Difference between revisions of "Sarangani News"

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==Pacquiao told: Submit tax records or face jail time==
'''Palace: No Corona connection in BIR actions vs Pacquiao'''
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/03/30/pacquiao-told-submit-tax-records-or-face-jail-time-213928
*Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/253395/news/nation/palace-no-corona-connection-in-bir-actions-vs-pacquiao
*Friday, March 30, 2012
*March 31, 2012 12:48pm
:by  Virgil Lopez/ECV/Sunnex
:by  LBG, GMA News






MANILA -- Sarangani Representative and Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao can get away with contempt charges filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) if he can submit documents in connection to the huge drop in his tax remittances.
Malacañang insisted Saturday there is no connection between the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s tax pursuit against boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao with his failure to join the 188 lawmakers who impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona last December.
 
Pacquiao, who has since cried foul over the case, was challenged by BIR Commissioner Kim Henares to do just that after the agency pushed for a “realistic assessment” of his tax liability.
 
“The sooner he submits, the sooner this controversy will die down. We haven’t mentioned of any liability yet, that’s why we are investigating him,” Henares said Thursday.
 
“We have to see the gravity of the violation. As of now, we are not even talking or thinking of tax evasion. We are only asking him to submit the documents,” she added.
 
Henares belied Pacquiao’s claims that he is being harassed by the BIR after its regional office in Sarangani claimed he rebuffed the agency’s summons in March to submit certain documents pertaining to his tax returns.
 
The Sarangani lawmaker’s failure to obey summons from the BIR prompted Regional Director Rozil Lozares to file the case, citing Section 266 of the National Internal Revenue Code.
 
Penalties for this offense could range from a fine of P5,000 to P10,000 and imprisonment of one year to two years.
 
Lozares said the tax bureau issued a subpoena duces tecum (or subpoena for production of evidence) in January directing Pacquiao to present income-related documents but the lawmaker supposedly failed to appear before them.
 
Pacquiao said he should no longer be taxed for earnings from his fights abroad consistent to the Philippines-US tax treaty but Malacañang surmised that the investigation will have something to do with his local endorsements.
 
In the BIR’s list of top 500 taxpayers, the eight-division world champion ranked first in 2008 for paying P125 million but he tumbled down to 113th place in 2010.
 
“Why the sudden drop?” Henares asked.
 
Taking the cudgels for Pacquiao is Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., who criticized BIR for showing disrespect to “someone who we all consider as a contemporary hero.”
 
"If the BIR is certain that Manny committed an error, then just take the necessary actions and file the necessary charges. Why announced it on the papers?" Revilla said.
 
The senator also advised Pacquiao to take the issue “with a grain of salt” and direct his attention to the upcoming fight against Timothy Bradley on June 9.
 
But Henares said that Pacquiao should blame himself for the adverse publicity that this controversy brought him, including supposed loss of endorsement deals abroad, saying publicity was fueled by his own camp.
 
The BIR chief said the BIR in Koronadal City never made mention of him during press conference of its tax campaign.
 
But the local press got wind of Pacquiao’s failure to obey summons and inquired from the regional director, who was forced to confirm it.


Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said all the BIR wants from Pacquiao are tax-related documents, adding there is “nothing more to it.”


“May nagsasabing connected ito sa impeachment, walang ganoon” she said on government-run dzRB radio, adding that Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima himself had said there was no harassment against Pacquiao in the BIR’s actions.


Earlier, Sen. Joker Arroyo questioned the BIR’s action, asking if it was because Pacquiao did not sign the articles of impeachment against Corona.


But House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said Arroyo’s suspicion was ridiculous.


The Philippine Daily Inquirer cited a text message from Pacquiao confirming he was not there when the articles of impeachment were signed.


He also said he hoped the case that the BIR brought against him was not related to his failure to join the House majority in impeaching Corona.


Pacquiao was training for his bout with Mexican Juan Miguel Marquez late last year, when the BIR demanded to see his tax returns.


At the time, the BIR’s regional office in Central Mindanao filed a complaint against him for failure to submit complete tax records for 2010.


Pacquiao has reportedly called President Benigno Aquino III for help and asked him to fire BIR Central Mindanao Director Rozil Lozares for harassing him.


Meanwhile, Pacquiao is now preparing for his fight against American Timothy Bradley for his welterweight crown on June 9.


==Peeved, Pacquiao wants to pay taxes elsewhere==
==Peeved, Pacquiao wants to pay taxes elsewhere==

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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Palace: No Corona connection in BIR actions vs Pacquiao

by LBG, GMA News


Malacañang insisted Saturday there is no connection between the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s tax pursuit against boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao with his failure to join the 188 lawmakers who impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona last December.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said all the BIR wants from Pacquiao are tax-related documents, adding there is “nothing more to it.”

“May nagsasabing connected ito sa impeachment, walang ganoon” she said on government-run dzRB radio, adding that Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima himself had said there was no harassment against Pacquiao in the BIR’s actions.

Earlier, Sen. Joker Arroyo questioned the BIR’s action, asking if it was because Pacquiao did not sign the articles of impeachment against Corona.

But House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said Arroyo’s suspicion was ridiculous.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer cited a text message from Pacquiao confirming he was not there when the articles of impeachment were signed.

He also said he hoped the case that the BIR brought against him was not related to his failure to join the House majority in impeaching Corona.

Pacquiao was training for his bout with Mexican Juan Miguel Marquez late last year, when the BIR demanded to see his tax returns.

At the time, the BIR’s regional office in Central Mindanao filed a complaint against him for failure to submit complete tax records for 2010.

Pacquiao has reportedly called President Benigno Aquino III for help and asked him to fire BIR Central Mindanao Director Rozil Lozares for harassing him.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao is now preparing for his fight against American Timothy Bradley for his welterweight crown on June 9.

Peeved, Pacquiao wants to pay taxes elsewhere

by Aquiles Z. Zonio, Inquirer Mindanao


GENERAL SANTOS CITY—Boxing sensation and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao now plans to transfer his tax registration to either Manila or Laguna in protest of what he perceived was harassment done by a regional director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) against him. In a text message, Pacquiao’s chief of staff Franklin Gacal Jr. confirmed the plan, saying: “We will definitely transfer.” When the Philippine Daily Inquirer asked where, Gacal said “Laguna or Manila.” In 2010, Pacquiao transferred his tax registration from Pasig City to Central Mindanao. But BIR regional director Rozil Lozares, whom Pacquiao accused of railroading the charges against him, was unfazed by the planned transfer. “It’s not a problem. It’s his prerogative where he wants to pay his taxes. But, he can’t do it right now because he has yet to settle his problem with us. If he complies with the requirements, then he can write a letter to the BIR stating the reasons for the transfer. Then, we will evaluate,” Lozares said. Top taxpayer Lozares admitted that Pacquiao was one of the top individual taxpayers in the country. He, however, refused to divulge the exact amount of taxes being paid yearly by the boxing icon. In his 2010 statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), Pacquiao declared his assets at P1.13 billion ($26.3 million) and no liabilities, making him the country’s richest lawmaker. “The transfer of his tax registration to other place, if ever he can do it, will not affect our revenue collection target,” Lozares said. But Lozares added that Pacquiao should also expect a backlash on his image and political career. “The local taxpayers may question why he is paying his taxes somewhere else when he is living and conducting most of his businesses here,” he said. Lozares said Pacquiao was given three letter-requests and a subpoena before a legal action was initiated against him. The BIR log book showed that lawyer Francisco Gacal, a member of Pacquiao’s battery of lawyers, appeared before the BIR office on February 7 but failed to submit the required books of accounts and accounting records being asked by the BIR. On March 1, the BIR filed a criminal case before the Prosecutor’s Office of Koronadal City against Pacquiao. “If Mr. Pacquiao is not hiding something, then he should submit all the documents required by the BIR. He is a lawmaker and we expect him to respect the law. We are just doing our mandate under the RA 2484 or the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC),” Lozares said. The BIR official said Pacquiao was just wasting his millions by hiring topnotch lawyers to defend himself. “All he has to do is to submit his financial records and books of accounts then we will withdraw the case filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office at Koronadal City,” Lozares said.





Pacquiao paid less than P7M in taxes for 2010: BIR

by David Dizon, ABS-CBNnews.com


MANILA, Philippines – Sarangani congressman and 8-division boxing champ Manny Pacquiao paid less than P7 million (approximately US$162,999) in income taxes for year 2010, the chief of the Bureau of Internal Revenue said Wednesday.

BIR Commissioner Kim Henares declined to give the exact figure of Pacquiao’s tax payments for 2010 but told ABS-CBNNews.com that “it is lower than P7 million.”

She confirmed that the boxing champ paid P7 million in taxes in 2009, from a high of P100 million in 2008.

Pacquiao earlier declared assets at the end of 2010 at P1.13 billion ($26.3 million) and no liabilities, making him the wealthiest member of the House of Representatives.

Forbes.com magazine estimated he spent $7 million in his election campaign in 2010 while also earning $35 million for his two fights against Joshua Clottey and Miguel Cotto.

Pacquiao has accused the BIR of harassment after it sued the boxing champ for contempt for failure to submit copies of his endorsement contracts and TV deals. He urged the BIR to fire Cotabato Revenue Regional Director Rozel Lozares for filing a case against him.

His lawyer, Abraham Espejo, claimed the boxing champ lost several endorsement deals in the United States because of the tax case.

The BIR chief, however, said she cannot fire Lozares since he followed correct procedure in asking for Pacquiao’s contracts.

