Edge Davao 9 Issue 42

VOL. 9 ISSUE 42 • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016 LOCAL ABSENTEE VOTING. A teacher from the First District of Davao City puts her thumb mark on a ballot after casting her vote during yesterday’s local absentee voting held at Teodoro Palma Gil Elementary School along E. Quirino Avenue. Covered by absentee voting, from yesterday to Friday, April 29, are government officials and employees, police, military and media practitioners who will not be able to vote in their own polling precincts on May 9 because of election-related duties. Lean Daval Jr.

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NOTHING TO HIDE

Duterte mulls charges vs Trillanes EDGEDAVAO Sports

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

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RESIDENTIAL frontrunner Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he has nothing to hide from the public as he dismissed the allegations of vice presidential bet Sen. Antonio Trillanes as fabricated.

Instead, the feisty mayor is now mulling to file charges against Trillanes following

the latter’s allegation that the Davao City Mayor has around P200 million in undeclared wealth.

Earlier, Duterte’s spokesperson Peter Laviña said Duterte’s legal experts are looking into the possible cases that can be filed against Trillanes.

Duterte, who attended the presidential dialogues hosted

by the Makati Business Club and the Management Association of the Philippines Tuesday at the Peninsula Hotel in Makati, denied the existence of the bank account claimed by Trillanes.

“Maniwala kayo (You believe that), that’s garbage! You can check with the bank. You go there,” said Duterte.

Responding to reporters’ questions, he said he signed a waiver for his bank accounts but it does not cover the BPI account referred to by Trillanes.

“I signed a waiver, yes, but I will make it hard for Trillanes,” Duterte said. “What he showed was only papers.”

He said Trillanes must

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Ceres-La Salle FC first PH club to advance to AFC Cup KO stages P16

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 42 • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016

LOOK MAMA! Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz shows her ink-stained thumb upon attending the AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel to indicate that she has already cast her vote during yesterday’s local absentee voting. Lean Daval Jr.

NPA sets free captive soldier in North Cotabato

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MOTIONS ran high after the family of an Army man met him following his release Tuesday by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in a remote village here.

The freed captive, Pfc Eduardo Hilaga Jr. was abducted by members of the NPA Front 72 Far South Mindanao Region on April 21 after the rebels set up an early morning roadblock in adjacent Barangay Malasila, Makilala town.

Efren Aksasado, NPA Front 72 spokesman, said the release was granted after their investigation showed that Hilaga has no record of any abuse and with the extended appeal of several organizations including the Crisis Management Committee of Makilala town.

Hilaga was formally turned over to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, a presiden-

tial candidate known as having established close contacts with the rebels, after the signing of an NPA release order.

Hilaga’s relatives and wife Delia fetched him during the turnover witnessed by hundreds of locals in the area.

Local officials present during the release include Makilala Mayor Rudy Caoagdan, Tulunan Councilor Joan Villamor, and firmer North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Piñol.

Hilaga’s release came a day after the NPAs also freed in Davao City five other police officers they earlier held as “prisoners of war” in the boundary of Davao and Bukidnon province.

The NPA said at least five other POWs currently remain under its custody in other parts of Mindanao. (PNA)

VER 24,000 local absentee voters will cast their votes starting on Wednesday, April 27 until Friday, April 29.

With this, Commission on Elections (Comelec) – Committee on Local Absentee Voting (CLAV) head Rowena Guanzon reminded those who registered under the LAV to participate in the three-day voting period.

“To all local absentee voters, exercise your right to vote, especially that you in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) put your lives on the line in defense of our country,” said in her Twitter account, (@

commrguanzon).

For this election, a total of 24,497 LAV are expected to cast their votes.

Those who are allowed to avail of LAV are government officials and employees, members of the PNP, members of the AFP, and media practitioners that are registered voters but will not be able to vote on Election Day due to the performance of their functions.

They will choose for the positions of president, vice-president, senators, and party-list group. They will be casting their votes in their designated places of voting.

In 2013 midterm polls, the number of LAV voters was at 12,732. (PNA)

Local absentee voting starts today

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DCPO 95% ready for polls

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) is now 95 percent ready to secure the conduct of national and local elections in the city.

DCPO spokesperson Chief Insp. Milgrace C. Driz said in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, although all police units in the city are set for the coming election, there is still five percent remaining that need to be improved in the coming days.

“We cannot perfect it as of this moment because there are more things that need to be considered and to improve as the days come there might be changes,” she said.

Driz said the police are going to secure all the polling precincts on May 9 and the arrival and delivery of Voting Counting Machines (VCMs)

and other election paraphernalia.

She said the police will escort the vehicle carrying the VCMs to the warehouse in Sasa. After the warehouse, the machines will be transported to the City Treasurer’s Office and the delivery to the polling precincts.

Driz said the DCPO expects that the VCMs will arrive next week and the delivery of the machines will depend on the order of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“Anytime, they can ask our police officers for security assistance during the delivery,” she said.

She said the city police will also provide more security in areas which are considered as Election Watch list Areas (EWA) particularly in

some barangays in the districts of Baguio, Marilog and Paquibato.

“We will provide augmentation in these areas from the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) 11,” she said.

Driz said these three districts are placed under category 2 where the presence of the lawless armed groups exists in some portions of the three districts.

The City Joint Security Control Center (CJSCC), however, did not declare some areas of Toril district during their final meeting last Tuesday despite the encounter in Sitio Colorado, Barangay Sibulan on Monday.

A soldier of 84 Infantry Battalion (IB) was killed and another one wounded after members of Guerilla Front 54 of NPA ambushed the group.

Driz said even if the CJSCC is already done, the police will continue its validation on security threats in some areas where the NPA presence is observed.

“We will ask the commander of Toril Police Station to give us a situational report in the area,” she said.

She said the station commander is the one who will recommend to place some areas under EWA and CJSCC and what category they fall.

Driz said the DCPO will still provide security in some areas in Toril although there is no declaration of EWA just to make sure the safety of the voters.

“A platoon of police from the City Public Safety Company in Mulig Toril will be deployed to secure some areas,” she said.

percent.

The Ateneo BlueVote 2016 survey gave Senator Grace Poe a 1.5 percent rating followed by Vice President Jejomar Binay with 1 percent, administration candidate Manuel Roxas with 0.60 percent and Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago with 0.3 percent.

In the vice presidential race, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano got a rating of 51 percent followed

by Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. with 18.6 percent, Senator Francis Escudero with 6.3 percent and Leni Robredo with 3.5 percent.

Around 15.7 percent of the respondents were undecided.

The respondents have ranked peace and order as the top issue (32.2 percent) which

the incoming president should address. The other issues that should be addressed are graft and corruption (31.5 percent), employment (25.9 percent), health (25.5 percent), education (24.1 percent), social services (16.6 percent) and disaster preparedness (15.8 percent).

Ateneo’s BlueVote involved 1,601 respondents consisting of 554 (33.4 percent) respondents from District 1, 532 (33.2 percent) from District 2 and 535 (33.4 percent) from District 3.

Out of the total respondents, 1,430 or 89.3 percent are from Davao City while 171 or 0.7 percent are not from the city. Majority or 82.4 percent (1,178) have had their Biometrics taken by the Commission on Elections.

Among Ateneo BlueVote’s top Senators are Miguel Zubiri, Panfilo Lacson, Sergio Osmeña, Frank Drilon, Risa Hontiveros, Vicente Sotto, Dick Gordon, Ralph Recto, Emmanuel Pacquiao, Joel Villanueva, Francis Pangilinan and Win Gatchalian.

Lourdesita Chan, chair of the University Research Council (URC), said the respondents’ primary sources of information include traditional and new media although they paid little attention to tarpaulins, stickers, and flyers.

Those who reside in far-flung areas rely on radio while the younger generation within the 18-34 age range relied on social media when it comes to their political candidates’ platforms and advocacies. (PNA)

Rody tops ADDU BlueVote survey P

RESIDENTIAL candidate Mayor Rodrigo Duterte topped the Ateneo de Davao University-University Research Council’s BlueVote 2016 Citywide electoral survey conducted from April 3 to 14 with an overwhelming 88 percent rating.

However, it is not only Duterte who topped the survey but also his children, former mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and brother incumbent Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte who are both running unopposed for mayor and vice mayor, respectively, Sara topped the mayoral race with a rating of 95.2 percent leaving her unknown rivals Alfredo Tocante with 0.1 percent and Teodoro Mantilla without a single vote at all. Paolo Duterte got 83.4

VOL. 9 ISSUE 42 • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 42 • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016

Comelec places Pantar, Lanao del Norte under its control

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HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has placed Pantar, Lanao del Norte under its control for the May 2016 national and local polls.

The Lanao del Norte municipality was the first area to be controlled by the poll body for the coming elections.

“The en banc today has declared that Pantar, Lanao del Norte is being placed under Comelec control,” said Commissioner Rowena Guanzon.

She noted that since Pantar has been placed under Comelec control for this election, it will be administered by the local election officer (EO).

Aside from Pantar, Guanzon said they are also considering Marawi City in Lanao del Sur and Northern Samar to be placed under their control.

“This is to ensure that voters are not disenfranchised because of armed groups. There are many other requests,” she added.

According to Comelec

Resolution No. 10074, the grounds for placing an area under Comelec control include having history of intense political rivalry; presence of violence facilitated by private armed groups; presence of loose firearms; and presence of serious armed threats posed by the New People’s Army, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Abu Sayyaf Group, or other paramilitary forces.

Once under Comelec control, the concerned political unit is placed under the poll body’s immediate and direct control and supervision.

Likewise, the commission shall have the power to control and supervise all local officials and employees as well as local law enforcement agencies and military forces assigned in the area.

The poll body’s power will be in effect until the end of the Election Period on June 8, unless it is earlier lifted by the Comelec. (PNA)

O allow all registered Filipino voters to exercise their right of suffrage, President Benigno Aquino has signed Proclamation No. 1254, declaring May 9, 2016 as a special public holiday throughout the country.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. on Wednesday said the proclamation was signed on Monday “to enable the entire citizenry to participate in the national elections and “to properly exercise their right of suffrage.” ”So at least, there will be

no excuse not to vote. Every one of us should vote,” Coloma said in an interview with Radyo ng Bayan.

Coloma also urged the voting public to choose the best candidates who can exercise the right leadership to continue the economic reforms that the country has achieved in the last six years.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has said 54.4 million Filipinos have registered for the May 9 national and local elections, over two million higher compared to the figures registered in 2013 mid-term polls. (PNA)

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Under the said endeavor, a total of 231,174 regular voters in 337 clustered precincts from 101 barangays will be allowed to vote in 80 malls nationwide.

