Edge Davao 6 Issue 207

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-MONDAY •JANUARY 5-6, 2014

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Serving a seamless society

REVISITING THE

TAX CODE

2 ON THE COVER EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-MONDAY •JANUARY 5-6, 2014

REVISITING THE TAX CODE CTO to recommend amendments to SP

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. abf@edgedavao.net

T

HE CITY Treasurer’s Office (CTO) will recommend to the Sangguniang Panlungsod amendments to the tax code of Davao City.

“It’s high time to revise it,” CTO chief Rodrigo Riola said in a press briefing at the NCCC Mall conference room on Thursday.

Riola added that the existing tax code of the city was approved last 2005 and implemented in 2006 and was supposed to be revised in 2012 but was postponed.

“Local units shall have the authority to adjust tax rates as prescribed herein not oftener than once every five years, but in no case shall such adjustment exceed ten percent (10%) of the rates fixed under this Code,” as stated under section 191 of Republic Act 7160 or the local government code of the Philippines.

An employee from the CTO refused to be named said the recommendation

Sangguinang Panglungsod.

WEATHER FORECAST

is still under evaluation and needs to be studied before the office submits it to the council.

He told Edge Davao that the revision will be based under section 143 of the law so that the increase will be lower compared to the provision of the existing tax code.

The revision includes guidelines on taxing of an entrepreneur who has P50,000 and below as capital. He said included in this provision is for a barangay to im-

pose taxes on certain establishments.

He added that the increase in fees by regulating offices in the city will also be included in the recommendation.

Meanwhile, lawyer Lawrence Bantiding, Business Bureau chief, reported that the renewal of business of permits in Davao City has improved this year compared to last year, Bantiding told Edge Davao that they received a lot of renewal applica-

tions in their two onestop shops in NCCC Mall and the Sanguniang Panlungsod on the first day.

Bantiding said their office received 1,030 applications on Jan. 2, higher compared to 2013’s 911.

He said that the process this year is better because they are following the mandate of the Department of Interior and Local Government imposing the five-step renewal process for business permits.

RENEWAL. Business owners renew their business permit at Davao City Business Bureau’s one-stop-shop. Lean Daval Jr.

Bantinding added that the regulating offices in the city are already in the one-stop shops.

Bantiding expects that the around 34,000 renewal applications.

He added that the one-stop shops will have extended hours from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. starting on Monday and on Jan. 20 they will extend up to 10:00 p.m. in NCCC Mall and up to 12:00 midnight at the Sangguinang Panglungsod.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-MONDAY •JANUARY 5-6, 2014

THE BIG NEWS

3

Aboitiz group exceeds P200-M challenge for Yolanda victims T

HE ABOITIZ Group announced that it has exceeded the Php200 million fund it originally set for its relief and rehabilitation operations in the areas hardest hit by super typhoon Yolanda, particularly Northern Cebu and Leyte.

As of December 19, donations from its various business units namely UnionBank of the Philippines, AboitizPower, SN Aboitiz Power, Inc., and Aboitiz Foundation – including funds culled from cancelled Christmas parties, Aboitiz family members, employees, external donors and donations through U-Share, have reached Php203 million.

Through the foundation, the group has completed its relief distribution efforts to 106 barangays from Daanbantayan, Bantayan Island, Medellin, Bogo, and San Remigio in Northern Cebu and the fourth district of Leyte- Ormoc, Kananga, Matag-Ob, and Albuera With the first

phase successfully completed, and funds exceeding target, the Aboitiz Foundation is now gearing up for phase two, which will involve the rehabilitation of school buildings in Northern Cebu.

“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from everyone – from people from different parts of the world and all walks of life – volunteers and donors alike for sharing their time and resources to help our countrymen who were affected by Yolanda,” said Aboitiz Foundation Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sonny Carpio.

“We take it as our responsibility to ensure that all these hardearned donations and all the efforts put into packing and distributing relief items reach our countrymen who need help the most, and that they reach them fast,” he added.

Carpio said about Php140 million of the total funds will

be allocated for the rehabilitation of heavily and partially damaged school buildings from the 1,308 facilities in northern Cebu earlier identified by the Department of Education.

Aboitiz Foundation is

currently assessing how many schools it could repair – those that could immediately be used by the 29,000 grade school and high school students displaced when calamity struck.

AboitizPower units

Davao Light, Subic EnerZone and VECO that have been assisting Leyte Electric Cooperative 5 (LEYECO5) in restoring power in the fourth district of Leyte, meanwhile vowed resumption of operations right after the holidays.

To date, AboitizPower has restored 349 poles fixed over 30 kilometers of feeder lines in the area.

The Task Force consisting of volunteers from various power units and electric co-

FABOITIZ, 10

4 NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-MONDAY •JANUARY 5-6, 2014

Rice smugglers warned

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

E

RENOVATION. Workers remove an old grill from the window of the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) at the Davao City Hall yesterday as part of the office’s renovation. Lean Daval Jr.

crc@edgedavao.net

STABLISHMENTS involved in rice smuggling will be either ordered closed or their permits revoked after due process, an official said.

Consistent with the warning earlier aired by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte that he will not hesitate to withdraw the business permits of those who are engaged in rice smuggling, City Treasurer Rodrigo S. Riola told Edge Davao an investigation is ongoing even as they have yet to identify specific entities.

Riola expressed difficulty in identifying any rice distributor in the city of who are engaged into smuggling since they don’t have access to shipping documents.

Riola said that only the Bureau of Custom (BOC) in the region can

name the smugglers.

He said that it is impossible to come up with a list as early as now because it’s business permit renewal time.

The renewal period began on January 2 and will end on January 20.

More than 5,000 businesses are expected to renew their permits Riola said that their manpower is focused on this annual activity.

However, any recommendation from the BOC will be recognized. After due process, businesses proven to be engaged in rice smuggling will face charges and subjected to closure their business permits revoked.

The thorough inspection and investigation of business establishments will start by next month until November of this year.

CIDG 11 recruiting 2 wanted men nabbed members for CIS CIDG 11 SCORES

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR

T

epc@edgedavao.net

WO PERSONS listed among the most wanted in Davao del Sur and Davao City were nabbed by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of Region 11 in a series of manhunt operations last January 3 and 4.

“We are intensifying our campaign against most-wanted persons in the region leading to the arrest of these suspects,” the newly installed CIDG region 11 director, Sr. Supt. Joel C. Pernito said.

Police identified Ryan John Lamason, number 7 most wanted in Davao del Sur, who was arrested in Aurora Extention, Barangay San Miguel, Digos City, Davao del Sur last January 4, Saturday at about 12:45 a.m.

The warrant was issued by Judge Lope L. Calio, acting judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 20, for kidnapping and serious illegal detention filed last 2012.

Pernito, who took over from director Sr. Supt. Al-

Man faces theft case P

OLICE filed a case of theft before the city prosecution office against a 23-year-old employee for allegedly stealing items from his employer at the Top Sped Trading on Mamay Road,

bert Ignatius Ferro last December 6, said that they are also intensifying the campaign against criminal groups, loose firearms and solving heinous crimes and sensational cases.

Last January 3, police also arrested the number 3 most wanted in Davao City identified as Gavino Banlasan Jr., in Jade Valley, Buhangin.

Chief Inspector Warren Dablo and Senior Inspecto Francis Sonza arrested Banlasan by vir-

tue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Jesus L. Grageda, RTC Branch 4, Panabo City.

Pernito said Banlasan is the suspect in the killing of two banana industry officials in 2003 and 2007.

On May 12, 2003, Iver Puja of SUMIFRU died on the spot from several gunshot wounds inside the compound of Mindanao Logistics Services , Inc (MILSI) which is affiliated with DOLE Philippines

F2 WANTED, 10

T

HE CRIMINAL Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Region 11 is calling on those interested to become members for the Community Investigative Support or known as CIS, a force multiplier in suppressing crime and criminals.

Sr. Supt., Joel C. Pernito, regional director of the CIDG in the region, said that citizens can be police in little ways by giving information on crimes in the community.

“It is a CIDG Com-

munity Relations Program designed to enlist the active support of the community to help solve and suppress crimes and criminals,” he said.

Pernito cited that because of reports from members of the CIS police apprehended a suspect identified as Gavino Banlasan Jr who is facing two counts of murder after he allegedly killed two banana company officials in 2003 and 2007.

Pernito said organizing the CIS is to develop

FCIDG, 10

Davao City last January 3.

Supt. Ruben Ramos, station commander of the Buhangin police, said that Mark Anthony Gallientes, employee of complainant Joel Endonilla, owner of

FMAN, 10

Forum set on media historical research B

EFORE computers and new media transformed Filipino consciousness and gave everyone access to information 24/7, what was the Philippine media system like? Are there studies on how media fared in the early years of Philippine history?

