Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 321 | Thursday, May 4, 2023

WALK THE TALK

Police commanders warned: Resolve crimes or be relieved

A two-year-old girl cries while receiving a booster shot against measles during the first day of “Chikiting Ligtas: Measles-Rubella and Oral Polio Vaccine (MR-OPV SIA)” vaccination campaign at a satellite hub inside SM City Davao on Wednesday. The vaccination campaign at SM City Davao runs from May 3 to 31. Lean Daval Jr. STORY ON PAGE 2

WALK THE TALK

Police commanders warned: Resolve crimes or be relieved

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) director Brigadier General Alden Delvo issued a strong warning to police commanders on Wednesday that those who will fail to resolve crimes will be relieved from their post.

It can be recalled that Delvo relieved former Tagum City Police chief Lieutenant Colonel Edgardo Bernardo following a series of incidents involving two women who went missing and were later found dead.

Bernardo only served as Tagum City police chief for two months.

“Not only directed to Tagum City but the entire Davao Region na in case my sunod sunod na significant incidents like rape or murder na hindi ma resolve ng ating mga commanders maaari silang ma relieve sa kanilang puwesto,” said Lt. Col. Eudisan Gultiano, spokesperson of PRO 11, during the AFP PNP Press Corps media briefing on Wednesday at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.

The removal of Bernardo irked Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy claiming he was bypassed by PRO 11 in relieving Bernardo.

“Unsay rason nga pulihan

man ang atong COP? Doing good man si Bernardo. Pila ka buy bust na dinagko diri sa Tagum, ga roving na siya, gasuroy sa mga barangay ug gapanawag sa mga kapitan. Mao na ang mahina? Wala man silay koordinasyon sa akoa, ila kong gi bypass, sa akong hunahuna kaya na nilang mubarog. Wala lang tan-awa sa provincial director ug regional director ang ayuda sa city sa police station sama sa sakyanan, krudo, bugas, office supplies, ug sibilyan na mga empleyado,” Uy said in a video message shared online.

Last Thursday, the local government unit (LGU) of Tagum withdrew its support to the Tagum Police Station after Bernardo was relieved from his position.

Gultiano explained that the LGUs have participation in the operation of the PNP but in terms of administrative function of the police officers, it is the discretion

BARMM eyes 95% immunization coverage against polio, measles

Health frontliners in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are aiming to immunize at least 95 percent of children against polio and measles.

Health Undersecretary Dr. Abdullah Dumama Jr., has assured that the vaccines are safe, effective and free, and have undergone studies by experts for quality and effectiveness.

of the police regional director.

“Siguro nagkaroon lang ng miscommunication but that is not the intention of the police regional director,” she said.

On Tuesday, Delvo held a courtesy call to Uy at the motorpool in Magugpo, Tagum City. Also present during the meeting was Davao del Norte vice governor De Carlo “Oyo” Uy.

“We are hoping na maging maayos na ang lahat and we are waiting for the mayor’s action kung ano ang magiging decision niya ulit sa kanyang pag withdraw ng suporta,” Gultiano said.

On Wednesday, the LGU of Tagum has returned the police cars to the Tagum City Police Station.

Meanwhile, Delvo also met with Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib.

“Nag courtesy call na ang aming regional director kay governor (Jubahib) at mayor (Uy) and so far maayos ang kanilang pag-uusap and we are hoping na ma patch up na yung mga nangyaring issues nung nakaraang araw and sa ngayon patuloy ang COP ng Tagum City sa pag perform ng kanyang function,” Gultiano said.

BARMM health officials launched Tuesday its regionwide campaign dubbed “Chikiting Ligtas: Measles-Rubella and Oral Polio Vaccine (MR-OPV SIA)” for the protection of children against the diseases.

The campaign, which is set to run until May 31, will involve vaccinating children aged 0–59 months against measles and giving them oral polio vaccines.

In a briefer, the Ministry of Health (MOH)-BARMM said measles and polio are contagious diseases that can cause severe complications, such as pneumonia, ear infections (otitis media), conjunctivitis, diarrhea, encephalitis, malnutrition, and death in children.

With this, MOH-BARMM Deputy Minister Zul Qarnayn Abas called on regional health stakeholders to advocate and encourage the parents and families to bring their children to nearby health centers.

“When parents, for one reason or another, could not bring their children to the health station, our frontliners are conducting house-to-house visits, and mobile clinics, so we can protect our children,” he said.

Dumama, former DOH-Soccsksargen regional director and Cotabato City health officer, has urged everyone to address the problem by protecting their loved ones, especially their children from highly communicable diseases.

“We need to find solutions to this polio and measles problem, let us not allow these viruses to hit our children,” he said in his speech here.

BARMM Health Minister Dr. Rizaldy Piang said they hope to immunize about 626,000 children in the region.

In Lanao del Sur, the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) said it is targeting a maximum of 166,000 children as vaccine recipients.

“We don’t want to have outbreaks in our province, and it is important that we should aim to cover all qualified children to get the vaccines,” IPHO chief Dr. Alinader Minalang said in a statement.

Vice Governor Mohammad Khalid Raki-in Adiong said parents and caregivers are urged to protect children against measles, rubella and polio through the vaccination offered freely to the public. (PNA)

Kin of Dabawenyo veterans hold a wreath laying at the monument of former President Ramon Magsaysay during the commemoration of the liberation of Davao City at R. Magsaysay Park on Wednesday. The event was spearheaded by the Philippine Veterans Foundation, VF Sons and Daughters, Davao Historical Society and the Philippine Veterans Bank. Lean Daval Jr.

Caves for tourism are limited to those recommended by RTC, DENR: DOT 11

An official of the regional office of the Department of Tourism (DOT 11) said on Monday that promotion of caves for tourism activities are limited only to caves that are recommended by the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources 11 (DENR 11) and the Regional Trial Court (RTC).

“DOT promotes caves katong na validate and recommended sa RTC. Kasi naa man gud caves nga pwede for tourism, for exploratory lang, and research lang. Once naa ta’y clearance from RTC and DENR na recommended ang cave for tourism activities kato lang ang atong gina-promote. Depende pud na sa LGU kung gusto pud nila nga i-promote as part of their activities,” said DOT regional director Tanya Rabat-Tan in an interview.

This developed after the Na-

tional Bureau of Investigation 11 (NBI 11) on Sunday served the Search Warrant issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Acting Executive Judge Rowena Apao-Adlawan upon her order to conduct an immediate search in the premises of “Secret Peak Buda Cafe’” located at Purok 11, Sitio Langub, Brgy Baganihan, Marilog, District, Davao City.

Executive Judge Adlawan has found “sufficient probable cause” to believe that violation of RA 9072 otherwise known as the “National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act” is committed and is being committed”.