The participating private establishments are: SM malls, Robinsons, Fishermall, among others. (PNA)

REPORT ON CLASH. Capt. Rhyan Batchar, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division, says the situation in Barangay Astorga, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur is now under control after last Monday’s clash between

soldiers and communist rebels which left three dead. Batchar made the announcement during yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel. Lean Daval Jr.

10th ID to file charges vs May 9 is special public holiday NPA for civilian’s death T Comelec cancels mall voting plans HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has junked its plans to conduct voting in malls on May 9.

In a television interview, Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista said in a 4-3 vote, the Comelec en banc has canceled the project due to lack of confidence.

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

HE 10th Infantry Division (ID) is set to file charges against the New People’s Army (NPA) over the death of a civilian in an encounter in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur on Tuesday.

10th ID spokesperson Capt. Rhyan Batchar said in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps forum, they are ‘contemplating to file a case’ on the death of the victim identified as Dionie Cantulan who was killed in the middle of gunfight between the soldiers of 102nd Infantry Brigade and

the NPA’s Guerilla Front 51 under alias Jasmin around 5:15 a.m. of April 26, 2016 in Sitio Tubison, Barangay Astorga.

“Maybe, we can file a murder charge against the rebel group to give justice on the death of Cantulan,” he said.

Batchar said their office has asked the assistance of the local police for other cases that may be filed against the rebels.

He said aside from the death of Cantulan, one soldier identified as Cpl. Roosvelt Tamse was also killed in action

during the encounter.

The soldiers engaged the rebels in almost an hour of gun fight when they saw the members of NPA. Batchar said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and local police are intensifying the checkpoints within the areas for possible arrest of the rebels.

Meanwhile, he said a member of the NPA returned to the fold of law with a caliber 45 pistol through the 68th Infantry Battalion on Tuesday morning, April 26, 2016 at Sitio Milyong,

Barangay, Sto Niño, Talaingod, Davao del Norte.

The returnee identified as alias Kid, 34, was a member of SDG Platoon, Guerilla Front 35 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) voluntarily submitted himself to elements of 68IB with his caliber 45 pistol.

He said Kid told the army he was 17 years old when he was recruited to join the NPA on May 1999 in Talaingod, Davao del Norte. He is currently undergoing interview at the headquarters of 68IB.

“This morning (Wednesday) around 8 a.m., a headless body of a male cadaver was found by civilians in Barangay Bayug, Talipao, Sulu and was turned over to a Marine Battalion Landing Team in the area.

PNP-SOCO (Philippine National Police-Scene of the Crime Operatives) and military troops are verifying if the body is that of John Ridsdel,” WMC spokesperson Major Filemon Tan said.

The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) brigands executed Ridsdel by beheading on Monday after their ransom demand was not met.

The ASG brigands kidnapped Ridsdel along with three others -- a fellow Canadian, a Norwegian and a Filipina -- on Sept. 21, 2015 at a resort in the Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte.

The bandits earlier threatened to execute them on April 8 if their respective governments will not pay the PHP300 millionPHP1 billion ransom being extorted by the ASG. However, this deadline was moved to April 25 and when payment did not materialize, the brigands then executed Ridsel last Monday. (PNA)

Authorities now examining headless body found in Sulu

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ESTERN Mindanao Command (WMC) are now verifying on whether the headless body recovered in Talipao,

Sulu Wednesday belongs to Canadian national John Ridsdel who was beheaded

by Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits last April 25.

‘Emilio Aguinaldo’refers to millions of Filipinos supporting Duterte campaign

ABSENTEE VOTING. A teacher from the First District of Davao City casts his vote during yesterday’s local absentee voting held at Teodoro Palma Gil Elementary School along E. Quirino Avenue. Local absentee voters can

vote only for president, vice president, senators and party-list organizations manually. Lean Daval Jr.

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HE camp of PDP-LABAN standard bearer and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said the “Emilio Aguinaldo” whom their candidate named as his financier refers to the million of ordinary Filipinos extending financial assistance in various degrees for his campaign.

This cropped up during Sunday’s 3rd leg of the Pilipinas Debates in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

“The Emilio Aguinaldo’

identified by Mayor Duterte as his campaign financier during the final presidential debate on April 24 is actually the millions of his supporters who are now extending financial help to his campaign in varying amounts out of love of country and patriotism. They want a better future for the Filipino people, which is what our heroes, from Jose Rizal to Andres Bonifacio to Emilio Aguinaldo espoused during their

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 42 • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016

DCWD implements rotational water supply in Cabantian

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AVAO City Water District will implement rotational water supply in areas served

by Cabantian Water Supply System effective April 28.

From 5:30 PM to 4:00 AM, low water pressure will be experienced in these Cabantian areas: Holy Trinity Village, Countryville Executive Homes, Dela Peña Street, Bacahoa Village, Remedios Heights, Emilia Homes, Cecilia Heights, Priscilla Estates, Country Homes Subd., and Greenland Subd. and Communal areas: portion of Ciudad Esperanza, Medical Mission Group Homeowners Assn., Victor Subd., Puroks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, lower portion of Purok 4, Ilumina Estates, Green Valley, Blue Diamond and D’Leonor Inland Resort.

Areas with no water on said duration are Deca Homes, Chula Vista Subd. and Emily Homes in Cabantian.

From 5:00 AM to 4:00 PM, areas with no water are Cabantian areas: Cabantian Road (from Deca Homes to Molave Village), Mountain View Village, Northcrest Subd., Suraya Homes, Cabantian Elementary School, Purok 32, Kasilak Village, Forestal Road, Arendain Village, RDL Staff House, Green Orchard Village I and II, Leonora Garden Heights, D’Achievers Village, Canaan Village, Purok 9, Dacudao Village, Green Orchard III and Ananda Marga; Communal areas: upper portion of Purok 4 and Iglesia Retreat House; and

Indangan areas: San Pedro College, Deca Homes, Villa Alevida Subd., San Andres, Sta. Cruz, Indangan National High School, Indangan Elementary School, Millenium Village, Adap Village, Sto. Niño, Columbia Settlers Village, Purok 15, St. Ignatius, Nagkahiusa Village, San Isidro, Chased School, Santiago, San Miguel, Nueva Esperanza and Molave Village.

This means that there is water supply outside the said schedules of water service interruption.

According to DCWD general manager Edwin V. Regalado, the water rationing is a temporary solution to the water shortage in Cabantian caused by low water yield.

He also said that unforeseen problems such as emergency mainline leaks may result to a separate water service interruption.

Hence, customers are advised to always store water whenever supply is available. Also, customers are reminded to turn off faucets whenever there is no water to prevent leakage as water supply may come earlier or later than scheduled.

On behalf of DCWD management, Regalado apologizes to the affected customers and ensures that the water utility is continuously working to improve water supply delivery not only in Cabantian but in other areas experiencing low water

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EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 5

Foreign funding issue revived vs. Robredo A

LLEGATIONS that Rep. Leni Robredo, Liberal Party candidate for vice president, illegally sought and accepted foreign funding when she ran for congress-

woman of Camarines Sur in 2013 are being revived by her rivals. The revival of the issue followed news reports that Leni, widow of the late Local Government secretary Jesse

Robredo, is now leading the vice presidential race in the surveys, overtaking erstwhile leaders Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

In yesterday’s edition of the Manila Standard written by Christine F. Herrera, it was reported that two cases against Ms Robredo filed by

FFOREIGN, 11

HOPEFUL JOBSEEKERS. Jobseekers sit on the pavement while filling up the registration forms in yesterday’s pre-registration for the May 1 Labor Day Job Fair of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) at Gaisano Mall of Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 42 • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016

EDITORIAL Why Philippine sports stink

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VERYTIME our national athletes compete and lose overseas whether it be the regionals, the Asiad or the World Championships and Olympics, we always resort to the blame game.

And when we have spurts of successes with instant solutions such as drafting foreign-based half Filipinos, we are a nation divided between keeping our tue sense of nationalism or rejoicing in victory.

We cannot host major sports competitions what with our dilapidated government sports facilities.

Our athletes could barely train with proper and modern equipment or sent to train overseas or compete in pocket tournaments to gain international exposure.

It’s a pity. And whoever sits at the Phlippine Sports Commission (PSC) is doomed to fail given the funding constraints of the government sports agency, not to mention some scalawags sitting as sports officials who raid whatever is left government funds to their pockets.

The real problem is that the PSC does not receive proper remittance due it by provision of law from two government-run agencies.

As per RA 6847 that created the PSC Act of 1990, PAGCOR is mandated to remit five percent of its gross income to the government sports agency, while PCSO is supposed to remit 30 percent of earnings from six sweepstakes or lottery draws per annum.

But beginning 1993, PAGCOR has unilaterally brought down its contribution to just 2.1375 percent of its gross income, on the strength of an executive order

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from the Office of the President handed down during the time of President Ramos.

PCSO on the other hand, has likewise refused to comply with the law.

The estimated amount the two agencies owed PSC is close to P4 billion from 2010-2015 alone. This amount could go a long way in the development of Philippine sports.

PAGCOR apparently relied on a mere memorandum approved by the Office of the President during the time of President Ramos in unilaterally reducing the share it provides for Philippine sports.

Apparently, the basis is a memorandum of then PAGCOR chairman Alice Reyes with the marginal approval of President Ramos. That’s where it all started.

It is an established legal tenet that no executive order can over-ride an expressed provision of law passed by the legislature.

For its part, PCSO is not remitting its share since 2006, contending that its lotto operation is different from ‘lottery’ as stipulated in RA 6847. The contention is a contravention of at least two legal opinions made by the Department of Justice.

A petition for mandamus has been filed by Pampanga first district congressman Yeng Guiao on Tuesday before the Supreme Court to require the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to remit the proper contributions to the government sports agency.

It’s now in the hands of the court to uphold the application of the law where it needs no interpretation.

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HIS is about the recent column by veteran Filipino journalist and Inquirer columnist Amando Doronila published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) last April 18. Doronila, who now lives in Canberra , Austraila, gives you that detached analysis. However, it seems that the further away you are from the Philippines the more you rely on news reports to base your judgments. Having said that, I dare say his columns are out of touch with current dynamics in Philippine politics and economy. I am not sure if he ever met Mayor Duterte or any of his supporters, much less been to the Davao they take great pride in.

