Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 177 | Thursday, November 14, 2019

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ABREEZA TO WELCOME CHRISTMAS WITH DARREN ESPANTO AND FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

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VOL.12 ISSUE 177 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

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Grade 4 students wearing hard hats listen to teacher Michelle Masion as she gives a lecture in Science at Leon Garcia Elementary School in Bangkal, Davao City on Wednesday. Public schools in Davao City are encouraging their students to wear hard hat during classes after the city was hit by 6.5 magnitude earthquake last October 31. Lean Daval Jr

NO MILK PLEASE

Stop donating milk to evacuees, Nutrition Council urges donors

By MAYA M. PADILLO he regional of�ice of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) strongly advised donors to stop sending milk donations to victims of recent earthquakes at evacuation centers to avoid potential risks.

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Dr. Maria Teresa Ungson, regional coordinator of NNC 11 told media that donating powdered, evaporated or condensed milk poses risks of diar-

rhea among children in the evacuation centers.

Ungson said the �irst reported milk donation was in Makilala where the

milk donated came from Davao City donors.

“Meron tayong implementing rules and regulations of the DOH that stated we should not give milk donation during emergency. Why? Kasi sa emergency mas lalo puwedeng lumala ang sitwasyon ng mga bata pag gatas na powdered milk or infant formula or even condensed milk or evaporated milk kasi lalagyan pa ito ng tubig. Ang

tubig we are not sure if it is safe. May mga cases na ng diarrhea and what we want is to give the best milk to our babies which is breast milk,” she said.

Ungson added that donating milk violated Executive Order No. 51 also known and cited as the "National Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, Breastmilk Supplement and Other Related Products” that aims to

NO MILK, P9

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 177 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

Balangayan intensifies call for constitutional reform

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TF Davao, DCPO gear up for Pasko Fiesta A

By ADAM B. MORRELL

fter assessing a generally peaceful observance of ‘Undas’, security of�ices of Davao City are now gearing up for the month-long Pasko Fiesta celebration which will formally open on November 22.

In Wednesday’s AFPPNP Press Corps media brie�ing held at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, both the Task Force (TF) Davao and the Davao City Police Of�ice (DCPO) disclosed that their of�ice will issue maximum deployment for the annual Christmas activity organized by the City Government of Davao.

TF Davao commander Colonel Consolito Yecla said the deploy the entire personnel of the of�ice to

secure the safety in each activity.

“We experienced lot of challenges in implementing maximum security in this event,” Yecla said adding that they have coordinated with the Public Security and Safety Command Center (PSSCC) for the security plan.

“May matrix for the security and that includes to cover lahat ng activities,” he said.

Security policies, said

Residents alarmed by spike in criminality in Lanao Sur

Yecla, will be strongly implemented for the whole duration of Pasko Fiesta.

DCPO spokesperson Police Captain Rose Aguilar, on the other hand, said the of�ice is still waiting for the �inal security plan but it will de�initely impose maximum security for the event.

“Most probably tanan mga police stations na naay events will be provided with maximum security deployment na ilahang kinahanglan,” she said.

Newly-installed city director Kirby John Kraft, according to Aguilar, will come with an innovation in the deployment.

“Mag buhat mi ug station size, mag come up ug isa ka grupo na mao ang

mu-focus ug cover sa pasko �iesta,” she said.

Aguilar said the of�ice will also augment personnel in stations that have several activities.

“Kukuha ng personnel sa malalayo na stations para i-dagdag sa mga stations na may mas maraming events during Pasko Fiesta,” she said.

The DCPO spokesperson said they will have additional 100 personnel from the Regional Mobile Force Battalions (RMFB) of the Police Regional Of�ice (PRO) 11.

Pasko Fiesta is Davao City’s annual Christmas festival which features an array of activities including entertainment, exhibits, sports and cultural competitions.

he national government, through the Department of the Interior and Local Government has drummed up the urgent call for a constitutional reform amidst the changing times since the adoption and implementation of the 1987 constitution.

This was made evident as discussions �lowed during the two-days Balangayan Forum on November 7-8, 2019.

“The people have to understand that we have to do reforms to our Constitution.

This is in pursuance to the policy agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte. Our constitution has to be abreast

with the changing times, we have to make moves as time does, so we can move ahead and be competitive,” Dr. Adrian Tamayo, member of the Inter-Agency Task Force explained, as he talked about the constitutional reform and decentralization of the policy agenda of the President.

Tamayo emphasized that through the reform, economy is expected to be more vibrant, with more doors of opportunities to be opened.

The President of the Provincial Association of Barangay Captains Rustan Castillones strongly agreed

BALANGAYAN, P8

Biz group wants Japanese airline to open Davao route

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Long lobbying for the opening of direct �lights between Davao City and Japan to boost tourism and foster trade links, Davao City's business community sees bright hopes after their recent trips to Tokyo, Hitachinaka, and Saitama.

Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc (DCCCII) President Arturo Milan told media in Wednesdays at Habi at Kape that among the objectives of the recent trip was to talk and invite All Nippon Airways (ANA) to �ly to Davao.

According to Milan, the airline company was surprised because it appears Davao is not in the radar screen in terms of their �light expansion plans.

"So it was really timely that we went there to introduce and to say that there is a potential in developing the route," Milan said.

He said they were also surprised when he showed to them a slide

showing foreign airlines serving Davao directly such as SilkAir, Cathay Dragon, Qatar Airways, Xiamen Air, and Garruda.

"They even asked why not invite local airlines to �ly to Japan directly. They were also quiet surprised why foreign airlines are now �lying directly to Davao," Milan said.

Milan said that he had the chance to meet a Japanese Congressman, chairperson of the Philippines-Japan Relations, who promised to talk to ANA about �lying directly to Davao.

ANA is 10 percent shareholder of the Philippine Airlines (PAL).

"So it can be either be ANA �lying if they consider or they may encourage PAL to �ly directly. For me personally I don't mind any as long as there is a direct �light," Milan said.

He added that its too early to tell whether they will consider �lying but

BIZ GROUP, P8

By MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

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ARAWI CITY: Local residents are alarmed over the growing criminality in the province of Lanao del Sur after the ambush of a town mayor on Sunday and the merciless shooting of three construction workers in the city last week.

According to police report, unidenti�ied gunmen armed with high powered �irearms ambushed on Sunday the convoy of Masiu municipal mayor Nasser Pangandaman, Jr. at a provincial highway in the province.

The mayor escaped unscathed but three of his companions were wounded, one of whom, a police escort of the mayor, died a day later on Monday.

Lanao del Sur police chief P/Col. Madzgani M. Mukarram identi�ied earlier PCpl Jabbar R. Pangandaman, a police escort of the mayor, who died on Mon-

day, and the two wounded who are civilians, as Jamal Gabriel Pangandaman and Casanoding Mangandog.

Mukarram said the ambush took place at Barangay Gata of Buadiposo Buntong municipality when heavily armed men waylaid the convoy of Mayor Pangandaman.

Last week, an unidenti�ied assailant shot three construction workers in Barangay Emmie Punud just down the road of Area 1 in Barangay Sagonsongan here where more than a thousand displaced families are taking shelter.

Two of the victims, George Ambad Butad and Arturo Nadayag Macasero, died on the spot while their companion, Dave Ranario Morsua, was wounded aand brought to a hospital for medication.

On October 17, Ivan Polinar Almeda of Bayugan,

RESIDENTS, P8

Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Police Captain Rose Aguilar provides details during this week’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel the security plan of the authorities for the

upcoming “Pasko Fiesta.” Also in photo is Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) spokesperson Police Major Jason Baria. Lean Daval Jr

VOL.12 ISSUE 177 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

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4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 177 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

SoCot prepares to immunize 114K infants, children vs polio

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Task Force Davao commander Colonel Consolito Yecla (left), together with Eastern Mindanao Command spokesman Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, gives updates on the relief operations and emergency response team’s

efforts in quake-hit areas in Davao del Sur and North Cotabato during AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr

ealth personnel in South Cotabato province are targeting to cover around 114,000 infants and children during the Mindanao-wide massive immunization campaign against polio on November 25 to December 7.

Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr., head of the South Cotabato Integrated Provincial Health Of�ice (IPHO), said Tuesday they are currently �inalizing their preparations for the campaign, which is the �irst of the two rounds set until January by the Department of Health (DOH).

Dubbed “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio,” the immunization drive is set from Nov. 25 to Dec. 7 while the second round is on Jan. 6 to 18, 2020.

Aturdido said the target 114,000 recipients, which are about 11.6 percent of the province’s population, are children aged �ive yearsold and below that should be immunized against poliovirus, which causes the

dreaded poliomyelitis.