Tan said DOT 11 has no portfolio of the Secret Peak Buda Café. She clarified that DOT does not grant permits for caves to be promoted.

“Doon tayo sa mga caves na recommended by DENR and RTC. DENR issues recommendations

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Councilor wants ordinance to help boost employability of Dabawenyos Councilor

kung puwede ang isa ka cave for tourism activities. Sa DOT naa tay mga caves na recommended that are also recommended by the LGU kasi these are under the jurisdiction of the LGUs,” she said. She cited the caves in Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur that are being promoted by DOT. She said in promoting caves, DOT 11 ensures that the guidelines are in place to protect and preserve them.

“Ang cave once na i-promote nimo for tourism activities dapat in-place ang guidelines para ma protect and ma-sustain nato ang caves. Kung ang cave allowed for tourism use as recommended by RTC and DENR and gina recommend pud siya sa LGU na i-promote mao na ang among ginatabangan na i-promote as part of the activities sa area nila like spelunking pero dapat naay guidelines,” she said.

By Maya M. Padillo

Davao Oro earthquake victims get P21-M aid

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Davao Region (DSWD11) has disbursed some PHP21.7 million in financial aid to victims affected by earthquakes in Davao de Oro last March, an official said Tuesday.

DSWD-11 Director Vanessa Goc-ong said the agency has conducted emergency cash transfer payouts in the towns of Maragu-

san, Mawab, Monkayo, Compostela, New Bataan and Nabunturan from April 20 to 28.

A total of PHP6.8 million was released in New Bataan, Nabunturan (PHP5.4 million), Compostela (PHP4.6 million), Maragusan (PHP3.1 million) Monkayo (PHP1.1 million), and Mawab (PHP468,120).

“The ECT payout will help them recover back to their feet af-

Bernie Al-ag bared on Wednesday his plan to file an ordinance that will boost the employability of Dabawenyos through skills training.

The ordinance aims to institutionalize the JobStart Philippines Program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). He said the city wants to adopt the said program.

“I will file an ordinance institutionalizing the JobStart Program that will provide training funds sa mga Dabawenyo nga make sure nga equip sila sa industry. Pasabot ana sweldohan sila sa gobyerno habang nag training sila, paghuman sa training i-absorb sila sa company. This was ongoing na five years sa DOLE nga program and we want to adopt this program in Davao City,” Al-ag, chair of the Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Industry of the City Council, said in an interview.

prevailing minimum wage in the locality.

Al-ag said the city government will give allowance while the trainees are undergoing training. He also said that the city will make sure that it has an agreement signed with an employer that they will hire the trainees.

“Very important provision sa ordinance is i-train sila sa company, kay daghan man empleyado ron na dili madawat kay dili sila haum sa skill so ang kompanya i-train sila, one month or two months but habang ga training sila, kinsa man mu-sweldo sa ilaha? Ang city government ang maghatag ug allowance sa ilaha ug during the time nga ga-training sila,” he said.

ter what they experienced during the earthquake. The government is always there to help and make sure no one is left behind,” Gocong said in a statement.

Davao de Oro was hit by a series of earthquakes in March 2023. At least 41,700 families were affected while 10,938 houses were damaged during the calamity.

DOLE’s JobStart enhances the employability of youth by reducing their job-search period and increasing their employability through training (life skills and technical skills required by industries), paid internships, and full-cycle employment facilitation services. The program is also designed to increase the capacity of the Public Employment Service Office (PESOs) in providing full-cycle employment facilitation services.

The trainees shall receive an allowance for the duration of life skills training and technical skills training and shall undertake an internship with establishments for a maximum of three months with a stipend not less than 75% of the

He said it is the goal of the city and DOLE 11 that every Dabawenyo has a job.

He also cited as an example the more than 3,000 call center agent aspirants in Davao City that are unemployed because they do not match the skills that call centers are looking for.

“That is the goal of the city government of Davao, DOLE 11 and me as councilor na in-charge sa labor ang gusto nato matag Dabawenyo naay trabaho. Dili ta musugot na ang mga taga Davao mahimong tambay ug magsalig lang sa ayuda sa gobyerno. We want na matanggal ning ayuda mentality, we want every Dabawenyo to be productive by going to work everyday,” he said.

Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) spokesperson Lt. Col. Eudisan Gultiano bares during this week’s AFP PNP Press Corps media forum at the Royal Mandaya Hotel that PRO 11 director Brigadier General Alden Delvo has warned police commanders that whoever will fail to resolve crimes will be relieved from their post. Lean Daval Jr.

In saying he was bypassed by the Police Regional Office (PRO 11) which relieved Tagum City Police chief Lieutenant Colonel Edgardo Bernardo:

“Unsay rason nga pulihan man ang atong COP? Doing good man si Bernardo. Pila ka buy bust na dinagko diri sa Tagum, ga roving na siya, gasuroy sa mga barangay ug gapanawag sa mga kapitan. Mao na ang mahina?

Wala man silay koordinasyon sa akoa, ila kong gi bypass, sa akong hunahuna kaya na nilang mubarog. Wala lang tan-awa sa provincial director ug regional director ang ayuda sa city sa

police station sama sa sakyanan, krudo, bugas, office supplies, ug sibilyan na mga empleyado.”

Consultant

JASPER V. BACSAL General Manager / VP Operations JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

GREGORIO GARAY DELIGERO Editorial

Tagum City Mayor REY UY

I was still a kid when I tasted durian the first time. My father bought durian fruit from the public market. My mother said I was afraid upon seeing the fruit since it was thorny.

When my parents started eating the fruit, I was hesitant to try it because of the smell, according to my mother. But she insisted that I would try it, so I did. And it was the start of my love affair with durian.

The fruit was expensive then because it was scarce. Today, a lot of farmers are growing the fruit. It’s good that durian grows well in our place. So, we can have durian once it is in season. Although it is no longer expensive like it used to be, I still cannot eat much of it since I was afraid my blood pressure would skyrocket.

There was a time when durian was so cheap that people didn’t buy them anymore. These days, if ever they buy, they become choosy. They want a certain variety; otherwise, if the variety is not available, they won’t buy any.

Because of this, some durian growers are discouraged to plant more. But the good news is: Last

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

SOME GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE CONTROVERSIAL DURIAN

January 4, the Philippines joined Thailand and Vietnam signed a protocol on exports of fresh durian to China.

A Global Times report said that the durian exportation “is expected to generate at least 10,000 jobs.”

The said news item quoted the Department of Agriculture stating: “We expect more than 5.739 million kilograms of fresh durian to be exported to China per season.”

China, one of the world’s largest populated countries, imported 821,500 tons of fresh durian fruit in 2021, according to Chinese customs data.

