Edge Davao 9 Issue 141

VOL. 9 ISSUE 141 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 - 10, 2016

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HIGHTENED ALERT. A member of Davao City’s Central 911 lets her bomb sniffing dog check the baggage and belongings of passenger in front of the Davao International Airport entrance. Vital installations in the city such as the airport are being closely monitored by the authorities after the bombing incident at Roxas night market last Friday.

Lean Daval Jr.

MAYOR SARA INSTALLS NEW TFD COMMANDER Davao mayor emotional during turn-over ceremony

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

C

OL. Erwin Bernard Neri was installed yesterday as the new commander of the military-led Task Force Davao, effectively replacing Col. Henry Robinson.

Neri was chosen by Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio based on a shortlist submitted to her by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo Año explained the relief order of Col. Robinson’s relief was a direct result of the recent Davao bombing incident.

Meanwhile, Captain Rhyan Batchar, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division explained the relief and designation of officers in leading line units is

normally done to ensure the success of a mission.

“The unit commanders shall likewise steer and manage administrative, operational and logistical requirements of his unit. They shall likewise take full responsibility for anything the unit does or fails to do,” the Batchar added.

Mayor Duterte-Carpio was emotional during her speech at the turnover ceremony.

The mayor said she had taken the bombing incident very seriously, to the point that she even considered resigning from her post since this was the first time such a tragedy happened during her term as mayor.

She emphasized the death

of the 14 victims and the injury caused to civilians by the blast has had a profound impact on her both as a leader and a human being.

Meanwhile, the mayor said she has already discussed with Col. Neri the security measures that have to be put in place following the blast, which include assigning permanent security personnel at the Roxas Night Market.

“I told them to discuss what needs to be done in order to improve the security measures in the night market,” she said. “[Kailangan na] mas maraming nagbabantay ‘pag maraming tao,” Mayor Duterte-Carpio added, saying she has asked the TFD to make

the necessary adjustments to ensure the safety of the people of Davao.

However, she clarified that not all members of the task force will be assigned to guard the night market.

“They [the security personnel] should not think that just because everyone is at the night market, wala nang tao sa ibang lugar,” the mayor added.

Mayor Duterte-Carpio also disclosed that Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa has asked that he be given more time to find a new Davao City police chief.

“I understand his reasons as to why he is asking for more time [to decide] and I respect that,” she said.

Rody, Obama meet at ASEAN

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

T

adlopez0920@gmail.com

HOUGH the scheduled bilateral talks between President Duterte and United States (US) President Barack Obama was cancelled, the two leaders met and talked on Wednesday evening before the gala dinner that was hosted by the government of Laos for the state leaders who joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Reports said President Duterte and President Obama had a short talk at the

holding area of the National Convention Center in Laos where the gala dinner was held.

Earlier reports indicating that the President would sit in the middle of President Obama and United Nations (UN) secretary general Ban Ki-moon did not materialize.

At the gala, the President was seated in between Indonesian Joko Widodo and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

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FOR POSTERITY. President Rodrigo Duterte and his delegation pose for a photograph with Laotian President Bounnhang Vorachith and his Cabinet members at the Presidential Palace in Vientiane, Laos on Wednesday night. TOTO LOZANO/ PPD

Medialdea favors increasing penalties vs.‘bomb jokes’

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XECUTIVE Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Thursday expressed his support for a law to be passed in Congress increasing the penalties against those who spread “bomb jokes” and for the citizenry to be disciplined on the matter.

“If only to quell itong mga birong hindi maganda ho, dapat madisiplina tayo dito sa bagay na ito,” he said in a radio interview over DWFM anchored by Orly Mercado, a former Senator and Defense Secretary.

At the same time, Medialdea explained anew Memorandum No 3 – the guidelines for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) in

the implementation of measures to suppress and prevent lawless violence.

“Ang pag-isyu po nito was by virtue of the spate of violence na nangyayari ho sa Mindanao,” he said.

“We can’t take this just sitting down anymore, we have to address it. So the President made the decision to declare a state of lawless violence,” the Executive Secretary said.

Based on the guidelines about the deployment of additional military and policemen, the Palace executive stressed “augmentation lang po ng police authorities sa mga areas na dapat nating tuntunan. May mga intelligence report na baka ulitin,

Gov’t raises bounty for bombers to P3M

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

T

adlopez0920@gmail.com

HE city government of Davao announced on Thursday the increase in the reward for the identification and arrest of the perpetrators of the Roxas night market bombing last week that killed 14 people and injured 70 others.

From initial P2 million announced by the city government, the reward now

stands at P3 million, the City Information Office (CIO) said in a statement on Thursday afternoon.

“A businessman in Davao City donated P500,000 for the additional reward money and a law firm through Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez also gave another P500,000,“ Mayor Inday Sara Dutert-Carpio said in the state-

ment.

The mayor also clarified the reward for any information on the identity and whereabouts of the suspects stands at P1 million while, P2 million will be given to those who can arrest and bring them alive to authorities.

She also called on the residents of the city to immediately call Central 911 for any

information on the suspects.

Those who reside outside of the city can contact 0917-DUTERTE or 09173883783, the mayor added.

Mayor Duterte-Carpio also stressed that she wanted the suspects to be arrested, as she wanted to talk to them and find out more information on their group including their other terror plans.

LMOST two million children benefitted from its Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) beginning July 2015 up to July 2016, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported.

The agency announced that for the 5th cycle (SY 20152016) implementation, which began in July 2015, the program has covered 1,795,699 children enrolled in 56,325 Child Development Centers nationwide.

Of this figure, 13% or 229,157 children were underweight and severely underweight upon entry. After 120 feeding days, 76.36% or 174,989 of the children gained weight. This is still higher than 23.64% or 54,168 of the children who maintained their normal weight.

“We are proud of the achievements of the program; but we are well aware that the figures achieved are still insignificant when compared to the massive need of millions of impoverished families who need to have added means to

provide sustenance to their children,” said Sec. Judy M. Taguiwalo.

She said that beyond the Supplementary Feeding Program, complementary interventions at home must continue to enable children to meet basic food requirements.

The SFP aims to improve and sustain the nutritional status of the target children-beneficiaries and improve knowledge, attitude and practices of children, parents and caregivers through intensified nutrition and health education.

It basically provides hot meals to children currently in LGU-run Child Development Centers (formerly known as day care centers) and Supervised Neighborhood Play for 120 days. SFP is implemented in partnership with LGUs. “We recognize that malnutrition cannot be resolved without addressing the poverty experienced by their families as most parents earn less than what they direly need so they can provide for the basic needs of their families,” Sec. Taguiwalo said.

DSWD’s SFP is crucial especially for poor families as the formative years of a child (0-5 yrs) can determine the mortality of our children, and stunting and wasting of a child at this stage can cause impaired mental development.

In DSWD’s 2017 proposed budget for SFP, there is a decrease of 19% due to the decrease of target beneficiaries.

This is due to the Sixth Cycle Implementation starting this year, where 5-year-old children will be under the Department of Education.

For 2017-2018 schoolyear, the DSWD will serve 2 to 4 year-old children in Supervised Neighborhood Play (SNP), 3 to 4-year-old children in the Child Development Centers (CDCs) and 5-yearold children not enrolled in Department of Education preschool but enrolled in CDCs. Previously, since 20112015, the DSWD SFP served 3 to 5 year-old children enrolled in CDC. “Still, we want to expand the SFP to cover more children belonging to families who are

not members of 4Ps but are requesting membership to the DSWD’s SFP. We will use additional budget we can get for the SFP to strengthen the program and expand its scope and coverage,” said Sec. Taguiwalo.

There are also 53,262 Child Development Workers or formerly known as Day Care Workers, and 9,418 Supervised Neighborhood Play Groups all over the country. As of now, Supplementary Feeding Programs are allotted P15 per child.

“While we look at poverty as a major stumbling block towards the attainment of a healthy child, the government needs to ensure its people that it will continue to provide adequate programs that can immediately address the nutritional and health needs of our children while working with everyone, especially on coordinating the efforts of the different government agencies in addressing the chronic poverty that has plagued the nation for decades. This is consistent with the thrust of Pres. Duterte”, Sec. Taguiwalo said.

Cayetano says all is well Supplemental feeding program a success - DSWD on Duterte -Obama row A

“A

LL’S well that ends well.”

This is how Senator Alan Peter Cayetano described the brief meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and United States President Barack Obama on Wednesday night, following the cancellation of a scheduled formal talk between the two leaders last Tuesday.

The two presidents met informally in a holding room before attending a gala dinner at the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) summit in Laos.

During an interview with the Philippine media delegation, Cayetano, who accompanied President Duterte in his trip, said that the brief meetup ended well for both parties. He said the two leaders shared “a warm handshake [and] a good conversation.”

“You could see that there is an effort from both sides to patch things up,” added the

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chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in a statement released to media, as he expressed the importance of maintaining strong diplomatic ties between the Philippines and the US. “In diplomacy, you do not usually go to the past and say, ‘bakit nangyari ‘yun.’ You can’t blame anyone. It won’t be productive. The Philippines and the US have a longstanding partnership [and] relationship.