“[Pacquiao] has a book of accounts so he has to present that. He also has endorsements so he has to submit his contracts. He has a TV show. He has to submit his contract for that. He said he paid the [Internal Revenue Service]. Then show us the receipts,” Henares told radio dzMM.

Henares said she is surprised that Pacquiao is making a fuss over the tax case when he could just easily submit copies of his contracts. Among the documents the BIR is asking for are Pacquiao’s contracts for his 2010 fights against Joshua Clottey and Antonio Margarito.

Pacquiao also reportedly owns a shopping mall, a building-for-rent, restaurant, beauty salon, convenience store, and a water refilling station in General Santos City.

The BIR filed charges against Pacquiao early March after the boxer allegedly snubbed the agency’s summons to submit certain documents. Pacquiao was charged with violation of Section 266 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), and if convicted, he can be fined as much as P10,000 and imprisoned for two years.

Henares denied that Lozares held a press conference to announce the filing of a tax case against Pacquiao.

“We had a kickoff ceremony in Koronadal for our tax campaign, which had a presscon afterwards. The media were the first to know about the filing of the case and they asked…It wasn’t a press conference just for Pacquiao,” she said.

She also rejected Pacquiao’s claim that Lozares should have sent the BIR’s summons to Sarangani, where he is congressman, instead of General Santos City.

She said Pacquiao has yet to transfer his tax residency status to Sarangani.

Henares is also puzzled by Pacquiao’s claim that he does not know the person who received the BIR’s summons.

“If he did not know the person who received the letter, how could he be sending his lawyer and his accountant to our office? That means he knows the person,” she said.






Pacquiao eyes suit vs BIR execs for harassment

by Mike Frialde


MANILA, Philippines - Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao yesterday hit the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for filing what he said was a “harassment case” against him in connection with his alleged refusal to submit documents involving his business interests and income sources that were earlier summoned by the tax collection agency.

Speaking to reporters in Makati City, Pacquiao also dismissed reports that what the BIR had filed against him was neither tax evasion nor tax fraud, but simply for his alleged refusal to submit documents summoned by the BIR.

“The case against me is plain and simple harassment. Contrary to public perception, I am not charged with tax evasion or tax fraud. That is farthest from the truth. Over the years as a boxer, a product endorser and a businessman, I have not surcharged the government for what it is due. Hence, it is with a heavy heart to hear that I was charged with tax evasion or tax fraud. It was even reported in international media that I shall follow Mayweather soon in jail. I don’t have that intention. I would rather see him inside the ring,” he said, referring to the much awaited fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. who also had some legal issues.

The Filipino boxing icon said that the case the BIR filed against him refers to a violation of Section 266 of the National Internal Revenue Code for alleged failure or refusal to submit more than 62 documents required by the BIR.

Under Section 266 (Failure to Obey Summons), any person who fails to appear to testify, or to appear and produce books of accounts, records, memoranda or other papers, or to furnish information as required by the BIR, could pay a fine of not more than P10,000 and face a prison term of not more than two years.

Pacquiao added that the case filed by the BIR against him was baseless, as he did not personally receive the agency’s letter of authority and the subsequent subpoena.

He said the BIR even violated its own rules when it served the subpoena not on him but on another person not known to him.

He also questioned why the BIR served the subpoena in General Santos City when he is now a resident of Sarangani.

Lawyer Rozil Lozares, BIR Revenue Region 18 director, said they filed charges against Pacquiao last March 1 before the Prosecutor’s Office in Koronadal City in connection with their ongoing investigation into the representative’s tax payments in 2010 based on the income tax returns he filed.

“The BIR said that the case against me is not harassment but the letter (of authority) was sent when I was fighting with Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas, Nevada. I do not know why the BIR is singling me out,” Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao fights back

“The BIR in one instance has tarnished my name by filing a criminal case against me. They value taxes more than the rights of people. Don’t tarnish the names of big taxpayers,” he said.

Pacquiao said he had complied with the BIR’s summons and sent his accountant to Lozares’ office.

However, he said, it was Lozares who was not in his office at the date specified for the submission of the documents.

Pacquiao’s lawyers led by former justice secretary Artemio Toquero said they would question the BIR’s authority to gather evidence against taxpayers.

“We intend to question the validity of the National Internal Revenue Code which gives the BIR authority to gather evidence,” Toquero said.

He said they will contest the validity of the subpoena and will ask the Supreme Court to declare it null and void.

“The subpoena and the letter (of authority) is illegal, the case filed is null and void. We will contest that in the SC,” he said.

Pacquiao hinted that his lawyers would be filing a case of violation of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) against Lozares and other BIR executives.

His lawyer Abraham Espejo, also dean of the New Era College of Law, explained that BIR executives behind the case filed against the boxing champ are liable for causing undue injury to the boxing champ following the pullout of several product endorsements.

Sarangani receives transparent accountable governance award

by (Russell L. Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)


ALABEL, Sarangani (March 26, 2012) – Provincial Administrator Vicente Camacho III (right) and Board Member Virgilio Clark Tobias (center) receive the plague of recognition given to the provincial government of Sarangani under the leadership of Gov. Migs Dominguez in recognition of his commitment and dedication to engage in the “Budget Tracking for Transparent Accountable Governance in Mindanao” (BTTAG) during the flag raising ceremony at Capitol Monday morning, March 26. The award was given to Sarangani budget office recently on the occasion of the BTTAG 2nd Policy Dialogue in Davao City. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 18-19, 2012.






Experience This Paradise In Sarangani

by ARMANDO A. MORTEJO


MANILA, Philippines — "A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” When poet John Keats wrote that famous line, he might have been thinking of the Lemlunay Dive Resort in barangay Kamanga in Maasim, Sarangani.

Lemlunay is a T’boli and B’laan word for “paradise.” Judging from the breathtaking view (it is situated on a cliff overlooking the beautiful waters of Sarangani Bay to the left and the Sulawesi Sea to the right) and the wonderful underwater experience the resort offers, it is indeed a heaven of sorts.

I was supposed to attend the Kalilangan Festival in General Santos City but because the street dancing was scheduled on a Monday and there was nothing to do on Sunday, my good friend Andrew J. Dorego decided to bring me to this gem of a resort.

The travel from the city to the place took us about 45 minutes. But the road trip was scenic. It reminded me of my trip along the shores of Superior Lake going to Duluth, Minnesota. Imagine a beautiful deep blue sea on your left and mountains with various karsts on your right. The road was smoothly paved and beautiful green trees lined the highway. A bonus: few houses along the road.

The trip was fleeting. I didn’t know what to expect as we entered the place. We paid our entrance fee (P100 per person, which is consumable) and went straight ahead to the restaurant. After we ordered our food, we immediately began our familiarization tour.

Andrew and his girlfriend (Apple Joy Ochoa), who had been to the place before, served as my guides. Deo Sunico, a high school classmate of Andrew who tagged along with us, also helped in showing it off.

Unlike most beach resorts, there is no sandy beachfront. However, Lemlunay’s pristine greenish-blue waters teeming with beautiful marine life more than made up for the lack of luxurious resort amenities.

From the al fresco restaurant, guests can get a glimpse of the white sand beaches in other parts of Sarangani, particularly Gumasa in Glan. Its ambience is comparable to those places featured in Greek and Mediterranean films.

One of the resort’s interesting features is the infinity pool, where visitors can take a dip. There’s an area for kids and the deepest spot is about seven feet. “We went to the infinity pool after snorkeling and took lots of pictures,” one visitor wrote. “We love the view from the pool to the sea. It simply felt relaxing and calm.”

Guests won't get bored while at the resort since it has a myriad of activities available for everyone. Those who don’t feel like snorkeling or diving can rent their Hobie cats (catamarans) for a measly P1500 (maximum of six passengers for 30 minutes).

Lemlunay used to be the vacation resort of Paul Partridge and his family. Later, he established the South Point Divers, which offers a number of services that suit hard-core divers and weekend enthusiasts alike. Activity offerings include PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) courses, snorkeling and guided diving, among others.

“Each dive comes with tanks, weights, dive guide and chase boat to make your diving experience more enjoyable,” says its website. “Our staff are ready to cater to your schedule 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Be one of our many satisfied clients from all over the world.”

Sarangani Bay, declared a marine sanctuary, has a wealth of good diving sites and one of them is located in the huge Tinoto Wall, which runs about 10 kilometers along the bay in front of the dive resort. The wall drops off well over 50 meters about 10 to 20 meters from shore.

According to those who have dived in the area, a wide variety of hard and soft coral, huge gorgonian corals, sponges and an endless array of reef life can be found in the waters. Pelagics are also a common site. Divers can also expect to see turtles, rays, rainbow runners, groupers, snappers and patrols of sergeant majors. The majestic Napoleon Wrasse is also frequently seen on the house reef.

Here’s an observation of a blogger who had dived the area: “A short distance from the cliff’s side, the bottom of the sea drops dramatically to about 30 feet, then a coral wall presents itself with marine life all a-bustle. The variegated colors on the fish and on the coral is a delight against the backdrop of soft-hued sand and dark-toned rock that dot the seascape.”

Another one said: “My entire Lemlunay experience is surreal. I can’t believe I swam with Nemo and his friends!” (Nemo was the leading character in the award-winning film, Finding Nemo.)

We ended our short visit with a lunch at the restaurant. And yes, we enjoyed the food since we were hungry and thirsty.

On Socoteco-SEC power sales bid: Oppositors no show in ERC pre-trial hearing

by Edwin Espejo


Opposition groups and intervenors in the power sales application between the South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (Socoteco II) and Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC) in the Philippines failed to appear in the March 22 pre-trial hearing set by the Energy Regulatory Commission prompting the energy body to reset the hearing for March 29.

