Edge Davao 6 Issue 211

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 211 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2014

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Serving a seamless society

PERENNIAL PROBLEM. Every time it rains, residents near Quezon Blvd. in Davao City have to endure the problem of being soaked when crossing the street or even when using the already dilapidated overpass with a leaking roof. Lean Daval Jr.

RODY DEFIES PALACE, CHR “I am willing to kill smugglers and go to prison”

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

“I

F NO one will kill for the Filipino people nothing will happen in this country.”

This was the strong statement of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte after he justified his threats against rice smugglers amidst caution hurled at him by Malacañang and the Commission on Human Rights.

“Never mind if I take the law on my own hands, I’ll answer for it – I’ll go to prison. So, what’s their problem?” Duterte told reporters at Waterfront Insular Hotel on Wednesday in response of the statement of Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma on orders from no less than President Benigno Aquino.

Secretary Herminio

Coloma Jr. of Presidential Communications Operations earlier cautioned Mayor Duterte not to take the law into his hands amid his reported threat to kill rice smugglers in his jurisdiction.

Secretary Coloma said that the law enforcement agencies should step up the campaign against smuggling of rice and other goods without resorting to illegal means.

Duterte said that if the government cannot protect the Filipino farmers, he is willing to be imprisoned to protect them.

“Point out to me a law which I cannot threaten criminals,” blurted Duterte in response to the statement of Commission on Human Rights chair Loreta Rosales urging him

FRODY, 10

SAFETY FIRST. Therma South, Inc. (TSI) first vice president Manuel M. Orig (center) reiterates at a press briefing at the Villa Margarita yesterday that the safety of employees is something that TSI can’t compromise. Also in the photo are TSI corporate social responsibility manager Jason Magnaye (right) and TSI safety supervisor Abraham A. Villegas. Lean Daval Jr.

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EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 211 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2014

Verdict on CTO 5 known next week T

he administrative tribunal of Davao City will hand down next week its verdict in the case of five city treasurer’s office employees who allegedly misappropriated the city’s tax collection.

Lawyer Jhopee A. Agustin, assistant city administrator for operations and member of the tribunal, told reporters yesterday that the tribunal will release the decision on the administrative case against the respondents on January 17.

Agustin said that they were supposed to release it within this week once they receive a transcript of the hearings, adding that names of the CTO five will be known by then.

The five respondents allegedly misdeclared a total of P9 million in business taxes.

Earlier, city administrator J. Melchor V. Quitain had sent documents on the initial investigation to the Office of the Ombudsman which had requested for them.

The Ombudsman is interested to file criminal charges against the five CTO employees but, the concentration of the tribunal is only on the administrative aspect.

The employees are facing charges of serious dishonesty, grave misconduct, falsification of public documents, serious neglect of duty, inefficiency and incompetence in the performance of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of public service. [ABF]

TSI suspending work coal-fired power plant

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

abf@edgedavao.net

HE MANAGEMENT of Therma South Inc. (TSI), a coalfired power plant owned

by Aboitiz Power, has temporarily stopped operations in some area for a week to review safety measures and sub-contracting of the on-going construction of the plant.

Manuel M. Orig, first vice president of TSI, told reporters in a press briefing yesterday at the Villa Margarita that they cannot compromise the safety of their employees.

Abraham A. Villegas, safety supervisor of the plant, said that they will suspend the construction

for a week on building two of the power plants where the accident happened.

“Ang review is particularly on the procedure ang pagbaba ng blocks… we had procedures before but we now have (kasi may accident) to review them. Bakit nagngyari yun? Baka may pagkukulang,” Villegas said.

He said that the suspension of Building-II of the power plant has affected only 10 percent of the total construction operation.

“Hinihintay naming na matapos ang compli-

ance. Dapat matapos na ang compliance so that we can resume,” Villegas said pertaining to the contractor, True North and Nantong Dragon, its sub-contractor on the standard safety measures of the site.

The review is in line with the recent accident on the site which resulted in the death of a Chinese engineer on the afternoon of Monday.

Villegas added that despite the suspension they are still positive to meet the deadline of completion in March of 2015.

On the other hand, management informed

SUPPORTIVE. Despite his physical impairment, a husband cheerfully pushes the wheelchair of his wife who’s also of the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) sector at the Rizal Park along San Pedro Street in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr. the family of the late Sha Hong Bing of his death due to the accident.

In the afternoon of January 6, 2014, the 39-year-old Chinese engineer of Nantong Dragon died when he was accidentally struck by a threeton pulley winch while supervising at the construction site in barangay Binugao, Toril, Davao City and barangay Inawayan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

CIDG 11 arrest, sue carnapper

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR

T

epc@edgedavao.net

HE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Region 11 filed last Wednesday charges with the city prosecution office against the leader of a carnapping group operating in Davao del Sur. Supt. Benjamin Magalong, director of CIDG

team-Davao del Sur, said that Raniel Nacario, alias Dagul, will be facing cases for illegal possession of firearms and carnapping.

Magalong and his team apprehended Nacario last January 6 in Barangay Talus, Malun-

FCIGD, 10

Cab driver arrested for attempted rape

PROTECTION. A single umbrella is enough for these mothers to protect their infants from the scorching heat of an afternoon sun. Lean Daval Jr.

A

31-YEAR-OLD taxi driver was arrested by the police in a pursuit operation early yesterday morning for allegedly attempting to molest his passenger in a motel along Cabaguio Avenue, Davao City.

Police said the suspect is one Marvin Balantucas of Barangay Communal, Cabantian. He was pos-

itively identified by the victim, a married woman and resident of Barangay Sinawilan, Digos City.

Senior Inspector Leonardo Tarongoy said that at about 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, the victim boarded a taxi from the Ecoland terminal going to the airport. However, upon reaching Cabaguio

FCAB, 10

NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 211 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2014

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Mindanao museums now in DOT’s communication plan

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BIG FAN. Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte greets popular television personality chef Boy Logro when they met at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao where the mayor attended a wedding Wednesday afternoon. Logro admits he is a big fan of Duterte . Lean Daval Jr.

N official of the Department of Tourism revealed a move to make museums as part of its communication plan for Mindanao.

Assistant Secretary Arturo Boncato, Jr. said it is his special project as the first assistant secretary to be based in Mindanao.

He said that currently, Mindanao has some 90 museums including the newly-opened Davao Oriental Provincial Museum also called as Subangan, more than the number of museums in Metro Manila.

Boncato said the Department of Tourism wants the museums to be its inanimate spokespersons.

“We would like to

open the museums to all guests and residents to see the real Mindanao,” Boncato.

He stressed that the news emanating from Mindanao must not dictate its image to the world.

Boncato graced the opening of the Subangan, the Davao Oriental Provincial Museum January 8 in a ceremony headed by Governor Corazon Malanyaon.

He said Davao Oriental plays a crucial role in the tourism industry in Davao Oriental.

“It is the only province in the country that is supported by a law, declaring it as a tourism development area, thus it has in its disposition all govern-

DCCCII supports Duterte 7 Davao municipalities against rice smuggling now with forest plans

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

T

crc@edgedavao.net

HE president of Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., (DCCCII) supports the intention of Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte to stop rice smuggling into the city.

Newly-elected DCCCII president Antonio T. Dela Cruz told Edge Davao yesterday that, as pointed out by past DCCCII president Daniel T. Lim, rice smuggling works against their interest of local businessmen.

Rice traders will be affected by smuggled rice while the smugglers who do not pay tariffs and Customs fees can sell their products at a lower price compared to traders who

are trying to earn a decent profit. As a result, rice traders and farmers are forced to sell their products at a lower price to be able to compete.

It is not only traders who are affected by smuggling in the city, but also the collection of taxes by the city.

In an earlier report, the mayor said that the illegal activity has cost the government P7 billion pesos in lost revenue every year.

It may be recalled that Mayor Duterte said that the smugglers are from Cebu. He clarified yesterday that there is no “David Bangayan” involved in rice smuggling in the

Region 11 targets 7.5 percent growth A

n average of 7.5 percent annual increase in the regional economy, peaking at 8.7 percent by 2016, is targeted for region 11, a report said.

To achieve this, the updated Davao Regional Development Plan (DRDP) for 2014-2016 says that “for the region to achieve its goal of sustained high and inclusive growth, it has to pursue a host of key strategies”.

The plan says that investing in human capital is imperative in order to empower the region’s workforce toward being

able to compete globally.

There should also be establishment of a science, technology and innovation- driven economy that will provide mechanism to the education sector, business sector, and labor sector to be motivated for development and eventually, be globally competetive.

It also said that there should be an scaling-up of the implementation of the industry clustering strategy using the value chain approach to develop micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in

city. The Bangayans are a family of well-known businessmen in Davao City but are not involved in the rice importation business.

The mayor said during a media briefing at the Waterfront Insular Hotel that the modus operandi of the rice smugglers is to recycle their permits from the National Food Authority (NFA) to import rice using other ports in the country.

On the other hand, Dela Cruz said that they will continue supporting the local government and its mayor on his plans and projects.

