The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper (April 4-10, 2022)

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April 4-10, 2022

BBM fails to pay P203-B in taxes!

‘Marcos spokesman says issue just politics’ Senator Bongbong Marcos

P

RESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE Bongbong Marcos has ignored government demands to pay some P203 billion in outstanding estate taxes despite many attempts by the Bureau of Internal Revenue to collect from the son of former Dictator Ferdinand Marcos and their estate administrators.

READ STORY ON PAGE 2

Duterte denounces partylist groups

Sulu observes Ramadan under strict public health protocols SULU – Governor Sakur Tan has met with Islamic Continue on page 5

Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan during a meeting with Islamic religious leaders and stakeholders on following public health protocols during the observance of the holy month of Ramadan from April 2-May 2. (Image: Provincial Govt.)

PRESIDENT RODRIGO Duterte has publicly denounced several party-list groups, accusing them of being a legal front for the communist rebels and told Filipinos not to vote for their congressional representatives in this May elections.

“I’d like to say something about the Continue on page 5

President Rodrigo Duterte (PCOO)

Mindanao Container Terminal may hybrid cranes na CAGAYAN DE ORO - Tinanggap kamakailan ng Mindanao Container Ter-

ARMM

mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte are getting more media mileage from

Radyo Pilipinas than any other political bets Continue on page 2

Eastern Mindanao

cranes mula sa Japan at ito ang kauna-unahang Continue on page 5

More militants surrender

BBM-Sara rallies well promoted by state media DAVAO CITY – Presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos and his running

minal (MCT) ang dalawang Mitsui hybrid rubber tired gantries (RTG)

Western Mindanao

COTABATO CITY – More pro-ISIS militants are surrendering to security forces Continue on page 3

A photo released by the military's Western Mindanao Command shows the surrendered BIFF members with their weapons and posing with military officials in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao province. (Mindanao Examiner)

Cebu

Manila

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The Mindanao Examiner

April 4-10, 2022

BBM fails to pay P203-B in taxes!

‘Marcos spokesman says issue just politics’

From page 1 Marcos’ spokesman, lawyer Vic Rodriguez insisted the tax liability is still pending in court and said the issue raised against the former senator was all politics, adding the ownership of the Marcos properties has yet to be settled.

But according to a copy of a Supreme Court document, the High Tribunal’s ruling on G.R. 120880 to affirm the Court of Appeals decision on the Marcos estate tax in 1994

became final on March 9, 1999. This was also reported by major television news channels.

ABS-CBN even quoted Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez as saying that the Bureau of Internal Revenue, through Commissioner Caesar Dulay, also made this confirmation after President Rodrigo Duterte reminded the agency to collect the taxes. “BIR is collecting and demanding payment from the Marcos Estate Administrators. They have

not paid. BIR will continue to consolidate the titles in favor of the government on those properties which have been levied upon. The procedure may take time as it involves selling at public auction to convert to cash. Bottom line, Marcos does not take any steps to settle and pay because of pending litigation," he said.

The BIR said it has sent the Marcos family a written demand to settle their estate tax liabilities.

GMA News also quot-

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ed former Presidential Commission on Good Government commissioner Ruben Carranza as telling the network the tax law allows the Bureau of Internal Revenue to file a criminal complaint against Marcos for willful non-payment of taxes.

“Ibig sabihin ng willful, alam mong may utang ka, alam mong hindi ka nag bayad ng buwis pero ayaw mo talagang magbayad ng buwis,” he said.

Carranza said there are Marcos assets which may be used to settle the estate tax which according to court records, the Bureau of Internal Revenue set in 1991 at more than P23 billion.

Marcos’ spokesman said: “It’s not a coincidence that rivals of presidential frontrunner Bongbong Marcos are raising this matter in unison a few weeks before the elections. Sadly, this is all about politics. Our rivals are misdirecting everyone by claiming that the case has attained finality when

the truth of the matter is, it is still pending in court and the ownership of the properties in litigation has yet to be settled.”

Presidential aspirant and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has repeatedly criticized Marcos for his failure to pay the estate taxes.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer also quoted former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio during a recent 1Sambayan forum as saying that the Bureau of Internal Revenue should file a criminal case against the Marcos family over their “willfull refusal” to pay their estate tax liability.

“The BIR, if it wants now, can file a criminal case. And I think it’s time because it’s almost 25 years. Almost a quarter of a century they have not paid the tax. Ano pang iniintay ng BIR? File-an na nila ng criminal case.

That’s the last thing that they can do. They should now file a criminal case,”

Carpio said.

Carpio said that as co-administrators of the Marcos estate, Bongbong and his mother Imelda Marcos, are legally and primarily mandated by law to pay the estate tax before any heir, including themselves, can receive a single centavo from the Marcos estate. Citing the Tax Code, Carpio said Bongbong and his mother can be charged criminally by the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Department of Justice under Section 255 of Tax Code for willful refusal to pay the estate tax of the Marcos estate.

