Edge Davao | Vol 11 Issue 230 | Friday-Saturday, February 8-9, 2019

VOL.11 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8-9, 2019

P 15.00 • 16 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

CTTMO EYES TRAFFIC MONITORING POWERS

P2

EDGE DAVAO Serving a seamless society

A ROYAL LUNAR NEW YEAR BASH

INDULGE A1

COMELEC CHECKPOINT. Private and public vehicles undergo meticulous inspection at a Commission on Elections (Comelec) checkpoint along Tionko Avenue in Davao City as police officers intensify their election gun ban campaign five days before the start of campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups. Lean Daval Jr

NO EPAL

Candidates welcome in‘Araw’but no campaigning

By RALPH LAWRENCE LLEMIT

E

lection aspirants are welcome to celebrate with Dabawenyos in the upcoming 82nd Araw ng Dabaw on March 16. One simple rule the city government reminds: no election campaigning.

Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) head Generose Tecson said on Thursday that since this year’s festivities fall during the campaign period, officially starting on February 12 and ending May 11, they

expect some candidates will take advantage of the exposure.

“They are welcome to join our celebrations, but they are not allowed to distribute their propaganda paraphernalia especially

during the parade,” Tecson said during the iSpeak press conference at the City Hall of Davao.

Whether or not they will be allowed to deliver their speeches on stage, the tourism office said they will leave it up to the organizers.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC), based on the Fair Elections Act, has not yet indicated any rules barring can-

didates to participate in events like festivals.

Araw ng Dabaw, a citywide celebration commemorating the cityhood of Davao in 1937, is one of the biggest events in the city like Kadayawan sa Dabaw in August.

During last year’s Kadayawan festival, politicians Senator JV Ejercito and former Laguna governor ER Ejercito were

FNO, P10

Understand PRRD first before making comments: priests

C

atholic priests have encouraged people who have “negative opinions” about President Rodrigo Duterte to “understand first before making comments”.

Rev. Fr. Antonio E. Labiao of the Diocese of Novaliches, who has been involved in the anti-drugs campaign even before Duterte assumed office, said the public must not confuse his words with his intentions.

“You have to understand the person, [and] where he comes from before you make a comment,” Labiao said in a summit on the anti-drugs campaign in Davao City on Monday.

Before he was ordained, Labiao studied at the St. Francis Xavier College Seminary in Davao City, the same time when Duterte was still city mayor.

“I knew of him for a very long time and I have to say that it is a different way when Cebuanos communicate,” he said.

Although they encounter several critics for standing behind the President, the priest said it is their mission to help in the rehabilitation program with or without the government support.

“Our involvement in the rehabilitation program is our call, our mission. We have a mis-

FUNDERSTAND, P10

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8-9, 2019

PRRD AND HIS MEN. President Rodrigo Duterte presides over the 34th Cabinet Meeting at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

CTTMO eyes traffic J monitoring powers

Dengvaxia probe to be completed in February: DOJ

By RALPH LAWRENCE LLEMIT

T

ing from the deployed closed circuit television (CCTV) deployed in the intersections of the city.

PSSCC also has the control of all 64 traffic light signals, which is currently undergoing repairs.

“The transfer of monitoring is included in the term of

reference in our traffic synchronization repair,” Abude said in an interview during the iSpeak media forum at the City Hall of Davao.

The transition period had yet to be determined, according to the traffic chief but he hopes this t happen within the year.

The city’s traffic czar said that they will be training 25 CTTMO personnel who will be deployed in the monitoring team.

“It will be easy for us to address the status of the traffic situation in the city, especially in mobilization of enforcers and equipment needed,” he said.

Abude said that he had expressed his desire for the CTTMO to have its monitoring team since he assumed in 2013.

“With this, we would also be able to address complaints coming from motorist and pedestrians,” he said.

zon (NCL) at 1,145.

For Keno, NCR also has the most number of agents at 883, followed by SBTR at 681, NCL at 366, Visayas at 267, and Mindanao at 154.

Keno Lotto Express is a fun game played every 10 minutes that allows the player to choose how many numbers to play, how much money to bet. With Keno, the player has a chance to win up to P1,000,000 for only P12 per play.

“As you all know, our revenue comes from the hard-earned money of individuals who fall in line daily in lotto and Small Town Lottery (STL) outlets to buy their tickets. So they must be informed where

takeholders on Thursday welcomed the Senate resolution urging the Executive Department "not to pursue the planned liberalization of the sugar industry."

"We are very thankful that our senators closed ranks with us. This just shows they understand the plight of the sugar industry and its stakeholders," said Emilio Yulo, Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Board Member in a statement.

"We know the battle is far from over but this Senate resolution gives us a glimmer of hope that not all is lost. The Senate has always been our ally when it comes to protecting the industry because they've seen how our farmers toil the fields to survive the challenges the industry faced in the past couple of years," he said.

Yulo said the industry

hopes that like the senators, "the economic managers will also visit the fields so they can empathize with our small farmers which they will never get to do within the confines of their air-conditioned offices."

In Senate Resolution 1014 signed Wednesday by Senators Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, JV Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Loren Legarda, Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villar, and Juan Miguel Zubiri, legislators urged the Executive Department to abandon the planned sugar import liberalization with the end view of safeguarding the economy and welfare of sugar farmers and industry workers in 28 provinces of the country.

The senators said recent statements by economic managers on the proposed liberalization of the sugar industry

he Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) wants to have its own traffic monitoring powers.

CTTMO chief Dionisio Abude said on Thursday said that a shared traffic monitoring will effectively address the traffic situation in the city.

Currently, the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) is the only office with a monitoring room of all the footages com-

ustice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday assured that the fate of individuals charged by prosecutors over the deaths attributed to the Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccine will be known soon.

In a message to newsmen, Guevarra slammed critics blaming the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) for the recent decline in the number of people undergoing vaccination.

“I have directed the Dengvaxia investigating panels to resolve the cases this month. PAO Chief (Persida Rueda) Acosta is just doing her job and certainly does not intend to scare the public about the possible negative effects of vaccina-

tion in general,” Guevarra said.

“That’s why the DOH (Department of Health), with the President’s support, will launch a vigorous campaign to inform the people about the necessity of vaccination to prevent common illnesses, such as flu and measles,” he added.

Acosta drew flak for purportedly grandstanding on the Dengvaxia controversy after French manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur issued a global advisory, warning the public over risks of administering the vaccine to persons who have not contracted dengue fever.

Relating this to the recently-declared measles out-

through deregularization of imports and allowing users of sugar to directly import "created a stir and fear among the stakeholders in the industry."

Economic managers of the administration earlier proposed the liberalization of sugar imports due to high prices of local sugar against those in the world market and that the same affects the competitiveness of sugar-containing food products for export.

The resolution, however, said that the liberalization or deregularization of the sugar industry will not affect the competitiveness of sugar-containing food products for export as it is already a policy of the SRA to allow food exporters to openly import sugar without value-added tax or customs duties provided that the end-product is exported and not sold locally.

It further states that the deregulated entry of subsidized sugar into the Philippine market "will be disastrous to our sugar industry," which contributes an estimated PHP96 billion to the gross domestic product (GDP), particularly to the 84,000 sugar farmers and 720,000 industry workers directly affecting almost a million families or five million individuals in the country.

Meanwhile, Raymond Montinola, spokesperson of the Confederation of Sugar Producers, noted the senators were right in pointing out that the planned liberalization" can lead to the demise of the industry we love and can result to a tumultuous peace and order situation that we don't want to relive again."

"These senators have

FDENGVAXIA, P10

Lotto, Keno operators Senate move to block sugar import liberalization hailed nationwide reach 11,120 S

P

hilippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Alexander Balutan announced on Wednesday that Lotto and Keno agents have already reached 11,120 in 2018.

“From January to December 2018, our Lotto and Keno agents have already reached 11,120. Of 11,120, 8,769 are Lotto agents and 2,351 are Keno operators,” said Balutan.

For Lotto, Balutan said the National Capital Region (NCR) has the most number of agents at 2,251, followed by Visayas at 1,952, Southern Tagalog and Bicol Region (STBR) at 1,747, Mindanao at 1,674, and Northern and Central Lu-

FLOTTO, P10

FSENATE, P10

VOL.11 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8-9, 2019

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

3

GSIS expands GFAL to all gov't employees

M

TRAFFIC ISSUES. City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) head Dionisio Abude (left), together with Engr. Mark Pacatang of Abratique and Associatiates, talks about the traffic concerns and the forthcoming repair and

Comelec junks DQ cases vs Legarda over House seat bid

T

he Commission on Elections (Comelec) dismissed the two disqualification cases filed against Senator Loren Legarda questioning her residency to run as representative of the lone district of Antique in this year's mid-term elections.

In a 15-page decision, the Comelec -Second Division denied the petitions filed by Robin Rubinos and Exequiel Javier, Legarda's opponents in the forthcoming polls.

“The Commission (Second Division) finds that Legarda did not misrepresent in her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) her period of residence in Antique,” according to the decision promulgated on Wednesday.

“Wherefore, premises considered, the Commission resolves to dismiss the petitions filed by Rubinos and Javier,” it added.

The poll body noted that the petitioners failed to pres-

ent enough evidence prove their claims that the respondent has no actual presence in Barangay Mag-aba, Pandan, Antique.

On the other hand, the poll body’s Second Division noted that Legarda was able to present facts regarding her residency in the area since January 1, 2018, after presenting her lease contract of the house she considers her new residence as well as letters from residents of the said barangay welcoming her in the community.

“It is worthy to note that the letters from the residents of the Barangay welcoming Legarda as well as other exhibits of similar import were not belied nor questioned by Rubinos and Javier,” it said.

As for Legarda transferring her voter registration to the province she wants to represent in the lower house, thus, abandoning her previ-

he United States is open to a review of the 67-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between Washington and Manila, US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim said Thursday.

"If there are any adjustments that would be useful, certainly we would welcome an opportunity to make adjustments," Kim told reporters during an interview at the sidelines of the US-Philippines Think Tank Conference in Makati City.