As the country observed Holy Week this year, the first batch of fresh durian fruits was sent to China through the Davao International Airport, the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement.

The fruits, which passed the stringent requirements of the General Administration Customs of China, were obtained from producers and processors in Mindanao, particularly Davao region.

Davao is the largest grower of durian in the country. It accounts

for about 80% of the total production.

Despite the good news, the durian industry is still beset with problems. Losses in durian harvest continue to happen as a result of low farm mechanization and postharvest facilities. Other causes were inconsistencies in fruit grading due to manual inspection and the inadequate number of skilled workers in durian processing.

In order to help this problem, researchers of the University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin) are developing a non-invasive grading system and maturity estimation model for durian. They will use Artificial Intelligence and Imaging through a project with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Science for Change Program (S4CP).

The project is called AI-based Non-Invasive Grading System for Durian or AIDurian.

“UP-Min hopes to address the problem by developing a system that is capable of classifying durian based on ripeness, quality, and variety, providing a more accurate and efficient postharvest classification process,” said a

press release.

“The new AI-based system will offer significant advantages over traditional methods of durian grading, which are often subjective and time-consuming,” it added.

Durian is one of the most controversial fruits because of its smell. You either love this fruit or hate it. The New York Times calls it the “world’s smelliest fruit.” Although it is “the world’s stinkiest fruit,” foreign journalist Celeste Brash considered it as “better than wine, cheese or chocolate.”

Indeed, its unusual flavor and odor have prompted many people to express diverse and passionate views. Writing in 1856, the British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace described the flavor of durian in the words:

“A rich custard highly flavoured with almonds gives the best general idea of it, but there are occasional wafts of flavour that call to mind cream-cheese, onion-sauce, sherry-wine, and other incongruous dishes. Then there is a rich glutinous smoothness in the pulp which nothing else possesses, but which adds to

ATTY. DENNIS R. GORECHO

MAGNA CARTA FOR

“He who has less in life should have more in law” is the wisdom popularized by the late President Ramon Magsaysay as far as the constitutional social justice principle is concerned.

The pending Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers should be the translation into reality of President Magsaysay’s wisdom.

The original Magna Carta is one of the most famous documents in the world, short for Magna Carta Libertatum, the Medieval Latin for “the Great Charter of the Liberties.”

Originally issued by King John of England as a practical solution to the political crisis he faced in 1215, Magna Carta established for the first time the principle that everybody, including the king, was subject to the law. It dealt with specific grievances relating to his rule.

Some of Magna Carta’s core principles are echoed in the United States Bill of Rights (1791) and in many other constitutional documents around the world, as well as in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the European Convention on Human Rights

its delicacy. It is neither acid nor sweet nor juicy; yet it wants neither of these qualities, for it is in itself perfect. It produces no nausea or other bad effects, and the more you eat of it the less you feel inclined to stop.”

For his part, British novelist Anthony Burgess compared eating durian to “like eating sweet raspberry blancmange in the lavatory.” “Completely rotten, mushy onions” was how Chef Andrew Zimmern described the taste of durian.

“If Davao can be compared to a fruit, then durian would be more likely it,” said Harold Ray Watson, the 1985 Ramon Magsaysay recipient for peace and international understanding. The American agriculturist considered durian as one of his favorite fruits when he was still living in the country; now, he is retired and is back in Mississippi.

Travelers, both local and foreign, who come to Davao City for a visit usually bring with them durian delicacies – candy bars, cubes, sticks, and preserves –when they return home as pasalubong.

Durian, anyone?

AS TRANSLATION OF PRESIDENT MAGSAYSAY’S ‘HE WHO HAS LESS IN LIFE SHOULD HAVE MORE IN LAW’

(1950).

Lord Alfred Thompson Denning, a famous English lawyer and judge, described it as “the greatest constitutional document of all times – the foundation of the freedom of the individual against the arbitrary authority of the despot.”

The first version of the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers was the by-product of the first National Seafarers Conference held in 2002 at the Manila Hotel that was organized by the Stella Maris Philippines in coordination with the Office of Senator Ramon Magsaysay, Jr.

Years later, several versions were filed by legislators that considered legal developments both locally and internationally which include the Maritime Labour Convention of 2006 (MLC 2006) also known as the Seafarers’ Bill of Rights and the fourth pillar of international maritime law.

The MLC2006 establishes minimum working and living standards for all seafarers working on ships flying the flags of ratifying countries. The Philippines was the 30th state that

deposited its instrument of ratification on August 20, 2012.

The proposed Magna Carta seeks to implement the standards set by MLC2006 to ensure protection of the rights and welfare of Filipino seafarers by recognizing their rights, instituting mechanisms for its enforcement. Nowhere in MLC is any mention of an escrow.

Legislative bodies are called upon to be vigilant in their time-honored duty to protect labor.

The Magna Carta should be for the Filipino Seafarers, not for those whom the law sought to protect them from abuses and violations of their rights.

Through restrictive provisions of the seafarers employment contract, claims for disability and death compensation became a legal battleground, especially in instances when seafarers do not receive full compensation that are legally entitled to have.

Such emergence of cases is attributable to the fact that the seafarer’s employer does not hesitate to harness its immense resources to limit its liability.

Manning agencies argued that the “proliferation of labor cases pose a threat to international employment of Filipino seafarers” linked with ambulance chasing.

In Vir-Jen Shipping vs NLRC, (G.R. No. L-58011 November 18, 1983), the Supreme Court downplayed the employers’ position that labor cases “would be killing the hen which lays the golden eggs” which it noted as the “same argument that have greeted every major advance in the rights of the workingman.”

They had consistently used the phrase “balancing the interest of the seafarer and the company”.

But they are throwing off-balance the already imbalanced legal battle on seafarers claims.

Every labor dispute is a David and Goliath battle : the worker on one side and the management on the other.

The “balance of scale” will tilt more to capital as this will protect the business interest of the manning agencies and their principal rather than the seafarers themselves.

“Seafarers’ claims for disability benefits should not be considered unreasonable and impelled by nothing but greed but rather, justified by their health considerations and a natural desire of every person to preserve his life for as long as possible. For being human, seafarers should not be penalized (UPL v. Beseril , GR 165934, April 12, 2006).

The magna carta should expand, and not limit, the seafarers rights.

A provision that will adversely affect a seafarer’s cause in whatever manner or nature has no place in a legal document that should be for their protection in the first place.

The escrow provision is repugnant to the Constitution since it undermines the mandate to protect the rights of overseas workers and to promote their welfare when it prejudices them the speedy avenue to receive the fruits of his legal battle.

(Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786.)