“The refusal to pay the estate tax is willful because almost a quarter of a century since the estate tax was declared final and executory by the Supreme Court and still Marcos Jr. and Imelda Marcos have refused to pay a single centavo of the tax which now has ballooned to P203 billion due to interest,” Carpio said. (Mindanao Examiner)

BBM-Sara rallies well promoted by state media Continued from page 1 running in the May election.

Almost all of the major campaign rallies and sorties of Marcos and Duterte were covered by the Radyo Pilipinas and posted on its social media page and shared by its provincial stations’ Facebook pages.

In recent weeks, Radyo Pilipinas heavily promoted Marcos and Duterte sorties in major parts of the country - Misamis Oriental province, Mandaluyong City, General Santos City, Pasig City, Ilocos Norte province, Laoag City, Manila City, Laguna province, Quezon province, among others.

Even political propaganda or statements and photos and video clips of Marcos-Duterte tandem are posted on the Radyo Pilipinas’ Facebook page, and some of the materials came from the political party Lakas-CMD media, Marcos’ social media

page.

Not only the Marcos-Duterte tandem, the Radyo Pilipinas also covered and promoted the rallies of candidates who are allies of the son of Dictator Ferdinand Marcos and the president’s daughter while little media exposure was given to the opposition.

Vice President Leni Robredo, who is also running for the presidency, and Senator Francisco Pangilinan, her vice presidential candidate, had fewer news items about them and their campaign sorties the past week. But Senator Manny Pacquiao, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno who are also gunning for the presidency, had several media exposures on Radyo Pilipinas.

The Philippines-state controlled media under the Presidential Communications Office (PCOO) headed by Secretary Martin Andanar, who is also the Acting Presiden-

tial Spokesman. Under Andanar’s office are the Philippine Broadcasting Service which operates the national radio brands Radyo Pilipinas 1, 2 and 3; Radyo Pilipinas Worldwide, Radyo Magasin, Republika FM1 and Capital FM2. The People's Television Network, Inc. is also one of the attached government agencies under PCOO. Andanar is reportedly supporting the Marcos-Duterte tandem and his wife, Alelee, is also running for a congressional party list seat. He also made the announcement about Marcos meeting the president at the Presidential Palace. Marcos is seeking the president’s endorsement.

Duterte previously insulted Marcos publicly and even called him a weak leader and wanted her daughter to run for president instead. (Mindanao Examiner)

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April 4-10, 2022

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Bongbong Marcos thanks Mayor Beng

A photo from Mayor Beng Climaco’s social media page shows her meeting with presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos at the Zamboanga City International Airport after a campaign rally at Universidad de Zamboanga Summit Center in Barangay Tetuan.

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SUPPORT PEACE IN MINDANAO

More militants surrender Continued from page 1 in southern Philippines where military operations against terrorist group continues.

Just recently, a dozen members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters surrendered to the police and military authorities in the restive Muslim province of Maguindanao.

Officials said the militants, whose group split with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, also handed over their firearms – automatic and sniper rifles, submachine guns, rifle grenade launchers, including an anti-tank rocket launcher with ammunition.

Army Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said BIFF sub-leader Anwar Pegas, and his deputy Zukarno Sailila and 10 of their fighters surrendered to Lt. Col. Edwin Alburo, commander of the 40th Infantry Battalion at their headquarters in the village of Kabengi in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town.

Rosario, quoting the report of Col. Oriel Pangcog, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, said the surrender of the militants was the result of the collaboration between the military, the municipal police and the government.

“During the initial debriefing, the ex-BIFF members revealed that they were experiencing hardships and starvation while evading the operations conducted by the armed forces. They also realized that they were lured with false ideologies that affected themselves and their fellow Filipinos hence their withdrawal of support to the group,” said Rosario.

“We continue to gain ground and this is attributable to the concerted efforts of the military troops, our partners, and stakeholders. I, personally, would like to urge those who are still hiding to cross the line. We are more than willing to welcome and assist you in your reintegration into mainstream

society,” he added.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the 6th Infantry Division and the Joint Task Force Central (Mindanao), said the influx of surrenders manifests the continuous dwindling of the terrorist groups in Central Mindanao. “We are optimistic that these groups, including the BIFF-Karialan Faction, are nearing its end,” he said, adding at least 97 BIFF members have surrendered in central Mindanao the past three months.

The BIFF, which opposed the MILF peace talks with Manila, continues to fight for the establishment of a separate Islamic state in the South.

The MILF under Murad Ebrahim eventually signed a peace treaty with the Philippine government in March 2014, ending decades of bloody war in Mindanao. Ebrahim was then appointed as regional governor and other senior MILF officials holding key positions in the autonomous government.

(Mindanao Examiner)

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE Bongbong Marcos thanked Mayor Beng Climaco for the hospitality of the Zamboangueño people following his successful campaign rally in Zamboanga City.

Thousands of people attended the Marcos campaign rally last week, but his running mate Davao City Sara Duterte was notably absent.