The envoy acknowledged the need to go over an agreement as "important" and as "complicated" as the MDT so as to adapt to the evolving alliance and circumstances surrounding the deal.

"We would welcome taking a close look at the treaty to see whether we can make any adjustments to make it even better than what it is now," he said.

Various delegations from the US will visit the Philippines in 2019, but whether

any of the trip would be exclusively focused on the MDT review, the envoy said it has yet to be decided.

"I expect that throughout this year we will have a series of visitors. Now, whether any particular visit would exclusively focus on the review of the MDT that is still to be decided still, but we are, believe me, we are in very close contact with Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and DND (Department of Defense) Usec. (Cardozo) Luna," he said.

The 1951 MDT remains as the country's sole and longest running defense pact with another nation. The DND first floated the review calls in December 2018, citing the need to make the deal more relevant to the region’s changing security environment.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., in a message delivered by Undersecretary Enrique Manalo, said the Philippines-US defense and security cooperation remains "strong and robust."

FCOMELEC, P8

US open to review 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty T

FUS, P8

maintenance of traffic lights around the city which will have a P10 million budget during I-Speak media forum at City Hall on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

AASIN CITY -- Initially offered to employees of the Department of Education (DepEd), the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is expanding its loan program dubbed GSIS Financial Assistance Loan (GFAL) II to all its members in government agencies.

GSIS-Maasin Acting Branch Manager Cecilia C. Tenaja said GFAL started with the DepEd employees last May 15, 2018 which aimed to help them settle their outstanding loans from accredited private lending institutions (PLIs).

“GSIS was encouraged by the success of the first GFAL in DepEd, that is why the government’s state pension fund intends to expand the loan program to cover all GSIS members in other government agencies, which is dubbed as GFAL II,” Tenaja said.

Tenaja added that the program will also require borrowers to undergo a fi-

nancial literacy seminar to adopt good money management practices.

She said GSIS will lend a maximum amount of P500,000.00 to interested government employees.

“We are sending out communication letters to different agencies in the province and a Letter of Intent is required from said agencies expressing interest on behalf of the employees to avail of GFAL II,” Tenaja said.

Other requirements include the list of all accredited PLIs under the automatic payroll deduction scheme or arrangement and the number of employees who have existing loans with the lending institutions and the total amount of loan balance, Tenaja added.

GFAL, a debt-consolication an balance-transfer facility, is targeting that government employees will benefit from lower interest rate and better terms of payment from

ducted in 2009 by the Department of Health (DOH), 28 percent or 17.3 million Filipino adults age 15 years and older are tobacco smokers.

The figures could increase given that the survey was made 10 years ago.

Moreover, 74,000 cases of ischemic heart diseases or the “hardening of arteries” continue to be the leading cause of death in the Philippines in 2016.

In a previous report, the Republic Act 10351 or the Sin Tax Law, signed by former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III designed to increase the prices of cigarettes and liquors, failed to lower

the tobacco production in the country.

The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) recorded an increase of more than 5,000 metric tons were recorded from 2013-2017, years after the sin tax law was signed, with an average of 39,544.37 metric tons, as compared to average of 34,616 metric tons of unmanufactured tobacco products were exported from 20082012.

Limpin said habitual smoking, considered an addiction, is hard to be eliminated considering the demand continues to rise.

FGSIS, P10

Economist doubts bill could reduce smokers

By RALPH LAWRENCE LLEMIT

I

ncreasing taxes on cigarette will not totally make the Philippines a smoke-free country.

This was the pronouncement of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Philippines executive director Dr. Maria Encarnita B. Limpin on the bill seeking cigarette tax increase filed by Senator Manny Pacquiao which aims to fund the Universal Health Care Law. According to Limpin, the UHC Law passed last November is of big help especially to those who cannot afford to have a regular medical care.

On the other hand, she said that it is "quite impossible" for the Pacquiao bill to greatly reduce the number of smokers in the country.

“We all wanted that there will be zero smokers here in

the Philippines. But it is hard to do, because we have to realize that we have so many smokers here in our country,” she said.

In a Philippine Global Adult Tobacco Survey con-

FECONOMIST, P10

CAMPAIGN. City Veterirarian Office's Dr. Cerelyn Pinili discusses the planned construction of Davao City's new dog impounding facility worth P5 million in Malagos and the intensified anti-rabies campaign of the agency during I-Speak media forum at City Hall on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8-9, 2019

No PH land reclamation on Pag-asa Island: DND

T

ORGANIC. Dabawenyos flock to the Organic Market at Rizal Park along San Pedro Street in Davao City on Thursday where organically-grown fruits, like these bananas, and vegetables are being sold by the farmers. Lean Daval Jr

1K poor Maguindanaoans benefit from medical mission

A

MPATUAN, Maguindanao – More than 1,000 indigent residents of remote villages here benefited from the medical and dental outreach program jointly conducted by the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion (MIB) and the provincial health team on Wednesday.

The 21st Mechanized Company of the 2nd MIB, headed by 1Lt. Juvylito Lisondra, in coordination with the local government of Ampatuan and the Maguindanao medical team headed by Lynette Estandarte, conducted the outreach program in Barangay Tomicor, Ampatuan town.

Lisondra said as a continuing program of the unit, the activity intends to deliver free health services to the constituents of Ampatuan, especially to the

less fortunate residents who need medical attention.

“About 416 individuals have availed of free medical consultation, 32 had their tooth extracted, 25 young boys were circumcised, and more than 200 received hygiene kits,” he said.

On top of the medical services, the provincial government, through the medical team, distributed 10 sacks of hybrid yellow corn seeds to farmer beneficiaries, and 200 school

2 ASG men linked to 2001 Basilan raid arrested

A

uthorities presented to the media on Thursday the two members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), who were arrested earlier in Zamboanga City.

Harub Jaljalism alias Indal, 45, and Pinky Ani Hadjinulla, 37, were nabbed on Sunday by virtue of an arrest warrant for multiple counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by the Basilan Regional Trial Court (RTC), in connection with the Golden Harvest Plantation kidnapping incident in June 2001.

The NBI said that Indal, who was arrested in a canteen in Sta. Catalina, Zamboanga City, has received bomb-making training for the Radullan Sahiron faction of

the ASG and has reportedly operated in Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi.

He is the brother of ASG leader Isjanir Saccam Aminudin alias Abu Fatima. He also escorted international terrorist Abdul Patta Escalon to Tuburan, Basilan, where the latter distributed uniforms and war fighting equipment to extremists.

Hadjinulla, who was arrested in a shopping mall in Zamboanga City, was positively identified as one of the abductors in the Golden Harvest incident.

Out of the 15 workers of the plantation who were abducted, five were beheaded while 10 others either escaped or were rescued by government forces. (PNA)

bags with 211 pairs of slippers for schoolchildren.

Free haircuts were given to 65 males, both youths and adults, while all the participants, soldiers, health workers, and village officials enjoyed sumptuous meals through food packs provided by the local government.

Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, lauded the local government of Maguindanao for partnering with the Army in delivering basic health services to impoverished communities in its area of operation.

“I am grateful that the local government of Maguindanao continuously conducts this kind of program

together with the military,” Sobejana said.

Another company of the 2nd MIB, meanwhile, conducted a cleanup drive simultaneous with the medical-dental outreach program.

In Barangay Talisawa, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao, just adjacent to Ampatuan, elements of the Army’s 23rd Mechanized Infantry Company, in partnership with local officials, cleaned portions of the national highway.

The activity was participated in by Datu Abdulla Sangki Vice Mayor Somsoden Sangki, village officials and students of the Datu Abdula M. Camino Memorial National High School. (PNA)

he Philippines is not conducting any land reclamation activity on Pag-asa Island, the largest feature occupied by the country in the Kalayaan Island Group.

This was stated by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday when sought for a comment on reports made

by Washington-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative claiming that the country is conducting reclamation work covering 32,000 square meters.

"As of now, only the beaching ramp is being

undertaken. Next is the concreting of the runway (Rancudo Airfield) and the third phase involves the lengthening of the airfield," he added.

Rancudo Airfield measures 1.4 km. and is capable of handling medium-sized aircraft like the Air Force's Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" cargo planes.

"Reclamation means there is land before and you are reclaiming the land back. Since there is no land but water, we call it filling up the space with stones, gravel and soil," Lorenzana said. (PNA)

The Department of Budget (DBM) on Thursday said a subpoena to appear before Congress will be an opportunity for DBM officials to answer lawmakers' inquiries about the proposed PHP3.757-trillion budget for this year.

This, as the agency said it has “received information of new allegations against the DBM.” House Appropriations Committee Chair Rolando Andaya Jr. has accused Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno of including about PHP75 billion worth of projects in the proposed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget for this year.

This allegation has resulted in the reenactment of last year's budget pending the approval of this year’s proposed allocation.

However, based on recent hearings in the House of Representatives some persons who were invited to shed light on the issue

identified DBM Undersecretary Amenah Pangandaman as the one behind the supposedly questionable PHP75 billion in DPWH’s allocation.

DBM, in a statement, said “these accusations are without basis and are meant to discredit the good reputation of the DBM as one of the most transparent and credible institutions in the world.”

“For the record, on July 9, 2018, a Cabinet Meeting was held where the President approved the budget, including the PHP555-billion allocation for DPWH. Following the President’s approval, printing of the National Expenditure Program (NEP) commenced on July 10, 2018,” it said.

“Given these facts and the misconceptions about the process, we take any subpoena from the House as an opportunity to clarify all these matters not only to the public, but also for the official records of House,” it added. (PNA)

DBM welcomes chance to face Congress critics

108 mayors fail to submit solid waste plans: DILG

T

he Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued show cause orders against 108 local chief executives over their failure to craft a 10-year solid waste management plan as mandated by the law.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Thursday the order is part of the government’s effort to enforce environmental laws similar to what they did in Manila Bay and Boracay.