These are some ques-

tions that will be addressed at the Forum on The Future of Historical Research on Philippine Media on January 10, 2014 at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Conference Room. A joint project of the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, Asian In-

VIOLATORS. Davao City Police Office Director Vicente Danao presents violators of the firecracker ban during a press conference late last week. Exactly 19

FFORUM, 10 individuals were arrested for violating the ordinance which prohibits the use, possession, distribution and selling of firecrackers. [CIO]

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-MONDAY •JANUARY 5-6, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

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EDGEDAVAO

ICT HUB

VOL. 6 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-MONDAY •JANUARY 5-6, 2014

Phones, laptops may now be used on planes T

HE Philippines’ civil aviation authority said Tuesday it would allow passengers to use mobile phones and laptops to make calls and access the Internet during flights.

Civil aviation director general William Hotchkiss said the order covered “transmitting portable electronic devices”.

With immediate effect, the move will allow “people on board the aircraft conditional use of laptops, cellular phones, Internet or short-based-messaging service, voice communications and other broadband services during flights”, he said in a directive.

However, devices should still be turned off pre-flight, when the aircraft is refuelling, and be switched to silent mode.

“The use of MP3s should always be with earphones and not with

additional or separate speaker or amplifiers,” Hotchkiss added.

The United States and the European Union have also said they will relax restrictions on the use of

mobile devices o n planes. However there have been concerns that allowing voice calls would cause disturbance to other passengers.

(from Super Monkey Ball) are among the roster of ten, as is a returning favorite from “Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing” and the “Shenmue” adventure game series, Ryo Hazuki -- except this time he’s driving not a forklift truck but a transforming arcade cabinet.

Power-ups litter each track, alternative routes keep things fresh, and multiplayer racing’s available too, either live

via local connection or in asynchronous form, backed up by Facebook and Game Center integration for those who want it.

The iOS version, which is for devices running iOS 7.0 and up, comes in at $4.99, and a range of inapp purchases that unlock more characters and track access for another $4.99 or $9.99, with the Android edition coming “very soon.”

Samsung to unveil Galaxy Cam 2 ‘Sonic Racing’zips onto mobile T HE SOUTH Korean electronics maker has announced a new version of its smart point-and-shoot camera.

Equipped with Android 4.3, the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 will be officially unveiled at CES in Las Vegas.

The most notable improvements on the previous Galaxy Camera lie in the user interface. Samsung has added a number of “Smart Modes” -- preset parameters for shooting in given contexts -- and has upgraded the slow motion function, capable of recording video at 120fps.

In terms of the device itself, the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 maintains its predecessor’s 16.3MP CMOS sensor, 21x zoom and 4.8-inch display.

Running on a 1.6GHz quad-core processor, the camera is powered by an improved 2000mAh battery, allowing users to

take around 350 photos between charges. The 8GB internal memory can easily be expanded through a microSD card.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 makes it easy to transfer photos and videos to any smartphone over a WiFi network or through its NFC chip.

The first-generation Galaxy Camera was pre-

sented at IFA 2012 in Berlin. Samsung’s camera range also includes the 4S Zoom, a hybrid device that spans the gap between a smartphone and a compact pointand-shoot camera.

Ahead of the official unveiling of the Galaxy Camera 2 at CES next week, Samsung has yet to release details on pricing and availability.

H

IT CONSOLE and PC game “Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed” has switched lanes for the new year, arriving on iOS with Android soon to come.

Ten drivers are available and 13 dynamic circuits laid out, with each racer’s vehicle changing from car to plane and speedboat throughout the course.

Sonic, Tails, and AiAi

THE ECONOMY

VOL. 6 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-MONDAY •JANUARY 5-6, 2014

Stat Watch Indicator

7.1 1st Qtr 2013 6.8

2.2.Gross GrossDomestic DomesticProduct Growth Rate Product (AtGrowth Constant 2000 Prices) Rate

7.8 1st Qtr 2013 7.5

(At Constant 2000 Prices)

(At Constant 2000 Prices)

3. Exports 1/ 3. Exports

4. Imports 1/ 4. Imports

5. Trade Balance Trade Balance 6.5.Balance of Payments 2/

7.6.Broad Money Liabilities Balance of Payments

SM Davao, 16 other SM malls win DOE award for energy efficiency

Latest

1. Gross National Income 1. GrossRate National Income Growth Growth Rate2000 Prices) (At Constant

2nd Qtr 2013

2nd Qtr 2013

USD 3,741 million 5,045 FebUSD 2013 million USD 4,708 Sep 2013 million FebUSD 2013 5,711 USD -967 million million Sep 2013 Feb 2013 USD -665 USD -640 million million Sep 2013 Dec 2012 P 4,964,560 USD 692 million million Feb Jun2013 2013

S

M SUPERMALLS was recognized for its energy conservation efforts during the 2013 Don Emilio Abello Energy Efficiency Awards last December 7 at Meralco Multipurpose Hall.

The Department of Energy awarded 17 SM malls who bested 62 establishments.

Celebrated every December since 1982 during the National Energy Consciousness Month, the DEAEEA was named after the former Meralco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Emilio Abello, who also held the position of Chairman of the Energy Conservation Movement in the country. The Don Emilio Abello Energy Efficiency Awards is on its 31st year in citing various commercial and industrial establishments and energy managers across various sectors in the country for their notable performance and contribution in energy efficiency and conservation (EE&C).

The annual event is jointly organized by the Philippine National Oil Co., National Power

P2.45,980,938 % million Mar 2013 Aug 2013

8. Interest Rates 4/

7. Broad Money Liabilities

P113,609 2.0 % million Sep2013 2013 Mar P P5,281 127,336 billion million Mar Sep2013 2013

9. National Government 8. Revenues Interest Rate 9. National Government

10.Revenues National government outstanding debt outstanding debt

P 5,609 P 41.14 Aprbillion 2013

11.Stocks Peso per US $ 12.

Composite

Index 6/

6,847.5 P 43.83 Mar Sep2013 2013

12. Stocks Composite

6,191.8 132.8 Sep2013 2013 Apr

10.Peso National government 11. per US $ 5/

Sep 2013

13. Consumer Index Price Index 2006=100

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100 14.

Headline Inflation Rate

135.2

Oct2.62013 Apr 2013

14. 2006=100 Headline Inflation Rate 15.

Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.9 Oct3.12013

Apr 2013

2006=100

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100 16.

Visitor Arrivals

2.5

418,108 Oct 2013 Feb 2013

382,022 Aug 2013 20.9%

16. Visitor Arrivals

17. Underemployment 7/ 17. Rate Underemploymen

Jan 2013 19.2%

18.

18.Unemployment UnemploymentRate Rate7/

7.1% Jan 2013 7.3%

Rate

Jul 2013 Jul 2013

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2011-September 2013) Month Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

2013

2012

2011

43.83 43.86 43.35 42.91 41.30 41.14 40.71 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

7

Representatives from the 17 SM Supermalls at the 31st Don Emilio Abello Energy Efficiency Awards.

Corp., Meralco, Petron Corp., Chevron Philippines Inc., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Energy Development Utilization Foundation Inc., Energy Efficiency Practitioners Association of the Philippines, and the Energy Conservation Center Inc. SM City Davao, SM City Lipa, SM City Naga, SM City Batan-

gas, SM City Lucena and SM City Sta. Mesa each bagged an Outstanding Award which is bestowed on companies that have considerably improved their energy performance by at least five percent in their specific energy consumption from the previous year and also runs a substantial energy efficiency and

conservation program.

Meanwhile, SM City Pampanga, SM Savemore Nagtahan, SM Cubao, SM City Iloilo, SM Quiapo and SM City Novaliches bagged Citation Awards while SM City Rosario, SM Molino, SM City Clark, SM City North EDSA and SM City Bicutan were honored with Special

Awards.

Most of SM’s energy savings is from the management of its air-conditioning system. SM Supermalls have installed variable frequency drives in the motors of most of its air-handling units. SM City Davao has been utilizing this technology since 2008.

Dalayon said that banana growers in China sustained 80-percent damage, especially in Hainan and Guangzhou.

Taiwan, too, was affected.

A total of 300,000 hectares of China’s banana farms were reportedly affected.

He said that the local banana exporters are enjoying a better price for banana exports in the region.

He added that Chi-

na was turning into a lucrative market compared with others such as Japan, the Middle East and the United States because of the price and ease of shipping.

“Unlike shipping to the United States or the Middle East, products can get to China in as short as three to five days,” Dalayon noted.

He said that the price for cavendish banana is good for exporters, who

have been faced with bad luck in the recent years due to sigatoka, Panama disease, as well as typhoon Pablo.

Demand in 2014 is expected to rise in China and other Yolanda-affected areas with banana import industries, he said.

“The Japanese market will always be there, but China has a better price,” Dalayon said.

He added that this

rise in demand for cavendish was most beneficial for growers and exporters who have no binding contracts with larger firms for exporting the products.

Dalayon said that shipments to China reached up to 30 bonds per week, with China’s latest price coming in at $6.50 per box and a freight-on-board of $9 for non-contracted farmers. [MindaNews]

China importing more bananas after Yolanda

T

HE DAMAGE caused by super typhoon Yolanda on China’s banana industry has somehow brought some good news to Filipino growers.

