Edge 9 Issue 61

VOL. 9 ISSUE 61 • TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016

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Serving a seamless society

WHEN RAINDROPS FALL. A young boy cools himself from the raindrops during a heavy downpour in Davao City yesterday, indicating that summer has ended and rainy season is about to start. Lean Daval Jr.

ACQ: HE’S RIGHT, COUNTRY FIRST Pastor Quiboloy belies rift, renews support for Duterte

EDGEDAVAO Sports

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

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ASTOR Apollo C. Quiboloy yesterday cleared the air between him and presumptive president-elect Rodrigo Duterte and called on members of his church congregation to pray and fast for the country’s next leader.

Reacting to reports that he felt slighted for not being consulted by Duterte on the latter’s choice of Cabinet members whose names were recently announced.

In a press conference yesterday morning, the popular evangelist denied reports he felt bypassed. He even praised Duterte for choosing the country over friendship. Quiboloy said that contrary to the reports he was not sulking, and the word sulk should not be used, for he understands the situation of Duterte.

“Hindi po ako nag tatampo, naiintindihan ko si Mayor (Duterte). In fact, si Mayor

napaka-busy, alam natin ang kinalalagyan niya ngayon dahil sa influx ng mga tao,” Quiboloy said.

The founding leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name explained that there are people calling him, hoping that their concerns towards the country will reach Duterte, knowing that he is close with the incoming president.

He said that he was trying

to reach Duterte to relay the people’s concerns, however he failed get through him because of the latter’s busy schedule.

“Sinasabi ko sa kanila na dumiretso nalang sila kay Mayor, kasi wala naman ako dun, hindi ako kasali. Pero ang iba talaga gusto sakin dumaan kais nga kaibigan ko si Mayor,” Quiboloy explained.

The pastor said that he was supposed to have a sched-

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Thunder rout Warriors in Game 3, lead series 2-1 P15

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 61 • TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016

HONORARIUM. Dabawenyos who served as Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) during last May 9’s national elections troop to a bank along San Pedro Street in Davao City yesterday to withdraw their honorarium worth P6,500 each. Lean Daval Jr.

Duterte will respect independence of Congress – Cayetano

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ENATE Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday said presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte will respect the independence of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Cayetano made the assurance as posturing for Senate presidency heats up among at least four aspirants including himself, Duterte’s running mate who already conceded his defeat. ”He’s not declaring public support because he knows that the Senate as institution is independent. But when and if asked in public, he will express anyway and all presidents have done that in the past,” Cayetano told the media be-

fore the resumption of Senate regular session.

When asked if he is interested to Senate presidency, Cayetano said he would be hypocrite if he would not admit about it. ”I think everyone is interested in the Senate Leadership. So I mean, let’s not be hypocritical about it. But it’s really a consensus,” Cayetano said.

Other senators and their respective groups eyeing for Senate presidency include the Liberal Party (LP) bloc headed by incumbent Senate president Franklin Drilon, deputy minority leader Senator Vicente Sotto III, and Senator

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Duterte debunks claim‘influence peddling’marks selection of Cabinet

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RESUMPTIVE President-elect Rodrigo Duterte debunked claim that the selection of his would-be Cabinet is marked by influence peddling, saying, “I decide for myself. I never consulted anybody.”

“I have been in the government…mayor for 22 years… congressman… vice mayor in 19878. Hindi ako nabobola (I am not being flattered), “he told reporters past midnight Sunday at his long-time favorite hangout- The Afterdark.

Duterte said he does not consult anybody although he listened to his transition team on the names submitted to him. The transition team also clarified earlier final decision will come from Duterte.

“I decide - I do not take into consideration friendship.

I am forced to come with a statement and say to you again my loyalty to you as a friend ends where my loyalty to my country,” he said.

“Lahat lahat ng suporta sa akin tulong (All of the support to me – that’s my statement. – I am sorry,” Duterte stressed referring even to the reported disheartened Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who through his spokesperson expressed disappointment that the church leader was not consulted in the selection of the Cabinet.

Duterte’s statement was in reaction to many reports that some of the people named to join the incoming administration are not acceptable like incoming Press Secretary Salvador Panelo and recently-proclaimed Las Piñas F DUTERTE DEBUNKS, 10

Evasco: Thanks but I’m retiring

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

H

OURS before presumptive president-elect Rodrigo Duterte announced to the media that outgoing Maribojoc Mayor Leoncio “Jun” Evasco will be next Cabinet Secretary, the latter again politely declined the position and said he opts to just walk away into the sunset of his public career.

In a teleconference with Evasco Saturday night, Duterte’s head of the national campaign said that he would like to retire after his term ends as Mayor of Maribojoc in Bohol.

Duterte made the announcement of appointing Evasco as the Secretary of the Cabinet early Sunday in Davao City.

Evasco said that he is busy with his own transition team in Bohol, since he is about to leave his post.

He said that even before Duterte was leading the election votes, he already told him that he will not ask for any cabinet position.

“Daan naman ko nag ingon nga dili ko mangayo og cabinet position, dili pud ko

mudawat kay panahon na mag retire nako. Ihatag nalang na sa mga bata-bata,” Evasco said.

Evasco is a long-time political strategist and campaign manager of Duterte even before he threw his hat in the presidential race.

On Sunday, Duterte announced that Evasco is suited for the Cabinet Secretary. The post is vital for the Cabinet secretary to represent the President in meetings where he cannot attend due to other commitments.

Evasco also asked the people to respect the choices of Duterte on who will he put on the cabinet post.

He said that Duterte has all the prerogative to get the people that he can work with.

“Prerogative mana sa presidente kung kinsa ang gitan-aw niya nga maka complement sa trabaho niya. We should respect that. Respetohon nato si Digong (Duterte) ana,” Evasco said.

Evasco has yet to talk to Duterte after Sunday’s announcement.

“I will not allow anybody to put color on my choices.

From now on it will be for the interest of the people that counts,” he said.

Duterte announced he is considering a retired military official to head the Department of National Defense (DND) after Gilbert Teodoro begged off to join the government again as the head of the agency.

Teodoro served as DND secretary during the term of former president and now Pampanga Representative (2nd District) Gloria Macapa-

gal-Arroyo and is currently the president of a mining firm.

Duterte also named former Justice Secretary Silvestre Bello III to be his Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and at the same time could be his consultant on the peace process with Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF).

He also picked his national campaign manager and currently Mayor of Maribojoc town in Bohol, Leoncio Evasco, Jr. as Chief of Cabinet; and Ernesto Pernia for the Nation-

al Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

It is not sure if Evasco would accept the post considering his earlier statement that he is not eyeing any post as he would rather retire from government.

Evasco was reported to head the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) but he denied he was offered the post.

Duterte is also eyeing retired army general Hermogenes Esperon as his National Security Adviser.

More changes seen in selection of Duterte Cabinet

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HE incoming adminisration of presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte continues to take shape as more personalities are expected to come out in the coming days.

In a press conference past midnight Sunday, Duterte said he wants his would-be Cabinet in place when he takes his oath of office.

In selecting his Cabinet, Duterte said he wants to balance it as he pointed out that people must not put color on his policy and decisions on his choices.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 61 • TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016

NEWS 3

LTO nabs 5 Duterte supporters Rody backers violate license plate policy

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

HE Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Davao Region arrested five supporters of presumptive president Rodrigo R. Duterte for replacing authorized license plates with “DU30 El Presidente” decorative plates.

Eleanor Calderon, operations chief of the LTO 11 said the violators were fined P5,000 each, pursuant to Sec. 2E of the Joint Administrative Order 2014-01 of the Department of Transportation and Communication.

“We will intensify our campaign against these violators,” LTO 11 operations chief Eleanor Calderon said in yes-

terday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex.

She said even the new president himself will not allow such activities.

Calderon said the LTO 11 is coordinating with the more 700 members of Traffic Management Group (TMG) of the Davao City for the apprehension of the violators.

The coordination will help them expedite the apprehension of violators, she explained.

Calderon also clarified that the private vehicle owners can use decorative plates as long as it will be placed on

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Department of Information and Communications Technology created

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HE Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) will now focus solely on transportation after President Benigno Aquino III signed on Monday the law creating the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO)

Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., in a statement, said Republic Act 10844, or “An Act Creating the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)” mandates that the newly-formed agency will have a Secretary , three Undersecretaries and four Assistant Secretaries.

These officials need to

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GOING BALISTIC. Incoming president Rodrigo R. Duterte lambasts the Catholic Church for attempting to dissuade the public from voting for him in the recently-concluded May 9 polls. Lean Daval Jr.

CA cites Trillanes for indirect contempt T

HE Court of Appeals (CA) has cited Senator Antonio “Sony” Trillanes IV in indirect contempt for “malicious” statements against the CA justices.

In a 15-page resolution released on Monday, the CA Special 11th Division also im-

posed a fine on Trillanes in the amount of P30,000 for his allegations that the camp of then Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay has paid the two magistrates of the CA Sixth Division the amount of P25 million each to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) and stopped

the suspension imposed by the Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) against Binay.

In the resolution written

by Associate Justice Stephen Cruz, Trillanes was given a period of only 30 days within which to file his comment and not a “motion to dismiss” in the

contempt charges filed against him.

Likewise, the CA gave Binay’s camp a period of five days within which to reply on the comment to be filed by Trillanes.

The CA clarified that if

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4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

2 pushers arrested in GenSan buy-busts A

NTI-DRUG operatives arrested two suspected big time illegal drug pushers in separate buy bust operations here over the weekend.

The suspects, who yielded around PHP257,000 worth of dried marijuana and metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, were nabbed on Saturday in Barangays Mabuhay and Lagao by elements from the city police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Region 12.

Chief Insp. Geovanni Ladeo, chief of the San Isidro police station here, said Monday they cornered suspect Suraida Mama, 45, in an operation on Saturday at a roadside coffee stall in Barangay Mabuhay.

He said Mama initially

sold a sachet of shabu worth PHP500 to one of their operatives who posed as a buyer.

A subsequent search on the suspect led to the recovery of two sachets of suspected shabu valued at PHP47,000, he said.

“It appears that our area is one of her major distribution points. Our investigation is currently ongoing and we’re determining the other areas covered by her illegal activities,” Ladeo said.

Citing quantity of the recovered shabu from Mama, the police official said she could be part of a major illegal drug syndicate and had access to bigger drug supplies.

Mama, who is currently detained at the San Isidro police station lockup, admitted her involvement in the illegal

activity and claimed that Saturday’s buy-bust should have been her last deal.

She said her illegal drug stocks came from a supplier based in the coastal town of Maasim in Sarangani Province.

“It should have been my last (deal) as I know (incoming President Rodrigo) Duterte detests it,” she told reporters in the vernacular.

Ladeo said the suspect would be charged for violation of Sections 5 (selling of dangerous drugs) and 11 (possession of dangerous drugs), Article II of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Meantime, PDEA-12 agents under the supervision of regional director Lyndon

Aspacio nabbed suspect Rene Boy Malayon, 30, in a buy-bust operation infront of a gasoline station along the national highway in Baragay Lagao at around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Kath Abad, PDEA-12 public information officer, said the suspect, was included in the agency’s list of high-value targets in the city.

She said they recovered from Malayon, who is a resident of Purok 18, Sitio Nursery in Lagao, four bundles of dried marijuana leaves weighing around six kilograms and with an estimated market value of PHP210,000.

Abad said the suspect, who is detained at the PDEA12 lockup here, will be charged for violation of Section 5 or sale of dangerous drugs, Article II of RA 9165. (PNA)

CRYSTAL CLEAR. Children take turns jumping into the crystal clear waters of Enchanted River in the municipality of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur Friday (20 May 2016). MindaNews photo by Bobby Timonera

IP leader’s daughter says family will respond to NPA after funeral M

ALAYBALAY CITY -- The family of slain Umayamnon leader Datu Benjamin “Otto” Omao Sr., representative of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in the City Council here has vowed to respond to the accusations of the New People’s Army (NPA) which owned responsibility for killing him allegedly due to criminal acts.

But the family will wait until the 54-year old Lumad (IP) leader is laid to rest on May 26 in his village in Miglamin, Malaybalay City, Bede Blise Omao, his 29-year old daughter told MindaNews in a telephone interview Sunday.