FILIPINO SEAFARERS

PINOY MARINO RIGHTS

US firms set to hire 75K Pinoy seafarers

United States companies are set to hire about 75,000 Filipino seafarers in the next three to four years, a seafaring industry executive disclosed on Tuesday (Washington DC time).

In a meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Washington DC, John Padget, president and CEO of Carnival Corp., said his group of companies is set to hire Filipino seafarers.

Padget, who also represents Carnival Cruise Line, Holland American Airlines, and Seaborn, lauded Filipino workers for their hospitality and competitiveness in the global workforce.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s the marine, deck, hospitality,

restaurant… everything is based on the happiness, the smile, and the greatness of the Filipino employees,” he said.

Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople, who was at the meeting, presented to the US firms “the interest of 200,000 Filipinos” who “adhere to fair and ethical standards and principles.”

Marcos, meanwhile, thanked the US employers for their continued confidence in Filipino professionals and skilled workers.

“When you say that the ladies and gentlemen that we have here today represent 200,000, you do not represent 200,000 employees, you represent 200,000 families and you represent 200,000 communities in the Philippines,” he told the employers.

The Filipinos represent the fourth largest immigrant group in the US after Mexicans, Indians, and Chinese, with more than four million Filipino immigrants, both temporary and permanent.

Through their remittances, Filipino workers contribute to the economic development of both the US and the Philippines with their

Customs surpasses April collection goal

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported on Tuesday that it has surpassed its revenue collection target in April on the back of improved valuation of imports entering the country.

In a statement, the BOC said it collected P68.274 billion last month, exceeding its target of P68.199 billion by 0.11%.

Compared to April 2022, Customs’ revenue performance

saw a 3.97% increase from P65.669 billion.

For the first four months of 2023, the agency collected P281.902 billion, overshooting its target collection of P265.220 billion by 6.29% or P16.682 billion for the period.

The January to April collection was also 10.89% higher than the P254.226 billion collected in the same period last year.

Coal mining firm remits P16B in royalties to gov’t

Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) chairman Isidro Consunji said the listed company’s remittance to the government as royalties in 2022 surged by 151 percent to nearly PHP16 billion.

During SMPC’s virtual annual stockholders’ meeting Tuesday, Consunji said the firm posted its highest remittance to the government and host communities in 2022 for the past 25 years.

The SMPC remitted PHP5.9 billion in royalties to the government in 2021.

comparable period.

Likewise, the firm’s operating cash flow almost doubled to PHP40.8 billion in 2022, also a record-high for SMPC in the past 25 years from PHP21.3 billion in 2021.

Consunji also reported that SMPC’s coal production grew by 19 times to 16 million tons last year -- the maximum allowable capacity under its environmental compliance certificate -- from 800,000 metric tons in 1997.

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio attributed BOC’s collection performance to a “higher rate of assessment, which is mainly due to improved valuation of non-oil importation.”

The BOC said the consistent increase in its revenue collection is a positive development for the Philippine government as it strives to generate revenue

“Because of our all-time high coal revenues, government share surged by 151 percent to nearly PHP16 billion, the highest ever contributed by our company to the national government and our host communities,” Consunji said.

He reported that SMPC’s consolidated revenues last year increased by 74 percent to PHP91.1 billion from PHP52.4 billion in 2021, while net income also surged by 146 percent to PHP39.9 billion from PHP16.2 billion in the same

He added SMPC’s domestic coal sales have powered 4,000 megawatts of power plants in the country, or accounting for 20 percent of the energy mix.

“I am proud of our organization transformation, and even prouder of our meaningful contribution to national energy security and poverty alleviation,” Consunji said.

SMPC president Maria Cristina Gotianun said despite the 55-percent decline in coal shipments from China, the company’s coal sales only slipped by 3 per-

Department of Tourism 11 (DOT 11) director Tanya Rabat-Tan says the agency only promotes caves for tourism activities that are recommended by the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources 11 (DENR 11) and the Regional Trial Court (RTC). Lean Daval Jr.

Budget deficit rises to P210B in March

Moderna to set up facility in PH

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology company Moderna

on Tuesday announced its plan to establish a shared service facility for pharmacovigilance in the Philippines that will serve the entire Asia-Pacific region.

Moderna chief commercial officer Arpa Garay and senior vice president and general manager Patrick Bergstedt made the announcement during a meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and other Philippine officials at the Blair House in Washington DC.

The Moderna officials said the shared service facility is expected to provide more employment opportunities to health professionals in the Philippines, which they said is the “perfect location” for their third shared service facility in the world.

“We are really excited to have selected the Philippines for the third one primarily because you

The Philippines’ budget deficit climbed to P210.3 billion in March, which was 12 percent higher compared to the same month last year, the Bureau of Treasury said on Tuesday.

The higher fiscal gap was due to an 11.9 percent decrease in government receipts even as spending also fell 2.6 percent, Treasury said.

compared to the first quarter of 2023.

the widest since December last year, and was nearly double the P104.4 billion gap in February. He said the reduction of some individual income tax rates under the TRAIN law, may have affected revenues.

know the capabilities exist. We have the talent that exists, and we know that the partnership will be one that can be beneficial for both Moderna and the Philippines,” Garay said.

According to the World Health Organization, pharmacovigilance is the science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of the adverse effects or any other medicine/vaccine-related problem.

All medicines and vaccines undergo rigorous testing for safety and efficacy through clinical trials before they are authorized for use.

The project will be the first investment by Moderna in the Philippines and its first in Asia.

It is expected to employ about 50 staff composed of health professionals with their shortlisted office location either in Makati or at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Marcos said this development FMODERNA, P10

However, Treasury also noted that the P270.9 billion budget gap in the first three months of the year was lower by 70.9 billion or 14.5 percent

The agency also noted that revenues for the 3-month period still surpassed the P784.4 billion collected last year for the same period by P34.3 billion.

RCBC chief economist Michael Ricafort meanwhile noted that the March deficit was

But he also said the reduced tax rates will help more people cope with higher prices and inflation and would also help stimulate more spending and other business/economic activities. He said this will support faster overall economic growth.

DOE encouraged to develop talents for wind power sector

With the growing interest of foreign companies to invest in the Philippines’ wind energy sector, Danish Ambassador to the Philippines Franz-Michael Mellbin has urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop policy that will ensure the availability of Filipino talents in this sector.

In a statement of the Danish Embassy in Manila late Monday evening, Mellbin underscored the

opportunity for the Philippines

to be a regional training hub because of the Filipinos’ English proficiency and being a highly globalized workforce.

The envoy said the DOE should craft a policy on developing pool of skilled workers for the wind industry.

Last April 24 to 28, DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla led a Philippine delegation to Denmark focusing on wind energy cooper-

ation.

