Edge Davao 7 Issue 196

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 196 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

SANTA? An elderly man catches the attention of bystanders and motorists with his Santa Claus-inspired look while walking along San Pedro Street with his cart towards Bankerohan Public Market where he works as a porter. Lean Daval Jr.

TOP REB NABBED Arrested NPA rebel has P2.5-M bounty for his capture

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. & FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

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OVERNMENT forces arrested two alleged New People’s Army (NPA) officials – including one with a P2.5 million bounty – in a checkpoint in Barangay Magnaga, Pantukan, Compostela Valley Province on Sunday afternoon.

One of the two was identified as Jordan Donillo (alias Jovan, Estong, and Noli) of the Special Divi-

sion Group Front 18 of the NPA’s Southern Mindanao Region Command. The other was a woman identified only as Inday.

Based on the report of Police Regional Office (PRO) 11, the two were arrested at around 5:30 p.m. on December 14 in a joint operation of the Compostela Valley Province Police Provincial Office (CVPPPO), Compostela Valley

INSIDE EDGE Public Safety Command, and soldiers belonging to the 701st and 1001st Brigades and the 72nd Infantry Battalion (IB) of 10th Infantry Division.

The operatives confiscated a .45 caliber pistol, two alleged improvised explosive devices (IEDs), two cell phones, and three sling bags from the two rebels.

The PRO 11 said the Department of Defense (DND)

and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) offered a P2.5 million reward for the arrest of Donillo based on the reward list dated November 8, 2012.

Captain Vergel Lacambra of the 10th Infantry Division said Donillo was arrested by virtue of several warrants of arrest for double murder and multiple

FTOP REB, 10

TF DAVAO FAVORITES MEN TOIN MARCH ESCORT PACQUIAO BUSES 10-BALL THE BIG NEWS page 2 OPEN KOBE SPORTS page 14 PASSES MJ IN NBA ALL-TIME SCORING LIST SPORTS page 16

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 196 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

CHRISTMAS TOYS. A sales attendant arranges her display of action figures at the Christmas booths area of SM City Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Bus companies urged to install CCTV cameras

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) urged bus companies in the city to install closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in all their bus units for security purposes in light of last week’s deadly bus bombing in Maramag, Bukidnon.

In an interview yesterday after the flag raising ceremony at City Hall, PSSCC head Francisco Villaroman told reporters the CCTV cameras can record

all movements inside the buses and can be used in case something wrong happens.

“I suggest they put up some CCTV cameras… just like in other countries where you will be seen by the CCTV whenever you board. And if something goes wrong, it will be recorded,” Villaroman said.

He said the installation of the CCTV cameras inside buses does not violate the passengers’ right to privacy since it involves public

Rebels torch banana farm equipment, disarm guards

A

BOUT 20 alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) burned heavy equipment and stole the guns of the security personnel of a banana farm in Nabuntruan, Compostela Valley on Sunday night.

The Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 said the incident at Dizon Farm in Barangay Antequera at around 8 p.m. on December 14.

Based on the report, the suspects entered the com-

pound and disarmed five security personnel, taking two shotguns and two .38 revelovers.

The group also burned four farm tractors, two ten-wheeler trucks, a six-wheeler truck, and a generator set.

Police said the group also cut down numerous banana plants.

The suspects fled towards an unknown direction on board by two vans. [ABF]

transport.

Villaroman said he will recommend to Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte that all bus companies be required to install CCTV cameras in their units before their permits are renewed.

He said this recommendation should be backed with an ordinance from the City Council in coordination with Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in order to legalize its implementation.

Bus stops

Meanwhile, Villaroman said his office will designate bus stops in some parts of the city where buses can pick up passengers en route to their destination.

“This must be done with the cooperation of the bus operators. They will help us as to where they wanted to pick up and drop passengers,” he said.

This was in line with Duterte’s order given during the “Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa” televi-

FBUS, 10

DLPC on tight power supply

D

AVAO Light and Power Company (DLPC) is now on tight power supply situation due to the load curtailment imposed by National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in Mindanao.

In an interview yesterday, DLPC vice president for engineering Rodger S. Velasco told reporters that the company is receiving only 242 Megawatts of the the 285 MW of contract power from the National Power Corporation (NPC).

Velasco said the curtailment started last December 9 with only 5 MW. This,

however, jumped to about 150 MW last Friday.

He said based on unverified information, the cause of the curtailment is the low water elevation at the Pulangi Hydro Power Plant.

“Pulangi has very low water inputs, so out of 255 MW capability, now it is about 60 MW,” he said.

Velasco said despite the load curtailment imposed

by NGCP, Davao Light will not impose a rotational brownout since there is still 10.85 MW excess power from the total power supply of 353.85 MW. The demand of the

na nakakalat ngayon para mag-inspect sa mga bus (We have our troops deployed in many parts of the city to do inspection in passenger buses), ” Tena said.

He said the bus boarding is implemented so that those picked up along the road will be also inspected.

Before the bombing, full

inspection of passengers and their bags are only conducted in public terminals like the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT).

“We are on a high full security alert in the city, ” Tena said, adding that a large volume of commuters are now

FDLPC, 10

TF Davao to board buses

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

F

crc@edgedavao.net

OLLOWING the bus bombing in Maramag, Bukidnon last week that caused multiple deaths, Task Force Davao (TF) Davao implemented a new system called “bus boarding” in order to secure commuters traveling to and from Davao City during the holiday season.

Speaking in yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao Annex, TF Davao spokesperson Captain Mario Tena said TF Davao personnel are deployed in different parts of the city to conduct random inspection on passenger buses that pick up passengers along the road.

“May mga tropa tayo

FTF DAVAO, 10

NEWS 3

VOL. 7 ISSUE 196 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

NO SOLICITATION. Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao lawyer Rodolfo M. Elman (left) urges businesses WATER RATE HIKE. Incoming Davao City Water District (DCWD) spokesperson lawyer Bernie Delima divulgto report government offices that solicit from them during the holiday season. With him in yesterday’s es a foreseen water rate increase by 2016 during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw. At left is outgoing DCWD Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao Annex is Captain Romeo Tena of Task Force Davao. Lean Daval Jr. spokesperson Imelda Magsusi. Lean Daval Jr.

Water rate hike expected in 2016

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

ABAWENYOS will have to pay more for their water by 2016 because of the construction of the Tamugan Surface Water Development Project, an official of the Davao City Water District (DCWD) said.

Incoming DCWD spokes-

person lawyer Bernardo D. Delima told reporters during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao Annex yesterday that there is a need to increase the water rate because it will be used in preparation of the purchase of the treated bulk water.

The project, which has been awarded to the tandem of Aboitiz Equity Ventures and J.V. Angeles Construction Corp. last June, will be implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme. It has an estimated cost of P10 billion and

has a capacity to supply 300 cubic meters of potable water daily to Davao City.

Delima said the company targets to complete the project design and costing by the middle of 2015, while construction will be completed

izen or private entity, investors for instances, in exchange for the issuance of licenses is a violation of the law,” Elman said during the weekly Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao Annex yesterday.

Elman said the delay in the delivery of frontline services of any government offices as well

as mulcting and soliciting from any business is a violation of the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

“Aggrieved businessmen could lobby their complaints on the Investment Ombudsman (IO) team that will be launched here

by the first quarter of next year,” he said.

Elman said the IO team for Mindanao has been receiving complaints since the creation of the office last June.

“The IO is created cater to and address complaints specifically from investors because we’ve observed

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Businesses urged to report soliciting gov’t agencies

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EPUTY Ombudsman for Mindanao Rodolfo Elman yesterday urged businesses to report any form of solicitation activity conducted by any government office especially during the Christmas season.

“Any form of solicitation activity by any government office or employee to a cit-

FBUSINESSES, 10

CELEBRATE THE BADJAO. Organizer Felicisimo Morales (left) and councilor Leo Avila announce the upcoming Badjao Family Day slated on December 20 and 21 which aims to preserve and reintroduce the rich heritage of the Badjaos. The two were among the guests in yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

Security tightened as ‘de Gallo ‘ starts

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

S

ECURITY is all set as the traditional Misa de Gallo starts today.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 regional director Chief Superintendent Wendy G. Rosario said all city and provincial police directors are directed to implement the operational directives of “Ligtas Paskuha 2014.”

“The deployment of personnel, law enforcement, target hardening, information operation, intensified checkpoint operation, abd foot and mobile patrols should be given emphasis,” Rosario said.

PRO 11 added 50 personnel from the Regional Public Safety Battalion to the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) for deployment to different churches.

For his part, Task Force (TF) Davao commander Colonel Macairog Alberto assured

the public that the group is maintaining its red alert status to prevent any untoward incident in the city.

“As what we have done before we will be deploying forces in the churches to monitor and to secure those who are attending the simbang gabi,” he said.

Alberto said TF Davao strictly implements its checkpoint operations and foot patrol to intensify the security of the city for the Misa de Gallo.

He said TF Davao has not received threats on the city despite the deadly bus explosion in Maramag, Bukidnon last week.

He said his unit has already coordinated with the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) and bus operators to avoid picking up passengers along the highway.

Caraga placed on high alert after Bukidnon bus blast

S

ECURITY measures have been stepped up in Caraga region right after the bombing of a passenger bus in Maramag, Bukidnon last week, the regional office of the Philippine National Police said.

Superintendent Romaldo Bayting, spokesperson of Caraga Police Regional Office said Sunday the measures include stricter conduct of checkpoints especially at the regional boundaries.

Bayting said police personnel with K-9 units are boarding and checking buses along the borders of Caraga region.

“These checkpoints are part of the intensification of our security measures.

Aside from these regular checkpoints our personnel are also conducting random checkpoints in other areas since there is likelihood that these criminal elements would find a way to get past our border checkpoints,” he added.

Also on Sunday, Supt.

Romy Palgue, Butuan City’s deputy police director said an ongoing police program named Patrol 101 is part of their elaborate security plan not only because of the bombing incident but also for the holidays.

“Police Regional Director PC Supt. David Ombao has given the directive for the implementation of Patrol 101 which would re-

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4 BIGGER PICTURE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 196 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

City with no soul?