“As of now, our mind is still blank. Personally it is just very painful to hear of all the accusations,” Bede Blise, who served in her father’s legislative staff, added. Omao left behind sx children.

Bede Blise acknowledged having read the statement of the New People’s Army (NPA) issued e-mailed to the media on May 21, or five days after her father was killed in his office in the Indigenous Peoples Apostolate (IPA) in Casisang village.

Three unidentified gunmen who posed as solicitors shot Omao using long firearms. Three other suspects

acted as lookout outside the office and along the highway.

They fled on motorcycles, heading south.

The NPA, in a statement

by Ka Ariel “Inda” Magbanwag, spokesperson of the South Central Bukidnon, said in the e-mailed statement that a team of comrades from the South Central Bukidnon sub-regional operation command killed Omao, whom they accused to be a “criminal”, “land grabber”, “intimidator” and a “counter-revolutionary.”

Magbanwag also called on local government units not to put IP mandatory representa-

tives who have criminal acts and urged them to check the records of possible IP mandatory representatives in whatever level of local governance.

The NPA accused Omao of being armed and working with a local bandit group with the support of a military official. They said despite his record, he was chosen as an IP mandatory representative, allegedly by threatening his fellow tribal leaders who selected him to the position.

The NPA said the people have long asked for Omao’s execution. They accused Omao of being responsible

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 61 • TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016

Incoming PSG chief a good choice --AFP T HE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has said that incoming Presidential Security Group (PSG) commander Col. Rolando Bautista is a good choice for the position.

“He is a well-rounded officer. He is an operations man and also adept in intel.

He is a good family man and service-oriented,” AFP public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato said.

Bautista was earlier named by President-elect Rodrigo Duterte as his PSG chief.

The former is a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1985.

“He is the current brigade commander of the

104th Infantry Brigade based in Basilan.

“One of his significant operations resulted in the neutralization of Abu Anas, a foreign bomb making instructor, during an encounter in Al-Barka, Basilan in December 2015, and Mohammad Al Khatab, a Moroccan terrorist,” Detoyato said.

He added that Bautista has existing PSG protocols and doctrines to guide him in protecting Duterte.

Bautista also had stints in the First Scout Ranger Regiment, United Nations Peacekeeping Forces, and various battalions and units in the AFP before reaching his current post at the 104th Infantry Brigade. (PNA)

GPH negotiator says BBL passage, federalism can go hand-in-hand

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HE choice does not have to be between the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and federalism, said Government of the Philippines (GPH) chief negotiator Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer.

Ferrer said this in response to incoming legislator Pantaleon Alvarez’s statement that the next Congress will no longer pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and go straight to a shift to federalism.

According to Ferrer, it can be both the law and charter change. The next Congress can pass the draft law within 2016 and at the same time undertake the needed legal processes for charter change.

“Any move to change the charter requires a lot of study and consultations. It will take several years since such a major change is not a mere amendment to the constitution and is best done through a constitutional convention,” Ferrer said.

“Any further delay with completing the Bangsamoro peace process will work against the stability of the next administration,” said the Aquino administration’s negotiator for talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“Set up the Bangsamoro entity and let it exist. If we delay the road map, things might get worse. There are extremist ideologies existing around us recruiting among the Moro youth,” she added.

Ferrer pointed to the advantages in pursuing the current roadmap laid out in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

“Passing the BBL as soon as possible will help stabilize the situation in the Bangsamoro. It will pave the way for the full-scale decommissioning of the MILF’s weapons and combatants, the delivery of the socio-economic programs, and greatly enhance security cooperation between the government and the MILF,” said Ferrer.

The partnership between the government and the MILF is essential in fighting crime and terrorism in the region, she added.

Aside from the legislative track of establishing the Bangsamoro, the CAB also provides

a roadmap for the implementation of socio-economic programs for the normalization of conflict-affected areas and the transition of MILF combatants back to civilian lives.

Without the enactment of a CAB-compliant Bangsamoro law, the decommissioning of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) and implementation of the normalization track remain stalled.

The BBL is the enabling law for the establishment of the Bangsamoro political entity that seeks to replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

It provides for political and fiscal reforms that will greatly enhance the fiscal and political autonomy of the region.

However, the proposed law was not passed by the current Congress before it adjourned for the national and local elections last February.

Ferrer said she believes that President-elect Rodrigo Duterte understands the importance of passing the BBL, noting that during the last presidential debate held in Pangasinan last April, Duterte voiced his support for the BBL as a way to correct the historical injustices done to the Moros and the key to ending their armed insurgency.

“You have to make the peace there [in Mindanao] bago ka makagalaw (before you can move),” Duterte had said during the televised debate among the presidential contenders.

“Kung hindi mo makausap ito in peace talks, everything will fail (If you cannot talk it out in the peace talks, everything will fail). And I am telling now, the Republic of the Philippines, nothing will appease the Muslims, the Moro people if we do not give them the BBL.” The government peace panel chair assured the incoming President and his peace lieutenants that the current government panel will turn over a fully functional set of mechanisms charged with overseeing all the different components of the CAB, from the ceasefire to the camps transformation and decommissioning to transitional justice and overall monitoring.

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5 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 61 • TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016

ART OF BONSAI. Oliver John Tiu (fourth from left), SM Supermalls Mindanao VP for Operations, preside over the ribbon-cutting ceremony of “The Art of Bonsai” exhibit along with Salvador Barraca (second from

left), President of Davao Bonsai Society, and Therese Lapeña-Manalo (extreme right), SM Lanang Premier Mall Manager. The exhibit showcases the best bonsai collections of Davao’s bonsai growers. SM Photo

Group submits 8-point envi agenda to Duterte

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

EWLY-FORMED Davao City Sustainable Movement urged President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte to implement a nation-wide banning of aerial spraying of pesticides and fungicides.

The proposed agricultural practice in all areas in the country is one of the points identified by the movement in the proposed 8-point environment agenda submitted to Duterte last week.

Mary Ann Fuertes, executive director of the Interface Development Interventions (IDIS), the movement secretariat, said they expected Duterte to replicate Davao City’s landmark legislation of banning aerial spraying nationwide.

“An Executive Order mandating the application of the Precautionary Principle as a yardstick by which all environment issues are measured by, would ensure that

problems like aerial spraying are nipped in the bud before it can cause long-term harm to health and environment,” Furtes said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex yesterday.

Fuertes said aerial spraying “is a long-running issue in the country’s agri-sector which is used by the banana industry.”

The chemical drift, she added, affects the health and welfare of farming communities living near or inside banana plantations.

“No less that the Department of the Health has stated that acute and chronic pesticides exposure can result in harm to both health and environment,” the group said.

However, Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) executive director Stephen Antig said the multi-billion banana industry, which employs millions of Fil-

ipinos, will not thrive without aerial spraying.

Antig said companies have developed technologies to ensure that drifts will not proceed to nearby communities. He also said there had been no study supporting the claim of green groups.

Under the agenda, the group proposed for the amendment of Presidential No. 1607 or the Philippine Water Code to allow the devolution of assessment and monitoring function and the demand-supply management.

Under the water code, the mandate of administering and enforcing provisions of the code is given to the National Water Resource Board.

For his part, Mission Davao member Nick Solana said this centralizes the power to issue or cancel water permits and monitor illegal or

ment had targeted to distribute some 128,000 relief packs to households affected by the El Nino.

The entire province was placed under the state of calamity last month due to the El Nino, which already destroyed around PHP284.23 million worth of agricultural crops in the area.

The declaration was made following similar moves by Koronadal City and the three municipalities.

The PDRRM Council had approved the purchase of 12,800 sacks of rice worth PHP16 million from the National Food Authority for the relief operations.

Lorca said they have so far covered the municipalities of Lake Sebu, T’boli, Tampakan and Surallah, which were among the areas that were hit hardest by the El Nino.

The provincial government initially tapped the

services of personnel and volunteers of the Philippine Red Cross for the distribution of the rice packs due to a prohibition in line with the May 9 general elections.

The PDRRMO and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office took over the relief operations two days after the polls.

Lorca said the distribution activities are currently ongoing in the remaining barangays in Lake Sebu, T’boli and Surallah towns that were affected by the calamity.

She said the repacking of the relief goods by volunteer enlisted by the provincial government is currently ongoing at the provincial capitol compound in Koronadal City.

The NFA has already released a total of 9,250 sacks of rice to the local government since the start of the relief operations, she said.

(PNA)

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El Niño drive helps 123K households

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TOTAL of 122,784 households in South Cotabato province who were affected by the onslaught of the long dry spell spawned by the El Nino Phenomenon have already received relief assistance from the provincial government.

Milagros Lorca, chief of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said Monday such figure comprise the beneficiaries who were so far covered by the local government’s El Nino relief operations since April 27.

She said the beneficiaries, who were mainly composed of farmers and farm laborers, received five-kilogram rice packs each.

“Our relief operations are currently ongoing and we’re hoping to complete our target by the end of the month,” she said.

The provincial govern-

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 61 • TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016

NEW SHOWROOM. City Administrator Atty. Jesus Melchor V. Quitain (front row, third from left) and businessman Nelson Chua (fifth from right) join other guests in souvenir shot during the opening of the Goldens Dynasty Motors brand new showroom in Lanang Thursday last week. The firm, owned by Chua, is the sole distributor of China’s Shacman truck brand in Mindanao. Lean Daval Jr.

China truck brand now in Mindanao

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY MPORTED dump trucks made by China’s No. 2 brand will now be made available in the Mindanao market with the opening last week of the Goldens Dynasty Motors brand new showroom in Lanang, Davao City.

Charles Peña, general manager of the Goldens Dy-

I

nasty Motors, said their company will now become the sole distributor of the Shacman brand in the island region and will cater to clients even in the Visayas region.

“Davao City, north and western Mindanao are our target market,” Peña told EDGE Davao during the affair

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Project, is scheduled to turnover PHP11 million worth of equipments to farmer-cooperatives in this city and in nearby Isabela City.

Eng’r. Rolando Acuña, DTI provincial director, told the Philippines News Agency that first to receive SSF project is the United Workers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multipurpose Cooperative (UWARBMPC) of Isabela City.

Acuña said the UWARBMPC will receive black pepper processing equipment, which will be turned over on Tuesday, May 24.

Acuña said the Sinoropan Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) of Barangay Vitali, this city and the Vitali Fiber group of farmers will receive rubber processing and Abaca decorticating equipments on June 6.

On June 7, two local association of farmers known as the Dulian Upland Farmers Association Multipurpose Cooperative (DUFARMCO) of Barangay Dulian-Upper Bunguiao and Cassava Farmers Association of Barangay

Lubigan will receive coconut and cassava processing equipments.

Acuña said they will turn over on June 8 a mobile cooling tank with refrigerator trailer to the Zamboanga Dairy Cattle Association (ZADACA in Barangay Ayala, this city.

He said the SSF is a flagship project of the DTI aimed at improving the quality and productivity of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by addressing the gaps and bottlenecks in the value chain “of our priority industry clusters through the provision of processing or manufacturing equipment, tools and machinery.”

“We started this program way back in 2013, the SSF is providing equipments in our SME associations, cooperative, and it works like common service facility where all members can make use of the facility,” he added.

The equipments are given for free through the SSF with an aim to improve the beneficiaries’ quality of products, increase the production, and competitiveness in the market.

However, Acuña said the

graced by no less than the firm’s owner Nelson Chua.

Peña said Shacman products include cement mixer and oil tanker and counts contractors, local government units and miners as their potential buyers.

“We also mini dump trucks,” Peña said.

With the opening of the showroom, Goldens Dynasty Motors initially imported 37 units. Two of these units have already been sold out to a buyer in Tacloban.

“We are already sold two dump trucks even before we opened,” Peña said.

Peña added that unlike

their Manila counterpart, Goldens Dynasty Motors is not only an importer and distributor of Shacman units, but also a dealer of these trucks.

“We import, distribute and we also deal. So, we are a retailer and wholesaler,” he said.

Goldens Dynasty Motors is also planning to penetrate the Visayas market by opening another showroom in the region.

Prices of their trucks are a little bit high but are relatively lower compared to other brands, according to Peña.

of poor, young Filipinos by preparing them for the realities of the workplace,” said Baldoz after she received a report on the conclusion of the orientation from DOLE Undersecretary Nicon F. Fameronag.