This is after the DOE awarded three service contracts to Danish firm Copenhagen Infrastructure New Markets Fund (CINMF) to develop offshore wind power projects in the country worth USD5 billion.

“The visit also showed international interest for supporting the education of Filipino technicians for renewable energy jobs

A farmer sprays fertilizer on his rice crops in Banaybanay, Davao Oriental on Monday (1 May 2023). Farmers are still facing soaring prices of farm inputs and the possibility of below normal rainfall as the dry spell brought by El Niño is expected to begin in the next two to three months. (MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO)

Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola aRTD debuts in the Philippines

MANILA – Jack Daniel’s® and Coca-Cola are launching Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola alcoholic ready-todrink (aRTD) in the Philippines.

Made with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and Coca-Cola, Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola aRTD premium cocktail is inspired by one of the most popular bar cocktails around the world.

Last year, Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola announced that they would be teaming up to provide adults in markets around the world with this new drink option to enjoy. The Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola pre-mixed cocktail is inspired by one of the world’s most popular branded “bar calls” – a cocktail ordered with specific brand names – in a convenient, ready-to-drink format. The premium cocktail from these two iconic brands is now hitting shelves nationwide in

CUSTOMS... FROM A1

to fund its various programs and projects.

The agency added that it recorded its highest daily collection for the year on April 30, amounting to over P7.51 billion.

“We will continue to uphold our commitment to transparency, accountability, and service excellence as we strive to meet our revenue targets and contribute to the growth and development of our country,” said Rubio.

DOE... FROM A2

in the Philippines and internationally —where they could play a key role in making the global energy transition possible,” Mellbin added.

Lotilla also met with Danish Permanent Secretary of State for Climate, Energy and Utilities during his visit in Denmark last week. The two officials agreed to work on a possible memorandum of understanding on energy sector.

Denmark is one of the global leaders in renewable energy and among the lead providers of technologies to help in climate change mitigation.

In less than a year of the Marcos administration, two Danish firms have invested in the Philip-

the Philippines.

“We are excited that Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola ready-to-drink cocktail is expanding to new markets, including the Philippines, allowing more fans of the classic cocktail to enjoy the taste that set the standard for bar calls around the world,” said Sally Goh, General Manager, Emerging Asia, Brown-Forman. “It’s incredibly special to share the product of this joint effort with Filipinos.”

“While Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola have long been mixed at home and in bars around the world, today we’re officially introducing to the Philippines a premium drink that unites two iconic brands in a readyto-drink cocktail blend with so many perks, including its can,” said Cesar Gangoso, Frontline Marketing Director, Coca-Cola ASEAN and South Pacific East Region. “Jack Daniel’s and

COAL...

cent last year.

FROM A1

“We reduced our dependence on China and redirected our marketing efforts to local coal buyers,” she said.

Gotianun said the higher average selling prices for coal and electricity increased by double digit last year due to supply and demand imbalances in the global energy market.

The appreciation of US dollar against Philippine peso and Japanese yen also led to foreign exchange gains from SMPC’s coal exports and Japan imports.

Business expansion

Meanwhile, Consunji bared SMPC’s plan to seek mining opportunities outside Semirara Island.

The company is also open to venturing into liquefied natural gas (LNG) business.

“The Calaca location is ideal for LNG as well as coal. So the question is really an issue of business viability, but basically and technically, there’s no reason why SMPC will not go to LNG,” he added. (PNA)

pines for offshore wind projects. These are the CINMF, which is the first fully foreign-owned company that invested in the country’s renewable energy sector, and the Copenhagen Energy. Their combined offshore wind capacity is at 6 gigawatts. (PNA)

Coca-Cola aRTD is truly the beginning of something big.”

The packaging boldly integrates iconic qualities of both brands – the red Coca-Cola logo written in its classic Spencerian script coupled with the bold, black Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 design – emphasizing that the Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola aRTD is born ready to be the best because of its quality ingredients.

The can and packaging, which feature two of the world’s most recognizable and valuable trade-

MODERNA...

marks in “Coca-Cola” and “Jack Daniel’s”, will include clear responsibility symbols stating that the beverage is to be enjoyed responsibly and only by consumers of legal drinking age. All marketing of the Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola aRTD product will adhere to alcohol-responsible marketing policies and practices held by Brown-Forman and The Coca-Cola Company. Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola, available in 320 mL slim cans with an alcohol level of 7%, is now hitting shelves

nationwide in the Philippines. The premium cocktail drink may also be ordered online soon via Boozy.ph, CokeBeverages.ph, Shopee, and Lazada as long as you are 18 years old and above.

Jack Daniel’s was established in 1866 in Lynchburg, Tennessee. The Coca-Cola brand was established in 1886 in Atlanta.

To know more, follow the Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola official Facebook page or visit http://www.coca-cola.com.ph.

US...

FROM

A2 would give the country advantage in health care.

“The opportunity to build shared services in areas of interest, connecting with the scientific, academic opportunity with Moderna, the ministry of health is something that we’re very, very interested in,” he said.

“The most important part is that we sat down and drew the program, and say this is how we approach the problem… Those are the kind of skills that we need. With your experience in other countries, there are many lessons that we could learn that can be applied in the Philippines.”

Marcos met with the Moderna officials at the Blair House in Washington DC on Tuesday afternoon, along with former president and now House of Representatives Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Speaker Martin Romualdez, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pas-

cual, and Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno. Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr., Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, and DTI Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo were also present during the meeting. (PNA)

FROM A1 skills, talents, and expertise.

In the meeting with the employers, Marcos was also joined by House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, and Department of National Defense officer in charge Carlito Galvez Jr. (PNA)

Metrobank brings home six big awards from the 2023 PDS Awards

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) took home six accolades, including the prestigious Cesar E.A. Virata Award (Bank Category), at the recently held 2023 Philippine Dealing System (PDS) Awards Night. This marks Metrobank’s 9th year of receiving this highest recognition given to the Top Bank in the country that has shown exceptional performance in the fixed-income securities business– a record for any bank in the

Philippines.

Recognized for its outstanding performance, leadership, innovation, and overall contribution to the growth and development of the Philippine financial markets, Metrobank was also named as: Top RTS Participant; Top Dealing Participant for Corporate Securities; Top Fixed Income Dealing Participant; Top 5 Fixed-Income Cash Settlement Bank (2nd Place); and Top 5 Corporate Securities Market Maker

(2nd Place). These awards cement Metrobank’s position as one of the country’s top performers for fixed-income securities for 2022, according to the PDS Group.

“We are honored to receive all these recognitions from the PDS Group and to be recognized for our efforts in bolstering the growth of the Philippine financial markets. This is in line with our mission of supporting

the government on nation-building through meaningful financial products and services offerings,” said Fernand Antonio A. Tansingco, Metrobank SEVP and Head of the Financial Markets Sector.