Only the lawyers of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), which filed a separate intervention, and the representatives of the power sales applicants were present during the hearing.

Commissioners Gloria Victoria Yap-Taruc and Ma. Teresa Castañeda instead requested Socoteco II general manager Rodolfo Ocat to furnish all intervenors copies of the order on the new dates of the hearing.

The commissioners said they decided not proceed with the pre-trial hearing to avoid more “contentious issues” arising from the failure of the opposition to appear in the hearing.

Among those who are opposing the 70-megawatt power sales agreement between Socoteco II and Sarangani Energy are the city government of General Santos, Freedom from Debt Coalition, private intervenor Dominador Lagare and residents of Polomolok, South Cotabato.

The Socoteco II franchise covers General Santos City, Sarangani, and the towns of Polomolok and Tupi of South Cotabato.

The ERC earlier dismissed the petition of Eduardo Alegre et al, all residents of Polomolok, to declare the power sales agreement (PSA) between Socoteco II and SEC null and void.

In dismissing the petition of Alegre et al, the ERC said the former’s allegations were “bereft of merit and their allegation that the award of the PSA to CHC is highly irregular, immoral, unlawful, an abuse of authority and a grave misconduct…is untenable.”

Alegre, as well as other members of the opposition, claimed the assignment of the contract from Conal Holdings Corporation (CHC) to SEC was irregular considering that the latter was a newly formed corporation with an authorized capitalization of only P5,000,000.

The power sales contract between Socoteco II and SEC covers 25 years.

Socoteco II has a baseload capacity of at least 70 megawatts and a peaking load of up to 105 megawatts.

It sells an average of 526 million kilowatt hours of electricity to its 126,000 consumers a month.

CHC was the original party to the PSA with Socoteco II.

Conal Holdings however assigned its rights and obligation to SEC, the implementing arm of its 200-megawatt coal-fired power plant project in Maasim, Sarangani, and submitted the appropriate amendments to the original contract to the ERC.

CHC is the holdings company of the power business of the Alcantara and Sons Development Corporation. CHC also owns and operates the Western Mindanao Power Corporation and the Southern Philippines Power Corporation, both separately running 55-megawatt diesel-fired power plants.

Socoteco II earlier appealed for support to the PSA it has entered into with CHC/SEC.

Ocat said unless the cooperative is able to secure long term power supply contract, the city could suffer from two to six-hour brownouts beginning next year.

South Cotabato clinches 2012 CRAA meet overall championship

by (PNA)

LDV/AVE/HST


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, March 22 – Host South Cotabato province unleashed several upsets in various team events on Wednesday as it clinched anew the overall championship of the Cotabato Regional Athletic Association (CRAA) meet for the second consecutive year. South Cotabato made strong finishes in baseball, basketball, tennis, softball and volleyball to pace this year’s regional games with a total of 601 points based on the Department of Education’s (DepEd) scoring system. CRAA or Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Kidapawan, Cotabato and Tacurong. The CRAA meet was held for the second consecutive year at the South Cotabato Sports Complex in Koronadal City. General Santos City, which drew solid performances from its taekwondo, gymnastics, chess and badminton teams, settled for the second place with 493 points. Cotabato province finished third with 386.5 points followed by Koronadal City with 347.5, Sarangani with 252, Cotabato City with 214.67, Sultan Kudarat with 157, Kidapawan City with 138 and Tacurong City with 34. Based on a report released by DepEd Region 12, South Cotabato topped the elementary and secondary division events with 311 and 290.67 points, respectively. Among its notable wins were the 10 gold medals in athletics and another three in boxing, said DepEd Region 12 director Deborah Adrales. She said the host province’s boxing team took the overall championship in the ring event from defending champion General Santos City. Adrales said Koronadal City made an overwhelming performance this year in swimming by emerging as champion in elementary boys as well as secondary boys and girls divisions. She said they also gave out minor awards to the Sultan Kudarat delegation for the best in uniform; South Cotabato as the cleanest delegation; Sarangani province as the jolliest delegation;and, Cotabato province as most disciplined delegation.

ARMM holds first education, health summit in Zamboanga

by Hader Glang


Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman met yesterday local government, health and education officials as well as private partners "Synergeia" Foundation Inc. for the first ARMM education and health summit.

Held at Garden Orchid Hotel in Zamboanga City, the summit tackled the state of basic education in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and programs that worked and response to the challenges in basic education in BaSulTa and what works in promoting maternal and children's health.

Sarangani Province Gov. Miguel Dominguez, Mayor Hussin Amin of Jolo, Sulu; ARMM DepEd Sec. Jamar Kulayan, Mayor Allandatu Angas of Sultan Sabarongis, ARMM Health Sec. Kadil Sinolinding and ARMM DILG Sec. Haroun Alrashid Lucman were the resource speakers.

During the summit, a group workshop, health and education proposals for ARMM local development, and briefing on program HEAL were conducted.

It asked questions on "What the doable targets/results in health education?", "What the ARMM leaders can achieve in the next 14 months?", "What activities/programs can they do together to attain these targets?", "What support/commitment can be given by the ARMM regional government, LGUs, DepEd, DOH, and partners from the private sector?"

In an impromptu speech, Hataman exposed the anomalies or corruption in the education sector in the autonomous region, particularly the so-called ghost students, ghost employees, ghost schools and padded payrolls.

“Isa sa pinaka malaking problema sa ARMM ay ang DepEd. Kaya nuong umupo po tayo ang unang pinagtuunan ko ng pansin ay Department of Education," he said, as he stressed that education affects health.

Hataman said he is convinced of the idea of Synergeia that education reform cannot be carried out by DepEd alone, it needs the involvement of others.

Synergeia way aims to discover obstacles to quality education in each municipality by collaborating with communities It also works with local government governments to put basic education at the center of their governance agenda.

It also believes that quality education is the best antidote to poverty and that local governments are the best entry points in transforming public education.

Study showed that of the 10 elementary school students, only three graduate in grade six in ARMM. In the Philippines, 26.5% are living in poverty, while in ARMM of the 10 people, five of them are poor.

Poverty in ARMM worsened in 2009 which posted 45.9% from 31.4% in 2003.

A paradise in Sarangani

by Henrylito D. Tacio


"A THING of beauty is a joy forever." When poet John Keats wrote that famous line, he may be thinking of the Lemlunay Dive Resort inbarangay Kamanga of Maasim, Sarangani.

Lemlunay is a T'boli and B'laan word for "paradise." Judging from the breathtaking view (it is situated on a cliff overlooking the beautiful waters of Sarangani Bay to the left and the Sulawesi Sea to the right) and the wonderful underwater experience the resort offers, it is indeed a heaven of sort.

I was supposed to attend the Kalilangan Festival in General Santos City but because the street dancing was scheduled on a Monday and there was nothing to do on Sunday, my good friend Andrew J. Dorego decided to bring me this gem of a resort.

The travel from the city to the place took us about forty-five minutes. But the road trip was scenic. It reminded me of my trip along the shores of Superior Lake going to Duluth, Minnesota. Imagine a beautiful deep blue sea on your left and mountains on your right with various karsts. The road pavement was great and beautiful green trees line along the highway. A bonus: few houses along the road.

The trip was fleeting. I didn't know what to expect as we entered the place. We paid our entrance fee (P100 per person, which is consumable) and went straight ahead to the restaurant. After we ordered our foods, we immediately made our familiarization tour.

Andrew and his girlfriend (Apple Joy Ochoa), who had been to the place before, served as my guide. Deo Sunico, a high school classmate of Andrew who tagged along with us, also helped explain about the place.

Unlike most beach resorts, there is no sandy beachfront. However, Lemlunay's pristine greenish-blue waters, sprawling with beautiful marine life more than make up for the lack of luxurious resort amenities.

From the al fresco restaurant, you get a glimpse of the white sand beaches in other parts of Sarangani, particularly Gumasa in Glan. Its ambiance is comparable to those places featured in Greek and Mediterranean films.

One of the resort's interesting features is the infinity pool, where visitors can take a dip. There's an area for kids and the deepest spot is about seven feet. "We went to the infinity pool after snorkeling and took lots of pictures," one visitor wrote. "We love the view from the pool to the sea. It simply felt relaxing and calm."

You don't get tired while at the resort since it has a myriad of activities available for everyone. If you don't feel like snorkeling or diving, you can rent their hobie cat for a measly P1500 (maximum for 6 passengers for 30 minutes).

Lemlunay used to be the vacation resort of Paul Partridge and his family. Later, he established the South Point Divers, which offers a number of services that suit hard-core divers and weekend enthusiasts alike. Activity offerings include PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) courses, snorkeling, and guided diving, among others.

"Each dive comes with tanks, weights, dive guide and chase boat to make your diving experience more enjoyable," says its website. "Our staffs are ready to cater to your schedule 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Be one of our many satisfied clients from all over the world."

Sarangani Bay, declared a marine sanctuary, has a wealth of good diving sites and one of them is located in the huge Tinoto Wall, which runs about 10 kilometers along the bay in front of the dive resort. The wall drops off well over 50 meters about 10 to 20 meters from shore.

According to those who have dived in the area, a wide variety of hard and soft coral, huge gorgonians, sponges and an endless array of reef life can be found in the waters. Pelagics are also a common site. Divers can also expect to see turtles, rays, rainbow runners, groupers, snappers and patrols of sergeant majors. The majestic Napoleon Wrasse is also frequently seen on the house reef.

Here's a report of a blogger who had dived the area: "A short distance from the cliff's side, the bottom of the sea drops dramatically to about 30 feet, then a coral wall presents itself with marine life all a-bustle. The variegated colors on the fish and on the coral is a delight against the backdrop of soft-hued sand and dark-toned rock that dot the seascape."

