Edge Davao 6 Issue 240

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 240 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

www.edgedavao.net

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

Serving a seamless society

GOODBYE INTERNET FREEDOM? Facebook and other social media are flooded with reaction from the netizens after the Supreme Court ruled that the libel clause of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act is constitutional. Lean Daval Jr.

STOP CUSTOMS ‘PAYOLA’ No more bribery during my watch: Aradanas

By ANTONIO M. AJERO ajero_antonio@yahoo.com

D

ISTRIBUTION of dirty money among corrupt customs employees and officials and members of Davao media will now be a thing of the past. This, in effect, was the policy statement of Ernesto “Ernix” R. Aradanas, newly assumed district collector of the Bureau of Customs District 12 based in Davao City.

Aradanas, a retired Army general who had spent considerable time of his military days in the Davao Region and other parts of Mindanao, held his first press conference yes-

terday.

He called the payola system in the BOC alternately “informal cash flow” and “Friday habit,” referring to the day that people in customs and outsiders come to the BOC premises “collecting informally, spreading the sunshine informally to just anybody.”

In the past, reports have it that on Fridays, customs brokers and tolerated smugglers would deliver hush money to customs employees and media practitioners who in turn would divide the loot among them.

FSTOP, 10

A DRIVE VS. PAYOLA AT CUSTOMS. Newly-installed district collector Ernesto R. Aradanas of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) District 12 vows to stop the “payola” system in the agency known as the “Friday habit” in a press briefing yesterday at the Bureau of Customs office in Sasa, Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

2

EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 240 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

Bayan Muna to file MR on online libel, Davao netizens cry foul

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. and CHENEEN R. CAPON

LIVELIHOOD. A frame maker carefully attaches a photograph unto a mount board before glazing and framing it in his makeshift shop along Magallanes Street in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

The Bayan Muna party-list will file a motion for partial reconsideration on the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) declaring last Tuesday the constitutionality of online libel even as netizens in Davao City cried foul over the controversial verdict.

Davao City lawyer and Bayan Muna representative Carlos Isagani Zarate, told EDGE DAVAO through text message yesterday that they are now preparing the motion.

Zarate said that with the SC ruling was a sad and black day for the people’s right to free expression.

“We are now gagged.

This law must be repealed being draconian and undemocratic,” said Zarate who bared that they will also push to decriminalize libel.

Netizens in Davao City also reacted negatively to

the SC pronouncement saying it is overbroad and must be repealed.

Lawyer Sam Matunog, president of ICT Davao, said that the recent ruling of Supreme Court is “too much”. “I believe that a civil proceeding is sufficient recourse to protect a person from abuse,” Matunog said.

“Just like plunder, walang opportunity to bail out but marami paring gumagawa, just consider the proportionality. It appears that the very strict penalty of plunder does not threaten people.”

In addition, Matunog said that “the Supreme Court failed to protect and enlarge our freedom, our right to free speech by maintaining libel as criminal offense in our statute books,” given that the country has gone in shadow of freedom during Martial law.

“The experience from

Martial law allowed us to protect our rights and liberty and it has returned us to the path of really protecting our right and freedom,” he said. “The Supreme Court should protect and acknowledge it rather than maintaining the status quo of criminalizing online libel.”

Davao ASEAN Club community manager Angel Abella, who also works as event organizer of ICT-related activities, said that the “cyber crime law need to be repealed,“ she said. “ While some sections were declared unconstitutional, the rest that are not are considered not unconstitutional. At the rate of what’s going on with the government at the moment, we can only wonder when our posts will be hit with online libel, until it’s too late. Also, consider that libel is categorized as a criminal offense

and not a civil offense.”

Reu Boston, a customer service representative from Sutherland said that the creation of the law is “kabobohan” and just a political theatrics of senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. “We are a democratic country and we have freedom of speech,” he added.

In a report from online news portal abs-cbnnews. com yesterday, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said the penalty against online libel is “so vague and so overbroad that the government can really abuse it.”

Colmenares said in the report that the decision of the Supreme Court is not even clear on the coverage of online libel.

Colmenares noted, “What’s reacting? Simply liking a post? Then you’re not liable. But what about retweeting? Are you not al-

R.A. 9775 (Anti-Child Pornography Act) , R.A 9208 (Anti – Human Trafficking Act of 2003) and R.A. 7610 (Anti- Child Abuse) as well as people allegedly behind the operation cybersex dens in densely-populated barangay Bucana, Davao City.

The CIDG’s Anti-Cyber Crime Group (ACCG) rescued seven female minors during a raid that also resulted in the arrest of two

suspects on Saturday.

The seven minors were rescued while in the act of performing a live lewd show in front of web cameras in Room 3, No. 499, Purok 26, barangay Bucana, Ecoland, Davao City.

After the raid, the ACCG of CIDG revealed that they are conducting surveillance on 10 suspected cybersex dens in the region and eight of them are in Davao City.

FBAYAN, 10

Rody ‘smells a rat’in cybersex den ops

PCUP takes up cudgel for informal settlers D C

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR epc@edgedavao.net

ommissioner Conrado R. Sillada of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) in Mindanao said they a re planning a nationwide consultation for the amendment of the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA).

“Urban poor leaders will participate in this,” Sillada said, adding, “there is a need to secure the urban poor from eviction and demolition of their homes and from being relocated in areas that are distant from their usual environ-

FPCUP, 10

WEATHER FORECAST

abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte has his eyes on a lay minister who is allegedly operating a cyber-sex den in the city.

“Meron pa akong nasuspetsahan na church worker dito sa di ko na sabihin,. Tarabaho sa simbahan – gahatag pag kalawat.. meron akong inaamoy diyan,” Duterte told reporters last Monday afternoon.

Duterte said that the people who operate cyber-sex dens will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

“I will see to it that they will suffer,” Duterte stressed, warning that parents will also be prosecuted if found conspiring with operators.

Last Monday, the Criminal Investigation Detection Group (CIDG) 11 sued two women for violation of

COLORFUL LAUNCH. Cultural performance welcomes guests of Stratlink Distributor, Inc.’s trade launch held at the Marco Polo Davao Tuesday evening. Lean Daval Jr.

NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 240 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

3

SISTERLY ACT

3 men caught in pot session P

OLICE apprehended Tuesday evening three persons having a pot session in Purok 4, Matina Gravahan, Davao City.

P/Supt. Julius Silagan, station commander of the Talomo police, said taken into custody were Philip Gerasmio, 20 , Renan Gerasmio, 25, and Jeric Abatonon, 26. The police acted on a tip from Merlyn Abatonon, sister of Jeric, who reported that the three suspects were having a pot session at about 8:00 p.m.

Police immediately responded, arrested the suspects in the midst of their pot session. They are now in jail.

Police recovered five

sachets of shabu and drug paraphernalia from the possession of the suspects who will be facing charges of violating the Dangerous Drugs law (R.A 9165).

If found positive of using dangerous drugs after a confirmatory test, the trio shall suffer a penalty of 6 months rehabilitation for the first offense.

A second offense merits a penalty of imprisonment ranging from six years and one day to 12 years and one day and a fine ranging from P50,000.00 to P200,000.00.

Possession of Dangerous Drugs merits the penalty of life imprisonment to death and a fine ranging from P500,000. [EPC]

Aquino: Online libel not meant to restrain freedom of expression

P

RESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday said the decision of the Supreme Court last Tuesday to penalize online libel had no intention to restrain freedom of expression.

During an ambush interview after the inauguration of the Estero de San Miguel Micro Medium-Rise building in Sampaloc, Manila, the President stressed there are also limits to people’s rights.

He also said that he saw no reason for the public to be upset.

“Will it restrain freedom of expression? I don’t think that was the purpose (of the provision),” President Aquino told media in Filipino.

“You, as responsible journalists -- you have rights, but there are also limits to the rights of every-

one, right?” he added.

He further said that it was even taught in school that “your rights end where they impinge on the rights of others.”

Although President Aquino said he has yet to entirely review the Supreme Court decision, he thought it fair to have libel for media -- whether print or online.

“If you switch to another format that would be exempted? I don’t think that’s acceptable,” he added.

“If there is something wrong said on TV, radio, newspapers and magazines but if you switch to another format, should it be exempted? I repeat, if you are saying the right thing, why would you have to be worried about the libel issue?” the President said. [PNA]

Customs-Davao exceeds collection target by 14%

By ANTONIO M. AJERO

T

ajero_antonio@yahoo.com

HE Bureau of Customs District 12, Port of Davao, based in Davao City surpassed its cash collection target in January.

This was announced by the port now under acting District Collector Ernesto “Ernix” Ruiz-Aradanaz during a press conference he held yesterday in his Sasa office.

The port collected in January 2014 a total of P701, 026,104 against the assigned target of P613,672,000, indicating a positive deviation of

P87,354,104 or 14 percent.

In a press statement, the port said through the years it had been hitting its assigned positive targets.

“The District office is working on the immediate need at hand, which is the lack of personnel and plantilla holders. This will greatly help in improving good services to the public,” the statement added.

“We are building a cohesive family in the Port of Davao and rebuilding our organization to be an institu-

FCUSTOMS, 10

WOULD-HAVE-BEEN NOT WANNABE. Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte says that he would rather be known as the man who’d have been president when asked for the nth time if he will run for the highest seat of the country in 2016 on Tuesday night at Grand Men Seng Hotel. Lean Daval Jr.

Sports Council ordinance passed

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

P

abf@edgedavao.net

ROMOTING physical education and sports, cultivate fitness, self discipline, camaraderie, healthy living and teamwork among citizens.

This is the main objective of the ordinance creating the ‘Davao City Physical Fitness and Sports Development Council (DCPFSDC)’ which was already approved by the 17th city council during the regular session last Tuesday.

The ordinance, authored by councilor Karlo S. Bello, aims to convene a council that shall act as the citywide organizational network assisting the city mayor in planning, information dissemination, and actual implementation and monitoring of policy and program of “sports for all” and youth development.