For this Mayor Duterte has impressed many with the sheer cunning of a master of the political game, shrewdly inching his way into the top of pre election surveys with a tenth of the financial resources of his opponents, without a national constituency, refusing large money donations, and bearing the seal of a political party that by all accounts has seen better days, and all of that, coming from the farthest metropolitan area that has yet to elect a senator of the republic

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IR Francis Bacon believed in it. So did Queen Elizabeth I, Charles de Gaulle, Ian Fleming, Galileo Galilei, Sylvester Stallone and Dame Edith Sitwell. Yes, all of them – at some time of their lives - had faith in astrology, according to The Book of Lists.

Influenced by French royal astrologers, the scientist Bacon became a practicing astrologer and advocated a “purification” of the science of astrology. Later in life, however, he renounced stargazing. On the other hand, Queen Elizabeth I had, as her personal astrologer, the famous seer Dr. John Dee, who utilized a crystal ball. As a reward for his occult services, she installed Dee as the chancellor of St. Paul’s in London.

One of De Gaulle’s earliest horoscopes, done before World War II when he was a French army captain, foretold that he was destined to rule France. Throughout his life, he occasionally consulted professional astrologers and palmists.

Although the creator of James Bond denounced occultism in public, Fleming had one of his first horoscopes cast during World War II while serving in the British Intelligence Service. He was very concerned about the date of his death, which his astrologers never revealed to him.

Meanwhile, Galilei practiced astrology but was not always able to ascertain correct information from the stars. In 1609, he prepared the horoscope of the Grand Duke of Tuscany and predicted that he would have a long life. The duke died a few weeks later.

The mother of Stallone was an astrologer, and she predicted her son would be a writer (he did and won an Oscar for writing the script of Rocky). Stallone himself

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VANTAGE POINTS

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Disputing Doronila since the late MY TWO CENTS’ 1960s. That he has come this far is a feat in itself, and a slap against the Manila political elite who expect themselves to rule. All that John Tria said, Doronila ecisouth@gmail.com therefore bristles at him, as he perceives Duterte to be from outside the circles he feels are worthy to lead the pack of candidates, almost calling him a fool.

Many disagree with Doronila said to be an Ilonggo, for his assessment that a Duterte presidency is tantamount to a dictatorship, and that being said, will eschew formal “consensus based” political processes. The premise itself is flawed, as it assumes that such “consensus-based” processes actually exist at present that allow political power to be shared, and harnessed for the peoples

welfare. Tell that to the rally spectator, or the slum dweller, or the tribal chieftain, the Kidapawan farmer. All of them, the 70% of this country have always been outside this “consensus.” Most Filipinos are therefore helpless, having to deal with persistent traffic, a failed MRT, electric power failures, are not part of these processes.

There is no consensus based political process and by the looks of it, there never was. Yet, Doronila seems to view the Philippines from the vista of the Australian wilderness where he currently resides, where such processes seem to work, where ideologically differentiated party systems engage policy debates and elect their leaders as representatives of their constituencies.

The body politic that is Filipino cannot as yet participate in his notion of “consensus-based” processes because they are represented by too many elites and caciques, many of whom are captured in their own interests, enabling their representations to live a life autonomous from those they represent. What “consensus” they achieve is often made between shots of prized Johnny

Walker Blue. Our voters have seen elite faction replaced by another one, all professing to be one of them, yet ignoring them once in office, while using and abusing them. The hypocrisy has built into itself the mask of manners. Even so called civil society organizations and their leaders, wearing indigenous jewelry and native attire, sit alongside these elites in a show of unity as they have all risen to condemn the “rape joke” in the name of political correctness, like coopted apologists of the elite to complete the array of agents of this disempowering hypocrisy.

What consensus can be gained in the upcoming political exercise is when majority of our people are able to exercise their will, yes, will, not just their right to vote. Without this, the vote becomes the hopeless, soulless compromise that elected many past leaders and bedeviled the Filipino voter. Will presupposes a conviction, and a willingness to act upon that conviction. The rallies of Duterte give you a feel of this conviction, expressed in the anger, this disgust and frustration. May this will be expressed on May 9.

believes in asTHINK ON THESE! trology strongly that he and his first wife, Sasha, planned the birth of their son, Sage, according to the stars.

Although Dame Sitwell Henrylito D. Tacio sought astrolhenrytacio@gmail.com ogers to do her horoscope, the English poet always lied concerning her date of birth. She claimed half a dozen signs as her own, so it is doubtful whether she ever had an accurate horoscope chart.

The word “astrology” comes from the Greek words astron meaning “star” and logos, which mean “study.” Actually, astrology is the study of how events on earth correspond to the positions and movements of astronomical bodies, particularly the sun, moon, planets, and stars. Astrologers believe that the position of astronomical bodies at the exact moment of a person’s birth and the subsequent movements of the bodies reflect that person’s character and, therefore, destiny. For many years, scientists have rejected the principles of astrology. However, millions of people continue to believe in or practice it.

Nobody really knows when astrology started. As one 20th-century writer, Don Cameron Allen, has put it, “The literature of astrology is as vast as the history of man.

No one scholar can possibly hope to untangle all of its intricately woven strands.”

Historical records show that astronomical observations were carried out by Chaldean priests for thousands of years.

These observations, which probably started before 2300 B.C, recorded the shape and relative brilliance of the constellations, their rising and setting, and the motion of the planets. “Because of their knowledge of celestial reckoning and their occasional success with divination, the Chaldean priesthood gained political power in Babylon, and by 650 B.C. they had great influence throughout the city-state,” reports The Book of the Bible.

The early Hebrews were familiar with some aspects of astronomy, probably because of the need to be familiar with celestial navigation while in the desert and because their calendar was based on the lunar month.

Throughout the Bible, astrology and divination are treated with suspicion or outlawed altogether. To resort to divination or to be an “observer of times, or an enchanter,” was to partake of the “abominations” of other nations (Deuteronomy 18:12). In Isaiah, those who do not believe in God are scornfully told: “Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, and the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon them” (47:13).

Astrology, however, was a strongly held belief in ancient Babylon (now Iraq); it spread to the Mediterranean world and was used by the Greeks and Romans. It exerted a powerful influence in the Middle Ages.

Chinese astrology is based on a 60-year cycle and a lunar calendar. Its signs change annually and are named after animals: Rat,

Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. “Differing forms of astrology developed in China and India, as well as among the Maya, but in the West the coming of Christianity forced it to the sidelines,” notes the World Facts, a micropedia.

Astrologers create charts called horoscopes, which map the position of astronomical bodies at certain times, such as when a person is born. A horoscope is illustrated by a circle, called theecliptic. The ecliptic is the plane on which the earth orbits around the sun in a year. It is divided into twelve sections, called the signs of the Zodiac, which include Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.

Astrologers assign every planet (which in astrology includes the sun and moon) with a particular sign, depending on where that planet appears on the ecliptic at the time for which the horoscope is cast. Each planet represents basic human drives, and each sign represents a set of human characteristics. When astrologers designate a person as a certain sign – a Leo or a Pisces, for example – they are referring to the person’s sun sign – that is, the sign that the sun occupied at the time of the person’s birth.

The horoscope also is divided into twelve houses, which make up the 24-hour period during which the earth rotates once on its axis. Each house deals with certain areas of a person’s life, such as marriage, health, work, travel, and death. Astrologers make predictions by interpreting the position of astronomical bodies within the signs and houses of the horoscope.

Written in the stars

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Asia CEO execs inspire entreps in Mindanao

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CEO AWARDS. Asia CEO Awards president Rebecca Bustamante delivers an inspirational talk before businessmen from Davao City and other provinces in Visayas and Mindanao during the Asia CEO Forum held at The Marco Polo Davao on Tuesday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

Damosa to develop 88-ha mixed-use site in Panabo Property to host UPLB extension campus

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

E

crc@edgedavao.net

NCOURAGED by Panabo’s positive economic performance and strong potential as investment destinations, homegrown real estate developer Damosa Land, Inc. (DLI) is set to develop an 88-hecate mixed-use property project in the fast expanding city.

DLI vice president Ricardo “Cary” F. Lagdameo said that the project, envisioned to be Panabo’s major central business district (CBD), will have four major components such as residential, commercial, tourism and institutional.

“The main theme (of the project) is celebrating agricul-

ture. It will have a very strong agricultural theme and tourism aspect,” Lagdameo said during this week’s edition of Wednesdays at Habi at Kape at Abreeza Mall.

He said the project will showcase Panabo’s rich agriculture sector now dominated by exort banana. Tagum Agricultural Development Company (TADECO), a sister company of DLI, has been growing Cavendish bananas in Panabo City for more than four decades now.

Lagdameo said the ground-breaking of the proposed project is set in June. The project will straddle three ba-

rangays in the downtown area of Panabo.

The first phase, which is the residential component, will have 35 to 40 hectares, he said.

The developer invests around P1-billion for the first phase.

In addition to the residential component, he said, the project will also host the Mindanao campus of the University of the Philippines- Los Baños.

The management of UP and Anflo Management and Investment Corporation (ANFLOCOR) had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in 2014 for the establishment of the extension campus which will offer agricultur-

al programs.

ANFLOCOR is the management and investment company of the Anflo Group of Companies, a conglomerate venturing into agriculture, industrial services, real estate, and resort development. Its flagship company is TADECO which is one of the highest yielding banana plantations in the world.

Lagdameo said the establishment of UPLB campus will give Mindanawons access to premium education without the need to leave the island.

By providing quality education and jobs, he said, future agriculturists will not need to go somewhere else.

URING the annual stockholders’ meeting of Security Bank Corporation (PSE: SECB) on Tuesday, 26 April 2016, the stockholders ratified the 20% investment by The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. (BTMU) in Security Bank and approved the listing of the newly issued 150.7 million common shares with the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Elected to the Security Bank Board during the stockholders’ meeting were Philip T. Ang (independent), Anastasia Y. Dy, Frederick Y. Dy, Takayoshi Futae, Joseph R. Higdon (independent), James JK Hung (independent), Takahiro Onishi, Alfonso L. Salcedo, Jr., Rafael F. Simpao, Jr., Paul Y. Ung and Alberto S. Villarosa as directors. During the organizational Board meeting, key appointments were for Frederick Y. Dy as Chairman Emeritus, Alberto S. Villarosa as Chairman, Paul Y. Ung as Vice Chairman, and Alfonso L. Salcedo, Jr. as

President and Chief Executive Officer.

In his report on 2015 operations, President and CEO Mr. Alfonso L. Salcedo, Jr. highlighted the record-high net income of Php 7.7 billion which translated to a 15.2% return on shareholders’ equity (ROE). Security Bank continued to produce the highest ROE among private domestic universal banks in the country in 2015 as in previous years.