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OR artist Lovella “Dadai” Joaquin, art is more than just a living; it is “an integral part of life.”

“Art makes life special.

It makes life bearable. As Pablo Picasso said, ‘The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.’ Imagine living in a world whose only concern is to accomplish tasks: everything would be square, colorless, graceless. Unbearable,” Joaquin said in a recent speech at the Rotary Club of East Davao which had invited her to be guest of honor and speaker.

Sadly, she said, art is not being given the attention it deserves. “Over the past years my husband (Jon Joaquin, associate editor of Edge Davao) and I have been observing that schools are no longer giving attention to the arts. He has noticed that fewer students seem to be reading the old classics that we were required to read when we were in high school,” she said.

“On my part, I have seen that students are no longer being exposed to the visual arts, much less encouraged to create artwork themselves. I know this because I have several students under my wing whose parents have asked me to teach.

The children simply don’t get enough art education in school,” she added.

So why study art?

Why teach art? What is art for? Joaquin an-

swered these questions with a string of rhetorical questions – all of them answerable by “no.”

“Is art a dispensable part of life, an optional elective, something we can do without? Isn’t it more important to study math, science, geometry, physics, business, computer coding? Isn’t life all about working and making money?”

Joaquin laments that when one looks at the country’s educational system today, “it seems that the only concern is the creation of a future workforce, one that would be able to take advantage of the opportunities of globalization.”

“Little is given to making a well-rounded citizenry, one that is as conversant in the humanities as it is in computer code,” she added.

Joaquin said aside from making life special, art also has a role in uniting people. She quoted art therapist Cathy Malchiodi, who said art enhances community: “Art is created to be experienced by others and engages us in community even when our reactions to art are deeply personalized. This communal engagement echoes back to ‘safety in numbers’ and the modern psychological concept of social support that is widely accepted as a key factor for resilience.

When we act in concert to share a cultural experience through art, it is

often to gather together celebrate or commemorate life’s important issues.”

Joaquin is especially troubled by the state of art in Davao City. “I’ve often heard it said that we are creating a city without a soul. We have many malls and restaurants and other business establishments, but where are our art galleries? Where are our installation arts?

Where are our garage bands busking for coins right on streets? We don’t nurture the arts, and we do not let the arts nurture us,” Joaquin said.

“I hope that in my lifetime I will get to see Davao change from being just a progressive city to a beautiful city. I hope it happens sooner than later,” she added.

Lovella “Dadai” Joaquin spent her childhood in Midsayap, North Cotabato before her family moved to Davao City when she was 7 years old.

A self-taught artist, she dabbled in various media like watercolor and pastel but never thought of going full-time. She first raised a family and then went into public relations and advertising, mounting several big events like the Davao City leg of the 2002 Metro Manila Film Festival and the sports component of the WOW Mindanao campaign in 2004.

She did not leave art completely, however, and

managed to paint in her spare time. She honed her craft and added other media to her arsenal, including oil and even soil.

She joined two group exhibits: the Artisthood Exhibit in 2001 and Symmetry of Spirit, an exhibit of 10 women artists in Mindanao, in 2006. She also taught art to children and mounted summer art workshops for several years that culminated in exhibits.

Dadai mounted her first solo exhibit in 2010, painting 50 works in pastel and pen-and-ink for the show dubbed “GUHIT” at Legaspi Suites. A one-night-only affair, it nevertheless secured Dadai’s place as an artist in Mindanao.

Her second solo exhibit was in 2012 at The Royal Mandaya Hotel titled “Kuwarenta,” celebrating her 40th birthday with 40 works in pastel and water color.

She is currently preparing for her third solo exhibit, scheduled some time next year. Meanwhile, all her works are viewable on her Facebook account, which she has found to be an effective avenue for sharing her passion.

Dadai’s own fans and buyers speak of her ability to create touching and moving art, but she says her secret is simple: focus on the subject. She says: “What used to hold me back was my fear of

critics. Then I realized that they’re not who I paint for. I paint for the

subject, for the viewers, and ultimately, for myself.”

5 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 196 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

DOE targets installation of 100-MWs solar panel

E

NERGY Secretary Jericho Petilla is targeting 100 Megawatts (MWs) of solar panel installations in government offices and schools by 2015. ”We’re targeting 100 MWs next year. You can never tell how many projects, depends on the size,” Petilla told reporters.

He said the House of Representatives and the Philippine Air Force had already expressed interest in the photovoltaic installations.

Petilla said he was instructed by House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte that Congress will be next, after Saint Scholastica’s College 96 kilowatt peak (kwP) installation on Wednesday.

Once completed, it will be the fourth project initiated by the Department of Energy (DOE).

Among the options are converting the parking lot’s rooftop with solar panels, but Petilla said the DOE is still exploring and studying the Con-

gress’ building structure.

Petilla said the entire complex might have a photovoltaic installation at a minimum of 1 Megawatt (MW).

However, he gave assurance the transaction will only be different from its previous projects, with the government required bidding phase and a ceiling price of P9.50 kilowatts per hour (kph). ”The only difference for this project is, it will have to be bid out. Ceiling price is at P9.50 kph, who can bid lower?

Everything will be the same,” Petilla said.

Previously, Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB) Director Marasigan said a 100 kilowatt (kw) installation will take 60 days to install. Thus, the Congress installation might take a few months to be finished.

Relatively, the last three projects pushed by DOE only needed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and required no installation payments, as the school will only

FRUITY HOLIDAY. Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary Art Boncato (right) and Davao Regional Tourism Council head Mary Ann Montemayor (center) show the fruits they received from participating

stalls during the opening of the Fiesta Market at Abreeza Mall on Friday afternoon. Also in photo is Abreeza Mall marketing manager Ruby Ochoa. Lean Daval Jr.

pay for the power it has used.

It will automatically own the solar panels, after consistently paying for 15 years.

The three schools with

within the 100 kilowatts range, with the panels supposedly costing between P8-10 million.

Further, for the Philippine Air Force planned installation,

installed solar panels are La Consolacion College – Manila, Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU) and St. Scholastica’s College, all having installations

the energy secretary is asking whether the Villamor Airbase will last for another 15 years, adding it might be sold for 10

FDOE, 10

6 THE ECONOMY PSE eyes 10 IPOs in 2015 T

EN companies are expected to debut in the local equities market next year, encouraged by the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals even amid potential global headwinds.

“We are estimating 10 in total IPOs (initial public offerings),” Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) President Hans Sicat told reporters.

Sicat hoped that more branded consumer and manufacturing-related companies would list their shares on the local bourse next year.

He said IPOs will be driven by companies’ increased expansion plans and relatively low interest rates that are expected to also bring down valuations on the exchange.

“The background will be relatively low interest rates and high consumption lev-

el. With that, it should augur well for at least a solid 2015 following this good 2014. We are also cautiously optimistic despite the potential headwinds from around the globe (and) that the Philippines will be able to remain flexible,” he added.

Apart from IPOs, Sicat said the Php200-billion PSE target for capital fundraising next year will be boosted by more follow-on offerings and backdoor listings.

“I think it will be the same story like this year and last year. You have a base level of IPOs and maybe a few backdoors. But follow-on offerings probably will continue to be the bulk (of the fund),” he noted.

Sicat said there is also a lot of need for companies to raise capital as they embark on their expansion plans. (PNA)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 196 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

WHISKERED FLYERS. Whiskered Terns fly above a farmer plowing his field as other birds feed on worms and insects below, in Barangay Ampayon in Butuan City, December 12, 2014. MindaNews photo by Erwin Mascarinas

Purisima welcomes upgrade

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

T

crc@edgedavao.net

HE Department of Finance welcomed news of Moody’s upgrading the Philippines’ credit rating from Baa3 to Baa2 by citing good governance as a central element to unleashing the country’s growth potential.

“We welcome news of yet another credit ratings upgrade as a recognition of the robust foundations we built through good governance reforms and prudent fiscal management,” Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima said in a statement.

He said, however, that the Philippines is “still a notch

underrated.”

“There is much work to accomplish as we approach 2016: we look to comprehensive and equitable tax reform to align with our peers in ASEAN, enhancements in tax administration, the expansion of the Treasury Single Account, as well as the passage of our priority initiatives pending in Congress such as customs modernization, as well as the rationalization and transparency of fiscal incentives,” he said.

“We are fully convinced that continuing our economic turnaround story rests on our

commitment to good governance. We take this upgrade as a reminder to government and civil society that sustaining good governance reforms is the only way to maintain and capitalize on our ever improving trajectory,” he added.

Purisima said four years into the Aquino administration, “we are growing ever firmer in our conviction that good governance is indeed good economics: this is the 21st positive credit rating action that the country has earned since the Aquino administration took office in 2010.”

Purisima said reforms in the revenue agencies has brought the Philippines closer to its goal of reaching 16.6 percent tax-to-GDP ratio, as the ratio has now improved to 14.08 percent for the first three quarters of 2014.

Revenue collection grew 12.6 percent for January-October 2014, with both the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) posting double digit revenue collection growth for January to October.

“Notably, the credit rating upgrade affirms the positive effects of the President’s dar-

ing program to reform the Bureau of Customs,” Purisima said.

“The BOC is fast becoming one of the country’s best reform stories: for January-October 2014, collections grew 18.8 percent compared to the same period last year.

Meanwhile, debt burden now stands at 37.3 percent of GDP as of end-June, a full 6 percentage point (ppt) improvement from the 44.3 percent figure posted in 2010, and a staggering 30.8 ppt decrease from the peak recorded at 68.1 percent in 2003,” he said.

Purisima said these efforts “have built strong economic fundamentals with which we will continue to fuel our positive growth trajectory.”

“Improving revenue collection and lowering debt service have increased fiscal space to fund critical investments for our people. In just four years, good governance has freed up fiscal space to allow us to almost double our education and public works budgets, to triple our health budget, and quintuple our social welfare budget,” he said.

impact in the country’s healthcare system.

“Definitely maapektuhan ang pagbibigay ng budget sa Department of Health. Malaki ang impact nito kasi the DOH is relying on this para sa ating iba’t ibang campaigns and activities,” said Lee Suy. (Definitely, it (non-compliance to sin tax law) will affect the Department of Health’s budget allocation. It has a big impact because DOH is relying on this for its various campaigns and activities).