The ordinance is reminiscent of the Executive Order No. 63 during the

IN 2 DAYS

administration of then President Fidel V. Ramos, which created the National, Regional, Provincial, City, Municipal and Barangay Physical Fitness and Sports Development Councils (PFSDC).

The measure did not mention how the council is going to relate with the existing Davao City Sports Council Inc., a private umbrella organization composed of different sports associations (NSAs), which has performed similar functions as that of the new Council the ordinance envisions to create.

Davao City Sports Council Inc. president Ben Sur, in an interview, told Edge Davao yesterday he has not read the ordinance yet and cannot make his comments.

“I do not know yet what the ordinance is all about so I cannot make any com-

ments,” Sur said.

The goal of the ordinance, according to its proponent, is to discover and assist local potentials in different sports competitions or events, through local sports promotion and development program. To coordinate and consult with different sector in the implementation of this ordinance and encourage wide participation of public and private sectors in formulating policies and set the priorities and direction of the local government’s sports promotion and developments.

“The ultimate goal of this legislation is to mold individuals to become physically and mentally fit citizens of the nation by instilling sports in their system,” stated the ordinance.

The legislation states the all heads of the departments and offices of the

city government and other national agencies are directed to support the programs and activities of the council as this will be the primary agency tasked to implement this ordinance.

The council shall be composed of the mayor as the chairman and the officer-in-charge of Sports Development Division as his co-chairman. The mayor will appoint the vice-chairman which will come from private educational institutions in the city.

The council will be also composed of nine members; four form the government sector and five from private sector. The mayor will appoint one from each private sector as member of the council such as media, National Sports Association, youth sector, private schools, then, business sector and from the persons with disabilities sector.

brella as roofing to shield drivers and passengers traversing busy thoroughfares which endanger the lives of their passengers as well as the driver’s.

The city government introduced a new design involving a yellow-colored side car which can seat two passengers in front and one passenger behind the driver, with the space

at the back reserved for baggage and other cargo.

The new modified design will cost around P18,000 or P9,000 if the unit already has an existing side car.

Meanwhile, police apprehended more or less 100 erring drivers, mostly of motorcycles, for violation of speed limits 30, 40 and 60 kph.

TMG impounds 50 ‘payong-payongs’

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR

T

epc@edgedavao.net

HE Traffic Management Group (TMG) is intensifying operations against “payong-payong” motorcycle operators, with more or less 50 units impounded in two days of operation against erring drivers in Toril district.

P/Senior Inspector Paulino A. Zaulda Jr., TMG deputy officer, said there are still many payong-pay-

ong motorcycle units not converted into the prototype trike design. These units proliferate in Toril district.

There were 20 owners of closed-cab tricycles who were caught driving without driver’s license or with expired license.

The local government prohibits the use of makeshift tricycles that use um-

4 BEST PRACTICES EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 240 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

A farmer in Cotabato harvesting rice. (From the web)

WORLD CLASS

Cotabato’s black rice, coco sugar stand out at world’s BIOFACH fair T

WO organic products from Cotabato province have attracted many buyers at the BIOFACH, the world’s leading trade fair for organic foods ongoing in Nuremberg Germany.

In an interview with Cotabato provincial Governor Emmylou Lala Taliño-Mendoza here, she said these two organic products from the province of Cotabato are the organic black rice manufactured by Bios Dynamis of Don Bosco Foundation in Makilala, Cotabato and Tree Life Coco Sugar in Carmen, Cotabato.

Mendoza, who led the Cotabato province delegation to the Biofach trade fair said buyers mostly from Europe, South America, Middle East, Asia, and Australia took notice and bought the black rice and tree life coco sugar at the exhibit.

She said with the help of the Philippines-European Chamber of Commerce (ECCP) these two products find their way to the BIOFACH trade fair.

In particular, those who bought Bios Dynamis organic black rice came from Germany, Hong Kong, Dubai and

Gov. Mendoza

Macao while those who inquired on the food product were entrepreneurs coming from Brazil, Canada, USA (New York), Chile, Russia, Israel, Saudi Arabia (Riyadh), Italy, Australia and Holland, Mendoza said in a statement.

Similarly, the Tree Life Coco Sugar also caught the attention of many buyers. Those who bought it were spectators coming from The Netherlands, UK and New Zealand while those who made query on the organic sugar were entrepreneurs coming from Germany, The Netherlands, Hungary, Slovania, Macedonia, Canada, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Australia, Russia, Holland, Czechoslovakia, France and Japan, Mendoza said.

She said the manufacturers of the two organic products also got several inquiries from foreign buyers among others, Germany, US and

The Netherlands particularly on prices, freight, monthly volume, capacity, sustainability, packaging, distributor in the country, distributor in Europe and preferred currency for payment of the two organic products.

The apparent standing out of the two organic products at the fair led organizers of the BIOFACH to conduct an interview with the delegation. The organizers also asked Mendoza on the geographical location of Cotabato, its agricultural structure and how organic farming developed in the province. They also inquired what programs and projects she has implemented that encouraged farmers to do organic farming.

Mendoza said she gladly informed the BIOFACH organizers that continuing awareness of Cotabatoeños on the health benefits of organic products lead them to patronize organic foods that also encouraged a number of farmers to shift to organic farming.

In light of the development, Mendoza said she is bent to provide more support to organic farming in the province.

[PNA]

COTABATO’S WORLD-CLASS PRODUCTS. Organic rice (top) and coco sugar

5 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 240 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

MatunogurgesDTI-11 to do more for MSMEs

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

L

crc@edgedavao.net

AWYER Sam Matunog, president of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), is urging the Department of Trade and Industry 11 to standardize mechanisms that will help micro-small medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region to integrate their businesses.

Matunog suggests mechanisms like scientific-based research and financial assistance for MSMEs. He said during the open forum of the Department of Trade and Industry 11 CSO Consultation at The Pinacle Hotel and Suites yesterday that MSMEs in the region indulge in “trial and error” and most fail after one to three years of operation.

“Ang problema nato is not that there are so many

in the micro sector, but we are graduating or scaling our companies to the next level,” Matunog said, adding that the problem is that there are so many in the micro sector, few in small, and fewer in medium while the rest are large.

He said that the government needs to assist entrepreneurs to upgrade the micro to become small entrepreneurs, same as the small and medium enterprises by conducting research.

“The government should make their intervention scientifically-based, like sa mga internet café, it should be upgraded into an educational facility. There are more than 700 of them and have been overtaken by the technology like easy access to the internet. These are entrepreneurs and say-

ang ang investments nila,” he said.

In addition, Matunog said that there should be an annual graduation ceremony in each industry cluster so that there will be close monitoring on the statuses of enterprises in the region. It may be recalled that 96 percent of industries in the Davao region are composed of MSMEs. He said that through this, there will be an evaluation on the risks and problems faced by entrepreneurs, adding that some micro enterprises cannot sustain productivity for two years.

DTI 11, according to him, should make a creative mechanism that will address the financial problem of micro and small entrepreneurs instead of de-

TRADE LAUNCH. Stratlink Distributor, Inc. president and chief executive officer Verne Roscoe A. dela Cruz addresses the guests of the company’s trade launch held at the Marco Polo Davao Tuesday evening. Lean Daval Jr. pending on the assistance of banking institutions.

“They will not fund us unless we need the fund, time will come na when

you don’t need them, they will come,” he said.

He said that this perennial problem enabled some entrepreneurs to access

available markets.

This financial assistance will help the entrepreneurs upgrade their capitalization.

6 THE ECONOMY Stat Watch Indicator

Latest

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

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

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 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

13. Consumer Price Index

135.2 Oct2.62013

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

Sep 2013

13. Consumer Index Price Index 2006=100

2006=100 14.

Headline Inflation Rate 14. 2006=100 Headline Inflation

Apr 2013

2.9 Oct3.12013

Rate 15.

Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

Apr 2013

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100 16.

Visitor Arrivals

2.5 418,108 Oct 2013

2006=100

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

VOL. 6 ISSUE 240 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

Mindanao 2020 website launched

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

T

crc@edgedavao.net

O bolster renewable energy (RE) in the Mindanao energy generation mix, the prototype of a One Stop Shop Facilitation and Monitoring website w as launched yesterday.

The target, based on the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework or Mindanao 2020, is to have an equilibrium (50-50 )in the generation of RE and non-renewable energy by energy diversification and allowing new investments to come in.

OSSFM website is the first step of Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) and Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC) to streamline the processing of RE project application on the island region.

MinDA promotion and investment director Romeo Montengro said in a prèss briefing yesterday at the Waterfront Insular Hotel that the website is incharge of on-line monitoring, evaluation, and updating of applications.

“Through this program, MINDA and MPMC are targeting to streamline up to 50 percent of the application process through efficiency optimization of all government agencies and approving bodies concerned,” Montenegro said, adding that they are targeting to streamline the process by half-a-year or three years maximum.

He said that based on MinDA’s latest survey, processing of application and getting

approval from all the 13 agencies and concerned local government units would take a total of seven years.

“This is the reason why some investors are not pursuing their energy projects,” he said,

PH’s economic program ‘generally good’: UK official T

HE administration of President Benigno Aquino III has been “generally good” in terms of growing the Philippine economy during the half term of his presidency, United Kingdom Trade and Investment (UKTI) Manila director Iain Mansfield said.

Mansfield said the economic program of the Aquino administration has been effective and it has been proven by double digit growth in trade, investments, and the more than 7-percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the past years. ”In general it has been good. (There’s an) increase in trade.

We’ve seen double digit increases in trade over the last two years.

We’ve seen increase

in investment coming into the Philippines.

We’ve seen growth around 7 percent, and those numbers speak for themselves,” he said.

External trade of the country in the first eleven months of 2013 reached US$ 105.8 billion from 2012’s US$ 104.9 billion.

Revenue from exported goods in 2013 alone grew to US$ 53.978 billion from 2012’s export receipt of US$ 52.1 billion.

Foreign investments approved by seven major investment promotion agencies (IPAs) in Q3 of 2013 also went up by 86.6 percent amounting to US$ 33.097 billion from US$ 17.734 billion in 2012.