“Of that number, were aiming to achieve a coverage rate of at least 95 percent,” he said in an interview with reporters.

Such rate is needed to achieve “herd immunity” or ensure protection for other unimmunized children in local communities, he said.

Genesis Navales, IPHO’s immunization coordinator, said health teams from the provincial and municipal health of�ices as well as barangay health stations will be deployed in parts of the province for the campaign.

As a strategy, she said they have set �ixed immunization points, like barangay halls and health centers, while teams will also be assigned to conduct house-tohouse vaccination.

She said they are also considering putting up vaccination posts in shopping malls, schools, terminals and other public convergence areas like parks.

he Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Tuesday it is willing to endorse an executive order that would provide for an increase in the salaries of government workers.

Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara said during the Senate’s plenary debates on the proposed ₱4.1-trillion 2020 budget that acting DBM Secretary Wendel Avisado “seems open” to the idea of issuing a new executive order that would provide for another round of salary hikes.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto pressed the DBM to push for an executive order for the wage hikes for government workers instead of waiting for Congress to pass a law, which he said can take long.

“The executive has one month to do it para January tinaas na ‘yung sweldo ng lahat ng empleyado [so that all employees’ salaries will be increased by January.] …

Just do it, why not? Because if you let Congress do it, we’ll probably give bigger,” Recto said.

Angara said that even if the DBM has the authority to hike salaries through an executive order, it does not have enough funds for it — a claim which Recto immediately refuted.

Recto said there are enough funds from this year's and next year's budget to fund the next round of salary hikes for government workers.

Angara said there is still ₱23 billion left in the miscellaneous personnel bene�its fund (MPBF) from this

PRRD, Misuari to finalize GPH-MNLF peace panel T

SOCOT, P9

DBM willing to endorse order hiking salary of gov’t workers

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he government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) will be �inalizing next month the creation of a peace coordinating committee to help resolve con�lict in Mindanao.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said this plan was discussed during the meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and MNLF founding chair Nur Misuari in Malacañang on Monday night.

Panelo said Duterte and Misuari have agreed to meet in Davao City next month to �inalize the peace

coordinating committee.

To recall, Duterte and Misuari have met �ive times this year with their most recent meeting held last August 23 tackling ways to advance the peace process in the south.

“It was a continuation of the meeting when Chairman Nur Misuari came I think last August. Ang usapan nila mag-mi-meet

efense Secretary Del�in Lorenzana, concurrent martial law administrator, does not favor a fourth extension of martial law in Mindanao beyond December 31,2019 because it has taken so long and because terrorists “can no longer do a Marawi-type operation.”

Lorenzana told Defense reporters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Monday that terror threats are “under control na” and that “we have suf�icient military and police in the area to ensure that terrorists can no longer do a Marawi-type operation” He also cited the clamor of local government units to lift martial law, “such as Mayor Sara,” referring to the Davao City mayor and daughter, Sara, who proposed the city’s exclusion from martial law last June 20, at the 5th Davao Investment Conference. In August, the city’s legislative council passed a resolution requesting President Rodrigo Duterte “for the pos-

sible lifting of martial law in Davao City.”

Lorenzana said he will wait for the recommendation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) “but kung ako lang (but if it were just me), I will not recommend anymore the extension.”

“Matagal nang masyado eh” (it has taken so long), Lorenzana said.

The third extension of martial law ends on December 31, 2019 or 952 days after it was declared.

President Duterte declared martial law while in Russia on May 23, 2017, barely eight hours after the �irst shots were �ired between government forces and the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group and its allies on Day 1 of the Marawi Siege.

The declaration covered all of Mindanao’s 27 provinces and 33 cities and was extended thrice from its original duration of only 60 days. When it was to expire,

Lorenzana wants ML lifted

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LORENZANA, P8

ulit sila (The agreement is they will meet again) because there’s a suggestion that there should be a committee that will help in the peace process,” Panelo said in a Palace brie�ing on Tuesday.

“The purpose of course is to have peace with the MNLF and to ensure the success of the government,” he added.

Earlier, Panelo said it was during their August 23 meeting where Duterte relayed his desire for immediate formation of GPH-MNLF panel to Misuari.

“The GPH-MNLF Coordinating Committee will serve as a venue to seek

for the cooperation of the MNLF to achieve immediate peace in Sulu by, among others, helping in combatting the Abu Sayyaf Group and convincing MNLF relatives to return to the folds of the law,” Panelo said in a statement.

Panelo said Misuari was hopeful that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) would be involved in the consultations to determine the remaining compliance of the GPH in the 1996 Final Peace Agreement with the MNLF. Misuari wanted a similar setup to the previous tripartite talks among the GPH, MNLF, and the OIC,

PRRD, P8

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 11 (PDEA) 11) operations head Marian Cuadrazal talks about the scheduled activities for the upcoming nationwide drug abuse prevention and control week set on November

DBM, P8

17 to 23 during AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr

5 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 177 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

PH authorities freeze more than P1-B worth of assets

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hilippine authorities have frozen more than PHP1 billion worth of assets from January 2018 until July 2019, and PHP52 million of these are terrorism funds.

This was disclosed by Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Executive Director Mel Georgie Racela in his welcome remarks during the opening of the three-day 5th Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) Summit in Shangri-La at the Fort Tuesday.

Racela said their partnership with law enforcement agencies have been extended regarding the monitoring of the use of virtual currencies (VC), as the country is currently on advanced stages in VC regulations.

“The AMLC has also received nearly 90,000 suspicious transaction reports, as well as customer due

diligence documents from virtual currency exchanges; released an analysis of suspicious transaction reports; and assisted law enforcement agencies in investigation related to virtual currencies,” he added.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., in his speech during the same event, said terrorists have become more sophisticated on how to outdo authorities both for logistical issues and funding.

He said among the challenges that authorities face is how to track monetary �lows of terrorist groups since most of these transactions are in cash.

Another issue is the introduction of VCs and crypto currencies thus, law enforcement agencies here have tapped the help of their counterparts overseas.

PH AUTHORITIES, P8

Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) president Arturo Milan discusses during Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza mall his recent trip toTokyo, Hitachinaka and Saitama in Japan with an objective to talk to All Nippon Airways (ANA) for a possible Davao-Japan direct flight route. Lean Daval Jr

Better irrigation system can ease PH rice problem: Palace T

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alacañang recognizes the Philippines’ long-standing problem of relying on rice imports to meet demand but assured the public that government is working to address it.

This, after the latest report of the United States Department of Agriculture-Foreign Agriculture Services (USDA-FAS) showed that the Philippines has emerged as the top global importer of rice, beating China.

The USDA-FAS has projected the country’s rice imports to reach a record 3 million metric tons (MT) by year-end—the highest in the world and the highest for the country while China is expected to import 2.5 million MT. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador said he was not surprised by the �igures admitting that the country’s irrigation system needs improvement.

“I’m not surprised. China is such a huge country.

Tayo naman maliit lang.

Ang dami ngang reklamo ng mga farmers natin. Wala

IT-BPM industry cuts growth forecast anew

tayong tubig, irrigation. ‘Yun ang nagiging problema. Samantalang sa China, punta ka dun, iba ang production doon (We’re just a small country. Our farmers have a lot of complaints. We don’t have water, irrigation. That’s the problem. While China, if you go there, their production is different),” Panelo said in a Palace brie�ing.

Panelo lamented how an agricultural country like the Philippines is trailing behind its neighbors in Southeast Asia such as Thailand.

“We recognize that problem. Ever since ‘yan ang nagiging problema natin. Yung mga tinuruan nating mga taga Thailand ang gagaling. Nag-aral lang dito, pagkatapos, talo na tayo.

Kasi nga ever since ‘yan ang naging problema. Marami tayong rice land pero hindi pumapasok yung mga tubig (That has been our problem.

The Thai we taught before are now experts. They study here, and we lose to them.

Because ever since, that has been our problem. We have rice lands but water cannot enter),” Panelo said.

“Kaya (That’s why) we really have to improve on our irrigation system para maganda ang production (so that we have better production),” he added.

However, Panelo said farmers are already bene�itting from the Free Irrigation Service Act (R.A. 10969) signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last February 2018.

The law ful�ills the President’s promise to ensure that free irrigation services are made available to poor farmers through the continued construction, repair, and maintenance of necessary irrigation facilities.

Panelo also said Agriculture Secretary William Dar continues to undertake measures to solve problems confronting the agriculture industry.

He said Dar is competent enough to implement measures that will increase the country’s rice produc-

tion.