According to Ireneo Dalayon, executive officer and president of the Federation of Cooperatives in Mindanao (Fedco), China has increased demand for bananas.

“China was also hit by Yolanda,” he said.

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

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EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

VOL. 6 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-MONDAY •JANUARY 5-6, 2014

EDITORIAL

A

Nothing wrong with copying

FTER more than a decade of enforcement, the ban on firecrackers in Davao City is getting attention from other local government unit (LGU) leaders, many of whom are considering unabashedly copying the example shown by Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte.

We say there is nothing to be ashamed of in being a copycat, considering the logic behind the ban –zero injury that saved the city and its residents from unnecessary hospital expenses alone. Only God knows how much exactly have Dabawenyos saved in money, pain of victims, and anguish among relatives, not to mention the government which ran public hospitals in those years that the fireworks ban had been in effect. Must be in the hundreds of millions of pesos, huge money which rightly went to “Lingap sa Mahirap,” a blockbuster social health intervention benefitting tens of thousands of people who are in dire need of hospital attention, and other care subsidies and assistance.

Apart from pogi points that its author, May-

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

the national association of newspapers

Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net

or Duterte, gets from the positive publicity, the ban creates a new culture vastly different from the traditional way of welcoming a new year, a practice that inures acceptance of a new thing no matter how inconvenient it may appear from the start. Now, it can be said that the usually raucous Dabawenyo understands that silence is golden.

Never mind if there is a move now to supplant dangerous firecrackers with the harmless noise of paper horns (“torotot”). In this crazy world of crazed individuals, insanely great solutions are needed to paraphrase Steve Jobs, the creator of Apple, the great gadget series. Like the ban on cigarette-smoking and firecrackers, who knows the “torotot” festival might be the next disruptive concept that will upset, then, change the market eventually. Mayor Duterte is known for that.

Other LGU leaders can go ahead in adopting the bans in Davao City if they see that their enforcement is practical and beneficial to their constituents.

Nothing is wrong with policies that are designed for the “greatest good of the greatest number.”

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Creative Solutions

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate Editor

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

ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR / CHENEEN R. CAPON 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

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

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

AQUILES Z. ZONIO Correspondent

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

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

Tel: (088) 852-4894

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

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

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

EDGEDAVAO

Tough decision to bear

I

S IT BEYOND MORAL AND ETHICAL BOUNDS? – Members of the Social Security System (SSS) are in shock, news reports stated, referring to the announcement made by management that effective January 2014 there will be an increase in its monthly contributions. The increase in monthly premiums had the adversity of getting into the consciousness of the 30 million SSS members during a time when members of the board approved and allocated a “long-overdue” P1 million bonuses for each of them, which had ultimately become a toxic issue.

Hounded by controversy fanned by mounting complaints, top SSS officials lost no time at all justifying the increase in monthly contributions. Certainly, high-profile and well-paid executives emphasized that the decision to raise monthly premiums is of key importance for the SSS and its members. They say the prospect of developing a productive endeavor is an integral part of the long-term task to shape a strong and stable cash reserve system needed in future pension and other benefits for its members.

However, some critics say that ranking SSS officials want members to believe that it is their clear commitment to ensure stability and security therefore it needs a workable system to guarantee a harmony of interests. Has it? But, no, observed Bayan party-list representative Rene Colminares and stated that it should not supposedly happen that way. He noted the SSS only wanted to make it appear it is speeding up the generation of funds, and thus stimulate the monthly collection by increasing the rates.

Undoubtedly, Rep. Colminares “hit the

R

VOL. 6 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-MONDAY •JANUARY 5-6, 2014

nail right on the head.” He further opined that from all indications the full obscurity of the increase in monthly premiums had not been fully and clearly explained by concerned officials. Those officials, whose credibility has been repeatedly questioned, should stop explaining this and that to the irate and aghast members. They simply cannot win the argument for their unpopular decision while members of the SSS board are wallowing in their excessive perks and privileges.

If the SSS cash reserve really had waned in the past few years, why in heaven’s name that members of the board still have the audacity to provide themselves with fat bonuses aside from other whims? Of course, there can be nothing more shattering than seeing SSS members having to pour in additional money for their monthly contributions while salaries and wages remained in status quo. Under the circumstances, members actually will reap the rewards and benefits in the future. This is pretty much the SSS officials’ line of argument, but it will take years, many years that members, of course, if they’re still alive to see it that way.

The increase in SSS monthly payment shares need to be explained and discussed thoroughly by officials of unquestioned credibility because the doubting minds are still on and may now jump ten-fold into be-

lieving the payment scheme is an additional burden to its members. Moreover, members are convinced that the real essence of social service has been defeated by greed and the lust for pleasure and power. Some are not so good, such as when they exercise for their self-interest rather than for the common good. Given these tendencies, SSS members have all the reasons to believe that it is beyond moral and ethical bounds.

BACKLASH OF PUBLIC RESENTMENT AND ANGER – The rich and well-developed countries should view poor and under-developed nations such as the Philippines and their people as partners to be helped in times of financial troubles, and not as golden opportunities for taking over market shares when their assets have collapsed.

This is a customary manner among moneyed and influential nations, but a disturbing aspect of the bailout scheme has been arranged by, whom else, the powerful and persuasive International Monetary Fund (IMF). Another is that they are turning out to be a bailout not of the financially troubled countries but of their international creditors. The private losses of foreign creditors seem to be socialized because under the bailouts, their debts are transferred to the government and therefore must be repaid by the poor taxpayers.

There have even been reported cases in the past of banks in the country “looted” by their owners and officials, and the losses passed on to the government and the taxpaying public. All of these are dangerous precedents because it will result in a backlash of resentment and anger from the taxpaying public.

PNoy: Graft buster or just another trapo?

IDING on the crest of sympathy that followed the death of his mother, President Corazon C. Aquino, Benigno S. Aquino III became the fifteenth president of the republic. It was mainly her passing and the romanticism attached to her name that brought him to power, much to the chagrin of fellow Liberal Party stalwart Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, who was forced to slide as Aquino’s running mate but lost nonetheless.

But has PNoy lived up to the ideals for which the people voted him? After three and a half years in office, how far has his administration achieved in curbing corruption in high places of government? Is this government really serious in treading the much-hyped “daang matuwid”?

The controversy created by the reports on questionable disbursements of the Priority Development Assistance Fund involving lawmakers, government agencies and nongovernment organizations controlled by Janet Lim-Napoles provided a golden opportunity for Aquino to prove he was serious in going after grafters. Unfortunately, he let that opportunity slip through his hands. Instead of categorically supporting the people’s mounting calls to abolish the PDAF or pork barrel, he flip-flopped saying the problem could be addressed by a better budgeting process.

Where Aquino actually stands on the issue was laid bare by Palace efforts to assuage public anger on the eve of the first ever protest against the pork, the spontaneous million people march in Luneta and key cities nationwide.

In fairness, Aquino only inherited – and continued – a patronage system that has been in place since the days of his own mother as president. As a former congressman and senator himself, he knows it is the biggest incentive that has made Congress kowtow to the

SOMEONE ELSE’S WINDOWS

BY H. MARCOS C. MORDENO legislative agenda of the Executive.

Malacanang always gets what it wants as long as a lawmaker is assured of projects from which he or she could earn fat, albeit illegal, commissions.

This may cease to be the order of things now that the Supreme Court has voted in favor of a consolidated petition to declare the PDAF unconstitutional. Unless the lawmakers find “creative” ways to go around the ruling without being noticed by a watchful citizenry and continue to enjoy the perks of pork, the Executive and the Legislature may soon say goodbye to their incestuous marriage of convenience.

Aquino, however, still holds an ace – the Disbursement Acceleration Program which he dangled to the senators to secure the conviction of former Chief Justice Renato Corona.

The DAP accelerates the disbursement of funds taken from unexpended budget items in a discretionary manner. If the gods of Padre Faura decide to rule in favor of the DAP, Aquino will wield a power so awesome the lawmakers will find themselves walking toward Malacanang on bended knees. For, unlike the case of PDAF where the House members were allotted P70 million and senators P200 million each annually, the President decides alone who gets to receive DAP funds.

The Supreme Court is yet to rule on the petition against the use of the DAP by the Executive as usurpation of Congress’s exclusive power to approve allocations. Yet consider the implications if it gets a favorable ruling from the High Court. Under the 2014 national

budget, the PDAF was only worth around P27 billion. The DAP, on the other hand, would be a staggering P1.3 trillion, all in the complete control of one man – the President! Now, how would that not make even the bitterest critic of Aquino in Congress cower in fear and submission?

Congress knows the DAP – if upheld as constitutional by the Supreme Court – would render the principle of checks and balance virtually inutile. But opportunistic as they are, the lawmakers are only too aware they have to support it as their last lifeblood or face extinction as political animals (with emphasis on “animals”) now that the PDAF is gone.

No, the lawmakers are not openly supporting the DAP before the Supreme Court.