They are still formulating their position pa-

per on this issue.

Dela Cruz is the president and chief-executive officer of Regional Educators Multi-Purposes Cooperative (REMCO) and was a board member of the chamber before he was elected president for the year 2014.

He said that he will continue the programs and plans which were not implemented last year during Lim’s term. The new president said that they are planning to renovate their building this year.

This year, he said, their program is to prepare their members for Asean economic integration in 2015.

S

EVEN municipalities in Region 11 now have their Forest Land Use Plan.

The municipalities are Talaingod, Davao del Norte; Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), Davao del Norte; Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte; Malalag, Davao del Sur; Kiblawan, Davao del Sur; Tarragona, Davao Oriental and Baganga, Davao Oriental.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR 11) said that FLUP is a management tool for establishing accountabilities and promoting responsible forest resource management by ensuring that production activities are in balance with forest protection and biodiversity conservation using a ridge-to-reef framework.

FMINDANAO, 10

FLUP also forms the basis for monitoring, assessment and reporting which will give the LGUs and DENR a clear perspective and guidance on their management performance throughout the implementation process.

FLUP is a participatory process of allocating forests and forestlands as natural resource asset by the government under appropriate management, tenure arrangement and eventually putting these assets according to their best uses in order to harmonize uses of forest lands and to attain a balance of production activities with forest protection and biodiversity conservation.

At present, the LGUs of Talaingod and Samal

FSEVEN, 10

SECURING THE FUTURE. A man who belongs to the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) sector is seen walking out of the Social Security System (SSS) office along

FREGION, 10 J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City after paying his SSS monthly contribution yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 211 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2014

DAVAO DEL NORTE

RDR assures reforms in procurement system D

AVAO del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario assured the Province of Davao del Norte is open to further reforms in its procurement system to boost transparency and accountability, as well as, strengthen collaboration with its development partners.

In a consultation meeting with the working group of the Local Government Unit Procurement Manual (LGUPM), the governor is willing to comply with all the provisions of the 2009 amendments to the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act. He said the province has since espoused the principle of transparency and accountability in all its transactions.

The team from the Government Procurement Policy Board-Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO) met up with the governor and members of the Provincial Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) to check on the operation of the public procurement system of the province.

Atty. Riza Quilit, Head

of the Legal and Research Division of the GPPB-TSO said the main purpose of the LGUPM team is to “harmonize, update and revise the rules and regulations of RA 9184 because some LGUs failed to comply the said Act.” Some queries were also raised pertaining to the procurement rules of the development partners (DP), such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and World Bank (WB).

Del Rosario said the province started abiding by the national government’s policy of procurring government supplies, materials and equipment through the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS), in order to combat corruption and inefficiency in procurement process.

He stressed the province has pursued the general principle of good governance, transparency and civil society involvement in pursuing people empowerment, as a major component of his human-centered development strategy, known as the P.E.O.P.L.E.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY

WILLING. Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario assures that the province of Davao del Norte is willing to comply with the rules and regulations mandated under RA 9184 during the consultation meeting with the Local Government Unit Procurement Manual (LGUPM) team. [Nice Tolibas/DavNor PIO] Agenda.

The governor said his administration collaborated with legitimate organized groups to benefit from the technical, intellectual and even financial leverage as the province undertook joint project im-

plementations.

The practice of transparency in the procurement process earned the province the Seal of Good Housekeeping award from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) last year.

PDEA vows to go after high-value targets A

NTI-DRUG operatives in Region 12 vowed to run after high-value targets or top personalities involved in illegal drug activities in the area.

Aileen Lovitos, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 12 director, said they are currently strengthening their intelligence networks across the region as part of their continuing information buildup against big time illegal drug syndicates and suspected drug personalities.

“We’ve been receiving a lot of reports and tips from concerned residents regarding illegal drug activities and rest assured that these are being evaluated and verified by our personnel,” she said.

The official said they initially shifted their focus last year on the

“high-value targets” based on a directive from PDEA Director General Arturo Cacdac.

In a briefer, PDEA said the high-value target drug personalities include those involved in priority targets and drug groups; elected and appointed government officials, employees and law enforcers; foreign nationals; wanted listed personalities; celebrities and other well-known individuals; and members of armed groups.

In Region 12, Lovitos said they arrested four policemen and a member of the Philippine Army in a series of operations last year.

She said the Army member and three of the policemen were arrested in separate buy-bust operations in this city while another policeman was nabbed in Polomolok town in South Cotabato.

The four policemen and the Army member have all been dismissed from active service and are presently facing charges in local courts, she said.

Last month, the official said regional police operatives arrested a barangay chair of Banga town in South Cotabato who was tagged as behind the distribution of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu in the area.

The raid, which was conducted on Punong Grande barangay chair Bobby Delalamon’s house, reportedly yielded several sachets of suspected shabu.

“It was a major accomplishment of our police operatives as they were able to confirm the official’s involvement in illegal drug activities,” she said.

Aside from the neu-

tralization of high-value targets, Lovitos said their campaign will focus on the dismantling of clandestine laboratories and chemical warehouses, eradication operations, dismantling of drug dens and shabu tiangges, interdiction operations, controlled delivery operations and high volume seizures.

She said they will also intensify their information dissemination, awareness and education campaigns within the region.

In coordination with the Department of Education, she said they will expand their regular awareness sessions in local schools.

“We’re targeting to expand our awareness campaigns in all barangays in Region 12, with the youth as specific audience,” she added. [MindaNews]

The province received P7 million from the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) for scoring high in planning, fiscal management, transparency and accountability, and, valuing of performance information.

DIGOS CITY

Members of the visiting LGUPM team include ADB Procurement Specialist Hiet Tran, JICA Chief Flerida Chan, WB Senior Procurement Specialist Noel Sta Ines and WB Consultant Romeo Guce. [Nice Tolibas/DavNor PIO]

Bautista urges capitol employees to unite for ‘better governance’

A

S a fresh start of the year 2014, Davao del Sur Gov. Claude P. Bautista has appealed to capitol employees to work with him united in one purpose to achieve better governance.

“There is still good governance and that is going to happen under my administration when all of us would be in harmony,” the governor said as he raised the importance of unity and cooperation among employees.

“I have more enough for myself, please join me and let us work together as one family,” he urged.

In a meeting on Monday at the capitol gym with the provincial capitol employees, the governor reiterated his call on reconciliation forgetting the past especially about politics.

“The people of Davao del Sur have chosen me to be governor and that is a mandate that requires public service. The same way that you chose the Vice-Governor and the

Board Members that were given the same mandate,” Gov. Bautista stated.

He added, “We will serve you the best we could and with your help, everything will be in the right perspective.”

The friendly atmosphere was added with more enthusiasm when the governor announced that he will be celebrating his birthday on January 17 in a salo-salo with the employees.

He said he intends to build bridges of friendship and camaraderie with the entire provincial government workforce.

“All of you are part and parcel of my administration. I want you to know that I can be a friend to anyone. I can sit down with you whenever you have problems much as I am open to your suggestions. Rest assured I will be of help without reservations,” the governor said.[LGU-Davao del Sur/ Nilda S. Aninon]

VOL. 6 ISSUE 211 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2014

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EDITORIAL

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Rice smugglers and their protectors

CAUSE for elation is the newsstory that close to two dozen traders of grains (rice, corn, flour and related products) in the Davao area are meeting with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte soon to discuss rice smuggling.

One can expect that the dialogue, if it pushes through, would result in some dramatic government action against this unchecked social menace that is, in reality, economic sabotage whose perpetrators deserve to be meted capital punishment.

It is the businessmen engaged in the rice business and the small rice farmers who have been hurting from rice smuggling for a long time now. This is the group which can spill the beans on the real actors in this nefarious activity which had also deprived the government of much needed revenue from import taxes. This is the same group that can also inform Mayor Duterte who among the Bureau of Customs authorities and other lawmen are protecting rice smugglers and their cohorts among the ranks of customs brokers.

That customsmen are conniving with smugglers here and elsewhere in the country’s major seaports has been repeatedly indicated in the numerous incidents of shipments of smuggled rice discovered or thwarted by both alert BOC operatives and members of other law enforcement agencies.

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There are also instances where some conniving Customs officials have been caught and suffered the consequencies of their indiscretion. A case deserving of mention once again is the fight between local businessman Rodolfo “Popong” Reta and some Customs officials and a Customs broker led by former Davao Customs district collector Anju Castigador.

The court battle stemmed from Castigador’s action in closing the Designated Examination Area (DEA) in the container yard of Reta after Reta’s lawyer reported to Castigador that the government x-ray machine housed in the DEA had detected rice smuggled from Thailand. Instead of acting on the report, the case records state, Castigador closed the DEA. As a result, the Ombudsman had Castigador ousted from his high BOC position and also penalized others accused by Reta.

Despite the Ombudsman’s decision, the DEA in Reta’s container yard continues to be closed for almost four years now. Because of this, the P250-million machine in the DEA has turned into an inutile investment of public money and a white elephant, instead of helping government detect contraband goods entering the port. In an ironical situation like this, the question may be asked: Who are Customs people working for -- the government, or the smugglers?