“Secretary Dar has been appointed there precisely because he used to head that department and he was successful during his stint, so he would be knowledgeable on how to curb whatever problems are existing today,” Panelo said.

Among others, Panelo said Dar made a proposal to give away additional subsidy to farmers who are suffering from lower palay prices as a result of the Rice Tarif�ication Law (R.A. 11203) signed by the President last February.

“The Cabinet approved that (farmers subsidy),” Panelo said.

Farmers groups have blamed the Rice Liberalization Law for the falling farm gate prices of palay which fell to as low as PHP7 in Central Luzon.

The Rice Tari�ication Law allows unlimited rice importation, but investors must �irst secure a phytosanitary permit from the Bureau of Plant Industry and pay the 35-percent tariff for shipments from Southeast Asia. (PNA)

ay non-resident corporation and therefore ‘yung operasyon nila ay non-taxable. So hindi natin nagagamit ‘yung buwis,” Salceda said.

Lawmakers said the government should instead consider halting POGO operations if they could not be properly taxed.

“If we cannot tax it properly, Mr. Chair, we might as well scrap the whole thing.

Why? Because it is not helping the government raise necessary revenues for that,” Minority Leader Representative Bienvenido Abante, Jr. said.

“Sayang naman yung opportunity. It’s really a lapse between the two agencies,” AAMBIS-OWA Partylist Rep-

resentative Sharon Garin said.

However, according to Salceda, both overseas-based and Philippine-based POGOs can be taxed. This was the goal of his House Bill 5267, which charges a 5 percent tax on their pro�it.

If approved, the government may acquire P45 billion in one year as the POGOs will also be charged with corporate income tax.

However, regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) rejected the proposal for higher taxes.

“Due to the volatility of market there might be a risk that these operators might

�ind jurisdiction which offers better taxes,” PAGCOR’s Jessa Fernandez said.

According to data from the PAGCOR and the Bureau of Immigration, there are 80,000 to 140,000 POGO employees in the country, which are mostly Chinese nationals.

A lawmaker stressed that the income tax being paid by foreign workers should be the same as the tax being paid by Filipinos.

“Here, the proposal is to tax POGO employees 15% of their salaries. I’d like to ask the DOF why are we proposing a different tax rate compared to the Filipino employees?” Marikina Representative Stella Quimbo said.

Only 10 out of 60 POGOs in PH pay taxes, BIR says

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he Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) collects taxes from only 10 out of 60 registered Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) operating in the country, according to a Tuesday report by Victoria Tulad on Quick Response Team.

During the hearing of the House Committee on Ways and Means, it was revealed that 50 of the POGOs are based in other countries though they have employees in the Philippines.

Committee chairperson Joey Salceda cited the Of�ice of the Government Corporate Counsel’s (OGCC) report that showed BIR’s inability to tax POGOs. “Sabi po ng OGCC na sila

he IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) on Tuesday said it now expects industry growth at a slower pace than previously announced due to a various factors from the global slowdown to uncertainties in policies that the government plans to implement.

According to IBPAP president and CEO Rey Untal, the group has recalibrated its Roadmap 2022 �igures—it now expects industry revenue to come in at $29 billion to $32 billion, down nearly $10 billion from the previous forecast of $38.9 billion.

It now expects headcount somewhere between 1.42 million and 1.57 million by 2022, from previous expectations of 1.8 million.

The revised numbers were recalibrated by the Everest Group, a US-based management consulting and research �irm.

Untal said the revisions were in line with the induystry’s global growth, as well as the slower-than-expected growth of a little

over 2% in 2017 and 5.1% in 2018.

“Also, some uncertainty in policy-shaping is causing some concerns,” he told reporters in a press conference in Parañaque City.

Untal in September said the information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) sector growth could be halved, should lawmakers pass the second phase of the comprehensive tax reform program in its current form.

“We are looking at 40%, 50% reduction ng growth ... Whatever that growth trajectory is, it stands to be diminished by close to half,” Untal said back then.

The Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) bill, formerly the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-Quality Opportunities (TRABAHO), seeks to gradually reduce the corporate income tax (CIT) rates to 20% from 30%.

It aims to make tax perks time-bound, transparent, targeted, and per-

IT-BPM, P8

Stakeholders laud passing of Senate resolution on sugar liberalization

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takeholders on Tuesday lauded the passing of a Senate resolution opposing the planned liberalization of the sugar industry.

In a statement, Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Board member Dino Yulo said as representative of the sugar producers, “the overwhelming support of our senators will hopefully allay fears of our stakeholders that the proposed liberalization of the sugar industry will not only be suspended for six months to a year, but will never happen for as long as we have senators who continue to champion the plight of sugar producers

and workers, including the millions of others who are dependent on this industry.”

Yulo thanked the Senate for recognizing the importance of the SRA as a vital agency that will look after the welfare of industry stakeholders and the consuming public.

Senate Resolution 213 unanimously approved by senators on Monday urged the Executive Department not to pursue the planned liberalization of the sugar industry to safeguard the welfare of sugar farmers and industry workers in more than 20 provinces in the country.

STAKEHOLDERS, P8

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 177 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

EDITORIAL

Time to end arrangement than martial law.

President Rodrigo Duterte �irst declared martial law in Mindanao when �ire�ights erupted between state troops and terrorists in Marawi City in May 2017. The original martial law declaration was supposed to last only for 60 days, as indicated in the Constitution, but Congress voted to extend it until the end of 2017 to help troops end the occupation of Marawi City. In late 2017, Duterte requested for another extension until the end of 2018, saying the militants were regrouping despite the end of clashes. In December 2018, Congress approved another extension until the end of 2019 to quell terrorist groups that continue to defy the government by perpetrating hostile activities.

Mindanao has, by far, been restive after the skirmishes in Marawi City.

It will be best for Mindanao, which went through the harrowing experience of earthquakes in the past three weeks, to march on from the Martial Law declaration. Ending Martial Law will bring about a fresh start for Mindanao as it leaves behind the trail of terror that once engulfed part of its territory.

The time to close the chapter of Martial Law in Mindanao is now.

The last extension of the Martial Law in Mindanao was to expire at the end of this year and while many cities in Mindanao especially Davao City have moved for the exemption from its coverage, there is every bit of wisdom to generally call it over for the rest of Mindanao.

The sentiment to end Martial Law was �irst expressed by Davao City after business entities planning to make investments in Davao City gave their opinion that the city is better off uncovered no longer by the declaration. While the Martial Law in Mindanao turned out to be smoothly executed and without any reports of abuses, the general sentiment is that the business climate would be more sunny without it.

With the Martial Law about to lapse anew its extension, this is the time for Davao City to push for either exemption or call for its termination.

On Monday, Defense Secretary Del�in Lorenzana said he was not inclined to recommend another extension of martial rule in Mindanao as he pushed instead for a tougher anti-terrorism law. According to him, Congress’ amendment of the Human Security Act would be a better

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 177 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

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ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

ALMENDRAS’ ANTI-GRAFT CRUSADES Sen. Alejandro D. Almendras, the �irst senator from Davao, was both a hero and villain. In the annals of Philippine politics, he was embroiled in various controversies but always escaped unscathed. As a �irebrand legislator, he scorched the Senate with exposes that brought him into distasteful tussles with fellow legislators in the lower chamber of Congress.

In some cases, he was fast in lashing foreign criticisms.

On April 27, 1962, in response to U.S. envoy to the Philippines William E. Stevenson’s remark that President Carlos P. Garcia’s ‘Filipino-�irst policy was making “some American investors nervous,” he made mincemeat of the analysis in a speech before the Manila Rotary Club.

Brash and sarcastic, Sen. Almendras was a “no holds barred” anti-graft crusader. On June 2, 1962, for instance, he exposed the syndicate of Filipinos and Chinese which secured cement from Cebu Portland Cement Corp. Less than a year later, on May 10, 1963, he accused national treasurer Vicente Gella “with venalities in connection

with the government back-pay.”

When the Harry Stonehill controversy scandal exploded and hogged national headlines, it was Sen. Almendras who �irst stood up in the Senate and demanded that all documents related to the scandal be published.

1964 was another banner year for Sen. Almendras’ exposes.

On February 18, 1964, he rose in the Senate to propose the conduct of public hearings on the rice importation bill after he felt dissatis�ied by the way the initiative was crafted.

The following month he delivered a privilege speech linking “a number of army of�icers to smuggling.” Later, in a separate address, he exposed Operation Termite as a smokescreen to hide “the attempts to smuggle cigarets under the protection of armed forces of�icials.”