The Sin Tax Law or Republic Act 10351 is one of the anti-smoking measures passed by the Aquino administration with the aim of increas-

ing cigarette prices and alcoholic drinks, thereby making them unaffordable for the youth and the poor. Under the law, 85 percent of sin tax revenues is allocated for the enrollment of the poorest of the poor to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

Last week, Speaker Belmonte, Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Juan Edgardo Angara called for a congressional inquiry into allegations involving Mighty Corporation and as to why the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has not lifted a finger on its alleged fraudulent practices to evade hundreds of millions of pesos

in tax and duty payments.

The Speaker made the call following reported funding shortfalls for government’s universal health care program.

But aside from Mighty Corporation, Lee Suy said the DOH is also interested in the aspect on how sin tax revenues are being allocated and utilized under government’s universal healthcare program.

Records of the Department of Finance show that of the P91.6 billion revenue from the sin tax law in the first 11 months of 2013, about P61.622 billion came from tobacco products while the remaining P30 billion came from alcoholic drinks.

(PNA)

OFW families continue Probe Mighty Corp’s tax compliance: DOH to value habit of saving

T

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) efforts to instill among Filipinos the value of saving continue to bear fruit.

Based on the consumer expectations survey (CES) of the central bank for the fourth quarter of 2014, the saving behavior of Overseas Filipino Workers’ (OFW) beneficiaries alone continues to improve.

CES results showed that OFW households that used part of the remittances for savings went up to 42.1 percent from 39.7 percent in the quarter-ago survey.

Monetary officials continue to promote savings noting that this would encourage people to become investors.

Earlier, BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said they continue to encourage sav-

ers to become investors but stressed that this migration is not easy.

He said people need to be financially literate to be able to grasp the full idea of saving and investing.

He said financial education is needed “so that individuals can safe-keep their principal while building up the capacity to set aside a portion for risk-taking and financial gains.” ”It is this underlying shift in risk awareness that allows savers to make well-informed decisions and become retail investors,” he said.

However, based on the over-all survey, the number of households with savings contracted a bit at only 25.7 percent from quarter-ago’s 26.9 percent due mainly to lesser

FOFW, 10

T

HE Department of Health (DOH) has supported the call of House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. for a congressional investigation on alleged sin tax malpractices of tobacco firm Mighty Corporation.

According to DOH spokesperson Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, the DOH is willing to cooperate if the joint congressional oversight committee on the Sin Tax Law would investigate the supposed excise tax liabilities of the Bulacan-based cigarette maker.

He noted that the alleged non-compliance of companies like Mighty Corporation with the Sin Tax law has a huge

7 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 196 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

Saving endangered marine turtles Text and Photos By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“

PAWIKAN could be extinct by year 2000.”

That was the title of a feature released by Techno Dispatch and published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

“A recent survey on the population of green sea turtle -- known locally as pawikan -- shows that this amphibian is vanishing at a very fast rate, so much so that it could be totally extinct by year 2000,” the report said.

The report cited three primary reasons why green sea turtles are disappearing from the Philippine waters.

These were: • The high rate and uncontrolled collection of marine turtles and turtle eggs in major breeding and nesting grounds; • The appearance of products and by-products in the local markets as well as the increasing demand for turtle decorations in the international market; and • Dislocation of nesting habitats through development of tourist zones and settlement areas.

It’s now 14 years after the prediction was issued and green sea turtles are still very much around. But far from improving, its population continues to dwindle. And so are the other marine turtles found in the Philippines.

Marine turtles are believed to be the longest-living animals among reptiles.

Some species are known to live for as long as 200 years under normal conditions.

They belong to the order Chelonia, a type of reptiles that has existed and flourished since prehistory, with very little change in their basic body structure.

There are only eight known species of marine turtles and five of them can be found in the country. All

species are classified as either endangered or threatened. Most Filipinos hardly know any of them. Even scientists themselves are still baffled by these species.

“I don’t know any branch of science where we have applied so much effort and learned so little,” commented Richard Byles of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “We don’t know where each species grows to maturity, or how it takes them to grow up, or what the survival rates are.”

Unfortunately, these marine creatures will soon be gone -- forever. “Unless we seriously take on the task of protecting the much endangered marine turtles, these ancient creatures will soon be extinct,” said a Filipino environmentalist.

The five species found in the country are the green sea turtle (known in the science world as Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate), Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), and Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea).

Because of its meat, the green sea turtle is considered as the most dominant and popular species. Although brown in color, it grows up to about a meter long and weighs up to as much as 150 grams. However, it got its name from the green fat found inside its body. It eats fish to a limited extent but seem to prefer shellfish and seaweeds.

The Hawksbill turtle is the most beautiful of all marine turtles. Its color varies from brown to yellow-brown, with the bottom shell in shades of yellow or white. It grows a little less than a meter in length and weighs over 50 grams. It thrives on crabs, shrimps, and mollusks.

The Leatherback turtle is the largest of all species.

It may grow up to more than 2.5 meters and weighs as much as 800 kilograms.

Its leathery back gave it its name. Some fishermen consider the appearance of this turtle as bad omen. It feeds primarily on jellyfish.

The Olive Ridley turtle or so-called “lambanagan” can be distinguished from the other species by five or more scales on its back. It has a distinct olive-brown color.

The Loggerhead turtle is hunted for its oil. Its top shell is elongated and is reddish brown in color. It lives exclusively on fish.

Marine turtles are known to occupy a wide range of habitats. In the Philippines, they can be found in the following places: Camiguin Island, Sitankai Island of the Sibutu group; Sicam, Kalayaan and Ursula islands off Palawan;

Nauban, Quezon; Lubang Island off Mindoro Occidental; San Miguel Islands in Sulu; and Turtle Island in Sulu.

Marine turtles are also reported to be thriving in Mati City, Davao Oriental; Kopiat Island in Mabini, Compostela Valley; and Maitum, Sarangani.

“Males and females mate in the water,” noted Techno Dispatch. “The females then go to shore to lay her eggs. Females periodically nest on cycles of two, three and four years.

In a nesting season, a female nests several times in intervals of about two weeks.”

High production months are from May to September, August being the peak month with female turtles laying from 50 to 170 eggs per nest. The incubation period is from 3-4 months,

after which the hatchlings make their way from the nest to the sea water.

According to some experts, only one out of every 100 hatchlings survive to become an adult. “The odds are certainly against any individual marine turtle,” penned one environmental scribe. “Yet the species amazingly have survived.

They have surmounted the moving and shaping of the continents and the great climatic changes that happened during the past 900,000 centuries.”

This author has never tried eating marine turtle meat. But some who did said it is very tasty, particularly the green sea turtle meat. Anne and Jack Rudloe, writing for National Geographic, disclosed: “The green sea turtle’s meat is the most delicious of any

sea turtles because it is a vegetarian, grazing pastures of seagrasses and algae to grow to an average of 300 pounds.”

If the meat is delicious, more so are the eggs -which Asians, particularly the Chinese, consider an aphrodisiac. The eggs, which look like ping-pong balls, are also prized as an energizing protein.

But marine scientists dispel this myth. They say pawikan eggs are just like chicken eggs. “I myself did not find the turtle eggs appetizing at all when I finally did eat once during the lunch on a visit to Langaan,” wrote Jonas H. Liwag in an article published in Mabuhay, the inflight magazine of Philippine Air Lines. “It tasted like boiled chicken egg yolk with sand grits thrown in.”

8

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

VOL. 7 ISSUE 196 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

EDITORIAL

Not a tough choice

D

AVAO City has been on tight security for quite some time now, the alert level not really going down even during periods of lull when nothing out of the ordinary seems to be happening to it and its environs. This is perhaps one of the reasons the city has been relatively peaceful in spite of the pockets of violence and other such incidents that seem to happen regularly in Mindanao. True, there have been several incidents here, notably last year’s minor explosions in two movie houses here, but such attacks are few and far between and do little to disrupt life in these parts. Confidence in the city is still high as evidenced by the numerous visitors who come to see what life here is all about, and by the businesses that keep sprouting up seemingly out of nowhere.

Complacency, however, has no place among the city’s denizens especially with the Christmas holidays upon us. With people pouring in from all corners to do their shopping here, there is still that chance that those with malicious intent can come in and sow chaos. Just how easy that can be done was demonstrated just last

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week when a bomb went off inside a passenger bus in Maramag, Bukidnon, killing 10 people and wounding scores of others. That bus had apparently allowed someone to board outside of the terminal, and that person was able to sneak in a bomb undetected.

That very same thing can be done with a bus entering Davao City – and the result can be devastating.

There are still security holes that need to be plugged, and the most obvious are the buses that come and go on a daily basis. Bus companies need to cooperate with the authorities as far as establishing proper protocols for boarding is concerned. Perhaps the practice of not picking up passengers outside terminals is impossible to implement, but at the very least those who do board need to undergo strict inspection – the very same thing their co-passengers go through at the terminal. This may be unwieldy, but there are no two ways about it: either tighten bus security or the people suffer the consequences. When put that way, it’s not such a tough choice to make.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

AGAPITO JOAQUIN JR. Associate Editor

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. CHENEEN R. CAPON BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO Reporters MEGHANN STA. INES AQUILES Z. ZONIO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. FUNNY PEARL GAJUNERA Lifestyle Photography CHA MONFORTE JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA Correspondents ARLENE D. PASAJE Contributing Photographer Cartoons MUNDA • HENRYLITO TACIO • MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO AURELIO A. PEÑA • MARY Columnists: CARLOS MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. ANN “ADI”• C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • VIDA MIA VALVERDE • Economic Analysts:• ENRICO BORBON MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN EMILY “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER PEREZENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA EconomicM. Analyst:

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GENERAL OFFICE SANTOS CITY CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OLIVIA D. VELASCO JOCELYNRICHARD S. PANES C. EBONA SOLANI D. MARATAS OLIVIA D. VELASCO SOLANI D. MARATAS MARKETING OFFICE | Marketing Manager General Manager of Sales SpecialistFinance General Manager DirectorAdvertising FinanceLEIZEL A. DELOSOLEIZEL A. DELOSO | MarketingFLORENCE ManagerS. VILLARIN

RICHARD C. EBONA AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation Marketing Supervisor

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

Tel: (088) 852-4894

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

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

ANGELICA R. GARCIA | Marketing Manager Blk. 1, Lot 10, La Mar Townhomes, Apitong St., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 654-3509

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 196 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

9

Please don’t say…

H

AVE you ever said something not quite the same as what you really wanted to say, whether intentionally or not?