Trade between Philippines and UK in

2012 reached £332 million which increased 17 percent from the previous year.

In 2013, UK has the highest investments in the Philippines among other European countries and fourth highest overall source of foreign direct investments, according to the British Embassy in Manila. ”That’s actually the last few years. Philippine government has been taking decisions in trade, and it did help the business environment,” said Mansfield. ”(But) this doesn’t mean its all done.

There’s no more to do; definitely not. There’s always more and a lot to do. We’re just in half way to President Aquino’s term,” he noted.

[PNA]

adding that the approval process is prohibitive to some extent.

Montengro said that with the fast-tracking, they are also planning to review the mandate of each concerned agency in line with the An-

ti-red tape act.

On the other hand, he said that the website will be accessible through the MPMC website and will be made available to proponents by the first half of the year.

Filipino fruit canner eyeing USD 1.8-B acquisition deal

T

HE Philippines’ biggest pineapple planter and exporter has set its sight on acquiring an American consumer food business in a whopping USD 1.8 billion deal.

Based on its statements filed with the Philippines Stock Exchange (PSE), Del Monte Pacific Ltd. (DMPL) has firmed up its intent to buy the brands, assets and liabilities of United States-based Del Monte Corp. (DMC) as part of the Filipino company’s forays in the offshore market.

Traded on both the Philippine and Singapore bourses, DMPL is controlled by the prominent Campos family engaged in growing, processing, and selling canned and fresh pineapples and other tropical fruits.

DMPL operates a 23,000-hectare pineapple plantation and cannery in Cagayan de Oro City with a 700,000 ton-processing

capacity.

DMF dominates the major canned fruit and vegetable categories in the US and owns number two position in canned tomato and broth categories in the American market.

“This landmark transaction offers DMPL greater access to a well-established, attractive and profitable branded consumer food business in the world’s biggest market,” DMPL chairman Rolando Gapud said.

The transaction will also allow DMPL to expand its product offering to include beverage and culinary products in the US where the Del Monte brand originated.

“We believe that DMF’s consumer food business provides an attractive platform to offer certain products appealing to the large and fast growing Hispanic and Asian American population in the U.S., Gapud said. [PNA]

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

7 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. VOL.66ISSUE ISSUE240 240••THURSDAY, THURSDAY,FEBRUARY FEBRUARY20, 20,2014 2014

Planting trees can help stave off climate change

By GERRY T. ESTRERA Contributor

T

HE recently released 5th Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said that human influence on the climate system is evident and the warming of the world’s climate system is unequivocal.

But there is growing scientific evidence that planting more trees can help stave off the effects of climate change. In the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Copenhagen in 2009, a strategy was launched that offers incentives for developing countries to reduce their emissions from forested lands and invest in low-carbon paths to sustainable development.

In a newly-released study conducted by the Singapore-based Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA), the researchers look at the feasibility of a forestry carbon project for the Magbukun Aytas of Kanawan in Morong. The people are members of an indigenous tribe living in the 23,688-hectare Bataan Natural Park (BNP).

At least 10,000 hectares of the park has been declared as the tribe’s ancestral domain. In the past, it has done eco-restoration work in about 1,500 hectares of BNP’s forest. EEPSEA selected the site for the study “because the Aytas need funds to allow them to conserve and manage their ancestral lands, which are under constant threat.”

The EEPSEA policy briefing noted: “The carbon forestry project covering 9,775 hectares proposed by the study

was designed to reverse the current deforestation trend in the Aytas’ ancestral domain.”

If put in place, the project would have three components: reforestation, enrichment plan ting, and forest protection.

“Reforestation would be undertaken in brushland areas while enrichment planting and forest protection would be implemented in second growth and old growth forests, respectively,” the summary report explained.

Four different scenarios, which represented different levels of conservation work, were used in the analysis: “high,” “medium high,” “medium low,” and “low.” For instance, in the “high” scenario level, 100% of the old growth forest would be protected, 80% of the

second growth forest would be enriched, and 50% of the brushland would be reforested. In the “low” scenario level, the respective scenarios would be 100%, 50%, and 20%.

Three different points of view were done for the feasibility of the project, namely: technical feasibility, social acceptability, and financial stability. Highlights of the study are as follows: ·If no steps are taken to reduce deforestation in the Aytas ancestral land, the carbon contained in the region would drop to around 1.16 million tons by 2040 (from 1.31 million tons in 2011). ·Under the low scenario, the total carbon benefits that the project would bring would amount to 20.26 million tons of carbon dioxide.

Under the high scenario, total carbon benefits would be 25.07 million tons of carbon dioxide. · With carbon valued at a low price of US$5/ tCO2, the four scenarios net benefits for 1 to 3 years would be negative, but they would become positive from year 6 onwards. At the higher carbon price (US$20/ tCO2), the net benefits for the medium low, medium high, high scenarios would be negative for years 1 to 2. In the low scenario, the net benefit would be negative only in year 1 and would become positive from year 2 onwards. ·The net present values for four scenarios at different prices per tCO2 (with discount rates of 10%, 15%, and 20%) were P3.874 million for low, P3.137 million for

medium low, P3.339 million for medium high, and P3.537 million for high.

In summary, the project’s net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR) for the forest area that would be managed over 30 years is P170.271 million and 40%, respectively.

“This shows that such a forestry carbon project would be financially viable,” the EEPSEA policy briefing notes. As such, it recommends that the proposed project would be put into action and funding be made available.

Julius Cawilan, chief of the forest research conservation division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Cordillera, told a news daily a couple of years

back that a healthy, single and mature tree could store about six kilograms of carbon yearly while a hectare of trees can also absorb carbon emitted by a car traveling 1,600 kilometers.

According to the DENR, a single mature tree can absorb carbon dioxide at a rate of 21 kilograms a year and release enough oxygen back into the atmosphere to support two persons.

For every ton of new wood that grows, about 1.5 tons of carbon dioxide are removed and 1.07 tons of life-giving oxygen are produced.

While it is true that “only God can make a tree,” to quote the words of Joyce Kilmer, people can plant a tree – or billions of trees. Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, who is internationally known for her persistent struggle for democracy, human rights and environmental conservation, once told a reporter, “When we plant trees, we plant the seeds of peace and seeds of hope.”

Al Gore, another Nobel Peace Prize laureate, agrees: “The symbolism – and the substantive significance – of planting a tree has universal power in every culture and every society on Earth, and it is a way for individual men, women, and children to participate in creating solutions for the environmental crisis.”

So, while there is still time, people are urged to plant trees. “Only when the last tree has been cut, the last river poisoned, and the last fish caught will we realize we can’t eat money,” so goes a Native American proverb.

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EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

VOL. 6 ISSUE 240 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

EDITORIAL Pity the children

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T is heartening to note that police authorities have busted a cyber-sex den in Davao City victimizing minors.

As a result of the bust, two sisters who allegedly operated the cyber-sex facility are now facing three criminal charges apiece. They face the prospect of rotting in jail where they can no longer harm children.

It is likewise heartening to know that police and collaborating law-enforcing agencies are watching the operation of more cyber-sex dens, about 10 of them, in Davao City and other parts of the Davao region.

Indeed, law-enforcers should intensify this and similar campaigns aimed at protecting innocent children, especially so because some parents are

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simply criminally irresponsible, they themselves do not hesitate to victimize their own children just so they could make a fast buck.

Don’t look now, but Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte himself said he is watching a certain religious pastor whom he suspects to be operating a cyber-sex den.

In a situation like this, additional protection for children can be provided by do-gooders in the community. They should be vigilant enough to watch the neighborhood for clandestine cybersex activities, if only to save their own children.

On the other hand, lawmakers should review laws covering such crimes and consider the possibility of increasing penalties, thereof, as further deterrent to crimes victimizing hapless children.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 240 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

VANTAGE POINTS

Is Davao del Sur hopelessly mired in politics ?

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OLITICS is probably the biggest obstacle to Davao del Sur’s efforts to boost its economy and lift the poorest of the poor in the province.

Everytime a project is presented to local officials, politics always get in the way, discouraging people from moving ahead with the project.

Take for instance, a group of mango farmers who needs the support of a town mayor to set up a training seminar in a barangay to grow better quality mango. Although the entire province of Davao del Sur is sprawling with so many mango farms, its entire yearly output still cannot match the quality and output of Guimaras Island which exports all its mango production to the US market.

Sitting from time to time with cluster members of the mango industry in Davao, I got a sense of this “industry paralysis” over there. For instance : if the barangay captain belongs to the opposition party, the town mayor won’t give his blessing and won’t support the project and he’ll be making lots of excuses ( “So sorry, I have to attend a fiesta in Malita where I’m needed more”) There’s so much political color in every industry project in Davao del

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HRONIC PROBLEMS KNOCKING AT OUR DOORSTEPS – Filipinos were accustomed to living under strained socio-economic pressures, but perhaps not permanently. At the height of a perplexing situation, people want to see drastic government actions to keep the country’s economy at a steadier condition. This should be foremost in the Aquino administration’s priority agenda and any probable act has become more and more urgent.

Keen to keep the country more competitive and the economy even stronger, government high-profile economists and financial managers have recently declared the recent economic slowdown is just temporary. But the wary public particularly the business sector had to ask how long a brief period is. To the extent that is dampens the people’s expectation of a never-ending high economic growth – itself an encouraging factor – and generates measures to alleviate the living standard of the masses and job opportunities, a well-planned mechanism supposedly can work astoundingly.

Matching words with action means doing something about the country’s impending economic slump, of course, there are pressures on top government leaders to keep the economic figures always in check. With the value of the peso sinking slowly but steadily, stock markets declining, prices of fuel products rising to undetermined levels and swelling jobless queues, people may have to pause at this question: “Is booming Philippines seem to be hurting now?” Instead, the fear among our people particularly the business community is that any economic slowdown certainly could hurt competitiveness.