Another one said: "My entire Lemlunay experience is surreal. I can't believe I swam with Nemo and his friends!" (Nemo was the leading character in the award-winning film, Finding Nemo.)

We ended our short visit with a lunch at the restaurant. And yes, we enjoyed the foods since were hungry and thirsty.

12,874 Household Benefited From Electrification Program In Mindanao

by MIKE U. CRISMUNDO


Todate, the SEP project has already energized 545 far-flung and remotest sitios in Mindanao.

The SEP is a rural electrification program of the government that will energize far-flung areas throughout the country.

Late last year, the NEA, in partnership with 96 electric cooperatives nationwide had already energized 1, 520 sitios (villages) benefiting some 33, 189 households.

The Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative (ANECO) alone, 35 sitios were already energized and benefiting 2, 086 households.

This year, ANECO is targeting more than 2, 156 households to be benefited of the SEP program.

The seven electric cooperatives in Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga region) have already energized more than 102 far-flung sitios and puroks.

“We are committed to energize more far-flung sitios and puroks in the coming months as part of our commitment to help the Aquino Administration’s SEP program,” said ANECO general manager (GM) and president of the association of Caraga region electric cooperatives Architect Horacio T. Santos.

There are 32,403 sitios all over the country without power. The bulk of the fund amounting to Php 116.9M will go to Northern Mindanao to electrify 184 sitios. Bicol Region is allotted Php 84.8M to energize 136 sitios while Php 74.4M will go to the Caraga region to power up 103 sitios.

Meanwhile, in an effort to have uninterrupted power supply in the future, the ANECO on Saturday inked a 25-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for a 10 megawatt power supply from the Sarangani Energy Corporation, starting 2015.

The ceremonial signing of agreement was presented by GM Santos, ANECO board president Dioscoro P. Boco, Sarangani Vice President- Business department Joseph C. Nocos and Sarangani Head for Marketing Edgardo C. Calabio.

Coco leaf beetles infest farms in 12 towns

by Bong S. Sarmiento


KORONADAL CITY -- Coconut leaf beetles are threatening coconut farms in Central Mindanao or the Soccsksargen Region, as they already infested at least 12 towns in the region's four provinces, officials said Thursday.

Amalia J. Datukan, Department of Agriculture (DA)-Soccsksargen director, said the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and the Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) have noted the rapid Brontispa longissima infestation in parts of the region.

"Brontispa infestation has been observed to be quickly increasing in the region, particularly in the town of Malungon in Sarangani," Datukan said.

Malungon has vast mango plantations, and because of regular chemical sprayings, parasitoids used to address the Brontispa infestation could not thrive, she explained, citing a report from the Sarangani Integrated Pest Management office.

Brontispa or coconut leaf beetle feed on young leaves and damages seedlings and mature coconut palms. This insect belongs to the order Coleoptera and Chrysomelidae family along with a number of beetle species.

Citing a PCA report, Datukan identified the towns infested with Brontispa as Tampakan, Tupi, Polomolok and Koronadal City in South Cotabato and Libungan, Midsayap, Antipas and Kidapawan in North Cotabato.

The others are Malungon and Glan in Sarangani and Lutayan and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat.

Glan, touted as the "Coconut Queen of the South," is one of the largest coconut producing towns in the region.

Elvira de Silva, PCA regional manager, said there is a need to establish more parasitoid laboratories to address the Brontispa infestation, especially in areas close to towns that have been infested.

Parasitoids are organisms that ultimately sterilize and consume the host, and are similar to typical parasites, the DA said.

In North Cotabato, where 2.71 percent of the total coconut trees have been infested by Brontispa, the PCA has set up six parasitoid laboratories, de Silva said.

But other than Brontispa, North Cotabato farmers feared that Asiatic palm weevil could infest their crops, the DA regional office said.

Asiatic palm weevil (Rhabdoscelus lineatocollis (Heller)) is a newly discovered coconut pest that damages the stems, reduces yield, or kills seedlings and young palms.

In Malungon, Sarangani, coconut farmers are using chemicals and the cut-and-burn method to address the Brontispa infestation.

The Sarangani agriculture office said the cut-and-burn method could be an effective way to stem the spread of brontispa to other towns.

It has likewise recommended the establishment of parasitoid laboratories in the towns of Maitum, Kiamba and Maasim, which remained free of Brontispa.

Datukan said the RCPC, which is attached to the DA, has been culturing parasitoids to help eradicate the Brontispa problem.

Pacman told to hold his P75-M ‘punch’ on newsman

by Neil A. Alcober


Pound-for-pound ring icon and eight-division world boxing champion and lawmaker Manny Pacquiao was goaded to his hold punches on a newsman.


The Center for International Law (CenterLaw) Executive Director Atty. Romel Regalado Bagares on Tuesday urged boxing sensation and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao to withdraw the complaint he filed against the General Santos City-based freelance journalist Edwin Espejo, in connection with the latter’s reportage linking former Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group official Mohammad “Bong” Akia –wanted by police for carnapping – to the boxing champion.

The center is extending a legal assistance to Espejo who is facing a P75-million libel suit thrown at him by the Sarangani lawmaker.

Bagares said that Pacquiao can even lead the way by supporting or filing a bill to decriminalize Philippine libel laws.

The legal team of the Sarangani congressman and boxing legend filed the case on March 5, over Espejo’s article which said sources had informed him that Akia had been staying in Pacquiao’s mansion even as police were closely monitoring the former Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group official’s movements.

The pieces were published under the headlines “Stolen car dealer finds refuge in Pacman mansion” on the Asian Correspondent site, and “Dealer of stolen cars last seen in Pacman mansion” on MindaNews.

Espejo cited reports that Akia (or Aquia) was seen with Pacquaio on a flight from Manila to General Santos City, and that the two departed in the same car for Pacquiao’s mansion. Akia/Aquia has not been seen since.

According to Bagares, Espejo sought the congressman’s side to the story, but could not reach him as Pacquiao was then abroad. Espejo then spoke with a lawyer for Pacquiao, who denied that the congressman had anything to do with Akia.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has also urged Pacquiao to reconsider the case saying he is in a good position to set an example for other politicians to emulate: “It would be a shame if Pacquiao should risk his well-deserved reputation by succumbing to the same urge that has seen abusive official after abusive official resorting to our draconian criminal libel law — or even worse measures — to stifle reasonable criticism and critical coverage.”

NUJP also urged Pacquiao to drop the case, and renewed its call for the decriminalization of libel in a report on Mindanews.

Espejo heads the NUJP chapter for South Cotabato, Sarangani and General Santos City. Early this year, the UNHRC declared that the Philippines breached its obligations under the ICCPR when Davao City-based broadcast journalist Alex Adonis was sent to prison in connection with a libel suit filed against him by then Speaker Prospero Nograles over what has come to be known as the “Burlesque King scandal.”

The view is the Committee’s ruling on CenterLaw’s petition filed in mid-2008 on behalf of Adonis. According to the UNHRC, the country’s criminal libel law is “incompatible” with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil Political Rights, which protects the right to free expression and opinion.

Adonis was represented in the proceedings before the UNHCR by CenterLaw’s chief counsel lawyer Harry Roque. CenterLaw, a human rights organization dedicated to the promotion of free expression, is a charter member of the Southeast Asia Media Defense Network, an alliance of regional lawyers’ and media advocacy groups providing legal support to journalists facing legal persecution for the work they do.

According to CenterLaw, free expression advocacy groups see the UNHRC’s pronouncement in the Alex Adonis case as a landmark holding, as it was the very first declaration by the human rights body on the incompatibility of criminal libel laws with the right of free expression.

29 NPA rebels yield in Sarangani in two months

by (PNA)

LDV/AVE


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, March 13 (PNA) -- A total of 29 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels under units operating in the provinces of Sarangani and Davao del Sur provinces have yielded to government forces in the area in the last two months.

Lt. Col Adolfo Espuelas Jr., commander of the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion (IB), said most of the surrenderees decided to lay down their arms and renew their allegiance to the government following negotiations conducted by their personnel and other local officials in the area.

“This is mainly the result of our continuing peace and development initiatives, which is now the main focus of our counter-insurgency operations,” he said.

In the last two weeks, 11 rebels reportedly under the NPA’s Front 71 separately surrendered to government troops in the municipalities of Glan, Alabel and Malapatan, he said.

Espuelas said among the reasons given by the former NPA rebels in deciding to yield were their difficult situation in the mountains and the risks they were facing.

“Most of the time they don’t have enough food to eat and they were constantly moving from one place to another,” the official said.

He said several others cited as reason for their fallout was the uncertainty of their cause and concerns with the safety and welfare of their families that were left behind.

Espuelas said the surrenderees, who each yielded a firearm, were now undergoing “processing” for their inclusion in the national government’s continuing integration program for rebel returnees.

He said they also received relief and financial assistance from the Sarangani provincial government and other concerned agencies.

“We’re looking at providing them with some livelihood assistance to help them start anew with their lives,” Espuelas said.

Espuelas said they expect more NPA rebels to also surrender in the coming months as they continue with the implementation of various peace and development works in the area.

Since last year, the 73rd IB shifted the focus of their counter-insurgency operations to peace and development in a bid to encourage more rebels to surrender and return to the fold of the law.

Such effort was endorsed by Sarangani officials led by Rep. Emmanuel Pacquiao, who offered to help provide livelihood assistance for the rebel returnees.