While net interest income increased 11% and the net interest margin held steady at 3.3%, fee-based income grew 37% which is attributable to the growth in all segments especially from retail banking services including the new bancassurance business. The Bank also earned Php 2.1 billion in gain on the sale of investment securities. Core revenues grew by 15% to Php 15.5 billion. The cost-to-income ratio remained at an efficient 50%, among the best in the industry.

Also highlighted was Security Bank’s continuing solid growth. With total assets increasing 34% to Php 532 billion, Security Bank moved up to become the 5th largest private domestic universal bank at year-end 2015 from 8th largest in 2014. Loans increased 24% to Php 240 billion, faster than the industry’s 12%. Loan growth was driven by wholesale loans which grew 20% and consumer loans which increased 68% mainly from home and auto loans and credit card receivables. Deposits grew 17% to Php 290 billion, faster than the industry’s 8%. Asset quality remained healthy with net non-performing loan (NPL) ratio at 0.14%, lower than 2014 net NPL ratio of 0.28% and among the strongest in the industry. NPL reserve cover increased to 205% from 200% at end-2014, among the highest in the industry. During the year, Security Bank paid total

cash dividends of Php 2.00 per share. This is the 14th consecutive year that the Bank has paid cash dividends.

“We have remained focused on our three priorities to create long-term value for our shareholders, which are: being more focused on our customers by giving them a BetterBanking experience; being better organized to service our customers while reducing structural costs; and seeking a balance in the contributions of our three business segments complemented by a robust risk management initiative.

I am happy to report that these are resonating widely across the Bank allowing us to achieve an all-timehigh net income in 2015. Equally important, we have made significant progress in growing our core revenues by executing our strategy of building the Retail Banking business to complement our existing strengths in

Security Bank poised for accelerated growth D

FSECURITY BANK, 11

ANKING on her experience, 50-year old multinational CEO Rebecca Bustamente-Mills proved that for businessmen from Mindanao nothing is impossible with hardwork.

“If I was able to do it, then you can too,” Bustamante told entrepreneurs during the Asia CEO Forum at the Marco Polo Davao last Tuesday.

Bustamante said constant learning kept her abreast of vital developments in business.

To become successful, she said, businessmen should never stop “gaining knowledge”.

“Become an expert in something,” she urged local entrepreneurs who also shared their own setbacks in their respective companies.

While learning and gaining the top place are important, strengthening relationships and keeping a positive attitude are likewise secret to success, Bustamante said.

As the founder and president of Chalré Associates, a multinational recruitment firm for senior management positions, Bustamante has rags to riches story.

She was poor. The seventh of 11 siblings, Bustamante grew as the breadwinner of the family especially after her mother died when she was still 18.

The circumtance led her to fly to Bataan to work as a factory worker to raise her family. At the age of 19, she went to Singapore to work as a domestic worker for two years.

With only one-day day-off every month, she spent her days off to continue her college

studies.

Two years and a half after, she was able to go to Canada where she also worked as a nanny. Not wanting to be a domestic help forever, she dreamt of starting her own business.

Her goals and dream kept her focus.

She wanted her story to inspire other OFWs. Bustamante came back to the Philippines to inspire and teach others to become successful entrepreneurs.

“We have to promote the Philippines. We have to prove to the world that we are the best, “she told businessmen and reporters.

Consequently, she and her Canadian husband Richard, the chairman of their company, has been at the forefront of organizing monthly forums around the country for six years now for the non-profit organization Asia CEO Forum, the corporate social responsibililty program of Chalrè.

The forum is designed to business people to share the experiences of the couple. This resulted in the creation of Asia CEO Awards which aims to recognize business leaders and top executives from Asia.

“Business leaders from Mindanao have huge potentials.

With their growing contribution to the island’s economy, it is high time to give them recognition,”she said.

Deadline for the entry of online nominations is on August 31, while awarding is slated on October 18 at the Marriott Hotel in Manila. CHENEEN R. CAPON

DOT Asec Boncato presents PHL Halal tourism in Dubai

O

FFICIALS of the Department of Tourism (DoT) presented the Philippine Halal Tourism Project last week to officials and representatives of various travel and tour operators in Dubai and the Northern Emirates on Sunday evening.

According to a report written by Maricar Jara of the The Gulf Today, the delegation was headed by DoT assistant secretary for tourism regulation/ coordination/resource generation Arturo Boncato Jr. A new video clip of “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” featuring world-renowned Apl de Ap (born as Allan Pineda Lindo in Angeles City, Pampanga),was also launched, the report said.

“We are here to deliver the message that we are addressing the needs of the Muslim travelers,” Boncato was quoted in the report Boncato said the DOT had seen “the rise of Muslim tourists from around the world and Secretary Ramon Jimenez said we must also serve this market through halal services and facilities.”

“As per Global Muslim Travel Index estimates there would be 168 million Muslim

tourists spending over $200 billion by 2020 up from 25 million Muslim tourists with tourism receipts of $20 billion in 2000.”

“As a background, Islam has been rooted in the Philippines since the 13th century with huge concentrations in Mindanao. Currently, there are 10 million Muslim Filipinos in the Philippines, according to the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).”

“DoT records showed there were 565,269 Muslim tourists to the Philippines in 2015 coming from Singapore (181,176), Malaysia (155,814), Middle East (78,480), India (74,824), Indonesia (48,178), Israel (11,756), Brunei (9,015), and Turkey (6,026).”

The report said the “halal project was proposed way back in 2013 as there had been a huge interest on the Philippines as a tourism destination from Middle East and other parts of the Arab World.”

Consequently, it said, “the NCMF issued the accreditation certificate to the Halal International Chamber of Commerce & Industries of the Philippines Inc. (HICCIPI) “as a duly accredited certifying body

FDOT, 11

VOL. 9 ISSUE 42 • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

STANDING GUARD. A police officer armed with a high caliber firearm stands guard near the boarding area of Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) bound passenger vessels at Sta. Ana wharf in Davao City to secure the safety of beachgoers who are waiting to go aboard motorized boats. Lean Daval Jr.

DCWD... FROM 5

pressure to no water due to the aforesaid causes.

For queries and further updates, the general public may visit DCWD website ( w w w. d a v a o - w a t e r. g o v. ph) and official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/

davaowater) or call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the 24hour hotline 297-DCWD (3293), 0927-7988966, 0925-5113293 and 0908-4410653.

(Jamae Concepcion G. Dela Cruz)

officially engaged in the classification and certification of certain local products as halal” on December 23, 2013.”

“On Oct. 22, 2015, the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapora “issued a statement for the recognition of the (HICCIPI),” a month after the DoT leadership met with the NCMF about the project,” it added..

The project took off in January 2016 based on three insights: “The issues on halal in the Philippines should not be tackled as a principle but it must be project-oriented; the impetus in the development of the halal industry in the country should be economic rather than cultural; and halal is not just a religious matter but also a nation’s concern.”

“The project covers the entire “halal ecosystem and tourism” that include food, travel, lifestyle and finance.”

Sixteen establishments across the country had been halal certified so far, the report added.

“These are apart from those mentioned in the DoT brochure: “Halal dining options in Metro Manila and key cities like Cebu and Davao in-

creased significantly over the past years with many Middle Eastern, Persian, Malaysian and Indonesian options available. It is advisable to inquire about the restaurants near your hotel from the reception/ concierge staff.”

“While high-end hotels and establishments have been halal certified, tourists are also recommended to try the “few Muslim-owned hotels and restaurants found in Quiapo, Manila where a big community is located, particularly “near the Manila Garden Mosque.”

Other establishments may be requested to provide halal options, it said.

Boncato expressed his hope that the new administration from June 2016 continues this project.

Meanwhile, Talent Travel & Tourism sales executive Jane Montales said the same report that “there is an increasing interest among corporate accounts to give away Philippine holiday packages as their incentives to employees who have done exemplary work and dedication.” (CHENEEN R. CAPON with reports from the The Gulf Today)

Wholesale Banking and Financial Markets,” said Mr. Alfonso L. Salcedo, Jr. Security Bank Chairman Mr. Alberto S. Villarosa said in response to shareholders’ questions, “With our strategic partnership with BTMU, Security Bank is poised for accelerated growth in 2016 and beyond, given our bigger capital of over Php 90 billion and the business collaboration with BTMU. We have made the first key steps in business collaboration, among which is the creation of the Alliance business segment. We have appointed Director Takahiro Oni-

shi as Executive Vice President and Head of Alliance Segment reporting to the President and CEO. The new business segment is focused on exploring opportunities for the growth of Japanese and related businesses for Security Bank.” Security Bank is further strengthening its risk management, compliance and audit resources and capabilities to ensure that growth will not result in asset quality deterioration as well as to continue to shield the Bank from various risks including money laundering and reputational risks and potential regional contagion effects.

DOT... FROM 10

Security Bank... FROM 10

Foreign... FROM 5 former Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte and wife Nelly, who ran but lost to Robredo in 2013.

The Villafuertes said the case against Robredo is pending before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

In an interview with DZMM, Robredo reportedly said that campaign contributions are coming from “friends and relatives” who are the contributors in the May 9, 2016 elections, will have to be reported later on at the Comelec as provided by law.

In the 2013 elections when she ran as congresswoman for the 3rd District of Camarines Sur, she was charged with committing election offenses involving (1) prohibited campaign contributions from foreign sources, E.O. Case No. 13179, which was filed on May 23, 2013 for violation of Section 96 of the Omnibus Election Code; and (2) untruthful reporting of campaign contributions, E.O. Case No. 13-293, which was filed on September 22, 2013 for violation of Section 98 of the Omnibus Election Code.

The pieces of evidence against Leni Robredo were reportedly obtained from Leni Robredo’s own website http:// lenirobredo.ph which upon verification unwittingly listed five categories of prohibited contributions from foreign sources, namely: 1. Natural-born Americans citizens; 2. Filipino who became natu8ralized American citizens and remain as foreign nationals; 3. Filipinos who became naturalized American citizens but opted to elect to be dual citizens and therefore remain both an American citizen and a Filipino citizen. Hence, they are still foreign nationals; 4. Foreign entities; and, 5. Donors from anonymous sources.

Accuser Nelly Villafuerte reportedly lifted from Robredo’s social media account the names of her alleged foreign

contributors who are either natural-born Americans or naturalized Americans like Edward Seidel, married to a Lorna, a Filipina, who has also acquired US citizenship; lawyer Rodel Rodis, the first Filipino-American to win an elective post in the United States; Robert Federigan; Robert Heiberger; Rainier Asprer; and Richard Sublett.