Fameronag, who delivered a message at the fifth and last edition of the SPES IMO orientation held at the Sunlight Hotel in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, said close to a hundred PESO managers, including DOLE field officers from six regions -- Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions 3, 4-B, 9, 11, and 12 -- attended the orientation.

The DOLE field officers were headed by Regional Di-

rectors Nathaniel Lacambra (CAR); Atty. Ana Dione (Region 3); Sisinio Cano (Region 9); Joffrey Suyao (Region 11); and Albert Gutib (Region 12).

DOLE Region 4-B Regional Director Atty. Alvin Villamor was represented by Phillip Ruga, TSSD Chief.

The SPES is a program where students and out-ofschool youth belonging to poor families are engaged and paid for temporary employment, in partnership with participating establishments, whether public or private. Their salaries or wages are based on the minimum wage in the area or the applicable hiring rate and are subsidized by the govern-

ment in the form of education voucher.

“Since its implementation in 1993, SPES has become one of the more relevant and popular programs of government where poor but deserving young people are able to pursue and finish their studies and at the same time be exposed to the real world of work,” Baldoz said.

“Unfortunately, past implementers of the program have not come up with a manual that could guide them for uniform and effective implementation. What we had was only the implementing rules and regulations of the SPES law

rector Albert E. Gutib lauded the response and presence of all sugarcane stakeholders.

“Your presence means that you are now ready to be part of the solution to issues and concerns besetting the industry. We hope that with this forum, the interest of field workers, planters, mill owners and LGUs will be prioritized,” Gutib said.

He also invited stakeholders to visit DOLE 12 Field offices to avail programs and services particularly on the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).

More than 80 stakeholders dialogue participants were oriented on SAP and other programs and services provided by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Internal Revenues (BIR) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) whose representatives were present during the dialogue.

Issues addressed during the dialogue include the sugarcane planters difficulty in filing income tax returns and application for a Tax Identification Number (TIN).

The concern was resolved when the Cotabato Sugar Central Company Incorporated, the lone sugar mill in the region, through Cane Supply Manager Engr. Edgar S. Sarmiento offered the services of facilitating the processing of documents with the BIR. Marjorie Latoja, DOLE 12 North Cotabato field office head, believed the dialogue signaled the start of a strong partnership and cooperation between and among stakeholders of the sugarcane industry. (PNA)

DTI to release P11-M DOLE’s BLE completes orientation on project aid to farmers SPES Integrated Manual of Operations T

F DTI, 10

Phoenix to hike prices

P

HOENIX Petroleum Philippines will hike pump prices beginning today.

In an advisory Monday, the oil firm said it will increase diesel prices by PHP1 per liter and gasoline prices by

PHP1.20 per liter at 6:00 a.m., Tuesday.

The company noted the higher prices was due to “higher crude prices brought about by tensions in Nigeria and the wildfire in Canada.” (PNA)

D

EPARTMENT of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said on Monday the DOLE, through its Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), has completed on schedule the series of orientation on the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) Integrated Manual of Operations for all DOLE regional directors, PESO managers, and implementers.

“The completion of the series of orientation on the Integrated Manual of Operation ahead of schedule is a positive development toward our efforts to make the SPES truly responsive and effective in facilitating the employment

F DOLE’S, 13

Sugarcane workers’issues addressed S

UGARCANE production in Central Mindanao are expected to improve with some of the issues and concerns addressed during the Sugarcane Stakeholders Dialogue initiated by Department of Labor and Employment over the weekend, labor officials said today.

DOLE 12 in partnership with the District Tripartite Council 12 held the dialogue at the Farmers’ Training Center in Tulunan, North Cotabato.

DOLE 12 OIC-Regional Di-

7 ENVIRONMENT EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 61 • TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016

Watch out for La Niña!

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“B

RACE FOR THE LA NIÑA PHENOMENON, which is expected to bring heavy rains in the succeeding months,” Senator Loren Legarda urged in a press statement.

The chair of the Senate Committees on Climate Change and Finance sounded the alarm after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued a La Niña watch that there is a probability that another weather disaster is looming with the coming of La Niña by the second half of 2016.

“La Niña is possible but the chance is only over 50 percent and not 100 percent. It is more than a rainfall. We need to prepare,” said Dr. Vicente B. Malano, PAGASA acting administrator.

According to Legarda, the country is expected to experience more than the normal rainfall as well as more typhoons during the La Niña event. As such, she reminded local government units to enhance community-based disaster management and early warning system in their respective localities.

“We have to be ready for the impacts of La Niña even as we continue to help drought-affected communities recover from the effects of El Niño,” Legarda reminded.

“Agencies of government, both national and local levels, must work together to help communities projected to be hit by the La Niña adapt to the phenomenon.”

La Niña is the exact opposite of the phenomenon called El Niño, which was known originally recognized by fishermen off the coast of South America as the appearance of unusually warm water in the Pacific Ocean, occurring near the beginning of the year. El Niño means “the Little Boy” or “Christ Child” in Spanish. The name was used for the tendency of the phenomenon to

arrive around Christmas.

La Niña, on the other hand, means “the Little Girl.”

It is sometimes called “El Viejo,” “anti-El Niño,” or simply “a cold event” or a cold episode.

To simplify, meteorologists explain: El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENS0) cycle, with La Niña sometimes referred to as the cold phase of ENSO and El Niño as the warm phase of ENSO. “El Niño and La Niña result from interaction between the surface of the ocean and the atmosphere in the tropical Pacific,” NOAA explained.

“Changes in the ocean impact the atmosphere and climate patterns around the globe.

In turn, changes in the atmosphere impact the ocean temperatures and currents.”

The system oscillates between warm (El Niño) to neutral (or cold La Niña) conditions with an on average every 3-4 years.

In the tropics, global climate variations in La Niña tend to be opposite of those of El Niño. “If you expect drought in the country with El Niño because of reduced rainfall and less typhoons, there will be more than normal rainfall and the normal but ‘stronger typhoons’ during a La Niña episode that will cause floods and devastation of farms and property,” explains Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, former executive director of the Laguna-based Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD).

How does La Niña affect the country’s weather? PAGASA has this answer: “Effects of La Niña could be manifested in above the normal rainfall conditions in major parts of the country, particularly along the eastern sections. This is mainly due to more intense northeast monsoon and tropical cyclone activities.”

Whether La Niña will happen or not sooner, it would be

Rescue operation (Photo courtesy of Dr Ted Esguerra)

best for everyone to start preparing for its occurrence. “It is better for the national government to prepare for another extreme weather event,” Anthony Joseph R. Lucero, chief of PAGASA’s Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section, was quoted as saying.

Effects of La Niña could be manifested in above the normal rainfall conditions in major parts of the country, particularly along the eastern sections. Meteorologists say La Niña intensifies the northeast monsoon, causing more typhoons.

“The Philippines has the highest occurrence of tropical cyclone around the world,” Lucero said during the Climate Forum for Agriculture a few years back. “We are known to have the most number of tropical cyclones.”

Each year, 19 to 21 cyclones pass the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

“Our tropical cyclone comes one after another,” he pointed out. However, only six to nine out of those typhoons make landfall.

But with La Niña, typhoons are expected to be more common and disastrous as floods are likely to occur. “Floods are among the most destructive calamities man has to cope with,” the weather bureau wrote in a brochure that ex-

plains the how’s, what’s, and how’s of floods. “Even the most minor flooding poses some inconveniences.”

A really big flood can result in millions even billions of pesos of damage to road and bridges, buildings and other economic infrastructure, in the loss of agricultural crops and livestock, loss of productivity in industry, commerce and trade - not to mention the incalculable loss of human life.

Remember the Ormoc tragedy in Leyte? More than five thousand people perished from flash floods, injuring 292 others with 1,264 missing.

“With too much rain and floods, agriculture production especially in flood-prone areas will be adversely affected with physical and economic losses,” Dr. Guerrero said. “Floods will wash away crops, hasten soil erosion and increase crop spoilage due to poor storage and distribution problems.”

Dr. Guerrero admitted that Filipino farmers cannot do anything against the onslaught of La Niña except to prepare and plan for it. “Planting in flood-prone areas should be avoided to avert crop losses,” he stressed. “Drainage and flood-control structure should be renovated beforehand.”

Health-wise, people are likely to suffer from La Niña.

During floods, food-borne and

water-borne diseases accelerate, according to the Department of Health (DOH). “Flooding can contaminate the public water through the disruption of water purification and sewage disposal systems, rupture of underground pipelines and storage tanks,” said the disaster management unit of DOH. Using contaminated water can cause a wide spectrum of illness, among them: acute gastroenteritis, dysentery, typhoid fever, cholera, and hepatitis A. Malaria and dengue fever, infections transmitted by mosquitoes, are also expected to rise after heavy rainfalls due to an explosive increase in breeding sites.

Because of these projected economic and health problems, the weather bureau said that flood damage mitigation and protection is a concern not only during the disaster but should be practiced before, during and after the occurrence of a flood. As such, it has issued the following flood safety rules: Before the flood, a person must know how often his location is likely to be flooded. He should keep abreast with the flood warning system (issued

by PAGASA) in the community and keep the family knows about it. The head of the family must be kept informed of daily weather condition. He must

designate an evacuation area for his family and the livestock.

In addition, he must assign family members instruction and responsibilities according to an evacuation plan.

In addition, people are advised to keep a stock of food which requires little cooking and refrigeration before the flood. The following must be kept: a transistor radio and flashlight with spare batteries, emergency cooking equipment, candles, matches, first aid kit and water.

When warned of flood, everyone must watch for rapidly rising flood waters. The family should listen to the radio for emergency instructions. If the head of the family finds it necessary to evacuate, then he must move them to a safe area before access is cut off by flood waters. However, it is wise to turn off electricity at the main switch in the building before evacuating. “Also lock your house before leaving,” PAGASA said.

During the flood, the PAGASA advised to avoid areas subject to sudden flooding.

It cautions not to attempt to cross rivers of flowing streams where water is above the knee; beware of water-covered roads and bridges; avoid unnecessary exposure to the elements; eat only well-cooked food; and drink only bottled, boiled or treated water.

After the flood, the weather bureau recommends to re-enter the house with caution using flashlight. “Be alert for fire hazards like broken wires,” it cautions. “Do not eat food and drink water until they have been checked for flood water contamination.”

The PAGASA also suggests of reporting broken utility lines (electricity, water, gas and telephone) to appropriate agencies/authorities. “Do not turn on the main switch or use appliances and other equipment until they have been checked by a component electrician,” it warns.

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

VOL. 9 ISSUE 61 • TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016

Selfless

F

RIENDS understand friends.

In this age of instagrams, instant food, instant coalitions and instant political allies, we wonder if there is still a thing called real selfless friendship.

It could sound mushy, but yes, despite his macho image, president-elect Rodrigo Duterte treasures his friends. And when it comes to his friends and family, his heart softens. Duterte must have a special standard for friendship because his friends, at least the ‘real’ ones, understand him and would rather shy away from the limelight than cause trouble or put their friend in jeopardy.

First, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the passionate evangelist who went up on stage in Luneta to profess he would do anything for his friend. Last week, Pastor Quiboloy was reported to have felt slighted by the apparent impasse when Duterte started rattling off his cabinet members.

Yesterday, Pastor Quiboloy denied reports he was sulking.

He said he understands his friend and that the interest of the country must come first before friendship. He said he will con-

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tinue to support his friend and pray harder for him. He even went on fasting and called his members to do the same. Prayer and fasting are highest forms of meditation in Pastor Quiboloy’s faith.

And then there’s Maribojoc Mayor Leoncio Evasco, Duterte’s campaign manager who denied appointment to the Interior and Local Government. Duterte’s trusted political strategist was again given the position Secretary of the Cabinet in an announcement made early Sunday by Duterte. Yesterday, Evasco said he is turning it down and is opting to walk away in retirement.

Is Evasco sulking? No, he is not.

Evasco must be serious with his words. He has had enough and as far as he is concerned, his mission is accomplished.

That’s what makes Duterte everyone’s envy. His friends, they are his treasures.

Oh, if only this country can have more of the Quiboloys and the Evascos who would do something for a friend without asking something in return.

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

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D

VOL. 9 ISSUE 61 • TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016

9

Three governors in assassins’ hands

AVAO may look meekly like it cannot qualify as a ‘killing field’ of politicians.