There will be bumps along the way... But it won’t hurt to have a popular President on our side,” he stressed.

The senator earlier wrote an open letter to President Obama, which went viral in social media. In his letter, Cayetano appealed to the US leader to “give the Philippines and President Duterte a chance” to achieve genuine change, as the administration wages a threepronged war to address poverty, defeat crime and drugs, and

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 141 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 - 10, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 3

GRP eyes peace accord with Reds in one year

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

T

adlopez0920@gmail.com

HE Government of the Republic the Philippines (GRP) which is negotiating peace with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) expressed confidence on Wednesday that a final peace agreement will be signed one year after the peace talks.

In a statement to the media, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said the one year target will also give the Duterte administration five years to implement mutually-agreed key reforms in the country.

The Dutete administration has set a self-imposed deadline to wrap up the peace negotiations within one year, GRP panel member Hernani Braganza said in the statement.

The one year period will pave the way for the implementation stage of the peace process to take root before the President Duterte’s term ends in year 2022, Braganza added.

“The negotiation stage may be difficult, but the real test of the peace process lies in the implementation of social, economic, and political reforms mutually-agreed

upon by both parties,” Braganza said as quoted in the OPAPP statement.

He also emphasized the current administration and the NDFP share a common mission –addressing the root causes of the armed conflict.

“Both panels are guided by this mission and we are serious in finding joint solutions to attain just and lasting peace,” Braganza added.

He is also optimistic the panels will be able to complete the negotiatiosn within one year following an agreement in Oslo to accelerate the timetable that binds their Reciprocal Working Committees (RWCs) and Reciprocal Working Groups (RWGs) to complete work on the substantive agenda of the peace negotiations within specific timeline.

Part of the agreement was a commitment by the RWCs on Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER) of both panels to complete their work within a period of six months.

He also believes the discussions on CASER is expected to last the longest among items in the substantive agenda, as these will involve the most contentious issues such

as agrarian reform, national industrialization, and foreign policy.

“CASER is considered the heart and soul of the peace negotiations between the GRP and the NDFP, and the work on socio-economic reform would determine the outcome of the talks,” Braganza said, adding that fast-tracking the discussions on CASER would means accelerating the process of seeking political settlement with the NDFP and ending almost half a century of armed conflict with communist guerrillas,” Braganza added.

He also urged the Filipino people to get themselves involved and participate in public discussions related to the ongoing peace talks between the GRP and NDFP, noting the government panel will continue holding public consultations with various groups in the Philippines to solicit their positions and inputs on issues that would form part of the agenda in the peace negotiations.

“We are negotiators for the Filipino people. We want to get their position on issues up for discussion so these can be taken into consideration during negotiation,” Braganza said.

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Indonesia to adapt PHL-style drug crackdown

T

HE war against illegal drugs initiated by President Duterte is getting positive feedback from other Asian countries.

Indonesia’s anti-narcotics chief Budi Waseso praised the move by the Philippine President and called for a similar crackdown to be implemented in his country.

Waseso mentioned in a press conference that the drug problem in Indonesia is no different from the Philippines.

“The life of a dealer is meaningless because (he) carries out mass murder. How can we re-

spect that?” he asked.

Indonesia’s anti-narcotics agency BNN said it will upgrade its arsenal of weapons, training of officers, technology and equipment needed in the fight against the illegal drug trade.

While President Duterte has earned both praise and criticism for his efforts, both the Philippines and Indonesia apparently share the same philosophy in the war against illegal drugs.

“It can happen because (the illegal drugs problem) in Indonesia is as bad as in the Philippines,” Waseso said. (PNA)

Pres. Obama:‘We want to partner with PHL on issue of narco-traffickers’

U

S President Barack Obama said Thursday that the United States wants to partner with the Philippines in addressing narco-traffickers, which is a serious problem not only in the Philippines but around the world. ”We want to partner with the Philippines on the particular issue of narco-traffickers, which is a serious problem in the Philippines. It’s a serious problem in the United States and around the world,” Obama said in a press conference in Laos after the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summit.

“On that narrow issue, we do want to make sure the partnership we have is consistent with international norms and rule of law. So, we’re not going to back off from our position that if we’re working with a country, whether

it’s on anti-terrorism, whether it’s on going after drug traffickers, as despicable as these networks may be, as much damage as they do, it is important, from our perspective, to make sure that we do it the right way because the consequences of when you do it the wrong way is innocent people get hurt,” the US leader added.

Obama said he shook hands with President Duterte before the gala dinner Wednesday night at the ASEAN Summit.

“I did shake hands with President Duterte last night. It was not a long interaction, and what I indicated to him is that my team should be meeting with his and determine how we can move forward on a whole range of issues,” Obama said.

The US leader also said he

F PRES. OBAMA, 12

SAD DAY. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio bares she lost her identical twins, as only one of the triplets in her womb still has a heartbeat. Duterte announced the sad news during a change of command ceremony of Task Force Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Inday Sara loses two of triplets

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

D

AVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who revealed last month that she was pregnant with trip-

lets, announced yesterday that she has lost two of her babies, while the third one is struggling to survive.

The mayor made the disclosure during the turnover ceremony of the Task Force Davao leadership in Davao City.

Duterte-Carpio said she learned about the death of her twins during a consultation with her doctor last Monday after the flag raising ceremony at City Hall.

“My doctor told me that my identical twins don’t have the heartbeats anymore,” the mayor said.

However, Mayor Duterte-Carpio said that she still has one child left, saying, “the baby with a heartbeat is still fighting to live.”

Duterte - Carpio said she cried the whole day upon hearing the news from her doctor, a development which was compounded by the recent Roxas night market bombing.

The mayor admitted that she has been having a hard time due to complications of a multifetal pregnancy, but vowed to continue doing her job as city mayor.

“I feel sad about it [the loss of her twins], however everything happens for a reason – so we just have to trust in His plans,” she said.

Duterte’s announcement came nearly three weeks after she issued a statement about her pregnancy.

role of BPATs who work in the field to keep eye on those who surrendered and prevent them from relapsing into drug use.

Espela said the BPATs’ worth in terms of keeping the community peaceful and drug-free has been tested and proven over time.

He cited the BPATs’ contribution not only in terms of fighting crime and serving as community watchdogs, but also in various operations -from rescuing people in times of disaster, to apprehending illegal fishers along Davao Oriental’s coasts.

Espela lauded the BPATs determination in exercising their mandate by improving their knowledge and skills through participation in various skills improvement activities and trainings.

513 skill-enhancement activities were conducted in 2014 and 724 in 2015.

Meanwhile, the recently-held sports competition

organized by the Davao Oriental provincial government, which is already on its third year, aims to rouse the spirit of volunteerism among BPATs, Espela said.

He noted the event is an excellent venue to boost the BPAT members’ trust and confidence among themselves, as well as build their character.

He added that sport events such as this ushers a renewed commitment to volunteer service among the BPATs. For his part, Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang, who was the guest of honor during the sports event, lauded the BPATs and police forces for working together in maintaining peace and order in the province.

He said sports-related activities raise the morale of the BPATs so that they would be encouraged to do their job better.

The governor said he wants the BPATs’ capacity and skills to be enhanced, as the

BPATs told to take active role against illegal drugs trade R

ECOGNIZING their role as force multipliers in keeping peace and order in the communities, Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs) have been urged to Intensify their efforts in crime prevention, particularly in the fight against the illegal drug trade.

During the recently held BPATs Sports Competition, Davao Oriental Provincial Police Office (DOPPO) Provincial Director P/Supt. Harry Espela encouraged the 110 participants to fully support the police forces in their campaign against the narcotics trade.

“We are in war against drugs and we need your help,” Espela told the BPATs. While the national government is bent on rehabilitating drug users who have surrendered to the authorities, Espela said “proper and constant monitoring is needed if we were to help them in the longterm”.

Espela underscored the

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5 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 141 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 - 10, 2016

Agriculture sector, a top priority - CAO

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

T

HE City Agriculturist Office (CAO) is implementing strategic measures that are geared towards strengthening Davao City’s agriculture sector, one of the top priorities outlined in Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s 10-Point Agenda.

“The main function of the agency is to develop plans and strategies in the administration of effective programs which will be forwarded to the city legislature,” said CAO Supervising Agriculturist Jovencio T. Umaguing.

In an interview with Edge Davao yesterday, Umaguing identified five key programs of the CAO, four of which will focus on strengthening the farming cluster, while the other aims to enhance the agri-fisheries sector.

These programs are focused on urban container gardening; extending efforts to attain the vision of making Davao City the chocolate capital of the Philippines; establishing Davao City Organic Integrated Farm Center; setting up Agri Pinoy Trading Center (APTC); and strengthening the protection of coastal and marine resources.

Urban Container Gardening Umaguing said that as part of its Urban Container Gardening program, the CAO is now promoting the utilization of

rooftops in government and private agencies as mini-vegetable production areas.