"We don't want another case of Manila Bay. These LGUs have, unfortunately, been accustomed to leniency.

The Solid Waste Management Plan is a requirement of law, yet for many years they ignored it. Hence, we

have no recourse but to issue show cause orders to them,” Año said in a statement.

The DILG chief said the local chief executives will be given 10 days from the receipt of the orders to explain why they should not be charged over failure of their LGUs to comply with such policy.

"If we are serious about protecting the environment, we really have to follow through with the implementation of these laws. Matagal nang nariyan ang mga batas ngunit kulang sa ngipin at implementasyon kaya patuloy tayong nagkakaron ng problema tulad ng (The laws have long been enacted but they lack implementation so we continue to have problems

like what happened in) Boracay (and) Manila Bay. The law is the law and we will implement it," he said.

Without naming the local chief executives, the DILG said of the 108 localities that will receive such order, 31 are from Lanao del Sur, 18 from Sulu, 11 from Maguindanao, nine each for Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, five from Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), eight from Bicol region, one from Western Visayas, and four each from Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.

For his part, DILG Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said they would

release the names of the LGU officials once they have received their reply and validated their explanations and if the agency found them to be negligent in the performance of their functions.

Section 16 of Republic Act No. 9003, also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, provides that all provinces, cities or municipalities, through their Local Solid Waste Management Boards, shall prepare their respective 10-Year Solid Waste Management Plans consistent with the National Solid Waste Management Framework and these are to be submitted to the National Solid Waste Management Commission. (PNA)

VOL.11 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8-9, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY

5

Central Luzon MSMEs earn P150M from trade fairs

S

AN FERNANDO, Pampanga -- Central Luzon micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) earned about P150 million from 183 Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) organized and participated trade fairs in 2018.

From the figure, 11 were international fairs, 33 national, 12 regional, 34 provincial, and 93 were classified simply as “trade fairs.”

“A total of 41 of our MSMEs participated in the 11 international fairs which include the China-Asean Expo and Hongkong International Toy Fair,” DTI Regional Director Judith P. Angeles disclosed.

A bulk of sales of MSMEs came from Likha ng Central Luzon (LCL) Regional Trade Fair held last October 10-14 at the SM Mega Trade Hall.

“The 167 participants of LCL earned more than P63.5 million during the five-day event,” Angeles disclosed.

Also, 12 MSMEs earned PhP28.7 million during the Philippine International Furniture Show which was held last March 10-12 at the SMX Convention Center.

32 MSMEs, on the other hand, earned P7.4 million during the National Food Fair while 33 earned P3.55 million during the National Trade Fair.

(CLJD-PIA 3)

US still PH's major ally in defense build-up: DND

T

he US remains the Philippines' most supportive partner when it comes to beefing up its defense capabilities.

"As a treaty ally, the US has been one of the most supportive and active in contributing to Philippine efforts to build our defense capabilities. We recognize with deepest appreciation the US’ close partnership as we both work on ensuring that the alliance remains relevant in responding to the challenges of the 21st century through various programs, namely the Foreign Military Financing (FMF), Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Maritime Security Initiative (MSI), among others, as well as non-materiel support in the form of exercises, training activities, and advice," Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna said in his speech during the "Future of the US-Philippines Bilateral Relationship" held at The Peninsula Hotel, Makati City Thursday, which was forwarded to reporters.

Luna also said this longstanding alliance is rooted on the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between Manila and Washington.

"This remains to be the sole defense treaty of the Philippines with another country and is the longest formal defense agreement we have. It has withstood the test of time and has been regularly reaffirmed during both formal and informal engagements, notably during the 60th anniversary of the MDT during which the Manila Declaration was signed.

The treaty has been recognized by Philippine institutions, with no less than the Philippine Supreme Court recognizing that the treaty continues to be a 'valid source of international obligation'," he added.

The DND official also noted that the recent passage of the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act by the US Congress also reaffirms the alliance between the two countries, along with other US allies in the Pacific.

The MDT is also the basis of two countries' alliance and continuing joint defense capability programs.

"However, as with all other defense agreements, reviewing agreements is a normal course of action, especially since the MDT has been in force for over 60 years. Our Secretary (of Defense Delfin Lorenza-

na) wishes to ensure that the frameworks we have in place continue to serve the mutual interests of both parties," Luna said.

"As we look back in the history of the alliance, it is evident that the MDT has been able to withstand the passage of time because both sides continued to work together in ensuring that the partnership is able to adapt with the changes in the security environment. While the alliance is considered 'ironclad,' as pronounced by our US counterparts in various fora, our two sides remain flexible in finding ways to address contemporary security challenges," he added.

While traditional security was initially the main focus of the alliance through the Mutual Defense Board (MDB), the alliance was able to address non-traditional security concerns when the security environment and the very definition of security underwent changes after the Cold War. Through the establishment of the Security Engagement Board (SEB) in 2006, both US and Philippines militaries, along with other civilian security agencies, are able to work together to address several lines of efforts aside from mutual defense to include maritime challenges, disasters, terrorism, cyber issues, peacekeeping concerns, and transnational crimes. Indeed, areas of cooperation between our defense establishments have expanded and continue to be enhanced.

"With the expansion of areas of cooperation, we continue to ensure that our bilateral exercises remain mutually beneficial. Since the inaugural Two-PlusTwo Ministerial Consultations, the Philippines has consistently maintained that our activities should be of high value and great impact. Since the start of the current administration, we have sustained largescale exercises, such as the Balikatan, which continues to test the operational skill sets and interoperability between our armed forces.

At the same time, we have developed exercises, such as KAMANDAG, Sama Sama, Salaknib, among others, that will enable us to respond to the Philippines’ pressing security concerns," the defense official said. (With reports from Darwin C. Pesco/PNA)

CITY TOURISM TARGET. City Tourism Operation Office head GeneRose Tecson says they are expecting 200,000 visitors this Araw ng Davao which will have new activities and attractions. Tecson also said during I-Speak media forum at City Hall on Thursday that they will promote Davao City as the gateway of the region and as Meetings, Investment, Conference, Events (MICE) destination to achieve the agency’s target of 2.8 million tourists for 2019. Lean Daval Jr

PRRD aked to push passage of Security of Tenure Bill

T

rade Union Congress President (TUCP) Raymond Mendoza appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to "lead from the front", on behalf of the estimated 20 million contractual workers who are awaiting passage of the Security of Tenure bill, by calling upon Senators to immediately pass the measure before Congress adjourns.

"At this moment the Senate is playing Russian roulette with the lives of 20 million workers in precarious jobs. They are the agency-hired workers, the casuals, the seasonals, the project-based, the contractuals. They are the ones who have sacrificed to 'build,build,build' our 6.1% GDP growth even as they tightened belts through the worse inflation spike in nine years," explained Mendoza.

"While we acknowl-

edge the work of the Department of Labor and Employment in helping to regularize workers through worksite inspection, we can all do better," said Mendoza. Unofficial estimates of voluntary regularization of employees by their employers and regularization of employees through DOLE workplace inspections is between 350,000 to 400,000 workers.

"This is good work by Secretary Bello. But it is still

a drop in the bucket. Having a new law will greatly accelerate the process since the new law would say that if all that is being done by an agency is to recruit and deploy workers, that is illegal labor-only contracting, and that is regardless of whether the agency has equipment or capital,” said Mendoza. "Under the new law, the workers so deployed would then be deemed regular workers of the principal who is the real employer," Mendoza said.

The House version was overwhelmingly passed by congressmen. President Rodrigo Duterte last year certified the measure as an urgent administration bill.

During the 2016 elec-

tion campaign, Duterte had promised that his administration would end contractualization and the practice of 'end-of-contract' work popularly referred to as "ENDO." Senator Joel Villanueva sponsored the Senate counterpart, Senate Bill 1826, which is set for interpellation.

Majority Floor Leader Senator Migs Zubiri committed last week that it would be prioritized.

"Time is short and the water is rising over the lives and futures of our workers. This is the farthest this bill has gone. We ask the Senate to help the President fulfill his promise to our workers," said Mendoza. (PR)

feit products contained 1,500 cartons of fake cigarettes with a total value of PHP96 million, 12 machines worth PHP180 million and PHP62.2 million worth of fake stamps.

Naig said the warehouse allegedly owned by Chinese nationals has been under surveillance for two weeks prior to the raid.

"No one has claimed to own this warehouse yet, even the village officials have no knowledge about this manufacturer, but we will conduct further investiga-

tion to make those involved liable," Naig added.

Said machines are said to produce an average of 600 master cases of cigarettes per day.

The brand owner of said cigarettes who refused to be identified confirmed that recovered items were fake. He added that they do not allow manufacturing of their cigarettes outside their factory in Luzon and they only have distributors in the city.

Counterfeit items also bore fake tax stamps having the same serial numbers. All

of the stamps were lighter in color than that of the genuine ones.

"They are not paying the government PHP42 million worth of excise tax, just for these items, we cannot tolerate that," Naig stressed.

The fake products were concealed in rain boot boxes and other electronic gadgets.

They only used codes when they are being transported to other areas.

Authorities have yet to determine the extent of distribution of said fake cigarettes. (PNA)

According to DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, the bike lane is protected by a two-meter planting strip to make cycling safe and comfortable for everyone.

“It is our priority to build safe roads and bridges that will also cater to bikers and pedestrians, hence the inclusion of protected bike lanes and sidewalk spaces in our new projects,” Villar said in a statement.

Aimed at opening up transportation, recreation, and health opportunities, the bike lane component was added to the 6.94-kilometer Laguna Lake Highway, which was constructed to serve as an alternative route to EDSA and C-5.

DPWH has allocated PHP1.28 billion for the construction of the highway, including the bicycle lane with provisions of street lights and road safety signage.

The multi-billion structure also features 1.5-meter sidewalks on both sides for pedestrian and an elevated dike to protect the people against flooding.

Likewise, the road can also be used as a temporary evacuation area during the occurrence of floods because of its high elevation.