But, an inquisitive look at local history in the last 150 years will reveal that three provincial governors fell in the hands of assassins, with each instance of murder committed by a different group.

Jose Pinzon y Purga, the Spanish governor, was killed by Muslims in 1860, while Edward Robert C. Bolton, an American quasi-civil governor, was assassinated by the natives in 1906.

On the other hand, Ramon de los Cientos was tragically killed by the communist rebels in 1986.

Curiously, the killings, which were swift and brutal, were predicated on the alleged abuses committed of the leaders while they were still in office. The assassinations happened in three different locations, namely Tagum City, in Davao del Norte; in Lacaron, Malita, Davao Occidental; and Bansalan, Davao del Sur. A fourth governor was in the crosshairs over a decade when rebels ambushed him.

Then Compostela Valley governor Jose Caballero, while travelling with his convoy, was waylaid by insurgents on Aug. 8, 2001 at Barangay Ngan, Compostela town.

Only one was wounded in the attack; the provincial leader’s life was spared from harm.

Death by deceit The highest colonial authority to die in Moro hands in Davao was Spanish Jose Pinzon y Purga, Davao’s sixth governor; this took place in 1860. His death had a tragic, romantic twist after his intention to marry the daughter of

“L

VANTAGE POINTS

ET ME be very clear, my friendship with my friends ends when the interest of the country begins. I would as much as possible make you happy if you are my friend, but I will not allow anybody to color my decisions in government. From now on it is always the interest of the people of the Republic of the Philippines that counts, period.”

That was what forthcoming President Rodrigo R. Duterte said when asked about his reaction on the statements issued by the camp of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy that the religious leader was being eased out of the core group.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by his pen name Mark Twain, a noted American humorist and novelist, said it right: “Loyalty to country ALWAYS. Loyalty to government, when it deserves it.”

But friendship is a different thing. “Remember,” Cindy Lew reminds, “the greatest gift is not found in a store nor under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends.” How true. For he “who finds a faithful friend,” a Jewish saying states, “finds a treasure.”

Do not pity a person with only one friend. Instead feel sorry for someone who has a thousand acquaintances. Because once you find a true friend, it will be forever. Robert Alan said it well when he wrote: “The rain may be falling hard outside, but your smile makes it all alright. I’m so glad that you’re my friend. I know our friendship will never end.”

Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest boxers the world has ever known, also said: “Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain.

It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.”

Hollywood sex goddess Marilyn Monroe

a datu from FAST BACKWARD Tagum was turned down.

Presumably, the request did not sit well with the chief who ordered his treacherous killing of the governor or that a Moro suitor was Antonio V. Figueroa simply angry at the idea of a foreigner competing for his love interest.

The Jesuit accounts, though, are more believable. Father Quirico More, SJ, in a January 2, 1865 letter written to his Mission Superior in Manila, wrote that the tragedy occurred due to the padre’s plan to establish a big Mandaya settlement in Bincungan, near the mouth of Tagum River. Pinzon was full of energy promoting the plan, and the Mandayas, the recipients of the initiative, were looking forward to seeing the governor inaugurate the new village.

But the euphoria generated by the event did not register well with the Moros who hatched the idea of assassinating him. To keep the plan from being discovered, the Moros pretended to welcome the project by helping the Mandaya finish the resettlement site in time for the inaugural and joined the Mandayas in receiving the governor.

The scheming Moros even invited the governor head to the ranch, pretending to of-

fer another celebration would complement the one prepared by the Mandayas. Someone, though, smelled dead rat in the plan and told Pinzon about it. But the governor set aside the suspicion.

After the celebration, the datus invited the governor to a room where a Moro chief hacked him from behind with a kris, a Muslim bladed weapon. A second datu at once ran up to deliver the death blow by chopping off Pinzon’s head. His body was quartered and divided up to various Moro communities in Davao to provoke antagonism.

Bolton’s tragic death A New Yorker, Edward C. Bolton, Davao’s first quasi-civil governor, was appointed as civil governor of Davao was made by virtue of Act No. 787. He was recommended by his predecessor for his war exploits and military leadership. But, more importantly, his personal belief that Filipinos could be governed through peaceful means was a departure from the concept of pacification many American colonial leaders embraced at the time.

Bolton’s administration was focused on continuing his predecessors’ initiatives. Even with limited funds, he worked in linking settlements to primary roads. On the side, he attended to his own plantation, and sat down with native leaders to quell tension among disgruntled tribes. In the end, it was his personal indiscretion and the bitter deals and treatment the tribesmen got from plantation owners that contributed to his downfall.

On June 6, 1906, he was by hacked to death

by Mangulayon, a Kulaman Manobo chief. His

Insurgents’ vendetta Before becoming first governor of Davao del Sur, Ramon delos Cientos Sr. was three-time elected mayor (1955-63) of Bansalan, Davao del Sur. Prior to his installation as provincial leader, he was a member of the Provincial Board of Davao del Sur in 1966 when Davao was not yet divided into three provinces.

In 1980, he returned to reclaim his old municipal position, earning a fourth term as Bansalan mayor. But with the popular uprising in 1986, he lost his clout and had to surrender his position to an officer-in-charge who took over the mayoralty. Silently, though, he was preparing for the next elections, hopeful he could return to his position as municipal mayor.

Tragedy, however, struck when on September 29, 1986, armed men jostled him away from the fiesta revelers and brought him to an isolated location where his abductors, later identified as members of the New People’s Army (NPA) shot him in cold blood. The reason for the murder was later traced to agrarian problem involving the former governor’s land.

To his credit, the luminary the townspeople called as ‘The Grand Old Man of Bansalan’ was accorded a hero’s burial, his legacy forever remembered by the people he served.

said at one time: “When you have THINK ON THESE! a good friend that really cares for you and tries to stick in there with you, you treat them like nothing.

Learn to be a good friend because one day you’re gonna Henrylito D. Tacio look up and say henrytacio@gmail.com I lost a good friend. Learn how to be respectful to your friends, don’t just start arguments with them and don’t tell them the reason, always remember your friends will be there quicker than your family. Learn to remember you got great friends; don’t forget that and they will always care for you no matter what. Always remember to smile and look up at what you got in life.”

Monroe’s statement came to mind when I read the Jewish story about two men who were inseparable friends from childhood.

Though their love bound them together, a series of unfortunate circumstances forced them to live in separate and hostile countries.

One day, one of them -- a merchant -- visited the other who is living in another country. And it came to pass that the king was informed of a stranger from an enemy country was walking the streets of his capital. It so happened that the merchant was walking at the street and was arrested. After a brief trial, the king ordered the executioner to cut his head.

The merchant fell to his knees and begged

the king to allow him to complete his business before he was killed. “Your majesty, all my money is invested with other merchants, and we have no written documents,” he pleaded.

“If I die without clearing my financial affairs, my wife and children will be destitute. Please, permit me to go home and set my business in order and I will return.”

“What do you think of me, a fool?” the king replied. “Who has ever heard of a prisoner returning without force?”

“Your majesty,” the merchant said, “I have a friend in your country who will take my place while I am away.”

The king ordered the friend to his court and asked, “Are you willing to take his place for your friend? Understand that if he does not return, you will be executed?”

“I count it an honor to offer my life as replacement for my closest friend,” the man said. The king was astonished and allowed the merchant to go and do whatever unfinished business he had for one month. “If you don’t return in 30 days, we will cut off the head of your friend,” he was told.

On the last day of the month, the king waited until dusk for the merchant to return. Just before the sun was to set, the king ordered the executioner to cut the head of the “prisoner.”

As the man knelt before the great wooden block, there was a shout from those assembled, “The merchant has returned!”

As the merchant arrived, he saw that his friend was about to be executed. Quickly, he moved to the execution block and pushed his friend aside gently. “I am ready to assume my punishment,” he said, kneeling.

The other man was not easily convinced, “I am ready to die in your place,” he said firm-

ly. The two men argued for several minutes, each declaring his intention to be the one who would be executed. Meanwhile, the king and his court watched the discussion with amazement.

Finally, the king ordered the sword to be removed, saying: “I have never witnessed such devotion in all my life. Both of you are pardoned.”

Next, the king called the two men before him. “Deep friendship is a rare jewel,” he told them. “I beg you, allow me to join you as a third.”

From that day on, the two men became companions of the king.

Now, find a friend; not just a friend but a true friend. An unknown author penned this statement: “Sometimes in life, you find a special friend. Someone who changes your life just by being a part of it. Someone who makes you laugh until you can’t stop. Someone who makes you believe that there really is good in the world. Someone who convinces you that there really is an unlocked door just waiting for you to open it. This is forever friendship.

“When you’re down and the world seems dark and empty, your forever friend lifts you up in spirit and makes that dark and empty world suddenly seem bright and full. Your forever friend gets you through the hard times, the sad times and the confused times. If you turn and walk away, your forever friend follows. If you lose your way, your forever friend guides you and cheers you on. Your forever friend holds your hand and tells you that everything is going to be okay. And if you find such a friend, you feel happy and complete because you need not worry. You have a forever friend, and forever has no end.”

The friends connection

foreman, Benjamin Christian, also an American, died in the same tragic incident that occurred in Lacaron, Malita, Davao del Sur. His death resulted in a bloody vendetta launched by the American establishment. His remains were recovered and sent to New York, arriving there after over two months of transit in a metallic coffin encased in a wooden box.

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

More... FROM 2

SHIELD FROM RAIN. A wife shields herself and her husband from the heavy downpour with an umbrella while traversing R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

ACQ... FROM 1

uled meeting with Duterte at the KJC Prayer Mountain, however, it was cancelled due to the latter’s busy schedule.

After the meeting was called off, Quiboloy started a prayer and fasting for Duterte and for the leadership of the Philippines.

He said that he prayed that the country will experience the real change that the people have been craving from the start of the campaign, especially that the new leader of the country is his close friend.

“Pinalanganin ko rin na si Mayor Duterte ay pagpalain, mag karoon ng malakas na panganagtawan, tamang karunongan, ang kanyang pamilya ay bigyan ng kalakasan, proteksyon,at pag pala mula sa langit. Sana sa kanyang pamamahala ay mag karoon ng pag babago sa ating bansa tulad ng inaasam natin,” Quiboloy said.

Quiboloy has also called for a national prayer and fasting to all members of his ministry.

Representative Mark Villar.

Panelo was the former legal counsel of the Ampatuan’s in the Maguindanao massacre to which some of the victims were members of the media.

Panelo in earlier interview said he already withdrew as legal counsel of the Ampatuan’s last year although even if he has not withdrawn “the fear (not getting justice for the victims) has no basis because the law is clear. He said if evidence is sufficient to get the question of truth that is required for conviction then the accused will be convicted if he do not then the accuse will be acquitted.

On the other hand, the selection of Villar was strongly criticized citing conflict of interest considering that Villar’s family is into the property development business. Villar is also criticized for accepting the offer considering that he is a newly-elected representative of Las Piñas. This would mean abandoning the will of the people.

Meanwhile, Duterte’s reserving positions for the communists drew mixed reactions

which the mayor reiterated he is not a communist and neither former Justice Secretary Silvestre Bello III. Bello was named by Duterte as the incoming peace negotiator with the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF).

“I am not a communist Bello is not but one of the left or center. I never said I am a communist – I said I’m a president who comes from the left – left center,” he stressed.

So far, Duterte reserved four departments for the Reds: the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agrarian Reform and the Department of Labor and Employment. Some names have been floated around like Bayan Muna party-list representative Karlos Zarate and Gabriela’s Luz Ilagan. Zarate is however a nominee for Bayan Muna, which won two seats while Ilagan, if she agrees, can serve only after one year. Ilagan ran for councilor in Davao City’s third district but lost.

(PNA)

the top, without blocking the authorized plates.

The LTO, she added, cannot ask shops to stop making plates because it is part of their livelihood.

Meanwhile, the government agency will be request-

ing for more refrigeration identifier, equipment used by LTO officers to classify vehicles that are using illegal refrigeration chemicals.

The LTO presently cannot intensify its apprehension because of lack of equipment.