He added that his office is likewise encouraging communities to do the same.

“Sa community pud, we will also encourage them to plant vegetables or any edible plants sa ilang tugkaran using reusable containers,” explained Umaguing.

He bared the agency is also planning to develop the 200 sq. m rooftop of the City Hall Annex as a vegetable garden, whose construction will start December this year and is due to be operational by 2017.

Davao for Chocolate Capital “We will try to make Davao city as the chocolate capital of the Philippines,” Umaguing said, as he noted the huge potential of the city’s cacao industry, particularly cacao products that are being produced in Malagos, Baguio District, Davao City.

To recall, Malagos Chocolate has posted back-to-back wins in the Academy of Chocolate, a prestigious international chocolate-making competition.

Malagos Chocolate won second place this year, the third major international award won by the Davaobased company in the compe-

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BUSINESS SOLUTIONS. Damosa Land, Inc. vice president Ricardo “Cary” Lagdameo (leftmost), Regus country manager Lars Wittig (second from right), Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre (second from left) and assistant city administrator lawyer Tristan Dwight Domingo lead the ribbon cutting

rites to mark the opening of Regus at the 4th floor of Topaz Tower at the Damosa IT Park in Davao City yesterday. Regus is the largest global provider of flexible workspace solutions which signed up for a partnership with homegrown developer Damosa Land, Inc. Lean Daval Jr.

Senators want increased Wi-Fi connectivity in schools

S

ENATORS on Thursday saw the need to fast-track the construction of cell sites to broaden the scope of free public Wi-Fi in the country.

Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, Chair of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, said four or five Senate measures are pushing for free Wi-Fi in public places.

The Department of Communications and Information

Technology (DICT) is currently drafting an executive order (EO) to fast-track the construction of cell sites.

Aquino said the Senate is planning to file a counterpart bill to speed up the process.

During Thursday’s committee hearing on free public Wi-Fi, telecommunications companies said that while they want to put up more cell sites, it is difficult for them to secure permits from local government units (LGUs).

“Ease of doing business is one problem, lack of infrastructure is another problem,” Aquino said in an interview.

“According to telcos, even if they want to put up facilities, LGUs do not allow them.

DICT Sec. (Rodolfo) Salalima said that it is necessary to have a provision in the law to fasttrack securing of permits,” he added.

Senator Grace Poe meanwhile said that she appreciates the agency’s efforts to draft an

EO that will harmonize efforts with LGUs to be able to process permits immediately.

“It’s better that we cooperate and we intend to draft a bill that will not only fasttrack getting permits from all of these different LGUs from 25 different permits to maybe just a few and to make sure that the duration of the permit is more than just a year, unless certain violations are made,” Poe said.

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EDGEDAVAO

6 VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

P

Right or wrong

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s antipathy towards the United States, his bad mouth, and his bloody war on drugs have caused Filipinos to worry about the nation’s image and its overall impact on the country from a global standpoint.

President Duterte’s cursing, the latest of which was directed to the presumably most powerful man on earth coupled by his controversial war on drugs have come to the concern of many Filipinos including those living overseas.

Except perhaps for those who know the President and are familiar with his leadership style, there are those who find his rhetorics unpleasant and his antipathy to the US counterproductive.

It will always be a matter of discourse not just in the media but elsewhere from coffee shops to barber shops. Perhaps, it will be a favorite subject on every breakfast and coffee table each morning.

Are we about to give up on President Duterte because his mouth is too dirty for comfort or his operations against illegal drugs too gruesome to accept?

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Some quarters say the Philippines is losing heaps of assistance (for infrastructure and disaster management), training and security (in case of attack) with Duterte hitting on the US. Do we really understand why the President is doing all these?

Simple. These are what he told us during the campaign. He never really wanted to run. People forced him to run and he even warned we would not like it. He ran and set his policies and programs. People resoundingly gave him that mandate--in between cursing, trash-talking, badmouthing, foul-joking and all that. He never pretended to be an angel. But he knew what he is doing.

Now, he is just doing what he promised. He is acting the way he is as a leader--one whom you cannot ask to lick the asses of the powerful nations like the US, one who doesn’t want to be controlled by external forces, and one who simply knows his politics.

He is our leader, and by that we are also duty-bound to support him--right or wrong.

He may be controversial and even unsavory sometimes, but he is the one we need.

ANTONIO M. AJERO NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Editor in Chief Managing Editor SONNY L. MENDOZA Associate Editor

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ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ KENNETH IRVING K. ONG JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS MEGHANN STA. INES RIA VALDEZ NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN Reporters FUNNY PEARL GAJUNERA Lifestyle CHA MONFORTE LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARLENE D. PASAJE Correspondents Cartoons Photography Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. Columnists: • HENRYLITO D. TACIO • EDCER C.B. ESCUDERO • ATTY. EMILY ZEN CHUA • GREGORIO G. DELIGERO JOHN CARLO TRIA • BORBONCARLOS • MARYMUNDA ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR., • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • NICASIO ANGELO•AGUSTIN • EMILY VIDA S. VALVERDE C. LUMBA • HENRY J. SCHUMACHER • VANESSA KATE MADRAZO• JONALLIER Economic Analysts: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG ZENMIA CHUA • CARLOS• FRED MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG M. PEREZ

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I

N 118 years as a sovereign nation, the Philippines has had 16 presidents who tenurially wore the mantle of leadership as head of state and simultaneously head of government by popular election and succession in accordance with a written Constitution.

Here they are in tenurial order: EMILIO AGUINALDO from Cavite (18981901).

MANUEL QUEZON from Tayabas/Quezon (1935-44) SERGIO OSMENA from Cebu (1944-45) JOSE LAUREL from Batangas (1945) MANUEL ROXAS from Capiz (1946-49) ELPIDIO QUIRINO from Ilocos (!950-54) RAMON MAGSAYSAY from Zambales (1954-57) CARLOS GARCIA from Bohol (1957-60) DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL from Pampanga (1961-64) FERDINAND MARCOS from Ilocos (19651986) CORAZON AQUINO from Tarlac (!986-92) FIDEL RAMOS from Ilocos (1992-98) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA from Manila (1998-2004) GLORIA ARROYO from Pampanga (20042010) BENIGNO AQUINO III from Tarlac (20102016) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE from Davao

A

TTY. Ingemar P. Macarine, touted to be the “Pinoy Aquaman,” was supposed to swim across the treacherous English Channel in Great Britain this month. But the lawyer-triathlete never saw action.

In his Facebook account, he told the reason why he wasn’t able to do so.

“It is unfortunate that I missed my chance of swimming the English Channel after one year of focused training, asthma attacks, left shoulder injury, time away from family, and financial sacrifices,” he wrote.

Of the latter, he was referring to training and nutrition plans and coaching fees, among others.

His swim window was between August 9 to 16. “(But) the neaptide closed without swimming due to bad weather,” Macarine pointed out.

He has to return to the Philippines, he said, “because my 3-month vacation leave as a government lawyer (with the Commission on Election) will expire on August 31.”

According to him, there are available slots for September 23-28 and October 6-13 neaptides. Although he wants to do it, “this is still subject to approval as I need to apply for another 2-month vacation leave and seek exemption from the election ban.”

He said that if will be denied, “I shall come back again (to United Kingdom) next year for another try.”

Friends and acquaintances shared their comments on his posts.

“By trying and aiming big, and making it all the way to the UK, you already have achieved being the first Filipino to attempt it,” Katharine Shaw wrote. “Sadly, the UK

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VANTAGE POINTS

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Presidential vignettes (2016- present) Of the 16 presidents, I think only five made the greatest impact on the nation and enshrined themselves in the hearts of Filipinos in their distinct and engaging communication skill or style that mirrored their sense of purpose, their perpetual patriotic sentiment, their indomitable nationalistic fervor.

------ 000 ------

Manuel Quezon – an outstanding political genius with a brilliant mind and a stunning matinee idol look; a dynamic personality, fiery having an explosive Castillian temper; his favourite verbal outburst was “Punyeta” Quezon had two classic quotations that reflect his political philosophy and nationalism: “My loyalty to my party ends where my loyalty to my country begins.”

“I prefer a government run like hell by Filipinos to a government run like heaven by

Americans.”

By the way, Quezon was a masa as the ordinary wage earner. He worked his way from high school till he finished law studies.

He was a political elite, not social or economic elite.

------ 000 ------

Ramon Magsaysay – This simple “mechanic” from Zambales was an authentic man of action. He was quick to act on situations that demand immediate attention. His love for the “common tao” or masa found true meaning in that classic quotation that showcases his love for the Filipino masa: “Those who have less in life, should have more in law.” “Magsaysay is my guy”. There will be no other.

------ 000 ------

------ 000 ------

Fidel V. Ramos – A graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, Virginia.

FVR is a soft-spoken, cool, calculating statesman-like leader. A civil engineer, he had a sound and bold economic thrust that nearly transform our carabao economy to a tiger economy.

“Kaya natin ‘to” was FVR’s simple but emphatic message of hope and encouragement for the Filipino dramatized by the thumbs-up sign.