You’re not alone. Below are some of my experiences with other people’s mishaps as they attempted to communicate, or rather miscommunicate, with me.

Please don’t say “Mam, alanganin ang pagka-park mo” because I was double parked across a vacant slot. When I parked earlier, there was no vacant slot (otherwise I would have parked there, right?). Apparently, the vehicle that was there before was able to maneuver out of its slot because the slot next to it had become vacant. So when you say that to me, I’m just hurt. If you had said, “Mam, bakante na yung slot na hinarangan mo, pwede mo nang ilipat dun ang sasakyan mo”, that would have been helpful and courteous, don’t you think?

Please don’t say “Let me check how many bonus points you have in your credit card”

when what I asked was how much is the peso equivalent of one bonus point. Maybe I should have mentioned that I’m holding a copy of my statement where the points are clearly stated.

If you had said “Two hundred pesos is equivalent to one bonus point”, that would have been clear and direct to the point. Time and effort saved.

Please don’t say “What did you say your name was?” because, my dear, I did not give it in the first place. Many years ago when this line was still new, people unwittingly partici-

pated in this ‘fishing for your name’ game and had inadvertently supplied their names. But now it’s just so trite and even a little bit annoying. If you wanted to get me as your customer, you can say “May I have your name please?” and I would have gladly given it to you.

Please don’t say “Our buy bust operation should serve as a warning to pushers out there na mag-ingat sila (that they should be cautious).” Mr. Police Officer, do you really want criminals out there to take extra precaution when doing their criminal acts? Aren’t you doing them a favor by telling them to be cautious? Won’t that make them harder to apprehend? Maybe the better message you could have given was that no matter how careful criminals are with their operation, you are coming to get them—come hell or high water.

Please don’t say “You don’t want to do this, right?” simply because you think I won’t or you just don’t want me to do it. That is

your opinion and does not necessarily reflect mine. The positive way to say it is “Is this something you want to do?” That is, if you really care enough to know what I feel. But please don’t be sly by trying to condition my mind to agree to what you really want to happen. That’s not even miscommunication; it’s plain manipulation.

Please don’t say “Ito lang ang kukunin nyo, Ma’am?” You just made me feel a little bit bad that I’m buying only one item in your store. Now I feel I need to purchase more items I had no intention of buying when I first came in. But I just need some band-aids, nothing more. So please don’t make your customers feel bad about their small, single-item purchase. You do want us back as repeat customers, right? Well, how about saying, “Is there anything else I can help you with?” That would have instantly put a smile on my face.

So please don’t say it the wrong way, say it right, and our conversation will go just fine.

Binge drinking

I

T’S the time of the year when drinking is the rule instead of the exception. But parents watch out! Your children may be drinking too much.

Eighteen-year old Marc recalls gulping “way too many” alcoholic drinks after his class Christmas party with two of his friends in a nearby bar in Matina. First, they ordered whiskey, then more whiskey. “It’s as if we were drinking only fruit juices,” Marc says. At 10:00 p.m., they decided to drink some beers. Marc was halfway through a bottle when he suddenly had the urge to vomit. He stood up and before he could run, he was already vomiting.

He did not know what happened next, but he found himself outside the bar.

Ben, 20, was drinking with his buddies in a friend’s house in Toril. After imbibing several rounds of beer, they went out and sprayed a neighbor’s front wall. The security guard saw what they were doing, so he alerted the owner who then called the police precinct. “Several patrol cars came and we were brought to a nearby precinct,” Ben says.

Robert remembers little of what happened that night except that he attended a Christmas party along with some of his friends in Bajada.

“I must have drunk at least 10 bottles of beer,” recalls the 21-year-old salesman. At around 1 a.m., they decided to go home. His friends thought he was all right and so they left him alone. “I really didn’t know how I got home,” he says. “I also didn’t know how I lost my mobile phone and my wallet.”

Stories like these are common not only in Davao City but in other parts of country as well. “More and more teenagers are drinking today than in the recent past,” a medical doc-

P

VANTAGE POINTS

tor told this columnist.

THINK ON THESE! Many of these youngsters – some of them good kids – are involved in binge drinking. Some of them may be lucky but there are those who may end up in Henrylito D. Tacio the hospital or worse, die in an henrytacio@gmail.com accident while driving a motorcycle.

Most Filipinos appreciate a cold beer on a hot day or a glass of wine at dinner. That kind of responsible use of alcohol is a social lubricant that makes life a little more pleasant.

But binge drinking is different. Call it getting tanked, sloshed -- binge drinking is typically defined as consuming five or more drinks for a man and four or more drinks for a woman on a single occasion.

That’s enough to impair judgment, impede coordination, remove inhibitions, cause slurring of words - and potentially put someone at risk of serious health or social consequences, lasting brain damage, and even death.

Binge drinking, of course, is not confined to teenagers or young adults. Nor is it new.

People have been getting drunk since early humans fermented the first home brew. But what alarms public-health officials is the fact that binge drinking has been holding steady and even increasing, particularly among youth

age 15 to 25. Moreover, new studies show that some kids start drinking at 13 or younger, and youth are particularly at risk from its effects.

Statistics, however, are hard to come by.

In fact, only a few alcohol-related cases have been recorded by most hospitals in the Philippines. For instance, only two patients were admitted in one of the hospitals in Davao because of alcohol intoxication during Christmas Eve last year.

However, recent surveys of binge drinking patterns among youth are “sobering”: A national survey from 1989 to 1990 among 15,082 high school and first year and second year college students found that about 36 percent of high school students and 34.9 percent of college students used alcohol in their lifetime. Of the surveyed high school students, 2.3 percent used alcohol that same day, and 5.6 percent used alcohol in the past two to seven days. Of college students, 3.7 percent used alcohol that same day and 16.2 percent used alcohol in the past two to seven days.

“I have witnessed college students engaged in heavy drinking till the wee hours,” says a head nurse of the emergency department of a Davao hospital. “During acquaintance nights, promenades, victory balls, and pre-graduation parties, it is a common site.”

A person drinking too early in life may end up a drunkard in his adult life. That’s because the bad habits we pick up in our youth may stay with when we grow older, according to a new study from Concordia, in collaboration with the Université de Montréal and University of Massachusetts.

“Parents should be aware that if their teenager is binge drinking, they are more like-

ly to sustain binging later in life,” says Erin O’Loughlin, a co-author of the study and researcher with Concordia’s Independent Program and Department of Exercise Science.

“This challenges the belief that being exposed to alcohol early on means they will be protected from alcohol-related problems when they grow up.”

According to the study, which was published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, teenagers who regularly consume alcohol are more likely to binge drink, at least into their mid-20s.

Furthermore, young men -- those who left formal education behind at an early age and those who have a tendency toward impulsive behavior -- are more likely to sustain the drinking habits they formed in adolescence.

Parents, indeed, play a key role in reducing binge drinking, such as not serving alcohol to teenagers and by talking openly to their teens about the risks. “Show them the cause and effects of drinking too much,” says Tony Peralta, a Filipino father. “I brought my son to the morgue to show what happens when a drinking spree can result into a car accident.

I also showed him what happens to our intestines when we drink too much.”

But more importantly, parents should serve as role models for their children. “Children learn from their parents,” says Patrick Durst, a father and United Nations official working in Bangkok. “If your kids see you get in a car and drive while drunk, then it’s pretty hard to tell them not to do the same. Instead, show your kids how to drink responsibly – by drinking responsibly yourself.”

Will PNoy really do away with pork?

ORK barrel allocations have been such an effective instrument of congressional longevity and presidential manipulation that some people wonder what effect its absence will have on politics—if PNoy indeed cleanses the system by obeying the Supreme Court.

Naturally, one would hope for positive effects from such a move such as: clean politics to attract more sincere, honest, and intelligent aspirants and candidates, or honest elections, less money-driven and more issues-oriented.

But it’s too soon to be hopeful; no clear assurance there won’t be pork.

Too many political fortunes were built with the use, misuse, and abuse of pork and other gratuitous allowances. They flourished, richly, and are still in power. So it’s unrealistic to expect they’ll just fold their tents like the Arabs and as silently steal away. Not in da Pilipins!

It was mainly pork which enabled traditional politicians, trapos, to corner choice positions in government, keep a hammerlock on politics, and control the key to the treasury. ***** Staying in power, manipulating humongous sums they skimmed from pork, enabled them to multiply the allocations they pocketed many times over, affording them fabulous life-styles. They’re not likely to yield without a fight; who knows what mutant strains of pork

THE WORM’S EYEVIEW

BY MANNY VALDEHUESA they’ve lined-up, just in case.

Remember how it started as CIA (congressional initiative allocation)? Then came CDF (countryside development fund); then PDAF (priority development assistance fund)— which, roundly booed, was slain by the Court, and thought to be the end of that.

But—lo and behold!—a mutant strain materialized seemingly out of nowhere: DAP (disbursement acceleration program) which, luckily, the Supreme Court also struck down.

But who’s to say what other mutants the super ninja turtles of Malacanang or Congress have lined up to stick its ugly neck out next? ***** History tells us how pork fueled the ambitions of mediocre politicos, how it enabled them to establish political dynasties. From the lucrative politics of their jurisdictions, economic empires emerged, bestowing honor and respectability to them, their spouses, children, relations, or cronies. It assured them never-ending reign.

Thus did otherwise mediocre public “servants” get treated as masters and overlords, making them wealthy, powerful, and in effective control. Hypocrisy and corruption gained

them social prominence and seats of honor in exclusive circles.

These traditional politicians, trapos, are the nouveau richeand power brokers of our society today—Filipinos who took over the colony of Spain and America and turned it into their own.