Duterte debunks... FROM 2

LTO... FROM 3

VOL. 9 ISSUE 61 • TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016

Duterte... FROM 2 Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel Jr., president of the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), which endorsed the candidacy of Duterte. ”Anyone can run. The President will not have an official candidate but of course, meron siyang napupusuan. In deference to the institution and the presumptive president, I will not reveal kung ano ang pinag-usapan namin,” Cayetano said. ”But even the others, there have been some senators na sila ang nag-tanong, hindi sila ang sinabihan. Sila ang nag-tanong so sinagot din sila kung sino ang gusto,” he added.

Sotto, for his part, said his group was not particularly eyeing him but some individuals were pushing him to the top Senate post. ”The important thing is that we’re working the vision, the goal of the group – to help the Senate that is independent but is in a working relationship with the incoming president,”

Sotto said.

Drilon said it would be too early to talk about the Senate presidency but “anyone who wants to unseat me would have to get the gift from the 13 senators.” ”We will focus first on the canvassing of votes cast for president and vice president starting tomorrow,” Drilon told the media.

Drilon said the six LP members in the Senate remained intact, referring to partymates incumbent Senators Recto, Benigno Aquino III and incoming Senators Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan, Joel Villanueva and Risa Hontiveros.

Drilon said he was not surprised about reports that some of the LP congressmen have jumped ship to the group of Duterte’s allies at the House of Representatives. ”In the House, that has happened in the past. I am generally informed that the House LPs will not leave the party but would seek an alliance,” Drilon clarified to the media. (PNA)

have at least seven years of experience as well as expertise on information and communications technology (ICT), information technology service management, information technology service management, information security management, cybersecurity, data private, e-Commerce, or human capital development in the ICT sector.

The law requires two of the three Undersecretaries and two of the four Assistant Secretaries to be career officers, while one of the four Assistant Secretaries need to be a licensed professional electron-

ics engineer.

With the signing of the law, the Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO), National Computer Center (NCC), National Computer Institute (NCI), Telecommunications Office (TELOF), National Telecommunications Training Institute (NTTI), and all communications-focused operating units of DOTC have been abolished and will be transferred to the DITC. The law also requires a six-month transition period for the full transfer of functions, assets and personnel of these agencies. (PNA)

“We will be handing over our data base system and assessments of all the different activities as part of our terminal report under this administration and this would be very useful to the next,” Ferrer stated.

Ferrer called on newly

elected officials and the general public to keep their steadfast support for the peace negotiations. “I hope that we will finally achieve the much-needed national consensus to continue with the implementation of the peace agreements,” she said. (PNA)

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Earlier, Duterte named lawyers Salvador Medialdea as Executive Secretary and Salvador Panelo as chief of the Presidential Communications Group; lawyer Vitaliano Aguirre as secretary of the Department of Justice; Las Piñas Representative-elect Mark Villar as secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); former Chief Executive Officer and President of the Clark Development Project Arthur Tugade for the Department of Transportation and Communications; Carlos Dominguez for the Department of Finance; Lyceum of the Philippines president Peter Laurel for the Department of Education; former press secretary Jesus Dureza for the peace process but focusing on the Moro group; former Securities and Exchange Commission chief Perfecto Yasay Jr. as acting secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs; Alfonso Cusi for the Department of Energy; Jose Calida as Solicitor General and former North Cotabato governor Manny Piñol as secretary of the Department of Agriculture.

Duterte defended his choices. Duterte said Tugade, who is not a ‘kababayan’, is brilliant and good; Yasay is articulate; Cusi is an organi-

zation man and has expertise and credentials to run the government; and Villar as good.

He said he asked Villar to draw him a map where they have property development projects. In those project areas, Villar as DPWH secretary must not build roads and alleys to avoid suspicion.

Duterte said he wants Tugade and Villar to fix their departments which he described as two corrupt organizations in the government.

He has yet to name his choices for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Agrarian Reform and the Social Services, which are reserved for the progressive left and not the communist party, he clarified. DOLE is already for Bello, who was former secretary general for Mindanao of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and after that served the Cabinet of past Presidents Corazon Aquino, Fidel V. Ramos and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Bello also chaired GRP Negotiating Panel for Talks with the CPP/NPA/NDF that sealed the first deal with the communists that is the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CAHRIHL).

(PNA)

both parties would not file any “pleadings”, the case will be declared as “submitted for resolution”.

Concurring with the ruling were Associate Justices Myra Garcia-Fernandez and Melchor Sadang. (PNA)

legal water extraction to only one agency.

“LGUs, particularly those who are far from the national capital, cannot immediately act on issues regarding their local water resources because they have to wait for actions from the NWRB,” Solana said.

Solana also believed that the code be amended because it provides an avenue for corruption to happen in the agency and the alck of enough manpower to regularly monitor water extraction in every local government unit.

“Currently, the measure and limit of water appropriations are based on beneficial use whose limits are not clearly stated in the code. This gives the board a wide range of discretion which will eventually lead to corruption,” the group explained.

Other points raised by the group include strengthening of the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System by amending current Implementing Rules and Regulations; support for the advancement of the sustainable agriculture and food security; formulating of National Land Use Act; strengthening of policies on renewable energy and eventually, stop building new coal-fired power plants.

The group also said the new administration should abolish the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and increasing of green spaces in urban areas and assessment of the implementation of the National Greening Program.

The group asked the presumptive president to consider the group’s proposed 8-point environment agenda in his programs responsive with the Paris agreement on climate change.

Fuertes said Duterte should also give priority to environmental conservation to be able to attain economic growth.

“The environment should be well-taken care of because it is the source of raw materials for production,” Fuertes added, saying having a balanced and healthful ecology can also lead to food security and sustainable agriculture.

Furtes said the 8-point environmental agenda was crafted by the members of the movement like Ecoteneo and Mission Davao.

Considered as an environment champion due to his landmark ordinances, Fuertes believed that the President will also bring Davao City’s green legislations to the national level.

beneficiaries of the SSF projects are required to come up with an operational manual of

the equipments given them to include its maintenance and users. (PNA)

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 61 • TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016

EDGEDAVAO TRAVEL

Exploring Davao City

By Henrylito D. Tacio

FROM EXTREME ADVENTURES OF MOUNTAIN CLIMBING AND DEEPSEA DIVING TO JUST WALKING OVER WHITE SAND BEACHES OR HAVING FUN AT NIGHT, DAVAO CITY HAS IT. Visitors and guests will have a grand time during their stay in any places of the city.

With a land area of 244,000 hectares, Davao City is approximately 7.8 times the size of Cebu and three times that of the entire Metro Manila. It is a melting pot of more than million people, both indigenous and migrants now being acculturated into the mainstream of society, creating a unique cosmopolitan culture.

If you have only a few days in Davao, the first place to visit is the Philippine Eagle Center – home to the country’s bird icon – in Malagos, Calinan District. Leave your hotel early in the morning as the travel time is about one hour from the city to the center.

Once you enter the center, don’t be surprised if you find yourself in the midst of a forest. “This sanctuary stimulates the tropical rainforest habitat where we breed eagles in captivity,” explains Dennis Salvador, the executive of Philippine Eagle Foundation, Inc. Here, you will have the opportunity of seeing “Pagasa,” the first Philippine eagle hatched and bred in captivity.

Then, there’s“Mabuhay,” the 25th captive-bred eagle, which happened to be the first offspring of “Pag-asa.”

About two kilometers away from the eagle center is the Malagos Garden Resort. Here, you will marvel the arrangement of flowers and ornamen-

Davao City Hall.

Close encounter with birds at Malagos Garden Resort.

Durian and mangosteen.

Eden’s Skycycle.

D’Bone Collector Museum.

tals – in various forms and hues – scattered throughout the resort. Sculptures, done by national artist Napoleon Abueva, are displayed all over the place.

Next stopover is Eden Nature Park and Resort, a beautiful man-made resort nestled in the foothills of Mount Talomo in Toril. At 2,650 feet above sea level, it offers a breath-taking bird’s-eye view of the city and the Davao Gulf in the distance. Over 100,000 pine trees

are growing in the area, comprising about 80 hectares. A plus: the skycycling, where you pedal your way through the sky.

From there, you need to go to the Davao Crocodile Park, located at the Riverfront Corporate City along Carlos P. Garcia Highway in Ma-a.

With about 700 crocodiles, the park is making waves as one of popular tourist spots in the city. It is home to the country’s largest crocodile named

Pangil, measuring over 18 feet in length.

“The park is an establishment that showcases a state-ofthe-art crocodile farming system in the Philippines,” says Philip “Sonny” Dizon, president of PSD Group of Companies, the mother company of Davao Crocodile Park. “It has the most recent crocodile farm design equipped with modern facilities and equipment.”

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 61 • TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016

EVENT

The Paw Patrol Team-NICKELODEON’s Senior Director, Licensing Consumer Products Southeast Asia Cindy Loh and Licensing Executive, Consumer Products Southeast Asia Janice Sou with BATES Licensing and Entertainment, Inc. President Ito Feliciano, and It’s was fun family day for Jerilee Blanco and son Jacob as they finally met Paw Patrol’s Toy Kingdom AVP-Marketing Pearl Datiles. Also shown in photo is BATES Group Managing Director Toni Bautista with members of Chase and Marshall. the team: Reeze V. La Paz, Karl Michael Domingo, Eric Bordeos, Nini Pacolor, and Marlin Lucero.

KIDS OF ALL AGES WERE THRILLED WHEN PAW PATROL’S CHASE AND MARSHALL RECENTLY MADE AN AMAZING STOP AT SM MALL OF ASIA MUSIC HALL, giving them the rare opportunity to Meet and Greet these awesome Nickelodeon Pup heroes. What made the event really special is that it is their first visit to Southeast Asia.

Paw Patrol is a CG action adventure preschool series starring a pack of six heroic and hilarious pups led by Ryder, a tech-savvy and energetic boy who rescued all six pups and taught them PAW Patrol skills.

Chase, a German Shepard Police Dog pup is a natural leader – athletic, smart, and “by the book” organized; while Marshall, the team’s brave firedog, is an excitable, all action six- year- old Dalmatian Pup. Other members of the team

are Zuma, a playful water loving Labrador pup, and the team’s Water Rescue Dog; Rubble a tough construction Bulldog with a heart of gold; Rocky a creative Mixed Breed Recycling pup; and Skye, a cute Cockapoo puppy, who’s also a fearless daredevil who will try anything with grace and a smile.

With a unique blend of problem solving skills, cool vehicles, and physical humor, Paw Patrol works together to protect the Adventure Bay community. It takes preschoolers on exciting rescues with high-tech gadgets and transforming vehicles that translate into amazing consumer products opportunities. With values such as teamwork and heroism, the hit series is truly full of heart amidst action and adventure.

The visit highlighted the heroic world of Paw Patrol and its Pup activity stations such as the Rubble Building Station, Rocky Recycling Station, Zuma Pup Pup Boogie Dance Station, Skye Face Painting Salon, and the Marshall and Chase Rescue station. Fun stage games also delighted kids during the event.

The winning face of Terrence Lloyd Kids became little Tambago as he got PUP Stamp of approval on his Paw Patrol Certificate Patrollers for a day as they got their pictures taken at after finishing Pup Pocket games.

Paw Patrol Meet and Greet at Toy Kingdom Christian Rhomel Mariano from Alpha Fire Brigade Brotherhood Association inspired kids to become little patrollers as he shared some facts about fire, as well as duties of a firefighter and basic tips on fire prevention.

Amazing Paw Patrol Pups and their vehicles were among the exciting highlights of the recent Paw Martina and Lukas Horn wearing Paw Patrol inspired outfits beside Pup Patrol Meet & Greet at Toy Kingdom and MOA Music Hall. heroes Chase and Marshall.

Paw Patrol Pups amazing vehicles- Chase’s Police truck, Marshall’s Fire truck, Zuma’s Hovercraft, Rubble’s Digger, Rocky’s Recycling truck, and Skye’s Helicopter.

During the event, kids also had the chance to see the latest collection of Paw Patrol toys and accessories.

These are available at all Toy Kingdom Express outlets in

SM Stores and Toy Kingdom Stores in most SM Supermalls.

Also visit their website w w w.toyk ingdom.ph; ToyKingdomPH at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Rubble’s bright Digger was a fun Little kid patrollers’ heartfelt smiles with Paw Skye’s Helicopter is a fun ride for little girls.

Patrol’s Chase and Marshall.