The four-lane Laguna Lake Highway was completed in November 2018. (PNA)

Tacloban warehouse yields P385-M fake cigarettes, machines

T

ACLOBAN CITY -- Some PHP385.2 million worth of fake cigarettes and machines were seized when authorities raided a warehouse in this city Wednesday.

The raiding team from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Tacloban also seized machines, counterfeit tax stamps and imported raw materials at a warehouse in Bagacay village.

BOC Tacloban district collector Jose Naig said the warehouse that has been manufacturing counter-

S

tarting Thursday, cyclists will be able to use the 5.58-kilometer bicycle lane facility along the stretch of the Laguna Lake Highway in Taguig City.

This, after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Taguig City officials, headed by Mayor Lani Cayetano and Vice Mayor Ricardo Cruz Jr., formally opened the three-meter wide bicycle lane.

Laguna Lake bike lane opens

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

I

VOL.11 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8-9, 2019

A few good priests

n the minds of many bishops and priests, President Rodrigo Duterte is not a good leader and not a good role model.

Based on their seemingly very high standards anchored predominantly on the spoken word and thoughts of the country’s first leader from Mindanao, this President is not a good person. No wonder, many of them hurl criticisms against the man like he is is not capable of reformation and repentance.

But not all priests see it that way. There are those who see things rather differently. Rev. Fr. Antonio E. Labiao of the Diocese of Novaliches and Rev. Fr. Roberto dela Cruz, priest-in-charge of the Sanlakbay Program which is a community-based rehabilitation program for drug dependents, have voiced out their opinion amid the sweeping generalization of priests prejudging the President who is a radically different version from his predecessors.

The two priests believe people who have “negative opinions” about President Duterte must “understand first before making comments”.

The dislike stems from President Duterte’s knack for being foulmouthed, dishing out bad jokes on women and even God, and his bloody war on illegal drugs.

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 224-1413 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net edgedavao@gmail.com

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

the national association of newspapers

RALPH LAWRENCE G. LLEMIT ADAM B. MORRELL Reporter

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO Social Media Manager/Lifestyle KENNETH IRVING K. ONG MEGHANN STA. INES NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN Lifestyle

ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. JAN MIKKO CANARIAS CHA MONFORTE Correspondent

DR. MAURO L. PUYOD LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. Cartoonist Photography Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBONHENRYLITO • MARY ANN “ADI”• GREGORIO C. QUISIDO LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: D. TACIO G.•DELIGERO • JOHN CARLO TRIA • VIDAGOTIANSE-TAN MIA S. VALVERDE•• NICASIO FRED C. LUMBA • ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO• DENNIS “GICO” R. G.GORECHO DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ MUJAHID NAVARRA • HAROLD CAVITE

OLIVIA D. VELASCO D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JASPERSOLANI V. BACSAL General Manager Finance Advertising Specialist VP Operations General Manager JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

However, it takes a deeper sense of understanding to appreciate what this radical leader is doing for the country. Fr. Labiao, for example, has been involved in the anti-drugs campaign even before Duterte assumed office and he said the public must not confuse his words with his intentions. Fr. Labiao thinks it is important that people know and understand the person before making a comment. Fr. Labiao studied at the St. Francis Xavier College Seminary in Davao City, in an era when Duterte was still city mayor. In short, he knows the man and he wants people who do not know him so well to refrain from casting any judgment based on his words alone.

Language, according to Fr. Labiao, is rooted deeply in the regional cultural diversities. This cultural diversity often leads to misunderstanding on how people communicate.

In Duterte’s way, his words send the message across no matter how it’s being constructed--be it through a nasty joke or a figure of speech.

Sometimes, he speaks with the intention of being understood by reading between the lines.

It’s different strokes for different folks. People are unique in their own ways and bishops and priests should know that.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE Richard C. Ebona | Product Development officer LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager EDMUND D. RENDON Unit 6, SouthbankMarketing Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts.Address: 04 Orilla St. Purok 4B Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Specialist Cellphone number: 09472652969 General Santos City Cagayan de Oro City Email Address: edgedavao@gmail.com Mobile: (Smart) 09382022120 Tel: (088) 852-4894

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8-9, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

7

Overtime pay

T

he rendition of overtime work and the submission of sufficient proof that said work was actually performed are conditions to be satisfied before a seafarer could be entitled to overtime pay.

The Supreme Court held that the correct criterion in determining whether or not seafarers are entitled to overtime pay is not whether they were on board and can not leave ship beyond the regular eight working hours a day, but whether they actually rendered service in excess of said number of hours. ( PCL Shipping Philippines, Inc. vs. NLRC[, G.R. No. 153031, December 14, 2006) Overtime pay could not be granted to a seafarer for failure to produce any proof that he actually performed overtime work Shipowners must ensure compliance with overtime pay rule under the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC2006) of the International Labor Organization (ILO) which provides limits on hours of work and rest for seafarers on board a vessel. Persons

W

e live in a world where values especially spiritual are being overwhelmed by the modern man’s need to live the good life that he could boast on social media. Consumerism or materialism has become the modern man’s religion where you could find one religiously following the latest trends in tech and gadgets and other material things just to make himself accepted by others. God and religion may be talked about casually especially when bad things happen or upon uttering words of condolences to a bereaved colleague or during the town fiesta but no longer becomes the center of one’s existence as things were back then despite us Filipinos being considered as having one of the world’s more religious cultures.

Most of us may even have reserved some form of belief in God so as not to go all-out atheist for self-preserving reasons like, what if there a God and I did not believe in Him. Or his belief maybe situation based at best when one remembers God only in the time of need.

One of the reasons for this widespread belief or lack thereof especially among the youth is that in most religions, acts of worship are being given low importance by being made voluntary.

When you think of it, going to church, praying the rosa-

working beyond the standard time must be compensated with an overtime pay which shall be computed on the basis of existing labour regulations.

Under the POEA standard employment contract, the seafarer shall be compensated for all work performed in excess of the regular eight (8) hours.

Overtime pay may be classified as open, fixed or guaranteed.

In computing overtime, a fraction of the first hour worked shall be considered as one full hour. After the first hour overtime, any work performed which is less than thirty (30) minutes shall be considered as half an hour and more than thirty (30) minutes shall be considered one full hour.

Overtime work may be compensated at the following rates: 1. Open overtime not less than 125 percent (125%) of the basic hourly rate computed based on two hundred eight (208) regular working hours per month.

2. Guaranteed or fixed overtime - not less than

PINOY MARINO RIGHTS Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho thirty percent (30%) of the basic monthly salary of the seafarer. This fixed rate overtime shall include overtime work performed on Sundays and holidays but shall not exceed one hundred five (105) hours a month.

3. Overtime work for officers shall be computed based on the fixed overtime rate.

4. For ratings, overtime work shall be based on guaranteed or open overtime rate, as mutually agreed upon by the contracting parties. For ratings paid on guaranteed overtime, overtime work in excess of 105 hours a month for ratings shall be

further compensated by their hourly overtime rate.

Any hours of work or duty including hours of watchkeeping performed by the seafarer on designated rest days and holidays shall be paid rest day or holiday pay.

Overtime records should be kept and signed by the seafarer and the master or duly authorized officer.

The Supreme Court underscored in the earlier case of Cagampan v.

NLRC (G.R. No. 85122-24, 22 March 1991) that the contract provision guarantees the right to overtime pay but the entitlement to such benefit must first be established.

The Supreme Court downplayed the seafarers’ view that the “guaranteed or fixed overtime pay of 30% of the basic salary per month” embodied in their employment contract should be awarded to them as part of a “package benefit.” They have theorized that even without sufficient evidence of actual rendition of overtime work, they would automatically be entitled to over-

time pay.

The Supreme Court disregarded the seafarers’ arguments in National Shipyards and Steel Corporation v. CIR (3 SCRA 890) that they should be paid overtime compensation for every hour in excess of the regular working hours that he was on board his vessel or barge each day, irrespective of whether or not he actually put in work during those hours.

The Court noted that seafarers are required to stay on board their vessels by the very nature of their duties, and it is for this reason that, in addition to their regular compensation, they are given free living quarters and subsistence allowances when required to be on board.

It could not have been the purpose of the law to require their employers to pay them overtime even when they are not actually working; otherwise, every seafarer on board a vessel would be entitled to overtime for sixteen hours each day, even if he spent all those hours resting or sleeping in his bunk, after his regular tour of duty.

world and the Hereafter if such religious requirements or obligations are not met.

Obligatory acts of worship are rewarded if performed.

Acts of worship may also pertain to the actions of the tongue or the body. Worship by the tongue is by praising Allah and the recitation of prayers and remembrances of Allah throughout the day while the rest are acts of worship that are done by the body. Acts of worship may also be seen or visible to the others such as prayers and acts of charity or may be hidden such as the worship of the heart. Worship of the heart is done by having the correct feeling or mindset in one’s relationship with Allah.

Reliance upon Allah, sincerity and the fear of disobeying Allah are three acts of worship that reside in the heart.

There is no way that a Muslim could make other people see or describe to them how much reliance or fear of Allah he has. Only Allah knows of such.

The other type of actions are the voluntary ones which are rewarded if done but does not warrant any punishment for not having been done. Examples of voluntary acts of worship is giving charity aside from the obligatory charity upon the rich Muslims. There are also voluntary forms of prayers and we may say that each obligatory act of worship has

a voluntary counterpart. One of the reasons for the legislation of the voluntary acts of worship is to give the Muslim the chance to fill in any shortcomings he may have on the performance of obligatory deeds.

Daily dealings is another type of actions that are done ordinarily beyond the acts of worship such as taking a bath, going to the grocery, and others. But In Islam, an ordinary or regular action may even be considered as an act of worship if they are done for the purpose of pleasing Allah. An example of which is going to sleep in order to wake up in the early morning for the dawn prayer which may make such sleep be rewarded fully as an act of worship. Daily dealings are actions that do not really require intention but would not hurt if done for the pleasure of Allah with due sincerity as it is always nice to have such intention in order to make ourselves aware that Allah is watching our actions.

