Edge Davao | Vol 11 Issue 237 | Tuesday, February 19, 2019

VOL.11 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019

P 15.00 • 16 PAGES

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12TH BULAWAN FESTIVAL OF COMVAL OPENS MARCH 3 P2

EDGE DAVAO Serving a seamless society

BRON’S GANG RALLY PAST TEAM GIANNIS 178-164 SPORTS P11

MUTYA NG DAVAO 2019. Candidates enjoy a light moment at the sidelines of the press presentation of the 29 candidates for Mutya ng Davao 2019 held at Star Hotel in Davao City on Monday. Lean Daval Jr

MUTYA SURPRISES Of 29 bets, one is victim of men’s violence, the other a gay

By RALPH LAWRENCE LLEMIT

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wo outstanding surprises surfaced during yesterday’s announcement of the 29 candidates for Mutya ng Dabaw 2019, apart from the aspirants’ initial explanation of their advocacy for women empowerment.

One candidate admitted she was a victim of domestic violence, while the other confessed she was a proud member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community.

Originally allotted for 30 slots, Jhanneal Bianca Ramirez, a medical student, backed out the day before the revelation of the official candidates for the pageant.

According to Dan Salvaña Jr., Mutya ng Dabaw 2018 event director, Ramirez had to back out after the dean of her school did not allow her

to join the competition.

Entering the final list of 29 are We’am Ahmed, Irha Mel Alfeche, Regine Anillo, Danielle Abigail Apostol, Lovely Mae Aquino, Trixie Marie Cabiles, Candy Ruth Cameros, Louise Ann Canalija, Vanessa Coustley, Julia Nicole Culaste, Christine Angelica Dacera, Darlene Paula

Dichoso, Irish Ebuen, Dulce Amor Lumictin, Shann Khelsie Madanlo, Athena Therese Melocoton, Eula Cristine Napuli, Ybonne Ortega, Mary Coleen Pangan, Ashly May Potolin, Rhesam Mae Quindoy, Reynalie Jane Remulta, Jan Marine Rendon, Apryl Nicole Roque, Charmaine Bless Shotwell, Clydel June Tabacolde, Lady Lou Tabudlong, Alea Tibayan and Jeriza Uy. During the question and portion, Roque was tearyeyed when asked about the existing city ordinance that is very important for her. She answered the city’s existing Women’s Development Code.

She revealed during the interview that she had a physical trauma from her two ex-boyfriends, and her parents did not know about it.

Roque, a flight attendant, said that the women’s ordinance should further be implemented, as many women continue to suffer maltreatment, both verbal and physical abuse in the city.

“We should be aware take good care of ourselves. We should not allow men to look down upon us. We should speak out for ourselves whenever we get to experi-

FMUTYA, P10

Cop faces charges, dismissal for firing gun

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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Davao City police officer is facing charges for indiscriminate firing after a heated altercation with his common-law-partner on Sunday.

The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) identified the suspect as PO1 Glonard Bryan Maneja, 31, who is currently assigned at City Mobile Force Company of DCPO (DCPO-CMFC).

DCPO director Sr. Supt.

Alexander Tagum said Maneja will face charges for violation of election gun ban as well as alarms and scandal after his neighbors in Shrine Hills, Matina felt the threat.

“I have referred him to our Investigation Detection Management Branch and Talomo Police Station for the filing of criminal charges

FCOP, P10

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019

DIGONG MASCOT. A President Rodrigo Duterte mascot entertains the crowd with a dance number at Roxas night market over the weekend. Lean Daval Jr

12th Bulawan Festival of ComVal opens March 3

By ADAM B. MORRELL

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n celebration of its 21st founding anniversary, Compostela Valley province officially open its 12th Bulawan Festival on March 3.

The week-long celebration that runs until March 8 will feature a series of activities that involves sports, entertainment, job opportunities, agriculture, business, education, culinary, women, youth and golden partnerships among others.

Bulawan Festival action officer Sholai Lim, on Monday, February 18, said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw held at the Annex of SM City Davao that Compostela Valley, which will be renamed soon as Davao de Oro, is into transition with public-private (sector) partnership, thus, the private sector is involved in this year’s celebration.

The P20-million budget for the six days of celebration, said Lim, was raised through the combined efforts of the province and its new private sector partners which includes Representative Maricar Zamora, Ruel Gonzaga, Gov Jayvee Tyron Uy, Ulticon Builder, Dumper Partylist, Marino Partylist, Apex Mining Corporation, Torre Lorenzo Development Corporation Davao, Pheonix Petrolume Philippines, LYR Group of Companies, JVF Commercial and Project Development Support Services Company, Comval Capitol Multipurpose Cooperative, Nabunturan Integrated Cooperative, Mabuhay Ware-

Eastmincom to talk with CHED on NPA recruitment of students

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he Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) will hold a dialogue with officials of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Education (DepEd) and members of the academe over the recruitment of students by the communist New People’s Army (NPA).

Eastmincom spokesperson, Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey said they don't have the exact number of students from Mindanao who ended as NPA members but there are records of those who were recruited to join the rebel group in Eastern Mindanao.

Balagtey said Eastmincom is appealing to parents and school officials to prevent students from joining the NPA. "They always do deceptive recruitment in the guise of or-

ganizing a legitimate student organization," Balagtey said, referring to the communist group.

"Unwittingly, these students who were recruited are being agitated and, eventually, being required to undergo immersion in the armed group before their eventual integration into the NPA like what happened to the UPLB (University of the Philippines-Los Baños) student who was recently killed in an encounter," he said.

Capt.

Jerry Lamosao, spokesperson of 10th Infantry Division, said, “The students of Salugpungan schools are direct recruits of the NPA.” He said that in the urban centers, students who cut classes to join anti-government rallies are vulnerable to NPA recruitment. (PNA)

house, Mich Construction and Supply, STL Operators, Cyrus Janes Builders and Supplies, DMI Enterprise, Beauty Derm Philippines and Krishael’s Events and Concepts among others.

“This time around daghan kaayo tag private partners nga ni supporta sa atoang Bulawan Festival 2019. Dako kaayo amoang pasalamat kay this is the first year nga nag transition ta and yet ingana ka hugot ang supporta nga gipakita nila para sa Compostela Valley province,” Lim said.

The action officer also announced that the 3rd Business and Investment Conference that will be held in the Dusit Thani on March 4, will be among the greatest highlights of the celebration.

Meanwhile, the opening

ceremony will kick off with a fun run dubbed as “Prosperity Run” followed with the traditional cutting of ribbon that will be spearheaded by Comval governor Jayvee Tyron Uy. Comval provincial agriculturist Minda Agarano, on the other hand, shared the 1st Mindanao Open Bonsai and Suiseki Competition which will be hosted at the Trade Fair, Capitol Compound, Cabidianan, Nabunturan in Compostela Valley.

The competition, said Agarano, is first in Mindanao and they are glad to host it during the biggest celebration of Comval.

The competition is comprised of bonsai and suiseki categories with the best entries in both categories will taking home huge cash prizes.

2 dead, 2 hurt in separate ambushes in Cotabato City

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OTABATO CITY -- Police personnel are hunting down suspects on a motorbike who ambushed and killed a police officer and wounded another along Yapsy St. here Sunday night.

Police Officer 1 Ali Mama, 26, a resident of President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat was pronounced dead on arrival at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center. Injured was PO1 Jolace Ali Guiamad, 27, a resident of Datu Paglas, Maguindanao.

Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco, director of Police Regional Office 12 (Socsksargen), said both police officers belonged to the Cotabato City Police Mobile Force Company under Supt. Romero Galgo Jr. A report from Senior Supt. Michael Lebanan, city police director, said the victims were on board a motorbike and were re-

turning to the city from Maguindanao when they were ambushed along Yapsy St., Barangay Rosary Heights 10 at about 7 p.m.

Mama failed to make it alive to the hospital while Guiamad remains under observation in the same hospital.

The motive of the attack remains unknown as police investigators are still digging deeper into the case.

At about the same time, a security guard, identified as Jhonny Quimgo, 40, was killed in another ambush at the corner of Kimpo and Sousa streets here.

His companion, Marlon Tamagos, 32, was injured and is undergoing medication in a hospital following the ambush.

Police said the victims were heading home from a cockfighting event when ambushed. (PNA)

DOT lauds DILG move vs erring tourism firms

By RALPH LAWRENCE LLEMIT Department of Tourism-XI (DOT-XI) said that the initiative of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) that orders all local government units (LGUs), not to give the primary tourism enterprises (PTEs) a permit, if they are not DOT-accredited, is a welcome development towards sustainable tourism development.

Last week, DILG reiterated the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9593 or Tourism Act of 2009, indicating that PTEs such as hotels, resorts, inns, and other accommodation establishments are required to se-

cure accreditation from the DOT for issuance of license or permit to operate.

DOT-XI director Tanya Rabat-Tan said that prior to the DILG-order, Davao City had already made initial steps towards it.

Last January, the Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) blocked some 300 business establishments in the city after failing to comply with the requirements for the tourism licenses.

Rabat, who was recently appointed last month, said that sustainable tourism is one of the anchored priorities of her office, as mandated by President Duterte.

She said that the regional tourism office is still finalizing its plans under her term as DOT head.

“We’re still building good foundation. Our goals and programs are to forge good partnership with stakeholders. Maybe a few months, I could then give a concrete project,” Rabat said on Saturday afternoon during the Carbon Forest Project tree planting project in Bago Gallera, Davao City.

The project is in partnership of the Philippine Eagle Foundation and Ayala Land Corporation, wherein an estimated 15,000 trees are to be planted for the reforestation that consist of six-hect-

are

open

space

forest.

Various civilian organizations and government and security agencies, including the Davao Tourism Association (DATA), Task Force Davao and the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), participated in the tree planting project.

“Our participation of the tree planting project shows our support to the national government’s campaign for sustainable tourism,” Rabat said.

She also said that the agency will be conducting other social responsibility activities quarterly, such as clean up drive.

VOL.11 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS

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DCWD Victoria Plaza suboffice and collection centers open on February 25, 2019

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avao City Water District’s Victoria Plaza sub-office and collection centers in SM Lanang and Felcris Centrale are open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on February 25, 2019 despite the declaration of this day as special non-working holiday in commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary.

However, DCWD Matina office and Bajada and Toril sub-offices are closed on said holiday.