On January 4, 1965, as head of the Senate committee on commerce and industry, Sen. Almendras announced the discovery of P5 million “worth of spoiled consumers goods, milk, sardines, butter, cheese, fruits, etc. in 8 Manila warehouses of the

National Marketing Corp.” The incident reminisces the recent reports that rice in government warehouses were rotting, while medicines stocked in health department bodegas had expired.

That same year, Sen. Almendras’ committee and the Senate committee on government corporations and bureaus, announced on November 17 the preparation of a probe that would look into reported anomalies in the Bureau of Supply, Bureau of Printing, Rice and Corn Administration, National Marketing Corp., and Philippine Virginia Tobacco Administration.

And on March 17, 1965, following Sen Almendras’ expose, President Ferdinand E. Marcos met with of�icials in Camp Aguinaldo to go to the bottom of a sex scandal and other irregularities that were happening in the Constabulary Criminal Investigation Service.

But the senator also had his share of questionable activities. On November 10, 1962, the Manila Fiscal Of�ice �iled cases against Sen. Almendras and former �inance secretary Dominador Aytona for “enrichment in

of�ice.” Particularly, Sen. Almendras was charged for purportedly acquiring P1.282 million of “unexplained wealth” from 1955 to 1960.

In just two days the �iscal’s of�ice completed the preliminary probe of the charge against the senator and a case was promptly “�iled in court, together with two other anti-grat cases one hour before the deadline, the law prohibiting the �iling of such charges within a one-year period before elections.”

Adding trouble to Sen. Almendras’ mounting legal woes was the February 5, 1963 privilege speech delivered by Rep. Ismael Veloso, a Nacionalista congressman from Davao, who accused him of enrichment while serving as governor of Davao, secretary of the Department of General Services, and a senator. A congressional inquiry was also being pushed. But Almendras shrugged off Rep. Veloso’s accusations as “malicious and unfounded,” adding that the allegations were “intended as a trap to force [me] into the Liberal camp” and dares the congressman to repeat his accusations in

a public place where there was no immunity from libel.

As the heat build-up between the two politicians rose in temperature, Sen. Almendras wanted to refute the claims of Rep. Veloso in the lower chamber, but House Speaker Cornelio Villareal doused cold water on his request. Similarly, Senate President Eulogio Rodriguez, elder brother of a former Davao City mayor, issued a statement that Veloso “could not be permitted to interpellate Almendras on the Senate �loor.”

Through all the bad blood and harsh words that were exchanged, Judge Conrado M. Vasquez of the Manila Court of First Instance (who later became �irst Ombudsman and Supreme Court associate justice), on motion of the Of�ice of the Solicitor General, dismissed the unexplained wealth suit against Sen. Almendras “without prejudice to the �iling of the case again at some future date.” The basis for dropping the charges were the reports received by the prosecutors that, in fact, the senator had accumulated more wealth than was charged.

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

RESPECT BEGETS RESPECT “Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners.” – Laurence Sterne *** In these days of stress, information highway, and cellular phones, respect seems to be completely ignored.

If you have a scheduled meeting at 9 in the morning, you arrive early but others come late. Today’s youngsters never pay attention to their parents anymore. In a bus, nobody offers a seat for the old folks.

There are two types of respect. The �irst one is a “due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others.”

If a person’s belief prohibits him from eating pork or drinking alcohol, that someone offering it should not insist.

The second is about “a feeling of admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.” This happens when someone is being bestowed a coveted award and everyone stand and clap their hands for ovation.

As someone puts it: “Respect is a way of treating or thinking about something or

someone. If you respect your teacher, you admire her and treat her well. People respect others who are impressive for any reason, such as being in authority – like a teacher or cop – or being older – like a grandparent.”

Even if someone is not superior to you or someone who is lesser than you in life, you still have to show some respect to that person. Listen to what the famed Albert Einstein said: “I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.”

There are people who show respect only if you respect him in the �irst place. In a graduation speech, Dr. Robert Michaels pointed this out, “I don’t care if you’re black, white, straight, bisexual, gay, lesbian, short, tall, fat, skinny, rich or poor. If you’re nice to me, I’ll be nice to you. Simple as that.”

If you want others to respect you, you have to respect yourself �irst. “Respect yourself and others will respect you,” Confucius reminded. Or as Fyodor Dostoyevsky elucidated in The Insulted and Humiliated: “If you want to be respected

by others, the great thing is to respect yourself. Only by that, only by self-respect will you compel others to respect you.”

“You will never gain anyone’s approval by begging for it,” writes Mandy Hale in The Single Woman: Life, Love and a Dash of Sass. “When you stand con�ident in your own worth, respect follows.”

Here’s a story from freestoriesforkids.com which gives a lesson why respect is a necessity: Once upon a time, the King’s two princes were playing in a forest and – meeting one at a time – they came across four dwarves who asked to be more careful.

The �irst dwarf had a headache and he asked them not to shout. The second dwarf was painting a landscape, and he asked the children to move away because they were blocking out the light. The third dwarf was doing a giant jigsaw puzzle in the middle of the road, and he asked the children not to tread on it.

The fourth dwarf was watching a butter�ly and he asked them not to frighten it away.

The �irst prince who respected others did as what the dwarves asked, but the second prince who

disrespect anyone ignored the dwarves’ pleas, and kept bothering them. In the evening, both boys had become separated and lost. They needed to get back to the palace quickly.

Each of them separately came across the four dwarves again, and asked for their help.

They refused to help the disrespectful prince, but with the respectful prince they did whatever they could to help, and took him along some secret tracks which led right to the palace.

The second prince arrived much later, and was punished for it. He now understood that it’s much better to respect everyone if you want to have friends.

The Holy Bible has presented several passages on respect.

In Ephesians 6:5-9, Paul was talking about respect between masters and slaves: “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.

“And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their master and yours is in heaven, and there

is no favouritism with him.”

Romans 13:1 highlights the importance of respecting people in authority: “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist has been established by God.” Wm. Paul Young in The Shack explains: “Submission is not about authority and it is not obedience; it is all about relationships of love and respect.”

Respect begets respect.

Once it is lost, it is lost forever.

In Fools, Martyrs, Traitors: The Story of Martyrdom in the Western World, Mahatma Gandhi was quoted: “I cannot conceive of a greater loss than the loss of one’s self-respect.”

Respect is for people who show it and for people who receive it. Oftentimes, both have to show it in order for the other person to receive it. “When we treat people merely as they are, they will remain as they are,” says Thomas S. Monson, an American religious leader and author. “When we treat them as if they were what they should be, they will become what they should be.”

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that “we have to implement the reform now, and it will be a very needed quantum leap for the future of the country.”

“There is a need for change, and we have to start the change now. We have to understand that the 1987 constitution was patterned after the 1935 constitution, which was also patterned after the 1905 constitution.

So, the longevity says it all why,” he added.

The barangay federations are prepared once the reform is implemented.

“We propose a longer term for the barangay of�icials. Three years is not enough to get things done.

So, we propose a six-year term which a barangay of�icial can avail twice. I think this is enough,” he furthered.

Board Member Larry Taya also wanted to ascertain if there is enough time left for the constitutional reform, considering that the current administration only has barely three more years left. Taragona Councilor Samuel Uy reiterated that with the move for constitutional reform, the government also have to look into the persons who will work on the reform.

DILG Assistant Regional Director Abdullah Dumama appealed to the local government of�icials to help in the information dissemina-

tion on the constitutional reform.

“Let us help the President on this. Since day one, he has already been advocating for federalism.

We have to do this for our country,” he said.

The two-day Balangayan started at the Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology (DOSCST) for the barangay of�icials and the youth.

On the second day, Matalam and Tamayo led the morning media brie�ing at Tita Venus Restaurant, where friends from the media had their time asking questions on constitutional reform and other related matters.

In the afternoon, a town hall meeting was held at the Honey’s Hotel and Restaurant for the local government of�icials.

Also attending the town hall meeting were Vice Governor Niño Uy, Provincial Administrator Art Benjie Bulaong, municipal mayors, vice-mayors, and Sangguniang Panlalawiganmembers.

Local of�icials of Davao Oriental say they welcome change – change that can be an avenue to address more ef�iciently the needs of the people guided by the Whole of Nation Approach.

By Neela G. Duallo/Photos Courtesy of DILG-Davao Oriental

he added.

Last March, the President bared that he is “in a hurry” to strike a deal with Misuari to �inally end the long-drawn Moro rebellion and achieve lasting peace in Mindanao.

Duterte said that just

like how government has “come to terms” with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim through the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), he wanted to do the same with Misuari.

(PNA)

year’s budget, which Congress aims to extend until the end of 2020. The DBM had already earmarked ₱31 billion in the 2020 budget to fund a fresh pay hike for state employees.