Metrobank has gained multiple recognitions from prestigious institutions for its exceptional performance in the past year. It was recently awarded by Asiamoney as the Best Bank for ultra-high-net-worth clients,

the Best Domestic Private Bank in the Philippines, and the Best Service in the Philippines according to the Asiamoney Trade Finance Survey. Last year, Metrobank also brought home major awards from top global financial publications. Euromoney and the Banker named it as the Best Bank in the Philippines for 2022. It was also recognized as the Strongest Bank in the Philippines by The Asian Banker for 2021 and 2022.

Call for volunteers to MAD Camps 2023

I am MAD (Making A Difference) Volunteers Inc. (I am MAD), a nationwide nonprofit, non-governmental organization, announced it is now accepting volunteers to its ‘MAD Camps’ this year in 10 areas around the Philippines, open for all ages especially the Filipino youth and young professionals.

Recognized by the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards Foundation, ‘MAD Camp,’ the organization’s flagship program is a three-day outreach program where it gathers volunteers to facilitate values formation activities anchored on the Department of Education’s core advocacies.

The group engages school children ages 10-12 with tasks designed to promote positive Filipino traits and inspire them to see themselves as dreamers and future leaders with a volunteer heart. Volunteers usually stay in the beneficiary school to camp. The last day is set aside for local community immersion and exploration. Know more about MAD Camp here bit.ly/ madcampinfokit2023.

Registration is now ongoing at bit.ly/madcamp2023reg for a minimal volunteer contribution and on

a first come, first served basis.

“A volunteer’s registration fee to a MAD Camp is not a payment for comfort. It is an investment for a lifetime experience,” said Christian Marx Rivero, I am MAD co-founder and chairman. He emphasized that joining the volunteer work of I am MAD is not for leisure but for the lessons they will gain in making a difference together with each other and the communities served.

Reignite the spirit of volunteerism, get ‘MAD’ around the Philippines

With the theme ‘Reignite the MADgic: Celebrating 13 Years of Volunteerism,’ the NGO calls on everyone to rekindle their inner spark in serving, relight their paths forward, reawaken their vision together with the organization, renew their individual passions, and relive the spirit of volunteerism for the community by joining its outreach around the Philippines.

As schools and provinces reopen for more face-to-face activities, I am MAD is encouraging everyone to be part of its upcoming full in-person volunteer opportunities and get ‘MAD’ in any of the following areas in the country: Albay (April 28-30), Davao Oriental (April

28-30), Sarangani (May 5-7), North Cotabato (June 9-11), Davao de Oro (July 21-23), Nueva Ecija (August 26-28), Quezon (September 15-17), Isabela (October 20-22), Negros Occidental (November 10-12), and

Bukidnon (November 24-26).

This year’s MAD Camps mark the return of its full face-to-face community engagements that was hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For details and a complete list of the official MAD Camps 2023, visit I am MAD’s Facebook page at fb.com/ IamMakingADifference. Watch its Call for Volunteers music video here: bit.ly/Call4VolunteersMusicVideo.

Metrobank brings home six big awards from the 2023 PDS Awards. Representatives from Metrobank’s Financial Markets Sector received the accolades - including the Cesar E.A Virata Award. In the photo are (L to R): Bernice Joyce E. Nobleza, Trader; John Christopher C. Lu, Head of Trading; Kathryn Francis B. Abes, Head of Rates and Credits Division; Fernand Antonio A. Tansingco, Head of Financial Markets Sector; Rommel Enrico C. Dionisio, Head of Treasury Group; and Cynthia C. Resurreccion, Head of Treasury Operations & Support Division.

20th City Council

3rd Regular Session Series of 2023

PRESENT:

Vice Mayor J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. - Presiding Officer

Councilor Marissa S. Abella

Councilor Nilo M. Abellera Jr.

Councilor Luna Maria Dominique S. Acosta

Councilor Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula

Councilor Bernard E. Al-ag

Councilor Wilberto E. Al-ag

Councilor Al Ryan S. Alejandre

Councilor Dante L. Apostol Sr.

Councilor Conrado C. Baluran

Councilor Jessica M. Bonguyan

Councilor Louie John J. Bonguyan

Councilor Pilar C. Braga

Councilor Augusto Javier G. Campos III

Councilor Jonard C. Dayap

Councilor Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr.

Councilor Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod

Councilor Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus

Councilor Rodolfo M. Mande

Councilor Jaffar U. Marohomsalic

Councilor Bonz Andre A. Militar

Councilor Temujin B. Ocampo

Councilor Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz

Councilor Alberto T. Ungab

Councilor Lorenzo Benjamin D. Villafuerte

Councilor Trisha Ann J. Villafuerte

Councilor Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III

ABSENT:

Councilor Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. - OB- Attended the Liga ng mga Barangay National Executive Board (NEB) Meeting/Assembly in Manila

ORDINANCE NO. 0155-23 Series of 2023

AN ORDINANCE GRANTING PERSONS WITH DISABILITY, WITH DULY ISSUED IDENTIFICATION CARDS BY THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF DAVAO, FREE MOVIE PRIVILEGE TO ALL CINEMAS IN THE CITY OF DAVAO

Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City in session assembled, that:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE – This Ordinance shall be known as the “Persons with Disability Free Movie Privilege Ordinance”.

SECTION 2. DEFINITION OF TERMS – For purposes of this Ordinance, the following terms are defined:

2.1 Persons with Disability (PWDs) are defined by Republic Act No. 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons as persons suffering from restriction of different abilities, as a result of a mental, physical or sensory impairment, to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being. An impairment is any loss, diminution or aberration of psychological, physiological, or anatomical structure of function. Disability shall mean (1) physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more psychological, physiological or anatomical function of an individual or activities of such individual; (2) a record of such an impairment; or (3) being regarded as having such an impairment.

Persons designated by law as PWDs, such as Cancer Survivors pursuant to Republic Act No. 11215 or the National Integrated Cancer Control Act, persons with Rare Diseases under Republic Act No. 10747 or the Rare Diseases Act of the Philippines, and other related laws shall be considered as PWDs.

2.2 A Cinema or Movie theater is a venue, usually a building or located within malls, that contains seating for an audience for the purpose of public entertainment. It is a commercial operation that plays films or movies for paying customers.

2.3 PWD Identification Card (PWD ID) refers to the official Identification Cards issued by the City Government of Davao to persons classified as PWDs. It shall bear the name, picture and type of disability of the PWD;

2.4 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) refers to a company’s voluntary commitment to conduct business in an ethical way, and to contribute to the development of society and the local community.