Their regular operations will resume on February 26, 2019.

All due dates falling on February 25, 2019 will remain as scheduled.

The DCWD management assures the general

public that the operations of its technical departments and Call Center/ Central Information Unit will not be disrupted during the holiday to ensure continuous water service and offsite customer service support.

Customers may contact DCWD through the 24-hour hotlines 297-DCWD (3293), 0927-7988966, 09255113293, and 09084410653 or the chat feature of DCWD’s website (www.davao-water.gov. ph) and official Facebook page (www.facebook. com/davaowater) for queries and updates related to DCWD’s services.

(Alexan Lynette L. Cabeguin)

ONE OF THEM. Candidate No. 21 Louise Ann Canalija says if given a chance to win this year's Mutya ng Davao, she will advocate and will be supporting the current City Ordinance intended to help the LGBTQ sector of the city. Canalija revealed that she is a member of the LGBTQ sector during the presentation of the 29 candidates for Mutya ng Davao 2019 held at Star Hotel on Monday. Lean Daval Jr

to BARMM Federalism advocates ARMM turnover on Feb. 25 open to integration T

By RALPH LAWRENCE LLEMIT

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He said that the merger would be like a “Bayanihan Constitution”, wherein the Constitutional Commission (ConCom) will be accepting the suggestions that the different federalism groups would be proposing.

“We would like to believe that all of these will be submitted as suggestions to revise the versions which was drafted by the ConCom, since they were the ones who made the contents of the proposal,” lawyer Albay said.

The KPP member said that they will have a Mindanao-level consultation this March, wherein they will be collating suggestions from their members, that they will

be submitting to the ConCom. Albay said some of the provisions that they were currently disseminating in the entire country are lack of powers for the supposed regional state of government.

Meanwhile, National Alliance for Philippine Federalism president Harold “Bong” Martinez is suggesting to reduce the current 18 regions to 8, so that the regional government will be manageable.

Martinez also contradicted the result of the 2018 Social Weather Station (SWS) survey, saying that 75 percent of Filipinos are not knowledgeable about federalism.

“As we went to the different parts of the country, we saw that people were aware about federalism,” he said during the Davao Media Forum a week ago.

Martinez admitted that there have also been a lot of

oppositions to the proposed form of government, similar to the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

“We are not being complacent in our campaign. Just because President Digong is from Mindanao, doesn’t mean that federalism will automatically win,” he said.

The advocate also mentioned that Davao region has a very low reception towards federalism, unlike in 2014, wherein Duterte started his roadshow to the different parts of the country, which eventually lead him to the presidency in 2016.

“Davao has a weak reception because the local executives in the barangays are blocking its passage, because they are thinking that they will be removed in their positions once it will be passed.

But no, they will still be retained,” Martinez said.

tary officers is the Officer Candidate School (OCS).

Esmero, a lieutenant colonel of the Army reserve and current commander of the 701st Cebu Ready Reserve Battalion, said ROTC helps ensure stability within the ranks of officers in the current military setup in the country and makes the nation safer in the hands of diversified personalities who wear the same uniform.

“Being a citizen soldier, he or she asserts that a democratic nation like ours is safer if some of its military officers are selected from a broad range of citizens, rather than from a professional elite trained only at military academies like the Philippine Military Academy,” Esmero told the graduates, professors, and students of the Lapu-Lapu City College during the graduation rites for the school’s ROTC cadets.

He said that training stu-

dents to become future officers of the armed forces is “an acceptable mechanism for bringing such a diverse group of citizens (like us) into the military.”

The training provides an educational experience that is significantly different from what they get from the PMA, he said. “Sige sila og tuon sa siyensiya sa panggubatan, kita sa ROTC nagtuon kita og siyensiya sa katawhan. We humanize the combat life. And we go to combat with humanity in our mind,” he said.

The engineering professor said that young people who underwent ROTC have high sense of "patriotism and nationalism.”

If ever ROTC becomes mandatory, he said the country will produce “citizens who love his Republic and who thinks first the altruistic concern over other concerns.”

He stressed that graduates

of ROTC in different schools are prove to be loyal citizens of the country, citing their heroism in previous wars.

He lamented the negative result of Republic Act 9163, the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001, that makes ROTC as optional component, along with Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) and Literacy Training Service (LTS), as many colleges and universities “are not keen on making ROTC as its major NSTP program” in favor of CWTS. A professor of the University of San Jose Recoletos, Esmero underwent military school such as the General Staff Course (GSC) at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, along with another government officials such as former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Budget and Management Secretary Banjamin Diokno. (PNA)

ederalism advocates from different groups are open the plan of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to merge in the campaign towards federalism.

This comes after President Rodrigo Duterte, in October 2018, created the Inter-Agency Task Force on Federalism (IATF), under Memorandum circular No. 52 IATF is tasked in “integrating, harmonizing, and coordinating ongoing efforts towards federalism and constitutional reform.”

Kilos Pederalismo sa Pagbabago (KPP) member, former City Councilor Aris Albay said that they are open to working with other federalism groups.

Albay, who was present during the National Summit on Federalism last February 7 and 8 at the Manila Hotel, said that they already received the guidelines of the IATF.

ROTC infuses balance in PH military: prof

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andatory reserve officer training corps (ROTC) in senior high school will bring the country into safer hands with future military organization that has a mixture of officers from both the civilian schools and the military academy, a professor who is also a senior reservist officer, said on Saturday.

Professor Antonio Esmero said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) picks its officers to supervise the 25,000-strong military organization from graduates of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and other sources with civilian elements.

One of the civilian source of AFP officers, he said, is the ROTC whose products are not graduates of the PMA but are college students who choose not to pursue their respective professions because of their passion to serve the armed forces. Other source of mili-

he 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) will take their oath of office on February 20 in Malacanang on the same day of the “ceremonial confirmation” of the canvass results of the January 21 and February 6 plebiscite on RA 11054 or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Malacanang has yet to announce the names of the 80 members of the BTA who will take their oath.

The nominees have been vetted but “we do not know yet the final 80 members of the BTA,” Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez told MindaNews late Saturday night.

Galvez had earlier told MindaNews they were eyeing February 21 as the date but according to the invitation sent out by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), the oathtaking will be on February 20, at 4 p.m. at the Heroes Hall in Malacanang.

The OPAPP has not formally announced the date of the oathtaking but Gerry Salapuddin, chair of the Southern Philippines Development Authority posted on his Facebook page on Saturday morning the OPAPP’s invitation to him. He also announced on his page the February 25 schedule of the turnover from ARMM to BARMM. Several other Moro leaders received the same invitation for February 20 from the OPAPP. Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) told MindaNews on Saturday that they were informed Friday about the change in date from February 21 to February 20.

The BTA will govern the Bangsamoro during the threeyear transition period until June 30, 2022, when the first set of officials of the BARMM shall have been elected and taken their oath on the inauguration of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Murad is the MILF’s nominee for Chief Minister. The 80-member BTA headed by the Chief Minister will be appointed

by President Rodrigo Duterte.

41 and 39 In accordance with the

Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the peace agreement signed by government and the MILF on March 27, 2014, the BTA is to be led by the MILF. The MILF submitted a list of 41 nominees to the BTA while the OPAPP submitted a list of 39.

The BTA oathtaking comes four days short of two years since the 21-member Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), also led by the MILF, took their oath on February 24, 2017 in Davao City.

The BTC was tasked to draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law. What is now RA 11054 is the substitute bill filed by the Bicameral Conference Committee of Congress.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman confirmed to MindaNews that February 25 is the turnover from ARMM to BARMM. “Yan initial arrangement with OPAPP,” he said.

(Six years earlier, on February 25, 2013, then President Benigno Simeon Aquino III named the members of the then 15 member-BTC. The Aquino administration forged the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro in October 2012 and the CAB in March 2014 after 17 years of peace negotiations, but failed to pass the enabling law).

Based on the results of the 2019 plebiscite, the BARMM is composed of the five-province, two-city, 116-town ARMM (Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan), plus Cotabato City and 63 villages in North Cotabato.

Sulu voted “no” to the ratification but will still be part of the BARMM because the law provides that the ARMM votes as “one geographical unit.” Sulu has a pending petition before the Supreme Court to declare RA 11054 unconstitutional, citing various reasons, including the treatment of ARMM as one geographical area.

Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi had earlier said they will file a protest on the conduct of the plebiscite in the city, alleging the MILF employed threats and intimidation. The MILF denied the allegations.

“Rekindling hope”

FARMM, P9

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019

Gov’t support propels rise of Caraga’s corn industry

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NIGHT MARKET. A worker grills pork barbeque while customers wait at a food stall at Roxas night market over the weekend. Lean Daval Jr

Davao-Gensan-Bitung route to resume this year: officials

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enior officials from the Philippines and Indonesia met at the sidelines of the 2019 BIMP-EAGA Strategic Planning Meeting in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia on February 14, to discuss the resumption of the Davao City-General Santos City-Bitung (D/GB) shipping route with a Manila-based shipping company, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) assistant secretary Romeo Montenegro said on Sunday.

Montenegro told MindaNews that the two countries agreed to reconvene the Philippines-Indonesia Joint Task Force on the D/GB route to be led by transport officials as the new player, Reefer Express Lines, plans to start servicing the route within the first half of 2019 with its 100 to 120 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) vessel, depending on the final negotiations between the shipping company and exporters from both sides.

Montenegro said the shipping firm’s executives presented its plan to serve the D/GB route with additional calls on other ports in Indonesia, Malaysia, and

Brunei en route to Singapore but added the company has yet to discuss the details with other shippers from the Philippines, Indonesia, and even players from Sabah, Malaysia.

He said key senior government officials met to “discuss the next steps to restart the Davao-General Santos-Bitung shipping link, following submission of formal intent by a new shipping player, Reefer Lines, to serve the route.”

“There have been bilateral discussions to restart the route but had not seen specific way forward with the absence of alternate shipping company, until now. This

is the first formal bilateral meeting, with Reefer Lines around to present its proposal,” he said.

He said both governments have committed to support the resumption of the route service, with Philippines suggesting that interested Filipino exporters are likely “to tap the route once regularly served” while Indonesia expressed interest to import bananas and onions from Mindanao.

He said Aboitiz Equity Ventures has already committed to use the route for its export of Pilmico flour to North Sulawesi and possibly animal feeds after acquiring Singapore’s Gold Coin Management Holdings last year.