The specific names of those belonging to any of the foregoing donors have been presented at the Comelec by complainants in their Verified Complaints, Position Papers and supporting Exhibits. The other documentary evidence against Leni Robredo are clearly provided in Robredo’s own Statement of Contributions as submitted to the Comelec which deliberately omitted prohibited contributions delivered to her by Loida Lewis who executed an Affidavit that she turned over to Leni Robredo (a) her personal contributions and (b) other contributions from the United States.

On the first election offense- on prohibited campaign contributions from foreign sources- Leni Robredo’s lame defense is that while she admitted as an integral part of her own Counter-Affidavit that indeed she received contribution from abroad, she however adopted Loida Lewis’ Sworn Statement that she received personal contributions from Loida Lewis, a dual citizen, and “Funds collected From Filipinos living in the United States” or from “Filipinos abroad” or “overseas Filipinos.” To disguise Filipinos who have become foreign nationals, Leni Robredo described them simply as “Filipinos” which misleading description do not have any legal legs to stand on.

On the issue of foreign entities as contributors, the following foreign registered entities were solicited for contributions and campaign funds were received from them: a. The Unlimited Agency, Inc. – registered as a corporation on March 17, 1994 with Registration No. 57729554 in the State Illinois, USA

NEWS 11

NOTHING... FROM 1

show proof to back his claim.

“You (Trillanes) prove it. I will not make it easy for you. I will not play into your hands,” he said.

He then called the vice presidential candidate a liar.

Duterte had also earlier called Trillanes an idiot.

“I told you, he is a liar. He fabricated this,” the leading presidential candidate said.

Trillanes had earlier sought to be Duterte’s vice presidential runningmate.

Duterte, however, chose Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

Trillanes is doing this because we rejected him, according to Duterte.

“This is election,” he said.

“End game na eh.”

Duterte’s running mate Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said for his part, the allegation is obviously a desperate ploy to bring down Duterte and promote Trillanes’ preferred presidential bet, Senator Grace Poe. “It’s quite sad that a supposed principled man like Trillanes will resort to such a cheap and shameful gimmick.

It’s a pitiful sight to see Sen. Trillanes reduce himself from being a protector of the people to a ‘Poetector’,” Cayetano said.

He said the charge is ‘obviously an attempt to smear Duterte’ who is leading in the presidential race.

Cayetano said that Trillanes’ allegation is absurd as he explained that he and Duterte were the first tandem to challenge their rivals to sign a bank secrecy waiver.

“Mayor Duterte has nothing to hide. In fact, he is the

only presidential candidate to sign a bank secrecy waiver,” he said He said it is unfortunate that Trillanes comes out with cheap tricks despite the throng of consultantsn or ‘Poetectors on his payroll.’

“If the only thing they can come up with is a baseless accusation against Mayor Duterte, clearly they have nothing on him,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano urged the public to dismiss the allegation and not to be distracted from the campaign to make Duterte win the presidential election.

“The enemies of change are clearly panicking. They are scared. They are throwing the entire kitchen sink at Mayor Duterte. They have all the reasons to be scared. Change is coming,” he said.

In a report from philstar. com, Trillanes yesterday claimed that Duterte failed to declare P211 million in his 2014 Statement of Assets and Liabilities (SALN) as required by law.

The report said Trillanes, in a telephone interview on ANC’s Headstart, challenged Duterte to sue him for libel and said that he will resign as senator if his allegation is proven false.

He stressed that this is not the first time that he has exposed someone for alleged corruption and that he is just doing his job.

Last year, he, Cayetano and Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III held hearings on allegations of corruption against Vice President Jejomar Binay, who had been leading in surveys at the time.

time,” PDP-LABAN president Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel explained.

“People from all walks of life are freely contributing money to Duterte’s campaign without any strings attached. Mayor Duterte

and his running mate Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano have actually rejected offers of financial help from powerful and influential people with vested interests and ulterior motives,” he added.

(PNA)

Emilio... FROM 4

(source: businessprofiles. com/details/the-unlimited-agency-inc/IL57729554)

b. The Bicol USA of the Midwest- registered as a corporation in the State of Illinois, USA on February 11, 2011 with Registration No. 67779959 (source: www.ilsos.gov/ corporatellc/CorporateLicController ) FUNDRAZR - an online website used to raise funds from Anonymous Donors abroad for Leni Robredo’s political campaign. FUNRAZAR is the flagship product of a company called Connection Point Systems, a privately owned and funded Canadian company.(source:https://fundrazr. com/campaign/bSia8a and https://fundrazar.com/pages/ about ) In the first case, on unlawful acceptance of illegal campaign contribution from foreign sources, she admitted that Loida Lewis turned over to her not only Loida Lewis’ personal contribution but that, she also received from her other contributions abroad. But when the second case for untruthful reporting of campaign contributions, was filed, she disowned

Loida Lewis by swearing that Loida Lewis was not her agent to solicit campaign funds, that she did not know that a website under her name was opened and that Loida Lewis turned over to Leni Robredo only Lewis’ personal contributions but not other contributions.

Detractors said Robredo’ denial has characterized Loida Lewis as a liar, a perjurer and “estafador” of contributions collected but not allegedly turned over to Leni Robredo.

Loida Lewis has been confronted in writing on March 14, 2014, more than two years ago about the fact that Leni Robredo swore that she did not turnover to her other campaign contribution solicited and received by Loida Lewis.

But Loida Lewis refuses to comment up to this time.

Robredo executed a counter-affidavit disowning Lewis as her agent to solicit campaign funds but reportedly admitted Lewis turned over to her Lewis’ personal contributions and that no other contributions came from foreign donors.

She also denied knowledge exixtence of her own website and that it was only created under her name.

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“We… found that if we prioritize threatened birds by their distinctness, we actually preserve very close to the maximum possible amount of evolution” -- Arne Mooers, a member of the team and a biologist from Simon Fraser University in Canada

Philippine eagle among the world’s most endangered birds Text and photos by Henrylito D. Tacio

T

HE majestic Philippine eagle (known in the science world as “Pithecophaga jefferyi”) has been included in the list of the world’s 100 most endangered birds in a newly published study.

Published in the latest edition of Current Biology, the study -- touted to be “the first of its kind” -- analyses where the 9,993 recognized species of birds in the world live, how many relatives they have, and how at risk they are in their environment.

“We… found that if we prioritize threatened birds by their distinctness, we actually preserve very close to the maximum possible amount of evolution,” said Arne Mooers, a member of the team and a biologist from Simon Fraser University in Canada.

“This means our method can identify those species we cannot afford to lose and it can be used to preserve the information content represented by all species into the future.

Both are major goals for conservation biology,” Mooers added.

The Philippine eagle was ranked No. 8 in the list. “This is truly a dubious distinction for our national bird,” commented Dennis Joseph Ilustre Salvador, the executive director of the Philippine Eagle Foundation.

In a feature which was carried by “Scientific American,” the country’s bird icon is described as such: “With its shaggy bronze mane and proud white chest, the Philippine eagle is about as majes-

tic as a bird can get. Capable of growing to more than a meter long and 8 kilograms in weight, this stunning creature is the largest eagle in the world, in terms of length.”

On why the Philippine eagle is nearing extinction, the publication surmised: “One of the big hurdles in conserving the Philippine eagle is that each breeding pair requires a range up to 40 square kilometers to adequately feed and rear their offspring, which makes it particularly vulnerable to deforestation.”

Salvador seemed to agree.

“The Philippine eagle has become a critically endangered species because the loss of the forest had made it lose its natural habitat,” he pointed out.

Studies show a pair of Philippine eagle needs at least 7,000 to 13,000 hectares of forest as a nesting territory.

“Without the forest, the species cannot survive over the long term,” Salvador said.

“Without the forest, not only the Philippine eagle will go extinct, but so will the dreams and aspirations of millions of marginal income families who rely on the forest to survive.”

Unlike human beings, Philippine eagles are monogamous. Once it has selected a partner, it is for keeps forever.

“Once an eagle reaches sexual maturity -- at around five years for males -- it is bound for life with its mate. They can be seen soaring in pairs in the skies,” PEF states.

According to PEF, the breeding season ranges as early as July to as late as February.

During the breeding season,

the eagles do aerial courtship and mate in the nest or near it.

The eagle’s nest is approximately 80 feet above the ground (usually on tall trees) in prominent mountain peaks overlooking a river or stream to give a good view of its territory.

The female eagle lays only one egg every two years, PEF informs. Both parents alternately incubate the egg for about 60 days, although the female spends more time incubating while the male hunts.

Upon hatching, the eaglet remains in the nest for about 5.5 months. Once it fledges, the parents will continue to look after the young eagle for as long as 17-18 months teaching it how to fly, hunt, and to survive on its own. The young eagle matures in about six years.

PEF, which manages the eagle center in Malagos, Calinan District of Davao City, is a non-governmental organization which deals with the conservation and protection of the national bird, described

by American aviator Charles Lindbergh as “the world’s noblest flier.”

“The eagle center is probably the biggest tool we have in educating the people,” Salvador said. “The facility enables us to bring the Philippine eagle and other wildlife closer to our people.”

According to Salvador, most of those who visit the eagle center never had the opportunity to see the forest and the animals that live in the forest.

“The eagle center provides

The author our visitors and guests with a small glimpse of that world, a world which they have increasingly become detached from. We make good use of this opportunity to let them know how the forest relates to their own lives – even if they live so far away from it,” Salvador said.

Captive breeding is one of the eagle center’s top programs. Its main objective is to augment wild populations of the endangered bird while serving as a “genetic insurance” for the species.

The Philippine eagle was collected in the country as early as 1703, but it was not until 1896 that it was “discovered” in Samar by the English naturalist, John Whitehead, who called it the “Great Philippine eagle.”

The Philippine eagle was formerly known as monkey-eating eagle (its generic name, “Pithecophaga”, comes from the Greek words “pithekos” or monkey and “phagein” meaning eater). It was later renamed the Philippine eagle under the Marcos administration after it was learned that monkeys comprise an insignificant portion of its diet, which consists mainly of flying lemurs, civet cats, bats, rodents,

and snakes.

Efforts to save the Philippine eagle were started in 1965 by Jesus A. Alvarez, then director of the autonomous Parks and Wildlife Office, and Dioscoro S. Rabor, another founding father of Philippine conservation efforts. Charles Lindbergh spearheaded a drive to save the bird from 1969 to 1972.

In July 1995, then President Fidel V. Ramos signed Proclamation No. 615 naming the Philippine eagle as the country’s national bird. He said that the eagle is found only in the Philippines and as such should be a source of national pride.