Most disturbing of all is the damage that may be done to the once impressive economic status – just when improving that standing is becoming increasingly

Sur, you can’t talk about any project there unless the town mayors or even the governor knows who’s behind the project or which barangay the project is going to be made. Is he with Pnoy’s party or Binay’s party ?

Was he a close ally of Cagas ? What’s in it for me in this project ?

Government agencies like the DTI , the DA and the DOST, along with such foreign aid agencies like the USAID, JICA, GTZ want to see the tangible growth of such industries like coconut industry, mango industry, seaweed industry, etc in the province of Davao del Sur. Nothing will move in Davao del Sur if every town mayor, every barangay captain, every government official, allow the political color of each one determine the life and death of every project. Simply put, a top government offi-

cial aligned with Pnoy will tell you,“If you’re with Binay, I won’t help you with your project, I’ll make sure it will fail” The whole province of Davao del Sur is so politicized that all its industries will face paralysis in the coming months ahead. If it won’t die a natural death, the province will probably just grind to a halt, unable to move because of its paralysis.

One perfect example of just how politics hampered the growth of this province is the farm-to-market road linking the villages of Lower and Upper Bala in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur. On this 15-kilometer stretch of dirt road, only the portions that pass thru a few barangays that supported the past governor in the previous election, were paved with concrete.

Another example is how a mango grower in the province refused to cooperate with a project that improves the output and quality of mango, simply because the local government official that supports the project belongs to the opposite political party.

Just how hopeless is Davao del Sur at this point in time ?

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

important to the country’s socio-economic success and well-being. Government officials, President Benigno Aquino III above all, could not hide the fact that the country right now is facing new challenges. Improving macroeconomic numbers that began to entice punters back into the market started to decrease. While the big picture remains relatively strong, analysts say the nitty-gritty, however, hides dangers.

The corporate outlook remains fragile, according to some noted economists and financial managers. Other economic experts likewise are not so sure of what lies ahead. They say that the peso at P45 level or a bit below to the US dollar remains a serious burden for many companies with outstanding foreign debt. Moreover, analysts caution that the country’s dependence on commodities like fuel and other refined petroleum products have increased tremendously so are the prices and, the chronic problem is again knocking at our doorsteps.

Maybe, but the impending oil price increases have some basis - circumstances outside government control. And the end result is the cycle of oil price adjustments dictated by the world market. Even if the prices of fuel products rise at accelerating pace, the demand remains high. Different sectors – export, manufacturing, transport and energy are the most directly affected of the oil price hike. Unfortunately for investors, that well-known fact would push their operating costs skyward.

However, in the case of the energy

providers, the new rounds of oil price adjustments have make power supply more expensive and their operations are doing relatively well because end-users could do nothing about it, but still have to turn on the lights. Analysts are also keeping close tabs on export and the manufacturing sectors. The country cannot depend too much on traditional exports such as agricultural-based products, which are being required to undergo stringent quarantine measures by importers. Other exports could take up the slack, but growth in overseas sales is crawling and moving at snail-pace.

Some of the more productive area of the economy supposedly is manufacturing, but fuel and energy costs are also a problem, which is why it takes a lot of investment at the worst of times. To an economist, it’s all part of being in the manufacturing business. With the prevailing high costs of fuel and power supply, they seem to end up drifting in a pool of uncertainties. The more courageous and daring kind probably would just sit temporarily at the back seat and think about the staggering costs of oil and energy source and, the exchange rate.

One strategic move that will keep us economically afloat is for government to set appropriate policies and implement drastic measures to cushion the impact of unexpected oil price increases and at the same time arrest key difficulties especially the fickleness of investors’ confidence. As it was, many confident foreign and domestic investors still identified the country as a potentially good and suitable place to invest, but they also want to see any evidence that government is going to do what it must and help itself with a policy response to the predicament that has been quivering. Will it work or improve?

They’re self-assured in the same way that we’re definite that someone won’t put a gun to our heads and pull the trigger.

Pool of uncertainties

9

Complicating Implications COMMENTARY

BY PATRICIO P. DIAZ

Part 1 of 4 II. On Proper Transition ENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/19 February) – In the first part of this article, we discussed three significant complicating implications of the signing of the BBL – what the “spoilers” and the MNLF will ultimately do; and how impending constitutional questions will be resolved. As time runs out, these can adversely affect the proper transition of the Bangsamoro or even abort it.

How significant, really are these implications? Obviously, proper transition is not the primary priority of the President and his peace team; and, MILF seemed to have relaxed their alarm for diminishing time – as MILF Chairman Murad Ibahim once revealed to media.

It will be interesting to see how MILF can compromise time for proper transition and still have the Bangsamoro that will “solve the Bangsamoro Problem” Conflicting Concerns Even if the BBL is enacted in December and ratified by March 2015, there will be only fifteen months for the transition proper of the Bangsamoro until its inauguration in June 2016. But the period January to May 2016 will be the national election. The real transition proper will only be nine months – until December 2015.

However, from the statements of the President and his peace team, they are concerned about the sufficiency of time to elect the Bangamoro officials and inaugurate the Bangsamoro before the President steps down on June 30, 2016. But proper transition, not the election of the Bangsamoro officials and the inauguration of the Bangsamoro, is the key to how the Bangsamoro can “solve the Bangsamoro Problem”.

Read well the statements of the President at the just concluded ARMM Summit in Davao City. This he could be saying between the lines: The “satisfactorily reformed” ARMM will be turned over to the MILF. Renamed “Bangsamoro”, it will be the “solution” to the “Bangsamoro Problem”. This may explain why Government appears not seriously concerned with how the BTA (Bangsamoro Transition Authority) will transition the Bangsamoro.

But is the ARMM that satisfactorily reformed?

Hataman was appointed the ARMM OIC on December 22, 2011. According to MindaNews (February 13 2014: Only 7 of 116 ARMM towns receive Seal of Good Housekeeping), that year 13 towns in the five-province, 116-town and two-city in the ARMM were awarded the SGH (Seal of Good Housekeeping), a good governance award of the Department of Interior and Local Government; in 2012, only seven received the award – among them five of the 13 awardees in 2011. Why the eight did not make it again is significant.

Starting 2011 under Hataman, the ARMM received more presidential assistance than in any other time since 1990; as reported to the President, the billions were honestly used in projects for the welfare of the Moros. Yet, as seen in the SGH awards, eight of the 13 in 2011 did not make it in 2012 and only two improved to meet the standards.

What does the MindaNews report mean? Leadership values, more than funds, are the key to good governance.

Proper transition will make the Bangsamoro different from the ARMM renamed “Bangsamoro”. The change in name is superficial; the change from “unitary” to “asymmetrical”relationship with the national government is a move for more autonomy which is a theory to be worked into a reality because of Bangsamoro indeterminate budgetary dependence on the national government. The change to ministerial form of government has still to pass an experimental stage.

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NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 240 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

Davao City police intensifies operations against cybercrimes D AVAO CITY, the operation which busted an alleged cybersex den at Purok 26, Barangay Bucana, Ecoland, Davao City Monday was a product of a case build-up based on a trash thrown by one of its alleged operators in a mall here.

Chief Inspector Crisle Cainong, chief of the Regional Digital Forensic Laboratory of the Police Regional Office 11 said the trash picked up by one of their operatives four months ago became a subject of intense information gathering leading to the rescue of seven minors and the arrest of two per-

petrators in a raid conducted Monday.

He said operatives secured a warrant issued by Judge Evalyn Arellano-Morales of the Regional Trial Court Branch 17 of the 11th Judicial Region in Davao City and rescued the minors who were on the act of performing lewd acts before a camera.

The raiding team also arrested two perpetrators, both women.

Cainong said the raiding team also seized a laptop, broadband SIM card, mobile phones, headphone, receipts from a local pawn shop, assorted discs, live ammunition of .38 cali-

ber and cash believed to be proceeds from their cyber pornography operations amounting to P1,450 He said based on initial investigation of the perpetrators, they started their cybersex operation initially using a pesonet computer.

“Consequently, their earnings made them buy a complete set of items for a cybersex den,” Cainong said.

He said the two suspects are now under the custody of ACG-RDFL 11 prior the filing of charges through inquest proceedings. [PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines]

ment.

Sillada said that informal settlers complain that the houses in the relocation area are lack of basic services like light, water, drainage, roads, education and livelihood opportunities that the government should address.

“Urban poor should be equipped with technical knowhow, like skills and capability trainings so that when we empower them they will be independent.”

A memorandum of agreement would be needed with Habitat for Humanity for land acquisition and housing construction for informal settler families on the 20-hectare relocation site in barangay Lasang, Davao City.

PCUP chair Hernani B. Panganiban said on Tuesday during the strategic planning of PCUP Mindanao that he is planning to convene the business sector, Department of Edu-

cation and religious groups to address the problem of demolition and relocation.

“Kailangan natin ang participasyon ng business sector at church people kasi ito ang pinakamalapit ng puso nila../ mga urban poor people,” he said.

Their goal for this year is to answer security of tenure among informal settlers, reviving the advisory board and tie-up with the Department of Education.

ready authorizing the post [to be published]…Baka covered pa pala ito.”

Colmenares said that if the politicians really wanted to regulate libelous content – for example, blogs that don’t have editorial restrictions – it can be resolved.

He said the online libel provision was just a kneejerk reaction and lik-

ened the reaction to how the police immediately banned caps and sunglasses in malls after the so-called Martilyo Gang robbed a jewelry store.

One of the petitioners, lawyer Harry Roque, said that once an information or charge sheet is filed against an author of a libelous post, he or she needs to pay bail

of at least P50,000 to P100,000.

Roque said “the net effect is that the politician who wants to infringe [on the right to free expression] will take advantage of the law and file a [libel compalint]…Since the penalty for online libel is higher – the maximum is 12 years – the bail bond will also be higher.”

tion of good public servants,” it said, adding that “we already improved the physical aspect of our workplace and cleaned the surroundings in order to provide our stakeholders with a better work environment.”