He said the D/GB route remains to be the most “cost-effective and time-saving alternative” with sailing period of one and a half days compared with the previous Davao-Manila-Jakarta-Surabaya-Bitung route which takes three to four weeks.

The D/GB shipping route was launched on April 30,

2017 with President Rodrigo R. Duterte of the Philippines and Preside Widodo of Indonesia at the KTC Port in Sasa, Davao City.

The maiden voyage, serviced by a 500-TEU M/V Super Shuttle RORO 12, owned by Cebu-based Asian Marine Transport Corp., left for Bitung carrying only five TEUs of flour from Pilimico.

It halted due to lack of cargo.

But Montenegro added the vessel can “still serve the route when the volume becomes commercially viable, given its vessel size. “ “The Reefer Lines is able to present viable alternative with just the right size vessel with 100-120 TEU capacity and routes that can span beyond Bitung port in Indonesia,” he said, suggesting that this was a result of the bilateral discussions “to explore other possible alternative shipping players with smaller vessels, given the operational challenge of serving just initial volume of load.” (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

UTUAN CITY -- Strong government support and favorable weather condition have paved the way for the rise of the corn industry in Caraga Region during last year’s cropping season.

Based on 2018 corn performance data, Caraga Region posted a positive increase compared to the 2017 data in terms of area harvested, production and yield.

As per Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) record, in 2017 the area harvested for the corn in the region was 34,034 hectares with a total production of 119,980 metric tons (MT) and an average yield of 3.53 MT per hectare.

Last years’ performance exceeded the 2017 record, with 36,699 hectares area harvested and produced 135,627 MT with an average yield of 3.70 MT per hectare.

In comparison, the area harvested from 2017 to 2018 posted an increase of 8 percent while production posted an increase of 13 percent and a yield increase of 5 percent.

Melody Guimary, DA-Caraga regional corn program coordinator, said that last year’s increase was due to favorable weather condition for corn production and the support extended by DA Caraga to the farmers.

“Our support to corn farmers had led the way for an increase of Caraga’s performance in corn industry in 2018,” she said.

DA-Caraga had distributed around P60 million-worth of agricultural equipment for farm mechanization and post-harvest facilities in 2018 such as farm tractors, corn picker, combine harvester, compact corn mill, vertical dryer, and other facilities.

Aside from mechanization support, DA also extended technical support through training, provision of corn seeds and ameliorant, and market support.

"This year, 2019, we are hopeful that the momentum will continue for better production and looking forward to more vibrant corn industry in the region,” Guimary said.

She added that for 2019, the DA-Caraga corn program is targetting to increase corn production with an additional 3,000 hectares of corn area.

“Though our projection is not that easy, we are closely working with the local government units (LGUs) in identifying new areas for corn production that would eventually contribute to the increase of our production for the current year,” Guimary explained.

With an open mind of the farmers to embrace right farming technology and favorable weather condition, Guimary is optimistic that 2019 would be another great year for the corn industry in the region. (Aurelius P. Arais, DA Caraga/PIA Caraga)

PH Army deploys EOD units vs Reds' mine threat

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he Philippine Army (PA) is deploying explosive ordnance demolition (EOD) units in the field to neutralize the dangers posed by the New People's Army (NPA)'s continuing use of anti-personnel mines, landmines and improvised explosive devices. "(Yes), we have deployed explosive ordnance demolition units in the field. They are deployed by detachment supporting each infantry division," Army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva said in a text message.

In previous months, the military has unearthed landmines in various areas where there is still presence of the NPA, a listed terrorist organization in the United States and the European Union.

"An EOD company is about 50 personnel. Their task is to provide support to combat units in terms of clearing mines/IEDs and disposal of exploded ordnance. Their basic equipment are (the) bomb suit, hook and line," Villanueva said.

Earlier, Col. Edgardo de Leon, 403rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the recovered anti-personnel mines in one of their operations can kill civilians, who are unaware of their devastating effect and could have picked them up out of curiosity.

He said the NPA’s continuing use of anti-personnel mines is a direct violation of the Ottawa Convention banning the use of anti-personnel mines because of its mutilating effect on the victims. (PNA)

SoCot hog raisers welcome Modernization of maritime ban on pork importation vs drug smuggling begins

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ENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Hog raisers here and in nearby South Cotabato are backing up the move to ban pork meat and other pork products from countries suspected to be infected with the dreaded African Swine Fever (ASF).

An officer of the South Cotabato Swine Producers Association (SOCOSPA) said the spread of the swine disease into the country could wipe out the entire Philippine hog industry.

“It (ASF) is very dangerous. The mortality rate is 100 percent. It can wipe a farm in months,” the officer, who did not want to be identified for lack of authority from his group, said in reaction to reports that the Department of Agriculture has added Vietnam on the

growing list of countries, where imported pork meat and other products are now banned.

ASF is a highly contagious hemorrhagic disease of pigs, warthogs, European wild boar and American wild pigs and can quickly spread in pig herds.

SOCOSPA urged the government to institute mitigating measures in any event the swine disease spreads into the country.

In September last year, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol ordered a ban on pork imports from China, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Russia, and Ukraine following reports of outbreaks of ASF there.

On Monday, Piñol said he will issue an order to include Vietnam, following reports

that the swine disease has already spread in the said country.

Piñol, earlier, also temporarily prohibited pork products from Japan.

“We have to protect our hog industry from diseases even if that would mean closing our borders to pork coming from high-risk or ASF affected countries,” he said.

The agriculture secretary said the hog industry is a vital sector in Philippine agriculture.

“It is growing tremendously through the efforts of stakeholders,” he said.

The move to protect the local hog industry all the more became expedient given that the country will soon export pork meat and pork

FSOCOT, P10

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has started the modernization of its maritime units in a bid to enhance its capability to combat seaborne illegal drugs smuggling.

PNP chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde said part of the modernization is to purchase more motorized patrol boats and recruitment and training of additional personnel for maritime operations.

"We are modernizing our maritime group. We have procurement last year and there will be a portion of our 2019 budget that will be allocated for the capability enhancement," Albayalde told reporters on Saturday.

At present, Albayalde said various border patrol

agreements with the Philippines’ neighbor countries complement the PNP’s limited sea assets to patrol open seas.

"Notwithstanding our bilateral agreements with Indonesia and with Malaysia, there are continuous border patrols. It has dual purposes, against illegal drugs and against terrorism," Albayalde said.

For his part, Chief Supt.

Rodelio Jocson, director of the PNP Maritime Group, said procurement of 28 gunboats have been approved last year with seven of them already delivered while the remaining 21 expected to be turned over this year.

Jocson said additional 18 gunboats will be also purchased this year to sig-

nificantly improve the PNP’s maritime capability.

He said the PNP’s Maritime Group has also acquired several drones to bolster its operations against drug smugglers.

"The procurement of drones comes with the construction of drone centers and training of drone pilots," said Jocson.

Despite the modernization of the maritime unit’s capabilities, Jocson admitted that guarding the country's coastlines remain a big challenge.

The Philippines, he said, is the fifth country in the world with the longest coastlines, making it difficult to totally seal off the country from smuggling activities, particularly for drugs.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019

ECONOMY

5

SSS contribution collections jump by P22B in 2018: Dooc

S

tate-run Social Security System (SSS) over the weekend said its contribution collections jumped by more than P22.19 billion in 2018 on the back of the aggressive collection efforts of the agency.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel F. Dooc said members’ contributions hit P181.92 billion in 2018, up by 13.89 percent from the P159.72 billion recorded in 2017.

“We are very pleased that we have ended the year 2018 on a positive notch. Contribution collections comprised more than 86 percent of our total revenue last year,” he said.

Based on the unaudited financial records of the pension fund, total revenues of SSS reached P212.57 billion in 2018, registering a growth of 6.02 percent from the P200.50 billion recorded in 2017.

Total expenditures of the pension fund, on the other, slightly rose by 5.33 percent to P189.84 billion in 2018 from the P180.23 billion recorded a year ago. Broken down, benefit payments contributed largely to the increase in total expenditures in 2018 with P180.08 billion following the adjustments in Employees’ Compensation (EC) benefits in the middle of the year while operating expenses barely increased to P9.76 billion from the P9.54

billion recorded a year ago.

“As you can see, benefit payments was P9.39 billion higher than last year.

Increase in the number of benefit claims rose by an average of 7 percent in the last six months of the year.

The implementation of the EC benefit adjustment also contributed to the increase in benefit disbursements along with the release of the 13thmonth pension of qualified pensioners and their dependents,” he said.

SSS, the administrator of EC claims for private employees, said more than P442.38 million was disbursed to 17,619 EC pensioners for the additional benefit of P1,150 starting on January 2017 until October 2018 including the 13th-month pension for the year 2017 and for the additional P425 carer’s allowance per month starting May 2018 to October 2018.

SSS’ financial standing remained well-managed with total resources of P507.32 billion or P2.45 billion higher than the 2017 year-end level of P504.87 billion as of end-December 2018.

“We hope to continue this growth in terms of our collections this year. We are hopeful, especially with the passing of the SS Act of 2018, to continue to post growth in performance and further serve our members and pensioners quality programs and privileges,” he said. (SSS)

PNP hails SWS survey on Pinoys who said drug users dropped The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday welcomed the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing that 66 percent of Filipinos believe the number of drug users in their communities has decreased due to intensified illegal drugs campaign of President Rodrigo R. Duterte's administration.

“The high rating obtained proves that the continuing anti-illegal drugs campaign of the government is effective in convincing drug dependents to refrain from further using illegal drugs,” PNP Spokesperson, Senior Supt. Bernard Banac said in a statement.

Banac said the war on drugs has also been “instrumental in reducing the total number of crimes na-

tionwide thereby, creating a secure environment where people feel safe to live, work and do business”.

The PNP, he said, assured the public that it will continue to perform its mandate within the bounds of the law and with utmost respect for human rights.

The survey, conducted in December 2018, showed that 66 percent of Filipinos claimed that the number of drug users in their area has declined over the past year.

Mindanao, at 83 percent, has the highest percentage of people who answered there are less drug addicts in their area compared to last year, followed by the Visayas at 71 percent, Metro Manila at 67 percent, and Luzon at 54 percent.