Being god-conscious in our daily dealings is also a way of avoiding sinning such as cheating, stealing or doing injustice to others as these actions may ultimately be judged according to our intentions and the impact it had on other peoples’ lives.

For more information about Islam please visit our Facebook page: Hasanah Media Agency.

Actions in Islam

ry and all the others are voluntary and one may do it or simply not do it and one will not really feel remorse for his absence or lack of performance of some acts of worship.

In Islam, things are different. In fact, it is one of the things that Islam is being criticized for. For being too dogmatic or too imposing upon its members. Islam has an entirely rigid system of classifying the Muslims’ actions which are not only clear and well-defined but also gives the Muslim the choice to prioritize. Actions in Islam are divided into two, acts of worship and daily dealings.

Acts of worship may be further divided into two main categories, the obligatory and the voluntary.

Acts of worship in Islam are those that are done with the sole intention of worshipping Allah such as the five daily prayers, fasting in Ramadhan and the performance of Hajj. Islamic scholars have defined acts of worship as, ‘Anything that Allah loves and likes from the speech or actions that may be seen or unseen.

Acts of worship have been made known to us by Allah and we could not simply do any act of worship if it is not ordered by Allah in the Quran or ordered by Prophet Muhammad. We could not simply invent our own act of worship because

UNDERSTANDING ISLAM

Mujahid Navarra

such will be considered a religious innovation and is therefore blasphemous in Islam. Examples of religious innovations that are rampant among Muslims are the celebrations of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday and other Non-Muslim celebrations.

Celebrations are considered as acts of worship in Islam because it is something that is being done on a regular basis every year.

Acts of worship should also be done with due sincerity to Allah that we do it for the purpose of pleasing Allah alone and gain rewards from Him and not just to show off our piety or gain some material benefit from such actions.

Much of the acts of worship are obligatory and Muslims are taught from a young age of the punishments in this

8 MOTORING EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8-9, 2019

Honda introduces CRF250L, its newest off-road model

T

anauan City, Batangas -Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI), the number one motorcycle manufacturer in the Philippines, excites off-road enthusiasts yearning for more thrill and adventure by unveiling the New CRF250L, now equipped with sportier style upgrades.

“We, at Honda, are pleased to announce that the New CRF250L is set to excite off-road enthusiasts and gearheads to take it for a spin once again. The new model is not only perfect for the tough terrains and dirt roads but can also be used for daily commute and leisure,” said Mr. Hervic Villa, Department Manager for Motorcycle Planning.

Built to be durable for

tough rides, the New CRF250L is equipped with inverted and long-travel front fork and a pro-link rear suspension that manages the aggressive bumps of dirt roads while maintaining enough comfort for the rider.

The new bike also sports a digital meter panel and a powerful 250cc fuel-injected engine built to deliver enough output at the rider’s will.

For 2019, HPI brought a style upgrade that makes the bike sharper and more

aggressive, with an on/off road sports design inspired by the CRF250R variant, giving it a tougher image while on the road. Notable changes come from its color scheme, as its headlight cover was changed from white to red, front fork color from gold to bronze, rim color from silver to black, and top and bottom bridge from silver to black.

“As a motorcycle company, it is our goal to continuously expand and improve our lineup of product offerings including the on and off-road sports category. The release of the

New CRF250L is one of our ways of making more people familiarized with the off-road sports, as well as contribute to improving the lifestyle of our riders,” Mr. Villa added.

With this, fans of the off-road segment who are looking for their best adventure partner this year have something to look forward to with the New CRF250L – An Adventure on Its Own. For more information, visit their official website – www. hondaph.com or follow them on Facebook – www.facebook.com/hondaph/

COMELEC... FROM 3 ous domicile in Barangay Potrero, Malabon City, the Comelec said, “Legarda’s application for the transfer of her voter registration record from Malabon to Pandan, Antique is indicative, not only of her intention to reside permanently in Barangay Magaba, but also of her intention to abandon her previous domicile in Potrero.”

In his petition, Javier

said that the senator should be disqualified as she is a “stranger” to the province, who “came out of nowhere” to run for the said post.

He added that Legarda’s COC should be rejected for not having legal domicile or home in the said barangay.

Legarda’s second straight six-year term in the Senate will end in June. (PNA)

As treaty allies, Locsin underscored that both countries continue to develop programs that would strengthen military capability and interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US Forces, especially in addressing non-traditional security matters, such as fighting illicit drugs and terrorism.

Defense Undersecretary

Cardozo Luna, who was also at the event, recognized the "gains" the country continue to reap with its longstanding alliance with the US. But while the MDT has been the basis of the partnership, the official said "reviewing agreements is a normal course of action, especially since the MDT has been in force for over 60 years." (PNA)

US... FROM 3

NOTICE OF AUCTION The VGM Pawnshop, Inc. will hold a Public Auction Sale to all unredeemed and unrenewed items on the following schedule listed below at 9:00 O’clock in the morning.

Ang VGM Pawnshop, Inc. magasubasta sa tanang prenda nga wala nalukat sa maong sumusunod nga mga petsa sa alas 9:00 sa buntag.

BRANCHES

DATE PAWNED

DAVAO

Sasa Maa Panabo Main Panabo Branch

DAVAO

Sandawa Matina Ecoland Ulas

August 01-31,2018

August 01-31,2018

DATE & PLACE OF AUCTION Feb. 22, 2019 (Fri.) 9:00 AM VGMPawnshop, Inc, Sasa Branch RVS BLDG Km11 Sasa Davao City Feb. 27, 2019(Wed.) 9:00 AM VGM Pawnshop, Inc, Sasa Branch RVS BLDG Km. 11, Sasa Davao City

(Feb. 7, 8 & 10, 2018) THE MANAGEMENT

INdulge!

VOL.11 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8-9, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

A royal Lunar New Year bash THE Chinese New Year is all about reunions and feasts and the Royal Mandaya Hotel was all that last February 5 as it celebrated the Lunar New Year with a bang.

The lobby of the hotel was clad in shares of red and gold with a wing of the grandiose space converted into a mini Chinatown complete with a booth selling traditional Chinese treats such as hopia (mung bean cakes) and tikoy (sticky new year rice cake).

For the romantic, there is a massive wishing wall, where one can wish for finding love, prosperity, or good fortune.

There is also a fortune telling corner where one can consult mediums from the Angel Tarot Readers for their fortune in the Year of the Pig. The program started with a fan dance followed by a traditional Chinese Lion Dance.

Energetic and fun, the dance is supposed to drive away evil spirits as well as bestow good fortune to everyone seeing it.

A pat on the lion’s head is also said to make one’s wishes come true.

A sumptuous dinner buffet at the Kamayo Cafe was promptly opened with guests feasting on Filipino and Chinese dishes.

There was a dimsum station, various Chinese appetisers, and a fried dumpling station. My favourite dishes of the evening were the roast pork belly which was served with its skin crispy

Roast pork belly.

Ube flavored tikoy.

Make a wish and tie it up at the wishing wall. and meat tender to the bite and the fried garoupa, since fish is a staple in any Chinese new Year feast.

The dinner ended with fortune cookies distributed to the

A fan dance started the Lunar New Year Celebrations.

guests with lucky diners finding prizes such as dinner or lunch at the Royal Mandaya Hotel’s Kamayo Cafe and an overnight stay with breakfast at the hotel’s superior room.

Fortune telling corner at the Royal Mandaya Hotel’s mini Chinatown corner.

Royal Mandaya Hotel’s general manager Benjamin Banzon (left) together with Davao lifestyle writers.

EDGED

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

Globe Telecom distributes meal packs to Bicol evacuees hit by ‘Usman’ TO HELP ease the condition of those dislocated by Tropical Depression Usman, Globe Telecom, in partnership with Rise Against Hunger (RAH), has distributed relief packs to 2,226 families staying in evacuation centers around the Bicol region.

Assorted goods and meal packs were provided to evacuees in Naga National High School (Bagumbayan, Tiwi, Albay), Sagnay Covered Court (Patitinan, Sagnay, Camarines Sur), Buhi Pastoral Parish Center and St. Bridget School (Iraya, Buhi, Camarines Sur), Sogod Elementary School (Sogod, Tiwi, Albay), Bonbon Municipal Hall (Bonbon, Libon, Albay), Nabua Municipal Hall (Poblacion, Nabua, Camarines Sur), and Bula Municipal Hall (Poblacion, Bula, Camarines Sur).

Globe has also set up Libreng Tawag and Charging stations in Sagnay and Buhi Covered Courts in Camarines Sur to assist the residents with their communication needs.

Usman severely hit the Bicol region during the Christmas holidays with Camarines Sur and Albay placed under a State of Calamity due to severe flooding, landslides and several infrastructure damage caused by the heavy rains.

Hearts and arts at Ayala M

WITH Valentine’s Day and National Arts Month falling on the same month, every February sees Ayala Malls Abreeza not only celebrating love, but championing artistic passions, too—hence, a lineup of events that highlights love for all senses.

Kicking off the February lineup is the Art for the Heart Fair, an afternoon series of workshops and presentations that promote love and beauty on February 9 at the Activity Center. Scheduled are phone photography workshops,

Relief operations in Bula, Camarines Sur.

floral arrangement workshops, makeup workshops, and bag painting workshops happening in two sessions, 1:00 p.m.–3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m., each accommodating 15 slots. To get one slot to one workshop, interested participants simply need to present at the Main Concierge a minimum single receipt worth P300 dated February 7-9, 2019 from any Abreeza store. Makeup workshop participants are requested to bring their own makeup kits, while phone photography workshop participants are to bring a phone with photo editing

apps. Floral arrangement and bag painting workshop participants may purchase a workshop kit available at the Activity Center on the day. Plus, expect to walk away from the Art for the Heart Fair with your heartstrings tugged as performers from The Pseudonyms Davao are scheduled to launch into touching love poetry.