In what is clearly a retaliatory move, they have threatened to hale several Justices to the impeachment court over the lump sum use of the Judiciary Development Fund. It could not be simply a coincidence that the honorable House members took an interest in the JDF after the High Court scrapped as unconstitutional their biggest source of income.

For sure, Aquino won’t lift a finger to stop the House from pushing through with impeachment. He may even be secretly lobbying for a ruling that is favorable to him. It would be to the mutual benefit of the Executive and the lawmakers if the Supreme Court yields to the pressure and uphold the DAP as constitutional. If that happens, Aquino may yet enjoy a kind of dictatorship handed over to him on a silver platter by a judiciary whose independence is being put to test by the selfish machinations of a pork-starved Congress. (MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. H. Marcos C. Mordeno can be reached at hmcmordeno@gmail.com)

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Entrusting Myself to ‘Mama Mary’ PERSONAL ESSAY

BY PENELOPE SANZ

M

(Conclusion)

ANY women had to give birth in tents or in evacuation camps without proper medical attention. The Blessed Virgin Mary is a mother to an innocent, tortured and “salvage” victim just like the many mothers of tortured sons and daughters, and desparecidos who fought for the truth in Latin America, Philippines, Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.

To me, what is most exciting about my rediscovery of Mama Mary is that she is a very extraordinary warrior who continually defeats evil, not with swords or arrows, but with her weapons of humility and gentleness. She is the new Eve and the only woman who has the perfect enmity with the devil because she was conceived without sin. Lest we forget, Jesus Christ was sent here to counter evil and Satan not with the haughty, egotistical and prideful ways of human kings and nobles, but through love and humility. His mission was to let the blind see, the lame walk, and set free those who are in spiritual bondage. This means us. This means me and I need healing.

Mama Mary also showed me that it is never about us. But it is always about God the Father, and saying yes to His will. And being obedient to His will also means that our hearts will be pierced just like Mary. To be of the world, one gains acceptance but to break away from it and follow Christ means derision and persecution. Mama Mary remained faithful to the promise of Christ’s resurrection and the descent of the Holy Spirit that empowers anyone who believes in her son Jesus Christ.

One important thing I’ve learned from my family back home is that Mama Mary is our intercessor just as she had demonstrated during the first miracle of Jesus Christ in a wedding at Cana. All you have to do, an aunt once told me, is to give your full trust to her and ask her to be your mother too.

It was when I specifically asked the Blessed Virgin Mary to become my mother again and entrusted myself to her that I was able to say that my life has never been the same again.

In what way did my entrustment to Mama Mary change my life? I would be tongue-tied in answering that because it is mostly in the little things that, if added up, leave one in awe and wonder, and move one’s heart to praise, “Thank you, Lord”.

My trust in the Blessed Virgin Mary is also linked with my faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and God the Father. In entrusting myself to Mama Mary everyday, I am asking her to give all my joys, works and sufferings of the day, my heart with all its travesties and affections, my body with all its senses, my soul and its darkness for her to give these to the Holy Spirit so I may be formed and be united to her son Jesus Christ, who is humbly obedient to the Father. This is practically everything that I am and possessed, and I am giving it to her because I know my offerings are painfully penurious before God’s majesty and glory.

But if I offer it through Mama Mary’s Immaculate Heart, they will be offered and presented with much richness. I am also assured that my offerings, no matter how lowly they are, will be of help to someone in need in China, Congo, and anywhere else in the world because she has that unique vantage point in heaven where she is able to know who needs special graces at a particular moment just as it was at a wedding in Cana.

Indeed, why do I have such trust in the Mother of God? This is simply because, at the foot of the cross, Jesus Christ entrusted me to her.

(Penelope Sanz is currently attending the University of Saskatchewan in Canada for her doctorate studies)

10

NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-MONDAY •JANUARY 5-6, 2014

Aboitiz...FFROM 3 operatives, collectively restored 2,697 electric poles in LEYECO5’s franchise area. Still, this is only a tiny fraction of the 11,100 damaged poles in the area. At present, only 613 out of its 90,000 customers currently have electricity.

Meanwhile, 77 linemen , engineers, and staff have been deployed in

Northern Cebu since the second week of November to support CEBECO in restoring power in the area.

As of first week December, the three power units was able to restore a total of 873 poles and work on the 13.2kV backbone feeder lines from San Remigio to Luyang, Bogo City to Sugod and Medellin to Daanbantayan.

Stevedoring Corporation of DOLE Phil while on May 25, 2007, Venus Maguiran, operations clerk of DOLE was also killed allegedly by the suspect.

Police conducted a manhunt in 2007 against the suspect who, however, managed to evade arrest until a member of

the Criminal Investigation Service (CIS) gave information leading to the arrest.

Pernito said they are conducting deeper investigation into the case of Banlasan to unmask the mastermind behind the two killings.

and strengthen CIDGCommunity partnership; to organize and mobilize CIDGs Non organic Human Resources; to ensure community cooperation in gathering information for intelligence and counter-intelligence use and subsequently for investigation’; to ensure the attainment of the fourpoint agenda.

The four points agenda are operation against criminal groups; arrest of most wanted persons; campaign against loose firearms, and solution of heinous and sensational cases.

CIS Volunteers should be at least high school graduates; emotionally stable and mentally fit

and known in the community to be persons of good moral character; have expressed willingness for voluntary service with the CIDG and Philippine National Police.

Successful applicants will be given t-shirts and identification cards. However, police will terminate CIS membership if they commit prohibited acts that will put the name of the CIDG and the PNP in a bad light.

Based on recruitment and selection criteria set by the CIDG, those who voluntarily offer service and other resources to this Group are not entitled to compensation and material consideration.

[EPC]

stitute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) and PIA, the forum will examine the state of media history research in the Philippines.

The forum also aims to develop a framework for media history research in the country and a Philippine media history research agenda which could be adopted by academic and historical research institutions. The forum hopes to organize a network of media history advocates and researchers.

Three panels will discuss the state of historical research on Phil-

ippine media, frameworks on doing historical research on Philippine media, and the state of Philippine media history. A workshop to develop a research agenda addressing the media’s research needs will follow.

Forum partners include the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) and the Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE). For inquiries, please call the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication at tel. nos. 7434321 and 740-0396 or email info@aijc.com.ph.

the Top Sped trading will be facing a theft charge after he was arrested during an entrapment operation.

Endonilla reported to the police that items such as a carburetor and tools are missing and asked police to entrap the suspect.

Ramos immediately formed a team led by PO3 Ruben Carsino to conduct the operation with Edi-

son Durado posing as a buyer to transact with the suspect which resulted to Gallientes’ arrest.

Police recovered stolen items such as one carburetor assembly, tools and marked money worth P600 from the possession of the suspect. These will serve as evidence against him before the court.

[EPC]

2 wanted...FFROM 4

CIDG...FFROM 4

Forum...FFROM 4

Man...FFROM 4

BACK TO SCHOOL. A group of students takes advantage of a sunny Saturday morning to spend time doing various beach activities two days before the resumption of classes. Lean Daval Jr.

DPWH 11 posts 86.13% accomplishment in 2013 T HE DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways Region 11 office registered an 86.13% accomplishment rating as of December 2013.

According to DPWH 11 regional director Mariano Alquiza, out of 970 infrastructure projects, 718 are completed projects, 223 on going and 29 not yet started (As of December 15 2013). The regional projects are funded from an infrastructure budget allocation of P7.59 billion.

“We are hopeful to complete the 2012 and 2013 projects early this year so as not to overburden our project engineers since we have already bid-out projects under the 2014 Regular Infra Program,” Alquiza said.

In 2012 DPWH 11

T

implemented 530 projects under the DPWH regular infra at a cost of Php. 5.560 billion; 402 projects completed, 117 on going and 11 not yet started.

Alquiza attributed the slow start of the regional office to the priority of the government which was the rehabilitation of infrastructure damaged by Typhoon Pablo which struck the region last December 4, 2012 causing P2-billion worth of damage to different infrastructure in the region particularly in the provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental.

According to Alquiza the priority that time was to make sure that those damaged by Pablo be repaired and retrofitted while waiting for a more permanent solution after

our engineers have incorporated new designs and scientific data from other agencies like the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.

“Our target is to meet and perhaps even go beyond the expectations of our stakeholders,” the regional director said in his year-end message.

Aside from infrastructure projects Alquiza said that they will continue to implement projects under the 5Rs mantra of DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson, namely; Right Projects with the Right Cost and Right Quality, delivered Right on Time made by the Right People.

Alquiza also reiterated to implement the Department’s Mag OKS program, which stands for Magandang Opisina, Magandang Kalsada and Magandang Sistema. [PIA 11]

DepEd, CHED looking into adjusting school opening

HE DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) are now studying proposals to move the opening of classes from June to August or September, Malacañang said Saturday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Palace is now waiting for the two agencies to come up with their findings and recommendations on the matter.