BULAWAN FEST 2019. Bulawan Festival action officer Sholai Lim (left), together with Compostela Valley Province provincial agriculturist Minda Agarano, talks about the upcoming Bulawan Festival, including the 1st Mindanao Open Bonsai

Suiseki Competition and Mindanao Trade Expo, set on March 3 to 8 at Capitol Compound, Cabidianan, Nabunturan. Lim provided the details during the Kapehan sa Davao at SM City Davao on Monday. Lean Daval Jr

NEDA to deliberate on P30-B Davao monorail

T

he Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) is set to deliberate within the month the unsolicited proposal of the company owned by Davao-based business tycoon Dennis Uy for the construction of a P30-billion monorail project in Davao City.

NEDA 11 director Maria Lourdes Lim said in an interview that during the deliberation, the NEDA-ICC will look into the viability of the proposed intra-city urban rail transport system called “Davao City Mover Project,” which is seen as one of the solutions to ease the traffic congestion here.

“It’s usually during NEDA-ICC deliberations that the committee looks at the viability of the project and of course since this is an unsolicited proposal, meaning, there’s going to be an exposure of the private partner with the government,” she said, adding that a risk assessment matrix will be determined if it’s “not onerous on the part of government.”

The NEDA-ICC consists of the finance sectary as chairman; the NEDA director-general as co-chairman; and the

executive secretary, secretaries of agriculture, trade and industry, budget and management, and the governor of the Central Bank of the Philippines as members.

The ICC is tasked to evaluate the fiscal, monetary and balance of payments implications of major national projects, and recommends to the President the timetable of their implementation on a regular basis; advise the President on matters related to the domestic and foreign borrowings program; and submit a status of the fiscal, monetary and balance of payments implications of major national projects.

Lim said that once the NEDA-ICC endorses its approval to the NEDA Board, the proposal will be placed under a Swiss Challenge, to be handled by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), which

granted Udenna Corporation of Uy, a friend and campaign funder of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, with original proponent status for the monorail project.

As the original proponent, Lim said the Udenna Corporation has “a certain advantage because you are the original proponent” but added that the Swiss Challenge is “resorted to so that other possible bidders may come in, and outdo probably the proposal of the original proponent.”

“We may see a reduction in cost or better technology, better innovations than the original proponent’s documents. That really is the beauty of going through the Swiss Challenge,” she said.

Aside from Uy, the Korean Engineering Company submitted its unsolicited proposal in 2015 while Philtram/Maglev Vision Corp., in partnership with state-run China Railway Engineering Consulting Group Inc., in January 2017.

The intra-city urban rail transport system has been identified as one of the high-priority projects in the 27-year Infrastructure Mod-

ernization for Davao City (IM4Davao) to address traffic congestion.

Under IM4Davao, the first phase of the 15-km mass transit main line phase 1 will run from Davao-Bukidnon Road to J.P. Laurel Avenue Cor. R. Castillo St. Other components of the railway, which are eyed to be completed by 2045, include a 6.6-km extension 1 (from Toril to Davao-Bukidnon Road); and construction and operationalization of 7.3-km extension 2 (from J.P. Laurel Avenue Cor. R. Castillo Street, to Mudiang, and to airport), 6.9km spur line from J.P. Laurel Avenue to Tagum Digos Central Station, and 3.6-km spur line form Maharlika Highway and Junction of Davao-Bukidnon Road.

Uy’s firms Udenna and Chelsea Holdings created a consortium with China Telecom known as Mislatel that was officially declared as the country’s new major telco player after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) En Banc issued its confirmation order on November 19. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

Tullahan River can be transport route: DENR Local execs in Surigao town declare NPA‘persona non grata’ O

T

he local leaders of Barangay Camam-onan and Gigaquit town of Surigao del Norte declared the New People’s Army (NPA) as persona non grata following the surrender of 28 members of the communist Militia ng Bayan on Friday.

The declaration of the NPA as persona non grata by Camam-onan Barangay Captain Inday Flor Bangga and Gigaquit Mayor Elvira Egay also prompted some 267 members of the Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) to withdrew their support to the NPA. The surrenderers also handed over seven assorted firearms to the 30th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division under Lt. Col. Allen Raymund Tomas.

Barangay Camam-onan is one of the 32 villages in Su-

rigao del Norte that have been declared as peace and development zone (PDZ) in the province.

It was in Gigaquit where the PDZ initiative of Caraga region was launched in August last year.

There are currently 116 villages targeted as peace zones – six in Butuan, 22 in Agusan del Sur, 32 in Surigao del Norte and 39 in Surigao del Sur. With this development, Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) commander, Maj. Gen. Felimon Santos, lauded the collaboration and cooperation of stakeholders in the peace zones.

Santos expressed optimism that the government and communities will finally achieve peace and cut the cycle of insurgency.

"Way to go. We can achieve the peace that we are longing

and cut the cycle of insurgency if we put our acts together and resolve issues and concern being used by the NPA as propaganda subject,” Santos said in a statement.

Col. Ezra Balagtey, Eastmincom spokesperson, said Camam-onan was used to be considered as a conflict-affected area.

Balagtey said the PDZ is a joint peace-building initiative of the Regional Peace and Order Council and the Regional Development Council of CARAGA region which seeks to address the root causes of conflict through reconciliation, peace constituency building, social, political and economic transformation.

The peace zone initiative was introduced by then 4thID commander and now Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, Gen.

FLOCAL, P9

nce the Tullahan River is cleaned up, it can be developed as an alternative transport route for people and goods to ease traffic on Metro Manila's streets, an official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.

"If we can clean up and revive Tullahan River, this waterway can serve that purpose," DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones said recently.

He made the assessment after inspecting the river this month in preparation for its cleanup, one of the activities for rehabilitating the Manila Bay. Tullahan River flows from Quezon City to the cities of Valenzuela and Malabon before discharging into Manila Bay. The cities are some of

the country's centers of population, trade and industry -- highlighting Tullahan River's potential as an alternative transport route.

Leones cited several examples of waterways that are helping promote mobility. He said waterways in Venice, Italy still provide the means for transporting people and goods, Singapore has river transportation, and Thailand has floating markets.

"Using waterways as transport routes can be done," he said.

The DENR has set the dredging of the Tullahan River beginning this year to remove silt and trash that accumulated over the years. The debris continues to pollute water, reducing water-carrying capacity and impeding

water flow.

Accumulation of silt and trash also affected the biodiversity of the Tullahan River, Leones added.

"If we clean up that river, there's a chance for species to eventually live there again," he said.

Leones acknowledged the difficulty of cleaning up the Tullahan River due to the extent of environmental degradation. He expressed gratitude to San Miguel Corp. for offering to undertake the cleanup, as the DENR welcomed assistance of the private sector in Manila Bay's rehabilitation.

The rehabilitation involves cleaning up Manila Bay itself and its tributaries, relocating informal settlers, and educating the public on solid waste management. (PNA)

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019

EDITORIAL Heart attack benefit package needed

M

ore than 42,000 Filipinos are admitted to hospitals due to acute myocardial or coronary syndrome, and 3,800 die every year of heart attack based on 2017 data by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth). But unlike other Southeast Asian countries, like Singapore and Thailand where 70 percent to 90 percent heart attack patients receive the treatment, only 1 percent of the 25,000 Filipinos admitted in hospitals every year due to heart attack receive ideal treatment.

The most effective treatment for heart attack is primary angioplasty, where there is a balloon-like (object) inserted (in the heart) to open the clogged nerves, or the second line treatment is to give medicine, which could dissolve the clots and all must be given within 12 hours for them to be effective.

The sad thing is, this is not covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

(PhilHealth) as treatment of heart attack patients.

In a report from the Philippine News Agency last week, Dr. Eric Sison, director of the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) Council on Cardiac Catheterization and Intervention revealed that while Philhealth creates packages provide support to those with serious diseases, like the coronary artery bypass, there remains to be one for heart attack. The group is lobbying for PhilHealth to come up with a benefit package for ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) services in the

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According to experts, STEMI is a “very serious type” of heart attack in which one of the heart’s major arteries is blocked. These arteries are the ones that supply oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the heart muscle.

Heart disease is the leading cause of mortality covering 12.7 percent of all deaths in 2016 and STEMI has the highest rate of cardiovascular diseases with an average mortality rate of 10 percent based on the health facility records in the country, based on records. To make matters worse, most patients themselves are not aware of the signs and symptoms of heart attack. Then there’s the very high cost of angioplasty and thrombolytic therapy which are simply an additional burden for the patient and his or her family to bear.

It now falls under the watch of PhilHealth to help decrease the number of deaths by heart attack every year. That means creating a benefit package that will cover pre-hospital care, hospital urgent care, inpatient care until outpatient care when the person goes home and goes for regular follow-up. Likewise, it should also cover medicines for patients to fully recover.

Then again, where will the funds be sourced?

As long as there is no help coming the way of Filipinos prone to heart attack, that cardiac arrest ‘time bomb’ continues to tick.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

7

The value of criticism

“

To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.” – Elbert Hubbard, Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great Vol. 3: American Statesman ** A judge, who was holding court in a far away town, was always sure of being annoyed by some cutting remarks by a local lawyer. After one such occasion, someone asked the judge at dinner why he didn’t tell off that nasty lawyer.

The judge dropped his knife and fork to the table, placed his chin in his hands and elbows on the table, as he stressed the following story: “When I was little boy, we had a dog. On nights, when the moon was full, that old hound dog would how and bark at things he saw in the bright face of that moon. We never did sleep well those nights. Sometimes that dog would how all night long.”

After sharing that anecdote, the judge picked up his knife and fork, and began to eat again. Bewildered, one had the courage to ask: “But that’s beside the point, you haven’t answered your critic.”

“I just did,” the judge answered. “When that dog barked, the moon just kept on shining. I don’t intend to say anything back. I’ll just keep on shining – quietly, calmly, like the moon.”

The story reminds me of the words of American motivator Zig Ziglar. “Don’t be

I

f Filipino couples know exactly how abortion is being literally performed, I would bet they would all, in unison, holler in angry protest that its medical practice be stopped and banned.

For starters, abortion is defined in the dictionary as “the removal of an embryo, or fetus, from the uterus either by natural expulsion or by human intervention.”

Fetus means “the unborn young of an animal, especially in its later stages; in humans, the offspring in the womb after the eighth week of development until birth.”

A person who performs abortion is called an “abortionist.”