------ 000 ------

Ferdinand Marcos – the best president the country ever had, so proclaim pro-Marcos Filipinos. A thief, killer, collector of fake medals, human rights violator, so declare Martial Law victims.

Marcos was president (and Martial Law ruler) for 20 years. His obsession was to make our country great again. Some political analysts say that Martial Law prevented our country from going to the dogs. That makes

Rodrigo R. Duterte – Rody, Digong, DU30, the Punisher.

A pocket version of Quezon and Magsaysay.

In declaring war against drug lords, crime lords and corruption. DU30 has put on the line his life, his honor and the presidency.

What more can you ask from the guy.

Come on now, show that thumbs-up sign in support of the best game changer ever.

ern part of the North Sea to the rest of the Atlantic Ocean. It is about 560 kilometers long and varies in width from 240 kilometers at its widest to 32.3 kilometers in the Strait of Dover.

“Less than two thousand swimmers from around the world have conquered it.

But no Pinoy has ever done it yet,” Macarine told this author in previous interview.

Macarine is the only Filipino who is consistently swimming in open waters and in areas not yet swam. He is also a pioneer in solo channel swimming in the country. It’s no wonder why media called him “Pinoy Aquaman,” the Filipino counterpart of the fictional superhero appearing in American comic books.

Macarine, who grew up in the coastal towns of Malimono and Placer in Surigao del Norte, has done some endurance open-water swims in some of the dangerous channels around the country and in the United States.

He is the first man to swim from Basul Island to Surigao, distance of 4.2 kilometers in a matter of two hours. He conquered the 7.2-kilometer stretch of Babuyan Channel by swimming from Palaui Island to Sta. Ana in Cagayan within two hours only.

In less than two hours (1 hour and 55 minutes, to be exact), he completed a 3.95-kilometer one-way crossing of the Olango Channel from Olanggo Island to Mactan Island. He made a record as the first man to conquer the Hinatuan Passage by swimming from Bucas Grande Island in Socorro, Surigao del Sur to Cagdiano, Claver.

For seven hours and 45 minutes, he swam from Santa Fe, Bantayan Island to San

Remegio in Cebu -- a stretch of 19.99 kilometers. He became the first man to do so.

The swim was to promote climate change awareness and tourism in San Remegio.

Macarine is the first person to cross two-way from Punta Bilar to Basul Island and then back to Punta Bilar, Surigao City by swimming non-stop for 2 hours and 30 minutes. The distance: 9.3 kilometers.

He is also the first person to conquer Bohol Sea by swimming from Pamilacan Island to Baclayon, covering a distance of 15.5 kilometers. He did it in 5 hours and 59 minutes.

In the United States, Macarine became the first Filipino to swim from Alcatraz Island Penitentiary to San Francisco City in California; with a distance of 2.7 kilometers, he accomplished it in only one hour. He was also the first Filipino and second man in history to swim across the 8.1-kilometer Chesapeake Bay from Bay Bridge Marina to Sandy Point Park Beach in Annapolis, Maryland.

Last year, he was nominated for “Man of the Year” award by the World Open Sea Swimming Association (WOWSA), a prestigious swimming organization based in Huntington, California.

Although he failed to win, Macarine was already named by international conservation group World Wildlife Fund for Nature-Philippines as one of its Environmental Heroes a month earlier. He was cited for raising environmental awareness by “pioneering solo channel swimming in the Philippines to promote marine conservation.”

Macarine assures that he will surely conquer the English Channel if not this year, perhaps next year. “I never run away from a good fight,” he pointed out.

Pinoy Aquaman update

has the most THINK ON THESE! unpredictable weather. You were there, swimming day in and day out in the coldest water temperature you ever had to swim in.”

A n t h o n y Henrylito D. Tacio Lozada wrote: henrytacio@gmail.com “Proud of your accomplishments Ingemar and we know how much sacrifice you put into this channel crossing.

You still live to fight (swim) another day and in God’ time that will happen. With or without that channel swim you are still an inspiration to us all!”

“Cheer up pre, there will always be a next time,” assured Francisco Pilpil. “I am sure one day you will conquer the English Channel.”

Lilibeth Tingcang cheered him up.

Quoting the Bible, she wrote: “All things work together for good to those who love the Lord. In God’s perfect time, you will have your successful swim across English Channel!”

Had Macarine was able to swim as planned, he would become the first Filipino in history to swim across the English Channel which he described as “the Mount Everest of open water swimming.”

Actually, the English Channel is the body of water that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the south-

Marcos the true “savior of democracy”, they further over. A true-blue Marcos loyalist believes that FM deserves a statue in every town plaza in the entire country.

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ECONOMY 11

Int’l business delegation visits Davao A

CABINET MEETING AT MATINA ENCLAVES. President Rodrigo Duterte met members of his cabinet at the Clubhouse of The Matina Enclaves last weekend shortly after the bombing incident at the Roxas Night Market.

President Duterte insructed his cabinet to counter the economic impact of the Sept. 3 blast. The Matina Enclaves has been the favored convergence point of the president when he is in Davao City.

Duterte: ASEAN must support MSME development

P

HILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte declared that the Philippines’ economic thrust for inclusive growth will focus on innovating micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) development, e-commerce, youth and women entrepreneurship, as he served as one of the speakers in the 13th ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) held on 6 September in Vientiane.

The President believes that in order to be a global player, ASEAN must ensure the effective implementation of key economic agreements and the integration of existing sub-regional cooperation frameworks in ASEAN such as the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) and the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA “Hailing from Mindanao, I commit to promote BIMP-EAGA. We intend to open up our

other major islands like Mindanao and the Visayas with high quality backbone infrastructure,” he said, adding that the Philippines will accelerate infrastructure spending by improving national roads and bridges.

The President, joined by key economic managers, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez and Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, called for ASEAN’s support for MSME development and expressed hope to further expand the Roll-On Roll-Off (RO-RO) facility to Davao-General Santos and Bitung in Indonesia.

“We will work and collaborate with ASEAN in helping the MSMEs look for all ways to connect them in the countries of ASEAN and the world.

We will work in advancing our policy and regulatory environment providing an affordable and innovative digital platforms, and accessing best practices and financial resources,” he said.

ASEAN must engage the world in a “robust way” by maximizing Free Trade Areas (FTAs) with Australia and New Zealand, China, India, Japan, and Korea, according to him. He also announced that the Philippines will host the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) senior officials’ meeting in November 2016.

The President mentioned that ASEAN needs “stronger resolve and action to combat transnational crime” and noted that illicit and illegal drug trade undermines “social cohesion, the rule of law and the socio-economic programs of a country.”

Speaking before members of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC), which gathers leading CEOs, heads of chambers and commerce and industry and business organizations from ASEAN Member States (AMS), the President emphasized that sensibly-crafted and well-implemented laws are imperative towards bringing good

governance and order, as well as providing an enabling environment for the country’s progress and prosperity.

“We should act together in concert to ensure that the economic gains we made so far will advance at full speed, so that ASEAN can confidently play its rightful role as a global player contributing to economic growth and prosperity,” he concluded.

The ABIS is ASEAN’s premier annual business and investment event, which coincides with the 28th ASEAN Summit. Per organizers, ABIS is where the ASEAN private sector identifies, discusses and develops answers to pressing issues that impact the region’s investment attractiveness and business potential.

ABIS 2016, carrying the theme “Operationalizing ASEAN Economic Community— Turning Vision into Reality,” aimed at charting new ideas, opportunities and insights to propel the business sector towards regional development.

HE Philippine government has approved the additional importation 805,200 metric tons (MT) of rice under the minimum access volume (MAV).

This was aside from the 500,000 MT earlier awarded to Vietnam and Thailand by the National Food Authority (NFA) through the government-to-government procurement scheme.

The NFA on Thursday issued the import guidelines under which traders are to bring in well-milled rice with a quality not lower than 25 percent brokens or any special variety.

Shipments, which should arrive not later than Feb. 28, 2017, will be levied with a 35 percent tariff.

NFA said the importation was under a country-specific quota scheme covered by a 2014 agreement with the World Trade Organization (WTO), which allows the Philippines to provide minimum market access for rice imports.

It said the import volume of 805,200 MT would be of country specific quota and Omnibus origin as follows: China - 50,000 MT, India 50,000 MT, Pakistan - 50,000 MT, Australia - 15,000 MT, El Salvador - 4,000 MT, Thailand - 293,100 MT, Vietnam - 293,100 MT, and Any Country under the Omnibus origin - 50,000 MT. Under the guidelines, corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, farmer coop-

eratives, farmer organizations, and joint ventures are allowed to participate in the program.

Applications shall be met in full when the aggregate import volume allocation under the program in excess of 20,000 MT for the crop year 2015-2016.

No applicant shall apply directly or indirectly for an import volume allocation under the program in excess of 20,000 MT for the crop year 2015-2016.