Civilian hurt in NPA harassment in Sarangani

by (PNA)

DCT/LAM/AVE


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, March 12 (PNA) -– A civilian was injured as suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels harassed over the weekend two remote communities in Malungon town in Sarangani province.

Lt. Col. Adolfo Espuelas Jr., commander of the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion, said Monday they received reports that around 20 NPA rebels separately fired at residents of Sitios Makalong and Danao in Barangay Lutay of Malungon on Sunday.

The area is located near the boundaries of Malungon and nearby Malita town in Davao del Sur, he said,

Espuelas said a local resident only identified as a certain Muda was hit on the side of his body during the attack.

Citing intelligence reports, he said the attackers allegedly belong to Platoon Lawin of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 71 that operates in the provinces of Sarangani and Davao del Sur.

“The harassment actually happened on the 40th day of the killing of a local NPA leader in an earlier encounter with our troops,” he said in a radio interview.

Espuelas said they conducted offensive operations in the area last Jan. 30 that resulted to the killing of several suspected NPA rebels.

As a result of the incident, the official said he has dispatched additional personnel to the area to secure the residents and communities as well as hunt down the perpetrators. (PNA) DCT/LAM/AVE







PACQUIAO URGED TO DROP LIBEL CASE VS GENSAN JOURNALIST

by ABS-CBNNEWS.COM


MANILA, Philippines – The National Union of Journalist in the Philippines (NUJP) urged boxing superstar and Sarangani congressman Manny Pacquiao to withdraw his P75-million libel case against General Santos City-based reporter Edwin Espejo.

Continue reading Pacquiao urged to drop libel case vs Gensan journalist at ABS-CBNNews.com (source) or access more Latest Sports News articles.





Boy with glaucoma shows loss of sight is not barrier

by Aquiles Z. Zonio

Philippine Daily Inquirer


ALABEL, Sarangani—Fifteen-year-old Steven Valdepeñas may have lost his eyesight but not his dream and self-confidence. Steven had proven that having congenital glaucoma was not an obstacle to academic excellence. On Jan. 18, he topped one of the nationwide elimination rounds of the Metrobank Math Challenge (MMC), which is jointly undertaken by Metrobank, Math Teachers’ Association of the Philippines and the Department of Education. Steven’s achievement was the first time a visually impaired student placed high in the 11-year history of MMC. MMC was previously held only in the National Capital Region, but it was expanded in 2001 to include elementary and high school students nationwide. The annual contest produces national winners who get the rare chance to compete and eventually win in international competitions. Steven, a graduating elementary student at Alabel Central Integrated Special Education Center, bested 15 other contestants during the elimination round for Grade 6 in the district of East Alabel in January. In Sarangani province, he was among 234 students who passed the MMC. His teachers and family said despite his visual problem, Steven always excelled in academics, especially in Math, his most favorite subject. He has already won several awards in competitions. Aside from being a Math whiz, Steven was also declared best orator at a competition staged by the Davao City-based Resources for the Blind Inc. (RBI) last year. Gemima F. Casalan, the boy’s class adviser, said Steven’s confidence has not waned even with his difficulty. “Despite his visual infirmity, he has no inferiority complex. He’s a fast learner, hardworking and humble,” Casalan said. She said in her 11 years of teaching visually impaired students, she has not encountered anybody like Steven. “He is one of a kind. He could barely read when he transferred to our school three years ago. But I immediately noticed his innate talent. So, we gave him the support he needs and we encouraged him to join competitions,” Casalan said. Among those who encouraged the boy, she said, was Glenda Morales, the principal of Alabel Central Elementary School. Casalan said to help Steven, she personally sought the help of Sarangani Vice Gov. Steve Chiongbian-Solon, who donated a Braille writer to the boy. During the MMC, the questions were translated into Braille by teacher and 2001 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teacher award winner Evelyn Caja of Ramon Magsaysay High School in Manila. Aniceto Sobrepeña, the Metrobank Foundation president, said he was very impressed by Steven’s showing in the contest. “The participation of Steven, a visually impaired pupil from Sarangani, is remarkable and is something we ardently embrace,” he said in a statement. Sobrepeña said Steven’s remarkable performance during the contest proved once again that disability is never a hindrance to academic excellence.

Pacquiao urged to drop libel raps vs journalist

by Malu Cadeliña Manar


KIDAPAWAN CITY -- The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) urged Sarangani Representative and boxing champion Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao to drop the three-count, P75-million libel suit he filed against journalist Edwin Espejo.

Espejo chairs the NUJP General Santos City chapter.

NUJP national chair Nestor Burgos, in a statement issued Wednesday, said Pacquiao erred in suing Espejo and that seeking compensation is “patently outrageous”.

The libel case stemmed from Espejo’s articles about how a man who is allegedly running a carjacking syndicate supposedly sought refuge in Pacquiao's General Santos home to evade arrest.

Espejo’s articles were published on the news sites of the Mindanews, Asian Correspondent and Eurasia Review.

The alleged carjacker, Mohammad "Bong" Aquia, former head of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group in Central Mindanao, also sued Espejo for libel and sought P18 million.

In his articles, Espejo clearly indicated that he was quoting reports posted February 26 on www.journal.com.ph and that he tried to seek Pacquiao's side.

Espejo wrote that the boxing champion was unreachable for comment since he is in the US promoting his June 9 fight against Timothy Bradley.

He, however, sought Pacquiao's lawyer, Francisco "Bong" Gacal, who said he was not aware of the reports about Aquia.

Espejo said Gacal also promised to inform Pacquiao of the reports.

Espejo, meanwhile, cited statements by ranking Philippine National Police officials about Aquia’s alleged illegal activities.

He also detailed the charges of violating the Anti-Carnapping Law filed by the Highway Patrol Group against Aquia.

But while questions may certainly be raised about Espejo's articles, libel is clearly not one of them, the NUJP statement said.

The statement said that Espejo’s efforts to get Pacquiao's side clearly show that the journalist did not write the articles with malice, which is a requisite for libel.

“In fact, the unreasonable damages sought by Pacquiao can be argued to be frivolous and intended not so much to collect the amount he demands but to harass Espejo and tie him up in the legal proceedings,” the group said.

“It would be a shame if Pacquiao should risk his well-deserved reputation by succumbing to the same urge that has seen abusive official after abusive official resorting to our draconian criminal libel law -- or even worse measures -- to stifle reasonable criticism and critical coverage," the NUJP statement added.

With what happened to Espejo, the NUJP has again urged the government to decriminalize libel. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)

Pacman files libel case vs GenSan journalist

by Keith Bacongco


DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Seasoned journalist Edwin Espejo respected the right of Saragani Rep. Manny Pacquiao to lodge a libel case against him, but said a battery of women lawyers volunteered their services for the case.

The case stemmed from the stories of Espejo claiming that a carjacker who has been allegedly running a syndicate supposedly sought refuge in Pacquiao’s General Santos home to evade arrest.

Espejo, who has been a journalist since 1987, said it was however unfortunate that Pacquiao filed the libel case adding that it was never his intention to taint the reputation of the boxing star

“If he felt he was slighted, offended and hurt by the story, he is well within his right to file a libel case,” he pointed out.

As this developed, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) is urging the boxing champion turned lawmaker to drop the three-count P75-million libel suit he filed against Espejo.

The NUJP described the damage suit as unreasonable but intended not so much to collect the amount he demands but to harass Espejo and tie him up in the legal proceedings.

“We firmly believe Pacquiao errs in suing Mr. Espejo and seeking compensation that is patently outrageous,” said NUJP chair Nestor Burgos in a statement.

The alleged carjacker, Mohammad “Bong” Aquia, former head of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group in Central Mindanao, also sued Espejo for libel and sought P18 million.

“Although Espejo wrote that the boxing champion was unreachable for comment since he is in the US promoting his June 9 fight against Timothy Bradley, he did seek out Pacquiao’s lawyer, Francisco “Bong” Gacal who said he was not aware of reports Aquia had sought refuge in Pacquiao’s home,” said Burgos.

Espejo, a former editor of Sunstar General Santos, said that he did the story because he believed that he was doing it for public interest because Pacquiao is both a public figure and a public official.

Pacquiao camp: 70-30 split for winner offered to Mayweather

by ADRIAN DY, GMA NEWS


Team Pacquiao has reached out to Floyd Mayweather Jr. with an offer of 70 percent of the pay-per-view (PPV) money going to the winner of a possible bout between Manny Pacquiao and the undefeated American fighter, Pacquiao business advisor Rex "Wakee" Salud confirmed to GMA News Online.

The 70-30 split is the latest in the back-and-forth negotiations between the two factions, as money has become the latest stumbling block to getting the fight, boxing fans all over the world wanted to see, off the ground.


Mayweather first called Pacquiao personally, and offered the Sarangani congressman a flat $40 million amount to fight him, with the Grand Rapids, Michigan native keeping the entirety of the PPV money.

Top Rank CEO and Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum countered with a $50 million offer to Mayweather with Pacquiao getting the PPV proceeds, but that too was rejected by the five-division world champion.

The Pacquiao side then put on the table a 55-45 split, with the winner bagging the larger amount of the pot, but it was turned down again by Mayweather.

Afterwards, Mayweather announced that he was filling his May 5 contractual obligation with Miguel Cotto, while Pacquiao settled for Timothy Bradley Jr.

Salud is hopeful that this latest offer of a 70-30 split will be enough to entice Mayweather to arrange a fight date after "Money" serves his jail term for domestic abuse, but Mayweather has been adamant about getting the entire PPV pie, no questions asked.

In an interview with Bob Costas on NBC Sports, Mayweather said, "How my deal is structured at this particular time in the sport of boxing, I keep 100 percent of the revenue. So why should I even give a guy 50-50 if I'm out there?"

