating the league into the digital platform and reaching its goal of globalization.

“My legacy is the people of the NBa,” stern said.

He admitted that the Philippines have emerged as one of the strongest international markets of the NBa and this is evident in the inflow of NBa branded events in the country in recent years. The staging of last night’s

preseason game between the Houston rockets and the indiana Pacers is the first NBa game ever in southeast asia. regardless of the outcome of last night’s game, stern said the NBa’s presence in the country will be sustained.

He mentioned such events as Jr. NBa which has been held here for six years. on the possibility of seeing a Filipino finally play in the NBa, stern said it is not remote. He stressed that it is going to be an individual decision.

“it’s up to the players to make that decision for themselves and make that sacrifice.”

“The Philippines is already in the World Cup for men and the World Cup for the youth,” he said. stern revealed that the Philippines has long been on the radar of the NBa mentioning a NBa scanning mission some 13 years back with silver and ahmad rashad and talking to personalities like PBa legend and former senator robert Jaworski.

Harden diversifies offensive arsenal H

ousToN rockets all-star James Harden, already one of the most efficient scorers in the league, is planning to show more variety in his offensive arsenal this season to go along with improved effort on the defensive end.

Last season, his first with the Houston rockets, Harden proved that he had what it takes to be a focal point on offense. He averaged 25.9 points per game to go along with 5.8 assists per game last season, while remaining one of the most efficient scorers in the game. according to NBa stats, Harden took most of his shots either close to the basket or beyond the arc, and shot at a percentage higher than the league average from both areas. He also

continues to draw fouls at a high rate, and shot an NBa-best 792 free throws last season.

But speaking to local media on Wednesday, Harden said that he has diversified his offensive arsenal during the offseason and added more wrinkles to his game. “i got a little bit stronger. Pick and roll got better, midrange game got better,” said Harden.

When asked if he plans to operate from the post more, Harden answered: “Yeah, definitely, just to switch it up a little bit.

Pick-and-roll, post-game, even playmaking a little bit. i got the variety.”

This season, Harden also wants to make sure that his defense catches up with his offense, saying: “My defense definitely got a lot better.”

THE BEARD. James Harden of the Houston Rockets talks to reporters after practice on Wednesday ahead of the NBA preseason game between the Rockets and the Indiana Pacers at the MOA Arena. NJB