A fetus in the womb takes nine months to gestate and develop during pregnancy until birth.

Nine months times four weeks means the expectant mother is to carry and nurture the fetus for 36 weeks.

In New York, legislators have approved the sweeping practice of abortion as if they did not know

distracted by criticism,” he said. “Remember, the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you.”

What is life without criticism. Perhaps, it will be boring and unchallenging. Imagine buying a new dress and no one ever commenting you that it looks good or bad in you. Think of writing a poem or short story with no one bothering to say a word or two.

“The truth is, critics are a fact of life, and criticism is something all of us must face,” writes Dr. Richard Carlson, author of Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff. “In fact, the only way to avoid criticism is to live an isolated life where people aren’t exposed to your work, personality, or behavior.”

But that’s impossible. No man is island, so goes a saying. We cease to exist if there are no people around us. That is the reason why we cannot escape criticism. “Concern over criticism clogs creativity,” Duane Alan Hahn reminds. To which American psychologist Hendrie Weisinger adds, “Criticism is information that will help you grow.”

We need criticism, Dr. Jose Rizal once wrote, to keep us awake. “Sometimes, the criticism we receive is valuable, even helpful,” Carlson wrote. “Other times, it’s utter nonsense. Either way, learn-

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

ing to use criticism as ‘small stuff’ is incredibly useful in our efforts to live a life of reduced stress.”

There was a priest who kept on his desk a special notebook labeled, “Complaints of members against other members.”

When someone called to tell him the faults of another, the priest would say, “Here’s my complain book. I’ll write down what you say, and you can sign it. Then, when I have to take the matter up officially, I shall know what I may expect you to testify to.”

The sight of the open book and ready pen had its effect. “Oh, no. I couldn’t sign anything like that,” the complainant usually would say. That’s why no entry was ever made.

The priest says he kept the book for forty years, opened it probably a thousand times, and never wrote a line in it.

An anonymous once said: “Criticism is the disapproval of people, not for having faults, but having faults different from your own.” Another one said: “Don’t mind criticism. If it is untrue, disregard it; if it is unfair, keep from irritation; if it is ignorant, smile; if it is justified, it is not criticism, learn from it.”

“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary,” said Sir Winston Churchill in an interview with New Statesman. “It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body; it calls attention to the development of an unhealthy state of things. If it is needed in time, danger may be averted; if it is surprised, a fatal distemper may develop.”

Criticism happens anytime, everywhere to anyone. Election time is fast approaching. The campaign period has started. Criticisms against opponents are the rule of the day. No one is spared. After election, the loser will usually say, “I have been cheated.”

“If you think about it, a landslide political victory would be one where the winner received 60% of the vote,” Dr. Carlson wrote. “That means that even in a convincing win, 40% of the people

will be wishing the winner had lost!”

This must be the reason why he argued that we should not criticize another person because it says nothing about the person. “(Criticism) merely says something about our own need to be critical,” he wrote.

“If you attend a gathering and listen to all the criticism that is typically levied against others, and then go home and consider how much good all that criticism actually does to make our world a better place, you’ll probably come up with the same answer that I do: Zero!”

Criticism does no good, he pointed out. “Criticism, like sweating, is actually nothing more than a bad habit,” he said. “It’s something we get used to doing; we’re familiar with how it feels. It keeps us busy and gives us something to talk about.”

Perhaps, we need to listen to the words of Sir Kingsley William Amis, an English novelist and poet. “Self-criticism must be my guide to action, and the first rule for its employment is that in itself it is not a virtue, only a procedure.”

American writer and lecturer Dale Carnegie said it all: “Any fool can criticize, complain and condemn – and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.”

so that every human part of the fetus is accounted.

Otherwise, the woman could be infected and die if her womb was not thoroughly cleaned out.

The OB-GYN was remorseful that he had aborted so many pregnancies that he had quit his practice eventually.

I almost puked watching Levatino describe his “murderous” job on Fox News.

The Virginia abortion proposal has satanic influences, if I may say so.

Why? Because I cannot comprehend why would there still be a leeway for abortion to be performed when the baby has already been delivered alive?

Why would the proposal still seek to get the consent of the mother if she was interested in raising up her child or not? Is it not enough that the baby was safely delivered as it is ideally expected?

To kill a baby already delivered out of the woman’s womb is infanticide.

Murder in the first degree.

This is not only against the law but against the will of

God. Obviously, the woman legislator is not a Christian because she did not mince any word in pushing her morally-corrupt idea with resolve.

I have not any seen nor heard of any reaction from American Catholic bishops, prelates and priests on the matter. Nor have I heard the Vatican say anything yet. Have we?

So, what is going on in our society?

I am not a doomsayer.

But I think I know how to read the signs of the times.

The Bible says in Matthew 24:37-39: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.”

Let us get down on our knees. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

The horrors of abortion

– or intentionally ignored – that abortion is already infanticidal, which is the killing of an infant.

In Virginia, a woman legislator has strongly proposed that abortion be left to the sole decision of the woman (expectant mother) and her attending medical advisor if she decides against raising up her baby.

The proposal horrifyingly excludes the father of the baby from taking part in the decision and leaves it entirely in the woman that carries the fetus.

“No man should interfere as to how a woman wants to do with her body,” the legislator said to this effect.

What makes me angry is that even when the baby has been delivered, the woman will still be asked if she wanted to raise up her baby or not. In this case, a consultation between her and her medical physician ensues, and, if they both agree to abort the baby, they will induce the baby to die through medical means.

This is murder, plain and simple.

SPECKS OF LIFE Fred C. Lumba Read how an abortionist describes the process of “killing” the baby during an abortion.

Dr. Anthony Levatino, an OB-GYN who has performed more than 1200 abortions in his medical practice, was called to testify during the Virginia hearings.

In a nauseating long narrative, he demonstrated by showing a long pair of scissors with a tight grip how the fetus is cut into pieces as it is, part by part, taken out of the woman’s womb.

“I have to count them.

Two arms, two legs, the head, etc.,” Levatino said

8

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019

SUBURBIA RISING

Volunteers from different branches of Security Bank in Davao painted school building walls as part of the bank’s employee volunteerism program.

Security Bank employees paint school building donation in Davao Del Norte S

eventy-five employees from 10 different branches of Security Bank in Davao volunteered to paint the two-storey, six-classroom school building funded by Security Bank Foundation for Panabo National High School in Panabo City, Davao Del Norte.

The school painting activity was one of the annual employee volunteerism programs conducted by the Bank to provide an opportunity for Security Bank employees to give back and be personally involved in Security Bank Foundation’s “Build a School, Build a Nation: The Classrooms Project” which aims to construct classrooms for public schools in need of new learning facilities.

Security Bank volunteers painted the classroom walls and grills, corridors and stairways. Employees also helped repaint the existing armchairs of the school that will be used in the school building donated by Security Bank Foundation.

The activity was graced by the presence of Rafael Sim-

pao, Jr., Chairman of Security Bank Foundation, who highlighted that the school painting activity was a means for Security Bankers to bring to life the Bank’s tagline. “What we are doing here today is our way of giving back to the communities we serve.

This is our way of

telling them from our heart, You Deserve Better,” he said. The activity’s purpose was echoed by Jason Ang, Security Bank Region Head for Visayas and Mindanao.

“It is our pleasure to help and give back. It is the social responsibility of the Bank,”he said.

The fun in helping

was apparent inthe volunteers’ smiles.

“We enjoyed. We felt a sense of fulfilment in helping our own community even through a simple painting activity. It is heartwarming that a lot of Security Bank employees have the passion to help,” said Feve Marey Jison, Security Bank Davao

Area Office employee.

The beneficiaries also expressed their gratitude. “Napakaswerte po ng school namin. Salamat sa mga employees ng Security Bank at nabisita kami rito at natulungan pa. Excited na po kaming matapos ang building at magamit ng aming mga estudyante,”

said Darna Tan, Head Teacher of Panabo National High School.

As a neighbor of the school, Security Bank Panabo Branch also took pride in the project. “It is a great project for us. We are very happy for the school,” expressed by Domie Casiño, Security Bank Panabo Branch Business Manager.

The 75 volunteers and SBFI Chairman Rafael Simpao Jr., posed for a photo after the school painting activity in Panabo National High School. Present also in the activity were Security Bank Region Head for Visayas and Mindanao, Jason Ang; and Security Bank Panabo Branch Business Manager, Domie Casiño

INdulge!

VOL.11 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

THE ROYAL MANDAYA HOTEL’S

DIA DE AMOR

By ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO

FELIZ DIA SAN VALENTINE! It was truly a night oozing with romance at The Royal Mandaya Hotel as Davao’s premier luxury residence celebrated Valentine’s Day at the Kamayo Café and Mezzanine Floor on February 14, 2019.

Spanish vibe embraced the celebration with Spanish flavors giving diners a unique gustatory experience. The hotel lobby was bedecked with Spanish adornments which drew hundreds of Instagram posts.

Although not a traditional Spanish holiday, St. Valentine’s Day in Spain is celebrated, like in most of the countries, with all kinds of sweet heart-shaped gifts, bouquets of flowers, cards, and romantic dinners at fancy restaurants. What’s really interesting about St. Valentine’s Day in Spain is that certain regions have their own versions of the holiday, usually celebrated with great fanfare and peculiar traditions. On this day too, Spain’s carnival season is in full swing and people usually make the most of it with a trip to the Canary Islands, Cadiz, or Sitges, where the country’s most spectacular festivities take place. Expect colorful street parades, unique processions, fireworks, and lots of good times.

That’s exactly the same vibe

resonating at TRMH’s Dia de Amor celebration. From the entrance, guests were wel-

comed at the hotel’s grandiose lobby with flowers shaped into a huge heart.

To complement the sights, sounds of Marachi Spanish music set the mood for a lovely night.

Best of them all, the Spanish cuisine dinner buffet served at the Kamayo Café was the clincher.

The café area was a lovers’ lane under a virtual sky of romantic mood-lighting set up extending up to the Mezzanine Floor.

The guests were serenaded by saxophone artist, Fred Cavan, playing romantic soft music that matched the theme and by the Mariachi Band Los Amigos who entertained the guests with their rendition of Spanish classics. The event was hosted by Carmela Q. Fronteras.

Guests were given choices

from the menu for appetizers served on the table.