“If the national bird dies,” Ramos said at that time, “so will all the country’s efforts at conserving its natural resourc-

es and treasures.”

Now, going back to the recent study. Among the top 5 world’s endangered birds, the following species are listed: giant ibis (“Thaumatibig gigantean”) of Cambodia, New Caledonian owlet-nightjar (“Aegotheles savesi”), California candor, kakapo (“Strigops habroptilus) from New Zealand, and kagu (“Rhynochetos jubatus”).

Above the Philippine eagle were Bengal florican (“Houbaropsis bengalensis”) from Cambodia and forest owlet (“Heteroglaux blewitti”) from India.

The remaining two birds in the top ten were Christmas Island frigatebird (“Fregata andrewsi”) and Sumatran ground-cuckoo (“Capococcyx viridis”).

INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 42 • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016

EDGEDAVAO FOOD Inside Gangnam Abreeza.

Sam Gyup Sal, grilled fatty pork belly served with garlic, lettuce and bean paste.

Spicy and hot Kimchi Jigae.

Dining Gangnam style Gangnam’s Bibimbap comes with either beef or tuna.

Sweet and savory Bulgogi.

KIMCHI, BULGOGI, BIBIMBAP, AND BINGSU, THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE REASONS WHY I LOVE KOREAN FOOD. And with the opening of many new Korean restaurants in Durianburg, I am truly having the time of my life. One of my current favourites is Gangnam located at the alfresco area of the Abreeza Mall just off the soon to be opened Asian Fruit Market.

I will be honest in saying that the menu of the original Gangnam Restaurant (located along McArthur Highway in Matina), although looked and tasted good, was a bit confusing for casual diners as it served Western food items such as steaks, salads, pasta and sandwiches but with Korean flavours.

Recognising this, Gangnam’s new menu is authentic Korean cuisine from cover to cover.

My favourites include their flaming hot Kimchi Jigae (Kimchi stew) and their Bulgogi. Gangnam’s Bibimbap is also one dish I love, diners have an option to have it with traditional beef or substitute tuna flakes instead for a lighter meal.

For bigger groups, I would suggest an order of Sam Gyup Sal. A tra-

ditional Korean treat that is made of grilled fatty pork belly and served with grilled garlic chips and paired with fresh lettuce. I usually pair my San Gyup Sal with kimchi and other side dishes that are served together with every meal.

Spam and processed food lovers also have a dish they can order called Buddo Jigae. Similar to Kimchi Jigae, Buddo Jigae is a hot spicy stew, but instead of tofu and pork bits, the dish uses cubes of spam, sausages, and

cheese. It may not sound traditionally Korean, but it is. The dish was created in the towns around the US bases in Korea to cater to the military servicemen who would be regular diners.

For dessert, order their Bingsu, a shaved ice concoction that is similar to Halo-halo. I suggest their

Sweet and cold Bingsu, perfect for a summer’s day.

bean and fruit variant which is not too sweet and is a great way to end a hearty and spicy meal or cool down in the afternoon.

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

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 42 • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016

FOOD

CHEERS TO THOSE, LIKE ME, SPEND 8 HOURS INSIDE THE OFFICE. It’s not an easy feat – never will it be. For someone who has short attention span, I’m always looking for ways to make my day bright and fun.

Don’t get me wrong, I love our office, my colleagues and my work. It’s just that, there are days that I wish I’m out in the real world enjoying what the city has to offer.

So, how do I make my 8 hours today better than the previous days? I whip up some food and bring them to the office. Yes, I’m big on experiments and every time I spend time in our kitchen, I always bring them some munchies. Be it pasta, local desserts or whathaveyou’s.

Here are some of my personal faves and some of the easiest but most satisfying sandwiches you can ever whip with just a few ingredients. Not to mention, ingredients that you can easily find inside your kitchen. Enjoy these as much as I enjoyed creating this for myself, my yayey and my officemates.

Apologies for not having my own photos -- I normally don’t take photos when I make something. Ta-Ta! Peanut Butter–Honey Not a big peanut butter fan but I love this one. #prayforpeanutbutter Spread peanut butter on white bread. Layer sliced banana. Drizzle with honey. Grill.

Grilled Cheese This is my ultimate favorite on any given day.

Remove crust from bread (I use white bread).

Spread some mustard mayo on both sides (3 tablespoon mayo + 3 teaspoon mustard). Add slices of cheese and drizzle with honey. Grill.

You can also use wheat bread and focaccia.

Tomato, Cheddar and Mayonnaise My version of BLT – tomato and some migraine necessities.

Use Jolly Mayonnaise – it’s light and very flavorful.

Trim crusts. Spread mayonnaise, a slice of cheese and slice or slices of ripe tomato. Cut in half and serve as it is or grilled.

Most often I add a bit of mustard for that added bold flavour.

10 sandwich recipes for the busy you

Spread I love me some good salmon. This is very refreshing and perfect for movie nights.

Softened cream cheese on white bread. Sandwich with smoked salmon and sliced cucumber. Trim the crusts and cut into pieces.

Olive Oil-ParsleyCheese Often, I add slices of pineapple and tomato.

Mix 3 tablespoons chopped parsley with olive oil. Drizzle the inside of a split loaf of focaccia with olive-parsley mixture. Top with sliced cheese. Cut into squares.

Curried Egg Salad Imagine devilled eggs sandwich. Yum, right?

Mix 3 chopped hardboiled eggs, half a teaspoon curry powder and half a teaspoon turmeric powder, garlic powder, mayo-mustard and smoked paprika. Cut white bread into pieces

with more pesto oil.

Can do with as an open sandwich or closed. You can also grill the sandwich for that crust.

and spread with filling.

Normally, I add some freshly cracked black pepper for the added zing.

Veggie Pesto This also goes well as a

pasta sauce.

Trim crusts of bread.

Mix 2 teaspoons pesto with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Brush on bread. Top with sliced tomato and grated cheese. Drizzle

Lemon Butter and Tuna Many find this weird but I love the contrasting flavours.

Mix 1 stick softened butter with 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest. Spread on white bread. Top with tomato, drained tuna flakes and season with salt and pepper.

Salmon-Cucumber

Shrimp Salad This is lunch and dinner rolled in one.

Mix 1 cup chopped cooked shrimp with mustard mayo (3 tablespoon mayo + 3 teaspoon mustard), 1 teaspoon each grated lemon zest and juice. Sandwich white bread with the shrimp salad and cucumber slices.

Trim the crusts and cut into pieces.

Crab Salad Tried this with avocado and it’s so yummy!

Make Shrimp Salad sandwich mix with 1 cup crabmeat instead of shrimp.

Make #TheRoyalChef your Thursday habit! Follow my messy food affair at heroyalchefeats.wordpress. com and on Instagram at @theroyalchefleebai.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 42 • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Dalawang Letra’ wins ‘Himig Handog 2016’ Free screenings of ‘Shake, Rattle, and Roll’ 12 to 15 only on SKYcable prepaid

“DALAWANG LETRA,” an original Filipino love song composed by Davey Langit and interpreted by Itchyworms, was named the grand winner of the “Himig Handog Pinoy Pop (P-Pop) Love Songs 2016” Finals Night held at the Kia Theatre Sunday night.

Langit, who took home P1 million, beat the other top 14 songs picked out from over 6,000 entries attracted by the biggest worldwide OPM songwriting competition.

“I’m elated. There are no words to describe how I feel. I did not expect this at all. I couldn’t have done it without the Itchyworms,” he said.

“This is the cream of the crop.

All of the best songwriters are here. It’s more than a privilege that I’m standing here and I won,” added Langit.

Awarded as the 2nd Best Song was “Monumento,” composed by Jungee Marcelo and interpreted

by Kyla and Kris Lawrence, while the 3rd Best Song was “Laban Pa” composed by David Dimaguila and interpreted by KZ feat. Jay-R. The other winners include 4th Best Song “Tama Lang” composed by couple Agatha and Melvin Morallos and interpreted

by Jolina Magdangal, and 5th Best Song “Parang Tayo Pero Hindi” composed by Marlon Barnuevo and interpreted by Angeline Quinto and Michael Pangilinan.

The composer of the 2nd Best Song received P500,000, while the composers of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Best Songs won P200,000, P150,000, and P100,000, respectively.

THIS SUMMER, SKY gives your family the ultimate horror movie fix with an exclusive daily back-to-back, commercialfree screening of four movies from the highly successful Filipino horror franchise, “Shake, Rattle, and Roll.”

Meanwhile, “O Pag-ibig,” composed by Honlani Rabe and Jack Rufo and interpreted by teen stars Bailey May and Ylona Garcia, bagged the majority of the special awards, namely the MOR’s Choice Award, TFC Global Choice for Favorite Song, and Best Music Video (produced by MINT College). Bailey and Ylona were also voted Onemusic.ph’s Favorite Interpreters.

Kaye Cal’s “Nyebe,” composed

by Aries Sales, was given Star Music Listeners Choice Award.

The other finalists in this year’s competition include “Mananatili” composed by Francis Louis Salazar and interpreted

by Janella Salvador and Marlo Mortel, “Ambon” composed by Nica Del Rosario and interpreted

by Barbie Almalbis, “Patay na si Uto” composed by Oliver Narag

and interpreted by Nyoy Volante, “Diamante” composed by Jungee Marcelo and interpreted

by Morissette, “Bibitawan Ka” composed by by Hazel Faith Dela Cruz and interpreted by Juris, “Sana’y Tumibok Muli” composed

by Jose Joel Mendoza and interpreted by Klarisse De Guzman, “Maghihintay Ako” composed by Dante Bantatua and interpreted

by Jona, and “Minamahal Pa Rin Ako” composed by Rolando Azor and interpreted by Daryl Ong. The “Himig Handog” 2016 album can now be streamed on Spotify and is available at all record bars nationwide for only P299. Digital tracks can also be downloaded via online music stores such as ABS-CBN Store, iTunes,Mymusicstore.com.ph, Amazon.com, OneMusic.ph, and Starmusic.ph.

To be made available for FREE to SKYcable Prepaid and SKYdirect subscribers with load until May 31 are Shake, Rattle, and Roll 12 (2010), Shake, Rattle & Roll 13 (2011), Shake, Rattle and Roll Fourteen: The Invasion (2012), and Shake, Rattle & Roll XV (2014).

The film series that dates back to 1984 is also the Filipino film franchise with the most number of movie installments, with most of it entering the annual Metro Manila Film Festival.

It is available for free to SKYcable Prepaid subscribers on channel 85 in Metro Manila, CAMANAVA/Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, and Bulacan (San Jose del Monte), on channel 24 in Bacolod, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, GenSan and Iloilo and nationwide to SKYdirect subscribers with load on channel 28.