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

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JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

AQUILES Z. ZONIO Correspondent

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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

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Watching a coconut harvest in Magsaysay

NE OF the nice rewards of going out to the farm in the mountainous village of Upper Bala in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur province, is seeing yourself in the company of coconut farmers and farm workers while they’re in the midst of harvesting coconuts and opening them up to get the white coconut meat from the coco shell.

I was there last week after the holidays to make up for my absence during the Noche Buena reunion of the family, arriving at the coconut farm just in time to see a brown horse carrying two large baskets on both sides, filled with newly harvested coconuts--- brown, yellow and green matured nuts that only farmers recognize as ripe for copra.

Nearby is a dug-out furnace under a covered bamboo platform where hundreds of pieces of white coco meat are dried by the hot smoke and heat from the burning coco shells, wood and husks underneath. This is where the white coco meat turns into copra, a process that takes a few days before they can gather them by hand to fill up sackloads for delivery.

At Lower Bala village where I stayed, I saw workers of another plantation owner, slicing off the coconut meat from the shell, allowing the white meat to dry under the hot afternoon sun while they pile up the coconut shells on one side and the dried coconut husks on the opposite side of a large

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 211 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2014

RACKING THE WHIP INTENSELY IF NEED BE – Let me say it very clearly that some members of the Davao City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) still need a lot of political education. The vagueness, from men and women who should know instantly and exactly their crucial roles during legislative sessions, characterizes a deep-rooted culture of sluggishness. It is no wonder that Vice Mayor Paolo “Pulong” Duterte was fuming when some council members came in late during the chamber’s first regular session for the incoming year. Being the presiding officer, it was time to act; but as usual, on the right course.

The vice mayor have to always keep a check on every SP member and reprimanding all those who have the habit of listlessness is the most appropriate thing to do.

Keen observers and local political pundits echoed the vice mayor’s sentiment because some councilors perceived to be naïve and conceited neither care to be too concern about the importance of legislative sessions or think about their sworn duties as public servants.

In attempting to explain their sides, some of the late councilors reasoned out traffic snarls and the speed limit prevented them to arrive on time. Session supposedly would start at 10:00 in the morning every Tuesday. Goodness gracious! But why did it also happen many times in the past? Not all agree, Vice Mayor “Pulong” in particular.

Even so, the vice mayor says traffic congestion and speed limitation are not the main reason for the tardiness of some councilors. “If that’s really the causes of the delay, I would have also been late considering that I lived even farther than most of the council members,” the enraged vice mayor stated.

I presumed the vice mayor wasn’t being inconsiderate. He was simply trying to draw attention to the dismal working pattern of some SP members. Furthermore he was so concerned that he has urged the aldermen to be pro-active in their role especially in the enactment of laws and ordinances in

cemented area used for drying the coco meat.

(Traders buying the coconut shells and coco husks usually drop by this place to haul off these “farm wastes” that are bought by active carbon and coco coir manufacturers.)

After a few days, the coco meat would turn into copra, dried by the sun while the plantation workers at Upper Bala drying the coconut meat by a furnace would have all the copra ready for delivery to Chinese traders at Bansalan town, about 14 kilometers away, a half hour ride by an ugly, oversized jeepney that looks almost like a bus because of its length..

While I was there, the Bansalan copra traders were buying the copra from the Bala coconut farmers at prices ranging from P28 to P30, while the oil mills in Davao City, about 70 kilometers away, were buying copra from the traders at around P35 to P37 a kilo, with quotes based on the current world prices for coconut oil.

Coconut farmers at Bala weren’t com-

plaining about the copra buying prices and seemed resigned to whatever the traders were paying them. These are the traders that farmers usually run to, for small loans when they run out of money to pay bills or buy groceries.

Although there’s a plan within the coconut industry cluster to form and organize a trading company owned by coconut farmers themselves who are members of coconut cooperatives or associations, it’s not clear yet whether this will really take off this year.

Unless the Philippine Coconut Authority in the Davao region moves heaven and earth, this won’t happen for coconut farmers who feel they’ve been neglected and taken for granted by the government for so long. This farmerowned trading firm could buy the copra direct from the coconut farmers at much higher prices--- perhaps almost the price paid by the coconut oil mills.

The Philippines is still the world’s biggest exporter of coconut oil, shipping this commodity to US and Europe as a prime ingredient for thousands of commercial and industrial products.

Last year, the country exported coconut oil (crude and refined) worth 770 million US dollars, making it the third biggest export product in the Philippines.

(Comments? Email me at >tradingpost_davao@yahoo.com)

gorgeous foundations. The habitual tardiness among councilors has been expected anyway. Even long before Vice Mayor Duterte assumed the role as presiding officer, many councilors were already inflicted with the “tardiness syndrome.” I should know because I’ve been covering legislative sessions as part of my beat in the past when the chamber is widely known for its glow and luster.

And some of my friends and present senior members like councilors Bonifacio Militar, Diosdado Mahipus and Danilo Dayanghirang could attest to that being part of the SP for several terms.

In the face of such test, the vice mayor has yet to demonstrate his mettle. He should crack the whip severely if need be if only to show that he really means business. Members of the city council may be able to do no more than just put a smiling face on their trivial performances. They should not be carried away by the praises heaped on them after winning a seat in the SP, and have become complacent or, worse, big-headed.

Moreover, they have to continue formulating policies in view of the urgency of tackling the socio-economic problems confronting their constituents. They have always to bear in mind that public dissatisfaction will rise with the perception that the city council has been unable to confront, particularly the delivery of basic social services. They have yet to display true leadership and prove something that can do much to reassure, let alone inspire, the public who will judge them according to their actions and provide a performance

approval ratings later. Gentlemen and ladies, maintaining a good image doesn’t mean coming late during sessions, isn’t it?

CITY’S TROUBLED ECOSYSTEM – The major concern of environmentalist groups right now is the challenges facing Davao City arising from urban growth: congestion, low water supply and deforestation. They are urging city officials to formulate a “realistic land-use plan” for the city. The formula will designate specific areas for housing and allow greater conservation measures for the remaining hectares.

Not only are environmentalist groups who want to preserve the city’s ecological balance but residents as well. They know full well that the city’s water supply is a key indicator of its troubled ecosystem. As more people settle in the city, more trees are felled to give way to the housing boom – resulting in the low water retention of the soil as the demand for water heightens.

Thus, environmentalists and residents alike are concerned with the protection of the city’s remaining watershed and forest reservation areas, and protect it from being parceled out by dubious claimants.

The strategic location and good weather of Davao City is a boon to tourists, migrants, retirees and real-estate developers. But sad to say, housing developers have allegedly ravaged the environment with their earth-moving and tree-cutting activities.

The city’s watershed, a vast forested area in the 3rd district was being ruined slowly but steadily by unscrupulous capitalists and the possible disastrous effect of their undertakings had to be stamp out permanently. To forestall the destruction of the environment, city residents must support environmentalist groups and conservationist citizens in adding their little voice to protect the ecosystem. Our support is crucial because the devastation of the environment will create havoc in our water system, agriculture and all means of livelihood.

Habitual tardiness

VANTAGE POINTS

7

Will there be democracy in the Bangsamoro entity?

WORM’S EYEVIEW

BY MANNY VALDEHUESA

O

(Conclusion)

THER times, we make a fuss about wanting good government but elect or allow to be elected demagogues, charlatans, or clowns with little or nothing to qualify them for the job.

When they’re in office, we do nothing to make them perform as they promise or as public servants should. Thus, although everyone says that such people shouldn’t be entrusted with public responsibility, they get elected anyway.

Undeserved Respectability Worse, the so-called respectable citizens of our community not only tolerate them but play ball with them, fraternizing and carousing with them, playing or posing or dancing with them, serving as ninong or ninang for their children, or joint-venturing in business with them.

That’s how trapos gain social respectability from Mr. Civic Leader or Mrs. Concerned Citizen—an honor they don’t deserve but which gets them elected to office time and again.

That’s also how trapos are able to establish never-ending dynasties that corner the power and the wealth of the community for themselves.

And that’s why the truly talented and exemplary are sidelined. They are crowded out of the political system by hypocritical and mediocre leaders!

Then when the inevitable abuses take place—election manipulation, financial mishandling, graft and corruption and nepotism, outright thievery—Mr. Civic Leader or Mrs. Concerned Citizen blames the system.

Who’s to Blame?

But bad governance cannot be blithely blamed on the system. The system is not self-operating. The blame properly belongs to those who operate and manipulate the system, along with those who make it possible for them to do so.

Trapos cannot dominate politics or elections unless they are supported by citizens—in particular citizens who support candidates in hopes of profiting from the connection later on.

These ill-motivated citizens make it possible for corrupt politicos to take advantage of the community and society at large, exploiting the ignorant or buying the votes of the corrupt.

As long as we allow these vested interests to operate with impunity in our own community, in our own barangay, our country shall always be only a nominal democracy.

[MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Manny Valdehuesa writes from Cagayan de Oro and is the president and national convenor of Gising Barangay Movement Inc. He can be reached at valdehuesa@ gmail.com.]

8 THE ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 211 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2014

Agri remains as Region 11’s top employment generator A

GRICULTURE industry remains the key employment generator in Davao Region.

This was revealed in the 2013 Project JobsFit: DOLE 2020 Vision of the Department of Labor and Employment in Davao Region.

Project JobsFit (PJF) is a labor market signalling study that the DOLE initiated in 2009 as part of the its firm resolve to adopt coherent and innovative strategies towards efficient employment facilitation.

“The 2013 PJF update is the insightful report enumerating the summary of in-demand and hard-to-fill jobs.

It has also comprehensively documented the recommendations identified by the various industries to respond to the prevailing skill mismatch underlying the issues of unemployment and underemployment,” said Regional Director Joffrey M. Suyao.

He said Davao region is the first across regional office in the country to update its

industry-labor skills matching projecting employment from 2010 – 2016.

The 2013 update was a product of the 13 focused-group discussions of the regional “captains of the industry” from March to April in 2013. The industry partners identified in-demand and the hard-to-fill jobs and provided recommendations to resolve the issue on skills mismatch.

The consultation with the academe and the LGU-based PESO became a venue from the supplier side to describe their efforts of aligning their curriculum to the skills needed in the industry. The discussions brought out issues on how the industry side could further strengthen the industry-related experiences of the students by means of academe-industry linkage for an improved Onthe-Job Training programs.

The report noted that there about 1.86 million jobs in the labor market in 2013.

This figure is projected to increase to 1.97 million in 2016,

showing a 5.91 percent annual growth rate.

“The economy and employment opportunities in Davao region remains on an increasing track in the next three years and we are committed to support our labor to maintain and strengthen a peaceful and harmonious industrial relations climate,” Suyao said.

“With the update of Project JobsFit we also ensure that to address job-skills mismatch,” he added.

In the 2013-2016 projection update, there were 16 major industries in Davao region that leads in employment generation.

Agriculture posted about 670,000 jobs for 2013 projected to reach 675,350 jobs in 2016 based on data from Regional and Social Economic Trends for Davao Region by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB). [Sherwin B. Manual/DOLE 11] This is followed by the wholesale and retail in-

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE. Therma South, Inc. (TSI) first vice president Manuel M. Orig says during yesterday’s press briefing at Villa Margarita in J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City that the first phase of TSI’s coal-fired power plant project owned by Aboitiz Power between Brgy. Binugao, Toril and Brgy. Inawayan, Sta. Cruza is 60-percent complete. Lean Daval Jr. dustry offering 367,650 in 2013 seen to increase by 9.45 percent in 2016 reaching as much as 402,280

jobs. Transportation and communication is seen to offer about 141,780 jobs until 2016; manufacturing

with 126,680 jobs and construction with 91,525 jobs.

[Sherwin B. Manual/DOLE 11]

VOL. 6 ISSUE 211 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2014

THE ECONOMY 9

Blade Auto Center opens at SM City Davao C

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Check out the wide range of car accessories, auto parts, tools and car-related gift ideas at Blade! Visit them at the second floor of the SM City Davao Main Mall.

10

NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 211 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

Rody... FFROM 1 to stop saying unethical statements to the media.

Earlier, Rosales said that Duterte’s threat to kill rice smugglers is unethical. The CHR said it will send a formal letter to the mayor on his sentiments concerning the presence of rice smugglers in the city.

Marc Titus Cebreros, CHR Information and Communication Division head, said that though Mayor Duterte’s statement is not per se a human rights violation, it is “unethical.”

Cebreros said that it gives the impression that they are not living under a government of laws.

Reacting to the statement of the CHR, Duterte said, “O sige ibahin ko.

Kayong mga smugglers huwag kayong mag-smuggle para hindi kayo mamatay. Is it acceptable to them?”

He also recommended that the CHR and other national agencies should concentrate on the problems at the Bureau of Customs because billions of pesos were lost from the government which also affects the income of farmers.

“No amount of threats

from government – prosecution nakapahinto nitong smuggling. This has been going on,” he said.

The Edge Davao tried to get a statement from the officer-in-charge of CHR Davao Region regarding the response of Duterte, but he was reportedly on leave until Monday.

Earlier, reports said that the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI), a group around 800 business companies in the country, will help to reveal a certain “David Tan,” the man behind big time rice smuggling.

The FPI said the illegal activities have cost the government P7 billion in lost revenues eve - a certain Davidso Tan Bangayan was named as the man behind the big time smuggling in the country.

The reports said that Bangayan was a former scrap metal trader from the city who is now in rice trading business based in Pasig City. But, Duterte said that there were no Davidson Tan Banggayan involved in rice smuggling and trading. It’s only David Tan or David who is from Cebu.

gon, Sarangani province.

Police claim Nacario was behind five carnapping incidents in Davao del Sur. Nacario has a pending case for illegal possession of firearms before Judge

Carmelita Sarno-Davin of the regional trial court, branch 19 in Digos City.

Police recovered several .45 caliber pistols, ammunition and a motorcycle from Nacario during the operation.

Avenue, the suspect diverted the taxi to a motel where he got off and forcibly took the victim to a room and forced her to lie down, but she fought back and managed to escape.

The woman then asked the assistance of the security guard who helped her to board another taxi while the suspect fled aboard his taxi.

The victim immediately reported the incident to the police who were able to track down and arrest Balantucas in Nueva Tierra, at about midnight in Lanang yesterday.

Tarongoy advises taxi passengers to get the name of the driver and plate number of the cab upon boarding. [EPC]

have already drafted their respective FLUP with technical assistance from DENR Regional Office. Their FLUPs are for endorsement at the Municipal Council and for subsequent adoption by their respective Sangguniang Bayan/Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Other LGUs that were assisted by the DENR and the Philippine Eagle Foundation in their FLUP formulation are City of Mati, San Isidro and Governor Generoso in Davao

Oriental.

This year, DENR 11 has targeted 15 municipalities to have their FLUPs. These municipalities are: Baganga, Boston, Banaybanay and Lupon in Davao Oriental; Kapalong, New Corella and Asuncion in Davao del Norte; Montevista, Maco, Maragusan and Nabunturan in Compostela Valley Province and; Magsaysay, Kiblawan, Malalag and Don Marcelino in Davao del Sur. [DENR 11 PR]

CIDG... FFROM 2

Cab...FFROM 2

Seven...FFROM 3

ALLURING. The sweet scent of ripe mangoes lures a bystander to savor the smell. Lean Daval Jr.

DOTC expresses reservations over Cabotage amendment A

N OFFICIAL of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) on Thursday expressed concerns on national security if a Senate bill allowing foreign vessels to engage in coastwise trade in the Philippines would be passed into law.

DOTC assistant secretary Jaime Caringal said the national security issue is not addressed under Senate Bill 1359 or to be known as ‘Coastwise Trade Act of 2013’ authored by Senator

Antonio Trillanes IV. ”There is a critical issue on national security. The bill does not address how it will issue the national security with the advent of foreign vessels plying port to port,” Caringal told the Senate committee on trade and commerce and entrepreneurship hearing Thursday.

Caringal, however, clarified that the DOTC along with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Ports Authority and other concerned government offic-

es are willing to work with the Senate panel to come up with a better version of the bill. ”We fully support the intention of the bill which is to lower the cost of transportation in the country,” Caringal said.

Philippine Interisland Shipping Association (PISA) director Doris Theresa Magsaysay-Ho said PISA opposes any proposed legislation seeking to lift or amend the existing Cabotage laws. ”Lifting cabotage will

likely result in domestic shipping companies moving their company registries to Hong Kong or Singapore so as to minimize income taxes and taxes on fuel,” Magsaysay-Ho said.

Magsaysay-Ho also said amending cobatage policy can only be done through an amendment to the Constitution in which Section 11, Article XII limits ownership and control over public utilities such as shipping to Filipino citizens or corporations.

[PNA]

ment agencies to support its effort in developing tourism,” Boncato said.

He also said that the government envisions Davao Oriental as a third-generation tourism destination where it leads in promoting tourism in Mindanao.

Boncato congratulated the leadership of Governor Corazon Malanyaon for putting resources on tourism development by coming up with a museum.

He said the development of a museum is aligned with the Nation-

al Tourism Development Plan, especially on the product development strategy.

“The museum is a repository of things that had been found in the past, that we have in the present and definitely will house what we have in the future. It is a wonderful for the tourism industry,” Boncato said.

Governor Malanyaon said the provincial government has spent a total of P25-Million for the development of the Subangan.

She said part of the

funds is the P10-Million released by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.

Malanyaon said the museum is open to both domestic and foreign tourists for affordable fees that will defray in the costs of its operation.

“The museum features the interactive audio-visual aids of the beauty spots in the province,” she said.