We’re a trapo-dominated country. They’re firmly ensconced, bulging pockets and all; so much so that these pork-fattened oligarchs, now in full charge of government, can hang on indefinitely even if you remove the pork. ***** Even if PNoy turns off the spigot now, the money and privileges will still flow; that’s how the trapos programmed it. The billions PNoy released in past years are already invested safely in high-yielding portfolios, deployed to earn large dividends in cash, goods, and political goodwill.

Take the case of PNoy’s favorite vice president and housing czar: how much have the father-mother-son-daughter serial earners of pork in Makati stashed away for their past, present, and future election campaigns?

Elsewhere, has anyone worked out the arithmetic in the countless other cases of family tandems that siphoned away huge funds from our treasury over the years?

All the billions, maybe trillions, they amassed from pork and the like are like bluechip stocks that yield endless dividends timed

for use during elections. Think of those who made it to the senate in 2013; it cost everyone of them P50 to P100 million! Not all of it was pork money, but the mystique of pork—and proximity to the center of power—have a lot to do with motivating campaign contributors. ***** That’s why pork is a fatal attraction to ambitious trapos.It feeds ill-deserved ambition and fills government with misfits that accommodate other pretentious trapos,scions of political dynasties, preening playboys, and poseurs of questionable integrity.

As if this isn’t bad enough, just outside is a procession of relatives, clones, and proxies awaiting their turn at the Wheel of Fortune— eager to take over at every level, biding their time, readying the money, awaiting their turn.

Meanwhile, will PNoy really do away with pork? Who knows?

(MindaViews is the opinion section of MindNews.Manny is former UNESCO regional director for Asia-Pacific; secretary-general, Southeast Asia Publishers Association; director, development academy of Philippines; member, Philippine Mission to the UN; vice chair, Local Government Academy; member, Cory Govt’s Peace Panel; awardee, PPI-UNICEF outstanding columnist. He is president/national convenor, Gising Barangay Movement Inc. valdehuesa@ gmail.com)

10

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

Top Reb... FFROM 1 frustrated murder.

Lacambra said Jonillo is a member of the Special Operations Group of the NPA’s National Military Command which attempted to kill General Jovito Palparan in Metro Manila in 2000.

He was reassigned to lead the NPA here in Compostela Valley Province.

Lacambra said Jonillo also held the position of vice commander of the Pulang Bagani Command (PBC) under Kumander Parago in 2005; Secretary of Guerilla Front 18 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) from 2006-2010; and commander PBC6 operating in

Davao Oriental from 20112013.

At the time of his arrest, Donillo functioned as the commander of the main guerilla force of Guerilla Front 18.

Lacambra recalled that Donillo was once apprehended by the PNP in 2002 for the criminal cases but was reportedly rescued by his comrades.

“His notoriety can be traced back when he led his NPA unit in attacking San Isidro Municipal Police Station on August 22, 2007 and Davao Oriental Provincial Jail in Mati City on May 19, 2008. He also led the attack of Banay-banay Municipal Police Station on July

3, 2008 and the arson of a Bachelor Bus in Banay-banay in 2009,” Lacambra said.

Lacambra said Donillo also led the attack of a military temporary patrol base of the 28th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Chapter, Barangay Maputi, Banay-banay in May 2010.

He said the attack resulted in the deaths of Privates First Class (PFCs) Gomez, Raro, and dela Cruz and the wounding of PFCs Masayon, Jumahali, Bagonon, and Zaulda, and police officer Pesian.”

Donillo and Inday were turned over to the office of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 11.

(PNA)

TF Davao... FFROM 2 going back to their provinces.

On the average, around 700 buses travel to and from DCOTT daily. On special occasions like Christmas or city-wide events, the number reaches as much as 1,200.

Passengers travelling from DCOTT reach 15,000 to 25,000 on regular days, but it could go up to 50,000 to 60,000 per day on special occasions and holidays.

Tena said TF Davao is also planning to conduct inspection on the mini pas-

senger bus terminal in a mall here in the city.

Aside from random inspection, TF Davao troops are also deployed to various areas in the city to conduct foot and mobile patrols and random checkpoints. [CRC]

by 2018.

“We might gradually implementing the 30 percent water rate increase in three years starting 2016 or after the construction in 2019,” he said.

Delima said the first 10 percent might be implemented by 2016.

He also said the rate increase is needed to cover the

increasing production cost incurred by DCWD. “For instance, the power rate is increasing but we don’t implement water increase immediately,” he said.

At present, DCWD implements a water rate of a minimum of P137 per 10 cubic meters a month. Households consuming less than the minimum pay only P100 per

month.

It is just this year that DCWD implemented its third and last tier of its 30 percent increase that was implemented in the last three consecutive years.

DCWD is supplying water to about 192,000 combined households from all the three congressional districts of Davao City. [CRC]

years, making the contract short. ”We asked them, will you not be taken down in ten years and be converted into a condo unit. That’s a valid concern. We have a plan for 15 years for the solar panels, but maybe in ten years the lot might be sold,” Petilla said.

On the other hand, he cited the DOE cannot directly install solar panels on its rooftops, stressing it might pass of the project to the Philippine Na-

tional Oil Company – Renewables Corporation (PNOC-RC). ”DOE will go into it, but we cannot be the proponent for this, we need an arm... We are only for policy, we only show the example. Now the policy is there, we’re pushing it. I’ll probably pass it off to PNOCRC,” the energy chief said.

Meanwhile, Petilla pointed out the 100 MWs are only DOE initiated projects, but many other projects are moving without its intervention.

If completed quickly, the 100 MW solar panel generation might help alleviate the Luzon reserve deficit by summer of 2015, ensuring power for the government offices, allowing others to have electricity supply from the grid.

Aside from the power generated, the agencies will also have a substantial decrease on its power bills, lowering its budget in the long run. (PNA)

number of savers among the low-income and middle-income group.

The survey classifies the low-income group as those having a monthly income of less than Php 10,000; the middle-income group, Php 10,000 to Php 29,999; and the high-income group, Php 30,000 and above.

Setting aside money for emergencies is the main reason that the respondents cited for saving followed by fund for health and hospitalization, re-

tirement, education, and business capital and investment.

Of the total number of respondents who said they have savings, bulk put their money in bank at 69.4 percent followed by those who keep their funds at home and those who put it in cooperatives, paluwagan, and other credit and loan associations.

Meanwhile, in terms of other usage of remittances, 96.1 percent of the 558 OFW households surveyed said they used it to purchase basic needs

like food and other household needs.

Second-largest allocation was made for education followed by medical expenses and debt payments.

The respondents said remittances used for investments and purchase of consumer durables and house is steady.

On the other hand, allocation of remittances used for the purchase of cars or motor vehicles went down. (PNA)

DOE... FFROM 3

DCWD...FFROM 5

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 196 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

Bus... FFROM 2 sion program urging him (Vilaroman) to come up with a protocol for buses that continuously pick up passengers outside the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT).

Villaroman said his office will deploy members of the Civil Security Unit (CSU) and Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CFGU) to man and monitor the flow of the passengers

and buses.

“We will train them for the safety of our people and our visitors,” he said.

Villaroman said he could not not say if the buses commit a violation if they get passengers outside DCOTT because there is a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the companies and the terminal that they can pick up passengers provided that they will also

conduct security check on them.

Villaroman said that if the protocols provided in the MOA are not followed by the bus drivers, it is up for the operators to give administrative sanctions on their erring personnel.

He said the passengers should undergo strict security measures so that the buses will not be a target for terrorism.

whole DLPC franchise is 343 MW. Of this, 242 MW comes from the NPC, 3.15 MW from Hedcor Talomo, 45 MW from Hedcor Sibulan, and 28.7 MW from Therma Marine Inc. Velasco said DLPC will also run their embedded supply power plant in Bajada which has 65 MW, with 40 MW that can be sustained for 24-hour operation.

He said as of the moment the Bajada Power Plant only adds 35 MW to the supply.

Velasco said the months

of December up to March are critical the NPC’s hydro power plant because it might really reach the critical level.

He said the worst-case scenario is that DLPC will tap its 22 companies for the Interruptible Load Program (ILP) in order to sustain the demand power of the 329,000 DLCP customers.

Velasco said these ILP participants can contribute a maximum of 38 MW to the DLPC grid.

However, he gave assurance that by the end of

March next year the power in the city will be stable again as the first 150 MW coal fired-power plant of Therma South, Inc. (TSI) will be operating.

Velasco said the DLPC will get 50 MW from the coal plant on March 31, 2015 and another 50 MW by the end of June as the second plant will also be operating.

He said DLPC is doing its best to provide continuous electricity supply to its customers given the tight supply situation especially with holiday season. [ABF]

that there are already many complaints coming from the business sector,” he said.

Based on the Office Order No. 327 series of 2014 signed by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales last May 16, the IO team is created “to encourage local and foreign investments in the country and improve global competitiveness through prompt action on investors’ grievance and speedy resolution of investors’ complaints.”

The team will “take cognizance of investment-related grievances or complaints… provided the com-

plainant is an investor of potential investor.”

Elman said the office was created last June and its team will be in full force next year as it gains more manpower.

“At present, the Mindanao IO team has a total of five members headed by Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Office chief Atty. Corazon Arancon,” he said.

Among investment grievances or complaints that can be filed under IO are delay in the delivery of frontline services relating to the establishment or conduct of business; solic-

itation, demand, request by a government official or employee in exchange for the issuance of licenses, permits and certificates, the release of shipments and cargoes, as well as the arbitrary assessment of fees for the conduct of business.

IO will also entertain complaints on issuance of licenses, permits and certificates in relation to business to any person otherwise not qualified or legally entitled; and any other delay or refusal to comply with the referral or directive of the Investment Ombudsman team. [CRC]

quire police personnel in all convergence zone and residential areas in the city,” Palgue said.

“This is not only about police visibility, but our personnel should also connect with the community and work with the community to be more effective,” he added.

He explained that the concept of the plan is to push police personnel into becoming more dedicated to secure the areas where they are assigned.

“If ever a certain criminal incident would transpire in the area where a

certain police officer is assigned, they will be made to explain and would even be held accountable as to why the crime happened during their watch,” he said.

Palgue added that the city received additional personnel from the regional office to augment its existing force.