Marcos’ group, including his local candidates led by Rep. Mannix Dalipe, held a caravan before going to the Universidad de Zamboanga Summit Center in the village of Tetuan where he spoke of his plans and used hand gestures projecting strong leadership.

His supporters cheered as Marcos spoke, promising unity among Filipinos,

among other pledges he similarly said in every political rally he attended. The multipurpose indoor sport arena has a seating capacity of only 10,000. The venue of the rally was chosen by Professor Esnaen Catong, president of Marcos’ Partido Federal ng Pilipinas in

Zamboanga Peninsula, for security reasons and as a contingency for the unpredictable weather condition here.

Climaco approved the permit for the rally and ordered police and military to secure the university and the venue while Marcos was there. Marcos left the rally after a few hours of his arrival and headed to the airport where his jet was parked.

Climaco was also waiting for Marcos at the airport and they briefly spoke, with the former senator thanking the mayor for her hospitality. They also gave each other a congenial embrace. Marcos was overheard saying “Oh my gosh, I forget, how are you, it’s been a long time,” and the duo shook hands several times.

The mayor and Marcos were former colleagues in the House of Representatives in the past and also worked together when the mayor fought for the non-inclusion of Zamboanga City in the Bangsamoro entity when Marcos was then the chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government. (Zamboanga Post)

A photo from the Facebook page of Zamboanga City Rep. Mannix Dalipe shows presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos during their caravan.

11 Sayyafs surrender in Basilan BASILAN – The Philippine military announced the surrender of 11 Abu Sayyaf fighters, including their commander, in the southern Muslim island-province of Basilan.

Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said the Abu Sayyaf militants headed

by Abdullah Indanan surrendered in the village of Serongon in Hadji Mohammad Ajul town. He said the group also yielded 11 mostly automatic rifles.

Rosario, quoting a report from Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, said the surrender of the militants was facilitated by the military in collaboration with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Basilan, one of five

provinces under the autonomous region. “According to Brigadier General Gobway, the surrender (of Indanan’s group) came four days after the neutralization of ASG leader Radzmil Jannatul,” Rosario said.

Rosario was referring to the March 25 killing of a senior Abu Sayyaf leader in Sumisip town following a clash between the terrorist group and members of the elite 5th Scout Rangers.

Jannatul was wanted by the United States for the July 2011 kidnapping of an American woman, 43-year old Gerfa Yeatts Lunsmann and her son, Kevin, 14; and a Filipino nephew Romnick Jakaria, 19, while on a holiday in the southern Philippine port city of Zamboanga

on July 12, 2011.

The hostages were forced into boats at gunpoint, brought to Basilan and forced to march to a camp where they were held until September 2011. The kidnappers released the mother on October 2, 2011, but retained her son as a hostage, and demanded that she pay a large ransom for his freedom.

Jakaria managed to escape from his captors on November 13, 2011; and the teenager eventually escaped from his captivity on December 9, 2011. Jannatul and three other Abu Sayyaf fighters Indama, Muadz, and Abu Basim were indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice for the kidnappings. (Mindanao Examiner)

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The Mindanao Examiner

April 4-10, 2022

Sulu Pictures in the News Sulu provincial government at work. This is where your taxes go. (Photos from the Office of the Provincial Governor, Jaques Tutong, Maimbung Municipal Government, Rep. Shernee Tambut, Noenyrie Asiri, and Aziz Salapuddin)

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The Mindanao Examiner

April 4-10, 2022

Mindanao Container Terminal may hybrid cranes na

Ang Mitsui hybrid RTGs ng Mindanao Container Terminal.

Guotana Newspaper Dealer The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is available in Cotabato City’s lone newspaper dealer Bernadette Guotana at “Goutana Copy Center” at Stall 5. For subscription, please call 09975412615. And for all your publications, please call BARMM Bureau Chief Mark Navales at 0916-6885389

Duterte denounces partylist groups Continued from page 1 government’s effort to end the communist insurgency. Alam mo, they are, totoo ‘yan, nakapasok sila sa Congress. No doubt about it. They have used the party-list. So ito lahat ng mga mayaman, lahat ng may mga gusto ng influence sa kanilang whatever, negosyo o connection, puwede silang lumapit dito sa mga partylist,” Duterte said.

“But in particular, sabihin ko sa inyo na tama si Lorraine Badoy na itong mga party-list na Kabataan, Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, Alyansa of Concerned Teachers or ACT, at Gabriela. Makita naman ninyo sa behavior nila and the way they espouse their advocacy for a party - left, left, left ang talagang drift nila. Ang problema, they are supporting or they are really parang legal fronts ng Communist Party of the Philippines, itong ulitin ko Kabataan, Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, Alyansa of Concerned Teachers (ACT), and Gabriela. Para hindi ninyo makalimutan KABAG ng tiyan. Kabataan - K, Anakpawis – A, Bayan Muna - B, Alyansa of Concerned Teachers (ACT) - A, at Gabriela,” he added.