Malanyaon said the museum preserves and shows the 50-foot skeletal remains of a Sperm Whale which beached on

the shallow waters of Governor Generoso, the beautiful beaches of Dahican and the islands situated near the Davao Gulf and Pacific Oceana, the entry of the Catholic Faith in the 1600s, the scenic spots of Mt. Hamiguitan, the photo exhibit showing the impact of typhoon Pablo in 2012 and the effort of the province to be resilient and to restore back the lives of the people in the affected communities after the storm through its build back better program. [PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines]

the region. It is the only way that the MSMEs can attain a high and sustainable growth.

The report also said that developing market linkages through the information and Communication Technology (ICT) is “one sure way of elevating the business sector to the global stage.”However, the business sector, according to RDP, must be capable of absorbing the linkage demands of

the world economy, “especially in the areas of data and information exchange, e-commerce, and physical capacity to supply the proffered goods and services.”

Easy access to credit must be also pushed for the MSMEs to boost their productivity. Credit has remained elusive to MSMEs because of “prevailing high interest rates, stringent procedures and collateral requirements of

financing institutions.”

On the other hand, the region still faces the dilemma of sustaining growth as reflected by the GRDP performance in the first half of the plan period. The erratic economic performance is because of the region’s less competitive industry and services sector, low productivity in the agriculture sector, relatively poor human capital that resulted to the slow growth in employ-

ment rate, and low resiliency to disasters, climate change and conflicts.

It is said that all of these are rooted to the poor governance in each sector. It is said to be largely responsible for corruption and red tape, low investments in human resource development, and limited capacity to monitor program implementation and to perform regulatory functions. [CRC]

Mindanao...FFROM 3

Region...FFROM 3

11 COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 211 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 10-11, VOL. 6 ISSUE 2112014 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2014

Intel CEO unveils products, initiatives, collaborations

I

NTEL Corporation CEO Brian Krzanich yesterday outlined a range of products, initiatives and strategic relationships aimed at accelerating innovation across a range of mobile and wearable devices as well as individual inventors’ own connected creations.

He made the announcements during the pre-show keynote for the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show being held in Las Vegas this week.

Krzanich’s keynote painted a vision of how the landscape of computing is being re-shaped and where security is too important not to have it embedded in all devices. The world is entering an era of integrated computing defined not by the device, but by the integration of technology into people’s lifestyles in ways that offer individuals new utility and value.

As examples, he highlighted several immersive and intuitive technologies that Intel will begin offering this year. For example, the company is bringing human senses to Intel-based devices in a new family of hardware and software products called Intel® RealSense™ technology.

Intel’s CEO also discussed how Intel is addressing two critical issues casting shadows over the consumer electronics industry: data and device security and conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He said Intel had achieved a critical milestone and the minerals used in microprocessor silicon and packages manufactured in Intel’s factories are “conflict-free” as concluded by third-party audits or direct validation by Intel’s supply chain organization.

“Two years ago, I told several colleagues that we needed a hard goal, a commitment to reasonably conclude that the metals used in our microprocessors are conflict-free,” Krzanich said. “We felt an obligation to implement changes in our supply chain to ensure that our business and our products were not inadvertently funding human atrocities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Even though we have reached this milestone, it is just a start. We will continue our audits and resolve issues that are found.”

Krzanich said Intel is actively pursuing a range of products and initiatives, with the goal of accelerating wearable device innovation. Intel’s approach to this next evolution in computing is to imagine and create reference design devices and platforms ready for use by customers in developing wearable products, he said.

Intel’s CEO highlighted number of wearable reference devices, including smart ear buds that provide biometric and fitness capabilities, a smart headset that is always ready to engage and can integrate with existing personal assistant technologies to make the consumer experience more intuitive, and a smart wireless charging bowl.

The Intel CEO also announced collaborations with Barneys New York*, the Council of Fashion Designers of America* and Open Ceremony* to explore and bring to market new smart wearable technologies, and to increase dialogue and cooperation between the fash-

ion and technology industries.

He also kicked-off the Intel ‘Make it Wearable’ chal-

lenge, a global effort aimed at accelerating creativity and innovation with technology. The effort will call upon the smartest and most creative minds to consider factors impacting the proliferation of wearable devices and ubiquitous computing, such as meaningful usages, aesthetics, battery life, security and privacy.

In addition to developing reference devices for wearable technology, Intel will offer a number of accessible, low-cost entry platforms. These are aimed at helping lower entry barriers for individuals and small companies to create innovative Internet-connected wearables or other small form factor devices.

Underscoring this point, Krzanich announced Intel® Edison, a new Intel® Quark technology-based computer housed in an SD card form factor with built-in wireless capabili-

putes and connects, it does it best with Intel inside.”

Krzanich also unveiled the Intel Security brand, which will identify Intel p ro d u c t s and services i n

ties and support for multiple operating systems. From prototype to production, Intel Edison will enable rapid innovation and product development by a range of inventors, entrepreneurs and consumer product designers when available this summer.

“Wearables are not everywhere today because they aren’t yet solving real problems and they aren’t yet integrated with our lifestyles,” said Krzanich. “We’re focused on addressing this engineering innovation challenge. Our goal is, if something com-

t h e security segment, and disclosed plans to transition McAfee* products to the Intel Security brand while retaining the familiar red shield.

“The complexity of keeping digital identities safe grows as mobile applications and devices become a more important part of our daily lives,” Krzanich said. “Intel’s intent is to intensify our efforts dedicated to making the digital world more secure, and staying ahead of threats to private information on mobile and wearable devices.”

Krzanich announced that Intel plans to offer elements of McAfee’s award-winning security solutions for mo-

bile devices for free. These data and device protection solutions help guard today’s most popular mobile devices, including Apple* iPhone, Apple* iPad and Android* devices. More details will be announced in the coming months.

As corporate “bringyour-own-device” programs have grown in popularity, many firms have prohibited Android*-based devices that weren’t compatible with their companies’ security requirements. Intel Security this year will offer Intel Device Protection technology, which will help Intel-based Android*mobile devices meet most security standards for use at home and work.

The DRC has been plagued for years by regional conflict.

According to a report to the United Nations Security Council Committee , a source of funding violence for armed groups includes the trade of mineral products from the DRC. Some of these so-called “conflict minerals” are in many kinds of products, including electronics.

Intel has implemented a process within its supply chain organization to validate that its sources – the smelters that provide tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold used in microprocessor silicon and packages manufactured in Intel factories– are not inadvertently funding this conflict in the DRC. Krzanich challenged the entire electronics industry to join Intel in its efforts.

USeP conducts English language camp for Korean students

F

ORTY (40) students from Pyunghae Technical High School in Korea attended the threeweek English language camp organized by the University of Southeastern Philippines. The global English language study, held in USeP Obrero campus, Davao City, started in the last week of December 2013 and will end on Friday, January 10.

The Korean students aged between 15 and 19, participated in various activities, including flea market, stage play, games, speech choir, Philippine dances, theatre performances, and field trips during weekends – all focused on the use of English.

The teacher-lecturers emphasized English communication skills as the students have limited exposure to spoken English. Teachers do the lectures in the morning, while one-on-one tutorial happens in the afternoon.

The morning classes also focused on Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC). Students were grouped according to their English levels, namely: basic, intermediate, and advanced. Besides learning English, they were also introduced to the Philippine culture and the education system of the country.

USeP President Perfecto A. Alibin said that the camp is a good way for the

Korean students to learn the English language, and for the University students, who serve as tutors, to interact with fellow student from another country, and also learn from them.

Patricia O. Elbanbuena, the Camp Director, said it was refreshing to see young individuals so excited and enthusiast during the activities.

The English Camp will culminate in a graduation ceremony where students will sing songs and do speech choir in English, and perform folk dances. The students will present what they learn and practice from their clubs.

The camp is the output of the partnership

PARTNERSHIP. The University of Southeastern Philippines, represented by President Perfecto A. Alibin (4th from left), and Pyunghae Technical High School, Korea represented by Principal Baek Gi Heum (3rd from left), formalized their business and academic cooperative agreement on December 24, 2013 at the Office of the USeP President in Obrero, Davao City. Witnessing are the faculty and staff of the two academic institutions. between the USeP represented by Pres. Alibin and Pyunghae Technical High School represented by

Principal Baek Gi Heum.

The two schools had the ceremonial signing of the business and academic

cooperative agreement last December 24, 2013 in USeP, Obrero, Davao City. [USeP PIO]

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14 SPORTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 211 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

TRMH Cup semis resumes Jan. 18

T

HE Royal Mandaya Hotel Cup basketball tournament moves into its semifinal phase beginning Saturday afternoon at the Davao City Recreation Center.

TRMH league coordinator Jek Melendres said the four semifinal qualifiers in both the Mini and Cadet divisions will go into a lottery to determine the pairings of the single round robin Final Four stage.

“Teams will pick their opponents on Saturday, so we will know the final

schedule only by then,” said Melendres.

Tournament director Rico Biliran will preside over the lottery.

The qualifiers in the Mini division are Ateneo de Davao University, Philippine Women’s College, Precious International School and Holy Child of Davao.

Making up the Final Four in the Cadet division are defending champion Ford Academy, top favorite Ateneo de Davao University, Holy Child of Davao and Assumption College of Davao.