In no case shall joint ventures, partners, presidents, managers, directors or trustees of joint ventures, partnerships, corporations, associations or cooperatives be qualified to apply under the program simultaneously with a joint venture, partnership,

corporation or cooperative of which they are associated with.

In case the aggregate import volume applications exceed the quota, the import allocation shall be distributed on a pro rata basis among the qualified applicants.

The Philippines has kept import restrictions for the grain in place since 1995, when it joined the World Trade Organization (WTO), to protect the Filipino farmers.

Socio-economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia on Wednesday said the country would open its doors to higher rice imports by next year, by not seeking a further extension of the import restrictions that would lapse in June 2017.

(PNA)

PHL to import 805,200 MT rice under MAV T

GROUP of 16 business people from Indonesia, US, Switzerland and Thailand are in the city to view and try out Davao’s various offerings, which include its popular tourist and adventure spots, cultural attractions, food and business establishments, convention facilities, among others.

The foreign delegation’s visit is in line with the on-going Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) 2016, the country’s largest and most important annual travel trade event organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), which has chosen Davao City as one of the areas to be visited by convention delegates.

The business group is also scheduled to visit the Island Garden City of Samal and Tagum.

Scheduled to run from Sept 6 to 10, PHITEX is being attended by 220 international buyers, 220 local sellers and 145 companies from 40 countries who are currently conducting business-to-business sessions on tourism, travel and trade opportunities, as well as post event tour.

The delegates to the fiveday trade event come from US, Norway, Italy, Denmark, and Germany, as well as from neighbouring Asian countries such as South Korea, Indonesia, and Vietnam. “[A] Majority of the participants are from Indonesia and their interest is to push

for a direct Manado-Davao flight so we can bring in divers, golfers and middle-aged Indonesian tourists from Jakarta to do a twin destination [visit] of Manado-Davao,” according to DOT Mindanao OIC Eden David.

“We are inviting Davao to do a roadshow in Jakarta to promote this twin destination as Indonesians now love to travel. They want to experience something new and interesting like Davao,” said Ophan Lamara, president of the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies which has about two thousand members.

DOT Secretary Wanda Teo recommended that Davao be included in the PHITEX post tour activities as part of the agency’s efforts to promote the tourism and investment potential of region among prospective investors.

Meanwhile, the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) held a joint tourism development meeting last Aug. 26 in Balikpapan, Indonesia.

During the meeting, representatives of the four-member ASEAN bloc pushed for increased transport connectivity between their countries.

Among the air routes that were highlighted during the gathering included Davao-Manado; Sandakan-Zamboanga; and a possible “triangular” Puerto Princesa-Cebu-Kuala Lumpur route. (DOT-Mindanao)

7 SSS SouthMin branches open in all Saturdays of Sept

T

HE Social Security System (SSS) branches in Bislig, Davao, Davao -Ilustre, Digos, Panabo, Tagum and Toril will be open on all Saturdays of September to accommodate applicants for the SSS Loan Restructuring Program (LRP).

This move is in line with the 59th SSS anniversary celebration with the theme “SSS at 59: Kaagapay at Kabalikat sa Pagbabago, and with its effort to assist member-borrowers in settling their past due loans through affordable payment terms and condonation of loan penalties, According to SSS Vice President for SouthMin 1 Emmanuel R. Palma, seven out of the eight branches in Southern Mindanao 1 are among the 109 SSS offices nationwide that have been chosen to accept LRP applications as well as other select SSS transactions on September 3, 10, 17, and 24.

“The special Saturday schedule will be a big help to members particularly those who cannot visit the office during weekdays due to their work schedules and distant location from SSS offices, so

they can have an opportunity during Saturday to file their LRP application, update their SSS records and undergo UMID data capture, Palma explained.

Moreover, only the Davao Branch will provide regular Saturday services for all transactions, while the rest will be confined to acceptance of LRP applications.

The LRP was launched last April 28 to help calamity-stricken borrowers settle their unpaid short-term loans so that they may enjoy the full amount of their benefits in the future.

“We encourage our members to take advantage of the special Saturday schedule for September in order to avoid long queues during weekdays and being absent and late for work,” Palma said.

Application forms for the LRP and other SSS programs are downloadable from the SSS website at www.sss.gov. ph.

Members registered at the My.SSS facility of the SSS website can also view their SSS statement of loan account and other SSS records via the internet.

12 NEWS Rody... FROM 1

Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay confirmed the meeting of President Duterte and President Obama when interviewed by the media, though he could not give details on the meeting and how long the two leaders talked.

Yasay also expressed happiness over the meeting saying that it was a manifestation of the continuing strong alliance between the Philippines and the US. The controversies ended well with “warm handshakes and good conversations,” Senator Alan Peter Cayetano told the state-run television PTV-4, adding that in diplomacy, “you don’t usually go to the past and bakit nangyari or blame anyone.”

The Philippines and the US has a long partnership and relationship, Cayetano added.

The senator added that there were efforts from both sides (Philippines and US) to patch up the differences but it is in the nature of the people from the foreign affairs department that and the state department to be extremely cautious.

Cayetano also shrugged off the reports that the country’s stock market went down fol-

lowing the “cursing” that the President uttered against President Obama.

He pointed out that the country’s stock market could easily rebound as world leaders have strong belief into the administration and leadership of President Duterte.

“Every time that the stock market goes up it because of someone else, but if bumaba its because of (President) Duterte,” Cayetano said.

“Ang nag-withdraw ba kaya bumaba are American or western firms?” Cayetano asked as he sought for the basis on the reported decline in the numbers at the stock market.

He expressed optimism the country’s stock market will go up due to three reasons – first, peace and order is always the concern of businessmen; second is the stability on policy; and third, the country’s fundamentals are much better than other countries.

The President, during the dinner also met UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon but there were no details as to the topics that President Duterte and the UN chief discussed during the brief meeting.

achieve a just, inclusive, and lasting peace.

Cayetano said that like President Obama, who persevered to overcome challenges and accomplish so much for the American people, the Philippines now has a leader who is willing to sacrifice his life and honor to protect the welfare of all Filipinos.

He further lamented how President Duterte has been misjudged by some sectors based on the way he speaks,

which was aggravated by a misinformation campaign about the human rights situation in the country.

“Does he (Pres. Duterte) not deserve to be judged on his record and his actions?

On facts and not manipulated statistics? On where he wants to bring the country rather than his sometimes politically incorrect words?” Cayetano asked. “Can’t we give the Philippines and President Duterte a Chance?”

Provincial Government is bent on strengthening its anti-illegal drugs campaign at the grassroots level.

The government, he added, must put special emphasis

on prevention first to make sure resources poured for long-term interventions will not go down the drain. By Karen Lou Deloso/Photo by Eden Jhan Licayan

did not it take personally when President Duterte called him “son of a whore”.

Duterte made the comment in reaction to Obama’s promise

to raise the issue of extrajudicial killing of drugs suspects in the Philippines at their scheduled meeting in Laos. Obama called off the meeting. (PNA)

The DICT has previously committed to put free Wi-Fi in 12,000 public places by November 2017. By the end of the year, about 5,000 public places will have free Wi-Fi access.

Aquino said the Senate panel will meet with the DICT again when the agency is ready to present a National Broadband Plan.

Wi-Fi in schools Aquino, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, meanwhile raised concerns after the Department of Education (DepEd) revealed during the hearing that only 26 percent of schools in the country have Internet connectivity.

He urged the DICT, DepEd

and telcos to cooperate so that within the next year, they could roll out more Internet-ready schools.

“By providing Internet connectivity in our schools, we’re allowing our schools to be taken to the future,” Aquino said.

“Public schools need reliable Internet connection to support and enhance the learning capabilities of students by giving them access to learning materials and online information,” he added.

He further said that he would eventually want to see a roadmap on how many years it would take to provide all schools in the country with Wi-Fi access. (PNA)

Cayetano... FROM 2

BPATs... FROM 4

Pres. Obama... FROM 4 Senators... FROM 5

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DETERRENT. A personnel of the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) carries a “No Parking” signage to prevent traffic congestion in front of the Davao City Hall as some visitors and clients of the city government do double parking due to the limited space in the area. Lean Daval Jr.

Agriculture... FROM 5

tition’s fine chocolate category.

The company also won the bronze prize (Drinking Chocolate Category) in London last April 2015 for its Malagos 100 percent Unsweetened Chocolate, while bagging the silver medal (World Drinking Chocolate Competition) in Hannover, Germany October 2015 for its Malagos 65 percent Dark Chocolate.

Umaguing said the CAO is also looking forward to the city’s participation in the upcoming Kakao Konek 2016: Asia Pacific Cacao Conference 2016 this coming Sept. 15 to 17.

(APTC) will function similarly to Manila’s Central Food Terminal which will serve as the hub for all goods produced by local farmers.

“Tanan nga products, muagi didto before they will be distributed to different outlets sa Davao City.”, he said.

The trading center is located at the 25-hectare Davao Food Complex at Daliao, Toril which is expected to be fully operational by 2017.