"I have record breaking numbers that I've done. He has no record breaking numbers. With or without Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather is okay."

Salud first broke news of the negotiations on the radio station DZSR 918.

In the past, Floyd Mayweather demanded that Pacquiao accept strict, Olympic-style drug testing. Eventually, Pacquiao accepted, as long as a neutral organization other than the US Anti-Doping Agency, did the tests.

Last January, Mayweather called Pac-man out repeatedly on Twitter, but this time, the bone of contention was the date of the fight. Mayweather wanted it to happen on May 5 at the MGM Grand to fulfill a contract he had signed, but Arum insisted on pushing the date back in order to construct an outdoor arena that would increase the number of seats and revenue.

Mayweather though, will be serving time starting in June, after a judge allowed his jail term for domestic abuse to be pushed back. — JVP, GMA News

Alsons to add power capacity

by Doris C. Dumlao

Philippine Daily Inquirer


Holding firm Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc. plans to build 600 megawatts in additional coal-fired power generating capacity in Mindanao within the next five years. In an interview on Friday at the sidelines of a mining forum, ACR chief finance officer Luis Ymson Jr. said that the first phase of the project, involving a coal-fired power plant in Maasim, Sarangani, would soon begin. Alsons still has to choose a partner with which to undertake the $280-million project. The company is considering between Japan’s Toyota Tsusho and Thailand’s Electricity Generating Pcl (EGCO), Ymson said. “If we start this year, we’ll be operational by 2014,” he said. The company hopes to seal the power deal with the strategic investor by end-April, Ymson said. ACR will get a 75-percent stake in the project while the foreign partner will acquire the remaining 25 percent. Of the $280-million power plant cost for the first phase of the Sarangani project, Ymson said 30 percent would be funded by equity and the remainder would be funded using debt. “It’s likely that whoever will be our partner in Sarangani will be our partner in the succeeding projects,” Ymson said. ACR is also building a 100-MW coal-fired power plant in Zamboanga, which will replace an existing 100-MW diesel plant. The old plant will be kept as backup to cover any spike in demand during peak hours, Ymson said. After putting up the combined 300 MW in additional capacity in Sarangani and Zamboanga City, Ymson said the group’s capacity would be doubled with the planned 300-MW coal-fired power plant to be put up near the Tampakan mining site in South Cotabato. ACR has a 19-percent interest in Australian mining firm Indophil Resources NL which, in turn, owns 37.8 percent of Tampakan operator Sagittarius Mines. It takes about three years to build a new power plant from scratch, Ymson explained. Apart from the 100-MW diesel-plant in Zamboanga, ACR has another 55 MW diesel-fired plant in General Santos. It is also buying back a 100-MW power plant foreclosed by the local government of Iligan City from the National Power Corp. ACR is also developing renewable energy projects, but Ymson said the company’s immediate priorities were the coal-fired power plants. Currently under development are the Siguil 17-MW hydropower project, also in Maasim, and another 40 MW plant in Negros Oriental.

Small man’s voice leads to big leaps in community

by Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper


CALL him “small” and Fr. Angelo “Angel” R. Buenavides will not mind.

After all, that is what he believes he is—a small man trying to make little contributions in the greater scheme of things, with the help of God and the people around him.

The young Angelo was attracted to the priesthood as early as six years old, after seeing that priests were being served by parishioners with good food and driving their own cars in the town of Norala in South Cotabato, where he spent his formative years.

But studying philosophy at the Notre Dame of Marbel University opened his eyes to the deeper calling of priesthood.

“Shortly after studying philosophy in the seminary, I worked for six weeks in a company in Cebu that makes mosquito coils. That was my way of learning how ordinary people experience the hard life. I worked as a laborer, shoveling coconut husks and cleaning the compound,” he shared.

He enjoyed the work but he admits ending the day feeling exhausted and asking himself how his fellow workers endured working for 36 hours without rest.

“They will grab every opportunity they can have to work overtime to earn additional pesos for their families. It was then that I resolved to be more sensitive to the less privileged members of society,” said Fr. Angel.

Finding his voice

He joined the South Cotabato Foundation Inc. where he worked for six months. The foundation was involved in upland farming. As the youngest staff member, he was responsible for organizing communities.

These two experiences strengthened his decision to complete his masters in Pastoral Theology at Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University, which he finished in 1997.

From there, his journey in serving the Lord took an interesting turn.

“I was very passionate about the things that I did and I was full of idealism after theology studies. I was then assigned as assistant parish priest in Sto. Nino, South Cotabato,” he recalled.

He moved to different parishes within South Cotabato until he was tasked to be station director of DXCP-CMN AM Radio in General Santos City, Sarangani province.

Alongside his newly-found calling as a broadcaster, he became involved in the implementation of the Integrated Rehabilitation Project for indigenous people in Barangay (village) Gasi, Kiamba town in Sarangani Province. The project was funded by United Nations Development Program Stride Mindanao, which involved building core shelters, water systems, barangay health centers, and giving capacity-building for eventual livelihood establishment, food security and psycho-social interventions.

Fr. Angel said the village has 320 families with 97 percent coming from the T’boli tribe. Because it is a remote barangay, households plant corn, vegetables, banana and coffee for personal consumption.

“You could say they are far from civilization. Most of the people think that there is no way for them to improve their lives in Gasi. Even young girls get married at a young age of 13 or 14. Development is limited,” said Fr. Angel.

A channel of peace

The village’s remote location is an ideal traversing point of armed groups, making it one of the conflict-vulnerable communities in Sarangani Province.

With his exposure in Barangay Gasi, Fr. Angelo realized his own definition of peace—that is, “food on the table.”

“One day is not enough to see what areas you can enter to help the people. The more I was exposed to the situation, the more I realized that it’s not just about implementing the project… I reckon that there has to be a deeper involvement of the community,” explained Fr. Angel.

From this realization, he opened the lines of communication between the lumads, Christians and Muslims—helping them realize that they are not enemies in achieving peace but rather crucial factors in peace and development.

Fr. Angel also encouraged the military to join in the peace advocacy. He used his skills as a multi-cultural facilitator in making the tri-people see what the military can contribute in their lives.

Fr. Angel was able to mobilize the army in transporting housing equipment to the community. They worked hand in hand with the tri-people.

According to Lt. Col. Adolfo B. Espuelas Jr. of the 73rd Infantry Brigade in Sarangani Province: “Nakaka-partner na kami sa mga tao na dati natatakot sa amin dahil nga may baril at naka-uniporme kami. Ngayon, ngumingiti na sila amin. Dahil yun kay Father. (We can now work as partners with the people who used to be afraid of us because we carry guns and wear military uniform. They now smile at us. That is because of Fr. Angel.)”

His charisma and ability to gather people from different fields make Fr. Angel an excellent communicator. These talents convinced the Diocese of Marbel to appoint him as station director of the diocese-owned, DXCP-CMN AM Radio in General Santos City.

He held the post from 2005 to 2011.

Managing challenge

Fr. Angel also served as the chairperson of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, SarGen Area, and vice president of the Catholic Media Network in Mindanao. He is the convenor of the Socsargen (South Cotabato, Sarangani, General Santos) Peace Network and assistant regional coordinator of KONSULT Mindanao.

“I was made station director of the diocese-owned radio station when it was almost bankrupt. We had P600,000 in debt and we had no idea how to pay that amount,” Fr. Angel admitted.

But with his gift of gab and the skills to find solutions when there seem to be none, Fr. Angel gathered resources from loyal supporters and friends. They were able to pay the station’s debt in six months.

After settling the station’s financial obligation, he proceeded to revive the KBP in 2005—a decision that opened another door for him to serve the public.

At 41, he is proud to have been able to establish the tri-youth volunteers group. As KPB chairperson, Fr. Angel made it possible for fellow broadcasters and reporters to be trained in peace development reporting. He also organized the Catholics and lumads to join in the important Muslim religious feast, Eid Al Fitr.

Today, he serves as the media director and spokesperson of the Diocese of Marbel. He is responsible for all media-related activities and handles the diocese’s official publication, Concern.

Keeping it simple

Where does he get all the strength to serve people?

Fr. Angel said he first saw genuine public service in the examples of his parents, who are both teachers. Growing up, he witnessed how dedicated they were in molding young minds to become better citizens of the country and to be persons who are willing to help their fellow Filipinos.

He was not born in an affluent family but Fr. Angel said he enjoyed his simple life—swimming in the river, riding the carabao and playing random games with peers.

This simplicity, he practices until today.

“I am so blessed with my life that I feel I have to give so much. There is still so much work to be done, so many responsibilities to fulfill. But I find meaning in all these engagements. When I see people’s lives getting better, I find joy. I cannot exchange that for anything,” said Fr. Angel.

(Fr. Angelo “Angel” R. Buenavides is one of five finalists for the Ramon Aboitiz Award for Exemplary Individual. The 5th RAFI Triennial Awards will be handed out on March 22, 2012.)

Village opts for school building as priority project

by Cocoy Sexcion


KIAMBA, Sarangani, March 2 (PIA) – A Department of Education (DepEd) official lauded the barangay council and community of barangay Salakit for choosing a school building project over other sub-projects under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program.

During the turnover and inauguration ceremony of a three-classroom building for Salakit National High School Wednesday (February 29), Dr. Ruth Estacio, assistant schools division superintendent, quoted that “Whatever you want to put into a nation, put it into her school.”

“If we want to invest in our nation, let’s invest in educating our youth because we need professionals in building our nation,” Estacio said. “So with that, I congratulate all of the people behind the success of this project.”