MELENDRES

3rd Tionko Football Festival set

T

HE 3rd Vicenta Tionko Memorial Festival gets going on January 18 at the Tionko Football grounds kicking off the Davao Football Association’s 2014 football calendar.

Erwin Protacio, DFA Secretary-General, bared in yesterday’s Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the NCCC Mall’s B3 that the day-

long tournament will be participated in by teams from Davao City, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao del Norte, Tagum City and Island Garden City of Samal.

The categories are Boys 16 under, Boys 14 under, Girls 12 under, Boys 12 under, 10 under mixed, 8 under mixed and 6 under mixed.

The tournament will

be played in 7-a-side format with teams composed of up to 10 players.

Protacio said all players taking part are required to submit their birth records to the Committee for proof of age. A contribution of P500 is required for participating teams. The coaches’ final meeting will be on January 17 at 5:00 p.m. at the DFA Club House.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11th Judicial Region Branch 15, Davao City

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ENTRIES FROM MULTIPLE CHILD BIRTH TO SINGLE AND WITH RESPECT TO THE MAIDEN NAME OF PETITIONER’S MOTHER FROM LUZVIMINDA SAHOT SEBUMPA TO LUZVIMINDA SAHOT SEBUMPAN

SP.PROC.NO. 12-839-13

JAMES SEBUMPAN VIDAL Petitioner, -versus-

THE OFFICE OF THE CIVIL REGISTRAR OF DAVAO Respondent x------------------------------------------------------------x

ORDER This is a verified petition for correction of entries from multiple child birth to single and with respect to the maiden of petitioner’s mother from Luzviminda Sahot Sebumpa to Luzviminda Sahot Sebumpan.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance let the petition be heard on January 29, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. at the session hall of this Court, on which date, hour and place , all interested persons are hereby cited to appear and show cause if they have any, why this petition should not be granted.

Let copy of this Order and Petition be published before the hearing date at the expense of the petitioner in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Davao once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks. Give the Davao City Civil registrar and the Solicitor General copies of this Order.

SO ORDERED.

Davao City, Philippines, November 14, 2013.

12/24,1/3,10

( SGD) RIDGWAY M. TANJILI Judge

T

BACK IN ACTION. Ateneo’s reliable frontliner Francis Escandor will be back in action from an injury when the Royal Mandaya Hotel Cup basketball tournament seifinals begin on January 18. Out to stop Ateneo will be defending champion Ford Academy of the Arts.

Gaisano Grand Cup bares invited teams

HE list of invited teams to the 10th Gaisano Grand Cup has been released by league organizers while a meeting of head coaches has been set for Saturday.

Coaches of the participating school teams this season are required to attend the coaches meeting on Saturday (Jan. 11) 1:30 pm at the Gaisano Grand Citimall’s 5th floor Entertainment Area.

Grand Cup, formerly know Gaisano South Cup (GS Cup), has scheduled the coaches meeting to discuss the official tournament rules and other matter that will help ensure run the league smoothly.

“Every provision in the official tournament rules will be discussed in the meeting and its interpreta-

tion to ensure that the technical aspect of the league is there to govern the conduct of the games,” said Karla Giorgia P. Corcino, Gaisano Grand Mall Ad and Promo chief.

The biggest schoolbased league in Mindanao in terms of participation announced its name change and new schedule last week but assured there will be no other major changes in the tournament.

A total of 80 teams are entered this season with 16 contesting in the centerpiece men’s senior collegiate division.

Grand Cup bared the invited teams for this season.

Mini Division: Assumption College of Davao, Holy Child College, Davao Christian HS, Dona Pilar Learning, Nikkei Jin Kai, Phil.

Womens College, Ateneo de Davao University, Precious International School of Davao, Communal ES, Magallanes ES, University of Immaculate Concepcion and the new Kids Camp.

Cadet Division: Assumption College of Davao, Holy Child College, Phil.

Womens College, Ateneo, Precious International, UIC, Nikkei Jin Kai, Stella Maris, Ford, DRANHS, Lamb of God, Thompson School, Saint Peter Toril, Holy Cross Davao and Agro.

Junior Div. 1 : Ford, Agro, Ateneo, Jose Maria, Assumption, Holy Child and RMC. Junior Division 2 : Brokenshire, DRANHS, Davao Wisdom, SPPCI, Talomo NHS, Davao Jones, Lifestream, Nikkei Jin Kai, UIC, Phil. Womens Col-

lege, Davao Central Toril, Thompson School, Sta. Ana NHS, Saint Peter Toril, St. Augustine, St. Therese Technology, Precious International, Philippine Sakya, Holy Cross of Davao, and Davao Christian.

Girls Junior : Ateneo, DRANHS, Assumption, Sta. Ana NHS, and Holy Cross of Davao.

College seniors men : Holy Cross of Davao, University of Mindanao, AMA Computer, MATS College, Ateneo, DMMA-DCSP, Brokenshire College, Assumption College, Jose Maria College, Agro Industrial, John Paul, UIC, STI, Davao Central Toril and San Pedro College.

College senior women: UM, HCDC, SPC, Ateneo, RMC and Assumption.

and reserve center Greg Smith. Terrence Jones added 15 points and 13 boards and Jeremy Lin scored 13 for Houston, which has won five of its last seven overall and seven of nine at home.

Nick Young scored 25 points off the bench despite a sore back to lead the Lakers, who committed

18 turnovers leading to 26 Houston points. Pau Gasol recorded 21 points and 12 rebounds for his fourth straight double-double and Jodie Meeks also scored 21 for Los Angeles.

After a strong first half, the Lakers hit a wall coming out of the break, going 6-of18 from the field in the third

quarter as Harden alone outscored them 17-15.

Harden scored seven points during a 14-1 run as Houston opened a 16-point lead and never let the margin dip into single digits even when Los Angeles resorted to intentionally fouling Howard to try to close the gap in the fourth quarter.

Harden drops 38 as Rockets sink Lakers J

ames Harden poured in 38 points and added five steals as host Houston rallied from a slow start to send Los Angeles to its ninth loss in 10 games.

Dwight Howard tallied 20 points, 13 rebounds and four steals for the Rockets, who were without forward Chandler Parsons (knee)

INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 211 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

STYLE

Olá, Origine!

IN the realm of casual footwear, flipflops and espadrilles are familiar cousins. For the makers of the world’s most loved and famous flip-flops Havaianas, they are closer than that – sharing the same base anatomy.

The Havaianas Origine made its Philippine debut just in time for the holidays last year and it shouldn’t be given the slip. Step into the Origine and you will find the same iconic buttery-soft produced using a cord rubber base that has stylishly assembled to become almost secconstitute its sole. Origiond skin to a lot of our nally called Alpargatas, feet. These espadrilles they were worn heavily are matched with difand it was a fad that soon ferent colored canturned into a casual footvass to comfortably wear classic for a lot of encase the feet and us. Alpargatas coincidenare perfectly suited to tally is the registered corthe any-lifestyle wear porate name behind the treatment that we FiliHavaianas brand and the pinos like to give our used to be confined to company was originally footwear of choice. beach shores and never very popular for producIt was not always so that flipflops reigned as the most popularly worn shoes out. In fact, they

beyond the front doors of our homes. Before the 1960’s, espadrilles were the rage in Brazil and were

ing espadrilles before it branched out into flipflops manufacturing.

Essentially, this was the origin of everything for Havaianas as an institution.

The instant joy that your feet feel from slipping on Havaianas flipflops is the same when you wear the Havaianas Origine. Both represent the carefree, luxurious joy and laidback vibe that’s distinctly Havaianas. In Davao, Havaianas Origine is exclusively available in limited stocks in its local flagship store, All Flipflops Abreeza. A portion of the sale proceeds of each pair will be donated to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.

EDGEDAVAO

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ENTERTAINMENT

VOL. 6 ISSUE 211 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2014

STYLE

Changing the Reel Budding director Gino M. Santos ushers in a generation of film with new award-winning flick ‘Island Dreams’

The actionbehind the camera has become one of the most intriguing contemporary art forms in the country. Despite being the youngest of Philippine creative styles, filmmaking hassucceeded in immortalizing the rich culture and character of the Filipino peoplethrough the silver screen.

Even with the challenges that face the industry such as the growth of illegal camcording and movie piracy, filmmaking continues to captivate and engage many young talents.

Onesuchpassionate artistis Gino M. Santos, who, at the age of24, has made waves in the local film scene. Gino is a twotime Gawad CCP honorable mention awardee with his experimental short “Bangungot” and his short movie musical “Ang Tangke” (The Water Tank), the latter of which vied in the 19thContravisionFilm Festival in Berlin. With award-winning director Brillante Mendoza as his mentor, Gino continues to hone his craft with the best from the trade and raise the standards for local filmmaking.

In 2011, the rising filmmaker became the only Filipino student-delegate among 12 other representatives from Southeast Asia to participate in the Motion Picture Association (MPA) China International Copyright Expo (CICE) Film Workshop held in Beijing, China. Gino was handpicked by OctoArts Films owner and Philippine Motion Picture Producers Association (PMPPA) president Orly Ilacadto represent the country at the 3-day event.