“We are one with the President of the Philippines and the Commissioner of Customs in their aim to reform in the Bureau which we believe will help a better nation and generate taxes for the Filipino people,” it said.

The Port of Davao has three sub-ports of entries -- Mati in Davao Oriental, Dadiangas in General Santos City, and Parang, Maguindanao. The main port is in Davao City which is also the central office of Collection District 12.

“In line with the reform at hand, Port of Davao wishes to inform the stakeholders that we intend to smoothen the process and no more imposition of the so-called “tara”. We would

also ask them to help us police their own ranks. Let’s work hand in hand to optimize our collection to correct duties and taxes.”

“We are starting to fully implement the no fixer policy and the anti-Red Tape Act. We are also now trying to shield the Port of Davao and its sub-ports from undue external intervention.

“We aim to provide more responsive services to our various stakeholders. In effect we truly intend to transform within the context of the reform program to “reboot customs” while continuing to perform well.

We intend to intensify strict implementation of the Tariff and Customs Laws, Rules and regulations for importations.

“We assure the public that we do not tolerate smuggling in this port and will endeavor to curb misdeclarations, which is technically smuggling also, while increasing valuations in accordance to the approved

reference values. District 12 intends to increase revenue collection by higher valuation in line with the existing laws, rules and regulations.

We will perform our function for and in behalf of the people in order to assess and collect lawful revenues efficiently and to ultimately curb illicit trade and all forms of customs fraud,” the statement concluded.

Update An update on the rice shipments here in Port of Davao, currently it has 85 containers on hold awaiting for the decision of the court on the motion for clarification filed on the Writ of Preliminary Injunction issued by the Court.

The BOC also had 100 containers under warrant of seizure and detention issued by the District Collector Aradanas.

The port also have other items which were recently issued notice of abandonment by the new district collector.

PCUP...FFROM 2

CLIMATE CHANGE FORM. Cor Jesu College dean of College of Law lawyer Israelito Toreon (center) and first year law student Dhawell Miñoza promotes during yesterday’s Club 888 media forum at the Marco Polo Davao the “Impact of Coal Plants on Climate Change” forum slated tomorrow at The Pearl Convention Center in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

Stop... FFROM 1 The bribe money had been generated usually from misdeclaration, under-declaration and technical smuggling of dutiable cargoes worth millions of pesos that otherwise would have gone to the coffers of the government in the form of tariff and duties if the transactions were legitimate and above board.

One report stated that some P50,000 was budgeted monthly for corrupt media practitioners, some of whom were even allowed on the side to act as “padrinos” to some mischievous brokers and petty smugglers as additional source of dirty money.

“We intend to slowly remove this kind of culture,” Aradanas vowed.

Outside intervention One of the questionable practices tolerated in all ports of the BOC is “outside intervention.”

Aradanas said that this will also be stopped during his watch.

“A long time ago, you have a lot of people trying to influence how the personnel of Customs will do their job,” he said.

The new BOC district collector said that customs officials and employees who continue to be beholden to people outside the bureau will slowly be removed, adding this has been started due to the political will of the President and the secretary of the Department of Finance.

“Outside intervention” are reportedly practiced by influential politicians like senators, congressmen and powerful local officials, bigtime businessmen and their

cohorts responsible for recommending the employment of Customs personnel. They continue to exert influence in customs operations through their recommended BOC personnel.

Control by outsiders also led to the chaotic assignment of qualified BOC personnel to ports where they are not holding plantilla positions, he said.

Calling it “ entourage syndrome,” Aradanas also bared that in the past, there was a practice wherein once a key personnel or official of Customs would go to the other ports, he normally would bring along his people with him and that destroyed basically the plantilla of that port.

“Through the years, because of the desire to continue control of the informal cash flow, some misguided leaders also try to place non-CSC (Civil Service Commission) qualified personnel into the structure of the Customs and therefore it also destroyed basically the itemized position and plantilla of that particular port,” Aradanas said.

When the Department of Finance and the BOC in Manila decided to remove all the “haw-siaws,” so to speak, the positions they were holding then were vacated, nobody were prepared to assume these positions, he said.

In the port of Davao alone, extending to the subports, there is a plantilla that calls for about 200 plus itemized positions, sadly what remained working with items inside the plantilla is only 50 percent, he

bared, Outsiders out As part of the reforms in the port of Davao and elsewhere in the country, outsiders cannot just get inside the customs premises.

Pursuant to a very recent CMO (customs memorandum order), even members of the media, legitimate or otherwise, can only get inside the customs area if they asked permission from the collector’s office.

“We will also deal with the media collectively, not individually,” Aradanas said, adding that Customs personnel should be allowed to do their job without interruption, unlike in the past when anybody can just enter any BOC office aand talk to customs staff.

Pursuant to this policy, he said even relatives are discouraged to visit BOC officials and employees.

“However, if members of the media, accredit or not, are invited by us, they can come inside and the CMO does not apply,” he said.

In his first week as new district collector, Aradanas said, he realized that there are many good personnel.

In his first staff meeting, the new district collector told his subordinates that all of them are given a clean slate, and start all over again to work as a team to achieve the targets of the district port.

He said erring personnel will be given two chances, but they would be removed from the port on their third offense.

Bayan...FFROM 2

Customs...FFROM 3

EDGEDAVAO

ICT HUB

VOL. 6 ISSUE 240 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

11

New brain exercise: Unroll me CHILL JILL

Athena Jillian Bravo

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OOGLE Play now finally has something new to make our brain get some little workout after a slew of game apps for the past few months.

It’s time for something quite difficult and challenging for the mobile players.

This puzzle game would totally make your brain run miles on cerebral treadmills. It’s called Unroll me.

If you guys can remember the game Unblock me developed years ago, this one is more like it but with some twists and tweaks. The instructions are plainly simple BUT everytime

A

you pass through its levels, it gets difficult just like how it is in Unblock me.

From its name, you’ll just have to unroll the while ball to pass through the tunnel then to the red exit. The crazy thing is you are the one who’s going to fix the tunnels for the ball to pass successfully.

Oh, well it is downright difficult but come to think of it, instead of playing

the Flappy genres, you can play this game where and be able to test your logic skills. This could be something more productive for us to play actually.

Almost five million people are now playing this app (so if you’re not into it yet, better get the app now) since it was released last month and there are very good game reviews about it.

If you are smart enough, why not be one of those five million players and work your brains out by solving the puzzle?

It’s not only a test of your logic skills but it is a test of your patience.

Passing through each tunnel would be an achievement of sorts for you as go up levels higher as you play this game more.

Happy unrolling!

results.

Now as an added bonus for a limited time, UpgradeSwap is offering smartphone and tablet sellers even more money when they sell devices that have Flappy Bird installed.

No, you won’t get $1,000 for your Flappy phone like many people

were asking on eBay, but the company is paying out “a little extra money” as an incentive for phones with Flappy Bird installed.

Of course this is for promotional purposes only, and all phones are erased when UpgradeSwap receives them.

How much extra is the company paying for Flap-

This Cash-for-Gadgets site is paying extra for phones with Flappy Bird

RE you angry that online auction giant eBay isn’t allowing you to sell your smartphone with Flappy Bird installed for $1,000 or more? Well, we’re likely now approaching the tail end of the Flappy Bird phenomenon anyway, but some companies are still finding creative new ways to capitalize on the craze before it vanishes. One such company is UpgradeSwap.

Just like big names such as Gazelle and uSell, UpgradeSwap buys used gadgets through the mail and pays various rates depending on device model, carrier and condition. The company claims on its website that it pays out much more for devices than its

top competition, and a company representative said on the phone that it dishes out up to $100 more than top rivals such as Gazelle and uSell for some devices.

A quick test seems to align with the site’s claims.

I navigated through menus as if I were looking to sell a 32 GB iPhone 5 on UpgradeSwap, Gazelle and uSell, and found that UpgradeSwap indeed offered the most money for the handset. uSell found several quotes on third-party sites, the best of which was $195, while Gazelle offered me $205. Meanwhile, UpgradeSwap offered me $255 for my used iPhone 5. A few additional tests with other devices yielded similar py Bird? A representative said over the phone that it depends on the device model and the condition of the device being sold, but it will likely be in the ballpark of $10, $15 or maybe even $20. Considering that UpgradeSwap already appears to be paying out more for used gadgets than similar services,

that’s not a bad deal at all.

Those looking to take advantage of the promotion should get an online quote for their Flappy phones and tablets on the company’s website and then call UpgradeSwap’s customer service number for more information about the Flappy Bird bonus.

12 CLASSIFIEDS EDGEDavao Davao Partners

VOL. 6 ISSUE 240 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

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INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 240 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

Orgasmic organic

TRAVELING can take a toll on one’s body weight and waistline, especially when it invokes lots of super-sized eating at least five to six times a day. This was true on my recent media trip to the capital of Negros Occidental, Bacolod via Cebu Pacific’s three-times a week direct flight from Davao. From Bacolod’s famous Chicken Inasal, to 21’s hearty Batchoy, every step was filled with food that was hard to resist.

Thankfully, the tourism office of the Province of Negros Occidental gave us a break from all the rich and calorific food by hosting dinner for the group at Fresh Start Organic + Natural that is located at the Central Walk alfresco area of Robinsons Place Bacolod, a stone’s throw away from Go Hotel where we were billeted.

Fresh Start is Bacolod’s answer to the need of having healthier organic food and products. I was immediately welcomed by shelves of locally made organic home and beauty products as well as food items one can by to take home to enjoy such as muscovado sugar, fresh carabao cheese, and organic greens. The main attraction to Fresh Start though was its light cuisine that use certified organic ingredients.

While we waited for dinner, we were served Crispy Kamote Chips

with Yoghurt and Carabao Cheese Dressing. The kamote chips were thin and crisp and the dressing balanced the richness of the fried chips well. I especially loved the carabao cheese that added a bit of creaminess and saltiness to the appetiser.

Next up, we were served a Fresh Starts trademark Organic Salad. The salad uses crisp organic greens topped with strips of freerange chicken and a light vinaigrette. Every bite was refreshing, and given that we had been on a grill and meat eating binge, the fresh salad was a much wanted break eliciting

oohs and ahhs on the back of my palate.