Zuma’s cool Hovercraft is an attraction at the recent Paw Patrol Meet & Greet. sight at the Meet & Greet.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 61 • TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

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ENTERTAINMENT

Kris Bernal celebrates birthday with special kids Jaclyn Jose bags Best Actress award at Cannes

TO CELEBRATE HER 27TH BIRTHDAY, Kapuso actress Kris Bernal spent time with the young kids and parents of the Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Adults and Children with Handicap (REACH) Foundation.

The choice for her birthday charity event was brought about her role in the recently concluded GMA Telebabad soap Little Nanay. She played Tinay, a mother with a special condition that made her act and think a lot younger than her age.

For Kris, the role allowed her to connect with special kids and PWDs at a deeper level.

“Alam ko yung life nila eh. Mas naiintindihan ko sila, alam ko yung feeling nila. Kumbaga, parang nagkatawang tao ako sa kanila eh,” she said.

During the program held on May 20 at the Lingap Karunungan Compound in Mandaluyong, she got emotional as the kids sang for her and handed her paper flowers and pieces of artwork.

“Kaya ako naging teary-eyed kasi [kahit paano] alam ko yung buhay nila. Sanay ako makatanggap ng regalo pero it’s just that [I saw the] effort na [binigay nila]… Alam ko yung capabilities nila, yung kaya nilang gawin, yung strengths nila so mas madali [para sakin

THE MILLIONAIRE’S WIFE ACTRESS JACLYN JOSE IS NAMED BEST ACTRESS AT THE 69TH ANNUAL CANNES FILM FESTIVAL for her portrayal of Rosa in the Brillante Mendoza film Ma’ Rosa. The festival was held from May 11 to 22 in Cannes, France.

“Moved” and “surprised,” Jose thanked the members of the Jury and Mendoza in her speech.

“I’m at a loss for words! I am so surprised and moved. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the Jury members. I thank the director Brillante Mendoza, whose instructions I simply followed.”

“He’s a brilliant director, a genius. I am so happy you liked the film. I’d like to salute the Philippine people,” she added.

Ma’ Rosa is about a woman who is struggling to survive, going as far as to selling drugs on the side just to put food on the table for her beloved children.

ngayon na] pakitunguhan [sila],” she added.

On her birthday, Kris didn’t make any extravagant wishes, but rather hoped for the kind of gratefulness that she saw in the

kids.

“Ang saya saya nila sa notebook, ang sayaya saya nila sa spaghetti.

Sana ganun din ako makaappreciate ng maliliit [at] simple na bagay,” she concluded.

Old photo of Risa Hontiveros and Lea Salonga goes viral on Facebook F O R M E R CONGRESSWOMAN NOW SENATOR-ELECT RISA HONTIVEROS might be one of the most recognizable faces in Philippine politics. But before Risa became known as a legislator, she was in fact a stage actress when she was young.

A throwback photo posted on Facebook showing Risa Hontiveros with Broadway actress Lea Salonga, Raymond Lauchengco, and Monique Wilson quickly went viral.

The said photo was taken during their days in Repertory Philippines where the lady legislator was part of the play Sound of Music. Rinna Estrella-Gustilo posted the 1980 photo in the Facebook group Memories of Old Manila.

Moreover, a netizen even shared a YouTube video of Risa, Lea, Raymond, and Monique’s guesting in the noontime TV program, Student Canteen.

May 23 – 24, 2016

X-MEN: APOCALYPSE James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence PG

12:00 | 3:00 | 6:00 | 9:00 LFS

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR/ *X-MEN: APOCALYPSE 3D Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr. / *James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence PG/*PG

11:35 | 2:20 LFS / *5:10 | 8:00 LFS

THE ANGRY BIRDS Peter Dinklage, Ike Barinholtz, Jason Sudeikis

Risa Hontiveros’s win last May 9 is one of the highlights of the 2016 elections. People quipped that Risa did a Pia Wurtzbach because she won on

her third try to become one of the 24 senators of the country.

She entered the Magic 12 by placing ninth overall with over15.9 million votes.

PG

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

X-MEN: APOCALYPSE James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence PG

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

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 61 • TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016

TRAVEL EXPLORING A1

Now, let’s do the tour in the heart of the city. Start at the city hall in San Pedro Street.

A few distant walk is the legislative building, whose façade has the famous freedom statue designed by the talented Kublai Millan. Adjacent to the statue is the historic San Pedro Cathedral.

Not far away is the city’s repository of its cultural and historical heritage – the Museo Dabawenyo in Pichon Street. It has galleries that showcase the local tribes’ cultures and way of living, artifacts and information of the city’s history and a hall of changing exhibits, art shows and various educational enrichment activities.

Don’t miss going to the D’Bone Collector Museum (shades of one of those Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C.) in barangay

From there, take a taxi and tell the driver to bring you to People’s Park (yes, its Davao’s counterpart of Manhattan’s Central Park) in Legazpi Street. It’s a place where people gather around, stroll and cross bridges, watch man-made waterfalls, or sit under the beautiful trees.

The city is one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of mango, pomelo, banana, papaya, and mangosteen. Its fertile volcanic soil makes it most suitable for sustained production of these tastiest tropical fruits in the country. Don’t miss eating the exotic durian, famous because of its spike and offensive scent (“It smells like hell, but tastes like heaven,” one scribe noted).

If swimming is your thing, then go to the adjacent Island Garden City of Samal, which can be reached in just a matter of 10 minutes by boat. Highly recommended are the Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Bluejaz Beach Resort and Water Park (home to the region’s highest water slides), Maxima Aquafun, and Paradise Beach Resort.

Just a reminder or two when you are in Davao City: Drinking of alcoholic beverages is allowed only until 1 am – beyond that until 8 in the morning, drinking is strictly prohibited. Smoking is also not allowed – except in the house, private vehicle, and in the smoking area of establishments that applied for exception.

Welcome to Davao City!

Freedom statue and San Pedro Cathedral.

Man-made lake at People’s Park.

Bucana. You will be mesmerized to see a 41foot or 12.4-meter long sperm whale (which has the largest species of toothed whale). Bones and skeletons of snakes, tarsier, marine turtles, various fish species, different sizes of the mouths of sharks, and birds abound.

“Each group that goes to the museum gets a tour about the animals found in each of the displays. One of the things we show to them is how some of the animals have died due to humans throwing garbage into the ocean or canals and how these kill the whales and dolphins,” explains Darrel Blatchley, the museum’s curator and owner.

GENSAN PARTNER ESTABLISHMENT

DAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENT

11 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 61 • TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016

celebrates juvenile VXI Phl joins Tebow Fun Run JJWC welfare act 10th year

M

OTIVATED by the cause to help Filipino children in need, VXI Philippines showed its support to Tebow Cure Run 2016: Run to Fuel Hope- a fund-raising event organized by Tebow CURE Hospital last May 1, 2016 at SM Lanang Premier.

VXI quickly responded to Tebow CURE’s call to participate and be one of the major sponsors of the said event.

Hundreds of VXI employees chose to spend their Sunday morning in reaching out to the community and help drive public awareness in promoting the hospital’s philanthropy.

Headed by Ms. Debbie Santos, VXI’s VP for PH Talent Acquisition and Corporate Branding, and Mr. Anant Singh, VP for Operations, the partici-

pants gathered in the venue as early as 4:00 am to participate in the 1k and 5k runs, with routes situated within Davao City.

“This is a simple company initiative that desires to help raise awareness about the pediatric orthopedic children from Tebow CURE, Davao,” said Mr. Anant Singh. “The activity inspires everyone, not only the VXI employees but also its community to take their love for running to a higher and more meaningful level. This is an opportunity for us to take a break from work and have fun while helping others.” he added.

Because of the support given by VXI community in this project, they were able to raise Php 106, 930.00 that can help fund the medical care

for children with treatable conditions like clubfoot and spinal deformities.

Tebow CURE’s Development and Sustainability Officer, Vincent J. Bitana, expressed his utmost gratitude for the company’s participation in their fund raising event, which is also in line for their first anniversary.

“On behalf of CURE Philippines, Inc. (Tebow CURE Hospital), I would like to thank VXI’s active participation in helping us raise awareness and revenues to help fund our charity work. We were able to raise Php 440,000.00 less all the expenses incurred. The amount that your company gave [will be] used to provide life changing surgeries for physically disabled children.”

Alongside with the run, VXI’s new corporate logo was also revealed that morning.

Shirts and visors with the renewed face of the company were given to all the runners as souvenir.

VXI’s participation in this charity fun run was just a proof that they’re living up with their current core values.

This recently concluded event was just a portion of the bigger surprise that the company is planning to unveil in the coming months.

Tebow CURE Hospital is one of the primary outreach initiatives of the Tim Tebow Foundation. They’ve been providing pediatric, orthopedic and surgical care to children with treatable physical disabilities.

T

HE Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC), an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (JJWA) with the theme “RA 9344: Isang Dekadang Pag-asa” at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier on Friday, May 20.

“Republic Act 9344 covers the different stages involving children at risk and children in conflict with the law (CICL) from prevention to rehabilitation and reintegration. To celebrate the 10th year anniversary of its enactment, we will showcase the milestones of the law implementation and, most importantly, recognize the valuable contribution of our partner

stakeholders,” said DSWD Assistant Regional Director for Administration Ma. Vilia L. Vigil.

Highlighting the event was an Artshop which aimed at encouraging youth participants to communicate and promote this year’s theme in a most creative format. Participants include children from various youth care facilities here -Poblacion A, Buhangin, Pag-asa, Agdao, Paginhawaan Drop-in Center, Talomo A and DSWD’s Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth.

The RJJWC is a policy-making, coordinating and monitoring body created for the implementation of JJWA. Its mission is to promote and protect the rights of children in conflict with the law under a restorative justice and welfare system. (DSWD)

Watershed advocacy group calls on pres.

Digong to amend national water code

T MEMORY CARD. A young hawker shows a knock-off version of a popular memory card brand which he sells for only P180 a piece along San Pedro Street in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Watchdog proposes action agenda on wastes and toxics for Duterte’s first 100 days in office A N environmental organization has propounded a 13-point action plan to ease the country’s uphill battle against wastes and toxics under the administration of presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte.

The EcoWaste Coalition through its Davao City-based affiliate Interface for Development Interventions (IDIS) will submit today its proposed “Action Agenda on Wastes and Toxics” to Peter Tiu Laviña, spokesperson and member of the Duterte Transition Committee.

“As an environmental organization dedicated to the promotion of a zero waste and toxic-free society, we are pleased to put forward the ‘Action Agenda on Wastes and Toxics’ that we hope President Duterte will actively pursue in his first 100 days in office,” said Aileen Lucero, Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.

The 13-point “Action Agenda on Wastes and Toxics,” if carried out, will spell a big difference as to how the new government will tackle our persistent problem with the growing quan-

tity and toxicity of wastes generated by households, institutions, businesses and industries, the EcoWaste Coalition said.

Citing information from the National Solid Waste Management Commission, the group drew attention to the projected waste generation in 2016 estimated at 40,087.46 tons per day nationwide.

“This figure does not include wastes that are illegally shipped into our country in the guise of ‘recycling’ such as the infamous garbage from Canada,” the group said.

The group expressed its hope that the Duterte presidency will take swift and decisive action to ensure compliance to major environmental laws such as R.A. 9003 (the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act), R.A. 8749 (the Clean Air Act), R.A. 9275 (the Clean Water Act) and R.A. 10771 (the Green Jobs Act), as well as to “The People’s Right to Chemical Safety: A Fifteen-Point Human Rights Agenda” issued by the Commission on Human Rights.

To contribute to the protec-

tion of human health and the environment, the EcoWaste Coalition urged Duterte to put the following points into action during his first 100 days in office: 1.

Appoint a genuine pro-environment and pro-people Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary with an exemplary track record in environmental protection.

2. Announce the government’s program to determinedly combat waste and pollution through Zero Waste strategies and practices sans incineration at his first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

3. Convene and chair the first meeting of the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) and set a comprehensive Zero Waste agenda to reduce the volume and toxicity of the country’s waste.

4. Instruct the DENR Secretary to take full leadership and responsibility in ensuring that the Zero Waste agenda is put into operation by the entire government machinery.

5. Order a participatory

review and analysis of where the public funds for managing wastes go and recommend priority use of taxpayers’ money to support and advance the Zero Waste agenda.