“The workshop was definitely one of the most exciting and challenging experiences in my career. It was interesting to see how different the Filipino thought process is from foreign filmmakers. But meeting like-minded individuals who have their own unique approach to film inspired me to be more creative in my craft and bring something new to the Philippine movie industry,” said Santos.

He further revealed that with a highly saturated localmarket, the courses offered in the workshop on the fundamentals of film marketing offered an invaluable edge in packaging a movie and understanding the audience.

The workshopalso providedan in depth discussion with renownedinternational and Chinese speakers on screenwriting, 3D film production, play selection, and other relevant topics.

After graduating from De la Salle – College of Saint Benilde, as well as participated in various film workshops, including the esteemed New York Film Academy in Japan, Gino set out to produce and direct his first full-length film “The Animals” with which he received several nominations. The Cinemalaya 2013 Film Festival winning entry for Best Editing shares the tale of troubled upper-class Filipino teenagers in an affluent Manila neighborhood who discover the truths and distractions of youth. According to statement from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), it was one of the first films to be rated R-16 in the Philippines.

A few months after his debut film’s success, Gino combines culture and romance inthe2013 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) New Wave Category Most Gender-Sensitive Film,“Island Dreams”. Written and co-directed by multiawarded Filipino filmmaker Aloy Adlawan and shot by acclaimed cinematographer Carlo Mendoza, the movie tells the story of an underprivileged Filipina and an American vacationer who meet in True Love’s Peak, a secluded place in a remote island with a myth that brings true love. The movie cast includes teen actress Louise delos Reyes, newcomer Alexis Petitprez, and television and theater star Irma Adlawan.

A far cry from the fast-paced treatment and youthoriented subjects normally found in Gino’s short and fulllength films,“Island Dreams”is drawn fromthe natural Filipino spirit of industriousness and also drives the common picture of cultural interaction between locals and foreigners.

Warm up with Bauhaus’ leather jacket collection

By Kenneth Irving Ong

THANKS to climate change, January and February now host day-long rains and longer and colder nights. But the dreary weather should not mean that fashion should be gloomy too as Bauhaus offers carefully-curated selections of fresh and stylish designs.

This somber season of cool, Bauhaus has set its focus on gearing up individuals with the essentials to weather out the cold.

Headlining the concept store’s cherry-picked selections for its leather jacket collection is Tough Jeansmith.

Bauhaus’ first-ever private label, Hong Kong label Tough Jeansmith was launched in 1994 with the promise of design in-

novation and technical construction that result in impeccably-rugged industrial pieces. Drawing inspiration from diverse cultures and the structured silhouettes of the future, Tough Jeansmith is all about craftsmanship and structure encapsulated in industrial street wear forms.

Fashionphiles can expect a leather jacket selection that is edgy and off-

the-beaten-path yet robust and casual. Characterized by a strong military and street style design direction, the collection features leather jackets that are made to withstand the most erratic and harshest of weather, but comfortable and cozy enough to warm its wearer up.

Veering away from just black and brown, Tough Jeansmith’s jacket collection also features brightly

coloured leather pieces that are sure to add some sunshine. This makes it perfect for urban jetsetters who are out to take a breather this festive season in far off lands.

Living up to its role of being the bearer of good fashion and bastion of style, Bauhaus ushers in the new year by letting out good tidings in the form of a special leather jacket promotion at their Abreeza Mall branch on January 25.

City slickers can get 40% off on any regular-priced Tough Jeansmith or Salad leather jackets.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 211 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2014

ENTERTAINMENT

Bigger and stronger GMA drama for 2014

EXPECT no less from GMA Network as it forges ahead in 2014 with a bigger and stronger line up of forthcoming programs slated to premiere on the first quarter of the year.

First on the list is the afternoon prime series, THE BORROWED WIFE. It is a story about love and obsession, so intriguing that it causes you to ponder: “Is there reason enough for a spouse to become someone else’s lover?” Revolving around the intertwined lives of Maricar (Camille Prats), Earl (TJ Trinidad), Rico (Rafael Rosell) and Tessa (Pauleen Luna), the series is about how one secret sets their destinies in a shared trajectory towards love and redemption.

Completing the cast are Yayo Aguila, Sherilyn Reyes, Kevin Santos and Caridad Sanchez. Premiering January 20, The Borrowed Wife is directed by Gil Tejada, Jr. with Denoy Navarro Punio as its headwriter.

Beginning January 20, GMA offers a different love story in the upcoming Koreanovela, TALE OF ARANG, starring Korean stars Shin Min-ah and Lee Jun-ki. The series tells the story of Arang (Shin Min-ah), the daughter of a magistrate who is brutally murdered. As she returns from the dead as a ghost, she sets out on a journey to find her true identity as well as the mystery behind her death. She then meets Eun Oh (Lee Jun-ki), a young magistrate who has an ability to communicate with the dead and will help her in seeking answers to her untimely death. Will it be possible for them to develop feelings for each other?

On January 27, a new and absorbing drama series will redefine and set a new standard in primetime viewing via the soap opera – CARMELA, a show that validates every woman’s aspiration to be understood through a beautiful story of love that can never be.

No less than Primetime Queen Marian Rivera is tapped to breathe life to Carmela, a very beautiful woman who had gone through a lot in life. With her beauty, she is judged not only by other people but also by people close to her.

When Carmela falls in love with a man who despises her mother, she is forced to make heart-wrenching decisions.

Under the direction of Dominic Zapata with con-

cept creator and head writer Suzette Doctolero, Marian shares the screen for the very first time with Kapuso Network’s dramatic actor and GMA Artist Center’s prime leading man Alden Richards.

Another compelling drama will captivate the hearts of Kapuso viewers as the newest primetime series RHODORA X premieres this January 27.

Rhodora X is a drama which challenges us to review how deeply we know our loved ones. The show is an invitation so difficult to refuse as it ushers us to discover the nuances of our own personal relationships.

The show stars Jennylyn Mercado, Yasmien Kurdi, Mark Herras and Mark Anthony Fernandez.

Also in the offing is PARAISO KO’Y IKAW, a beautiful love story which reaffirms that real joy is to share the fulfilment of each and every dream with our one true love.

Beginning January 27, sought-after Kapuso teen stars Kristoffer Martin and Kim Rodriguez with Joyce Ching and introducing Phytos Ramirez will make us believe once more that no obstacles can keep us apart from the ones we love, under the direction of awardwinning director Bb. Joyce Bernal, with Marlon Miguel as Headwriter.

Completing the cast are Janno Gibbs, Gabby Eigenmann, Jessa Zaragoza, G. Toengi, Maricel Morales, Neil Ryan Sese, Irene Celebre with the special participation of Joey Marquez.

This February, the comely and charming Max Collins is paired off with the ever persuasive actor Luis Alandy who will both redefine what fine acting means via the upcoming afternoon prime series INNAMORATA. Directed by Don Michael Perez and from the original concept of RJ Nuevas, the show engagingly and mysteriously drives curiosity of viewers as to what can be more dangerous than losing one’s self in wanting something or someone so much.

Soon to hit the television screens is GMA Network’s upcoming fantasy drama series KAMBAL SIRENA. Probably her most challenging role to date, Kapuso Prime leading lady Louise Delos Reyes capitalizes on the duality of the challenge, to assume role as twins Alona and Perlas in the series which admonishes viewers with this very powerful message, “Inggit ang unang sumisira sa magkapatid.”

Making the story and plot even more colourful and interesting is how Aljur Abrenica will make Kevin become this year’s most desirable lead on primetime, while banking on his irresistible charm as an actor.

Helmed by New Yorktrained director Dondon Santos with Dode Cruz as headwriter, witness how Alona, Perlas, and Kevin journey towards finding acceptance and true love this March on GMA Telebabad.

Catch these Kapuso shows as they bring superior and world-class entertainment to Filipinos on GMA

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ENTERTAINMENT EDGEDavao Davao Partners

EDGEDAVAO

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ABS-CBN continues hunt for next The Voice and PBB big winner in nationwide auditions DO you think you have what it takes to be the next “The Voice of the Philippines”’ or Big Winner of the phenomenal “Pinoy Big Brother”?

Join ABS-CBN’s hunt for talented artists and aspiring housemates for the new seasons of both shows via a series of auditions all over the country this January and February.

“The Voice of the Philippines Kids” will have simultaneous auditions on Saturday (Jan 11), 9AM at Robinsons Place in Dumaguete City and Capiz Gym Villareal Stadium in Roxas City for kids 8 to 14 years old.

Aspiring artists 16 years old and above are also invited to join the auditions for “The Voice of the Philippines Season 2” at the same venues on Sunday (Jan 12).

Following the auditions in Visayas, “The Voice” will look for singing hopefuls at KCC Mall in General Santos City and SM Cagayan de Oro (January 18 and 19); at Resorts World Manila in Pasay City and ABS-CBN headquarters in Quezon City (January 25 and 26); and at the Pacific Mall in Lucena City and CSI Stadium in Dagupan City (January 1 and 2). “The Voice Kids” auditions will be conducted on all Saturdays of the said dates, and “The Voice Season 2” on Sundays.