Badoy is the spokeswoman for the National Task Force to End Local

Communist Armed Conflict and Undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office. She is also facing complaints in the Office of the Ombudsman filed by several groups after alleging that Vice President Leni Robredo, who is running for president, supports the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army.

“I’m sorry to say marami akong kaibigan diyan, respetado ko ‘yung pagkatao nila but alam nila na alam ko na ang sinusuportahan nila through itong backdoor, itong alliance nila sa gobyerno napasok ‘yung mga left.

Pati sa labas, sa abroad, in the international bodies na-infiltrate din nila and they are espousing an advocacy that in the end ang gusto nila tapusin itong gobyerno na ito. You know I’d like to say something, this government was not imposed upon the people. This government was created or established through legal means noon pa, noong nag-republic tayo. We have changes sa administrasyon,” Duterte said.

“Pero itong basic na rights and obligations pati ang limit ng power ng gobyerno sa mga tao, makialam is the Bill of Rights, iyan ang pader. Hindi lang para sa mga komuni-

sta or mga, pero including the criminals. Ang limit ng government power is found fundamentally nandiyan sa Bill of Rights ng ating Constitution.

So ito sila they were able to blossom into something, matagal na ito. Ang problema ginagamit nila ang pera, kinukuha nila ‘yung pera ng gobyerno at binubuhay nila ‘yung mga ano, mga NPAs, (pu)tangina. They are supporting a bunch of, wala na silang ideology,” the president added.

Duterte was also a supporter of the communist rebels when he was mayor of Davao, but broke off ties with them after his peace talks failed to convince the communist leaders to sign an accord that would end decades of bloody fighting. The communist demanded to co-equally run the government which Duterte flatly rejected after releasing senior rebel leaders to join the peace negotiations.

The party-list system is a mechanism of proportional representation in the election of representatives to the House of Representatives from national, regional and sectoral parties or organizations or coalitions registered with the Commission on Elections.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Continued from page 1 ekwipong hybrid para sa operasyong pantalan sa Mindanao.

Ang MCT ay ang container terminal ng International Container Terminal Services, Inc. s Phividec Industrial Estate sa bayan ng Tagoloan sa Misamis Oriental.

Ayon sa MCT, pinapalawak ng mga bagong ekwipo ang RTG fleet na ngayon ay anim na at mas pinapataas pa ang yard productivity at pangkalahatang kahusayan o efficiency ng terminal nang hindi nakadaragdag sa carbon footprint nito.

Ang Mitsui hybrids ay pinapagana ng isang kumbinasyon ng isang bateryang lithium-ion at isang makinang diesel, hindi tulad ng mga pangkaraniwang RTG na 100%

ay tumatakbo sa fossil fuel.

“Ang mga bagong hybrid na RTG ay ginagawang mas mahusay pa ang aming operasyon at kasabay nito ay mas maalaga sa kalikasan dahil sa pinababang emisyon sa hangin, at nagpapahintulot sa amin na maabot ang aming mga target sa pagiging produktibo at mas sustainable. Kami ay bumili rin ng mga karagdagang kagamitan upang mas matugunan ang aming pangangailangan sa mas malaking kapasidad,” ani Aurelio Garcia, MCT general manager.

Nakatakda rin ang MCT na maghatid ng mga bagong side lifter sa taong ito. Upang mas mapabuti pa ang kakayahan ng terminal sa pagserbisyo ng mga sasakyang-pandagat,

bumili rin ang MCT ng mobile harbor crane na darating sa unang kalahati ng 2023. Daragdagan nito ang dalawang kasalukuyang quay crane ng MCT at kayang hawakan nang sabay-sabay ang dalawang mahahabang barko.

Ang pagbili ng mga bagong ekwipo ay dumating matapos ang 100-metrong berth extension at paglalagay ng mga dolphin mooring at inland bollard noong 2020. Ang mga pagpapahusay na ito ay nakatuon lahat sa pagtugon sa pagtaas ng volume sa Misamis Oriental at pangangailangan sa serbisyo habang ang pandaigdigang ekonomiya ay unti-unting nagsisimulang makabangon mula sa epekto ng pandemya.

(Mark Navalaes, Malou Cablinda)

Sulu observes Ramadan under strict public health protocols

Continued from page 1 religious leaders here and discussed the public health protocols during the month-long observance of the holy month of Ramadan where Muslims pray and fast from before sunrise until sundown.

During the meeting, Tan outlined the need for the public to strictly adhere to the health protocols by observing physical distance, wearing face masks and frequently washing hands with soap and water to prevent the resurgence or spread of the deadly Covid-19 respiratory disease.

Although the province

has zero Covid-19 cases, the entire Sulu remains under a moderate community quarantine status.

“Although we have zero Covid-19 cases to date, the threat of infection is still very much present. Only 27 percent of the population are vaccinated, we need at least vaccinate 70 percent of our population to achieve herd immunity,” Tan told religious leaders and other stakeholders.