6. Ensure the proper release and use of the allocated budget from the General Appropriations Act of 2016 for capacity building programs towards the effective implementation of Republic Act 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. 7. Make the NSWMC and all its members accountable for the performance of their responsibilities towards the effective enforcement of R.A. 9003, including providing quarterly submission of accomplishment reports that should be publicly available.

8. Stop all undertakings that are in breach of the incineration ban under R.A. 8749 and R.A. 9003, including the ongoing formulation of “waste-to-energy” guidelines by the NSWMC. 9. Suspend the development and implementation of proposed coal power plants in the pipeline and so-called

F WATCHDOG, 13

HE Interface Development Interventions, Inc. (IDIS) called on the incoming Duterte administration to devolve the enforcement provisions in the Philippine Water Code from the National Water Regulatory Board (NWRB) to local government units.

“We want the NWRB to allow local government units to assess and monitor the water resources in their respective areas because the central office does not have the sufficient human resources to conduct round-theclock implementation of the Philippine Water Code.”, said IDIS executive director Ann Fuertes.

“Since the LGUs are more familiar with their local water resources, they can immediately conduct ocular inspections and field assessments, without waiting for the NWRB team from the central office. Similarly, in monitoring the Code’s implementation, the local LGU can recommend sanctions or revocation of the water permit if the water user is found violating the national water code.”, she said.

This agenda is first in an 8-Point Environmental Agenda that IDIS, together with civil society groups belonging to the Sustainable Davao City Movement (SDCM), submitted to Duterte transition team member Pete Laviña last week, May 19, 2016.

The lobby for the devolution of the NWRB’s functions came from the problems that the city local government encountered when it tried to monitor the water extraction from the Talomo-Lipadas watershed, the city’s current source of drinking water. In 2001, the city council had passed a Water Code to curb the extraction of drinking water for industrial use but its implementation was blocked b y the NWRB. “There have been efforts

to dialogue with and convince the NWRB to deputize the LGU to do the regulating and monitoring functions but until now the MOA has not been finalized .. The MOA which was prepared and presented by the technical working group (TWG) formed by Mayor Duterte in 2009 has remained unsigned, with the NWRB refusing to provide their comments on the latest draft.”, Fuertes said.

According to Fuertes, the NWRB considers Davao’s local water ordinance as superseding the Philippine Water Code which mandated the NWRB as the lone authority to issue water extraction and monitoring permits.

“But the problem is they do not have the enough personnel to monitor the country’s water resources.”, she said,”which created a situation where the central agency is limited in carrying out its mandate, and local government units have no control over their own water resources.”

“The NWRB only records water extractors which have been given permits but it does not record or monitor small scale water extractors which have been proliferating and which can result to over-extraction of water resources. “ “This is where LGUs can come in because the local knowledge of the LGU can complement the monitoring and regulation functions of the national agency.”

Fuertes recommended that the NWRB should coordinate with the LGUs to ensure that the national data on water extractions are regularly updated.

“This is to ensure that they become mindful that our water resources are not infinite and therefore, extraction should be carefully and constantly monitored to ensure the sustainable management of our water.”, she said.

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EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

EDGEDAVAO GENSAN PARTNERS Serving a seamless society

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for the killing of his nephew in 2004 and a brother in 2005 over land conflict. They also accused Omao of allegedly engaging in trading marijuana from 2005 to 2006.

The rebel group also accused Omao of grabbing about 40 hectares of land and allegedly killing a certain “Nido Omeran” in Brgy. Managok. They also accused Omao of other crimes from alleged cattle rustling to extortion of villagers in relation to the processing of their Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT).

Omao told reporters earlier that they were processing their CADT application.

The NPA also accused Omao of recruiting members to the Alamara paramilitary group in the villages of Cabanglasan and the city of Malaybalay and allegedly encouraging fellow IPs in killing NPA members. They also accused Omao of rigging a subcontract with road construction contractor Ulticon Builders Inc. and selling sand for his business.

The 10-paragraph statement also included their acknowledgment of two other victims of the incident, Bae Thelma Saieto, another IP mandatory representative from Aglayan and Omao’s aide Sammy Talucdo. They vowed support for the two victims’ financial needs.

On May 17, a day after Omao was killed, the Bukidnon Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a resolution condemning the “brutal killing” and called on the Philippine National Police to conduct immediate and thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

They said Omao’s killing, done in broad daylight, shocked not only the IP community but the whole city.

“The incident is a reminder that criminality in our place is clear and present danger destroying indiscriminately people’s lives which adds another statistic of incidents of deaths in the Province of Bukidnon,” the resolution said.

They said the IP com-

munity is in grief for the loss of their representative in the city council, practically depriving them of their voices and aspirations. In another resolution, they expressed their condolences and sympathy to the family.

that each implementer could flexibly interpret according to the dictate of circumstances, context, and local situation, leading to confusion, complaints about delay, lack of transparency, petty graft, political patronage, and lately, adverse audit findings by the COA,” she explained.

With the integrated manu-

al of operations, the labor and employment chief assured SPES stakeholders and implementers of more uniform and standardized SPES, clear process cycle times, and concise reporting mechanism.

“We have a definitive and comprehensive manual that SPES implementers can use as “bible” in carrying out the

mandate of Republic Act No. 9547, the law that amended the original SPES law, or R.A. 7323,” she said.

Secretary Baldoz expressed appreciation for the presence in the orientation of DOLE partners from the Congress of the Philippines who explained the relevance of the amendments to the SPES law

DOLE’s... FROM 6

‘Disciplinarian’ Bede Blise described her father as a disciplinarian who became a mentor to her, her siblings and others who worked with him. She said that although her father was strict on guiding his children on their chosen careers, he was easy to talk to and was “kidding around” when it was time for it.

“But in work, he was straight. He wants you to stick to your expected tasks,” she added.

Omao, the first ever IP mandatory representative to the Malaybalay City council started as a volunteer for the IPA of the Diocese of Malaybalay under the Jesuit Fr. Vincent Cullen, who pioneered the IP apostolate in Bukidnon.

Bede Blise told MindaNews her father never completed a degree but was never ashamed of it. She said he encouraged his fellow Lumads them to work for the improvement of their lives.

Omao’s father was a barangay chieftain, so he followed his steps and worked as a village councilman. He ran for barangay chair but lost, she added. He continued his volunteer work with IPA as a community organizer until he was selected IP mandatory representative.

“Even before the government mandated the selection of IP representatives in local government, he was already doing that job on his own as a volunteer,” she said.

On May 20, local government personnel, supporters and the police escorted Omao’s hearse as it was transferred from the Villanueva Funeral Homes in the poblacion to his home in Miglamin village in the city’s Basakan district. (Walter I. Balane/ MindaNews contributor) and provided an update on the status of the SPES amendatory bill.

She expressed the hope that the 16th Congress could still pass the amendatory bill to the SPES law even if its remaining working days are only very short before it adjourns its third and final session next week. (PNA)

NEWS 13

Watchdog... FROM 11 waste-to-energy facilities. Instead, prioritize the development and mainstreaming of clean and renewable energy projects to meet the country’s projected energy requirements.

10. Order the NSWMC to fast track the implementation of the “National Framework and Strategy on the Role of the Informal Sector in Waste Management,” including ensuring the safety of workers handling electronic wastes.

11. Draw up the government’s legislative agenda for the environment, which should, among others, include the passage of laws a) banning plastic bags, b) restricting toxic chemicals in packaging, c) establishing

extended producer responsibility for electrical and electronic equipment, and for packaging, and d) ensuring public’s right to know through the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register.

12. Ensure early ratification and implementation of major multilateral environmental and chemical agreements such as the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, Minamata Convention on Mercury and the Basel Convention Ban Amendment.

13. Order the re-export of Canadian garbage back to its origin and initiate policy reforms to effectively block foreign waste dumping in the country, including ratifying the Basel Ban Amendment.

nos trust us to fulfill their various mobile needs. We value this trust, and we are continuously improving our network so our customers would truly live digital and enjoy a Smart Life,” he said.

PLDT and Smart have set

aside about P43 billion in capital expenditures this year, the bulk of which is budgeted to boost internet services in the country, including the recently announced initial deployment of LTE-Advanced also known as 4.5G.

the Russia-ASEAN summit.

Although this partnership entails a complex process involving detailed talks with each country, Putin emphasized that “this is the right road to take.”

“We need to unite the different integration organizations’ efforts, in the areas where this is possible at least, in order to avoid duplication, parallel work, and general-

ly create a better climate for business development,” said Putin.

The ASEAN-Russia Summit was held to commemorate 20 years of ASEAN-Russia dialogue relations with the aim to sum up the achievements of the cooperation and chart its future direction. This objective is set out in the Sochi Declaration and in the 2016-2020 Comprehensive Plan. (PNA)

Smart... FROM 14

ASEAN... FROM 14

14 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 61 • TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016

Water service interruption in some Calinan areas May 25, 2016

D

AVAO City Water District advises of a water service interruption on May 25 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM affecting some Calinan areas particularly portion of Davao-Bukidnon National Highway (from crossing Brgy.

Lacson to Sto.Nino, Gumalang), Upper Lacson and Gumalang.

This water service interruption will give way to the tapping of the newly installed 50mm diameter Polyvinyl Chloride pipeline to the existing 50mm diameter Polyethylene pipeline for the mainline improvement at Purok 5, Upper Lacson in Calinan. Once completed, said project will allow for accommodation of additional service connections.

DCWD general manager Edwin V. Regalado asks for the understanding and coopera-

tion of would-be affected customers. He also advises them to store enough water prior to the scheduled water interruption. Water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise.

The general public may visit DCWD website (www. davao-water.gov.ph) and official Facebook page (www. facebook.com/davaowater) or call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the 24-hour hotline 297-DCWD (3293) and press “1” on their phone dial to listen to latest daily water updates. They may also call / text 0927-7988966, 0925-5113293 and 09084410653 for other updates, complaints, queries and matters pertaining to DCWD services. (Jamae G. Dela Cruz)

ASEAN explores free trade zone with EAEU, SCO

T

HE Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is mulling over the establishment of a comprehensive free trade zone with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), following the recently-concluded Russia-ASEAN Summit in Sochi, Russia.

The Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Philippines issued on Monday the Sochi Declaration, containing the support of ASEAN countries to Russia’s proposal of broadening economic cooperation with the EAEU and SCO. ”Explore the possibility of mutually beneficial cooperation among ASEAN, EAEU, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” read the Sochi Declaration adopted at the summit on May 20.

“Russia put forward a pro-

posal to launch a joint feasibility study of a comprehensive free trade area between ASEAN and EAEU, ASEAN will consider this initiative,” it added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin echoed this prospective trilateral economic partnership, noting that all ASEAN member states have expressed “unanimous support for this idea.”

“At this summit, we proposed that our ASEAN partners reflect on the establishment of a comprehensive free trade zone between the Eurasian Economic Union and ASEAN, and at the working breakfast, we exchanged views on how we could develop links between the integration processes underway in the Asia-Pacific region and in the Eurasian region,” Putin said at a news conference after

HE Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE) and the Social Security System (SSS) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to undertake cooperation initiatives in the areas of market education and

Small, Medium, Emerging (SME) Board promotion. The agreement is in support of the efforts of the PSE-PCCI Capital Market Development Committee and the Philippine Social Security Commission.

F ASEAN, 13

Bands compete in Ocean Month celeb on May 27

I

N celebration of the 2016 Philippine Ocean Month, Davao City Water District invites everyone to come and watch local bands compete in Mga Awit Para sa Karagatan battle of the bands on May

27, 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Bogser’s by the Sea, Matina Aplaya.

Each band will be playing one original composition and one cover song about environment or water or water conservation/

protection or environmental issues and one cover song of the band’s choice.

Through this activity, DCWD reminds everyone the importance of water, environment and coastal and marine resource pro-

tection and conservation.

This contest is organized

by DCWD’s Public Information/Relations Division (PI/RD) under the Community Relations and External Affairs Department. (Katrina Belen M. Roble)

Best plans and perks “Smart’s continued postpaid leadership can be attributed to our compelling device offers, improved customer experience, as well as to the groundbreaking content partnerships that have enabled us to offer a wider array of digital

services that are relevant to our customers,” said Smart and PLDT executive vice president and head of consumer business Ariel Fermin.