SKYcable Prepaid subscribers can get more info by texting PREPAID<space>11-digit SMARTCARD NO to 23662 while SKYdirect subscribers can send a text to 23668.

SM City Davao 3 Day Sale opens April 29 THE BIGGEST SALE EVENT IN THE SOUTH IS BACK with SM City Davao’s 3 Day Sale on April 29-May 1.

Up to 70% off on great finds mall-wide awaits SM shoppers.

Red light specials are also available during the 3-day sale.

On its opening day, April 29, SM loyal patrons may use their SM Advantage, Prestige, and BDO Rewards cards to enjoy additional discounts from SM affiliate stores during the SMAC Sale at 9AM11AM. At 6PM, young and hip Surplus ambassadors Ronnie Alonte, Sue Ramirez, Paul Salas and Mikee Agustin join the sale kick off with a mall show at the Annex Event Center.

First 1,030 shoppers

who will present a single receipt purchase of P1,000 on Saturday will receive freshly baked J.Co donuts for free. Kids and kids-at-heart alike may

catch Charlie Brown and the adorable Snoopy on Saturday, 2PM and 4PM. Shoppers only need to present at least P300 proof of purchase to get a photo

session pass.

On Sunday, 75 companies will be participating in the Job Fair mounted by DOLE XI, SM City Davao, ACLC and its partners.

Apart from the discounts, 3 Day Sale shoppers also get a chance to win 1 of the 2 Suzuki Address units or 1 of the 30 Samsung J1 2016. A 1000-worth proof of purchase from any mall tenant entitles a shopper a raffle coupon. Double coupons may be redeemed when shopping on April 30 and May 1.

SM City Davao opens 9AM-11PM on Friday, 10AM to 11PM on Saturday and 10AM to 10PM on Sunday. For inquiries, call 297-6998. Like SM City Davao on Facebook or follow them on Instagram and Twitter for event and promo updates.

April 27 – May 3, 2016

THE JUNGLE BOOK / *THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER'S WAR Scarlett Johansson, Idris Elba, Bill Murray/ *Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Emily Blunt PG/*PG

11:00 | 1:10 | 3:20 LFS / *5:30 | 7:45 | 10:00 LFS

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR 3D Chris Evans , Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson PG

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

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR Chris Evans , Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson PG

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

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR Chris Evans , Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson PG

11:00 | 2:00 | 5:00 | 8:00 LFS

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 42 • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016

EVENT

theKATcloset gives health care to 33 Puspins LAST SUNDAY, April 24, 2016, theKATcloset conducted its second discounted spay and neuter event at Pets First Veterinary Clinic, along Cabaguio Ave., Davao City.

The TKC team of Davao veterinarians included: Dr. Joanna Mercader, owner of Pets First and one of the doctors of the gunned dog, “Pacquiao”, and Dr. Phyll “Laya” Pel; Dr. Bayani Vandenbroeck and Dr. Clarence Cocjin of Doc Bayani’s Animal Wellness Clinic, Dr. Hyacinth May of Paws Palace, and Dr. Eloisa Calub of Davao Veterinary Executive Animal Clinic and Surgery. theKATcloset events, which also include “Happy Meowlidays” and “The Iring”, are organized and created by Ms. Katrina Kae Carriedo, who has ideas and ideals for creating a “purrrfect” world one adoption at a time to help the ailing over-population of Davao City’s Puspin or Domestic Short Hair community. The reduced package includes: a spay for female Puspins or a neuter for male Puspins and a dose of antibiotics and painkillers, plus, a subsidized deworming and anti-rabies shot for kittens. For more information about theKATcloset’s “Catvocacy” and how you can help and/or be a part of the responsible pet ownership movement, please contact Ms. Kat at @thekatcloset on Facebook and Instagram.

GENSAN PARTNER ESTABLISHMENT

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EDGEDAVAO

13 MOTORING

VOL. 9 ISSUE 42 • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016

Meet the all-new 2016 Honda Civic H

ONDA Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) is celebrating its 25th anniversary by going back to where it all began: the Civic. At the festivities commemorating this occasion, HCPI unveiled the all-new, tenth-generation Civic, a car that pushes the compact segment envelope in terms of styling, driving dynamics, and advanced technologies.

Virtually everything is new with the 2016 Civic – an all-new vehicle architecture, sporty and sophisticated new interior and exterior styling, a more spacious and high-quality cabin, advanced engines, and a host of new premium features and technologies.

The taut and tidy proportions of the all-new Civic are complimented and accentuated by its design details including the sleek, sweptback bodylines, its sharp and aggressive face, and its bulging wheel arches. Dimensionally, it’s longer and wider, but lower than before.

It rides on a longer wheelbase with wider front and rear tracks. The fascia consists of the trademark Honda solid wing grille that runs the entire width flanked by signature LED lighting that includes both daytime running lights and headlights. At the back, it’s distinguished by its distinctive C-shaped “light-pipe” LED taillights.

The range-topping RS Turbo variant adds the prerequisite badging along with unique 17-inch alloy wheels, a gloss

black front grille, wing-type trunk spoiler, chrome door handles, and LED fog lights.

The 2016 Civic is designed to set a new bar in dynamic performance in the compact sedan category, aiming to surpass the current offerings and even challenging luxury-class C-segment vehicles. In that regard, Honda engineers have worked on areas such as steering feel, handling precision, ride quality, and NVH. And every element of its design and technology has been optimized for this task.

As its name suggests, the RS Turbo gets a brand-new DOHC VTEC engine with direct injection and a low-inertia mono scroll turbo that delivers a maximum output of 173 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 216 Nm of torque from 1,700 to 5,500 rpm. An electrically-controlled wastegate allows boost pressure to be precisely controlled. For the lower-end variant, the 1.8-liter engine, with its 141 horsepower and 171 Nm of torque rating, has been retained. Both of these engines are mated to a CVT transmission developed under Earth Dreams Technology. The RS Turbo gives drivers more precise control with paddle shifters.

Ensuring top-notch handling performance, the allnew Civic rides on an all-new platform that’s made up to 59 percent high-strength steel and 14 percent ultra-highstrength steel. This allows it to reduce its weight by 30

kilograms while increasing torsional rigidity by 25.8 percent. And building on the foundation of its ultra-rigid structure, it uses a sophisticated suspension system with the rear multi-link mounted directly to the rear sub-frame. Front and rear hydraulic compliance bushings, commonly reserved for more expensive vehicles, improve ride and reduces vibrations while a dual-pinion electric power steering with variable gear ratio (2.2 turns lock-to-lock) improve low-speed maneuverability.

A new Electric Parking Brake (EPB) replaces the conventional handbrake lever with a single switch.

The new interior is designed to match the exciting, modern, and sophisticated exterior styling while providing enhanced comfort, leading-edge technology, and class-leading quality. The dynamic and wide cockpit design boasts of high-class softtouch materials throughout with the RS Turbo getting a leather steering wheel, shift knob, and seats as standard.

The high deck console greatly increases passenger room with the front occupants getting an additional 27 millimeters of leg room compared to before. It also has one of the largest trunks in its class and together with a lower lift over height, larger opening, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats, make for a flexible and capacious compact sedan.

Class-leading ergonomics take center stage on the

new Civic. The full-color TFT instrument cluster features a multi-information display for quick browsing of vehicle-related information that’s easily operated through a soft swipe on its Electrostatic Steering Wheel Controls. For audio and entertainment, it’s equipped with a 7-inch Advanced Display Audio (the RS Turbo gets standard GPS navigation) that has advanced touch controls, entertainment features, and smartphone connectivity.

Climate controls are also featured on the Display Audio screen. Other key innovations include the Smart Key that incorporates a Remote Engine Start Function that conveniently starts the engine from the outside and turns on its automatic climate control system. It also has a Walk-away Auto Lock Feature which automatically locks all doors when the key fob is moved 2.5 meters away.

Designed to provide high levels of collision performance, the Civic has a full suite of safety features that include driver and passenger SRS airbags (with side and side curtain airbags for the RS Turbo), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (HAS), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Multi-view Reverse Camera with Dynamic Guidelines, and ISOFIX-equipped rear seats.

Honda Cars Philippines is once again aiming to reclaim the compact car throne with the all-new 2016 Civic.

Seeking to realize a dynamic rejuvenation of the Civic nameplate, this all-new sedan represents one of the most comprehensive and ambitious new-model developments ever undertaken by Honda. The all-new Honda Civic is available in six colors: Cosmetic Blue Metallic, Midnight Burgundy Pearl,

Lunar Silver Metallic, White Orchid Pearl, Rallye Red, and Modern Steel Metallic. It’s available in two variants: the 1.8 E (P 1,088,000) and the RS Turbo (P 1,398,000). All Honda car dealerships nationwide are now accepting reservations for the all-new Civic with deliveries to start

by June.

14 CLASSIFIEDS

EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

EDGEDAVAO GENSAN PARTNERS Serving a seamless society

VOL. 9 ISSUE 42 • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016

VOL. 9 ISSUE 42 • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

Tebow Cure Run to reach 2,000 mark T

RUN FOR HOPE. The organizers of the 2016 Tebow Cure Run (from left) Leron Lehman the Executive Director of the Tebow Cure Hospital along with Jessa Mae Naberos of Davao Adventure Extreme and Reynaldo Nuique Jr.

and Kharl Bernardo of Gatchi and Gatchi Events discussed the details of their event with local sportswriters during the weekly SCOOP Session at the Royal Mandaya Hotel last Tuesday. (SCOOP Davao)

Guiao petitions SC to require PAGCOR to release funds for sports development I

T’S about time the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) receives proper remittance due it from two government-run agencies.

Pampanga first district congressman Yeng Guiao on Tuesday filed a petition before the Supreme Court to require the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to remit the proper contributions to the government sports agency a backlog in its contribution the last five years.

Under the Petition for Mandamus, Guiao estimated the amount close to P4 billion from 2010-2015 alone - funds which, he said, could go a long way in the development of Philippine sports.

As per RA 6847 that created the PSC Act of 1990, PAGCOR is mandated to remit five percent of its gross income to the government sports agency, while PCSO is supposed to remit 30 percent of earnings from six sweepstakes or lot-

NBA PLAYOFFS

T

tery draws per annum.

But beginning 1993, PAGCOR has unilaterally brought down its contribution to just 2.1375 percent of its gross income, on the strength of an executive order from the Office of the President handed down during the time of President Ramos.

PCSO on the other hand, has likewise refused to comply with the law.