The salad was followed up by a hearty, meat-free pasta which was served on dainty wooden plates.

Same as the salad that was served earlier, each bite of the pasta was fresh and danced on my tongue.

Who knew organic food could taste so good?

Thinking that dinner was over, everyone was surprised by the serving

of a second entree, Organic Pork Teriyaki served with Organic Brown Rice.

Although already stuffed full, I decided to have a go and dig in. The sweet and smoky flavour of the delicious pork bits demanded for heaps of brown rice.

And I though the supersized meals were to end, I was wrong!

And what is a meal without dessert right?

Dinner was capped off with a delicious Banana Fritter served with a decadent Muscovado flavoured ice cream.

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

Crispy Kamote Chips with Yoghurt sauce.

The organic pork teriyaki.

Fresh Start Organic Salad.

Banana fritters and muscuvado ice Meat-free pasta. cream.

The counter is filled with many organic goodies.

Outside Fresh Start.

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

Celebrate at Café Asia, Pay Day Thai Buffet at Banana Grill CELEBRATE special occasions or hold corporate events at Café Asia Dimsum House and delight in a sumptuous selection of Asian cuisine. For every party or event booked with minimum food purchase of PhP5,000, avail of a 10% discount on your total food bill.

Cafe Asia specializes on appetizing Cantonese-style dishes including delectable appetizers, noodles, soups, salads, desserts, and an assortment of meat and seafood dishes.

Savor the authentic Thai and Filipino cuisine buffet at Banana Grill’s Pay Day Buffet on Feb 28, Friday.

Bring your officemates, families and barkadas, and enjoy an eat-all-you-can of your Thai and Filipino favorites for only PhP299.

As an added treat to its loyal diners, Banana Grill is giving away PhP300 off or more on your total food bill for every minimum food purchase of PhP1,500. This promo ends on Feb 27.

Café Asia Dimsum House and Banana Grill is located at the ground level of MetroLifestyle Complex. For reservations, contact tel. no. 295-6995.

MMK pocketbooks now available in bookstores and newsstands It’s time to flip through the pages of the “Maalaala Mo Kaya” (MMK) pocketbooks once again, as ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc. brings back stories for Filipinos to stay tuned for; stories that are set to not only thrill, but to serve as reflections for real people with real tales to tell—of love, family, career, or country.

Two stories will be hitting bookstores and newsstands to kick things off—“Popcorn” and “Fishball” by favorite “komiks” writer and editor KC Cordero.

“Popcorn” details different kinds of love—the love of a boy named Earl for a girl named Maya who has overcome obstacles, the love of Maya as a daughter for her mother Aling Clara, and the love of a mother that asks for nothing except the well-being of her children.

On the other hand, “Fishball” goes into how “puppy love” plays out—between two innocent young ones who are faced with the obstacle of living in two different worlds. Apart from the romance, “Fishball” also contains life lessons such as respect for one’s family, the importance of making the right decisions, and the necessity of keeping an open mind. Bear witness to the story of Ian, a fishball vendor named Imee, and her older sister Leslie as it unfolds at the turn of each page.

Grab copies of these two inspiring MMK pocketbooks today—available at National Bookstore, 7-11, and BookSale stores and outlets nationwide.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 240 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

ENTERTAINMENT

Marian Rivera and Alden Richards conquer Bicol “IBA talagang magmahal ang mga Bicolano. Napakawarm ng pagtanggap nila sa amin.”

That’s GMA Primetime Queen Marian Rivera speaking about her recent trip to Bicol with newest on-screen partner Alden Richards for the promotional tour of Carmela, Ang Pinakamagandang Babae sa Mundong Ibabaw.

As an actress, Marian is very fortunate that she’s been given the opportunity to tour the country and meet various kinds of people. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa Kapuso Network sa pagkakataong ibinibigay nila sa aming mga artista na maikot ang iba’t ibang lugar sa Pilipinas. Nakakatuwa kasi nagkakaroon kami ng chance na makilala ‘yung supporters namin na talaga namang sinusubaybayan kami araw-araw,” she says.

On the other hand, Alden, who openly admits that being paired with Marian is a dream come true, shares, “Sobrang nagenjoy kami ni Yan. We really didn’t expect the huge crowd during our shows and we’re just thankful.

‘Yung mga tagahanga namin, blessing talaga sila para sa amin kaya thank

you sa kanila.”

On February 9, Marian and Alden were in Bicol, particularly in Naga and Albay, to promote Carmela together with Anak Ko ‘Yan’s James Wright who

is the voice behind Carmela’s theme song Sana’y Ikaw composed by Vehnee Saturno.

They headed first to Naga City for a motorcade that toured the city’s ma-

jor streets. It was followed shortly by a Kapuso Mall Show in SM City Naga.

Said motorcade and mall show, respectively, left around 7,000 and 3,000 supporters in awe of the Kapuso stars’ cheerful performances.

Marian, Alden, and James capped off the day in Daraga, Albay where they delighted around 5,000 fans via a Kapuso Fiesta at 7pm, which was also held in celebration of the province’s Cagsawa Festival.

The Bicol promo tour is already the second leg of Carmela’s visit in various regions, which comes at the heels of the successful promo tour in Cebu during the Sinulog Festival.

Next to this is Carmela’s tour up north on February 22 for Baguio City’s Panagbenga Festival.

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL. 6 ISSUE 240 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

Pope Francis renews Hot or Not? Lady Gaga goes sheer Argentine passport IN yet another testament to the fact that Pope Francis seems to be an incredibly humble pontiff, the 77-year-old head of the Catholic Church opted to have his birth country of Argentina renew his passport and identification card.

“Francis specifically asked not to enjoy any privileges so his new identification card and passport have been processed through the usual administrative channels,” Minister Florencio Randazzo said.

“In coming days, he will receive his passport in the Casa Santa Maria in the Vatican, where he has stated he is resident,” Randazzo added.

While he’s plenty famous as the leader of a large world religion, Pope Fran-

cis officially cemented his place in pop culture when he graced the cover of Rolling Stone last month, with the headline blaring “Pope Francis: The Times They Are A-Changin’” and offering readers a peek “inside the Pope’s gentle revolution.”

“Since his election last March, Francis has consistently confounded expectations with the simplest of

gestures,” writer Mark Binelli explained of the former bishop of Buenos Aires.

“Surprising desk clerks at the hotel where he’d been staying during the papal conclave by showing up to pay his own bill; panicking bodyguards by swigging from a cup of maté (the highly caffeinated tealike beverage popular throughout South America) handed

to him by a stranger during a visit to Brazil; cracking up cardinals with jokes at his own expense hours after being elected (to those assembled at his first official dinner as pope, he deadpanned, ‘May God forgive you for what you’ve done’).”

The esteemed religious figure was also named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year in December.

dito mula sa pinakamaliit hanggang sa pinakamalaki.

Dito ako sobrang kumportable dahil sila ang nagbigay sa akin ng mga projects na memorable kaya nandito ako ngayon. Kailanman hindi ko makakalimutan yung pagtitiwala na ibinigay nila sa akin. Secured ako sa GMA dahil alam ko na hindi nila ako pababayaan. Hindi ko nga napansin na 11 years na

ako dito sa GMA.” Dennis started his career in GMA in 2003 and from then on, he was given a variety of TV projects which showcased his versatility and range as an actor. At present, Dennis not only dabbles at acting on the small and big screens but also tries his hand at singing following the success of his record album – TomDen with fellow Kapuso star Tom Rodriguez. Their album has now reached the Gold record award with over 10,000 units sold in combined digital and CD sales.

Rasonable believes that Dennis is one the most talented and hardworking actors in GMA and she is very happy that Dennis continues to remain loyal to the Kapuso Network, “Sobra kaming nagagalak.

More than 10 years na dito si Dennis. Pinili pa rin niyang magstay. It’s a sign that we have a good relationship with him and we’ve nurtured that over the years.

Palagi kaming naeenganyo na magbigay sa kanya ng mga projects at mag-isip ng mga roles for him kasi we know he will always deliver.

We are excited to give him new projects and offer him something that will still continue his stature as a great dramatic actor.”

Dennis Trillo renews exclusive contract with GMA Network

AWARD-WINNING dramatic actor and recording artist Dennis Trillo remains a Kapuso after signing another exclusive contract with GMA Network, Inc. The contract signing was held today at the Executive Lounge of GMA Network Center and attended by the top officers of the Network.

Present in the contract signing were GMA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, GMA President and Chief Operating Officer Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., GMA Films President Atty. Annette Gozon-Abrogar, GMA Entertainment TV’s Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable, GMA First Vice President for Program Support Regie C. Bautista, GMA Vice President for Entertainment TV Marivin T. Arayata, GMA Vice President for Drama Productions Redgie AcuñaMagno, GMA Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi SantiagoLara, GMA Assistant Vice President for Corporate Communications Angela Javier-Cruz, GMA Assistant Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, Program Managers for ETV Charles Koo and Jocelyn BautistaPacleb and Dennis’ manager Popoy Caritativo.

During the contract sign-

ing, Dennis said he is very happy to renew his contract with GMA 7 which he considers his home for the past 11 years, “Sobrang proud ako na Kapuso pa rin ako.

Excited na akong gumawa ng mga bagong shows.

Excited na akong magtrabaho ulit. Wala na akong mahihiling pa. Dito sa GMA ako sobrang at home dahil kilala ko na ang mga tao

STARTING OVER AGAIN 2D Piolo Pascual, Toni Gonzaga PG 13

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

POMPEII 2D Kit Harington, Emily Browning PG 13

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

THE BOOK THIEF 2D Sophie Nélisse, Nico Liersch PG 13

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

R-16 ROBOCOP 2D Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton PG 13

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

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 240 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

Date night at home OH, the wonderful feeling of love, being in love and being loved is certainly in the air. For those who have still to find their significant other, don’t worry, a barkada night out is a definite solution.