KALAHI-CIDSS is the Philippine government’s flagship poverty-alleviation project implemented by the DSWD through the financial support of the World Bank.

The three-classroom school building with a total cost of P1,684,552.50 was funded through a counterparting scheme by KALAHI-CIDSS that contributed P968,261 and provincial government of Sarangani with P669,140.70 for the completion of the project.

The municipal government of Kiamba counterparted P6,396.25 while the barangay council of Salakit contributed P6,103.75 and the community with a contribution of P34,650. The project will benefit 392 households from the seven puroks of the barangay.

Barangay Captain Onofre Donato thanked Governor Migs Dominguez for approving the budget needed as the province’s counterpart for the completion of the project.

According to KALAHI-CIDSS workers, in Kiamba alone a total of six sub-projects have been implemented with a total cost of P10,556,500. This is broken down to P8,550,000 from KALAHI-CIDSS and P2,006,500 from local counterparts contribution. These projects are elementary schools in barangay Badtasan and barangay Gasi; high schools in barangay Salakit, barangay Kling and barangay Lomuyon; and river flood control project in barangay Luma. (PIO Sarangani/CT Apelacio/PIA General Santos City)





Glan to host 2012 joint RP-US naval exercise

by (GLAN Info and News Service/PIA General Santos City)


GLAN, Sarangani, Feb. 28 (PIA) — The next joint RP Navy-US Navy exercise of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) will be held here on June 28-July 9, this year.

Codenamed “Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Exercise 2012,” the two-week activity aims to strengthen the relationship of both navies and enhance their mutual co-operation, said Navy Lt. Joseph Armand Sieras, NFEM operations officer.

For its Civil Military Operations (CMO), CARAT 2012 will conduct Medical Civic Action Program (MEDCAP), Dental Civic Action Program (DENCAP), Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP) and Community Relations (COMREL) in selected barangays.

“Through these programs we hope to improve the quality of life and the general health and welfare of local residents, including government employees, and enable both navies to build a more personal relationship with them,” Sieras told Mayor Victor James B. Yap, Sr. in a briefing.

Assisted by local government personnel, a joint survey team, led by US Navy Captain Wally Lovely, visited several possible sites for the CMO activities, including Glan Central Elementary School and Glan School of Arts and Trades.

The team later met with Gov. Migs Dominguez and Mayor Yap for the formal acceptance rites held aboard the RPS Miguel Malvar at the Glan Wharf.

In brief remarks, Mayor Yap thanked the NFEM for choosing Glan as this year’s venue for CARAT, saying the event would help highlight the town’s growing importance, both from economic and strategic standpoints.

“People following up the developments on television will be able to see our beautiful white sand beaches, our rich vegetation, and the hospitality and gaiety of our people. That would be a big boost to our own tourism development efforts,” he said.

Dubbed "Coconut Queen of the South", this colonial town is home to the now famous Gumasa beaches. (GLAN Info and News Service/PIA General Santos City)






BFAR deploys 4 more patrol boats in Sarangani Bay

by (PNA)

FFC/AVE


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Feb. 27 (PNA) – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) deployed four more patrol boats over the weekend along the critical Bay to reinforce its ongoing operations against illegal fishing activities in the area.

Ambutong Pautong, assistant director of BFAR Region 12, said they assigned the new patrol boats to secure the seas off four coastal municipalities of Sarangani province against incursions from commercial fishing boats and other illegal fishing violations.

“The patrol boats will be utilized for the enforcement of various fishery laws and other activities related to the protection and conservation of the bay’s biodiversity,” he said.

The fishery official said the deployment of the patrol boats was based on a memorandum of agreement signed by BFAR with the local governments of Maasim, Glan, Kiamba and Maitum in Sarangani.

Under the agreement, BFAR tapped the four local government units (LGUs) to assist its campaign against illegal fishing along the Sarangani Bay, which is a declared protected seascape.

The LGUs were tasked to operate and maintain the four patrol boats, which were made of 135 horse power speed boats.

A BFAR report said each patrol boat costs about P1.9 million.

Pautong said they turned over the patrol boats following the completion last Friday of the three-day training on familiarization and maintenance of the units for selected employees of the recipient local governments.

The training was facilitated by BFAR personnel led by its national marine fisheries head Alma Dickson.

BFAR and the provincial government of Sarangani earlier intensified its monitoring against illegal fishing activities along the Sarangani Bay due to the reported operations of some commercial fishing boats in portion of its tuna-rich waters.

In late November, around 20 tons of dead skipjack tuna were washed into the shores of Maasim town after they were dumped by small commercial fishing boats that utilize the likom method or net fishing.

The likom fishing boats reportedly overfished and were forced to dump some of their catches along the bay due to their limited capacity.

Under Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code, commercial fishing boats were barred from operating within the 15-kilometer municipal waters.

Last year, a significant portion of the critical Bacud Reef off Kiamba town was destroyed after a foreign cargo vessel ran aground in the area for about five weeks.

The vessel’s owners agreed in November to a settlement of P20 million with the local government of Sarangani after it was found liable by the Philippine Coast Guard’s Special Board of Marine Inquiry for the damages on the reef.





Four Sarangani towns get high-speed patrol boats from BFAR

02/25/2012

by (Abner Arzaga/MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL)


FOUR SARANGANI TOWNS GET HIGH-SPEED PATROL BOATS FROM BFAR :: KIAMBA, Sarangani (February 25, 2012) - (L-R) Glan Senior Administrative Officer Patrick Yap, Kiamba Municipal Agriculturist Angeline Gulmatico, Maasim Mayor Jose Zamorro, National Marine Fisheries Chief Alma Dickson, Maitum Vice Mayor Tito Balazon and Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Assistant Regional Director Ambutong Pautong pose after signing the Memorandum of Agreement during the turnover ceremony and culmination of the three-day seminar on familiarization and maintenance of patrol boat at Woodbridge Beach Resort Friday, February 24. Funded by the Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, the four high-speed boats worth P1.9 million each were awarded to the coastal municipalities of Maitum, Kiamba, Maasim and Glan to enforce fishery laws and to protect the biodiversity of Sarangani waters.






Pacman’s ‘pal’ carnap king

by Alfred Dalizon


GENERAL Santos City – He is known for his association with prominent personalities led by boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao but officials have warned these very important persons to stay away from this man, tagged as behind a well-entrenched car theft syndicate in the country.

The man named Bong Akia alias “Mohammad Timpolok Aquia” is now facing charges for violation of the anti-carnapping act and the anti-fencing law after agents of the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group under Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina recovered 26 stolen motor vehicles traced to the suspect.

PNP Director General Nicanor A. Bartolome described Akia’s group as a “well-entrenched car theft ring” engaged in buying stolen motor vehicles in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon and transporting them to Mindanao.

The Journal Group learned that unknown to his many friends including Pacquiao, Akia is using his ties with prominent personalities including politicians, law enforcement and local government officials and even members of the media to carry out his illicit trade.

Officials said last month, HPG agents failed to arrest Akia when he suddenly joined Rep. Pacquiao in his vehicle and stayed at his mansion.

The suspect, who sensed that undercover officers are tailing him, joined the boxing icon all the way to his palatial house in Sarangani where he spent the night.

The operation to get Bong Akia came in the wake of the continuing tracking operation and investigation conducted by the PNP-HPG against the so-called “Baktin Carnapping Group” in Western Visayas and Central Mindanao.






The couple's gift to Muhammad Ali was a painting created by Pinoy artist Jun Aquino

by MAUREEN MARIE BELMONTE


Sarangani representative and eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao believes that someone ought to be held accountable for the mobbing of Filipino boxer Jonriel Casimero and his team after a boxing bout in Mar del Plata, Argentina on Feb. 11. According to the Philippine embassy in Buenos Aires, Casimero, his trainer Christopher Tepor, and boxing manager and promoter, Samson Gello-Aniwere, were attacked for 10 minutes by fight fans after the Filipino lifted the IBF super-flyweight title from Argentinian fighter Luis Alberto Lazarte. The Philippine flag was likewise trampled on during the incident. A previous Manila Bulletin report dated Feb. 15 noted that the Senate rose to Casimero's defense, with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile calling on the Ambassador of Argentina to the Philippines to "explain why his people have the temerity to assault the flag, the honor, the dignity of this country represented by our boxer who went to that country thinking that it is a civilized country, and not a country of abnormal, uncivilized people. Pacquiao, meanwhile, said in a taped "Unang Hirit" interview aired on Monday that, "Do'n sa naging laban ni Casimero sa Argentina dapat imbestigahan nang mabuti 'yon kung sino ang managot, paano nagkagulo at bakit hindi na-control ng mga pulis o nung mga bantay doon sa event na 'yon ['yung mga tao]." An icon's birthday On a lighter and celebratory note, the "UH" report noted that Pacman, together with his wife Jinkee Pacquiao, hobnobbed with big sports icons and Hollywood stars in the recently concluded 70th birthday party-cum-charity event for boxing legend Muhammad Ali. The Pacquiaos graced the lavish gala held at the MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on Feb 18 [US Time], bearing their gift to the boxing icon—a painting created by Pinoy artist Jun Aquino. Aside from the Pacquiaos, among the prizefighter's other guests were Andre Agassi, Sugar Ray Leonard, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Samuel Jackson, Cindy Crawford, Stevie Wonder, Bob Arum, Terrence Howard, David Beckham, Anthony Hopkins, and Lenny Kravitz. To cap off the star-studded party, Ali received a video message from US President Barack Obama telling him that he "shocked the world" and "inspired it too." Ali is suffering from Parkinson's disease; hence the proceeds of the celebration would go to the Cleveland clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, which is known for battling against neurological disorders, and to the Muhammad Ali Center, a cultural and educational center in Louisville, Kentucky. Court sidetrip Apart from attending Ali's birthday celebration, a separate Manila Bulletin report, also on Feb. 15, mentioned that Pacquiao flew to the US also for his deposition—a sworn testimony taken before a trial—in connection with the grave oral defamation case he filed against the abrasively outspoken American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. In the same report, Pacquiao's deposition was said to be scheduled last Feb. 17. He was also said to have been joined by his American lawyers during the legal proceeding, according to the Filipino fighter's legal adviser Franklin Gacal. The case was filed last year, stemming from Mayweather's statements in which he charged that Pacquiao used performance-enhancing drugs whenever he would train for a fight.