Music also makes an appearance in Ayala Malls Abreeza’s February offerings. To get shoppers in the mood for love, the acclaimed Manila String Machine brings their classical-meets-modern symphonies in a free pre-Val-

entine’s c 5:00 p.m Come Va based mu set to cha intimate p.m. at th For th ventiona ebration, weekly T lenges bo to test th HeART T 13, 6:00 p Row. Throu

DAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL.11 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8-9, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

Joross Gamboa’s directorial debut “Allergy In Love” a hit on iWant KAPAMILYA STAR Joross Gamboa is known as a character actor who can tackle both comedic and dramatic roles, but his career has just taken another exciting turn as he dabbles in directing and writing for the first time in iWant’s original movie “Allergy in Love.”

As a first-time screenwriter and director, Joross says the film is a dream come true for him, especially since the movie is a joint effort between him and his close friends in the industry. “I got a different kind of fulfillment from writing and directing, compared to acting. It’s like I told my own story, I didn’t just play in it,” said Joross about the movie, which he conceptualized with producer Neil Arce, and actors Ketchup Eusebio and Pocholo Barretto, who are both in the film.

The movie has proven to be a hit among iWant users. A week since “Allergy in Love” became available for free on iWant, it has earned thousands of views and is currently the most watched original on the streaming service. The film story has also piqued the interest of netizens, whose story revolves around a man who is allergic to sexual intimacy,

Malls Abreeza

concert on February 10, m. at the Activity Center. alentine’s Day, Davaousician Thea Pitogo is arm her audience with ukulele melodies at 6:00 he Activity Center. hose seeking an unconal Valentine’s Day cel, Ayala Malls Abreeza’s Trivia Wednesdays chaloth regulars and newbies heir love knowledge at the Trivia Night on February p.m. at the Restaurant

ughout the month, more

glorious art will fill the halls of Ayala Malls Abreeza, with the United Durian Artists’ Inkspression Art Exhibit running from February 1 to 16 at the 3F Hallway and the Art Market by the Philippine Women’s College of Davao happening on February 21-24 at the Activity Center.

For inquiries and updates on Ayala Malls Abreeza news and events, please visit the Main Concierge at the ground floor or call (082) 321-9332. Stay updated by connecting with Ayala Malls Abreeza on Facebook (@AbreezaMall), Twitter (@abreezatweets),

as its trailer has recorded more than two million views.

“Allergy in Love” follows the story of Johnson Tayona (Pocholo Barretto), a man who gets extreme allergic reaction to erections. His condition and past experiences made him an advocate of self-love and even wrote a book about it to inspire others.

Incidentally, Ayama (Chie Filomeno), a lady who is going through a breakup, reads his book that helps her move on. Curious about her favorite book’s author, she meets Johnson, gets to know him, and eventually falls for him.

Also part of “Allergy in Love” is online sensation Kat Galang, with the special participation of

Carlo Aquino, Janus Del Prado, and Ketchup.

Joross hopes that more people will get to see the sexy comedy film.

“I received positive comments from my fans and friends. That’s why I feel blessed that iWant entrusted me with this project. All I can say is that directing is harder than acting,” he shared.

Watch “Allergy in Love” for free on iWant via its iOS or Android apps or via web browser on iwant. ph. More subscribers can also get their iWant craving in the comfort of their own homes as they can already connect the streaming service to their TVs via Chromecast and Apple Airplay.

EA Guzman is now officially a Kapuso GMA Artist Center welcomes EA Guzman to its roster of talents as he inked a management contract last January 31.

EA started his showbiz career in Eat Bulaga where he won the “Mr. Pogi” tilt in 2006. The talented actor is filled with gratitude and high spirits as he officially joins the Kapuso Network.

“Dito talaga ako nagsimula. Masaya ako na ngayon pa lang, ramdam ko na yung pag-aalaga at suporta ng GMA sa akin. I’m proud to say na Kapuso ako.”

Kapuso viewers should look forward seeing his comeback on television via the upcoming GMA Afternoon Prime fantasy series Dragon Lady alongside Janine Gutierrez and

Tom Rodriguez.

He quips on the details of his character, “Isa akong chinese businessman. Nagkakilala kami ni Janine nang pumasok siya sa company namin as an executive. Dahil babae siya, hinusgahan ko siya na hindi niya kayang magpatakbo ng isang kumpanya. Habang minamaliit ko siya, naiinlove na pala ako sa kanya.”

GMA Entertainment Group Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable expressed her gladness to have EA in the Network.

“We are very happy that EA has chosen to put his trust in GMA and GMA Artist Center. He is a an award-winning and versatile actor kaya natutuwa tayo na madagdag siya sa stable ng talents ng GMA.”

Present in the contract signing were GMA Entertainment Group Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable, GMA Senior Assistant Vice President

for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, Senior Talent Manager Daryl Zamora, and EA’s co-manager Arnold Vegafria.

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8-9, 2019

VOL.11 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8-9, 2019

9 ENVIRONMENT EDGEDAVAO

SAVING ECOLOGICALLYFRAGILE CORAL REEFS PART 3

C

ORAL reefs are the marine equivalent of rainforests and considered one of the planet’s essential lifesupport systems. These “biological wonders,” as environmental author Don Hinrichsen calls them, are among the largest and oldest living communities of plants and animals on earth, having evolved between 200 and 450 million years ago.

“Today, most established coral reefs are between 5,000 and 10,000 years old; many of them forming thin veneers over older, much thicker reef structures,” said Hinrichsen, who has explored coral reefs around the world for his recent book on coastal ecosystem.

Coral reefs are constructed by millions of flower-like animals with tube-like body and fingerlike tentacles called polyps.

The form of polyp, which is about the size of a fingernail (one centimeter to three centimeters), depends on the shape and form of the coral. A coral may be a single large polyp. Near the sea’s surface where waves have a strong effect, corals are massive. As they occur in deeper water, they become branched or take on flowery forms.

Marine experts claim it takes centuries to create a reef. The coral’s skeletons amass to form the foundation of a reef.

The stony structures grow slowly, normally at a rate of 0.25 centimeters to 0.5 centimeters a year.

The coral polyps are helped by microscopic plants - algae - which live inside them, providing food in exchange for shelter.

Like any plant, the algae need sunlight to power their activities. Coral reefs are thus typically found in

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

clear, shallow water.

“Corals vary enormously in size, shape and color - from the delicate filigree of the sea fan and the branching ‘antlers’ of the staghorn coral, to the bulging brain coral, which looks like a huge disembodied human brain,” Hinrichsen said.

“There are button corals, fire corals, lace corals, bead corals, organ-pipe corals and vase corals, all of which resemble their namesakes - over 600 species in all.”

Most of the reefs are found in the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn - in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and South Pacific. They also thrive where warm currents are found off Florida, Bermuda, southern Japan and Australia. The richest reefs, however, are located in the region bounded by Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

Because of their structure, coral reefs serve as shelter to fishes and shell fishes. In fact, a single reef can support as many as 3,000 species of marine life. As fishing grounds, they are thought to be 10 to 100 times as productive per unit area as the open sea.

About four million small-scale fishers - a third of all subsistence fishers - rely on reefs for their livelihood and nutrition.

Reefs are the source of up to 90 percent of the animal protein by Pacific islanders and 25 percent of that consumed in Southeast Asia.

For centuries, coastal communities have used reef plants and animals for their medicinal properties.

In the Philippines, giant clams are eaten as a malaria treatment. Chemicals from sea sponges have been

used in developing a new drug, Ara-C, used to treat herpes and some cancers.

Other reef organisms produce chemicals useful for AIDS research. Kalinic acid is reportedly collected from reef organisms in Japan and Taiwan; the chemical is used to investigate Huntington’s chorea, a fatal disease of the nervous system.

Other coral chemicals have proved useful in research on arthritis and asthma. Australian researchers have developed a sun cream from a coral chemical that contains a natural “factor 50” sunblock.

Another benefit of coral reefs is that they attract tourists who contribute to a country’s commerce.

Globally, coastal tourism is the largest sector of the US$250 billion tourism industry, which is projected to be the world’s biggest industry by the turn of the century.

But most importantly, coral reefs and mangroves protect the country’s shoreline from erosion by wind and waves. Without these natural protective barriers, says a paper from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), “the country’s shorelines would be continuously battered and eroded, especially during storms.”

The Philippines, touted to be the “Pearl of the Orient Seas,” holds one of the most extensive coral reefs in the world with a sprawling area of 27,000 square kilometers strategically located in Palawan (37.8%), Sulu (27.8%), Visayas (21.7%), Northern Luzon (7.6%), Central and Southern Mindanao (3.2%), and the Turtle Islands (1.7%).

Of all coral species known in the world,

more than a quarter are found in the country.

Unfortunately, only 400 of these species remain, according to the Center for Environmental Concern.

“A dive into the depths of Samal reef gardens will reveal colorful underwater vistas with its treasure of tropical marine life,” informs Darrel Blatchley, an American who now lives in Davao City and had had plunged into the bottom of the Davao Gulf a couple of years back.

“Unfortunately, some of those colorful corals are not in good shape.”

A survey conducted in 1991-1992 by the Regional Fishermen’s Training Center in Panabo, Davao del Norte at Sarangani Bay and Davao Gulf - of which Samal corals are part of - has shown that most of the shallow or inshore coral reefs “were totally damaged because they are expose to greater pressure.”

Despite the alarm

sounded in the late 1970s by the East-West Center in Hawaii, coral reef destruction is still common in the Philippines. At that time, the study disclosed that more than half of the reefs were “in advanced states of destruction.” Only about 25 % of live coral cover were reported to be in good condition, while only 5% were in excellent condition.

“Nowhere else in the world are coral reefs abused as much as the reefs in the Philippines,” commented marine scientist Don McAllister, who once studied the cost of coral reef destruction in the country.

Dr. Robert Ginsburg, a specialist on coral reefs working with the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami, said man has a lot to do with the rapid destruction of reefs. “In areas where people are using the reefs or where there is a large population,

there are significant declines in coral reefs,” he pointed out.