Even though it is after Valentine’s Day, there is no right or wrong time to show your love. Let me share with you a four-course meal that will truly add spice to your date night. No need to have reservations or be stuck in traffic, all you need is your apron, kitchen and emotions to make this even more special. Remember, you can prepare this ahead of time – you can still buy your bouquet and chocolates!

Piñacolada In a blender, combine 2 cups sweetened pineapple juice, 2 cups pineapple chunks, ½ cup all purpose cream, ½ cup coconut meat, ¼ cup honey or maple syrup and 2 cups shaved ice. Blend for 30-45 seconds. Serve and pour in

chilled glass.

Potato Skin with Herbs In a clean, dry bowl, combine ½ cup grated mozzarella cheese, ½ cup cheddar cheese, ¼ cup queso de bola, ¼ cup chopped and drained button mushroom, 3 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon Spanish paprika, cayenne pepper and salt and pepper. Mix well so as to marry all the flavors.

Meanwhile, cut boiled po-

No need to have reservations or be stuck in traffic, all you need is your apron, kitchen and emotions to make this even more special. tato in half (use large sized ones) and scoop meat out.

Add potato meat in cheese mixture and mix but do not thoroughly mash; leave some chunks. Generously fill potato skins and top with added cheese. Sprinkle with freshly ground pepper and serve. You can also bake these for 8 to 10 minutes until the cheese browns.

Coffee Rubbed Prime Rib

In a bowl, combine ¼ cup espresso powder, ¼ cup cayenne powder, 3 tbsp paprika, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp Italian seasoning, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Rub your prime rib or rib-eye steak with coffee rub on both sides and set aside. Heat pan until smoky. Place steak and cook for 3-5 minutes per side. Once done, serve on plate with bit of salad and some garlic butter on top.

No Bake Fresh Fruit Tart In a bowl, mix 2 cups graham crumbs, 3 tbsp melted butter, sugar, and salt until well combined.

Place in individual tart molds and pack; refrigerate for 20 minutes. In a separate clean bowl, beat softened cream cheese, 1 tablespoon grated orange rind, 3 tablespoon orange juice and ½ cup of confectioner’s sugar until fluffy. You may also add 3 tablespoon of rum, if you want to spice it up.

Pour cream cheese and top with desired fruits. If

using peaches, apples or bananas, squeeze a tablespoon of lemon juice to keep it from blackening.

You can also use chocolates.

Be a part of Davao’s Thursday habit! Send me

your recipes, questions, suggestions and comments and be featured. Email me at leebay457@yahoo.com (subject: Royal Chef) or tag me on instagram (herroyalheiress) for your delicious pics!

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

13 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 240 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

Realty FOR SALE:

1) 1-hectare commercial lot at P10,000/sq m, along National Highway, facing east, beside NCCC Panacan, Davao City. 2) 17,940sq m commercial lot at P2,500/sq m, along Matina Diversion Road. 3) 3,831 sq m lot along Matina Diversion Road. 4) 41,408 sq m commercial/ industrial lot at P800/sq m along the National Highway, Bunawan. 5) 7,056 sq m at P1,200/sq m commercial/residential lot along Indangan Road, Buhangin District. 6) 27,411 sq m commercial/ industrial lot along the National Highway in Bincungan, Tagum City. 7) 116.15 to 245.92 sq meters , at P5.5M to P12.3M commercial/ office condo units in Bajada, Davao City. 8) 699 to 1,117 sq m at P4,100/sq m commercial lots at Josefina Town Center, along the National Highway, Dumoy, Toril. 9) Ready-for-Occupancy Residential Properties: 4BR/3T&B in a 240 sq m lot with 177.31sqm floor area (2-storey) at P4.8M in an exclusive beachfront community in Dumoy, Toril.; 3BR 2-storey in a 71.25 sq m 2-storey in a 143sq m lot in an exclusive flower village in Maa, Davao City; 180 sq m lots with 71.25sqm to 126.42 sq m floor areas, priced at P3.751M to P5.773M in an exclusive mountain resort community along Matina, Diversion Road. 10) 1BR/2BR residential condo units located in Bolton, Maa, Obrero, Davao City. 11) FOR ASSUME (RUSH): 1BR res’l condo unit in Palmetto, Maa. P600K negotiable. Note: Items 1-9 can be paid in cash, in-house or bank financing. If interested, please call Jay (PRC REB Lic. 8237) at 0922-851-5337 (Sun), 0908-883-8832 (Smart) or send email to propertiesindavao@yahoo.com.

Free dental care for Villa-Abrille ES kids I N line with the celebration of the 65th foundation day of Cesareo Villa-Abrille Elementary school last February 13, a free dental mission was launched last Sunday, February 9, at the school campus.

According to school principal Emerita Mapula, three groups sponsored the free dental clinic for the school children in Bucana. The Rotary Community Corps of Bucana, a community support group of the Rotary Club of South Davao since August 2004, sponsored the dental care outreach activity with the support of Don Cesareo Villa-Abrille Foundation Inc., headed by its president, Atty. Leoncio Villa-Abrille, and a dental team led by Dr. Jessie Mar Culaste.

The other dentists in the team were Julius Caesar Minto, Hexel Verano and Marc Jobert Daniel Culaste.

Complementing the team were dental assis-

MASONS. Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte (7th from left) with brother masons from Masonic Lodge No. 149 during the turnover ceremonies of donations to the Red Cross Blood Center at the Royal Mandaya Hotel. With him are Jundel Pilar, Prudy Afalla, Mike Bron, Nonoy Uyking, Pepe Najera , Nonie Balbas, Alden Delvo, Butch Ramos, Ariel Reyes and Popoy Perez. Boy Lim tants Rosemarie Luay and Marisol Culaste. A 14-man strong RCC Bucana, led

by Chairperson Nanette Macapundag, Pres. Weslie Capute and Secretary Fely Pedrosa, sponsored the free clinic activity with the

Villa-Abrille Foundation, for a decade now, to promote “A Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body” among the schoolchildren.

Since 2004, Cesareo Villa-abrille Elementary School is an adopted

school of the Rotary Club of South Davao. When the day-long dental mission was on-going, the teachers gave moral support and took care of the anxious school children - by lining them up; relieving them

from their fear; and reducing the pains they felt after their treatment .

At the end of the day, 165 school children were officially recorded as beneficiaries of the free dental outreach project.

14 SPORTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 240 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

Eyes on Norway’s half-Pinay skater A

SIDE from Michael Martinez and Filipino-American JR Celski, another athlete with Filipino blood will be seeing action in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

She is Anne Line Gjersem, a 20-year-old figure skater whose mother is a Filipina.

“Both me and my twin sister are proud to be Filipinos and are brought up in a Filipino way,” Anne Line told GMA News Social Media Team.

She said she personally knows Michael, adding they both qualified for the Olympics in Germany.

Huffington Post said Anne Line, who will represent Norway in the 2014 Winter Olympics, is “a figure skater to watch in Sochi.”

“Though she isn’t expected to vie for a medal, Norway’s Anne Line Gjersem is another skater to watch in Sochi. She is her nation’s first Olympic figure skater in five decades,” it said.

The women’s competition for figure skating in the 2014 Winter Olympics will start on Feb. 19.

Asked what is her favorite thing about being a Filipino, Anne Line replied: “Philippines is such a beautiful country, I like the culture and the traditions.

The people are so friendly and hospitable.”— (GMA News) FIGURE SKATING Women’s Short Program 1. Elena Glebova, Estonia.

2. Park So Youn, South Korea.

3. Gabrielle Daleman, Canada.

4. Natalia Popova, Ukraine.

5. Jenna McCorkell, Britain.

6.

Kerstin Frank, Austria.

7. Zhang Kexin, China.

8. Kaetlyn Osmond, Canada.

9. Brooklee Han, Australia.

10. Isadora Williams, Brazil.

11. Kim Haejin, South Korea.

12. Polina Edmunds, San Jose, Calif.

13. Nicole Rajicova, Slovakia.

14. Elizaveta Ukolova, Czech Republic.

15. Anne Line Gjersem, Norway.

16. Elene Gedevanishvili, Georgia.

17. Kim Yuna, South Korea.

18. Nathalie Weinzierl, Germany.

19. Viktoria Helgesson, Sweden.

20. Kanako Murakami, Japan.

21. Valentina Marchei, Italy.

22. Gracie Gold, Chicago.

23. Li Zijun, China.

24. Akiko Suzuki, Japan.

25. Yulia Lipnitskaya, Russia.

26. Carolina Kostner, Italy.

27. Ashley Wagner, Alexandria, Va. 28. Mae Berenice Meite, France.

29. Adelina Sotnikova, Russia.

30. Mao Asada, Japan.

Cabagnot, Mercado in 7-player trade S

TAR guards Alex Cabagnot and Sol Mercado swapped places on Tuesday in a four-team blockbuster deal involving seven players.

Cabagnot heads to the GlobalPort Batang Pier along with Bonbon Custodio from Air 21.

Mercado will join the San Miguel Beermen along with Rico Maierhofer from Barako Bull.

CABAGNOT

Barako Bull will receive Leo Najorda from GlobalPort, Jason Deutchman from San Miguel Beer, and second-round picks from the Beermen in 2016 and 2017.

Air 21 will end up with Jonas Villanueva.

The deal continues the Beermen’s midseason retooling. Earlier, team management appointed Biboy Ravanes as head coach replacing Gee Abanilla, with American consultant Todd Purves taking on a more active role. It also brings back the backcourt combination of Mercado and Chris Ross, who starred together with the Meralco Bolts.

Cabagnot reunites at GlobalPort with coach Pido Jarencio, a former assistant coach with Petron, along with another former Beerman star Jay Washington.

HALF-PINAY. skater Anne Line Gjersem will skate at no. 25 in the order of the short program.

GRACIE GOLD. Top US bet in figure skating.

GRACE FOR GOLD Gracie Gold, US’best hope for skating gold

S

OCHI, Russia – On the eve of skating her Olympic short program here on Wednesday, Gracie Gold sits at the crossroads of international megastar and months-ago anonymous, small-town-kid who still appears a bit in awe of her present station in life.