“What we presented is a simple implementation of what the law says, we’re not asking for any interpretation.

PAGCOR has a different interpretation, but in so far as we’re concerned, the law is very clear,” explained Guiao’s legal counsel Atty. Avelino Guzman Jr., who was with the Pampanga congressman and his chief of staff Ramon Navarra Jr. during an informal press briefing shortly after the filing of the petition.

Explaining the petition, Guiao noted that it is a clearly established legal tenet that

no executive order over-ride an expressed provision of law passed by the legislature.

“Batas na natin ito, ginawa na natin ito, so we’re expecting that it is followed to the letter,” said Guiao, vice-chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Sports.

The veteran PBA coach said the additional remittance would be a big help in funding sports development, or perhaps the construction of a long-overdue training center for national athletes.

“If we are successful in recovering PSC’s just share from PAGCOR and PCSO, imagine the good that it will do to Philippine sports. We can build better facilities, provide better nutrition and training to our athletes,” he said.

“We will also have enough funds to build a new national training center to replace our flood-prone and pollution-laden complex in Manila,” he added, referring to the age-old Rizal Memorial Sports Com-

plex.

PAGCOR apparently relied on a mere memorandum approved by the Office of the President in unilaterally reducing the share it provides for Philippine sports.

“Ang basis nila is yung memorandum of then PAGCOR chairman Alice Reyes with the marginal approval of FVR so it all started from there,” noted Guiao.

For its part, PCSO is not remitting its share since 2006, contending that its lotto operation is different from ‘lottery’ as stipulated in RA 6847. But Guzman said the contention is a contravention of at least two legal opinions from the Department of Justice.

Guiao, who is also coach of Rain or Shine in the PBA, said he is not trying to fault anyone.

“It’s actually not the fault of anybody at this point, dahil parang carry-on lang nila yung practice na nakaugalian na.

And nobody was questioning it,” he said.

Raptors, Hawks take 3-2 leads

HE Toronto Raptors clawed back a 13-point deficit to defeat the Indiana Pacers 102-99 on Tuesday and take a 3-2 lead in their bestof-seven playoff series.

Toronto had found themselves staring down the barrel of a home defeat after Indiana raced into a 90-77 lead in the third quarter.

But a 15-2 Raptors points blitz in the opening 5 mins 29 sec of the fourth quarter hauled the home side back into the contest with rookie Norman Powell scoring a monster dunk to tie it 92-92.

DeMar DeRozan then stepped up to drain a three-pointer to give the Raptors their first lead as Toronto held on for a pulsating win.

DeRozan was the standout for Toronto, topscoring with 34 points while Kyle Lowry weighed in with 14 points, four rebounds and five assists. Jonas Valanciunas added 11 points.

“I felt like my normal self,” said DeRozan, who had started the game averaging just 13.3 points.

“Me and the guys weren’t thinking too hard. It’s all about patience, you can’t get flustered,

you can’t get frustrated, you’ve got to stay the course. And that’s what we’re going to continue to do, whatever it takes to win.”

Pacers star Paul George had a game-high 39 points including eight rebounds and eight assists while George Hill added 15 points and Myles Turner had 14.

George bemoaned the Pacers failure to hang on for what would have been a potentially pivotal road victory.

“We didn’t make enough plays, that is what it came down to in the fourth quarter,” said George. “We have to put this (game) away. Friday (Game 6) is a new day and we have to get a win — it’s a must win. It’s awful to have a chance to win on the road and then come back home, but we failed to live up to the moment.”

The Pacers had appeared to be firmly in control after opening up a 61-52 halftime lead.

Indiana had looked the more polished side throughout the opening half, with George scoring 22 of his points in the first two quarters.

Toronto had lagged 35-20 after the first quarter following Indiana’s freescoring start.

George led the Pacers scoring

with 12 points and four assists in the quarter while Hill added nine points.

The series now moves to Indianapolis on Friday for game six.

Hawks crush Celtics The Atlanta Hawks scored a crushing 110-83 victory over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday to seize the initiative in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.

Atlanta’s Mike Scott top

scored after weighing in with 17 points off the bench as the Hawks hassled the Celtics into 19 turnovers in what rapidly became a rout.

The victory means Atlanta lead 3-2 in the best-of-seven series heading into Game Six in Boston on Thursday.

It was a night to forget for Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas who was jeered at every turn by a fiercely partisan Hawks crowd.

SLAM. DeMar Derozan of Toronto slams one down in Game 5 at home against the Pacers.

HE Tebow Cure Run, which unfolds on May 1, at 6AM organized by the Tebow Cure Hospital in cooperation with Gatchi and Gatchi Events and Davao Extreme Adventures in line with their 1st year anniversary is set to hit their mark of 2,000 participants to help raise funds for the facility, which provides special surgery and medical care for indigent patients suffering from unique physical deformities like clubbed feet and many more.

During the weekly SCOOP (Sports Communicators Organization of the Philippines) Davao City Chapter Inc. Session at the Royal Mandaya Hotel last Tuesday Leron Lehman the Executive Director of the Tebow Cure Hospital, along with Jessa Mae Naberos of Davao Adventure Extreme and Reynaldo Nuique Jr. and Kharl Bernardo of Gatchi and Gatchi Events stressed that they are already way past the 1,500 mark in terms of the number of runners who have already signed up.

‘We’re confident that we can reach the targeted 2,000 participants come race day,’ Lehman said of this activity which also hopes to expand the hospital’s financial backing here in the local scene.

The event will have two major categories only namely the 1K and the 5K. The 1K will start at the SM City Lanang, where runners will have to complete 1 loop around the designated course going towards the Tebow Cure Hospital.

On the other hand, the 5K will start off in SM Lanang passing through DCWD, SPMC, Redemptorist Church going to the Abreeza Mall and Seda Hotel which will be their turning point going back to the Tebow Cure Hospital.

The Registration and Donation Fees are P300 (inclusive of race bib, number and donation card and P500 (inclusive of race singlet, race bib, number and donation card).

Other than individual, corporate and school based runners, the organizers are also encouraging families to join this event as well as pet owners.

‘This will be a truly fun filled and noteworthy event for everyone and we’re hoping to reach our target as well as raise funds for the hospital that provide life changing surgeries for physically deformed patients that do not only cure them on the physical but also the spiritual level as well,’ he stressed.

For more info. Interested parties can reach (0823005345) or email the organizers at info@tebowcure.org or visit the Tebow Cure Hospital in Lanang or the registration center at Saging Repablik.

The rise of the Tebow Cure Hospital here in Davao City began with former National Football League (NFL) player Tim Tebow of the Denver Broncos who teamed up with CURE International to build a one of a kind children’s hospital.

A few years back, The Tim Tebow Foundation and CURE International were planning to build a 30-bed surgical facility that will focus on orthopedics, according to the foundation’s website.

“I was born in the Philippines and my parents have been missionaries to that area since 1985,” said Tebow, who was born in Makati City in 1987.

“The Philippines have always had a special place in my heart.”

“I’m excited to be a part of this hospital that will bring healing to thousands of children who would not otherwise have access to care,” he added.

Tebow, the ex-starting quarterback of the Broncos, was a Heisman Trophy winner in the University of Florida and the 25th overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft.

CURE International aims to bring physical and spiritual healing to physically disabled children in developing countries. The hospital in Davao City is the first CURE hospital in the country.

“We feel blessed that the Tim Tebow Foundation has chosen to partner with us to bring first-world quality care and spiritual healing to the children of the Philippines,” said Dr. Scott Harrison, founder and president of CURE International earlier.

Venues ready, but many challenges remain for Rio

B

RAZIL has long been known as a country that can throw a great party as long as the guests do not mind a location that still has the builders in it.

With 100 days to go before the Olympic Games begin in Rio de Janeiro, the nation famous for doing things at the last minute faces a novel situation: The venues are ready, but the host does not appear to be.

With the president fighting impeachment and the economy on track for its worst recession in more than a century, Brazilians are both angry and distracted.

“People are paying no attention” to the Olympics, said longtime Rio resident Julia Michaels, who chronicles the city through her Rio Real blog. “No one is talking about it at all because there are so many other things to talk about.”

When Rio de Janeiro won the right to host the Games in 2009, Brazil was the darling of the developing world. Its economy had grown briskly for most of the decade, 30 million people had been lifted from poverty and the nation was assuming a prominent role in world affairs.

Since then, a collapse in

commodities prices has dragged down the economy, and President Dilma Rousseff faces the prospect of being suspended from office next month on charges of budgetary fraud.

The twin melt downs have consumed Brazil, and the Olympics have all but disappeared from the front pages and TV news.

In a nation where soccer has long been the sport that matters, politics is the only game in town.

“Brazil is going through a political crisis, and the situation has still to sort itself out,” said Agatha Bednarczuk, one of the beach volleyball players who will represent her homeland.

“I think we just need to resolve the politics, and then people’s attention will turn to sport.”

Almost ready The venues are complete except for the velodrome, which will not be ready in time for an official test event, and the athletics stadium, where the running track is being laid. Officials say both will be finished well before the Games begin on Aug. 5.

Some 36 test events have taken place at arenas and stadiums as well as on the area’s beaches and mountains.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

Ceres-La Salle FC first PH club to advance to AFC Cup KO stages C

ERES-LA Salle FC reached a milestone in Philippine football after becoming the first Filipino club to advance to the knockout stages of the 2016 AFC Cup. The Bacolod City-based squad achieved the feat after a nil-nil draw against Selangor FA of Malaysia on Tuesday at Selayang Municipal Council Stadium.

The result meant Ceres, now sporting a record of two wins and three draws for nine

points, secured one of the top two spots in Group E regardless of the outcome of its last match against Bangladeshi club Lt. Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club on May 10.

Meanwhile, Kaya FC took a step back on its campaign after suffering a 1-nil loss to Hong Kong club Kitchee at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

It was a heartbreaking defeat for Kaya which, after holding its ground against Kitchee for majority of the match, surrendered a goal just four min-

utes from time.

K a y a , whose two losses in the tournament came at the hands of Kitchee, still sits on second place in Group F thanks to the nine points it yielded from its three wins.

But in order to advance, Kaya must win its last group assignment against New Radiant of Maldives to secure a ticket to the next round.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 42 â&#x20AC;˘ THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016 VOL. 9 ISSUE 42 â&#x20AC;˘ THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016 AFC CUP ACTION. Bacolod City-based Ceres-La Salle FC achieved the rare feat of advancing to the AFC Cup knockout stages after a nil-nil draw against Selangor FA of Malaysia on Tuesday at Selayang Municipal Council Stadium