SECTION 3. GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS – The following acts shall be observed in the implementation of this Ordinance:

3.1 FREE MOVIE PRIVILEGE. Persons with Disability with duly issued PWD IDs shall enjoy the privilege of free movie access to any film of their choice, in a cinema or movie theater. The free movie privilege shall be non-transferable and may only be availed of by the PWD. If the PWD cannot personally transact with cinema personnel, he/she may be represented by his/her companion for transaction purposes, provided, they are present during the transaction. Cinemas or cinema operators must strictly implement a “NO PWD ID, NO ENTRY” policy. The PWD must also present his/her movie pass booklet upon entry.

The free movie privilege only applies to regular movie screenings, excluding special cinemas such as Dolby Atmos, IMAX Theaters, Director’s Club, and 3D and 4D theaters. For blockbuster films, the free movie privilege may only be availed of during its second week. The said privilege does not extend to screenings for special events such as sponsored movie premiers, pay-per-view shows, and the like.

3.2 MOVIE PASS BOOKLET. The Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) shall issue availing PWDs with a Movie Pass Booklet. The said booklet shall contain the serial number, PWDs full name, photo, address, PWD ID number, and signature. The booklet shall also contain the dates and number of movies that the PWD may avail of during the entire year.

The movie pass booklet shall be non-transferable and must be presented by the PWD to the cinema personnel upon entry.

3.3 VERIFICATION. For purposes of verification of PWD IDs, Cinema Operators must refer to the Philippine Registry for Person with Disability Website (PRPWD). Should cinema operators wish to conduct further verification, they may also contact the Records Section of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) at (082) 286-3689.

3.4 AVAILMENT. The free movie pass may be availed of only by PWDs registered under the City Government of Davao. They may avail of the free movie privilege once a week, every Monday, and during the first screening only. However, cinemas are not prohibited from offering the free movie privilege on additional days of the week.

The free movie pass is good for one screening only per week. Should the PWD opt to screen another movie on the scheduled free movie privilege day, they will have to pay the regular movie entrance with the 20% discount provided for under the law.

3.5 PARTICIPATING CINEMAS. On the day that PWDs may avail of the Free Movie Privilege, cinema owners or operators should allot at least 5% of the total seating capacity of the movie theater for availing PWDs.

3.6 MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT. The City Government of Davao shall enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with all cinemas, cinema owners, and cinema operators within the jurisdiction of the City of Davao upon the effectively of this Ordinance. The Memorandum of Agreement shall provide the specific day and time when the privilege may be availed of, the allotment of seats for PWDs, and the proof of identification required to be presented to avail of the free movie access in the available movie theaters of the cinema operators.

The free movie privilege granted to PWDs under this Ordinance shall be counted under the cinema’s Corporate Social Responsibility program.

3.7 MONITORING SHEET. Cinema owners and operators must provide a monthly monitoring sheet where the PWDs will register their full name, signature, and PWD ID number upon availing of the privilege.

The Monitoring Sheet shall serve as proof of compliance to this Ordinance, and must be available at any time for tracking purposes.

3.8 POSTERS AND NOTICES FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS. All cinemas within the jurisdiction of the City of Davao are required to display posters or notices on the cinema booths where cinema viewers transact to buy tickets. The posters or notices shall be written in big, legible text and shall contain the privilege of PWDs to free movie access, the date and time of screening, and the number of seats allotted for PWDs who may avail of the said access.

The posters or notices shall serve the purpose of generating public awareness of the free movie privilege of PWDs and ensuring that the provisions of this Ordinance are duly implemented.

3.9 THEATER SEATS. Cinemas shall allocate and reserve comfortable and convenient seats for PWD viewers. The reserved seats shall also be easily accessible to PWD viewers. However, PWD viewers may opt to sit anywhere aside from the reserved seats within the cinema to their liking.

PWD viewers in wheelchairs must have a designated space within the cinema, in accordance with Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 or “An Act to Enhance the Mobility of Disabled Persons by Requiring Certain Buildings, Institutions, Establishments and Public Utilities to install Facilities and Other Devices”.

SECTION 4. SCOPE AND COVERAGE – This Ordinance shall be enforced in all cinemas within the jurisdiction of the City of Davao.

SECTION 5. PENALTY – Any person who commits fraudulent means to avail of this privilege shall be penalized as follows:

5.1 First offense – a fine of Two Thousand Pesos (PhP 2,000.00);

5.2 Second offense – a fine of Three Thousand Pesos (PhP 3,000.00);

5.3 Third offense – a fine of Five Thousand Pesos (PhP 5,000.00).

If the violation under Section 5 is committed through fraudulent means, s such as falsification of a PWD ID, the offender shall also be punished in a accordance with the provisions of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).

Cinema operators or personnel who encounter violators of this Ordinance under Section 5 may report to the nearest police station.

SECTION 6. ORDINANCE VIOLATION RECEIPT OR CITATION TICKET. – An Ordinance Violation Receipt, otherwise known as a “Citation Ticket” shall be issued to the violators of this Ordinance. The Citation Ticket shall state the name and address of the violators, the specific violation committed and the provisions of the succeeding Section on the “No Contest Provision”.

If the violation of this Ordinance be deemed to have been committed by a corporation, partnership or juridical entity, duly recognized in accordance with law, the chief executive officer, president, general manager, managing partner, or such other officer-in-charge, if known, shall be cited for the commission of the offense.

SECTION 7. NO CONTEST PROVISION – Any person cited for violation of this Ordinance, who does not wish to contest the violation and is willing to pay voluntarily the fine imposed upon him or her under the Ordinance prior to the filing of a formal complaint before the Office of the City Prosecutor shall be allowed to pay said fine with the City Treasurer’s Office to avoid being criminally prosecuted. The availment of the “No Contest Provision” shall exempt an individual from criminal liability under this Ordinance.

For this purpose, the City Legal Office and the City Treasurer’s Office shall provide the procedure for the availment of the “No Contest Provision” and establish a case inventory and recording system for all violations of this Ordinance.

Provided, that if a violator has already availed of the “No Contest Provision,” he or she can no longer avail of the same and the corresponding complaint for any violation of this Ordinance shall be immediately filed.

SECTION 8. TRANSITORY PROVISION – Within a period of six (6) months after the enactment of this Ordinance, the executive must release the Implementing Rules and Regulations for the execution of this Ordinance.

SECTION 9. REPEALING CLAUSE – The provisions of any ordinance, resolution, order, rules and regulations that are inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SECTION 10. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE – If for any reason, any section or provision of this Ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, no other sections or provisions shall be affected thereby.

SECTION 11. EFFECTIVITY – This Ordinance shall take effect after thirty (30) days following its approval and publication in a newspaper of local circulation consistent with the provisions of the Local Government Code.