Government workers have enjoyed a yearly raise since 2016, through Executive Order 201 issued by

then President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III. The last tranche took effect this year, where those under salary grade 1 now earn a minimum of ₱11,068 per month, while the President at salary grade 33 — the highest in the ranks — can earn as much as ₱399,739 monthly.

at least are now started talking about Davao, which is not in the radar screen.

"But when we started talking and decribed Davao as a gateway to BIMP-EAGA countries, they were quiet interested," Milan said.

The establishment of the said route came up because of the number of Filipinos traveling to and living in Japan, as well as Japanese residents who want to travel to Davao City.

Milan also described their recent trip as encouraging because they were able to create awareness among Japanese businessmen about Davao.

It is also their goal to introduce Davao City to the Japanese business sector and look for partners that are willing to do business with the members of the Davao delegation.

"I briefed them what is Davao and they were so surprised that majority of the Filipinos living in Japan according to the statistics from the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo are from Mindanao and those from Mindanao are basically from Davao Region and that can be attributed

to our long relationships with Japanese," Milan said.

He added that after his presentation entitled "Why Davao?" The Japanese have expressed to study business opportunities in Davao.

"That created an awareness to the Japanese businessmen. At least we have hit our objective of creating the awareness about Davao. However, towards the open forum the most pressing question was is there a direct �light to Davao?" Milan said.

Milan also announced that during the trip they signed a sisterhood agreement with Hitachinaka Chamber of Commerce. He said the group's executive director will be coming to Davao City in January for an OJT at the DCCCII. "They will just to observe how we run the chamber here in Davao," he said. Saitama Chamber of Commerce likewise expressed interest to create a sisterhood with DCCCII. "But in the chamber we need to get the approval of the board before we can sign any agreement. We have to consult our board and explore the possibility of signing an agreement," Milan said.

the President requested for an extension up to yearend 2017.

In December 2017, two months after President Duterte declared Marawi “liberated from the terrorist in�luence,” he again asked Congress again for an extension until yearend 2018 and in December 2018, again asked for an extension until yearend 2019.

From supposedly a period of only 60 days as declared under Proclamation 216, martial law was extended to 222 days until yearend 2017, to 587 until yearend 2018 and to 952 days until December 31, 2019.

Lorenzana said they can “do the job” of countering terrorism, especially if Congress can strengthen the human security act, “then that’s a better arrangement than martial law.”

Asked what he would do if the military recommends extension of martial law, he replied, they will evaluate the reasons of the military and the police and act accordingly.

“Personally, I am not inclined to recommend its extension. Unless the AFP and PNP recommend otherwise. I will await their recommendation which I should receive before December,” Lorenzana added.

Mayor Duterte in her July 8 letters to top military and police of�icials in the Davao region asked for an assessment “of the present overall security situation” in the city and that if it is encouraging, “may we request for a favorable indorsement from your of�ice supporting our request for the lifting of Martial Law in the entire area of Davao City.”

The mayor told the of�icials that while Davao City welcomed martial law when it was declared in May 2017, “we also acknowledge that being under Martial Law may have affected otherwise promising prospects for the City in terms of business and investments.”

Davao City’s Sangguniang Panlungsod on August 6 this year passed a resolution sponsored by Councilor Maria Belen Sunga-Acosta, chair of the SP Committee on Peace and Public Safety, requesting President Rodrigo Duterte “for the possible lifting of martial law in Davao City.”

The resolution cited the July 16, 2019 letter of Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos, Eastern Mindanao Command, to the Armed Forces Chief of Staff “favorably indorsing the City’s proposed exclusion of the entire Davao City from martial law.”

“We support the exclusion of Davao City from martial law, provided that all present security forces in place and security measures and initiatives being implemented shall still be operational to avoid giving the terrorist groups an opportunity to stage another attack in any part of Davao City,” he said.

The Philippine National Police’s regional director, Police Brig. Gen. Marcelo Morales, in a letter dated July 23, 2019, in his letter to Mayor Duterte, said the regional PNP “supports the recommendation of the city’s Martial Law exemption to give way for the favorable visions of Davao City in terms of business and investments.” (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

Agusan del Sur, a freshman student at the Mindanao State University (MSU) main campus here, was shot by still an unidenti�ied assailant.

Almeda died days later.

As in all cases, no suspect has been arrested yet.

“The incidents are very alarming considering that they happened when we are under Martial Law and authorities are strictly implementing it in this area,” said a top ranking of�icial who preferred unidenti�ied.

(MNY)

formance-based for a more competitive �iscal incentives system.

As proposed by the Department of Finance (DOF), some 123 laws will be repealed and consolidated into one omnibus incentive code.

Untal said the industry will have to keep up with upskilling and reskilling of the workforce to ensure that the industry would achieve at least the lower end of the �igures unveiled in the newly-revised roadmap.

“That’s the primary area of discussion that we will shift into. A lot of the huge companies have already been doing this.

We need to up the ante in terms of the industry academe playbook, the different partnership models,” he said, noting that more partnerships with the academe will improve the skills workers.

“Talent upskilling and reskilling is going to be front and center of our agenda a lot more now than before,” Untal noted.

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“And this is where we have to step up our �inancial intelligence capabilities to determine how illicit funds are raised or generate, moved or transferred, and used,” he said, citing that terrorist supporters are exploiting cyberspace through social networking sites.

“Money is the lifeblood of terrorists and organized crime syndicates. They cannot operate without it.

Cutting off their life source is thus, a crucial step to undermine their capabilities and frustrate their ability to carry out terrorist attacks,” he added.

In an interview by journalists after the opening ceremonies, Esperon said it is really hard to check on �inancial transactions of terrorists and their supporters and �inanciers because they do not remit in bulk to thwart discovery.

“They don’t remit PHP25 million in one transaction. They do it by PHP50,000… it’s below the radar,” he added.

The Anti-Money Laun-

dering Act of 2001, otherwise known as Republic Act (RA) 9160, de�ines covered transaction as “a single, series, or combination of transactions involving a total amount in excess of PHP4,000,000 or an equivalent amount in foreign currency based on the prevailing exchange rate within �ive consecutive banking days except those between a covered institution and a person who, at the time of the transaction, was a properly identi�ied client and the amount is commensurate with the business or �inancial capacity of the client; or those with an underlying legal or trade obligation, purpose, origin or economic justi�ication.”

“It likewise refers to a single, series or combination or pattern of unusually large and complex transactions in excess of PHP4,000,000 especially cash deposits and investments having no credible purpose or origin, underlying trade obligation or contract,” it added. (PNA)

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

The resolution further said the entry of subsidized sugar into the market “will be disastrous to our sugar industry, which contributes an estimated PHP96 billion to the gross domestic product (GDP), particularly to 84,000 farmers -- mostly small farmers and agrarian reform bene�iciaries, with each farmer tills less than a hectare of sugar farmland -- and 720,000 industry workers directly affecting almost a million families or �ive million individuals.”

It also urged the appropriate Senate committees to conduct an investigation into the impending liberalization of the sugar industry.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri thanked his colleagues for unanimously passing Senate Resolution 213, saying liberalizing imports would be the “nail that would seal the cof�in of the sugar industry.”

“When Tatak Kalamay �irst raised the issue a couple of months ago, I started rallying my colleagues in the Senate, knowing full well that pursuing such will greatly affect the lives and livelihood of some 84,000 farmers and more than 700,000 industry workers in over 20 provinces across the country. They (senators) heard Tatak Kalamay’s plea and for as long as we are in the Senate, we assure you of our

support and protection and we also urge the economic managers to conduct proper consultation before announcing such plans,” he said.

Tatak Kalamay is a multi-sector group based in Negros Occidental composed of sugar industry stakeholders.

Instead of focusing on liberalizing the sugar industry, Zubiri proposed for the restoration of the full Sugarcane Industry Development Act (SIDA) budget in order to make the industry competitive globally.

Under the law, PHP2 billion will be given yearly to the sugar industry --15 percent or PHP300 million for block farm grants; 15 percent for research and development, capability building and technology transfer; 15 percent for socialized credits to be implemented by Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) for farm support and mechanization; 5 percent or PHP100 million for scholarship grants and human resources development programs; and 50 percent for infrastructure development programs for farm to mill roads, irrigation and transport infrastructure.

However, the Department of Budget and Management slashed the SIDA budget from PHP2 billion in 2016 to only PHP500 million this year due to underutilization or underspending.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar has committed to review the memorandum of agreement with government agencies and the private sector on the implementation of the SIDA law.

“We will see to it that the sugar industry will be more productive, competitive, and pro�itable,” Dar said in a text message to reporters. (PNA).