Smart achieved all-time high iPhone sales in the first quarter of 2016, with sales volume up by 60% year-onyear. This was recorded after Smart launched unbeatable postpaid offers for the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. Subscribers can get a free iPhone 6s at Plan 2000 with a supersized 10 GB data allowance for all their videos, music, and games. On top of this, they will get All-Month Surf for access to their favorite websites and apps like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter; plus 150 minutes of all-net calls and 200 all-net texts.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 6s Plus is free at Plan 2499 on a 30-month contract, with a 15GB monthly data allowance, All-Month Surf, 300 minutes of all-net calls, and 300 all-net texts.

Last March, Smart was the first to offer the Samsung

Galaxy S7 which comes free at Surf Plus Plan 1999. This monthly plan is inclusive of a 9GB data allowance, 150 minutes of calls and 200 texts to all networks, and free access to an app chosen by the subscriber.

Meanwhile, Smart’s premium postpaid brand Smart Infinity offered its subscribers two units of the Samsung Galaxy S7 plus a Samsung Gear VR under the Infinity LTE Consumable Plan 8000.

A state-of-the-art virtual reality headset, the Samsung Gear VR is set to usher in the next frontier in mobile entertainment, instantly transporting users in 3D and computer-generated animated worlds, as well as 180- or 360-degree live action scenes.

which enabled Smart to take the hit film Batman v Superman to the digital realm.

Smart opened a Batman v Superman online portal where subscribers could watch exciting videos and join interactive online challenges. Smart Postpaid subscribers, as well as Smart Prepaid and Smart Bro subscribers, also had the chance to win a trip for two to Japan or Hong Kong with every top-up of Big Bytes promos.

Smart also partnered with Uber to provide its passengers with free in-car Smart WiFi – a first in Southeast Asia. With this service, more Filipinos have experienced the Smart Life even while struck in traffic or breezing through the metropolis.

An integral project in the agreement is the roll out of basic stock market investing seminars for SSS employees and members an allocation by the SSS of P1 billion-investment facility for the Philippine stock market in SMEs.

The PSE and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry established the PSEPCCI Capital Market Development Committee in 2013 with members from the government and private sectors to encourage SME

listings in the PSE and to increase awareness about the Philippine stock market’s product and services as well as stock investing.

Shown in the photo (LR): PCCI Honorary Chairman and PSE Director Edgardo G.

Smart records fastest growth in mobile postpaid P

LDT wireless unit Smart Communications scored twin victories in the hotly contested postpaid segment in the first quarter, posting the fastest growth both in terms of revenue and subscriber base.

Smart’s postpaid revenues rose 16% year-on-year, more than five times faster than competition’s 3% revenue growth. Smart added P614 million to its postpaid revenues, ending the quarter with P4.3 billion.

On top of this, Smart acquired new postpaid subscribers at a much faster rate than competition did, 25% vs 4%.

Smart grew its postpaid subscriber base by 322,000 to end the first quarter with 1.6 million subscribers.

Richest digital content Also driving postpaid growth was the wide breadth of video and digital content made available by Smart’s partnerships with the world’s content leaders. An example of this was Smart’s partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures,

Improved customer experience Fermin said Smart’s postpaid growth indicates enhanced consumer trust in the company, as it boosts efforts to improve customer experience.

“We are happy that Filipi-

F SMART, 13

PSE and SSS ink MOA for capital market development partnership T

Lacson; PSE COO Roel A. Refran; PSE President and CEO Hans B. Sicat; PSE Chairman Jose T. Pardo; SSS Chairman Juan B. Santos; SSS President and CEO Emilio De Quiros, Jr. and SSS Commissioner Diana V. Pardo-Aguilar.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 61 • TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016

SPORTS 15

TIGHT GUARDING. Kevin Durant scored 33 points, Russell Westbrook had 30 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds, and the Oklahoma City Thunder rolled past the defending champion Golden State Warriors in Game 3.

UPSET-MINDED OKC B

Thunder rout Warriors in Game 3, lead series 2-1

EHIND 33 points from Kevin Durant and 30 by Russell Westbrook, the Oklahoma City Thunder humbled defending NBA champion Golden State 133-105 Sunday to seize the lead in their playoff series.

The Thunder grabbed a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals and captured momentum with the lopsided blowout, making Tuesday’s fourth game at Oklahoma City crucial for both clubs.

“We have got to keep the same intensity, same attack mode,” Westbrook said. “They didn’t have the best record in the NBA for nothing. We’ve got

to come back with the same mindset and play with the same intensity.”

Golden State, which set an NBA record with 73 regular-season wins, has not lost two games in a row all season but will have to quickly bounce back from an embarassment.

“Using our brains, making them compete, moving the ball -- we didn’t do any of those things and we got what we deserved,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.

“I’m confident we’re going to come out and play a great game in game four. We’ll see what happens.”

Either the Thunder, who have won 10 best-of-seven

series in a row when going up 2-1, or the Warriors will face the Eastern Conference winners, the Toronto Raptors or Cleveland Cavaliers, in next month’s NBA Finals.

In addition to sparking the highest-scoring performance by any team in any NBA playoff game this year, Westbrook and Durant each added eight rebounds and blocked two shots while Westbrook also contributed 12 assists.

“We’ve got a physical team, an athletic team and we tried to use that to the best of our ability,” Westbrook said. “Our guys do a great job of putting in the work every day. My job is to put the ball in their hands.”

- Thunder must keep passion Stephen Curry led Golden State with 24 points and Klay Thompson added 18, but Curry hit only 7-of-17 shots from the floor, Thompson shot 8-of19 and Draymond Green was 1-of-9. The Warriors were also outrebounded 52-38.

“Come game four, we have to grind them out,” Thompson said. “We can’t have Westbrook and Durant combine to shoot 60 percent.”

Durant scored 23 in the first half while Westbrook added 16 as the Thunder leaped ahead in the second quarter and piled on more punishment in the second half, stretching

the lead to 117-80 after three quarters and went on to match a club playoff scoring record.

“We were physical and we rebounded the ball well,” Durant said. “My teammates did a great job taking the pressure off me. We have to keep playing with the same energy and passion.”

The Thunder closed the second quarter on a 32-7 run to seize a 72-47 half-time edge, aided by the Warriors missing 21 of their last 23 first-half shots from the floor.

“Frustrating way to end the quarter,” Curry said. “It was a bad flow out there. We couldn’t stop it. That six minutes decided the game. That’s

something we have to take care of in game four.”

Golden State lost their three prior playoff defeats in the past month by a total of 19 points, nine fewer than they lost by in game three.

“We got our butts kicked,” Kerr said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s one point or 30.”

EMAR DeRozan remembers the angry emotions Raptors teammate Bismack Biyombo once stirred in him as an opponent.

“I hated him,” DeRozan said on Sunday (Monday, Manila time).

The Cavaliers likely feel a little anger toward Biyombo after his pivotal performance when he helped stop Cleveland’s 10-0 start to the playoffs in Toronto’s 99-84 victory in Game Three of the Eastern Conference finals.

Game Four is Monday night at Air Canada Centre.

Biyombo hauled down a Raptors’ playoff-record 26 rebounds, blocked four shots, and scored six of his seven points in a quick fourth-quarter spurt that helped seal Toronto’s win.

That wasn’t all. Biyombo was involved in a first-half skirmish that saw LeBron James take a tumble after catching an accidental elbow

from his own teammate, Tristan Thompson. Late in the fourth, Biyombo drew a flagrant foul after he collared a driving James, sending the Cavs’ star sprawling again.

DeRozan hasn’t forgotten what all that feels like.

“I hated Biz,” Toronto’s All-Star guard said. “He was a fouler, always blocking shots.

He always went for the pump fake, though, but I hated Biz. Now by far he’s one of my favorite teammates of all-time.”

Raptors coach Dwane Casey understands Biyombo can be both a “nightmare” and a “nuisance” to play against, whether it’s the center’s habit of finger-wagging after blocks, or flexing his muscles after big dunks.

To Biyombo, being a nuisance is no big deal. It’s the way it’s got to be.

“Until you really get to know the real side of me, then you know who I am,” he said.

“But on the floor I don’t have friends.”

At the final buzzer Saturday, Biyombo lay crumpled in pain in Cleveland’s paint after being struck below the belt while battling Dahntay Jones for a loose ball. Biyombo took the hit while tapping the ball to a teammate, his eighth offensive rebound of the night.

Casey was upset at the referees after the game, complaining that Biyombo wasn’t getting calls and citing Cleveland’s 86-51 edge in free throw attempts in the series.

On Sunday, Casey declined to say whether those comments had drawn league discipline.

“I’m not trying to get anybody,” Casey said. “It’s over with. I said what I had to say last night. I’m not trying to send a message. It was a comment about the game last night and it’s over with.”

Jones was suspended for Game Four by the NBA on Sunday, while Casey was fined $25,000 for his comments.

After a testy, physical

Game Three, the Cavaliers were also wondering whether they were getting a fair shake from the referees.

Asked whether James and the Cavs had to sell calls, coach Tyronn Lue said it’s tough for his star because defenders “tend to bounce off” a driving James.

“If you don’t foul him hard, he’s going to get an and-one and a three-point play,” Lue said. “You’ve got to try to be physical with him so he can’t take the contact and finish at the rim. When you get around the neck, like Biyombo did last night, that’s different. But when teams hard-foul, you’re supposed to get hard-fouled when you’re going to the basket, especially being that strong and that powerful.”

Speaking before the Cavs held a film session at their Toronto hotel Sunday, James didn’t want to say whether he’s getting the whistles he deserves.

Rosario leads Gilas Cadets past Malaysians D

T

HE Philippines beat Malaysia, 108-84, on Sunday to win its opening day assignment in the 2016 Seaba Stankovic Cup in Bangkok.

Troy Rosario finished with 17 points to lead the way for the Gilas cadtes in the lopsided win to start off the tournament.

Mac Belo added 16, while Mike Tolomia had 13 for the Philippine team, which also got 15 rebounds from Raymar Jose.

The team takes a break on Monday before facing Singapore the following day.

The Filipinos found themselves in a tight match with the Malaysians ear-

ly on, 8-8, before putting some distance between themselves and their opponents at the end of the first quarter, 29-20.

They stretched the lead to 52-40 at the break, and then pulled away for good in the third period.

The scores Philippines (108) - Rosario 19, Belo 16, Tolomia 13, Ferrer 12, Jalalon 10, Jose 9, Pessumal 8, Vosotros 7, Pogoy 6, Escoto 4, Holmqvist 4, Tibayan 0.

Malaysia (84) - Y. Wong 22, C. Ma 15, Y. Kwaan 12, H. Gan 10, T. Kuek 8, W. Choo 6, C. Liaw 5, I. Yeo 4, K. Teo 2, W. Ong 0, L. Mak 0, C Chin 0.

Quarterscores: 29-20; 52-40; 80-60, 108-84.

- Kiwi gets kick from Green Green kicked Thunder big man Steven Adams of New Zealand in the groin late in the second quarter and could face a suspension for game four.

“I wasn’t trying to kick somebody in the mid-section,” Green said. “I’m sure he wants to have kids one of these days.”

Cavs not getting good calls?

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 9 ISSUE 61 • TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016

CMO, IBP lock horns anew in friendly series BASKETBALL BREAK. Busy bees all--president-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s executive assistant Bong Go, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and businessman Glenn Escandor--take abreak from their busy schedules to play basketball.

T

HE City Mayors Office and Integrated Bar of the Philippines played a classic basketball game on its first friendly encounter this year.

Both teams showed remarkable composure down the

stretch to end the game in a draw, 75-75, on Friday night at the Davao City Recreation Center.

Christopher “Bong” Go came through with 38 points in an expected effort to carry the May-

ors men.

The sweet-shooting chief aide of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte fired six three pointers and nailed 10 baskets within the arc.

Arman Dioso led the charge

with 18 points for IBP which got plenty support from its youth backcourt cast.

Chok Cadiogan and Adrian Paguican chipped in 15 points apiece as Ongkiko had 14.

John Flores made 13 baskets

while Eugene Labor scored 10 for the CMO. CMO and IBP went into a seesaw battle right from the start.

They managed to trade rallies that enabled to show their respective offensive firepower.