Dr. Edgardo Gomez, one of the country’s respected marine scientists, agrees. “If asked what the major problem of coral reefs is, my reply would be ‘The pressure of human populations,’” he asserted.

A visit to any fishing village near a reef will quickly confirm this, he pointed out. “There are just too many fishermen. They overfish the reefs, and even if they use nondestructive fishing gear, they still stress the coral reef ecosystem,” Dr. Gomez deplored.

Meanwhile, experts are urging Filipinos to save whatever remaining coral reefs the country has.

“Rebuilding the reefs will take far longer than the two to three decades it has taken to destroy them,” reminds marine ecologist Terence Hughes, of the James Cook University in Townsville, Jamaica.

10 EDGEDAVAO NO... FROM 1

spotted beside Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio during the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan at San Pedro Street.

Also, during the Kadayawan week, the oath taking ceremony for the 3,000 new Hugpong ng Pagbaba-

go (HNP) members took place at the SMX Convention Center.

Noted election aspirants present during the oath taking were Senators Sonny Angara, Cynthia Villar and Pia Cayetano.

UNDERSTAND... FROM 1

sion to do. It is important that we continue because the lives of the people -- the citizen, parishioners are at stake,” he added.

Rev. Fr. Roberto dela Cruz, priest-in-charge of the Sanlakbay Program, also expressed support to Labiao’s statement.

“The biggest temptation to work with drug addicts is to lose our focus. Regardless of what others would say, ang daming taong kailangan naming tulungan at kailangan ng tulong namin (we still need to help a lot of people, and these people need our help),” he said.

Sanlakbay is a community-based rehabilitation program for drug dependents.

As a response to the

increasing number of drug surrenderers, the Diocese of Manila, headed by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, launched the Sanlakbay program in October 2016 that aims to rehabilitate drug dependents and help them lead sustainable lives after the program.

Pope Francis, in his visit to the Philippines in 2017, has given his blessing to the Archdiocese of Manila’s parish-based rehabilitation program for drug surrenderers. “[Pope Francis’] eyes twinkled and he said, ‘That’s the way to go. This is the path to take. Continue that,’” Tagle said, quoting the Pope whom he met during a recent visit to Rome. (PNA)

been with us in the last three years from the time we fought the HFCS (high-fructose corn syrup) entry to the sugar taxation and now again, when we are facing the threat of liberalization. Which is also why we should always remember who our allies are and who has our

backs," he said.

"We are not letting our guards down and we will continue to be vigilant and seek the intervention of our President to ensure that the plan (liberalization of sugar import) will never be implemented," he added. (PNA)

SENATE... FROM 2

VOL.11 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8-9, 2019

DENVAXIA... FROM 2

STO.TOMAS... FROM 11

break, the PAO chief’s name was dragged for allegedly influencing general perception about vaccination.

The PAO has been filing cases against several former and incumbent government

officials in connection with the aborted Dengvaxia program. Citing forensic exam results, the PAO said the anti-dengue vaccine resulted in the death of several children. (PNA)

their money goes and how PCSO spent their money,” said Balutan.

“The playing public should know that they might not have won the million jackpot prize, but by their P24 may have saved and stretched the lives of dialysis or chemotherapy patients who are beneficiaries of PCSO under the Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP),” he added.

Of the almost P64 billion revenue generated by PCSO in 2018, P31,902,529,360 came from Lotto and digit games, P26,103,422,348.39 from STL, P4,397,969,030 from Keno, P1,149,124,000 from Instant Sweepstakes Ticket (PMC), and P4,867,500 from Sweepstakes.

“STL is obviously the second highest earning product of PCSO with 88 operational Authorized STL agents (ASAs). It has been giving jobs and decent lives to Filipino people and their families who cannot even pass the nitty-gritties of job fairs due to age, lack of education, and physical disability. We have saved them from vices, drugs, and from being exploited by criminals,” said Balutan.

In a data provided by the Branch Operations Sector headed by Assistant General Manager Remeliza Gabuyo, STL has produced 314,596 jobs as of January 28, 2019. Of 314,596 jobs, 13,720 are organic employees, 26,227 are sales supervisors, and 274,649 are sales agents.

The advocate also said that totally banning cigarette production, importation and exportation in the country would also be hard, considering the government would need it to fund the UHC Law. The new excise tax on cigarettes and alcohol will fill in the P68-billion gap in the first year implementation of the UHC law worth more than

P257 billion.

“Banning production all out without doing anything, without reducing the demand, will not be an effective intervention,” Limpin said.

“We have to wait that there will be a reduction of significant number of smokers, then that’s the time we could do something with the supply,” she said.

said, adding that he’s in good condition following a victorious stint in the Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA) last week.

Gumban, a Grade 8 student of Sto Tomas National High School, still has a chance to make it a triple crown when he competes in the steeplechase and 1,500-meter run in the next couple of days.

“From DAVRAA, I didn’t practice anymore. Anyway, I’m still in good condition.

I just had some light workout to stay in shape. I know I can make it.”

Over at nearby throwing area, Mary Joy Mancera of Davao del Sur asserted her mastery when she ruled the 13-15 girls’ discus throw.

Mancera, who clinched the gold while celebrating her 15th birthday, tallied 26.28 meters to outshine Avril Saucejo of Mati City (23.49) and Kristal Molina of Davao City (19.85), who settled for the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

Also emerging victorious was Rona Bacus of Cagayan de Oro, who tallied 11.01 meters in her sixth and final jump to top the 13-15 girls’ triple jump event.

Jonalyn Flonda of Iligan City tallied 9.75 meters while Gezhel Castro of Tacurong notched 9.71 meters to settle for the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

In archery, John Carlo Loreno collected his sixth gold medal after teaming up with Precious Micah Basadre in ruling the cadet mixed team event.

LOTTO... FROM 2

ECONOMIST... FROM 3

Loreno and Basadre combined for 2459 points to beat Compostela Valley’s Mysel Magallanes and Andrea Tagotongan (2073) and Digos City’s Christian Malunes and Angela Camello (1035).

In swimming, John Alexander Talosig scooped four gold medals after winning a pair in the second day of competition.

The 14-year-old Grade 8 student of Southern Christian College topped timed two minutes and 5.43 seconds to win the boys 13-15 200m freestyle and clocked 5:00.58 for the boys 15-under 400m individual medley (IM).

He won the boys 1315 200m IM (2:19.74) and boys 15-under 1500m free (17:52.25) Wednesday.

At the NCCC Mall, karatekas from Calamba, Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga City collected three gold medals to dominate karatedo.

Mary Geerica Galsing (girls 8-9 intermediate kata), Christian John Borongan (boys 12-13 intermediate kata Pool B) and Marcu Noel Pacapac (boys 8-9 advance kata) triumphed for Misamis Occidental while Hanica Regino (girls 11-12 intermediate kata) and Jullian Pueblo (boys 12-13 intermediate kata Pool A and Pool C) won it for Zamboanga City.

Zamboanga City also showed their might in pencak silat after reaping 13 gold medals while South Cotabato and General Santos City clinched six golds each.

11 SPORTS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8-9, 2019

DC cagers advance to semis

By ADAM B. MORRELL

T

AGUM CITY-- In a clash of two title contenders, one has to go.

On Thursday morning, favorites Davao City and host Tagum City collided at the Rotary Park basketball court in a virtual finals preview in boys basketball of the 2019 Batang Pinoy Mindanao Finals.

Still savoring its sweet title conquest in last week’s Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa), the team coached by multi-titled drillmasters Nestor Sorrosa and Roger Rabago

came up with steadier plays in the homestretch to win on a tightrope 87-83 in the most interesting do-or-die duel in Bracket B, the tournament’s Group of Death.

Nobody was certain on whose going to prevail between the two powerhouse squads until Alexander Tila, Christian Mesias and Roldz Miguel Perez of Davao City put a period to the argument.

Tila was spectacular in a game where he let his guns ablaze with 22 points while Mesias was just as

mercurial with 20. Together, these two took the fight out of the hosts.

The most important basket, however, was scored by Perez, who drilled in 12 points. His reverse lay-up with 40 seconds left in the payoff period completely shut the lights out for hard-fighting Tagum City, host of this year’s multi-sporting event organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and devoted to in-school and out-of-school athletes 15 years old and below.

Sasaki and Irina Glenne Escandor who led the squad during the semifinals.

Looking back to its errors in the quarter finals that almost foiled their campaign, Davao City fiercely opened the semifinals on a dominant fashion.

Sasaki remains consistent on the floor while Polancos showed too much fire power on the launching area.

Escandor, who made a historic appearance on Wednesday afternoon against Sto. Tomas, also showed up on the offense.

Credits to Allexa Mae Quilaton's timely sets which was among the big-

gest factor towards victory.

"We have a lot of things to adjust. Most especially the receiving of first ball.

If maganda yung first ball, maganda yung sets so maganda ang bigay para sa atake," Davao City coach D'Artagnan Yambao

from this progressive city, Gumban clocked 17 minutes and 14 seconds to retain the gold medal that he also won last year in Oroquieta City in Misamis Occidental.

But in the national finals, luck wasn’t on his side.

Gumban suffered an injury, denying him of a chance to test his mettle against other young runners from Luzon and the Visayas in the national finals in Baguio City.

“I competed in the national finals, but I didn’t finish the race. Now, I have another chance and I will do my best to win,” said Gumban, who woke up at 3 a.m. only to outrun Lordy

Salpid of Gen. Santos City (19:05.07) and Rome Laviste Jr. of Davao del Sur (19:12.66) by wide margin.

In fact, Gumban was already cooling down and granting interview when Salpid and Laviste crossed the finish line to grab the silver and bronze medals, respectively, of this multi-sport event that also has STI College-Tagum and Alfalink Total Solutions Corp. as sponsors.