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ABREEZA TO WELCOME CHRISTMAS WITH DARREN ESPANTO AND FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

THIS November, Ayala Malls Abreeza awakens the season of gifts and giving with pre-Christmas programs, promos, and performances that aim to inspire in shoppers the spirit of generosity. In light of the recent earthquakes that have rocked Mindanao, there is no better time than now to reflect on what we have and what we can offer to those who have less.

On November 7, Abreeza held its muchawaited Christmas Tree Lighting.

Together, Abreeza employees unveiled the mall’s take on the Yuletide icon this year: a tower of glowing, larger-than-life gifts designed by T’nalak Home. It is a fitting symbol for Abreeza’s mission of encouraging shoppers to not only give gifts, but also give back this season.

On November 16 at 6pm, teen singing sensation Darren Espanto takes over the Abreeza Activity Center for a pre-Christmas concert for a cause. A P100 donation to the Ayala Foundation for the benefit of Mindanaoan earthquake victims gets you in the venue.

Donations are to be made at the Main Concierge on the day of the concert.

Another pre-Christmas spectacle that’s sure to warm shoppers’ hearts is the Festival of Lights, Ayala Land’s well-loved Christmas light show which heads to Davao for the first time with a run at Abreeza’s 3F Roof Garden beginning November 20 at 6pm. This spectacular show

of holiday sights and sounds makes its way exclusively to Ayala Land estates nationwide every Christmas season.

It’s not Christmas without the gift-shopping, and customers can get a headstart on their shopping with Abreeza’s mall-wide Paint the Town Red Sale: PreChristmas Sale on November 15–24. Extended mall hours of up to 10pm on November 15–17 give shoppers more time to tick items off their Christmas lists.

Finally, amazing thrills and deals await customers who shop or watch movies at Abreeza from November 15 to December 15 with The Great Christmas Dash, a series of preChristmas giveaways.

With Noche Buena Bonanza, shoppers who present two same-day cinema tickets at the Main Concierge get the chance to be among five winners of P10,000-worth Robinsons Supermarket gift certificates. With 1-Minute Gift Grab, shoppers who present P1,000-worth same-day receipts from any Abreeza store at the Main Concierge get the chance to be among five winners of oneminute gift-shopping sprees at Robinsons Department Store worth up to P30,000 each.

For updates and more information on Abreeza’s preChristmas activities, like @AbreezaMall on Facebook and follow @abreezatweets on Twitter and @iloveabreezamall on Instagram.

VOL.12 ISSUE 177 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

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FOOD

Kadios, Baboy, Langka.

Balut al Ajillo.

Chef Annie Cacho-Garcia and husband Raffy Garcia.

ARTISANA’S FILIPINO FOOD (R)EVOLUTION

DURIANBURG is seeing a boom in food choices lately, from casual comfort diners, Japanese dives, kebab joints to fancy brunch places, there are now more options for Dabawenyos to sink their teeth into. One cuisine that is taking the city by storm however is our own Filipino cuisine.

While many may say that carenderias and grills serving home-style dishes are the epitome of what Filipino cuisine is, the new wave of Filipino restaurants revisit those same dishes but refine them through the artistry and skill of their executive chefs. One new restaurant that is rethinking the way we appreciate Filipino food is ArtisAna Comfort Gourmet.

Located in a beautifully restored 1950’s home along Araullo Street, ArtistAna is the brainchild of Italian-trained chef and restauranteur Annie Cacho-Garcia who is also known for her successful restaurant concepts Spirale and Pastanni.

When asked on the inspiration behind ArtistAna, Annie recalls how she would eat a traditional Filipino dish and

think of how to tweak it to make it taste different but still have its basic Filipino elements.

“I would have my trusty notebook during my travels to jot down small ideas for a dish I could try cooking at home,” she shared “Some of the results made it into ArtisAna.” I was able to taste some of the dishes of ArtisAna and, to be quite frank, all the dishes taste and sound like what one could find in a traditional Filipino restaurant but with a small twist that elevates the dining experience.

A dish that showed this twist is ArtisAna’s Balut Al Ajillo featuring battered and fried balut but served with a heady and rich garlic sauce. Another dish which was the crowd favourite during the tasting event was the Duck Adobado which

is shredded crispy duck meat cooked in a home-made adobo sauce. Expect to eat heaps of steamed rice with this one.

Dipping into her Ilonggo heritage, Annie also serves KBL or Kadios, Baboy, Langka. Instead of serving the hearty and sour soup all in one bowl, the dish is served in two separate bowls, one for the vegetables and pork (which is fried) and one for the soup. The deliberate separation, ensured that the dish had a crispy textural element.

Another textural enhancement can be enjoyed with ArtisAna’s Roast Porchetta Binagoongan. The crispy roast pork belly and the home-made shrimp paste which is less salty elevates the dish.

All of ArtisAna’s dishes are served family-style and there is

ArtisAna Comfort Gourmet is located in a beautifully r

no other dish that says “we are family” more than the Paella Mariano, localised Spanish mixed rice paella with crispy Bagnet topping. “The dish is named after my father,” said Annie “He loved paella and Bagnet, I thought why can’t we have both and so the Paella Mariano was born.”

Filipino food may be familiar to everyone and anyone can say that they are experts in Filipino cuisine. But Filipino cuisine is growing and evolving Roast Po fast thanks to the creativity and passion of many Filipino chefs and ArtistAna reflects that, giving diners an experience of what more Filipino cuisine can be.

ArtistAna Comfort Gourmet is open daily. Reservations can be made by calling (82) Crispy Pa 238.2276. ways, cri

TAPESTRY A4

to preserve the otherwise forgotten cultural activities from the lens of the cultural masters themselves.

The CCCAD, along with the City Historical, Cultural, and Arts Council, hopes to preserve it for future generations of Tagumenyos to appreciate through this feat.

Upon finalizing the profiling data, the office headed by Xylee Palomata-Labastida came up with an exhibit, which lasted until November 4, to showcase these cultural masters to public in some strategic locations; Gaisano Mall of Tagum, Robinsons’ Mall of Tagum and during the Pakaradyan Festival which is also frequented by Tagumenyos.

The book, the penultimate output is this project, will soon be hot off the press and will find its way to the shelves of the Center for Tagumenyo Studies, a vital component under the Tagum City Public Library which is set

to be inaugurated next year.

Vibrant Pakaradyan Festival In contrast with the solemn celebration of the Kaimunan Festival, the Pakaradyan Festival was bursting with colors, made more exquisite with the flamboyant and striking presentations coming from the Moro communities residing in the city.

The three-day festival, held from October 22 to 24, show-

The contestants during the Amik-making Contest as they battled to be hailed as the master chef in making Amik last October 23 at the New City Hall Atrium.JP Cordovero/CIO Tagum cased the tapestry of Moro culture from music and dances, to food making and visual design.

This, according to Zuhairah Abas, the Chief Tourism Operation Officer of Region XI, is the best way to promote and preserve the colorful tradition and heritage of the cultural com-

LGU-Tagum led by Mayor Allan L. Rellon together with Hon. Alderson Rellon, Hon. Cyril Alba and Bia Lilia Lagunzad, granted a posthumous award to the late Datu Damiano Cipro received by his beloved wife and children. Miko Pongan/CIO Tagum. munities. the master chef in Amik-making Prior to the grand celebration, contest, one of the events held the Tagumenyo Moro children which was dominated by the were taught the fundamentals Kagan Tribe from Davao City. of tribal music and instruments October being the National IP in the Kulintangan Workshop month as stated in the IPRA law, which they showcased when the city government of Tagum they joined other kulintangan endeavoured in upholding musicians, such as the eventual respect, love and pride to the inwinner Mandungan Kulintdigenous cultural communities angan Cultural Ensemble of living in this city through the Davao City, during the festival’s championing culture and the concluding event. The different arts in Kaimunan aw PakaradyMoro tribes from Tagum, Maco an Festivals. JP Cordovero/CIO Tagum and Davao also competed for

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ENTERTAINMENT

WILL JAKBIE REALIZE WHICH LOVE IS REAL IN WAGAS?

restored two-storey 1950’s house with an expansive parking lot adjecent to it.

to the fact that everything was orchestrated by Rex (Rey PJ Abellana).

Yummy and her aunts, Tita Gloria (Yayo Aguila) and Tita Sonya (Tina Paner), cannot believe that they played right into the hands of Rex. What’s worse is that Tita Gloria and Tita Sonya even had misunderstandings before because of Rex. It seems Walang Kapares is facing more problems. One customer complains that a cockroach is supposedly in the bowl of pares that has been served.