Islamic religious leaders agreed with Tan during the conference attended

by Ustadz Sharif Jul Asiri Abirin, Mufti of Sulu, Ustadz Abdul Muhaimin Abubakar; Sulu Ulama

Council for Peace and Development representative Fraser Kalayakan; members of the Sabiel Al Motahdeen, among others.

Fasting during the month of Ramadan, which ends on May 2, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Muslims believe that Ramadan is the month in which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad more than 1,400 years ago.

At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr. In Arabic, it means “festival of breaking the fast.” (Mindanao Examiner)

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April 4-10, 2022

Cancer diagnostic, treatment facilities inaugurated

President Rodrigo Duterte unveils the marker during the inauguration of the newly constructed Cancer Diagnostic Institute Building and Cancer Treatment Facility Building of the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City. (Roemari Limosnero) DAVAO CITY - President Rodrigo Duterte inaugurated the Cancer Diagnostic Institute Building and Cancer Treatment Facility Building of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) here which will serve cancer patients not only in Davao City but also its nearby provinces.

Duterte said the project is Mindanao’s first modern cancer facilities and described it a “huge leap” the country has taken to address the health needs of Filipinos, particularly the indigents and marginalized. “No longer will our cancer patients need to travel far just to receive the necessary treatments and care. This accessibility to modern healthcare facilities, particularly those that cater to cancer patients, will surely help ease the burden carried by patients and their families,” he said.

The P528-million Cancer Diagnostic Institute Building and the P365-million Cancer Treatment Facility Building feature top-of-the-line

diagnostic and therapeutic equipment that will assist doctors for the early detection of cancer and reduce treatment side effects.The diagnostic center’s modern equipment include, among others, the P78-million Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Nuclear Imaging Facility, P120-million Positron Emission Tomography Scan, and the P230-million 24 Mega-electron volt Medical Cyclotron Facility.

The PET Scan is the first in Mindanao, while the MeV Medical Cyclotron Facility is the first such facility in a government hospital. The construction and installation of equipment were funded by the Office of the President, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and the Department of Health (DOH) under its Health Facility Enhancement Program.

Duterte said improving the cancer diagnostic and treatment facilities has been his vocation since he was Davao City mayor. He also lauded

the SPMC, DOH, and private partners for investing in the improvement of healthcare services in Davao region.

Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega, who was also present during the event, thanked Duterte for supporting the construction and improvement of cancer treatment facilities and for making them a priority project.

“This project was realized through your intercession. From the bottom of our hearts, we offer our gratitude, and we are extremely grateful for all of your support and patience and for giving us the opportunity to serve more of our fellowmen,” he said.

The SPMC is the largest hospital in the Philippines with at least 1,500 medical beds and more than 15 clinical departments, serving the residents of Davao City and its neighboring areas. It is also Mindanao’s major medical facility handling coronavirus cases. (With additional report from Malou Cablinda)

Organic Kopi Luwak or Civet coffee isn’t really pricey

KIDAPAWAN CITY Coffee lovers in the Philippines may now enjoy the best and the most expensive coffee in the world - Kopi Luwak - but not as pricey as every connoisseurs think.

Kopi Luwak is a coffee that consists of partially digested coffee cherries, which have been eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet. The cherries are fermented as they pass through a civet’s intestines, and after being defecated

with other fecal matter, they are collected.

In Manila, a kilogram of Civet coffee sells for as high as P15,000 and over $500 dollars abroad.

But Kopi Luwak can now be enjoyed by every coffee lovers for as low as P150 for a 16 oz. cup that comes with a drip bag, ground organic Civet coffee beans, two packets of brown sugar and a stirrer in a beautiful Kraft paper bag – thanks to the Mindanao Civet Coffee

seller in Zamboanga City.

The new market player in the coffee business, although small, is now offering affordable organic Kopi Luwak – sourced and picked by farmers from the highlands of Mindanao, cleaned and dried and roasted to perfection to give coffee lovers that distinct aroma of Civet coffee berries – chocolaty and nutty and smooth bodied brewed drink.

Mindanao Civet Coffee, which started as a home reseller of coffee beans, now offers organic Kopi Luwak in 250 grams ground Civet coffee and 250 grams Civet coffee beans – all medium roasted to perfection.

Kopi Luwak is also available now in 3rd Cup Café at LM Metro Hotel in Zamboanga City, and resellers in Luzon, Cebu and other parts of Mindanao.

The Mindanao Civet Coffee is a favorite among travellers and tourists and coffee connoisseurs. And for those who wanted the perfect gift for all occasions, Kopi Luwak is the best choice.

And those who are interested to resell or perhaps enjoy a daily hot cup or cold brew of Kopi Luwak may call the Mindanao Civet Coffee at this mobile number 09153976197. (AJC)

April 4-10, 2022

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April 4-10, 2022

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is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines.

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9

The Mindanao Examiner

April 4-10, 2022

OPINION

RECIPE

Delivering Happiness

How to Cook Steak

by Engr. Carlos V. Cornejo (Cebu) IF YOU want to have a great company culture, the book of the late Tony Hsieh (pronounced as Shay) “Delivering Happiness” is a good source of tips on how to achieve it.