Agri Pinoy Trading Center According to Umaguing, the Agri Pinoy Trading Center

Protection of Marine Resources “We will also strengthen the protection of coastal and marine resources of Davao city,” Umaguing said.

This move, he said, will enable the CAO to strengthen its efforts to sustainably manage the city’s marine-protected areas.

“Kaning mga marine protected areas, these will be strategically located along the 60 km coastline of Davao City kay para mao’y mahimong itluganan sa isda, kay para atoang manangat, pirmanente sila naa’y kuha,” Umaguing pointed out.

He added the City Agriculturist Office is also working on improving the delivery of its regular extension services.

“Naa ta’y mga district offices sa tanang district sa Davao City. Naa pud ta’y mga technicians diha that are giving extension activities to the farmers,” Umaguing said.

cruiting underage or minors as housemaids.”

Gutib said they have asked the city government to cancel the business permit of MGG.

“There will be no let up in our monitoring and enforcement activities to ensure that the public and our workers are properly protected,” he added. (PNA)

Davao City Organic Integrated Farm Center Umaguing also revealed plans of the CAO to convert a 4.5 hectare land area in Malagos, which is currently being utilized as a nursery and laboratory for tissue culture of banana, into an integrated farm and training center that will also serve as an agro-ecotourism facility.

“I-intensify pa namo ang development ana,” said Umaguing.

He added the facility will maintain its primary functions but will also serve as a venue for those who want to learn the agriculture processes being carried out in the facility.

DOLE-12... FROM 14

Medialdea... FROM 2 siyempre preventive po itong mga measures na ito.”

“Memorandum Order No. 3, Section 5, we categorically stated that the constitutional rights of every individual should respected and given due regard by the Armed Forces and the police.”

As a safety reminder to the general public, he stressed: “In case of police and military checkpoints – inspection should be limit-

ed to a request to roll down vehicle windows, search for things in plain view only and production of documents and identification and vehicle registration papers.”

The Palace official added, “No further intrusive action shall be taken, such as demanding the opening of trunks or asking person on board to step out unless the subject individual consents or agrees thereto.” (PNA)

can take all forms. The Kaspersky Lab researchers noted two non-typical examples, one of which involved a rogue telecoms employee leaking 70 million prison inmate calls, many of which breached client-attorney privilege. In another example, an SMS center support engineer was spotted on a popular DarkNet forum advertising their ability to intercept messages containing OTP (One-Time Passwords) for the two-step authentication required to login to customer accounts at a popular fintech company.

“The human factor is often the weakest link in corporate IT security. Technology alone is rarely enough to completely protect the organization in world where attackers don’t hesitate to exploit insider vulnerability. Companies can start by looking at themselves the way an attacker would. If vacancies carrying your company name, or some of your data, start appearing on underground message boards, then somebody, somewhere has you in their sights. And the sooner you know about it the better you can prepare,” said Denis Gorchakov, security ex-

pert, Kaspersky Lab. In order to protect the organization from insider threat, Kaspersky Lab advises the following: • Educate your staff about responsible cyber-security behavior and the dangers to look out for, and introduce robust policies about the use of corporate email addresses; • Use Threat Intelligence Services to understand why cybercriminals might be looking at your company and to find out if someone is offering an insider “service” in your organization; • Restrict access to the most sensitive information and systems; • Do a regular security audit of the company’s IT infrastructure.

Cybercriminals... FROM 13

Read more about insiders and other typical cyber-threats facing telecommunications companies on Securelist.

Further information on threats facing companies in telecommunications and other sectors is available through Kaspersky Lab Intelligence Services or by emailing intelligence@kaspersky.com.

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EVENT

By Bai Fauziah Fatima Sinsuat Ambolodto KADAYAWAN IS ALL ABOUT THANKSGIVING; CELEBRATING THE MANY Photos by Jeffery Wee BEAUTIFUL THINGS THAT NATURE HAS ENDOWED UPON THE CITY OF DAVAO. Despite its highly-urbanized landscape - high-rise buildings, bustling commercial establishments, and crowded city streets - Davao still remains a showcase of nature’s best, making it the home of some of the world’s most beautiful flora.

The Kadayawan Agro Trade Fair Exhibit at the SM City Annex Parking area showcased the biggest collection of flowers, orchids, herbs and plants from all over the city. The exhibit was organized through the initiative of the Floriculture Industry

of Davao Inc. (FIDI) and Mindanao Floriculture and Ecological Development respectively (MINFED).

The exhibit also provided a venue for growers, exhibitors and farm owners to showcase their collections through a series

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of contests. Beautifullydressed street dancers opened the event with an energetic dance number.

Floriculture Industry of Davao Inc. (FIDI) President Engr. Angel Puentespina welcomed guests and participants.

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte was represented by City Councilor April Dayap of the 2nd District of Davao.

Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Edna Lavina gave an inspiring speech.

FIDI and Minfed members, city government officials, department Heads,

and representatives of plant groups from all over the country also graced the event.

Congratulations to all the winners and to FIDI President, Engr. Angel Puentespina, and Minfed President, Viviencio Galliego, thank you for adding colours to the Kadayawan. See you all again next year.

Here is the complete list of winners: Plant Category (1st, 2nd, 3rd) Best in Aglaonema –

A celebration A4

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PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

EVENT

By Henrylito D. Tacio STUDENTS FROM THE BROKENSHIRE COLLEGE IN DAVAO CITY TOOK HOME TWO SILVER MEDALS after winning in the recently-concluded 11th Tuna Festival Skills Olympic dubbed “Flavors of Tuna: A Culinary and Cooking Challenge” held in General Santos City.

“I’m very proud for what our students have accomplished,” said Armando A. Mortejo, program head of the Brokenshire’s Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) department.”

What made the wins more meaningful was the fact that Mortejo was just recently installed as the HRM program chairman, while most of the students who joined the competition were beginners.

“I have the support of both the students and the management,” the boyish-looking Mortejo said.

“And this is just the beginning.

We want to develop more students like them.”

He believes that students “have skills to push them to become more competitive and to give their very best.”

Montejo was also accompanied by his co-instructors Rizalde Solarte and Ma. Theresa Delos Reyes.

The college participated in five categories of the competition, but only won in the Tuna Gastronomique and Market Basket.

Michael Tolentino and Dominic Lamanilao won second place for their creation which used tuna as the main ingredient of their dessert recipe.

The Brokenshire delegation also bagged another silver medal during the Market Basket competition. The winning culinary team was composed of Allen Lapore, Shirley Madera and Graceline Mae Balonquit.

A special recognition – the Culinary Excellence Award – was also awarded to Allen Dave

Ceasar Lapore.

The contestants to the Tuna Fusion competition were Michael Tolentino and Faye Daya.

Representatives to the 3’s (soup, sandwich and salad) contest were Judith M. Aguiadan, Elah Mae G. Uno and Angelique Mae Fernando represented.

Mae Dela Cruz and Maezhile Cuizon prepared a tuna pasta salad.

Twenty one colleges and universities participated in the competition. The contestants came from Kabacan, North Cotabato, Bansalan, Davao del Sur, and the cities of General Santos and Davao.

The competition was judged

by Dr. Milton P. Nunga, Dean of La Consolacion College; Dr. Mitchel Borja, dean, school of tourism and hospitality manage-

ment, Arellan sity; Rodolfo faculty mem tional Univer Siomos, a c

2016

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no Univero Cabardo, mber, Narsity; Paris chef from

INdulge! A3

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

Songtao, head chef for Mala Restaurant in Singapore; Alejandro T. Paez, vice president of Flour Division of Philippine Foremost Milling Corporation; Chef Chel Galang-Yabut, bars and events manager of Marco Polo Davao; and Chef David Chia Lye Seng, executive chef of Big Box Singapore, also attended the event.

The Brokeshire College opened its BS Nurs-

Greece and has already worked in 20 countries.

Chef Armand Nening, instructor at Culinary Institute of

ing program in the 1954.

The school opened its BS Hotel and Restaurant Management in 2007.

Among the other courses offered by Brokenshire are Bachelor of Science Business Administration (BSBA) major in microfinance and marketing, Bachelor of Science Accountancy (BSA) and Accounting Tech, which ae under the School of Business and Management program.

Aristocrat in Malate; Dr. Willie Bejar, baking consultant at the Philippine Women’s University; Chef Yang

PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

Serving a seamless society

EDGEDAVAO GENSAN PARTNERS

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A4 INdulge!