For dining, there were two choices each for the entrée of Tapas, Salad, and Soup. Each diner picked from Chorizo Salchichon Pan Tumaca or Croquetas de pollo almejas al horno for the Tapas, Ensalada de garbanzos frijoles y tomates secos or ensalada rusa for the salad and gazpacho andaluz cold soup or sopa de mariscos for the soup entrée.

On the buffet were the alltime Spanish favorites paella, and gambas to name a few, cooked and prepared by the Chefs of The Royal Mandaya Hotel.

A glass of Spanish Red Wine sponsored by Forth & Tay came with the feast free to all guests.

EDGED

A2 INdulge!

TRAVEL

Elusive surf spots and the call of professional surfing

Aerial vi

I

wouldn’t think that one day, surfing would become professionalized here in the Philippines. No longer would it be a ragtag pastime for misfits and bums like what the older generation thought of surfers—surfing now has its own league especially since it’s not part of the Olympics.

Curious to know the journey of surfing as an Olympic sport, I found out that it had been a lofty dream of legendary surf icon Duke Kahanamoku. Fifty years since the Hawaiian advocated for its inclusion in the Olympics, it’s only now that his vision is a reality.

How does surfing work now as an Olympic sport? There will be 20 men and 20 women, all shortboarders, from across the globe, competing in categories separated by sex. In the future – if surfing is included in the Games again – there may be more categories included, which could create more opportunities for athletes to win medals. For now, it is limited to a field of 40 men and women shortboarders.

As Philippine surfing continues to gain momentum through the Philippine Surfing

Radical maneuvers on critical sections of the wave garner high scores from the judges in Day 1 of PSCT Cabugao.

Photo by Abdel Elecho.

Championship Tour (PSCT), one elusive surf spot finally reveals itself. Flanked by fishing boats, the beach at Brgy.

Sabang in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur is calm until a direct north swell bends into its coast and the once quiet town awakens with long right-handers rumbling with power. Not a lot of surfers have ventured this far north, but to those who know when to go, the place is called Kido’s Point.

Cabugao is a first class municipality in Region I, the Ilocos Region. Its eastern border is marked by the Cordillera mountain range while its western border faces the West Philippine Sea. The town of Cabugao is accessible by land transportation and is 432 kilometers north of Manila. It is closer to other famous destinations such as Laoag, which

Wave rides are scored high when the surfer exhibits precision and control. Photo by Abdel Elecho.

Jomarie

Cabugao’s iconic colored bridge.

Photo by Abdel Elecho. is 55 kilometers away, and the ancestral town of Vigan, which is only 27 kilometers or about

half an hour away.

The local surf pioneer in Cabugao is a fisherman named Ronald “Kido” Cabasug, hence the name Kido’s Point. In 1993, an Australian surfer by the name of Rene Hodgens trained him to catch the powerful and consistent waves that broke off the edge of the reef in Sabang Beach. In the years that followed, a tight-knit pack of local surfers from Ilocos Sur emerged– most of whom stayed discreet and underground like their home break.

Exciting times are up ahead for the surfing community not only in the Philippines but in Asia now that the 19th Southeast Asian Games finally feature the sport—guess where it’s going to be held? Here in the

Philippines! Great times ahead and I can only hope that it just gets better. Don’t you?

As more and more surf spots are placed on the map in our country, I only pray that this brings about positive change in how surfing and those who take pleasure in the joy it brings are being represented.

The Philippine Surfing Championship Tour (PSCT) is the premier professional surfing competition where top surfers from all over the Philippines compete in multiple locations Debie G around the country, vying for grow a spot in the national surfing com team.

Already on its third year, the and P PSCT celebrates the Filipino and surfers, passionate fans, and dedicated partners that together fessi

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ENTERTAINMENT

Barbie Forteza and Mika Dela Cruz play the girl with two faces in ‘Kara Mia’ TWO DIFFERENT FACES. Two different minds. Two different natures. Both trapped in one body.

view of Kido’s Point, Cabugao. Photo by Abdel Elecho.

e Ebueza shows style for miles. Photo by Abdel Elecho.

Gumanoy cross-steps with ease. Photo by Abdel Elecho.

w the Philippine surfing mmunity to what it is today d what it’s envisioned to be.

PSCT exists to set the stage d act as a platform for proional surfing in the Philip-

pines, promoting Filipino surfers as world-class athletes, and uniting the surfing community and fans by sharing the story, drama, and adventure of Philippine surfing one tour at a time.

Beginning February 18, GMA Network proudly unveils its most anticipated and ground-breaking primetime soap this 2019 - Kara Mia. A dramatic tale of two sisters facing literally and figuratively good and evil!

The fantasy drama series is based on a true story from India and an English urban legend in Great Britain.

Ever since the announcement of the program, various funny and witty memes on the characters have been circulating online and viewers and netizens couldn’t stop talking about it on social media.

Headlining this one-ofa-kind spectacle are two of this generation’s awardwinning and brightest actresses Barbie Forteza and Mika Dela Cruz.

Kara (Barbie) and Mia (Mika) were born with Disprosopus or craniofacial duplication, a congenital defect where they have two faces but share only one body. Until today, the origin of this condition, which is one of the rarest malformations in humans, is still unexplained, whether it is mythical or medical.

Kara’s face is in front, while Mia’s face is at the back of their head. Little do they know, they are probably the children of a mystical being, an engkanto, who watches over them as they grow up.

But even if they are “one” person, the two sisters cannot be more different. Kara is kind, jolly, smart, and aspired to become a doctor to continue what their mother wasn’t able to achieve. She believes that this “defect” is what makes her unique and special, and she loves her sister Mia with all her heart. Mia, on the other hand, is the mischievous one. She is lazy, pessimistic, and dreams of being an actress. She is envious of Kara and wants nothing more than to be her own person.

Featured in vital roles in Kara and Mia’s lives are highly-respected and award-winning actors and actresses in the industry: Ms. Carmina Villarroel as Aya, the doting mother

of the sisters. She is a beautiful Manileña who moved to Bacolod when her family started drowning in debt, and Mr. John Estrada as Arthur, Aya’s husband and the father of Kara and Mia. He owns a small carinderia and is a strong believer of folk tales; with Ms. Glydel Mercado as Julia, Arthur’s crazy ex-girlfriend who will drive a wedge between him and Aya. Adding a dose of enchantment to the series is Mike Tan as Iswal, the mischievous engkanto who lives in the forest and is enthralled by Aya’s beauty. He will do everything in his power to be close to her.

Also starring in this endearing masterpiece are sought-after leading men Jak Roberto as Boni, the lola’s boy and a loving gentleman who likes Kara but captures Mia’s heart; and Paul Salas as Chino, Boni’s handsome and well-off cousin who steals Kara’s heart.

Completing the stellar cast are Liezel Lopez as Ellie, Julia’s daughter who is almost the same age as Kara and Mia who is both narcissistic and materialistic; Althea Ablan as Estrella, the younger sister who is funny, irreverent, and loves both Kara and Mia, even though she’s closer to Kara; Arthur Solinap as Lex, the supportive Ilonggo uncle of Kara and Mia; Karenina Haniel as Lerma/LJ, Kara’s funny best friend; April Gustilo as Betty, the silly sidekick of Julia with Ms. Alicia Alonzo as Asuncion, Aya’s hostile mother who

looks at Kara and Mia as freaks and Ms. Gina Pareño as Corazon, the reclusive grandmother of Iswal.

An all original creation of the GMA Entertainment Group, Kara Mia is a powerful and dramatic representation of how good and evil are every individual’s two natures, of how we make the good triumph over the other, and how love will time and again conquer all.

Under the helm of esteemed director Dominic Zapata, the series also showcases the sce-

nic beauty of the City of Bacolod, where the story takes place and some of the important scenes were shot.

Catch the much awaited premiere of Kara Mia beginning February 18 weeknights on GMA Telebabad.

Kapuso viewers from across the globe can also catch their favorite Kapuso shows via GMA’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International. For the program guide, visit www.gmapinoytv.com.

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

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More LTE, LTE-A devices on Smart’s network amid ramped up network rollout

M

ore customers of PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) are using Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A)-capable devices to connect to its mobile network, following its ramped-up network rollout across the country.

The number of LTE-capable devices on Smart’s network grew by 78 percent year-on-year. These include those that support at least one of Smart’s LTE frequencies. Of these LTE-capable devices, about one in every five is an LTE-A-capable device.

The number of LTE-A devices on Smart’s network also grew by 72 percent, compared to the first quarter of last year. These include devices capable of two-component (2CC) up to five-component (5CC) carrier aggregation.

“Alongside our accelerated network roll-out, we are also partnering with device manufacturers to help our customers access capable devices, in order to take full advantage of the network that we are putting in place,” said Ma-

rio G. Tamayo, PLDT-Smart senior vice president for Network Planning and Engineering.

Smart has partnered with popular smartphone manufacturers in getting more affordable LTE-capable handsets out in the market, like the Samsung J2 Core, Oppo A37 and Starmobile Play Click, which are available with Smart. Also available with the data-packed Smart Giga X plans are the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, Huawei Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro, and the latest iPhones XS and XS Max, which are all LTE-A capable devices.

“Today, the quality of customer experience is dependent not only on the network, but also on the devices being used by our customer. To fully utilize the network we are rolling out—whether it’s LTE, LTE-A today or 5G in the future—it is important for customers to adopt the devices that can fully tap the network’s capabilities,” Tamayo added.

Best technologies for mobile data LTE is the best technology for mobile data.

It is easily upgradable to LTE-A, which delivers even better mobile data experience through carrier aggregation. A key feature of LTE-A, carrier aggregation (CA) allows the combination of two or more radio frequency bands in order to deliver much faster data speeds to mobile phone users. For example, 2CC features the combination of two frequencies, while 5CC involves the combination of five bands.

Aside from carrier aggregation, Smart has also activated 4x4 Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MIMO) and 256 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) technologies, which boost speeds by allowing more data to be carried across the network through more efficient use of spectrum.

4x4 MIMO, which has been deployed in all Metro Manila cities, also enables capable smartphones to latch on to stronger, clearer signal where available.

Smart has also deployed Massive MIMO in very high data traffic locations within Metro Manila, such as Makati, Mandaluyong,

Manila, Pasig, and Taguig, among others.