ENACTED, on the 24th day of January 2023, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum.

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

ATTESTED:

J. MELCHOR B. QUITAIN JR. Vice Mayor Presiding Officer cns/mark

ATTESTED:

Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod

ATTY. FRANCIS MARK H. LAYOG Acting City Administrator

Davis has double double as Lakers take Game 1

SAN FRANCISCO — Anthony Davis had 30 points, 23 rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots, LeBron James added 22 points and 11 rebounds dueling with Stephen Curry in their latest postseason showdown, and the Los Angeles Lakers held off a late flurry by the Golden State Warriors to win an entertaining Game 1 in the Western Conference semifinals 117-112 on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time).

answered right back before Davis blocked a shot by Curry moments later. James missed the first of two free throws with 1:05 to go.

Poole’s 3 with 2:48 remaining cut the Lakers’ lead to 112109, and James was called for traveling with 1:53 left For all-time scoring leader James and Curry — who has the most 3-pointers ever — this is a new chapter in the long rivalry between the superstars after they faced off in four straight

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

(Finally, an Asian emerges as world chess king!)

Unlike in other championship events where the more raucuous and louder cheers create the most tense moments, the eerie, deafening silence in chess contests gives everyone the goosebumps that elevate the quietly electrified atmosphere to its highest decibel.

Thus, when Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi raised the white flag in the fourth and final game of the rapid tie breaks, you could hear a pin drop as winner Ding Liren gasped in relief and total disbelief even as he shook hands with his foe instantly as the resignation came.

The 30-year old Chinese su-

NBA Finals from 2015-2018 while James played for Cleveland.

Curry scored 27 points, Splash Brother Klay Thompson had 25, and Kevon Looney grabbed a career-high 23 rebounds for his fourth game of this postseason with 20 or more. He also had 10 points and five assists. Thompson made a 3 with 5:19 to go that cut the Lakers’ lead to 112-104.

The defending champion Warriors will try to even the series in Game 2 on Thursday

night back on their home floor at Chase Center, where LA fans could be heard chanting “Let’s go Lakers!” after the final buzzer. Curry’s 3 with 9:38 left got Golden State within 99-95, but the Lakers responded with two straight scoring possessions, including James’ layup with 8:38 remaining.

Davis dominated from the opening tip, making 9 of his first 10 shots, while Russell scored 19 points and dished out six assists against his former team.

DING LIREN - 17TH FIDE WORLD CHAMP!

per GM, exhibiting enduring patience, outlasted his equally elite foe 2.5 to 1.5 pts to clinch the championship trophy and the 1.2M (Euros) first prize money.

Liren was actually at the receiving end, trailing Nepo by one full point going into the last four games of the classical phase.

He equalized in Game 11 and held his own by drawing the next three, leading to the 25-minute four game rapid tiebreaks.

“I’m relieved,” Liren, who played black, could only say in not so fluent English during the post game interview.

China now rules both the FIDE men’s and women’s crowns.

Ju Wengjun is due to defend her title in July against another Chi-

nese challenger, Lei Tingjie.

The Russian evaded drawing lines - perpetual check in the end game - and pursued what analysts described as an attempt to turn it into a victory.

Regretfully, commentators GMs Fabi Caruana, Robert Hess and IM Tanya Sachdev said Nepo missed several engine best moves because he moved his pieces faster than usual to exert pressure on Liren as far as time was concerned.

All throughout the championship setto - including the 14 long classical games -, Liren lagged behind in time but the Chinese was able to maintain his composure, staving off the aggressive attacks and traps set up by the Russian,

already a two-time winner of the Candidates Matches.

Liren must have Lady Luck on his side.

He was invited by FIDE because Russian super GM Sergey Karjakin was disqualified for the latter’s political advocacy of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Because he was third in the world rankings, FIDE picked him to contest versus Nepo the 2023 crown as five-time world champ Magnus Carlsen of Norway abdicated his crown July last year. Carlsen twitted “Congratulations!” to Liren for his feat.

The newly-minted FIDE world titleholder will be tested immediately as he takes part in the opening leg of the prominent

Garry Kasparov-inspired annual Grand Chess Tour that starts in Bucharest, Romania on May 5.

Among those who will confront Liren in Bucharest are super GMs Wesley So, Levon Aronian, Caruana, Anish Giri, Alireza Firouzja, Rapport and hopefully Carlsen.

Before Liren, the previous FIDE world titlists were (14th) Vladimir Kramnik of Russia, (15th) Vishy Anand of India and (16th) Carlsen.

Liren was assisted in his team by the long-haired Hungarian super GM Richard Rapport who served as his second. (Email feedback to fredlumba@ yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

Anthony Davis had 30 points, 23 rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots.

Jordan Poole missed a 3-pointer to tie it with 9.7 seconds left as the Warriors’ rally

in the closing minutes fell short. Curry’s 3 with 1:38 left tied the game, then D’Angelo Russell

Jose Maria College Kings sweep CSAV Titans, advance to Nationals PUNCHING THE TICKET

BY NEIL BRAVO

Davao City champion Jose Maria College punched a ticket to the Philippine Collegiate Champions League National Finals after sweeping Iloilo titleholder Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias in their best-of-three series in the PCCL-Escandor Cup VisMin Finals.

The Kings clinched the series on Wednesday with a wire-towire 99-79 thrashing of the Titans before a sizeable crowd at the Davao City Recreation Center.

Game 2 was nary a shadow of the close 94-91 battle in Game 1 where the Titans led most of the way before the Kings took over with a late charge.

The qualifying series was the culmination of a long journey for the Kings who started their journey with a conquest of local rival Holy Cross of Davao College before ruling the tough VisMin qualifiers.

Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) regional head of operations Ronel Leuterio awarded the trophies to both teams in lieu of regional director Glenn Escan-

dor.

Meantime, Rizal Memorial Colleges is leading the way in the PCCL Women’s Basketball Tournament with three wins in as many outings. University of Mindanao is also undefeated with a 2-0 card, Holy Cross of Davao College is in third with 2-2, while UM-Tagum (0-2) and Ateneo de Davao University (0-3) are both winless.

In the Girls Division, Ateneo de Davao University is on top of the ladder with a spotless 3-0 mark, Daniel Aguinaldo High School and Philippine Women’s College are tied for second with 1-1, Cabantian National High School is in third with 1-2 while Bernardo Carpio National High School brings up the rear with 0-2.

SBP Region XI operations head Ronel Leuterio handed the PCCL - Escandor Cup 2023 VisMin Finals championship plaque to the champion team, Jose Maria College Foundation Inc., Kings. The JMCFI Kings swept Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias Titans 2-0 in their best-of-three championship series.