Just last week Taylor Swift tweeted to her 39.1 million followers how she was searching to see when Gold was skating next, while asking “How adorable and lovely is she?”

Yet days later Gold was so in awe of sharing a practice rink with reigning Olympic champion Yuna Kim of South Korea that she posted on Ins-

tagram a selfie with Kim skating unaware in the background – like a reverse photo bomb. Later when Kim actually posed for a pic, Gold celebrated by posting it with four exclamation points.

So what is she? Cool enough to be Swift’s sporting infatuation or starstruck fan who can’t completely believe she’s here?

Try both. And that’s the beauty of Gracie Gold.

She carries herself with confidence and poise, but doesn’t claim to have it all figured out. She’s intelligent and well spoken, yet not jaded. She’s excitable yet not so young that she lacks perspective.

It’s cool having Taylor

Swift know who you are, of course, but that’s a fleeting fame and no more important than anyone else peppering her on social media from back home.

“She was probably one of the big ones, for sure,” Gold said Tuesday morning after her final practice before the ladies competition. “But I’ve gotten so many nice tweets from just moms that I’ve known or little kids. All the way up to Taylor Swift. So I have a big mix of support.

“I mean, it’s really nice to get that kind of support and for non-figure skating fans to appreciate what you do on the ice,” she added. “I think that it’s wonderful. It just encourages me and gives me

hope for the future.”

Perhaps she medals here in Sochi, perhaps she upsets a loaded field and becomes the first athlete named Gold to ever win one. Or maybe she does all she can and gets outclassed. This is not a sport, especially at the Olympics, for the faint of heart.

Mainly she wants to leave with no regrets.

Gold appears on solid enough ground that she isn’t going to proclaim her life a failure if she doesn’t win. Yet she isn’t conceding a thing, isn’t writing herself off to anyone. She came here to climb the podium.

“It’s hard to say who is an underdog or who is a dark horse,” Gold noted.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 240 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

SPORTS 15

SEASON HIGH. Lebron James fited a season high 42 points against the Mavericks.

Ride for Philippine Eagle on March 23 A

23-kilometer fundraising bike ride around the city streets billed as the “Ride for the Philippines Eagle” is set on March 23, Sunday at 6 a.m.

The event is co-organized by the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) and the Marco Polo Davao Hotel.

“Proceeds of this activity will help fund the PEF’s conservation actions,” said PEF communication officer Beauxy Auxtero at the SCOOP Session of The Royal Mandaya Hotel last Tuesday.

Registration fee is P400 inclusive of a packed food, jersey and raffle. Exciting raffled prizes will be given including a brand new standard mountain bike.

Registration center is at the Marco Polo Hotel security department.

“The bikers will assemble at the island fronting

Marco Polo Davao Hotel along Roxas Avenue,” said Auxtero.

They will bike from Roxas Avenue, turn left Boulevard, turn right R. Castillo, Agdao turn left Lanang, towards Bajada, turn right to Quirino, cross Bankerohan Bridge, to McArthur Highway, Matina turn left to Quimpo Boulevard, cross Bolton Bridge, Boulevard turn left to Roxas and back to Marco Polo.

“This is open to all kinds of bikers who are interested in helping save the Philippine Eagles,” Auxtero said.

PEF’s conservation actions are rooted on research that aims to understand and thereby address the dwinling population of these magnificent raptors in the wild. There are now 34 eagles with 19 captive at the PEF conservation area in Malagos. [PNA]

Lebron fires 42 in win over Mavs D

ALLAS – LeBron James scored a season-high 42 points and sparked a late run that secured the reigning NBA champion Miami Heat’s 117-106 victory Tuesday at Dallas.

Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player James connected on 16-of23 shots from the field, including 4-of-8 from

3-point range, and added nine rebounds and six assists for Miami.

Vince Carter’s free throw with 7:47 remaining gave the Mavericks a 95-92 lead but the Heat scored the next 14 points to seize command.

James opened the run with back-to-back 3-pointers, added a basket and two free throws

for 10 points in the run and Dallas came no closer than eight points the rest of the way.

Miami improved to 4-1 on a road trip that ends Thursday against NBA scoring leader Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder, who ripped the Heat earlier this season at Miami.

Chris Bosh scored 22

points and Chris Andersen contributed 18 more off the bench for Miami.

Dwyane Wade had 13 points and seven assists for the Heat.

German star Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 22 points and also contributed nine rebounds and seven assists for the Mavericks, who won six of their past seven games.

U21 Azkals tryouts in Davao

I

N anticipation of an invitation to participate in the U21 Hassanal Bolkia Cup in Brunei Darussalam in August 2014, the Philippine Football Federation will conduct an initial voluntary inspection of players born on 01 January 1994 and later.

Tryouts venue is at the Tionko Field, Bolton Riverside, Quimpo Blvd., Davao City on 22 – 23 February 2014. Morning sessions will be from 7:00 – 10:00 and afternnon traiining will be at 3:00 – 6:00 PM. The newly appointed Head Coach of the PHL U21 Team, Mr. Jim Fraser will be accompanied by Mr. Marlon M. Maro (U21 Technical Adviser) and Goal Keeper

Coach Mr. Noel Marcaida.

The criteria are: Strong will and Character, Dynamics and Agility, Speed and Power, Sound Technical Ability.

Players must bring the following equipment for the training sessions: complete football gear, rubber shoes, jerseys, shorts, and shin guards); extra clothes, slippers, towels drinking water toiletries Concerns and inquiries can be directed at the Philippine Football Federation office secretariat at Tel. No. (02)571 2870 and email at philippine.football.federation@gmail.com.

DACHEA SPORTSFEST. Sports Development Division Officer-in-Charge William “Butch” Ramirez (2nd from left) makes the ceremonial toss with his deputy Ma. Tisha “Goldie” Delvo (3rd from left) ushering the start on Tuesday of the 77th Araw ng Dabaw-Davao City Hall Employees Association (DACHEA) Inter-Department basketball tournament at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym. SKIPPY LUMAWAG/SDD-CMO

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VOL. VOL.66ISSUE ISSUE240 240••THURSDAY, THURSDAY,FEBRUARY FEBRUARY20, 20,2014 2014

TRMH-Duterte Aguilas in Pacman Cup semis

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

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RANDISHING a new spunk and a more aggressive gait, the Royal Mandaya Hotel-Duterte Aguilas swept through their elimination assignments to advance to the Final Four with ease in the Cong. Manny Pacquiao “Pacman” Cup basketball tournament in General Santos City.

The Aguilas, now coached by US-trained former Ateneo drillmaster Ronel Leuterio, waylaid M. Lhuillier-Southwestern University Cobras of Cebu, 81-58, in their first outing on Monday night before turning back chief rival and defending Pacman Cup champion MP Pacman Warriors 71-66 on Tuesday night at the tuna city’s Oval Gym. With a sweep of their eliminations assignment, the Aguilas will now take the group’s no. 1 spot and will face the no. 2 squad in the other group which

CONTENDERS. Gracie Gold of the USA (left), Yulia Lipinskaya of Russia (top, right) and half-Pinay Anne Line Gjersem (below, right) are among the top 30 skaters competing in the women’s short program of the Sochi Olympics. See story on Page 14.

MANDAYA HOTEL-DUTERTE AGUILAS. TRMH-Duterte Aguilas team owner Glenn Escandor (third from left) with coach Ronel Leuterio (second from left), team coordinator Jek Melendres (extreme left), son Francis Gabriel (4th from left) and assistant coach Miggy Solitaria (right) with the members of the team during practice. (FB photo by Jimmy Javier) turned out to be Goldstar Hardware which lost to Montana Pawnshop 87-71 yesterday. The third team in the other group is the team from Basilan which is already out of contention.

The Aguilas are composed of 2013 Araw ng Dabaw MVP Jojo Tangkay, Mark Magsumbol, Al Ver-

gara, Ardy Larong, Hafer Mondragon, Baba Hamadou Laminou Malkawou, Reed Juntilla, John Paul Alcaraz, Dado Ayson, Toto Jawud, Bogs Raymundo and Kristoffer Robles.

“We are a hard fighting team now, very aggressive and we want people to refer to us as the fight-

ing team under the same character as the Mayor of Davao City. We will try to live up to his name each time we play,” said Leuterio.

The team is co-managed by TRMH president Glenn Escandor and CMO executive assistant Bong Go.

Canlubang aims for 4th Seniors Interclub title

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ACOLOD CITY – The 27th Philippine Airlines Seniors Interclub golf team championships get going Thursday with defending champion Canlubang parading two new recruits in its bid for a fourth straight championship.

Reigning national seniors champion Abe Avena and Japanese Saso San will join regulars Dave Hernandez, Rolly Viray, Tony Olives, Luigi Yulo, Rene Unson and Mari Hechanova.

For the second straight year, Tommy Manotoc is not on the Canlubang roster.

Last year, Hernandez and Viray each shot 51 points on the final day at the Alta Vista Golf Club in Cebu City to power Can-

lubang to a thrilling sixpoint win over old rival Luisita.

Another close finish is expected as Luisita gets a big boost with the return of Iggy Clavecilla and the entry of former pro Eddie Bagtas.

Clavecilla suffered a freak accident in South Korea in 2011 and did not see action in the last two staging of the event.

Bagtas had a respectable pro career, winning several tournaments while competing against the likes of Frankie Minoza, Antolin Fernando and Mario Manubay.

The other Luisita regulars are Francis Gaston, Richie Garcia, Pepot Inigo, Lino Magpantay and Bong Sison.

SENIORS INTERCLUB. The 27th PAL Seniors Interclub kicks off with Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella hitting the ceremonial tee shot at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club in Marapara, BacolodCity. A hundred teams, including 52 foreign clubs, are contesting bragging rights in four divisions of the country’s biggest and longest-running amateur team golf tournament. [Photo by Ruel Bonghanoy, PAL]