Devices that are capable of 4X4 MIMO and 256 QAM include Samsung Galaxy S8, S9, and Note 9; Huawei Mate20, Mate 20 Pro, P20, P20 Pro, Mate 10, and Mate 10 Pro; and Oppo Find X, to name a few.

World-class connectivity “These continuous network improvements are part of our nationwide efforts to provide worldclass mobile internet connectivity for our customers, who need it to stay in touch with their families, boost their businesses on social media, or access other important online services such as banking and shopping,” Tamayo added.

To date, Smart has also already fulfilled its commitment to the National Telecommunications Commission to cover at least 90 percent of cities and municipalities to address the growing demand for broadband infrastructure and internet access within three years from the grant of the use of frequencies by the NTC

in 2016.

Best for video In the first nine months of 2018, Smart increased its total LTE base station count across the country by 65%. These LTE base stations are, in turn, supported by PLDT’s fiber optic transmission and distribution network, the country’s most extensive fiber network at 221,000 kilometers, which provides high-capacity fiber connections for Smart’s mobile network.

These continuous network enhancements are also in response to the Filipinos’ growing appetite for video. Studies have shown that Filipinos are not only social media aficionados, they are also among the world’s most avid consumers of video, watching as much as 8 hours and 46 minutes worth of online video in a week—even more than viewers in India and the US. Award-winning network For these continuous network upgrade efforts, both PLDT and Smart have been cited by third party

2nd tranche of increase under LOCAL... wage order no. rb xi-20 ARMM...

firms for being the country’s fastest networks.

Earlier this year, PLDT and Smart were cited for being the country’s fastest fixed and mobile networks for Q1-Q2 2018, respectively, by Ookla®, the global leader in internet testing and analysis. Mobile analytics firm OpenSignal has also consistently cited Smart for having the country’s fastest LTE network for its past four study rounds.

Smart’s network transformation program also recently won at the prestigious Global Telecoms Awards in London, under the Telecoms Transformation category, besting entries from Saudi Telecom Company and Huawei, among others. Produced by industry publication Telecoms.com, the awards program recognizes innovation and excellence in the global telecommunications industry.

Parent company PLDT has committed historic levels of resources for network transformation.

For 2018, PLDT capex was expected to reach P58 billion.

FROM 5

Benjamin Madrigal, which sought to use a whole-of-na-

T

he Board would like to announce that the second tranche of increase under Wage Order No. RB XI-20 will take effect

on February 16, 2019. The new wage order took effect on August 16, 2018 for its first tranche. The new prescribed wage rates under

this Wage Order shall apply to all workers and employees in the private sector receiving the minimum wage in Davao Region, regardless

UPON EFFECTIVITY OF THIS WAGE ORDER:

of position, designation or status of employment and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid.

tion-approach in pursuing all socioeconomic programs.

FROM 3

On February 24, 2017 at the oathtaking of the BTC, Duterte told the commissioners: “Navigate the hindrances and obstructions. Hanapin ninyo ang daan hanggang patungo sa kapayapaan” (Find a way to peace).

It will be difficult, he warned the BTC. “Mahirap ‘yan. It’s going to be a long journey but if there is a product that is acceptable to all, makikita ninyo ako” (I will be around), said Duterte, the 16th President of the Philippines and the first Mindanawon to lead the nation. He is also the first President to claim Moro roots.

“Ang gusto ko talaga mangyari ay kapayapaan (What I really want is peace) but it must be as one country, one nation and one flag,” said Duterte, who had repeatedly vowed to address the historical injustices committed against the Bangsamoro people.

He described himself as “a man in a hurry,” citing the threat of “extreme terrorism” of the Islamic State type. “We must avoid extremism or even entertaining or accommodating them because it will destroy all of us,” he said.

Three months later, on May 23, 2017, the Marawi Siege began, plunging the country into a five-month war between government forces and the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group and its allies.

Then Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza explained that the BTC would “craft a new draft

of what would be another enabling law that will implement the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro but more than that, it will attempt also to converge all the different laws that we have in order that at the end of the day, we have only one Bangsamoro in a very enlightened Filipino nation.”

The BTC had three representatives from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). The MNLF forged two peace agreements with the government, in 1976 and 1996.

Galvez early this month told a government radio interview that nine of the 80 BTA members will be coming from the MNLF. “As we re-launch the BTC today,” Murad said on February 24, 2017, “we rekindle the hope of thousands of our people for a peaceful and progressive Bangsamoro even if we are occasionally gripped by sadness at the failure earlier to pass the BBL.” He urged stakeholders to “look back at those experiences not with bitterness, but with an examining eye so that we may dissect the problems and address them.”

“We must come out better prepared this time to respond to the challenges of legislation. The Filipino people must equally stand prepared to accept us as partners in achieving peace and progress, not only for this region but for the entire country,” Murad said.

(Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

10 EDGEDAVAO MUTYA... FROM 1 ence maltreatment,” she said.

Canalija, came out publicly as a lesbian, after saying that the Anti-Discrimination Act for LGBT should be one of the ordinances that the city should pass.

She was part top 15 during the 2015 pageant, however, she was not yet vocal about her sexuality at the time.

Canalija, who was also Mutya ng Toril 2018 Social Media Choice Awardee, admitted that she had hesitations of joining the pageant.

She feared that she would be judged and criticized once the public will discover her gender preference.

She now believes that her coming out will not be a hindrance of winning the title.

“I believe that your sexual preferences should not be the basis in joining the Mutya (Ng Davao). The Mutya’s intention is to serve the city, by

SOCOT... FROM 4

products to Singapore, Piñol revealed.

The SOCOSPA official added that they want the government to strictly monitor and implement biosecurity measures in all points of entries in both international and domestic airports and seaports.

The swine producers here, he said, are also asking the government to expand the ban until world health officials declare it safe to export and import pork products.

“Make the ban total, if possible,” another SOCOSPA member said.

SOCOSPA has a combined

VOL.11 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019

COP... FROM 1 being the ambassador of the city,” Canalija said. Salvaña also agreed, also saying that a lesbian is not a violation of the guidelines.

“I think it’s OK, because if you read the guidelines, she if born female,” he said.

Salvaña said that he had been hearing from the previous Mutya pageants, that there are also candidates who also come out. However, he said that Canalija is notably the first candidate to speak out during the elimination round.

He said that as long as the candidates would be able to fulfill her roles and responsibilities, being a lesbian will not be a problem.

The selection of the top 15 will be on February 20, Wednesday, at the Abreeza Mall, while the coronation will be on March 2, Saturday, at the Rizal Memorial College Gazz Arena.

against Maneja,” he said.

Tagum said one of the neighbors reported the incident to the police. Maneja, who is believed to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident, had a verbal exchange with his partner that led him to fire his service pistol seven times.

He said investigators will also ask Maneja’s partner if she is interested to file a case for violation of Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children.

Tagum said aside from the criminal charges against Maneja, the latter will also face administrative charges particularly grave misconduct.

“For the information of everybody, the pre-charge investigation has now started

BRON’S... FROM 11 because our ultimate aim is for his dismissal from the service,” he said.

Investigators also found that the suspect has already a record of being violent during his training days at the Regional Training Center as he went amok there. Tagum said Maneja has been in the service for three years and he served his two years at the DCPO-CMFC. Maneja was already submitted for inquest proceedings before the City Prosecution Office for the criminal charges filed against him.

Tagum reminded other cops to avoid drinking alcohol to avoid violent outbursts.

The city’s top cop warned that he will not hesitate to remove them from the service if they will not follow this order.

JASKIN PAWNSHOP

Notice of Auction Sale 55,000 sow population and produces more than 45,000 heads of hogs a month from 20 big swine farms alone.

The biggest hog producer is Biotech Farms in Banga, South Cotabato, which has a 10,000-head output a month.

On its Facebook page, Biotech Farms said it “is implementing stringent biosecurity measures to prevent the entry of African Swine Fever.”

In the 1980s, South Cotabato supplied 20 percent of the hog requirement of Metro Manila and the swine industry was one of its biggest revenue earners. (PR)

All Jewelry and other items pawned at Jaskin Pawnshop San Perdo Street, Davao City during the months of September 2018, if not redeemed or renewed will be sold to the public on February 20, 2019 at our pawnshop premises.

the rim.

Thompson drained a 3 from the corner in front of the Team Giannis bench to trim what was a 20-point lead in the third to five, 120-115, and Beal followed with a 3-pointer of his own off a turnover to cut

the advantage to 120-118.

Played above the rim in spurts, the game threatened to become a full-fledged 3-Point Contest. The first half consisted of 81 3-point attempts -- 29 successful -- between the teams.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City

HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND OR PAG-IBIG FUND (HDMF) Mortgagee, - versus -

EJF-REM CASE NO. 17,068-18

NELSON E. GORGONIO, Mortgagor/s.

X-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) against NELSON E. GORGONIO, Single, of legal age, Filipino Citizen with residence and postal address at Lot 22, Blk. 24, Phase 03, Deca Homes Resort Residences Subdivision Brgy. Tugbok Mintal, Davao City, in favor of Home Development Mutual Fund (PAG-IBIG FUND), to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of October 15, 2018, amounting to P1,026,252.19, Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest and penalty charges, plus attorney’s fees and other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction February 14, 2019 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder for CASH and/or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property mentioned and described below with the improvements found thereon, to wit; TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 146-2017000661 “A parcel of land of the consolidation-subdivision project (Lot 22, Blk.24, of the consolidation-subdivision plan Pcs-11-003470, being a portion lots xxx, all of Psd-112402-040969; lots xxx all of PSD-002815), situated in the Barangay Tugbok, City of Davao, Island of Mindanao. xxx Containing an area of ONE HUNDRED TEN (110) SQUARE METERS, more or less.”

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on March 07, 2019 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the above-described real property/ies and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, January 07, 2019.

FOR: Atty. Francisco M. Campaner OIC-Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Prov’l Sheriff

February 15, 17, 19

(sgd.) SERGIO LEONARDO J. TUPAS Sheriff IV

11 SPORTS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019

Team Giannis forward Paul George gets fancy with a 360-degree slam during the 2019 NBA All-Star Game at Spectrum Center.

Bron’s gang rally past SMB reigns over Team Giannis 178-164 Alaska 'oldies'

C

HARLOTTE -- Kevin Durant scored 31 points and won MVP honors after outdueling Giannis Antetokounmpo to lift Team LeBron to a 178-164 win Sunday night in the 2019 NBA All-Star Game.