“I didn’t hold back. I gave everything I can,” he

DC belles inch closer to gold

T

AGUM CITY--After giving Zamboanga City a 25-19, 17-25, 15-13 heartbreak in the quarterfinals, the unbeaten Davao City volleybelles inched closer to its title bid as they yanked off Cagayan de Oro City 25-18, 26-24, in the semifinals late Thursday in the 2019 Batang Pinoy Mindanao Finals held at the Max Mirafuentes Academy.

With the gold medal within reach, it seems that there's no more looking back for the girls of Davao City.

Most especially for its power trio composed of Marriane Polancos, Rika

As the host city bowed out from the competition, the rampaging Davao City side took flight to the semifinals against Talisayan slated at 1:00pm on Friday.

“We will try to adjust for tomorrow’s game. We committed a lot of errors and the players were completely off,” Sorrosa said in vernacular.

Sorrosa, however, believes that the team has what it takes to win the title. He said it will take proper execution of what they do in practice.

said.

Davao City will clash against the winner of the Davao del Norte-Talaingod Province semifinals showdown which will take flight today.

The championship game is set on Saturday.

Adam B. Morrell

Philam Life 7s League aims to develop grassroots booters

Sto. Tomas long distance ace wins track's first gol

T

AGUM CITY – Aaron Gumban woke up early to dominate the field, making him the first gold medalist in athletics on Day 4 action of the 2019 Batang Pinoy Mindanao leg Thursday at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex.

The 14-year-old Gumban displayed his deadly form as he ruled the 13-15 boys’ 5,0000-meter run in impressive fashion in this prestigious age-group event organized by the Philippine Sports Commission and Province of Davao del Norte.

Carrying the banner of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte, a small town one-hour drive

Irina Glenne Escandor serves for Davao City during the girls volleyball in the 2019 Batang Pinoy Mindanao Finals. Koii Canarias

FSTO.TOMAS, P10

Wizards, Bulls, Kings, Mavs in NBA trades T

he Washington Wizards traded Otto Porter Jr. to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Bobby Portis and Jabari Parker, according to multiple published reports Wednesday night.

The deal, which took place less than 24 hours before the NBA's trade deadline, also includes a 2023 second-round pick going from Chicago to Washington.

Porter, who averaged 12.6 points and 5.6 rebounds with the Wizards this season, has two years and $55.7 million remaining on his contract.

The 25-year-old Georgetown product is expected to join the Bulls' starting lineup at small forward.

Portis, 23, averaged 14.1

points and 7.3 rebounds in 22 games (six starts) for the Bulls this season. He was in his fourth year with Chicago, which selected him in the first round (No. 22 overall) out of Arkansas in 2015.

The deal ends a failed experiment for Parker, 23, who grew up in Chicago and hoped for a positive homecoming.

He averaged 14.3 points and 6.2 rebounds in 39 games (17 starts) with the Bulls, but he spent substantial time on the bench in recent weeks as the team turned to more developmental prospects instead.

Portis recently told reporters that he hoped to remain with the team for the long term through its rebuilding process.

"Bobby Portis just left the United Center," The

Athletic's Darnell Mayberry reported on his Twitter account. "All he had with him was a small Louis Vuitton backpack on his back, a pair of shoes and a Bulls jersey.

He looked shellshocked."

In another trade, the Sacramento Kings are set to acquire forward Harrison Barnes from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for forwards Justin Jackson and Zach Randolph, according to reports from The Athletic and ESPN. Barnes, 26, was on the court for the Mavericks as trade reports surfaced Wednesday night.

He entered the day averaging 17.8 points and 4.3 rebounds a game for Dallas, where he has spent the past two-plus seasons after beginning his pro career with the Golden State Warriors.

Alexander Tila of Davao City torched the hoops with 22 points against Tagum City.

Koii Canarias

The deal capped a busy day for Sacramento, which reportedly shipped guard Iman Shumpert to the Houston Rockets earlier in the evening as part of a three-way deal.

The Kings acquired Alec Burks from the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of that trade.

In exchange for Barnes, the Mavericks welcomed Jackson, 23, and Randolph, 37, who has not played this season.

Jackson averaged 6.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in 52 games (three starts) with Sacramento this season. The former North Carolina standout grew up in Houston and has appeared in 120 career NBA games (44 starts) since the Kings selected him with the No. 15 overall pick in 2017.

T

he Philam Life-7s Football League has introduced the youth division for its 3rd season last Sunday at the McKinley Hill Stadium.

The league aims to help develop the grassroots level of football in the country by providing an avenue to the youth clubs where they can play the sport and further improve on their skills.

As it was launched, league founder, Anton del Rosario was pretty satisfied with how the youth league turned out on matchday 1 and was happy that there were a lot of teams that joined in. He was optimistic that putting up the youth league in the league will further help football be known to the Filipinos and at the same time show everyone that football in the county is really promising.

“When it comes down to it, all the teams, the games were exciting, we got to see a lot of talent out there with the kids which is amazing and which is what I want to see,” said Del Rosario after the first day of the 7’s Football League.

“That’s what this whole thing is about when it comes down to the grassroots, we want to see the level that the youth is at and how they are improving,” he adds.

“We could see that football out here in this country is definitely growing, with the skills that these youth are showing.”

For its debut in the league, four age groups were introduced, which will eventually extend

into other division, given the time and the right demand for it.

“Right now we have 4 age groups; U9, U11, U13 [and] U15 and we are probably going to keep it at that and then if we can find more time, I guess maybe next season or something, then maybe we’ll add a girl’s division or second division.”

When asked of the possibility of adding another age group when it comes to the youth level of 7s football, Anton says that if there is a demand to add another age group then, he will be there to support the demand.

Bringing the idea of a youth level in the 7s Football League is a way to help the youth to improve their skills in the sport.

“You still play it as a professional, which it sort of shows and translates how important it is to play in such a small field. Small fields like this works on your skills, it works on your talent, it works on your touches, it works on your bar control, so a lot of the elements in this game, 7 a-side football is used in the 11 a-side football game. It is a great stepping stone, especially for the youth to play these games at 7 a-side and transition to 11 a-side. I mean, it’s very important.” del Rosario explains.

The Philam Life-7s Football League Youth Division is being played every Sundays; 2PM at the McKinley Hill Stadium. The Seniors Division games quickly follow on at 6PM.

12 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL.11 ISSUE 230 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8-9, 2019

TWIN GOLDS Navarro bags 2 golds in karatedo, Tacay, Blase add 1 each

By ADAM B. MORRELL

BATANG PINOY

T

AGUM CITY -- Davao City’s Kyzzhia Pauline Navarro stole the limelight by striking two gold medals in last Wednesday’s opener of the Batang Pinoy 2019 Mindanao Finals karate competition held in NCCC Mall here.

Navarro led Davao City’s gold medal haul after a brilliant finish in the girl’s 14-15 years old intermediate kata event followed with a dominant conquest in the girl’s -54kg kumite.

This 15-year old veteran internationalist who is under the watch of the Association for the Advancement of Karate (AAK) Davao flaunted her winning form to outshine Ailyn Ampao of Misamis Oriental, Leeshane Rusiana of Zamboanga City and

MEDAL TALLY LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Davao City's Kyzzhia Pauline Navarro with PSC Commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey. PSC photo

Aizelle Rose Rabaya of Tagoloan, who settled at the next three spots.

Navarro’s second gilt came after beating Noreen Xavier Argente of Surigao City in the finals of the sparring category.

Meantime, Azumi Tacay and Alexander

Blase added a gold medal each for Davao City.

Tacay overwhelmed JC Anne Marriz in the girl’s 150cm gold medal match while Blase dominated the boy’s 10-11 years old intermediate kata.

Jireh Badiles, on the

other hand, scored a silver in the boy’s 1011 years old advanced kata.

Aldrin Solon, John Philip Cagandahan, Gabriel Thomas Cornello and Robert Laurence Avanceña had one bronze medal each.

AS OF 07 FEBRUARY 2019 2 PM

GOLD SILVER BRONZE TOTAL

1. DAVAO CITY

27

21

39

87

2. KORONADAL CITY

18

9

6

33

3. DAVAO DEL NORTE

17

15

13

45

4. GENERAL SANTOS CITY

16

19

20

55

5. SOUTH COTABATO

16

19

16

51

6. CAGAYAN DE ORO

15

12

30

57

7. COTABATO PROVINCE

14

12

7

33

8. TACURONG CITY

13

8

5

26

9. ZAMBOANGA CITY

12

10

11

33

10. BUTUAN CITY

9

9

13

31

11. ILIGAN CITY

6

15

16

37

12. TAGUM CITY

5

7

7

19

13. DATU ODIN SINSUAT

5

4

6

15

14. PANABO CITY

5

4

3

12

15. VILLANUEVA, MISAMIS ORIENTAL

5

1

1

7

16. DIPOLOG CITY

4

7

17. SURIGAO CITY

4

4

6 6

17 14

18. DIGOS CITY

3 2

2 4

7 5

12

19. KIDAPAWAN CITY 20. BUKIDNON

2

4

3

9

21. PAGADIAN CITY

2

1

2

5

22. GUIPOS, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR

2

22. PIGCAWAYAN

2

23. CALAMBA, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL 24. MATI CITY

1

4

2

7

1

3

7

11

25. EL SALVADOR CITY

1

2

2

5

26. CARMEN, DAVAO DEL NORTE

1

2

1

4

27. CABANGLASAN

1

1

2

4

28. ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL

1 1

1

3

29. SUMILAO, BUKIDNON

1 1

30. MALAYBALAY CITY

1

30. SARANGANI PROVINCE

1

11

2 2

2 1 1

2 2

31. MACO, COMPOSTELA VALLEY

6

3

9

32. MALITA, DAVAO OCCIDENTAL

2

1

3

33. HAGONOY, DAVAO DEL SUR

1

1

2

34. KIAMBA, SARANGANI PROVINCE 34. LAGONGLONG

1 1

34. LINAMON

1

1 1 1

35. ANTIPAS

8

8

36. CABADBARAN CITY

3

3

EDGEDAVAO