“We will defer to the position taken by CHED. Sa DepEd, magkaiba ang posisyon ng dalawa when it comes to moving

the opening of classes to September (We will defer to the positions taken by the CHED and DepEd when it comes to moving the opening of classes to September),” she said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

“These are proposals being studied by both institutions. Hintayin natin ang magiging resulta ng kanilang pag-aaral (We will wait for the results of their studies),” she added.

She said the DepEd and the CHED are separately studying the matter since moving the opening of classes may have different effects

on students up to high school and on college students.

The DepEd has jurisdiction over schools up to the high school level while CHED has jurisdiction over colleges and universities.

“Iba ang sitwasyon ng grade school, ang high school, iba ang sitwasyon ng college. Separate ang pag-aaral na ginagawa ng dalawang institution (The situation may be different for those in grade and high school and for those in college, so the matter is studied separately by the two agencies),” Valte said.

[PNA]

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao city

Petition for Approval of Sale and Transfer with Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience with Equipment with Dropping and Substitution of Unit to operate an AIRCONDITIONED TAXI service.

RICARDO S. GATCHALIAN, JR. Petitioner-Vendor ARLYN L. GATCHALIAN, Petitioner-Vendee Case No.2013-XI-00683 (2003-XI-00776) x- - - - - - - - -- - - -----x SECOND NOTICE OF HEARING

Petitioners request authority for the Approval of Sale and Transfer executed

by RICARDO S. GATCHALIAN, JR. in favor of ARLYN L. GATCHALIAN of a Certificate of Public Convenience with Equipment issued in this case authorizing the operation of an AIRCONDITIONED TAXI service on the route WITHIN DAVAO CITY to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate is still valid and subsisting up to December 31, 2014. In the same petition filed on December 18, 2013, petitioners likewise request authority to EXTEND the validity of said Certificate as well as to DROP it’s authorized unit and to SUBSTITUTE the same with another unit bearing Chassis No. NCP929067567 to operate along the same route previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on JANUARY 20, 2014 at 10:00 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 18th day of December 2013 at Davao City.

EDGAR CRISANTO R. VIOLAN Acting Chief Transport Development Officer

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-MONDAY •JANUARY 5-6, 2014

YEAR OF THE HORSEPOWER:

MOTORING

11

12 Fun-to-Drive cars to expect in 2014 H

APPY NEW Year!

It’s now officially 2014—the year of the horse. And like that graceful animal known for its speed and agility, this year is bound to be filled with new and exciting cars for every budget. Though car manufacturers are known to be tight-lipped about their whole-year plans, we just had to peer into our magic crystal ball to give you 12 fun-to-drive cars in 2014.

1: BMW X5 The BMW X5 is set to enter the third generation and like its predecessors; it aims to set new standards for luxury, versatility, and above all, driving dynamics.

Several engines, designed for both thrust and efficiency from a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline-6 (both in diesel and gasoline) to a 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo V8, power the new X5 while a close-ratio 8-speed automatic guarantees a smooth response. Several new features debut on the X5 including Active Roll Stabilization, Dynamic Damper Control, and rear-axle air suspension for improved handling. Inside, the X5 receives two distinct BMW Lines packages. The biggest news of all is the availability of a rear-wheel drive variant dubbed the X5 Drive.

2: Ford Ecosport Designed to marry the agility, affordability, and fuel efficiency of a compact with the flexibility and spaciousness of an SUV, the Ford EcoSport is seen as the aspirational alternative to a typical sedan. It rides on the same platform as the Fiesta and shares roughly 30 percent of its components, but it looks muscular and athletic complete with a 200mm ground clearance and 550-mm of water wading depth—higher than some “hardcore SUVs”. Running

FORD ECOSPORT on the Fiesta’s 1.5-liter TiVCT engine, the 108 horsepower EcoSport comes with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed PowerShift transmission. Inside, it’s sophisticated and wellequipped: push-button engine start/stop, Ford SYNC, and even a chilled glove box.

3: Honda Accord Designed from the inside out, the new Accord embraces a customer-focused design allowing for increased passenger and cargo space as well as a sportier driving character.

Better, but no bigger, the

BMW X5 new Accord is shorter but roomier than the model it replaces. It features a dynamic new design with a bold grille, strong character lines, and tapered rear fenders. This 9th-generation model also uses more high-strength steel than ever before for better handling and comfort. The front Double Wishbone is now gone, replaced by new

HONDA ACCORD MacPherson Struts. Allnew engines, dubbed Earth Dreams make their debut.

On some models, the Accord should be made available with Honda’s new suite of safety systems including collision mitigation braking and blind spot monitoring.

4: Hyundai Accent, Elantra, and Tucson Hyundai enters the new year by sprinkling some much needed refresh magic onto the Accent, Elantra, and Tucson. All three models receive modest revisions inside and out. Outside, all three models receive updated headlights, bumpers, tail lights, and wheel designs. The story continues inside the cockpit where new gauges, improved interior materials, and better NVH isolation make for a much more comfortable experience. Mechanically, little change is expected with the exception of the Accent which finally adds a 1.6-liter CRDi sedan to its line-up. Worldwide though, Hyundai is close to launching their new Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language in the all-new Genesis Sedan and Sonata. These two new

HYUNDAI ACCENT upscale models may make a possible appearance locally

later in the year.

5: Kia Soul The funky Kia Soul enters with an all-new take on design, improved driving dynamics, and features to keep it fresh and, well, different than the rest. Designed in California, the Soul is boxy with its upright stance, squared shoulders, and distinctive fender flares.

It comes in a wide palette of colors too. Riding on a longer and wider platform than the vehicle it replaces, the Soul promises more room than ever before. The body and chassis are now 29 percent stiffer improv-

KIA SOUL ing the ride and comfort.

Steering feel is enhanced through the new FlexSteer system. Motivation comes from either a 1.6-liter or a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, hopefully boasting Kia’s new Gasoline Direct Injection or GDI technology.

6: Lexus RC Coupe Lexus’s first two-door coupe since the LFA, the RC Coupe brings to life Lexus’s promise to focus more on design and emotional appeal. The RC Coupe features deeply contoured lines with L-shaped patterns in the headlights and

LEXUS RC COUPE tail lamps giving a sense of visual drama. It features the widest and lowest application of the spindle grille yet while 19-inch wheels and tires add elegance and sophistication. Inside, the RC Coupe has a driver-centric interior with two distinct zones: operational and display. Genuine shimamoku wood highlights adding a unique Japanese touch. The RC Coupe’s dedicated rear-

wheel drive platform and 3.5-liter V6, with at least 300 horsepower, promises exhilarating performance.

7: Mazda3 Mazda finally brings its brand of style to the compact car class with the allnew Mazda3. “All-new” is an understatement since it shares almost nothing with

MAZDA3 the outgoing 3. It features all-new Skyactiv engines in 1.5- or 2.0-liter flavors mated to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic. The all-new 3 sits on a platform giving it a longer wheelbase. A shorter length and lower height still imbues the 3 with a sense of sportiness. The body features a decisively “cab rearward” posture and together with its sleek and stylish KODO lines, it expresses dynamism. Inside, the 3’s cabin is driver-centric and includes Mazda-first features such as a heads-up display system called Active Driving Display.

8: Mercedes-Benz C-Class Single-handedly Mercedes-Benz’s most sellable model, the all-new C-Class promises to be the company’s most sensual design yet and fitted with a host of new technical innovations to keep it in the lead. Riding on a new platform, it’s bigger and roomier than before yet weighs some 70 kilograms less. The exterior design is Mercedes-Benz’s interpretation of “modern luxury” and has the same swoopy, complex lines seen

MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS of late. Inside, it borrows a page from the company’s

sports car line with a high center tunnel and circular air vents. Under the hood, it has a wide range of engine: 3 diesel engines and 5 gasoline engines with power figures ranging from 115 to 333 horsepower.

9: Peugeot 208 GTi Recreating an icon— that’s the goal of the Peugeot 208 GTi, a B-segment sized hatchback that packs a serious sports car punch.

It eschews more modern sports car tech and goes back to basics: it’s available solely as a 6-speed manual.

The 3-door hatchback features Peugeot’s new look but is liberally sprinkled with red highlights and ‘GTi’ badging to differentiate it from ‘lesser’ models.

Inside, the 208 GTi has a small diameter D-shaped steering wheel and sport bucket seats. The 208 GTi is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine good for

PEUGEOT 208 GTI an even 200 horsepower.

Add a lightweight body and you’ve got a recipe for some fun. The 208 GTi can do 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.

10: Subaru WRX Subaru’s iconic sports sedan returns and promises to be the best handling, most powerful WRX ever.

With an all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged Boxer engine, the WRX has 268 horsepower and 350 Nm of

SUBARU WRX torque equating to a 0-100 km/h time in just 5.1 seconds. It can be combined with either a 6-speed manual or a Sport Lineartronic CVT—both firsts for the WRX. It rides on its own unique platform that’s

stiffer for better handling.