Tony is the founder of the famous on-line shoe store in the U.S. named Zappos that is tremendously successful not for affordable shoes, or for the most innovative products but for outstanding customer service. His simple formula is: Great culture leads to happy employees, happy employees deliver great customer service, great customer service produces happy loyal customers, and happy loyal customers equals more sales.

So, it boils down to a great culture so that your employees are happy and so are your customers.

To have a great company culture, Tony points out three factors: hire and fire employees based on company values, create a culture of open communication and onboard everyone on customer service. Salary is not mentioned here because employees at Zappos are happy enough with what they financially receive since the company has billions in sales every year.

First, company values. Many companies write down their mission and vision along with their company values but don’t really implement those values seriously.

Zappos takes their values to heart by hiring and firing employees based on values. One of Zappos company values for example is to practice humility. If a job applicant brags too much of his or her accomplishment during an interview and does not seem to embody this virtue he or she does not get admitted. Applicants have to show some signs embodying the company values from the outset. Likewise, the goal of Zappos is to make its employees adopt values as second nature to them so that there will be strong unity in delivering service to customers. If

companies don’t screen their applicants well based on their predisposition to adapting the company culture, those employees will soon resign because they will feel out of place. Companies would then have wasted their time hiring that employee.

Second, create a culture of open communication. Employees should feel free to voice out their opinions about the company whether it’s pointing out the good or the bad side of it. In Zappos, every year employees come up with a culture book containing answers to the question “What is Zappos culture to you? If a submission was negative, like a complaint that the company was not giving them opportunities to learn and grow (violating Zappos’s fifth core value) management will try to address that issue so that it will not come out anymore in next year’s culture book. In other words, Zappos tries to improve its culture based on the company’s values through employees’ feedback every year.

Third, onboard everyone with customer service. In Zappos, everyone undergoes the same training on customer service that call center agents go through. Whether you are an accountant, a lawyer for the company, a software developer you are put on the phone for two weeks taking calls from customers. The idea is for everyone to experience and feel what customer service is so that even when employees are not directly interacting with customers, they know that their job has a higher purpose and joint mission: create happy customers. When everyone in the company is always thinking of customer service then customer service will eventually be delivered well. Thus, it comes down to how good your company culture is.

As Tony Hsieh would say, “For individuals, character is destiny. For organizations, culture is destiny.” (Carlos Cornejo)

INGREDIENTS : • 10 ounces T-bone steak • 2 teaspoons salt • 1 sprig rosemary • 2 sprigs thyme • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper • 2 tablespoons butter • 2 tablespoons cooking oil Mashed potato ingredients: • 1 lb. potato peeled and halved • ½ cup evaporated milk • 1 tablespoon butter • Salt and ground black pepper to taste Beef Gravy ingredients: • 1 Knorr Beef Cube • 3 tablespoons butter • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour • 1 ¾ cups water • Salt and ground black pepper to taste

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Prepare the steak. Season both sides with salt and ground black pepper. Set aside.

Make the mashed potato by boiling it in 1 quart of water for 15 minutes. Note: add 1 teaspoon salt in boiling water before putting the potato in. Drain the water using a colander. Add butter on the hot cooking pot. Put the potato back into the pot. Mash using a potato masher or a fork. Add evaporated milk. Continue mashing until the texture of the potato becomes smooth. Season with salt and ground black pepper. Set aside.

Make the gravy by melting the butter in a saucepan. Add Knorr Beef Cube. Stir.

Add all-purpose flour. Continue stirring for 5 to 7 minutes. Add Half the amount of the water as indicated in the ingredient list. Continue stirring until all in-

OPINION

5.

6.

Manhid ang Kamay: Carpal tunnel syndrome

by Fr. Roy Cimagala (Cebu) know not what they are doing,” he said. (Lk 23,34) St. Paul reiterates the same point when he said, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5,8) But we need to learn how to blend God’s mercy and the all-out effort we need to exert to achieve our ultimate goal and win our definitive status as God’s image and likeness, children of his and sharers of his divine nature. Let’s remember that while Christ was merciful to the woman caught in adultery, he told her to sin no more. What we have to avoid is to rely simply on God’s mercy without exerting any effort, or the other way around—to think that we can achieve our goal with our effort alone without God’s mercy.

The former position can be described as falling under the heretical belief called ‘gnosticism,’ while the latter can be the expression of another heresy called ‘Pelagianism.’ Pope Francis, in his document “Gaudete et exultate,” exposed the dangers of these two heresies that still hold sway over many good people who want to be holy as they should. It’s true that God is all merciful. He has the last word on how we are to be judged. It’s he who will complete and perfect everything in us, because in the first place he began a good work with us. (cfr. Phil 1,6) But we have to do our part. We need to pray hard and to be generous with our sacrifices. We need to be vigilant, always staying away from any occasion of sin, and preferring to enter by the narrow gate, etc.

(Roy Cimagala)

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gredients are well blended. Season with salt and ground black pepper. Note: add more water as needed to make the consistency thinner per your preference.