Last Dec. 9, an improvised explosive device went off inside a bus of Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. outside Central Mindanao University in Musuan, Maramag town killing 10 people and wounding 42

others. Five of the fatalities were students of CMU who had just boarded the bus.

Authorities blamed the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters for the blast, but the BIFF denied any responsibility and even implied that it could be the handiwork of the military.

Another RTMI bus was also bombed on Nov. 6 in Barangay Dologon, also in Maramag, just a kilometer away from CMU. Four people were injured.

No group has claimed responsibility for both incidents. (Erwin Mascarinas/MindaNews)

DLPC... FFROM 2

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 196 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

UP Mindanao’s Kasadya Lantern Parade a success D

ESPITE the last day of final exams being held on the same day, the University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao Kasadya Lantern Parade was held successfully on December 12 at the campus in Mintal, Davao City.

Student participation was active despite the event coinciding with the last day of the final examination week of the First Semester of Academic Year 2014-2015.

A total of 15 lanterns were in competition on the theme of “Pamayanang Nagkakaisa, Paskong Masaya!”

Los Amigos National High School and DSWD Regional Rehabilitation Cen-

ter for Youth were among the visiting competitors.

The winners in the lantern competition were Architecture Student Council in first place, Administrative Services in second place, and Omega Alpha in third place.

Other lanterns were from Society of Agribusiness Economists, Academic Affairs office, College of Science and Mathematics, Alpha Phi Omega, UPMin Navigators, Betans, Youth to the Nations, Biological Society, Latagaw-Lamdag, and Kappa Epsilon.

In the featured Enhanced Caroling Contest, the winners were Youth to the Nations in first place, Society of Agribusiness

Economists in second place, and Omega Alpha in third place.

In the Building Decoration Contest, the winner was Central Administration composed of the offices of the chancellor and vice-chancellors.

Building decoration was also undertaken in the three colleges.

Meanwhile, the donation drive for the six daycare centers in Mintal and Bago Oshiro has reached a total of P6,200.

The Kasadya Lantern Parade was started in December 1996 and has become a tradition since then.

UP Mindanao will celebrate its 20th anniversary in February 2015.

message: That anyone, from an ordinary person to a known model, rockstar, sports icon – even a corporate CEO – could help rebuild the nation,” said Yoly Crisanto, SVP for Globe Corporate Communications.

Project Wonderful won in the Branded Communications – Digital category which espouses “Love of Country and Respect for National Customs and Traditions.” It served as a consolidated platform of Globe products and services that empowered Filipinos to donate time, finances, and talent towards rebuilding the nation.

For Project Wonderful, Globe came out with compelling, documentary-style YouTube videos which recounted the stories of Globe ambassadors Bamboo, Georgina Wilson, Liz Uy, and Chieffy Caligdong as they helped deliver 2,000 Christmas toys to kids in Ormoc, build 100 homes for Ormoc families, and distribute almost 1,000 learning kits to Iloilo schoolchildren.

Likewise, using the hashtag #ProjectWonderful on social media and blogs, Globe spurred Filipinos from various walks of life to voice hopes and wishes for the country and ultimately, drove them to the Project Wonderful website where they got to know the many ways to donate or even volunteer.

Project Wonderful was able to raise over P50 million in cash and kind which was used to build homes and school buildings and provide livelihood opportunities to families affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

The campaign received 779,239 combined YouTube views, 306 million impressions from 112,588 Twitter mentions by 23,894 users on Twitter and Instagram, 136 unique blogger stories, and an average of 50,000 unique visits to www.ProjectWonderful. ph per month for the first quarter of 2014 which resulted in over 1,000 registered volunteers and supporters.

Globe Project Wonderful drive wins 9th ARAW Values Awards

P

ROJECT Wonderful, Globe Telecom’s corporate response to the devastation caused

by Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan), won the 9th ARAW Values Award for the promotion and inculcation of positive values for social change and nation building.

The ARAW Values Awards recognize outstanding and excellent advertising and marketing messages and/or materials for Branded Communications and Advocacy/ Institutional Advertising that promote the ARAW 7 Cornerstone Values, a cluster of select and well-defined values.

The biennial program is organized by the Advertising Foundation of the Philippines, the social development institution and advocacy body of the multi-sector Philippine advertising and marketing communications industry.

“We are proud of this award since it proves that through digital media, we can inspire bayanihan using a clear, provocative

AGREED. Hedcor VP for Mindanao Operations Rolando Pacquiao and UP Mindanao Chancellor Sylvia Concepcion (both seated center) sign the agreement with Hedcor consultant Dr. Bo Puentespina (seated, leftmost), and assistant professors Fritzie Camino and Marion John Achondo. Witnessing the signing are HEDCOR environmental affairs officer Junessa Guimalan, and UP Mindanao Vice-Chancellor Antonio Obsioma and Instructor Maria Catherine Otero.

FIRST PLACE. The winning entry from the Architecture Student Council.

Hedcor, UP Min ink deal on wildlife, biodiversity H

EDCOR, Inc. entered into a research agreement with the University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao for a wildlife inventory and biodiversity assessment project at the impact areas within the Mt. Apo natural park of Sibulan hydroelectric power plant located in Davao del Sur province.

The agreement was signed by Hedcor vice president VP for Mindanao operations Rolando Pacquiao and UP Mindanao Chancellor

Sylvia Concepcion, with Hedcor consultant Dr. Bo Puentespina (seated, leftmost), and assistant professors Fritzie Camino and Marion John Achondo.

Witnessing the signing were Hedcor environmental affairs officer Junessa Guimalan, and UP Mindanao Vice-Chancellor Antonio Obsioma and Instructor Maria Catherine Otero.

The final output will be a report containing a survey of the plants and animals within the impact areas, an evaluation

and assessment of the biodiversity in the impact areas, the effects of HEDCOR’s environmental programs, a five-year biodiversity enhancement action plan to address the critical issues within the impact areas, and other scientific data such as the effects of the use of natural resources

by Hedcor.

Hedcor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the AboitizPower Corporation and specializes in generating renewable energy from run-of-river hydropower systems.

12

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 196 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 196 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

A time to share

“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”

― Mother Teresa

“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean.

But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”

Inspired by those words from Mother Theresa, Zion Accuprint and Edge Davao embarked on another love-spreading activity on December 12. The annual activity benefited the Missionary for Charity for the Abandoned Children run by the same congregation founded by the late Mother Theresa.

The orphanage located at Juna Subdivision has 45 children including infants. Volunteers take care of the orphaned children.

In partnership with McDonald’s, Zion and Edge Davao led by general manager Olive Velasco and Editor In Chief Antonio Ajero personally

led the food-sharing activity. Employees of the two companies also sang Christmas hymns for the children and the facility’s volunteers.

“It’s a yearly activity that we do before we hold the Christmas party of the two companies. It has become a tradition to first give to these children before we treat ourselves,” said Velasco who thanked McDonald’s for another year of partnership. (NJB)

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FOOD

Fun family dining at the Cotton Bowl Grill

CHRISTMAS came early for Generals, as the very first steak house of Gensan, Cotton Bowl, an icon by name and taste, opened its doors yet again, after long hiatus, and is back in a bigger than ever. Cotton Bowl Grill and Steakhouse first opened its doors on 1962 at Pioneer Avenue. Their signature Steaks, chicken and burger recipe had been passed down by a retired US Navy to his children, then grandchildren and great grandchildren’s, still maintaining the same food quality that has been served to different people from different generations. Their dishes are all served to their clients specifications.

The new location is quite different from the original at Pioneer Avenue, its more spacious, has a huge parking space, and a very homey atmosphere that goes well with the service they provide.

Their service really shows that they’re a familyoriented restaurant, as it reflects to the fact that its also a family ran business.

Cotton Bowl is not only a family restaurant, and not just a steakhouse, its a place where everyone, of all ages, could come and have a great meal and great fun for a great price.

I hanged out with my

mom at the Cotton Bowl a few days after their Grand Re-Opening last December 8, along with her BFF’s as the place is owned by one of her BFF’s as well.

Got the T-bone steak, I ate it all to the bone, very fla-

vourful, rich and cooked jus as I asked it to be which is medium well. We also tried their Boneless Bangus Steak and Tenderloin Tips which were just absolutely divine. At the end of the meal we had a good laugh, as to where did all

the food go, and what happened to our diets.

The flavours really made us chow down, guilt free.

So whenever your in Gensan, this place is a must try. Drop by at San Pedro Extension Lagao, General Santos City.

Something to look forward to, they will soon serve Angus Beef and a Special Day for Steaks on the works, so keep posted.

Like their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/cottonbowlgrillsteakhouse , for inquiries

Food Magazine throws a feast this holiday season ASIDE from gift giving and holiday shopping, December also means indulging on our all-time favorite holiday food. Our schedule becomes tight whenever December rolls in because of the numerous parties and reunions to attend as well as dishes to prepare. With its holiday issue, Food magazine steps in to help us man-

age food preparations with around 30 kitchen tested ings to use for cupcakes. while enjoying the holi- recipes that you can definiteThe Presents Perfect holiday vibes. ly try making this Christmas day guide is also having a Chef Giney Villar of Adarna Food & Culture shows us how to prepare different versions of the perfect Noche Buena meal whether it be traditional, relaxed and informal, and with special dishes that celebrate the season without the excess calories.

The issue is also peppered

from a great tasting mechado with a twist to a delicious pancit with tinapa and kesong puti. Vegetarians are also in for a treat as Food magazine shows how to make meat-free party dishes.

Desserts are also overflowing - molten brownies, vanilla bean soufflé and various frost-

comeback in this issue to help those who are doing last minute shopping choose food products without the hassle of the Christmas rush.

Make sure to grab your copy of Food magazine’s holiday issue where good food and great company during the holidays is guaranteed!

and reservations call them at (083) 55G-RILL ( 5547455).

Follow me on Twitter or Instagram, @kyriekoutre for more adventures in and around my wonderland that is Gensan, Tuna Capital of the Philippines.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 196 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

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ENTERTAINMENT

The CompanY at SM City Davao, December 20 GREAT SHOPPING and dining experience at SM City Davao is made more magical as topnotch vocal quintet The CompanY sings Christmas carols as well as tracks from their Lighthearted OPM 2 album on December 20.