Further elevating the WRX is a Torque Vectoring Control system that improves cornering speeds while upgraded brakes provide surefooted stopping power.

The WRX features Subaru’s iconic flared wheel arches, quad-tip tailpipes, and a lip spoiler to give it a hit of aggressiveness.

11: Toyota Corolla Altis Perhaps one of the most anticipated new cars for 2014, the all-new Corolla Altis is now injected with the same “fun-to-drive” characteristics seen in other Toyota models. The new body is much more angular, sportier, and more aggressive than before, borrowing styling cues from other Toy-

TOYOTA COROLLA ALTIS ota models of late. Certain variants of the Corolla Altis feature LED daytime running lights and tail lamps, a sports kit, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Underneath, the Corolla Altis rides on a bigger platform which means more space and better handling than before.

Engine-wise, Toyota could opt to stay put with their current 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter line-up, though others say, Toyota could bump up the base model to 1.8-liters and keep the 2.0-liter as the range-topper.

12: Volkswagen Beetle No other car comes close to being recognized as an icon as the Volkswagen Beetle. And now, Filipino buyers can finally get back into “Beetle Mania” with the reintroduction of a modern classic this 2014. Despite a recognizable silhouette, the new Beetle features a clean sheet design with more

VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE masculine and sporty lines characterized by a longer hood and a sharply raked windshield. Inside, the Beetle promises a driver-centric interior while leaving a lasting impression because of color-coordinated panels and the use of high-quality materials. The Beetle also marks the first time a gasoline engine is used in Volkswagen’s local line-up offering TSI or Turbo Stratified Injection in 1.2- (105 horsepower) and 1.4-liter (160 horsepower) versions. (carguide.ph)

12 CLASSIFIEDS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-MONDAY •JANUARY 5-6, 2014

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13 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-MONDAY •JANUARY 5-6, 2014

BCP launches children’s book on agricultural biotechnology T

HE BIOTECH Coalition of the Philippines (BCP) recently launched a kiddie book titled Lina’s Town Rises Again which tells the true and inspiring story of how agricultural biotechnology positively transformed a lady farmer’s life and made her farming community recover from the aftermath of a devastating typhoon.

Consolacion Reyes’ life turned upside down when Typhoon Pablo not only destroyed her house and crops but also her entire community. She and her neighbors were forced to

take shelter at an evacuation center when the entire municipality of Lambayong went under water. Upon coming back, they saw that the super typhoon did not spare them anything.

Seeing her difficulty, a good samaritan lent her money which she used to buy Bt corn seeds. Her harvest was tremendous so that after some time she was already back on her feet. A few more harvests and she started to earn serious money. Now, she is among the prosperous farmers in her town.

Written by Chat Garri-

General Santos Drive, Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506

Tel. No. 083-228-2511 ; Fax No. 083-228-2654

General Santos Drive, Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506 Tel. No. 083-228-2511 ; Fax No. 083-228-2654

WANTED FOR IMMEDIATE HIRING!

WANTED FOR IMMEDIATE HIRING!

BUS DRIVER

BUS DRIVER

Qualifications: Qualifications:

1.

2.

3.

Male, 28 – 40 years old 1. least Male, high 28 – school 40 years old At graduate 2. At least high school graduate With 5 years driving experience (bus, trucks) 3. With 5 years driving experience (bus, trucks)

Requirements: Requirements: 1. Driver’s License with Official Receipt 1.x Driver’s License (2 with Official Receipt 2. 2 2 I.D. picture pcs.)

2. 2 x 2 I.D. (2 pcs.) or clearance from 3. Certificate of picture Employment 3. Certificate of Employment or clearance from

May previous apply in employment person at Human Resource Department, YBLI in Office, General Santos Resource Drive, May apply person at Human Koronadal City. YBLI Office, General Santos Drive, Department, Koronadal City.

do-Ocampo who has previously authored two children’s books, Lina’s Town Rises Again follows a writing style that is highly informative without losing its entertainment value. The book keeps the interest of its young readers high while conveying technical information. Ocampo said that by writing this book,

she is able to do her share in keeping the young generation interested in matters related to agriculture.

“The need to feed a growing populace is compelling and if the next generation does not give agriculture the appropriate attention, how do we expect to provide adequate food for everyone?”

Ocampo said.

BCP Executive Director Abraham Manalo said the book “helps young readers understand that safe and responsible use of agricultural biotechnology can make farming a lucrative activity. Farmers do not have to exist at subsistence level especially when they have access to and are able to use technology that can

help them achieve better yield and therefore have higher income.”

The book launching at Project 6 Elementary School in Quezon City was attended by more than 200 elementary school children ages 8-10, their teachers and members of the media and the biotech seed industry.

14 SPORTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-MONDAY •JANUARY•JANUARY 5-6, 2014 5-6, 2014 VOL. 6 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-MONDAY

EDGEDAVAO

OH, ANA! Ivanovic beats Venus, claims Auckland title

W

ELLINGTON (Reuters) - Ana Ivanovic claimed her first WTA Tour title in more than two years when she completed a 6-2 5-7 6-4 victory over fellow former world number one Venus Williams to clinch the Auckland Classic on Saturday.

BIG WINNERS. Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic (left) beat Venus Williams in the Auckland final to take her first title of the year while world no. 1 Serena Williams (right) moved a win away from hers after defeating Russian star Maria Sharapova over at Brisbane International.

The 26-year-old Serbian had not won a title since she completed a 6-3 6-0 victory over Spain’s Anabel Medina Garrigues in Bali at the end of 2011.

The former French Open champion, who had not beaten the 33-year old American since they met at

the 2008 Australian Open, had romped through the match until she was serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set when Williams seemingly came alive.

The tall American, who had been given a walkover to the final after her compatriot Jamie Hampton was forced to withdraw from their semi-final after suffering a right hip injury, broke back and then held to take a 6-5 lead before she broke again to send it into a deciding third set.

Ivanovic, who had two match points earlier in the second set, broke in the first game of the third set and never relinquished that advantage.

She virtually assured herself of the title in the eighth game when she served successive aces and fought back from two break points and sealed the win in the 10th when Williams blasted a forehand long to give herself a major confidence boost ahead of the Australian Open.

The first major of the year starts in Melbourne on January 13.

INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-MONDAY •JANUARY 5-6, 2014

EDGEDAVAO EVENTS

To the Big Apple and back for 2014 THE start of a year deserves the loudest noise and the biggest smiles. The Marco Polo Davao’s New Year bash was full of them and with this year’s theme taking party-goers to the Big Apple, one can be sure that guests came up in their NewYorker attire.

Present for the ball was Halifax Davao Hotels Inc. Chairman and President Carlos Dominguez together with lovely wife Cynthia as well as their close friends and family who gamely took to the dance floor.

All that dancing was courtesy of classic dance floor favorites from the golden age of ballroom dancing thanks to the performances of Davao’s Music Authority, DJ Armand

FTO THE BIG, A4

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

Be colorful and forwardthinking this New Year with an iPhone from Smart We all deserve to get the best as we start a great new year.

Whether you’re looking for a gift for yourself for last year’s excellent hard work or an unforgettable present for someone you love, the Smart iPhone 5c or iPhone 5s is the perfect present that can make anyone’s New Year more special.

One of the most anticipated tech wonders of the season, the iPhone 5c and the iPhone 5s are in the wish list of almost everyone. The good news is it’s not exactly an impossible wish now, as there are now easy and practical ways to get hold of these much loved iPhones.

Local mobile leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) in particular is offering the new iPhones, free when you subscribe to its iPhone plans.

“Some people can stress over deciding what to get themselves or their loved ones,” said Kathy Carag, head of Smart’s postpaid business group.

“What they don’t know is it’s much easier and more practical to give a premium device like an iPhone, especially when it’s on a postpaid plan.”

Carag explained that with Smart’s iPhone plans, the subscriber need not pay for the entire cost of the device. What makes an iPhone 5c or iPhone 5s on a Smart Postpaid plan a great gift, is that you’re giving not just the phone but also the call, text and data services necessary to take advantage of the iPhone’s features and services.

“One of the easiest ways to get the new iPhone is through Smart’s iPhone Plan 999,” said Carag. “For only P1,499 a month, you get a 16GB iPhone 5c with the Plan 999 inclusive 40 all-net minutes, 100 all-net texts, and best of all, unlimited surfing on Smart’s biggest network with the largest LTE coverage.”

The unlimited surfing powered by Smart will enable anyone to make the most of the iPhone 5c or 5s, whether they intend to use it mostly on music and videos through iTunes, mobile Internet browsing, social networking, posting photos and videos, streaming multimedia content, or downloading and using entertainment, gaming, productivity and other lifestyle apps.

If the subscriber prefers to pay for the cost of the device, the best deal is to get the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s on Smart’s Freedom Plan – the postpaid plan with no fixed monthly fees and contract period.

“If you pair your Freedom Plan with an iPhone 5c or iPhone 5s, you are entitled to free 250mb of data every month, for one whole year,” said Carag.