Those who want to try out to become PBB housemates aged 18 to 35 years old, meanwhile, can line up at the auditions for the reality show’s 5th regular edition

on January 18. Aspirants who are 12 to 17 years old can audition for the upcoming teen edition on February 1.

The venue for both dates is PBB Hall along Eugenio Lopez Drive in Quezon City, beside the PBB house and across the ABS-CBN ELJ Building. Registration will begin at 7AM and only the first 5,000 auditionees will be accommodated. Auditionees should also bring a valid ID and a birth certificate.

Those who won’t be able to come on both dates can instead sign up for PBB’s online auditions on the website pinoybigbrother.com until January 15. Those who have auditioned online are forbidden from joining the January 18 and February 1 auditions.

For updates on both programs, just follow @thevoiceabscbn and @PBBabscbn on Twitter, or like facebook.com/thevoiceabscbn, and facebook.com/ OfficialPinoyBigBrotherAbsCbn.

KZ, FRENCHIE, DUNCAN, NYOY, AND SITTI TRY TO DETHRONE DEFENDING CHAMP BEA IN “THE SINGING BEE.” The pressure rises for Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago this Saturday (Jan 11) as OPM artists KZ Tandingan, Frenchie Dy, Duncan Ramos, Nyoy Volante, and Sitti Navarro try to steal her defending champion title in “The Singing Bee.” Will Bea able to defend her championship? Since Bea won a month ago, she’s already brought home a total of P100,000 in cash prizes. Who will face her in the final round? Will one of them win the coveted P1 million jackpot prize? To ease the tension a bit, the five contestants will give their respective ‘sample-sample’ performances. Don’t miss “The Singing Bee” hosted by Roderick Paulate and Amy Perez this Saturday (Jan 11), after “It’s Showtime” on ABS-CBN. For updates, like and follow “The Singing Bee” on www.facebook.com/singingbeeabscbn, www.twitter.com/TheSingingBeePH, andwww.instagram.com/ thesingingbeeph. Tweet your thoughts and reaction using the hashtag #TheSingingBeePH.

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS 15

VOL. 6 ISSUE 211 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2014

2014 AUSTRALIAN OPEN PREVIEW

TOP BETS. (Clockwise) Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic wioth coach Boris Becker, and Roger Federer.

LEGACY. With a career Grand Slam, 29 titles and nearly $27 million in prize money, the lone question mark on Maria Sharapova’s resume is her 2-15 record against Serena Williams. Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Sharapova’s legacy on the line

O

DETHRONING DJOKOVIC W

Rafa has eyes set on Novak

ORLD number one Rafael Nadal will attempt to dethrone Novak Djokovic and put a new wave of celebrity coaches to the test when he returns to the Australian Open next week.

Nadal missed last year’s edition during a seven-month injury break with knee trouble before making a stunning comeback to win 10 titles in 2013, including the French Open and US Open.

Now the rampant Spaniard will take aim at Djokovic’s three-year reign at Melbourne Park, the longest of the Open era, and try to avenge his epic, six-hour loss to the Serb in the 2012 final.

He also arrives as the only “Big Four” player

without a star coach, after Djokovic and Roger Federer, aping Andy Murray’s move in hiring Ivan Lendl, hooked up with Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg respectively.

However, with Murray returning from injury and Federer now 32, the door could be open for a group of other contenders, led by Juan Martin del Potro and David Ferrer.

Nadal, still coached by his uncle, Toni Nadal, underwent a new but undisclosed form of treatment on his injury-prone knees in the off-season, and he appears confident he can stay healthy in 2014.

“I feel that this (treatment) really makes me feel more comfortable,” he said in Doha, where he

started his season by winning the Qatar Open.

“Because I don’t have pain like I had, no?”

Nadal’s 2012 Melbourne appearance ended in the small hours and defeat to Djokovic following a Slam-record five-hour, 53-minute final, after which the Spaniard told the crowd: “Good morning!”

In Nadal’s absence last year, Djokovic showed similar powers of endurance when he ground down Murray in a physical four-setter to clinch his third straight Melbourne title.

It turned out to be the high point of Djokovic’s year and after losing the Wimbledon and US Open finals, he ceded the top

ranking to Nadal at the China Open in September.

However, he sent out a message by beating Nadal soundly in the Beijing final, ending the year with a four-title run culminating in another big win over the Spaniard to take the World Tour Finals in London.

Despite this strong finish, Djokovic sprang a surprise by hiring Becker, the German great with little experience of coaching, in a move thought to be aimed at adding more adventure to his game.

He is not the only one, with 17-time Grand Slam champion Federer acquiring the services of childhood hero Edberg as he seeks to extend his stay at the top of men’s tennis.

F ALL the top women’s tennis players who can’t beat Serena Williams when she’s on her game -- and that would pretty much include, well, everybody -- Maria Sharapova has always been the one we expected to forge a real rivalry with arguably the game’s all-time greatest.

Strange -- because she has lost 14 straight matches to Williams, is coming back from her second serious shoulder injury and is on her third coach in the past year -but Sharapova still seems like the best candidate.

Is it still necessary to explain why this needs to happen for the good of the game, and ideally sometime before Williams, at 32, ages beyond the rivalry zone?

“I don’t think Maria thinks about Serena as much as everybody thinks she does, I really don’t. She’s not that type of person,” said Sharapova’s agent and longtime friend Max Eisenbud.

“She’s just trying to get better like everyone else.”

And that makes sense, certainly. But Sharapova, 26, might want to begin obsessing before she becomes known as one of the greatest players in the game who captured four Grand Slam titles, but was just another in the pack who couldn’t beat Williams in her prime.

“If anything, it should serve as a carrot for Maria, so it’s something to strive for,” Martina Navratilova said. “I liken it to when I had my rivalry with Chris [Evert]. She was No. 1, so I knew, ‘I have to start working harder to

beat her,’ but at the same time I knew, ‘If I do what I do best, I will beat Chris.’ I’m not sure how much of that belief Maria has, and that can get you down. But Maria also has a real warrior attitude.”

Sharapova, who has been to eight Grand Slam finals and last held the No. 1 ranking for four weeks in the summer of 2012, certainly has the track record to back it up. And beating Williams, then a two-time defending champion, in the 2004 Wimbledon final when Sharapova was a mere 17 years old, was a good start.

2014 Australian Open Roddick Don’t forget about Victoria Azarenka! The twotime defending champion is the No. 2 seed at Melbourne and the last person to beat Serena Williams.

Rafael Nadal, who hasn’t won the Aussie title since 2009, was named the top seed in the men’s draw.

He’s followed by threetime defending champion Novak Djokovic and David Ferrer. Story Though Sharapova’s shoulder problems made 2013 disappointing -- losing in the second round at Wimbledon to Michelle Larcher de Brito, dropping out of the US Open and not winning another match the rest of the year -- she still finished 37-7, made it to the finals of the French Open (losing to Williams) and is ranked No. 3 in the world going into the Australian Open, beginning Monday.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.66ISSUE ISSUE211 211• FRIDAY-SATURDAY, • FRIDAY-SATURDAY,JANUARY JANUARY10-11, 10-11,2014 2014

CITY SPORTS PROGRAM:

Nothing new but the budget O

THER than its approvedP25-million budget, there is practically nothing new in the Davao City sports development program that’s being boasted about by the City Sports Development Office.

The city government has approved the biggest sports budget ever for the programs of the office in 2014 which, according to acting city sports chief William “Butch” Ramirez, will be anchored on four key focus points—Community/Barangay Sports, Youth Sports, Awards and Recognition and Competitions.

Guesting in yesterday’s DSA Forum at the NCCC Mall’s B3, Ramirez, former chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), used a bevy of motherhood statements to describe the goals of the sports program from promoting a healthy community to fostering peace and pushing for anti-drugs.

He said that P5 million will be spent for the community and barangay sports where the old LGUbased sports and physical fitness council will be revived. The said sports model has been existing

since the administration of then President Fidel V. Ramos and implemented by the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Another P5 million will be spent for youth sports specifically for the participation in the Batang Pinoy Mindanao qualifiers and the BP National Finals.

Both competitions are organized by the PSC. The third focus area will be for the traditional city competitions during the Araw ng Davao, Davao Summerfest, Kadayawan Festival and Pasko Fiesta.

The fourth will be the annual Awards Night which was a brainchild of former Mayor Sara Duterte.

Ramirez likewise mentioned that they will be organizing the tribal sports competitions and children’s games with policemen acting as referees.

He stressed that the program will not give much importance on competitions but instead will give emphasis on training and grassroots development.

He appealed to sports stakeholders to give them the chance to prove their program.

WRESTLING. Jason Deutchman and Doug Kramer of Petron (light) jockey for position against Dorian Pena of Barako Bull (dark) in the PBA Philippine Cup between the Blaze Boosters and the Energy Kings. PBA Images