The bad news does not end here. Walang Kapares catches fire and Yummy’s life is put in danger.

Will Yummy get to turn

their lives around or will another misfortune befall her?

With all these devastating news, Eugene is quick to be right by Yummy’s side. Will he finally get his chance to win Yummy’s heart and will Yummy realize what real love is?

Don’t miss the thrilling ending of “Wagas: Wait Lang…Is this Love?” this week, before Eat Bulaga on GMA-7.

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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orchetta Binagoongan.

ata Like No Other, a hefty serving of pork trotter twoispy and braised.

WILL the long wait be over for Yummy (Barbie Forteza) and Eugene (Jak Roberto) that they will finally find their way to each other’s hearts or will Sandie (Ashley Ortega) and Cedrick (Kristoffer Martin) keep the two away from their happy ending?

Viewers are excited to find out the answers to these questions as “Wagas: Wait Lang…

Is this Love?” airs its finale this week.

Sandie is fuming after discovering that Cedrick has already developed true feelings for Yummy.

To get her revenge, Sandie reveals everything—from the original plan to have Yummy fall for Cedrick so that they can sabotage Walang Kapares

Serving the Paella Mariano.

Tagumenyos flocked to the Gadungan: Tagum Cultural Treasures, Legacy to Humanity Exhibit to see and know first handedly the cultural masters of Tagum City in the 5 domains of culture and heritage; Literary Arts, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Culinary Arts, and Traditional Healing. Leo Timogan/CIO Tagum

The grand presentation of the Kulintangan Completers during the opening of the Pakaradyan Festival last October 22 at the New City Hall Atrium. Miko Pongan/CIO Tagum

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“In light of the coming holiday season, we recognize the need of our customers for higher data allocation in view of the rich content being shared in social networking sites. We remain steadfast in our commitment to cater to our customers’ digital lifestyle by providing a higher data consumption experience,” said Globe Chief Commercial Officer Albert de Larrazabal.

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TAPESTRY OF TAGUM’S CULTURAL HERITAGE SHOWCASED IN KAIMUNAN AW PAKARADYAN FESTIVALS

TAGUM CITY—TAKING the city’s rich heritage, culture, and the arts into the limelight, the city’s cultural communities once again showcased the unique tapestry of both the Lumad and Moro heritage, with its members actively participating in this year’s separate celebration of the Kaimunan and Pakaradyan Festivals, respectively.

Tagumenyos belonging to different tribes like Mansaka, Mandaya, Kagan, Ata-Manobo, Maranao, Dibabawon, Maguindanaon, Tausog and Iranon were given the platform to flaunt their tradition in the twin festival that was once hailed as the country’s Best Tourism Event (Festival Category) in the ATOP-DOT Pearl Awards.

Under the leadership of Mayor Allan L. Rellon, this celebration amplifies his vision of inclusive growth and development under his pet advocacy EAGLE WINGS program, specifically in the first “E” which prioritizes Education, Employ-

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protection of the foothold and rights of not only the indigenous people but also of the Moro people of Tagum.

This sincere celebration of Datu Cipro’s demise is a respect given to his grieving family.

However it was made grand with the presence of all the tribal chieftains and bigwigs of the city’s Lumad community, headlined no less by the City Kyalalaysan Pyagmatikadong Aguido Sucnaan who is the highest ranking leader of the cultural communities and the City Tribal Chieftain Bia Lilia Magkidong Lagunsad.

The highlight of the half-day activity was the launching of the Gadungan; Tagum Cultural Treasures, Legacy to Humanity, a project of the City Cultural Communities Affairs Division (CCCAD) which documented the cultural masters in the city of Tagum.

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The launching of the Gadungan: Tagum Cultural Treasures, Legacy to Humanity Exhibit during the Kaimunan Festival spearheaded

by Mayor Allan L. Rellon together with the City Kyalalaysan Pyagmatikadong Aguido Sucnaan, theCity Tribal Chieftain Bia Lilia Magkidong Lagunsad and the profiled cultural masters of Tagum. Miko Pongan/CIO Tagum ment and Culture.

Kaimunan: Honoring the late Datu Cipro With the recent passing of

the city’s IPMR, Datu Damiano Cipro, this year’s Kaimunan Festival was kept solemn yet grand.

Celebrated last October 10 as stipulated in City Ordinance

No. 817 s-2017 otherwise known as the Kaimunan Ordinance, this year’s festival highlighted the contribution of the late Datu Cipro in the promotion and

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Partnership with NCCA Worrying about the diminishing cultural assets of Tagum, the CCCAD comprehensively documented the 55 masters of the five cultural domains such as Literary Arts, Performing Arts, Culinary Arts, Visual Arts, and Traditional Healing through its Gadungan Cultural Masters Profiling Project.

Realized with generous funding from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the profiling is a brazen attempt

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UP AND FURNITURE A1 ABOUTa silly method but for EJ and

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contribute to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants by the protection and promotion of breast feeding and by ensuring the proper use of breastmilk substitutes and breastmilk supplements when these are necessary, on the basis of adequate information and through appropriate marketing and distribution.

“We would like to stress that we are still pushing for breastfeeding even in emergency situation. We had just earthquakes in Davao and because of that we have activated the emergency clusters such as nutrition cluster in the region,” she said.

She said following the series of earthquakes that hit Davao City and some parts of Mindanao emergency clusters were automatically activated

including the nutrition council in the region.

“Umiikot kami kasama ng mga partners like UNICEF at DOH at nakita namin na may mga donation na gatas sa mga evacuation camps. Pinapa-hold namin lahat ang gatas being donated. Pag may nahalo na gatas sa donation talagang i-con�iscate yun and will go to the kitchen of the camp.

They will use that when they cooked champorado seguro. They can access other food but the milk is really covered by the law,” Ungson added.

The NNC 11, which is part of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Social Services and Welfare Development (DSWD) cluster that ensure protection of children during emergencies emphasized no breast milk substitutes should be distributed in

the emergency camps.

“There are some like NGOs who are giving milk like sachet na mga gatas.

Bakit kami natatakot dito kasi pag emergency ang pinakamadaling gawin ay breastfeeding. We are really stressing that only breast milk should be given to the babies,” she said.

Ungson said milk donations will be held in the camps and will not be given directly to the families. She also said they have already coordinated with the camp managers to control milk donations and to police milk donations in the evacuation centers.

“Kasi ang tendency ng mga nanay ibigay ang gatas sa bata,” she said.

Ungson said one of their protocols is to set up breastfeeding corners in the evacuation camps for mothers to breastfeed their babies.

Ian Clark Bautista, bantamweight Mario Fernandez, lightweight Junel Cantancio, welterweight Eumir Felix Marcial emerging victorious in the men’s side while light �lyweight Josie Gabuco dominating the women’s category to underscore a successful campaign.

Unfortunately, only Marcial and light heavyweight John Tupas-Marvin delivered gold medals in the previous biennial meet in Kuala Lumpur in

2017.

This time, with the Philippine Sports Commission throwing its allout support, the national boxers are tipped to come up with an impressive �inish.

“Yes, the PSC’s support is always there,” said Picson, adding that the government sports agency has been bankrolling their program, including training camps and international tourneys.

Heading the national

contingent will be Marcial together with Carlo Paalam, Rogen Ladon, Charly Suarez, James Palicte, Marjon Piañar, Bautista and Tupas-Marvin.

Meanwhile, newly crowned world champion Nesthy Petecio will lead the women’s squad together with Gabuco, Irish Magno, Aira Villegas and Risa Pasuit.

“We might make one or two chances depending on what happens in the next two weeks,” Picson said.

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“This is to ensure that we capture more eligible children and meet the 95 percent target,” Navales said.

During the immunization activity, she said children will get two drops of monovalent oral polio vaccine type 2.

She said children who will receive the vaccines will be marked with indelible inks on their little pinkies and will be recorded by health workers to ensure proper monitoring.

Navales urged parents to submit their children for immunization to ensure that they will be protected from the disease.

Polio was supposed to have been eradicated in the Philippines 19 years ago but made a comeback here.

“Regardless of the immunization status, all eligible children should get the vaccine. This is different from the routine vaccination,” she said.

Aturdido assured that the polio vaccines are safe and are proven effective based on studies made by the DOH and the World Health Organization.

He said vaccination is the best way to prevent any infection and the possible spread of polio, which he considers a big risk for the province following the

recent con�irmation of positive cases in nearby Maguindanao province.

“That is a big risk for us because Maguindanao is so close to the province. But (polio) is a vaccine-preventable disease so we should really focus on that,” he added.