So go ahead and welcome the New Year on a colorful or forward thinking note. Get an iPhone with a Smart Postpaid plan for yourself or your loved one.

For complete details on Smart’s wide range of postpaid plans for the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s, log-on to www. smart.com.ph/iPhone.

Enjoy up to 70% off at SM Lanang Premier’s End of Season Sale HERE’S one last holiday treat from the metro’s premier shopping and lifestyle hub! Shop till you drop at SM Lanang Premier’s ongoing End of Season Sale, which runs until January 12, 2014.

Jumpstart the new year with exclusive finds and favorite things on your wishlist this year. Stock up on savings with up to 70% discount on great selections mallwide, including Forever 21, Terranova, Promod, Cotton On, and American Eagle, among many other participating stores.

Catch the End of Season Sale at SM Lanang Premier! For more information, contact SM Lanang Premier at 285-0943.

You could also visit SM Lanang Premier on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for sale alerts and promo updates.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-MONDAY •JANUARY 5-6, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

EVENTS

Bamboo and Tattoo Home Broadband give smiles to children of Ormoc

TATTOO Home Broadband together with celebrated rock icon Bamboo gave the children of Brgy. Tambulilid Elementary School in Ormoc, Leyte plenty of reasons to smile with gifts of toys in time for Christmas.

A fitting finale to a successful run of Bamboo’s Christmas concert Believe: Christmas at Home with Bamboo, the concert became the prime vehicle to be able to collect over 2000 toys for the benefit of the kids in the said barangay. After the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda, Tattoo, through Globe Telecom’s Bangon Pinoy program, gave its commitment to restore and rebuild 100 homes in Ormoc, in partnership with Gawad Kalinga.

And with the holiday season Tattoo chose to give importance to the children of the community who were left most vulnerable after the calamity.

Everyone who wanted to watch the concert purchased toys in exchange for the tickets. On the other hand, those who simply wanted to share a simple Christmas message posted their video greetings on Instagram with the hashtag #UnwrapHope.

Each video post was also equivalent to a toy that Tattoo donated on their behalf. And as a special treat, a creative selection of these videos were compiled and revealed during Bamboo’s concert.

Following the collection of toys was the gift wrapping activity held at the Globe Tower where employees, Tattoo customers and Bamboo’s fans alike helped each other to wrap and put a bow on every single toy. The gifts were sealed with Christmas cards from the kids of Taguig Elementary school.

As Globe Senior Vice President for Broadband Business Gilbert Simpao said, “what better way to end a blessed year right than to give back. We feel very lucky to have this opportunity to make kids happy especially after what happened with typhoon Yolanda.

And this is just the beginning as we commit to return in time to rebuild of their homes”.

And just like Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, Bamboo and the whole Tattoo team and Globe employee volunteers arrived at the elementary school bearing gifts of joy in the form of truckloads of toys.

“We will forever be thankful that these children welcomed us and allowed us to be a part of their Christmas celebration. But we don’t only want to be here just for the holidays.

We are here for this community for the long haul and we look forward to making more children happier in the near future” continues Globe Vice President for Tattoo Home Broadband Business Jurist Gamban.

Joining Bamboo, Simpao and Gamban in the recent gift giving was Globe Senior Vice President for Cor-

Bamboo’s concert Believe: Christmas at Home with Bamboo held at the Music Museum is part of Tattoo’s #UnwrapHope project with an end goal to give over 2000 kids toys as gifts for Christmas.

A cheerful message of thanks from Globe Senior Vice President for Broadband Business Gilbert Simpao.

Bamboo together with Tattoo Home Broadband’s Jurist Gamban holding some of the stuffed toys that will be given to the Children of Brgy. Tambulilid in Ormoc, Leyte.

Brand new toys were shipped to Ormoc in time for Globe Employee volunteers worked hand in hand to the gift giving celebration with Tattoo and Bamboo. unload the boxes full of toys for the kids. porate Communications Yoly Cri- their sales from their sticks and home santo, and Globe Vice President for broadband plans for November and Nomadic Broadband Business Dong December.

Ronquillo alongside Globe employee Bangon Pinoy is Globe Telecom’s volunteers who gave their time and enterprise-wide disaster response inieffort for this meaningful cause. tiative that aims to have a unified sysThe children gave the Tattoo team tem for donations, relief efforts, and a warm welcome and even had a corporate social responsibility prochance to dance with them. Kids re- grams across products and services. ceived toys from huggable stuffed It is an integrated program that allows dolls and building blocks to action communities devastated by calamities figures. to benefit from various efforts geared Tattoo together with Gawad Ka- towards rebuilding and rehabilitation. linga are now in the process of pre- It was first introduced by Globe in paring in time for the building of the 2009 after typhoons Ondoy and PepTattoo-GK village in Brgy. Tambulilid eng wreaked havoc in the country. this January. Apart from 100 houses, For more updates visit www.globe. the village can also count on Tattoo’s com.ph/BangonPinoy. Follow us on support with livelihood programs Twitter @EnjoyGlobe (#Bangondesigned for sustainable living. Tat- Pinoy), @ChooseTattoo and on Facetoo was able to raise funding for this book.com/globeph and Facebook/Gloproject with their donation of 100% of beTattoo.

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL. 6 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-MONDAY •JANUARY 5-6, 2014

ENTERTAINMENT

Jaya reunites with long-lost dad in Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho AFTER more than a fourdecade search for her father, Soul Diva Jaya’s pursuit ended last Christmas as she and her father were finally reunited. This Sunday, January 5, Jaya shares their heart-warming reunion in Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho (KMJS).

Also on feature this Sunday are the different kinds of charms that are said to bring good fortune this 2014, the Year of the Wood Horse. And to bid adieu to excess holiday weight, a number of favorite Kapuso celebrities come to the rescue with the sexy project.

Legendary rock group Aegis, meanwhile, serves a unique treat as they belt out their greatest hits for their upcoming rock comedy musical. And don’t miss out on

the chance to meet the first Filipino in history to be chosen to join an expedition to outer space—Chino Roque.

Tag along as KMJS exlpores various places in and out of the country where a taste of

space adventure is in store.

Tune in to Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, one of Anak TV Awards 2013’s Most Well-Liked TV Programs, this Sunday, January 5, only on GMA-7.

‘ASAP’ celebrates 19 years with grand new year party “ASAP 19” welcomes 2014 with full of world-class performances and production numbers this Sunday (January 5) as it celebrates the 19th anniversary of ABSCBN’s longest-running, toprating, at trending musical variety show.

Aside from its New Year treats, “ASAP 19” will also throw an all-star tribute for the broadway diva Lea Salonga, who is celebrating her 35th showbiz anniversary. ASAP Kapamilya’s salute to Lea will be made more special by the members of the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra.

“ASAP 19” doubles up the fun and love this Sunday with the back-to-back surprises from the cast of ABSCBN’s upcoming romanticcomedy sitcom “Home Sweetie Home” to be led by John Lloyd Cruz and Toni Gonzaga; and the lead stars of Star Cinema’s first movie offering this year “Bride For Rent” Kim Chiu and Xian Lim. Be mesmerized with the remarkable and unique beauty and talent of Filipinos in the astonishing production number of Miss Universe 2013 3rd runner up Ariella Arida, Miss Supranational 2013 Mutya Datul, and Miss International 2014 Bea Rose Santiago.

Romance is set to fill the air this New Year with the special treat of Kapamilya heartthrobs Piolo Pascual, Gerald Anderson, Jericho Rosales, and Jake Cuenca; and the must-see performance of the ASAP boy

group ‘Gimme 5’ composed of Nash Aguas, Brace Arquiza, Joaquin Reyes, John Bermundo, and Grae Fernandez.

Meanwhile, “ASAP 19” takes the art of dancing to a higher level with the return of Maja Salvador and Shaina Magdayao’s supah hot clash dance ‘MASH;’ to be followed by the breath-taking Supahdance showcase of Cristine Reyes, Kim Chiu, Jessy Mendiola, Nikki Gil, Iya Villania, Karylle, John Prats, Rayver Cruz, Bugoy Cariño, and Brenna Garcia, together with the hip-hop dance group Philippine All Stars.

Also, watch out for the

hair-raising concert experience prepared by Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Charice, Erik Santos, Jed Madela, KZ Tandingan, Richard Poon, Abra, Kean Cipriano, Princess, Janice Javier, and Radha; the coolest rock performance of Bamboo, Yeng Constantino, and Tutti Caringal; and the jaw-dropping ‘voice’ showdown of Angeline Quinto, Morisette Amon, and Klarisse de Guzman.

Welcome 2014 with a bang in the country’s longest-running, award-winning variety show, “ASAP 19,” this Sunday, 12:15nn, on ABS-CBN.