In the “First in Flight” city, players showed up Sunday ready to launch. Team LeBron attempted 90 3-pointers (hitting 35), and the teams combined for 168 tries from deep.

Durant helped put the game away for Team LeBron with a 3-pointer with two minutes left for a 171-160 lead. Kyrie Irving made a leaning floater and Durant hit 15-footer from the wing to seal it.

“It’s cool to be out there with some of the best players to ever play the game, and to win an MVP here in front of my family and friends is pretty

sweet,” Durant said, who also took home All-Star Game MVP honors in 2012.

Antetokounmpo scored a game-high 38 points on 17-of23 shooting and drew raves from his peers, Durant included.

“He’s got potential through the roof. He’s still producing at an elite level, and it’s scary to see how far he can keep going,” Durant said.

“His game is rounding into shape. He’s still getting better, but he’s leading top five, top three MVP candidates right now at 20. How old is he, 23?”

“To be that young and already at the top of the class as one of the elites in the game, it’s a joy to watch his progression.”

Just before Durant’s closing stretch, James shook off 76ers forward Joel Embiid for a corner 3, and on the next trip,

pounded home a one-handed slam on a lob from Irving that extended Team LeBron’s lead to 168-158.

Trading long-distance daggers and mixing the occasional lob off the glass, Durant connected on a pair of 3-pointers from the right side to give Team LeBron on 161-153 lead at the five-minute mark in the fourth as shots started to fall short and handles were less certain.

Curry brought the Spectrum Center to its feet at the final buzzer, catching the ball off a hard bounce from himself and throwing in a reverse jam.

He did the same with a fourpoint play early in the fourth -- knocking down a 3 from the right wing as Warriors teammate Klay Thompson of Team LeBron pushed him to the floor.

“Any possession I was go-

ing to touch the ball with him guarding me, I was going to shoot,” Curry said of facing Thompson. “I definitely sold the call. If I was going to hit any of the 23 shots I took, that was going to be it.”

All-Star teammate DeAngelo Russell added a 3 of his own, staking Team Giannis to a 148145 lead with 8:35 left in the game.

76ers guard Ben Simmons gave Team LeBron the lead 132131 with 36 seconds left in the quarter, closing what had been a 95-82 deficit at halftime. Team Giannis led by 20 in the third.

Damian Lillard’s 25-footers on consecutive possessions pulled Team LeBron even at 127-all, but Russell Westbrook put Bradley Beal on skates two straight trips for easy layups at

xciting action in the Season 3 Philam Life 7s Football League and inaugural Megaworld 7s Youth League continued on Sunday, February 17 as teams hit the field for Match Day 3 at the McKinley Hill Stadium.

Defending two-time winners Super Eagles, Season 2 runners-up Ghana FC, and Matu Deportivo shone in the men’s division as they preserved their winning streaks, stretching their unbeaten runs to three matches now in the tournament.

Ghana FC was the most impressive among Day 3 winners, as they dominated Futbol Funatics en route their first clean slate of the season, 5-0. Osman Yakubu scored a brace while Sam Bonney, Junior Sam, and Henoc Dabo each added one goal to the total. Ghana FC has conceded only two goals throughout their entire season so far.

“It’s a really good start for us, three wins in a row.

We believe in our players and

we know they can carry us in the next games. We prepared for this tournament. All of the teams also prepared well but I think we have the edge,” said Ghana FC team manager Ayi Bimbo.

“It’s a great win. We needed this because we will be facing tougher opponents in the next matches. It was a great team win. We played together and we delivered what was expected of us,” said Junior Sam. The Super Eagles, meanwhile, fended off Stallions Laguna in a high-scoring affair, 6-3. Olisa Anene and Ebi Cleopas each had braces in the win, while Ebere Ogochukwu and Elias Ogwu both chipped one goal apiece.

Stallions knotted the count at 2-2 after trailing two goals to none; in the second half, Stallion pulled closer, trailing just 4-3 before the Super Eagles regained composure and extended the lead to 6-3 towards the end of the match.

Matu Deportivo eked out a 3-0 victory over a feisty Tondo FC side, in a heated match

which definitely looked closer than the final scoreline. Matu star Nico Bolzico opened the first half with two spectacular goals to put his squad ahead and put pressure on the Tondo side until the end of the match.

Bohemian Sporting Club showcased their best performance of the tournament so far, as they recorded a big 5-2 win over Delimondo-Laro FC. BSC raced to a 2-nil advantage in the early goings, and it proved to be vital as they were able to assert control of the entire game. The win saw braces from Farbod Mahmudi and Stephan Wegenaar while Jason De Jong chipped one more goal.

Rounding out Match Day 3 were a couple of thrilling matches which went to penalty shoot-outs. H&J All Stars ousted Ceres FC, 5-4 in their intense shoot-out after going on a 2-2 deadlock in regulation. Stephen Eseme Ngoh was the final goal scorer in the penalty round, pushing his troops to victory.

Meanwhile, Real Amigos

leaned on the excellent goal keeping of Ogbonna Kelechi, who deflected all three of Superbad’s attempts in the shoot-out part of their match.

Real Amigos then converted the penalty in their third try courtesy of Gerrard Diao Su to seal the 3-2 win after going 2-2 in regulation. It was Real Amigos’ first win in the season.

In the Megaworld 7s Youth League, Bohemian Sporting Club, Kaya, and Sugod Malaya made strong impressions in their respective age brackets.

In the U9 division, Bohemian Sporting Club overcame Sugod Malaya (1-0) and Kaya (1-0) for back-to-back close wins this weekend. Kaya’s U11 and U13 squads tallied clean sheets for two wins each.

Their U11 team edged Bohemian Sporting Club, 1-0 before pulling off a 2-0 win over Futbol Funatics. Their U13 counterparts shut Bohemian Sporting Club, 2-0 and Futbol Funatics, 2-0. In the U15 division, Sugod Malaya beat Loyola, 3-2, before settling for a 0-0 draw against Kaya B.

FBRON’S, P10

Super Eagles, Ghana FC, Matu Deportivo keep streak E

T

he San Miguel Beermen bounced back from a sluggish first half and came alive in the second half to repulse the Alaska Aces, 96-83, in the Return of the Rivals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Sunday.

The former stars of SMB prevailed over those of Alaska in the battle pitting franchises that completed a grand slam in the Philippine Basketball Association.

After a close start, the Aces stifled the Beermen early in the second quarter, starting the period with a 14-3 run to open a 34-24 advantage.

Alaska eventually held on to a 40-32 lead by halftime and appeared to be still keeping the sizable lead at the early goings of the third period.

SMB, however, came alive later in the third through a 7-0 run that trimmed the lead to just two, 51-49, before eventually taking the lead, 62-59, at the end of the period.

The game remained tight in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter, and a 78-all was even forced.

The Beermen, however,

pulled away for good with a 13-1 run through booming triples from Allan Caidic and Olsen Racela.

Caidic fired 26 points, 16 coming in the pivotal fourth period, on six triples and one assist en route to Best Player honors. He received PHP25,000.

Current Laguna Hero Denok Miranda added 17 points on 8-of-12 field goals with four rebounds, four assists, and one steal.

Danny Ildefonso chipped in a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds with three assists.

Willie Miller collected 20 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals for Alaska Box Scores: San Miguel 96 - Caidic 26, Miranda 17, Ildefonso 14, Hontiveros 11, Belasco 7, Alvarez 6, Racela 5, Agustin 4, Calaguio 3, Gamboa 2, Paras 1, Asaytono 0, Reyes 0, Abuda 0, Teng 0 Alaska 83 - Miller 20, Abarrientos 11, Santos 9, Dela Cruz 8, Caraiso 7, Laure 6, Duremdes 5, Juinio 5, Lastimosa 4, Ferriols 4, Gomez 2, Hawkins 2, Sotto 0, Adornado 0 Quarterscores: 20-21, 3240, 62-59, 96-83 (PNA)

Jeff Cariaso of Alaska Legends shoots over SMB defenders Allan Caidic, Olsen Racela and Danny Ildefonso. PBA Media Bureau

12 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL.11 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019

REDS RULE Holy Child survives Ateneo rally to win title

By KOII CANARIAS

H

oly Child College of Davao Red Eagles leaned on a determined Vince Petdeo Cuajao in the endgame to hack out a heart-stopping 83-76 victory over rival Ateneo de Davao University Blue Knights on Saturday evening to top the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) League Davao Qualifiers at the University of Mindanao-Matina Campus Gymnasium.

The Red Eagles took control of the match through three quarters in a game witnessed by fans from both schools who filled the gym in a sea of red and blue-

-the school colors of Ateneo and Holy Child.

Just when the Jacinto-based hoopsters were about to celebrate another breezy win, the Blue Knights came back to life with still seven minutes left in the game. Ateneo rallied back to forge a 63-all deadlock for the first time.

The two teams traded baskets from there and it took the Red Eagles stifling trapping defense in the final two minutes to take the fight out of the Blue Knights.

Ateneo’s reliable guard James Bacalso fouled out with 19 seconds left to dash their hopes dimmer.

Cuajao, who was

named the tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP) came up with huge plays on both ends of the floor in crunch time en route to a scorching 41 points, 16 points in the crucial 4th quarter. He was also crowned the Most Valuable Player of the Season for this local qualifier event.

The Holy Child College of Davao Red Eagles will represent the city in the Regional Finals event beginning Sunday, February 24. The National Finals will be held on March at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City, Manila.

The team’s complete line-up: Vence Reenail Malero, Emeliano Escalera III, Mau-

riz Pacer Senarillos, Prince Arnold Silva, Faizal Allong, Cayle Manlimos, Joshua Reyes, Joshua Rey Catalan, Vince Petdeo Dalida Cuajao, Froilan Tingabngab Palcis, Rj Villaflores, Rommel Mercado, James Paolo Manigo, Aeron Jeswill Awe, and Marvin Samonte.

Curiously, the tournament, organized by the local NBTC and officiated by a local referees group did not allow media photographers from entering the sidelines area.

A source from the tournament organizing group told Edge Davao the decision was the “call of the Commissioner.”

Holy Child top gun Vince Petdeo Cuajao, photographed from beyond the ‘mediarestricted’ area of the gym, gets set to shoot his free throws.

KOII CANARIAS