Start cooking the steak by heating a cast iron pan. Add cooking oil and butter.

Once the butter melts, put the steak into the pan. Sear it for 2 minutes. Add the rosemary and thyme directly to the oil so that it will be infused with the aroma and flavor of the herbs. Continue cooking for 2 minutes. Remove the herbs and discard. Turn the steak over and continue cooking in high heat for 4 minutes.

Take the steak off the pan and place it on a clean plate. Let it rest for at least 5 minutes.

Arrange mashed potato on the side and pour the gravy on it. Serve with steamed vegetables.

HEALTH

Our sinfulness and God’s mercy THAT GOSPEL story about the woman caught in adultery (Jn 8,1-11) can teach us many lessons that we can learn. Among them, that we are all sinners, no matter how much we try to be good; that God’s mercy is always available, and thus we should never lose hope because of this lifelong predicament of ours; that we need to have constant conversion, exert the necessary effort and develop virtues.

There can still be many other lessons we can learn. Like, instead of being quick to judge and condemn others, let us be quick to help and to bear the burden of the others.

That’s because in the end we are all brothers and sisters who are all bound to love each other. Let’s always remember that in the eyes of God, we are a precious treasure in vessels of clay. And that’s simply because among his creatures, we, together with the angels, have been given the highest dignity of being his image and likeness. Yet he knows how fragile we are since we can easily abuse the many tremendous gifts he has given us. One moment we are ok, but in the next, we can crack. But God is always around to help us.

We have to realize that we are called to holiness in the way God is holy. The pursuit for holiness will always be marked by constant struggle. In fact, it’s going to be a lifelong warfare for us. A saint, as one holy man said, is a sinner who keeps on struggling. We should never forget God’s mercy for us. It’s the ultimate expression of his love for us. We may not even ask for it yet, but he will offer it to us, as he expressed it before he died on the cross. “Forgive them, Father, for they

panlasangpinoy.com

INSTRUCTIONS :

Ni Dr. Willie Ong

K

ung ang daluyan ng nerve (ugat) ay narabahan o namaga, naiipit ang nerve at nakakaapekto sa pakiramdam at paggalaw ng kamay. Ang sobrang pressure ay maaring maging sanhi ng carpal tunnel syndrome.

Kung ito ay hindi gagamutin, posibleng permanenteng masira ang nerve at muscle.

Ang mga factors sa pagkakaroon ng carpal tunnel syndrome ay ang mga mabibigat na trabaho dahil sa pressure sa ating palad, at ang mga paulit-ulit na pagbubuhat ng mabibigat at matinding pagkilos ng kamay.

Mga sintomas: 1. Tingling o pamamanhid ng hinlalaki, hintuturo, gitnang dali-

ri, palasingsingan (hindi kasama ang maliit na daliri). Ang ganitong pakiramdam ay nararanasan sa gabi at pag-gising.

Gayundin habang nagmamaneho, may hawak na telepono o dyaryo.

2. Pakiramdam na parang nanghihina ang mga kamay kaya may pagkakataon na nabibitawan ang hawak.

Tips sa carpal tunnel syndrome: 1. Ipahinga ang kamay - Sa bawat oras ng trabaho, magpahinga ng kahit 5 minuto, dahan-dahang i-stretch ang palad at kamay.

2. Baguhin ang iyong mga gawain - Mas mabuti kung baguhin o ibahin ang mga gawain kung ito ay posible.

3. I-deretso ang kamay - Iwasang baluktutin ang palad ng pataas o pababa. I-relax o wag masyadong higpitan ang paghawak. Iwasan hu-

mawak ng mahigpit habang nagmamaneho, nagbibisikleta at nagsusulat.

4. Lagyan ng mainit ang kamay (hot compress) – Puwede din magsuot ng gloves para mapanitiling mainit ang kamay at palad.

5.

Gumamit ng wrist splint sa gabi para deretso ang porma ng kamay - Ang wrist splint ay nakatutulong mabawasan ang sakit o pamamanhid ng palad at kamay. Ang splint ay dapat na hindi sobrang sikip.

Ayaw natin naka-baluktot ang kamay dahil naiipit ang nerve.

Kung ang sintomas ay lumalala, mag-patingin sa doktor. Ang splints, therapy o injection ay puwedeng i-rekomenda ng doktor.

Kung nawawalan na ng lakas ang kamay, puwede itong operahan kung kinakailangan

10

The Mindanao Examiner

April 4-10, 2022

April 4-10, 2022

The Mindanao Examiner

11

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P10

April 4-10, 2022

Cashless transactions, digital payments remain popular

T

HE GROWTH of digital payments in post-pandemic situations is expected to remain strong as more people realize the convenience it brings as well as the introduction of more innovative services, according to Dan Wolbert, Visa Country Manager for the Philippines and Guam.