Asia’s premiere vocal harmony act was formed in 1985 by alumni of the Ateneo College Glee Club. Today, the group is now composed of Sweet Plantado (soprano), Annie Quintos (soprano/ alto), Cecile Bautista (alto), Jay Marquez (tenor) and Moy Ortiz (tenor2/bass).

pines. Part of this success includes the release of 21 critically and commercially successful studio albums.

After almost 3 decades in the business, The CompanY continues to be a potent force both in the live entertainment and recording scenes. The cliché definitely applies to The CompanY - like good wine, some things do getter better with age.

Soak up in good music this Yuletide season.

The CompanY is perpetually expanding their boundaries in vocal mu-

sic. Over the past 27 years they have received 39 music industry awards,

Catch The CompanY live at the Annex Event Center on December 20. Enjoy extended hours of shopping and dining till 10PM at SM City Davao until December 30. The mall will be open until 12MN on December 19, 20 and 23.

For inquiries, call 297.6998. Like SM City Davao on Facebook or follow @SMCityDavao on Twitter and @SMDavao on Instagram for event and promo updates.

making them the most awarded recording vocal group in the Philip-

Kenneth Cole and Metro Society benefit team up for a cause, airs TV special American lifestyle brand Kenneth Cole and the country’s premier magazine Metro Society, partnered for a benefit show to raise funds for a cause at Makati Shangri-La Hotel. The TV special, which will have an encore telecast on Friday (December 19), showcased an exclusive 40-piece Autumn/Winter collection of Kenneth Cole.

Proving that fashion has a passion for a cause, Metro Society collaborated with Kenneth Cole to bring together the country’s fashion industry in a benefit show for TREAT Asia, an organization that aims to effectively deliver HIV/AIDS Treatment in Asia and the Pacific.

Since 1985, Kenneth Cole has been openly involved in publicly supporting AIDS awareness and research.

He is considered the first in the fashion industry to do so and uses fashion as a medium to promote so-

cially conscious ads to help fight various causes from AIDS to homelessness.

Metro Society editor Raul Manzano hosted the event and provided comic relief before the fashion show began. When the parade of exquisite wardrobe pieces worn by good looking models started, the crowd was thrilled as great beats filled the Rigodon Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La. The recipient of the proceeds of the show was TREAT Asia, A Cooperative Approach to Expanding the Safe and Effective Delivery of HIV/AIDS Treatment in Asia and the Pacific. The funds raised will be directed towards their projects in the Philippines.

Kourtney Kardashian gives birth to a baby boy Kourtney Kardashian has given birth to a baby boy, her third child from Scott Disick.

The couple’s new son was born on Sunday, whichjust so happens to be his big brother Mason ‘s fifth birthday! The proud parents also have a daughter, Penelope, 2.

The 35-year-old E! star’s third pregnancy was, like her first and second pregnancies, chronicled on camera—even the big, dramatic moment where she told Scott that he was going to be a daddy again was included on the most recent season of Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

Just as comfortable in her own skin as her sisters (and mom!) are, Kourtney—in the bloom of pregnancy— recently posed completely nude in what turned out to be a stunning photo shoot for DuJour magazine, the pics showing up online earlier this week. She also scored the December/January cover of Fit Pregnancy, in which she revealed that her

third child was due this month.

“I’m not getting a baby nurse,” she told the mag. “I take two months off

and no one is allowed to bother me or talk to me about anything workrelated—or maybe three months this time.”

And though Kourtney admitted that none of her pregnancies have been what you might call easy, and that morning sickness for her is a misnomer—”for me, it was even worse at night”—she overall just loves being pregnant.

“I love being pregnant in general,” she said. “This time I’m more tired than I was the other times. I think it’s because I’m always running around and working on different things. But I feel comfortable with how I look and feel. I find a pregnant body to be beautiful and an incredible reminder of what a woman’s body is made to do.”

As for the new baby’s name, Kourtney said that she was “stuck” and wanted to wait until the child arrived before making a decision.

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES Ian Mckellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage PG 13

1:00 | 4:00 | 7:00 | 10:00 LFS

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 3D Ian Mckellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage PG 13

12:30 | 3:30 | 6:30 | 09:30 LFS

THE PYRAMID Ashley Hinshaw, Denis O'Hare R 13

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

R-16 EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton PG13

1:00 | 4:00 | 7:00 | 10:00 LFS

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TRAVEL

Historic Malacca

A

destination that is one of the most colourful in Malaysia, Malacca is easily one of Malaysia’s most popular destinations not just for local Malaysians, but also for the tourist who is looking to look back into the colourful history and charms of this part of Asia.

Sitting on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Malacca is the capital of the state of Malacca and was once the seat of the spice trade during much of its history. All the trading between the port town and the rest of Asia and Europe led to its colourful history and architecture which still exist up to this day which is why the city centre of Malaca was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and I was more than happy to explore it.

A visit to Malaca should include a tour of Fort A Formosa and the Malaccan Museum Complex which is located in the old heart of Malacca.

Built by the Portuguese in 1511, Fort A Formosa was a Portuguese bastion that was eventually taken over by the Dutch. The fort’s walls were eventually destroyed by the British but the plan to totally destroy it aborted as a result of the intervention of Sir Stamford Raffles in 1808 which resulted in the turning over of Malaca to British rule.

On the top of the hill within Fort A Formosa, one can find the ruins of

St. Paul’s Church. Originally built by the Portuguese as a church and eventually converted into a burial ground by the Dutch. This is all where one can find the stature of St. Francis Xavier whose was once interred at the church temporarily before it was moved to Goa in India.

A walk down the hill where St. Paul’s Church is located and I am greeted by the Stadhüys complex and clock tower. What used to be the seat of government of the Dutch colony, it is now a museum as well as a popular place where one can take a ride on Malacca’s heavily decorated bicycle trishaws.

The faithful might also want to visit the nearby

At Christ Church with its open plaza and historical fountain dedicated to Queen Victoria of England.

Christ Church. Con- these lovingly preserved structed in 1753 by the shophouses have also Dutch it is the oldest Prot- been converted into hoestant church in Malaysia. tels, bars and restaurants The church which features adding to the eclectic vibe traditional Dutch de- of the area. I was almost signs houses hand-crafted left by my tour group here pews, jointless ceiling sky- as I was totally enthralled lights, a copper replica of by the area.

The historical charm of the Bible, and a replica of Malacca is definitely why “The Last Supper”.

Just across the river it deserves its place as a A trip to Malaca is not complete without seeing it from the river. from Christ Church and UNESCO World Heritage the Stadhüys, one can find site, a city that is a testaJonker Street which was ment to the rich cultures were the original residents of Asia and beyond.

Follow me on Instaof Malacca lived. This is a street photographer’s par- gram or on Twitter @ adise with many old shop- kennethkingong for more houses, selling anything travel stories, foodie from food, curios, textiles, finds, and happenings in, and even electronics lin- around and beyond Duriing the street. Many of anburg.

The Malacca Sltanate Palace Museum.

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SPORTS

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Alaska ready for ROS

NLEX, Barako have Blatche on radar

T

HE Alaska Aces are headed into the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals and a matchup with a team that has handed them some very painful losses in the recent past – the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

Last conference, in only Alaska coach Alex Compton’s third game in charge of the team, Rain or Shine absolutely dominated the Aces in a lopsided 51-point blowout. Alaska shrugged off the beatdown but once again faced the very same Elasto Painters side in the playoffs, falling short again in memorable fashion.

“Yung 51 points hindi ko iniisip. Ang iniisip ko, yung natalo kami sa kanila sa semis,” Compton told sportswriters during the postgame interview following his team’s rout of Meralco in their knockout quarterfinals game.

On the verge of reaching the championship round in the Governors’ Cup, the Aces led by two points late in Game Four of their semis series against Rain or Shine. JVee Casio secured possession for the team and streaked to the other end all by his lonesome looking for an insurance basket that could have put the series away.

But the reliable guard suffered a bit of a freak accident, slipping and losing the ball despite having no one near him.

Rain or Shine was able to map out a play that enabled them to force overtime and force a fifth game, which Alaska lost with a short-handed crew, missing key players like Casio, Sonny Thoss and Gabby Espinas in the decider.

The Alaska mentor admitted that the loss is still very much on the team’s mind.

“I’ll take the 51-point loss in the elimination, but you’ve got to win the championship. If that’s the answer, okay lang. Elimination games don’t mean anything. The important thing is these guys now play to get the championship.”

Thoss and Casio both said that while the members of the team haven’t forgotten their experience from last conference’s playoffs, they are more concerned with preparing for the upcoming series.

“I’m sure everybody remembers that. They’re a tough team. We need to come out and focus again in the coming best-of-seven series,” Thoss said.

“Tapos na yun. We’re here and we’re going to prepare hard against Rain or Shine,” Casio added.

NBA ROUNDUP

B

ULLS 93, Heat 75 The Chicago Bulls, with the best road record in the Eastern Conference, defeated the Miami Heat.

T

SOFT TOUCH. Cyrus Baguio of Alaska takes a soft jumper over Reynell Hugnatan of Meralco in their PBA Quarterfinals knockout match won by the Aces. Nuki Sabio

Mike Dunleavy scored all 22 of his points in the second half to lead Chicago (15-8) who improved to 11-3 on the road, including four straight wins.

The Heat (11-13) were without standout forward Chris Bosh and guard Dwyane Wade had an off night. He finished with 17 points on 7-for-18 shooting.

Warriors 128, Pelicans

122 (Overtime) Stephen Curry scored a team-high 34 points, including eight in overtime, and Klay Thompson added 29 to lift the Golden State Warriors to a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans and extend their franchise-record winning streak to 16 games.

The Warriors (21-2) are off to the third-best start in

NBA history, but this one was a struggle on the second game of a back-to-back.

The Pelicans played without All-Star forward Anthony Davis and were led by forward Tyreke Evans’ season-high 34 points and guard Jrue Holiday’s 27.