EVENT ENTERTAINMENT A celebration A1 Noel Beth Aton Best in Anthurium – Alfred Abrenica, Kunis Gaarden, Puentespina Garden Best in Bromeliad – Nenita Delos Santos, Ven Gallegos, Mark Onari Best in Cacti and Succulent – Vivien Agayan, Ilora Chua, Vivien Agayan Best in Dish Garden – Regina Cespedes, Jackie Lorenz, Jackie Lorenz Best in Alliance – Noel Aton, Noel Aton, Puentespina Farms Best in Flowering – Kunis Garden, Ilora Chua, Kyomi Garden Best in Mix Genera – Delvic Garden, Fer Scaapes, Abeth’s Garden Best in Palms and Cycads – Ven Gallego, Ven Gallego, Imelda Agustin Best in Variegated – Enda Tamdiaman, Mae Magnaye, Maricel Quinal Floriculture Exhibit – SUL Orchids, Malagos Garden Resort, Noel Aton

chids, SUL Orchids, SUL Orchids Dendrobium – Regina Cespedes, SUL Orchids, SUL Orchids Mixed Genera – SUL Orchids, SUL Orchids, SUL Orchids

Best Orchid – SUL Orchids Special Award – SUL Orchids (Cymbedium Golden Elf) Special Award – Puentespina Orchids & Tropical Plants (Vanda Lamellata)

September 8 – 13, 2016

MORGAN Kate Mara, Anya Taylor-Joy Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

R13

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

PETE'S DRAGON

Orchids Category (1st, 2nd, 3rd) Waling-Waling – SUL Orchids, SUL Orchids, Puentespina Orchids & Tropical Plants Vanda Strap – SUL Or-

Bryce Dallas Howard, Oakes Fegley Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

PG

12:45 | 3:00 | 5:15 | 7:30 | 9:45 LFS

SULLY Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

PG

12:25 | 2:45 | 5:05 | 7:25 | 9:45 LFS

TRAIN TO BUSAN Gong Yoo, Kim Su-an Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

R13

12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

VOL. 9 ISSUE 141 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 - 10, 2016

13 COMPETITIVE EDGE Cybercriminals recruit insiders to attack telecoms EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 141 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 - 10, 2016

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YBERCRIMINALS are using insiders to gain access to telecommunications networks and subscriber data, recruiting disaffected employees through underground channels or blackmailing staff using compromising information gathered from open sources - according to a Kaspersky Lab intelligence report into security threats facing the telecommunications industry.

Telecommunications providers are a top target for cyber-attack. They operate and manage the world’s networks,

voice and data transmissions and store vast amounts of sensitive data. This makes them highly attractive to cybercriminals in search of financial gain, as well as nation-state sponsored actors launching targeted attacks, and even competitors.

To achieve their goals, cybercriminals often use insiders as part of their malicious ‘toolset’, to help them breach the perimeter of a telecommunications company and perpetrate their crimes.

New research by Kaspersky Lab and B2B Interna-

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late DOMINADOR FIEL CARRILLO who died on June 19, 2015 in Davao City has been the subject of an Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate executed among his heirs, per Doc. No.51; Page No.11; Book No. I; Series of 2015, of the NOTARY PUBLIC IZABEL F. SERIÑA. 9/2,9,16

tional reveals that 28% of all cyber-attacks, and 38% of targeted attacks now involve malicious activity by insiders.

The intelligence report examines popular ways of involving insiders in telecoms-related criminal schemes and gives examples of the things insiders are used for.

Compromising employees According to the Kaspersky Lab researchers, attackers engage or entrap telecoms employees in the following ways: Using publically available or previously-stolen data

sources to find compromising information on employees of the company they want to hack. They then blackmail targeted individuals – forcing them to hand over their corporate credentials, provide information on internal systems or distribute spear-phishing attacks on their behalf.

Recruiting willing insiders through underground message boards or through the services of “black recruiters”.

These insiders are paid for their services and can also be asked to identify co-workers who could be engaged through

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late FE OCAÑADA CARRILLO who died on October 17, 2015 in Davao City has been the subject of an Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate executed among her heirs, per Doc. No.92; Page No.19; Book No. I; Series of 2015, of the NOTARY PUBLIC IZABEL F. SERIÑA. 9/2,9,16

blackmail.

The blackmailing approach has grown in popularity following online data breaches such as the Ashley Madison leak, as these provide attackers with material they can use to threaten or embarrass individuals.

In fact, data-leak related extortion has now become so widespread that the FBI issued a Public Service Announcement on 1 June warning consumers of the risk and its potential impact.

The insiders most in

demand According to the Kaspersky Lab researchers, if an attack on a cellular service provider is planned, criminals will seek out employees who can provide fast track access to subscriber and company data or SIM card duplication/illegal reissuing.

If the target is an Internet service provider, the attackers will try to identify those who can enable network mapping and man-in-the-middle attacks.

However, insider threats

F CYBERCRIMINALS, 12

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH WAIVER Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ALFREDO JR. DEOCAMPO SABAY has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH WAIVER executed among his heirs per Doc. No.9; Page No.2; Book No. XIV; Series of 2016, of the NOTARY PUBLIC JANIS LOUIS H. ESPARCIA. 9/9,16,23

EDGEDAVAO

14 SUBURBIA

VOL. 9 ISSUE 141 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 - 10, 2016

FUN IN NORTH COTABATO. Mrs. Angeles Lava, 86 (right), is all eyes on the North Cotabato Capitol grounds where dancers and performers from many parts of the province during the culmination of last week’s Kalivungan Festival marking the 102nd Anniversary of Cotabato as a province. Cotabateños were led by Gov. Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza in celebrating the founding anniversary. Photos by Lean Daval Jr.

NCot fetes 102nd anniv with ‘Kalivungan’ Festival A

86-year-old grandma among avid celebrators

NGELES Lava, at 86, may have been the oldest Kidapawan City resident to witness the Kalivungan Festival street dancing and showdown, a culminating activity of the grand celebration the 102nd founding anniversary of Cotabato as a province last week.

As in the past, this year’s festival marking the founding of the empire province (the name assigned to the then undivided Cotabato) is organized by the North Cotatabo provincial government headed by Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Talino-Mendoza. (The empire

province has been subdivided into North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani, including the cities of Cotabato, General Santos, Kidapawan, Koronadal and Tacurong, with the last three established very recently) Kalivungan showcases the diverse cultures, traditions and way of life of the people of North Cotabato. “Kalivungan” means gathering of people, and they surely did gather at the provincial capitol in Amas, Kidapawan City for the culmination of the week-long celebration.

Mrs. Lava, a widow, arrived

and settled in Barangay Binoligan, Kidapawan with her now deceased husband from Victorias, Negros Occidental in 1966, to seek greener pasture. That was 50 years ago.

The octogenarian lady was with a young great grandson braving the heat of the mid-day sun to watch the street-dancing and cultural showdown. A police officer who took pity on her, escorted her away from the grandstand to a cooler place under a tree, and gave her a monobloc chair to sit on.

An avid follower of Gov. Lala Mendoza, Mrs. Lava said she began watching the annual

presentation seven years ago, because she enjoyed the stories behind the mass dancing that tell of the struggles and triumphs of the pioneering Cotabatenos in their quest for development and progress.

But aside from the street-dancing, there was an agri-fair within the vast capitol compound with exciting displays of native products from North Cotabato’s 17 towns and one city (Kidapawan).

Early on, North Cotabato Gov. Mendoza urged all sectors to join the festival and be united for one goal -- unity in spite of diversity. This year’s theme “Co-

He said he directed their field offices in the region to conduct regular assessments and enforcements activities against erring recruitment agencies.

“They (illegal recruitment agencies) should stop their operations. Rest assured that we will continue to monitor them and strictly implement our existing laws,” Gutib said.

Last month, DOLE-12 closed down MGG Housemaid Services based in this city for

operating without a license or permit and violation of labor regulations.

The closure, which was enforced by DOLE-12 and city field office personnel on Aug. 17, was based on a cease and desist order issued by the regional office.

Fatima Bataga, head of the DOLE field office here, said MGG, which is owned by a certain Madelyn Gonzales and located along Tiongson treet in Barangay Lagao, was

not a licensed private recruitment and placement agency.

She said it had violated the provisions of the General Labor Standard (GLS) as it failed to provide health insurance and other mandatory benefits to its lone employee.

She said Gonzales, MGG’s owner, is currently facing various criminal charges, among them for “human trafficking, illegal recruitment and falsification of documents for re-

tabato Mahal Ko! Sama-sama sa Hamon ng Panahon at Bagong Pag-asa”.

“Let us show to the people once more that we are peace-loving individuals, we are thankful of our abundance and that we continue to grow and develop,” said the governor, adding that the celebration is part of every Cotabateno’s life whatever ethnicity or group of people he belongs.”

The provincial government also recognized the sons and daughters of the province who are now serving under the Duterte administration like Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial,

Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, Foreign Affairs Sec. Perfecto Yasay Jr. and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency head Alex Paul Monteagudo and others. They are among those congratulated by Gov. Mendoza and the people of North Cotabato in giant tarpulins festooned on the high fence of the capitol grounds facing the highway.

Mendoza’s administration organized 20 festival-related activities inside the Provincial Capitol premises and at least eight other events farmed out.

AMA with Jimmy Sta. Cruz, PGO Media Center

DOLE-12 steps up crackdown vs illegal recruiters DavNor allots P526M

T

HE Department and Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 12 has stepped up its crackdown against illegal recruitment agencies operating in the region.

Albert Gutib, DOLE Region 12 director, said Thursday they have launched a region-wide monitoring against local recruitment agencies and other manpower providers that have been operating without licenses or permits.