He said the impor- Cavite, Rizal, and Bulacan, pushing for further rise in tance of cashless trans- carried less cash in their digital payments transacactions and digital pay- wallets and that 84% tried tions. He dubbed the priments was appreciated going cashless. vate sector’s partnership during the pandemic, Wolbert said respon- with the central bank tofollowing the movement dents prefer using mobile wards digital payments as restrictions imposed to wallets, 64%; card pay- “unifying and north star address the spread of the ment online, 52%; card for the Philippines and Covid-19. payment at physical mer- stakeholders”.

Initially, people used chants, 44%; and quick “So, we’re really foit to buy necessities fol- response (QR) payments, cused on growing and aimlowing the communi- 31%. ing to achieve and we’re ty lockdowns, but later “While cash is still really focused on driving on utilized it for conve- commonplace in the Phil- for more electroniication nience, he said. “We an- ippines, the preference of payments,” he said, ticipate this trend to con- for cashless payments is adding financial literacy tinue and the consumer clearly gaining momen- and consumer education behavior not only will tum. Our study showed are important factors that continue but will acceler- more Filipinos are confi- will enhance people’s acate as more and more ser- dent to get by without cash ceptance of this payment vices and capabilities will and for longer periods of mode even after the panbring and will make this time -- with more than half demic. type of transactions sim- feeling confident to get “The trend in e-compler and easier and more by for a week or longer, as merce (electronic comfunctional,” Wolbert said. cashless payment options merce) will continue to be Citing the results grow,” he said. sustained and face-to-face of Visa’s annual online Wolbert said the rise of (transactions) will compleConsumer Payments At- cashless payments in Asia ment (it). We see contintitudes Study last year, is at varying levels and ued opportunity for digital Wolbert said the survey what is important in the payments and furthering showed that 60% of the Philippines, among other acceleration of adoption of 1,000 respondents from countries, is that the Bang- digital payments,” he addCebu as well as Manila, ko Sentral ng Pilipinas is ed. (Joann Villanueva)

2 women convicted of online sexual exploitation of children LAPU-LAPU CITY – Two women, arrested in Mar 2019 for human trafficking and online sexual exploitation of innocent children, were convicted by a local court, according to Police Women and Children Protection Center-Visayas Field Unit.

It said the duo, whose names were not made public, were among five people arrested during a police undercover operation here.

Online child sexual exploitation includes a wide range of behaviours and situations. Most commonly this includes grooming, live streaming, consuming child sexual abuse material, and coercing and blackmailing children for sexual purposes. This could include:

ARMM

An adult engaging a child in a chat about sexual acts.

Undercover members of the WCPC said the traffickers offered to sexually abuse the children and stream this online in exchange for money from online predators.

During the operations, police rescued 11 minors ages 2, 6, 7 and 12 from three simultaneous raids.

The conviction came after the two women pleaded guilty to online sexual exploitation of the children.

The convicts will each face 15 years imprisonment and must pay P500,000 in fines. The court also ordered each to pay an additional P500,000 in moral damages and P100,000 for exemplary damages.

The three other ac-

cused pleaded not guilty of the offenses filed against them and will have to face court trial.

Lapu-Lapu City Assistant Prosecutor Antonio Aseniero lauded the conviction of the two women in the government’s fight against online sexual exploitation of children.

“With God's guidance and the help of the community, such as the IJM (International Justice Mission), anything and everything is possible,” he said.

Lawyer Lucille Dejito, Director of the IJM-Cebu field office, said: “With the two suspects pleading guilty for other offenses such as attempted trafficking, their victims can now be assured that justice has finally prevailed.” (John Rey Saavedra)

Eastern Mindanao

More public activities after Cebu concert CEBU CITY – Mayor Michael Rama said he will allow more public activities that will spur economic growth amid the continued slowdown of Covid-19 cases here.

Rama announced this during a news conference following a recent public concert at the Cebu City Sports Center attended by at least 100,000 people. Videos of the jam-packed “Arat na Cebu” free concert went viral on social media with netizens fearing that gathering will result in the spike of Covid-19 cases anew.

“We saw our people's desire to go out and be free after two years of being caged by a pandemic. Our young people want it. We will give them and the young at heart more reasons to be the social being we are,” said Rama.

The mayor said with surges in Covid-19 cases in the past two years, the Cebu City now needs to embrace an open policy to “go back to what we have been used to before this pandemic came, and before we got devastated by a calamity.”

“There is no other way now but to rise up and move forward,” he said, citing that events related to the coming elections will mean gatherings of huge crowds.

Western Mindanao

The poster for the "Arat na Cebu" free concert.

Councilor Joel Garganera, head of the Emergency Operations Center, said although all gatherings are potential virus spreaders if these are held in openair settings, the concert participants, he added, are wearing face masks, and that only fully vaccinated people were allowed to attend the event.

The Department of Health was

Cebu

also worried over the huge number of people who attended the March 26 concert. Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, DOH spokeswoman, said the concert can be a super spreader event, especially if concert goers did not wear their face masks properly and if there were unvaccinated people too. (John Rey Saavedra and Cebu Examiner)

Manila