The �irst round of synchronized vaccination was on October 14 to 27 in the National Capital Region and in Mindanao’s Lanao del Sur, Davao City and Davao del Sur; the second and third rounds will be held in all regions of Mindanao from November 25 until December 7 and from January 6 to 18, 2020. (MindaNews)

meters behind Chinese star Li Ling’s 4.61 meters and compatriot Xu Hiquin’s 4.36 meters. That was the same Asian tournament, where Ernest John Obiena vaulted to the Philippines’ only gold medal with a championship mark of 5.70.

In the coming SEA Games, the 24-year-old Uy wants to match her personal-best of 4.30 meters, which she tallied last year in Spain, where she spent most of her training while waiting for her citizenship.

Her 4.30-m pole vault leap is more than enough to break the winning 4.10 meters of Thailand's Chayanisa Chomchuendee in the 2017 SEAG in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Uy could have campaigned for the national

team as early as last year in the Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, but was only able to secure her Philippine passport mid-August when the quadrennial sports spectacle has already started.

“There would be no hiccups like that this time,” Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said. “Government has also made sure that the athletes’ training are funded. It’s already near the main days and here are the athletes about to close their various camps.”

“I’m just excited to be here. It’s a dream come true for me to come here,” said the Eastern Michigan University standout during her National Open stint.

“It’s all worth it to be here. I love being here. I’ve been working to come here for a while, working on my citizenship and �iguring out all the hurdles to get here,” added Uy, whose dad is from Cebu.

Like Uy, Nicolas is thrilled to be representing the Philippines after moving to the US since her childhood.

“I was born in Quezon City but I grew up in Pagsanjan, Laguna,” the 24-yearold vaulter from California State Northridge said. “I’m very excited. The Filipino people here are very welcoming. It’s really fun to see everybody working together and I’m just really excited for all the people watching us even in practice. It’s really awesome.”

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PH boxing team to collar SEAG golds

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Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) drives on Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric in the first half during an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo)

he road to glory may not be easy, but the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) is upbeat of its chances in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

ABAP Secretary-General Ed Picson admitted that other countries have already beefed up their rosters in a bid to beat them in the boxing competition of the prestigious biennial meet set at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City starting December 3.

The boxing executive said he’s not making any medal prediction, but came up with an assurance that they will do everything to make the country proud.

“I don’t do medal projections as there are too

many variables that we have to consider. But I can say that our boxers are in excellent shape,” said Picson, adding that of�iciating, conditioning and the draw could all be major factors in their golden bid.

“But it’s going to be tough. It’s no longer just Thailand that will come up with a good �ight. We have information that other countries are also coming in strong as they are now using foreign exposure and coaches while upgrading their technology to boost their chances.”

Boxing has been a consistent medal winner for Team Philippines.

In the 28th edition of the Games in Singapore in 2015, the Filipino punchers emerged as the most victorious with �lyweight

ilipino-American athletes Natalie Uy and Alyana Nicolas will be shooting for a 1-2 �inish in the women's pole vault competitions of the 30th Southeast Asian Games athletic competitions.

Both Uy and Nicolas are now in the United States in the �inal phase of their preparations for the SEA Games slated from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 at the 20,000seat New Clark City athletics' stadium inside the sprawling 9,500-hectare NCC sports complex.

“Both Natalie and Alyana are serious and hardworking athletes, who always want to improve and push the envelope. Natalie is now in Arkansas training under Sam Bell of the wellknown Arkansas-based Bell Sports. Alyana is in San Jose, California, training under 1991 SEA Games gold medalist, Fil-Am pole vaulter, Edward Lasquete. I’m

hoping for a 1-2 �inish in the women's pole vault of the SEA Games,” said Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association President Philip Juico.

Uy �irst made waves in the country during the 2019 Philippine National Open Athletics Championships in March at the Ilagan City Sports Complex, where she clinched the pole vault gold with a record-smashing 4.12 meters right in her �irst try to shatter an 11-year national women's record of 4.11 meters recorded by Deborah Samson at the 2008 California Regionals.

Nicolas grabbed the silver with a leap of 3.8 meters.

A month later, Uy captured a bronze medal in the Asian Athletics Championship in Doha, Qatar, where she reset her own Philippine record with her 4.20

Lakers rally with late F triples to beat Suns

PH BOXING, P9

Fil-Am pole vaulters eye 1-2 finish in SEAG

P

HOENIX (AP) — Anthony Davis had 24 points and 12 rebounds, Kyle Kuzma added 23 points and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns 123-115 on Tuesday night (Wednesday, PHL time).

The Lakers (8-2) are off to their best 10-game start since 2010 and bounced back from a home loss to Toronto on Sunday (Monday, PHL time). LeBron James added 19 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds.

Phoenix (6-4) trailed for a big chunk of the fourth quarter but pushed ahead 113-111 on Devin

Booker’s fastbreak layup with 3:29 left. The Lakers responded with three straight 3-pointers — one from James and two more from Kuzma — to lead 120-113 and put the game out of reach.

Los Angeles dominated in the paint with 70 points.

Dwight Howard came off the bench to score 12 points and grab nine rebounds in 20 minutes.

The Suns were led by Ricky Rubio and Booker, who both scored 21 points.

Aron Baynes added 20 and Dario Saric had 18.

Davis scored 14 points as the Lakers took a 60-58 halftime lead. James added

nine points and eight assists.

EFFICIENT BOOKER Booker came into the game shooting 54.5% from the �ield, 53.2% on 3-pointers and 92.3% on free throws. He’s still on his 50/50/90 pace after shooting 9 of 18 from the �ield against the Lakers.

He also had nine assists on Tuesday (Wednesday, PHL time).

TIP-INS Lakers: Coach Frank Vogel said before the game that Rajon Rondo (right calf strain) and Troy Daniels (sore left knee) were on 15-minute restrictions.

Rondo had �ive points,

six rebounds and seven assists in 14 minutes in his season debut. Daniels didn’t play.

Suns: Rookie guard Ty Jerome missed his 10th straight game with a sprained right ankle. ...

Baynes continued his good outside shooting with a 4 of 6 performance from behind the 3-point line. ...

Frank Kaminsky had 16 points and nine rebounds in 23 minutes.

UP NEXT Lakers return home to host Warriors on Wednesday (Thursday, PHL time).

Suns host the Hawks on Thursday (Friday, PHL time).

FRED C. LUMBA

FIL-AM, P9

SPORTS KEN

MPBL GAME-FIXING SCANDAL Nipping this destructive vice in the bud is what Sen. Manny Pacquiao did just as soon as he heard about it.

Every sports fan knows that the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League is Pacquiao’s baby.

He is the founder and the funder.

He is the spirit behind its immediate success.

From an original cast of around eight to ten ballclubs, the membership has risen to a staggering 30 LGUs, after just one year of existence.

Pacquiao may not show it – in his verbal pronouncements – but his body language says more.

He did not name names yet but I reckon there were some

people he trusted who betrayed him as he had similarly been fooled by people around him in the not so recent past.

Manny should entrust the probe to the NBI if he wants honest results and not white washing.

“Masyado kasing mabait si Manny,” this I heard from many lips who are silent witnesses to the man’s tolerant attitude toward some of his boys who want to make a quick buck.

Manny should realize that in sports competitions such as basketball, football, volleyball, baseball and other team games where there are of�iciating of�icials (refs and umps), chances are that the creeping ugly arms

of gambling lords and syndicates are always “reaching” out to manipulate the true results for their own bene�it.

These things happen everywhere – in the NBA, FIFA, Major Leagues, etc., even in the Asian region.

The MPBL organizational structure should be re-charted to create a strong policy-making board that can promptly address any controversy such as this.

Pacquiao, it seems, is the only person that is looked up to as THE leader.

This is very faulty as it now appears because the decision-making process is left to only One man.

Be that as it may, the harm has been done.

How to get out of the mire is the next big consideration.

Who is the fan that will not doubt the results of a ballgame especially if of�iciating is out of control?

Who is the fan that will not curse if the team he cheers for loses because of a bad call at a very critical moment of the game?

Pacquiao and his MPBL think tank must learn from the PBA when the late Rudy Salud was the incumbent commissioner.

Salud con�ided to me during those “dark” days how he convinced gambling syndicates to lay their hands off the profes-

sional league.

At any rate, I praise Bro. Manny for his admirable Christian attitude without which those who will be found guilty may serve time, public embarrassment and condemnation.

He said though he will make public the names of those involved in the cheating. “Sorry na lang,” he added.

The purging of bad characters and shady groups in the MPBL now is very necessary to save the league from the possibility of disbandment.

LGUs don’t want to join expeditions to the unknown. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@ yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

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