MY LITTLE BOSSINGS 2D Vic Sotto, Kris Aquino, Ryzza Mae Dizon, James “Bimby” Yap GP

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

KIMMY DORAL: ANG KIYEMENG PREQUEL 2D Eugene Domingo, Sam Milby PG 13

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

GIRL BOY BAKLA TOMBOY 2D Vice Ganda PG 13

11:35 | 1:40 | 3:45 | 5:50 | 7:55 | 10:00 LFS

R-16 PAGPAG 2D Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla PG 13

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

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-MONDAY •JANUARY 5-6, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

EVENTS

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

Ms. Cynthia Dominguez and HDHI Chairman and President Carlos Dominguez.

Mr. Rommel and Lena Benedicto and Family.

To the big...FFROM A1 and Manila’s Flintstones and the Gang.

As the clock struck midnight, the horns blared, balloons and confetti dropped, and the hotel’s traditional march of chef banging on their pots and pans, a fitting Dabawenyo way to welcome the start of a prosperous new year.

Follow me on Twitter or on Instagram at @kennethkingong for more foodie and travel finds as well as happening in, around and beyond Durianburg.

Mr. David Evans, Ms. Elsa Echevarria.

Ms. Cynthia Dominguez and Mr. Armand Dominguez.

HDHI Senior Vice President Francis Ledesma, his wife Josie and their kids.

Mr. Rico and Dr. Doris Villareal.

Mr. and Mrs. Jose Claro Velez and Family.

Marco Polo Davao’s Asst. F&B Manager, General Manager Anthony Tan and HDHI Chairman and President Carlos G. Dominguez.

Ms. Edwina Garchitorena and Mr. Rafa Garchitorena.

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS 15

VOL. 6 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-MONDAY •JANUARY 5-6, 2014

NO DEAL

Mayweather-Pacquiao megafight won’t happen F

LOYD Mayweather will fight either Amir Khan or Marcos Maidana in May and Manny Pacquiao will battle either Timothy Bradleyor Ruslan Provodnikov in April. Any rumors involving the two fighters simply are not true.

This was clarified by Mayweather and Top Rank Promotions boss Bob Arum as they both denied the rumors about a supposed agreement between the two camps for a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight this September.

The undefeated American, talking to Ben Thompson for Fight

Hype, said that the rumors are all lies. “All the stories you hear about Pacquiao is a lie,” Mayweather said. ““It’s a lie.

It’s not true. If it didn’t come from Leonard Ellebre’s mouth, my mouth, or Al Haymon’s mouth, it’s not true.”

Arum on the other hand was interviewed

by Brad Cooney. “You’re going to get reports like this from time to time, but unless it comes from us or Manny, it has absolutely no substance,” the promoter said.

Asked for an explanation on why the mega-fight has not been made yet, Arum refused to throw blame.

“Well I don’t want to debate the whole history.

There’s so many ins and outs. I hope that this fight can happen, but nothing has moved ahead about this fight. Were planning a fight for Manny in April and Mayweather is planning a fight in May,” he said.

In his recent interviews, Mayweather has said that he will never fight Pacquiao as long as he’s under Arum. “I don’t know why he would say that. I’ve always had a good relationship with Floyd when I promoted him,” Arum said. “I have nothing against Floyd.

Listen, everybody has their own agendas.”

“It’s not me, my friend.”

He added, “please do not believe everything that you read (about a Mayweaher fight) unless it comes from Manny or me.”

The two boxing superstars have been involved in so many rumors regarding a fight against each other. The closest they have been to actually signing a contract was back in 2010. Yahoo Sports’s Kevin Iole received a copy of the contract containing all the details for the planned fight. Mayweather and Pacquiao would have split the pot equally with Pacquiao weighing and walking in first and Mayweather getting introduced first. The two fighters were both on the A-side then but Pacquiao is the clear B-side now as he lost two of his last three fights.

Pacquiao’s camp declined to sign the contract as Mayweather demanded Olympic style random drug testing. The Filipino fighter later on budged on the drug

testing issue but the negotiations still fell apart.

The rumors started up again when Pacquiao won over Brandon Rios in Macau, which prompted the WBC to name him as the mandatory challenger for Mayweather’s welterweight title. The undefeated American fanned the flames by frequently dropping Pacquiao’s name in conversations which were mostly to make fun of him or put him down.

Although the boxing world is in agreement that a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight will be one of the richest fights in boxing history, animosity between the two camps have prevented it from happening. Pacquiao fights under Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions while Mayweather promotes himself and works closely with Arum’s rival Golden Boy Promotions. Mayweather has also said time and again that he will not deal with Arum in whatever capacity.

SLAM. Washington star John Hall dunks against Patrick Patterson of the Toronto Raptors.

What mega-fight?

M

IKE Koncz, Manny Pacquiao’s adviser, has denied rumors regarding a supposed agreement between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather for a fight in September.

According to the rumors, an unnamed source who is close to the situation has confirmed that Mayweather and Pacquiao have already come to terms for their much awaited mega-fight and that everything that will happen from now until September will be “just theatrics.” The story came from a YouTube commentary posted on December 13.

Yahoo Philippines’ Ronnie Nathanielsz contacted Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz shortly after he arrived at the airport in Los Angeles for a reaction to the story.

Koncz inquired where he read the story and whom did they quote as the source of the story and emphasized

Raptors win 5th straight W

ASHINGTON (AP) -- DeMar DeRozan scored 20 points, Kyle Lowry outplayed John Wall with 19 points and 11 assists, and the Toronto Raptors won their season-high fifth consecutive game by beating the Washington Wizards 101-88 Friday night.

Atlantic Division-leading Toronto improved to 16-15, the first time since January 2010 its winning percentage has been above .500 at least 30 games into a season.

Patrick Patterson scored Toronto’s last 11 points of the third quarter, when the Raptors out-

scored the Wizards 36-16 to blow open a game that was tied with less than a minute left in the first half.

Patterson finished with 18 points.

Wall, who scored a season-high 37 at Toronto on Nov. 22, was limited to 11 points and six assists Friday. He’d scored at least 20 in eight straight games.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft had zero assists in the second half.

Nene, being used as a reserve lately, led the Wizards with 15 points. They’ve lost five of their past six home games.

The Raptors have won nine of 11 games overall

Sharapova finds reasons to smile despite defeat

B

LOOKIG FORWARD. Russia’s Maria Sharapova may have lost to American tennis star Serena Williams, she takes the loss in stride and looks towards the 2014 season.

since Dec. 13, when most of the players acquired from the Kings in the deal that shipped Rudy Gay to Sacramento made their debuts with Toronto.

That group includes Patterson, along with Greivis Vasquez, John Salmons and Chuck Hayes.

Washington came in on a five-game winning streak against Eastern Conference opponents but had all sorts of problems on offense against Toronto and wound up making only 41.5 percent of its field-goal attempts - a hard-to-believe 18.8 percent in the third quarter. The Raptors hit 50.6 percent for the game.

RISBANE (Reuters) - Maria Sharapova’s pain at losing a 14th straight match to nemesis Serena Williams will be eased by the thought that she can compete at the highest level again after being sidelined for four months with a shoulder injury.

Before this week at the Brisbane International, Sharapova had not played since August when a shoulder problem forced her out of the U.S. Open.

Although the 6-2 7-6

(9-7) defeat to her rival will sting, she admitted showing she can mix it with the best player in the world is more than she could have hoped for coming into the tournament.

“I really have to take the positives out of this because I have been struggling for a few months,” she said.

“To be able to come out on the court and put myself in good positions out there against someone that’s been playing amazing tennis is a good sign for me.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 6 ISSUE 207 • SUNDAY-MONDAY •JANUARY 5-6, 2014

DI JOINS BOLTS M

eralco signs Ildefonso After 15 seasons, with the San Miguel flagship, Danny Ildefonso will be donning a fresh jersey as he was given a one-conference contract by the Meralco Bolts.

“I honestly believe that DI still has what it takes to compete at a high level in the PBA,” said Meralco head coach Ryan Gregorio. “He has been aching for teams to give him a venue to display what he has and we are more than willing to provide him with the opportunity.”

Petron Blaze did not renew Ildefonso’s contract after the Boosters’ second place finish in the 2013 PBA Gover-

nors’ Cup. Meralco was always on top of the list of Ildefonso’s possible destinations but it was not formalized until today.

The first overall pick of the 1998 PBA Draft and a two-time PBA Most Valuable Player awardee, Ildefonso had the worst year of his career last season as he averaged a measly 1.29 points and 1.57 rebounds in only 14 games. He struggled as he was still waiting for his dislocated shoulder to completely heal. However, his value to the team was much more that just that as he took rookie center June Mar Fajardo under his wing. As a result, the center from Cebu improved by leaps

and bounds in the third conference.

By signing Ildefonso, Gregorio hopes that the veteran can help the Bolts arrest their current losing skid.“He has championship experience and high basketball intelligence; things that you cannot teach as a basketball coach, but, you learn through time as a basketball player,” Gregorio said. “With DI on-board, he gives us a positive perspective on how to win games whether he plays or just by being on the bench. He will definitely improve our locker room atmosphere just by his mere positive attitude.”

NEW BOLT. Former PBA MVP Danny Ildefonso is taking his act to the Meralco Bolts. PBA Images