F DOLE-12, 12

DRUG TEST. A surprise drug test on Monday was initiated by the Provincial Government in coordination with the Provincial Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

This is in support and in line to the intensive campaign of the national government against the illicit drug problem.

for top projects -- AGR

D

AVAO del Norte’s Provincial Development Council (PDC) has approved the P526 million funding for the Annual Investment Plan (AIP) of the province for 2017.

The plan is divided into the economic, environmental, social, ug governance clusters, which are the priority of the new administration of Governor Anthony del Rosario.

“We formed our priorities into four clusters, the governance cluster, economic development cluster, the environment cluster and the social development cluster. These four clusters are basically the priorities that we are pushing for,” Gov. del Rosario said.

The AIP will fuel the “B.E.S.T P.E.O.P.L.E.” development agenda of the governor, which is spelled as Balanced Ecology, Enhanced Agri-aquaculture, Sustainable Tourism, Transformative Leadership, Public Infrastructure, Education and Sports, Optimum Health and Social Services, Public-Private Partnership,

Link to the world, and Employment and Livelihood Opportunities.

Provincial Planning and Development Officer Engr. Josie Jean Rabanos said the funding for the AIP will come from the P1.5 billion projected income of the province next year.

She added that local projects that will not be funded by the provincial funds, as they will will get their funding from the national government, partner agencies and official development assistance from foreign countries.

Del Rosario presided over the meeting with members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, municipal and city mayors, provincial executives and representatives of non-government organizations.

Aside from the approval of the 2017 AIP, the PDC also elected the Executive Committee for the Council and four members of the Project Monitoring Committee (PMC), which will help monitor the progress of the provincial projects. (Gerne Boja pioDavNor)

VOL. 9 ISSUE 141 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 - 10, 2016

EDGEDAVAO Sports 15

FOR WHISTLEBLOWERS L

Lebron cancels Manila visit

SBP referees conditioning program held

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

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njb@edgedavao.net

EFEREES under the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) in Area 5 Davao City underwent a conditioning program organized by area director Glenn Escandor.

Coach Ronnel Leuterio, former head coach of the Davao Eagles in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) and Collegio

de San Juan de Letran in the NCAA, supervised the conditioning program aimed at keeping game officials physically and mentally fit.

The conditioning training, which utilized new and scientific approach adapted from different university school programs in the US, was introduced by the Chicago-based Leuterio.

“Just trying to make a small difference in changing people’s lives, perhaps a way of trying to reconcile myself a bit better with the realities of life. Next in line, free public high school teachers-coaches,” said Leuterio.

The clinic was held last Monday at the Genesis Gym in Ecoland.

According to Escandor,

the the program is also meant to give referees continuing career advancement, provide supplementary training in line with National SBP refresher course; and provide mental training.

Escandor also announced the opening f the new regional SBP Office in front of The Royal Mandaya Hotel in Palma Gil Street.

EBRON James remained hopeful he can make a third trip to the Philippines after his upcoming visit got cancelled a day before his supposed arrival.

The three-time NBA champ posted on his official Twitter account @KingJames on Thursday explaining that ‘unfortunate events’ led to the scrapping of the Manila stop of his Battle the Doubt Asia tour.

“Unfortunate events has cancelled my trip to the Philippines. Always have enjoyed my trip there. Hopefully I can come back soon,” tweeted James, who ended his tweet with the hashtags #SFG (Strive For Greatness) and #RWTW (Roll With The Winners).

But instead of shedding light to the cancellation, James’ tweet seemed to add to the ambiguity of the situation.

Speculations have emerged online about possible reasons behind Nike’s decision to leave Manila out of James’ Asian tour this year.

Some have cited the recent Davao City bombing and

the heightened alert throughout the country as the cause, while others have noted the issue between President Rodrigo Duterte and US President Barrack Obama.

On the other hand, Nike said in its statement Wednesday that ‘logistical challenges’ were behind the last-minute decision to call off James’ ‘Battle the Doubt’ tour in Manila.

The Cleveland Cavaliers star was scheduled to arrive in Manila on Thursday with a mini-camp to be conducted immediately at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

No one knows exactly if James’ ‘unfortunate events’ is the same as Nike’s ‘logistical challenges’ explanation, or if the speculations surrounding the cancellation are the true reasons for the decision to leave out Manila in the tour, for that matter. But what’s certain is, ‘The King’ is optimistic in making another visit to the Philippines. And based on his track record of delivering the NBA title to Cleveland, the man knows how to keep his promises.

Pia to lead Bike for Hope remembering blast victims CONDITIONING PROGRAM. Coach Ronnel Leuterio supervises the conditioning program for referees under the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) at the Genesis Gym. The program isa project of newly-elected SBP regional head Glenn Escandor.

Casimero still 3 pounds over flyweight limit I BF flyweight champion Johnreil Casimero was three pounds over the flyweight limit with two days to go before the official weigh-in for his title defense against unbeaten Charlie Edwards of Britain at the O2 Arena in London at 1:00 a.m. Manila Time on Sunday.

Casimero’s veteran trainer Jhun Agrabio said his fighter shouldn’t have a problem shedding off the excess poundage before the weigh-in on Friday.

Meantime, the cocky Ed-

wards who will be facing Casimero for the world title in only his ninth fight claims his victory “is written in the stars” which brought out a retort from Team Casimero that he will be seeing stars when the hard-hitting Filipino two-division champion catches him with the same kind of combination that knocked out Thai champion Amnat Ruenroeng.

Boxing man Sean Gibbons told The Standard that Casimero is “one the best kept secrets of Philippine boxers.”

Gibbons added, “he’s got

punch, he’s got charisma. He’s going to be on the big stage and I think he’s really going to show what he’s made of.”

He said he’s happy that fight fans will get a chance to see him because he’s had to go to Argentina, Columbia, Mexico, Thailand and China but fighting in the O2 Arena with a historic country like England in boxing, its going to be his night.”

He said Casimero is “one of the only person I know who thrives to be on the road and when he gets booed it just fires

him up and he gets the job done.”

Gibbons said Edwards is “a fundamentally sound guy.

Maybe they took the fight because they saw something we don’t but I think he’s a solid fighter but not on Casimero’s level. I see him somewhere in the middle rounds breaking Edwards down and stopping him.”

Sean said Edwards had “a deep amateur background but once Casimero figures him out it will be a whole different ballgame.”

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AGUIG Cong. Pia Cayetano will lead hundreds of bike enthusiasts in the Bike for Hope 2016 from Davao City to Tagum on September 25.

The 50-kilometer fun ride will pass by the Roxas Avenue blast site to pay respects to those who perished in the September 3 bombing at the Roxas Night Market.

The entourage will be flagged off at 6:30 a.m. The venue will be announced later due to security reasons.

The fun ride has been scheduled even before the bombing incident and organizers decided to push through with the event in support of Davao City, home city of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte whose runningmate Sen. Alan

Peter Cayetano is the congresswomen’s brother.

The last time the charity-advocacy ride was held was in 2009 from Davao City to Tagum City via Kapalong and Sto. Tomas towns.

“This one is a shorter route than the previous one,” said Mike Ac-ac, spokesperson of Cong. Cayetano.

Ac-ac said the fun ride will be staged as a rallying event for the city whose state of peace and safety was rocked by the unfortunate event.

Aside the her legislative works, Cong. Cayetano is also an advocate of biking as a means of public transport. She is a former national athlete and is still an active triathlete and long distance runner. NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

‘Big Ben’not too pleased with La Salle debut

A

COMEBACK FIGHT. Filipino senator and eight division world champion Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao lands at the Los Angeles International Airport Wednesday night ahead of their Sep. 8 press conference at the Beverly Hills Hotel to announce his world title fight with WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas scheduled on Nov. 5 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Photo by Jhay Otamias / PhilBoxing.com.

S dominant as he was in his UAAP debut, Ben Mbala still wasn’t too pleased saying he sees room for improvement in his game following La Salle’s win over Far Eastern University on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Mbala wound up with 13 points, 23 rebounds, and four blocks as the Green Archers defeated the Tamaraws, 83-78, to open their Season 79 campaign on a high note.

The Cameroonian sensation, however, made just five of 13 shots from the field and committing six turnovers, blaming his miscues on the variety of defensive looks he got against the Tamaraws.

“I think there are still a lot of adjustments to be made. It

was pretty hard,” said Mbala, who waited three years before he can suit up with the Green Archers afters his transfer from Southwestern University in Cebu.

“There were a lot of triple teams, double teams. After making the adjustment, we were able to make good decisions whether to attack or kick the ball out,” he added.

With the first game behind him, Mbala vowed to be better when La Salle takes on University of the Philippines on Saturday.

“I have to find a way to get back to my game. It doesn’t matter if it’s the UAAP, Filoil, or other leagues. I still have to come up and provide what coach asked me to provide,” Mbala said.

BIKE FOR HOPE. Then Sen. Pia Cayetano, now Taguig congresswoman, leads the entourage of her annnual Bike for Hope cycling advocacy event.

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