Lakers 100, Timberwolves 94 On the night he surpassed Michael Jordan for

third on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, Los Angeles guard Kobe Bryant put up a team-high 26 points in the Lakers’ win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Entering Sunday needing only nine points to move past Jordan’s mark of 32,292, Bryant overtook the Chicago Bulls legend with a free throw in the second quarter. Bryant (32,310)

HE NLEX Road Warriors have expressed interest in acquiring the services of Philippine national men’s basketball team naturalized player Andray Blatche as their import for the upcoming PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Recently-eliminated NLEX is among the teams that will be allowed to play an import with no height restriction, although they may face some competition from Barako Bull in getting the former NBA player and current member of the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association.

According to NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez, Blatche’s versatility makes him an ideal choice as import to play alongside star player Asi Taulava, who will be starting at center for the squad.

“We’re looking at someone who can play alongside Asi, someone who’s versatile and can play the No. 4 spot,” Fernandez told a small group of sportswriters.

“Blatche is the ideal one because he’s versatile and is familiar with the dribble drive offense, which we’re also running in NLEX.” In the FIBA Basketball World Cup, the versatile Blatche showed his ability to play both the center and the power forward spots, playing beside June Mar Fajardo at certain points of the tournament.

The NLEX coach, though, is waiting to see if there will be any complications in selecting a naturalized player as an import.

In the past, naturalized player Marcus Douthit had to be granted approval from the PBA Board regarding which team to suit up for.

“We’ll ask the SBP and the PBA muna kung anong gagawin. But there’s a rule regarding naturalized player playing as import right? Kailangan yata ialok muna siya sa iba,” Fernandez said.

Barako Bull head coach Koy Banal also expressed his interested in Blatche, although admitted that the team is also looking at its other options.

“Of course, why not? But of course, we have to consider other factors, financial is one of them as we don’t know if kaya ba ng budget namin. But aside from Blatche we’re also looking at other names,” Banal said.

Barako Bull may be the only other team NLEX will have to contend with though as both expansion teams Kia and Blackwater already have their own targets.

Blackwater has already has an import in Chris Charles, a 7-foot-1 import who played for the Thailand Slammers in the ASEAN Basketball League. Kia, on the other hand, is looking at former NBA player and Iranian basketball star Hamed Haddadi, although no concrete agreement has been reached yet. now sits behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387) and Karl Malone (36,928) in career points.

Wizards 93, Jazz 84 Bradley Beal scored 22 points and fueled a second-half surge along with backcourt partner John Wall as the Washington Wizards took control in the second half for a victory over the Utah Jazz.

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FRESH MANDATE. The newly-elected officers of the Dabaw City Sports Council Inc. last Dec. 12 (from right) Ronnie Tabudlong (secretary), Ben Sur (president), Jerson Tamayo (PRO), Belen Kempis-Taala (2nd vice-president), John Irene Delcampo (representing Dexter So, 1st Vice-President), Rommel Tan (treasurer), Bing Grandeza (business manager), Daks Yambao (auditor) and Dennis Bunayog (assistant secretary). At right is SCOOP president Lito delos Reyes.

And now, Manny has Floyd in a corner P

HILIPPINE boxing legend Manny Pacquiao vowed to chase Floyd Mayweather into ring submission after his US rival offered to fight him next year in a blockbuster world title face-off.

“He (Mayweather) has reached a dead end. He has nowhere to run but to fight me,” Pacquiao told AFP late Saturday, hours after the undefeated Mayweather issued the May 2 challenge on US television.

The two were long-time rivals as the “best poundfor-pound” boxers of their generation, but the dream fight has never materialised to the disappointment of the boxing world.

“I will try my best to (make) this a thrilling and entertaining fight. But I doubt if he’s gonna engage me in a slugfest,” said the Filipino, winner of an unprecedented eight world titles in different weight classes.

“You all know his fighting style. Most of his previous fights, if not all,

induced us to sleep,” said Pacquiao from his southern Philippines home city of General Santos.

Should the fight happen, Pacquiao, who turns 36 on Wednesday, said he will do to Mayweather what he did to another previously undefeated American, Chris Algieri, who lost to the World Boxing Organization welterweight champion in Macau last month.

“I know what I have to do. I will chase him wherever he goes just in case he decides to run around the ring. We will devise a good fight plan against him,” Pacquiao added.

Speaking to Showtime Sports in the US on Friday night, Mayweather, 37, said he wants his next fight to be against the Filipino star.

However, the American nicknamed “Money” said -- without giving details -that the expected richest fight in boxing history will only happen if he receives a much bigger share of the purse than his opponent.

In 2012 there was speculation that a fight between the two could lead to the first $200 million purse in boxing history with much of that money coming from pay-per-view sales.

At one point Pacquiao says Mayweather offered him a $40 million purse on the condition Mayweather would keep the pay-perview money, which would have amounted to more than double what Pacquiao received.

Previous talks were also scuttled because Mayweather says Pacquiao refused to submit to random blood testing.

“Mayweather can get the amount he wants. As early as January this year, I challenged him to a charity fight. Until now, he has not agreed to it. So, money is not the issue in our fight,” Pacquiao said Saturday.

“This fight is about legacy, this is about making the fans happy and, above all, this is for the good of boxing.”

HE’S FIGHTING MANNY. WBC/WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather during his official weighin in Las Vegas on September 12, 2014 before his figth against Marcos Maidana.

WINNERS ALL. Winners of the recent Matina Golf Tour pose with their trophies during the awarding ceremonies at the Davao City Golf Club.

Roland Jumawan

Warriors keep streak alive The Golden State Warriors rallied from a late fourth-quarter deficit, beating New Orleans 128-122 in overtime on Sunday to extend their NBA winning streak to 16 games.

Stephen Curry had 34 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Warriors, who became the ninth team in league history to launch a season 21-2.

Klay Thompson contributed 29 points and Draymond Green added 11 points and 13 rebounds for Golden State, who erased an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit.

The Warriors opened overtime with a 9-1 scoring run while holding New Orleans without a field goal

for more than two minutes.

Tyreke Evans notched 34 points, eight rebounds and five assists and Jrue Holiday added 30 points, nine assists and five steals for the Pelicans, who were without prolific forward Anthony Davis due to a chest contusion he suffered Friday night against Cleveland.

The Warriors, who survived 19 turnovers, were again without Australian big man Andrew Bogut and David Lee, Bogut nursing a knee injury and Lee with a troublesome hamstring.

Greene and Harrison Barnes both played with their noses packed after they each took hits to the face.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 7 ISSUE 196 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014

BM&V Law Firm Invit’l Golf set Dec. 18 T

HE first ever Batacan, Montejo and Vicencio Law Firm Invitational Golf Tournament tees off on December 18 at the rolling layout of Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club.

Atty. Ramon Edison Batacan, one of the hosts of the tournament, announced the staging of the 18-hole stroke play tournament limited only to 50 players.

“There will only be 50 slots available so those who wish to play may register early,” Batacan, who once won a Philip-

pine Airlines executives golf tournament, said.

The tournament is for friends and associates of BM&V Law Firm. Registration is for free.

Trophies for overall champion, gross and net champions, and runners up are at stake with heaps of giveaway prizes and raffles.

“We are also giving away jackets as raffles,” said Batacan.

Awarding ceremonies will be at 16.7 Home Resto at the Rancho Palos Verdes. Lunch will be served at noon.

BM&V Law Firm is composed of senior partners Atty. Ramon Edison Batacan, Atty. Vincent Paul Montejo and Atty.

Perla Estremoa Vicencio.

Montejo is another budding golfer who shifted from basketball.

The law firm’s battery of lawyers include Atty. Percy Donalvo, Eleanor dela Pena, Kristina Tan and Angeli Ness Casador.

GOLFING LAWYERS. Atty. Ramon Edison Batacan (left) in action during one of the tournaments at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club. (Right) Law firm partners Atty. Vincent Paul Montejo and Atty. Batacan.

AIR UP THERE MILESTONE. Kobe Bryant has moved up to third in the all-time scoring ladder in the NBA moving past Michael Jordan on Monday against Minnesota.

K

OBE Bryant has reached rarefied air.

The Los Angeles Lakers star passed Michael Jordan for third on the NBA’s career scoring list Sunday

night in a 100-94 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Kobe passes Michael in scoring record

Bryant entered the game needing nine points to pass the icon with

whom he is often compared. He got the mark with two free throws with 5:24 to play in the second quarter.

“I’m just honored to be here, man, to still be playing,” Bryant said. “I appreciate being able to play this long. Careers normally don’t last this long. I really appreciate the opportunity to still be out there playing and performing and doing what I do.”

Now only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone have scored more points

than Bryant.

“I congratulate Kobe on reaching this milestone,” Jordan, the owner of the Charlotte Hornets, said in a statement released to The Associated Press. “He’s obviously a great player, with a strong work ethic and has an equally strong passion for the game of basketball. I’ve enjoyed watching his game evolve over the years, and I look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next.”

Bryant didn’t break a record Sunday night. Abdul-Jabbar is still more than 6,000 points ahead of him and in no danger of being caught. But moving past Jordan was cause for celebration.

The two players have been linked for years and Bryant often mimicked Jordan from his earliest days in the league, from the way he pumped his fist after

big shots to adopting the fade-away jumper as his career has progressed and even sprinkling in a little tongue-wagging on his drives to the bucket as a youth.

“He knows how much I’ve learned from him,” Bryant said. “From the other legends, but him in particular.”

The Timberwolves stopped the game, and a Lakers-heavy crowd gave Bryant a standing ovation as Wolves owner Glen Taylor — the NBA’s chairman of the board — presented him with the game ball.

With a big smile on his face, Bryant received hugs from teammates and the Timberwolves, and waved to the crowd during the brief stoppage.

Bryant has been chasing Jordan for almost two decades now. He’s still one title short of the six Jordan won

with the Bulls, but has now caught Jordan in the game’s defining individual statistic.

Bryant had 32,284 points when he took the floor against a Timberwolves team that includes 19-year-old rookies Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine, two players who were barely born when Bryant made his NBA debut in 1996.

He missed four of his first five field goals, but knocked down a 3-pointer midway through the second quarter to pull within two points. He nearly passed Jordan with one of his patented fall-away jumpers from the baseline, but it rimmed out and with 5:24 to play and 24 seconds on the shot clock, No. 24 stepped to the line and calmly swished two freebies to do it. He finished the night with 26 points and 32,310 for his career.