5 NPA rebels yield in Sarangani

by (PNA)

DCT/LAM/AVE


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Feb. 22 (PNA) -– Five more suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in the mountains of Sarangani province have surrendered in the last several days to government troops in the area.

Lt. Col. Adolfo Espuelas Jr., commander of the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion, said Wednesday that four rebels initially yielded and renewed their allegiance to the government over the weekend in Glan town in Sarangani.

He said the rebels just turned up and signified their surrender during a community gathering led by their troops in Barangay Datal Bukay in Glan.

The official identified the surrenderees as Isda Magwan alias “Kumander Isda,” Reynoso Masahon, Junard Tambasan and Arcie Yata, all residents of the municipality.

He said the rebels each yielded a 12-gauge shotgun that they reportedly used in previous operations launched by their group in the area.

“They mainly decided to surrender because of their difficult situation in the mountains,” Espuelas said in a radio interview.

On Tuesday, he said another NPA rebel identified as Edwin Dulay, 19, surrendered to their peace and development team in Alabel town.

Dulay, who is a resident of Sitio Tinungcaan of Datal Angas in Alabel, claimed to be a former member of the Squad 2, Platoon Lawin of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 71.

Espuelas said Dulay decided to abandon his unit and return to the government’s fold due to the uncertainty of their cause and the “severe hunger” they were experiencing in the mountains.

“Their (NPA rebels) situation in the mountains was getting difficult because of our relentless operations. So we expect more of them to also surrender soon,” he said.

Espuelas added that the surrenderees are set to receive food and other relief assistance from the Sarangani provincial government and will be later included to the national government’s Balik Baril program.






Pacman Favors Investigation Of Argentina Boxing Riot; Graces Muhammad Ali's Birthday

by MAUREEN MARIE BELMONTE


MANILA, Philippines – Sarangani representative and eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao believes that someone ought to be held accountable for the mobbing of Filipino boxer Jonriel Casimero and his team after a boxing bout in Mar del Plata, Argentina on Feb. 11.

According to the Philippine embassy in Buenos Aires, Casimero, his trainer Christopher Tepor, and boxing manager and promoter, Samson Gello-Aniwere, were attacked for 10 minutes by fight fans after the Filipino lifted the IBF super-flyweight title from Argentinian fighter Luis Alberto Lazarte. The Philippine flag was likewise trampled on during the incident.

A previous Manila Bulletin report dated Feb. 15 noted that the Senate rose to Casimero’s defense, with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile calling on the Ambassador of Argentina to the Philippines to “explain why his people have the temerity to assault the flag, the honor, the dignity of this country represented by our boxer who went to that country thinking that it is a civilized country, and not a country of abnormal, uncivilized people.’’

Pacquiao, meanwhile, said in a taped “Unang Hirit” interview aired on Monday that, “Do’n sa naging laban ni Casimero sa Argentina dapat imbestigahan nang mabuti ‘yon kung sino ang managot, paano nagkagulo at bakit hindi na-control ng mga pulis o nung mga bantay doon sa event na ‘yon [‘yung mga tao].”

An icon’s birthday

On a lighter and celebratory note, the “UH” report noted that Pacman, together with his wife Jinkee Pacquiao, hobnobbed with big sports icons and Hollywood stars in the recently concluded 70th birthday party-cum-charity event for boxing legend Muhammad Ali.

The Pacquiaos graced the lavish gala held at the MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on Feb 18 [US Time], bearing their gift to the boxing icon—a painting created by Pinoy artist Jun Aquino.

Aside from the Pacquiaos, among the prizefighter’s other guests were Andre Agassi, Sugar Ray Leonard, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Samuel Jackson, Cindy Crawford, Stevie Wonder, Bob Arum, Terrence Howard, David Beckham, Anthony Hopkins, and Lenny Kravitz.

To cap off the star-studded party, Ali received a video message from US President Barack Obama telling him that he “shocked the world” and “inspired it too.”

Ali is suffering from Parkinson’s disease; hence the proceeds of the celebration would go to the Cleveland clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, which is known for battling against neurological disorders, and to the Muhammad Ali Center, a cultural and educational center in Louisville, Kentucky.

Court sidetrip

Apart from attending Ali’s birthday celebration, a separate Manila Bulletin report, also on Feb. 15, mentioned that Pacquiao flew to the US also for his deposition—a sworn testimony taken before a trial—in connection with the grave oral defamation case he filed against the abrasively outspoken American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.

In the same report, Pacquiao’s deposition was said to be scheduled last Feb. 17. He was also said to have been joined by his American lawyers during the legal proceeding, according to the Filipino fighter’s legal adviser Franklin Gacal.

The case was filed last year, stemming from Mayweather’s statements in which he charged that Pacquiao used performance-enhancing drugs whenever he would train for a fight.






GenSan hosts 7th BIMP-EAGA friendship games in December

by Bong S. Sarmiento


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/19 Feb) — The “Tuna Capital of the Philippines” will host the 7th friendship games among member-countries of the East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA) on December 8 to 12. EAGA comprises Brunei, East Indonesia, East Malaysia and the Philippines’ Mindanao and Palawan. Joaquin Loyzaga, executive director of the Philippine Sports Commission, said that aside from General Santos City, Sarangani province is also a partner in the staging of the friendship games. The world’s best pound-for-pound fighter, Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, is currently the representative of Sarangani in the House of Representative. Pacquiao and Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez had earlier expressed support for the hosting of the 7th BIMP-EAGA friendship games. “Among the games to be played are lawn tennis, athletics (track and field), badminton, sepak takraw, swimming and table tennis”, Loyzaga said in a statement. He added that each country will have separate teams for boys and girls except for sepak takraw which will be exclusive for boys. The event is open to all athletes from EAGA countries 21 years old and under. At a high-level recent meeting, a roadshow covering the four participating countries was proposed by the General Santos City Tourism Office to help promote culture, tourism, sports and trade, and improve linkages and ties between the delegates and their respective countries along with the event itself. Loyzaga said they are hoping to bring more sports programs outside Manila, especially in Mindanao. Luwalhati Antonino, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority, said the BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games is an opportunity not just for sports development but also for tourism promotion and improvement of ties among the focus areas of EAGA. “We are advancing our BIMP-EAGA initiatives in this particular area of cooperation to promote the sub-region as a melting pot of sports talents and world class athletes while showcasing our culture” said Antonino, who is also the Philippine signing minister to EAGA. BIMP-EAGA is an economic cooperation formally created in 1994, covering the entire Brunei Darussalam; 10 provinces in the Indonesian islands of Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku and Irian Jaya; Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan in Malaysia; and Mindanao and Palawan in the Philippines. The ASEAN sub-grouping is a mechanism primarily intended to spur development in the lagging sub-economies of the member countries by boosting intra-EAGA trade, tourism and investments. (Bong Sarmiento/MindaNews)






Pacquiao To Meet Lin In New York

by NICK GIONGCO


MANILA, Philippines — Plans are afoot for Filipino Manny Pacquiao and Taiwanese-American Jeremy Lin to meet up on Wednesday in New York, a day before the Filipino’s scheduled press conference there and the New York Knicks guard’s match with the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden.

Pacquiao is now in the US to fulfill a myriad of commitments from having his deposition taken in relation with the defamation suit against Floyd Mayweather Jr., an endorsement gig with Nike, and holding press conferences in Los Angeles (Beverly Hills Hotel, Feb. 21) and New York (Chelsea Piers, Feb. 23) to promote his June 9 fight with Tim Bradley in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao’s promoter, Top Rank big boss Bob Arum, is moving heaven and earth for the meeting to take place in the light of the meteoric rise of the 23-year-old Lin, who has taken the NBA by storm by virtue of monster numbers in the Knicks’ last seven games.

Arum, a native son of Brooklyn, New York, is at the forefront of leading Pacquiao to greater heights even though Pacquiao’s ring exploits have actually made him an immortal sports hero.

Rubbing elbows with NBA stars has become a practice for Pacquiao, who has met with the likes of Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce and Hollywood stars through the years in the US and the Philippines.

Pacquiao is a hoops junkie and owns a team, the MP Gensan Warriors, which he regularly trains with during his free time.

Lin, like Pacquiao, was passed over when he was trying to make a name for himself in the US.

Lin was released by two NBA teams before finding a home in the Big Apple, while US promoters hardly took a second look at an obscure Asian puncher when he went to the US in 2001.

But after a smashing debut underneath an Oscar De La Hoya-headliner in June, 2001, the US fight scene went gaga over Pacquiao.

Meanwhile, Top Rank said tickets to the Pacquiao-Bradley world welterweight title match at the MGM Grand will become available to the public starting Feb. 24.

The premium ringside seat costs $1,200, while others are priced at $900, $600, $400, and $200.

Meanwhile, the leadership in the House of Representatives is still impressed with Pacquiao despite official records revealing that the Sarangani lawmaker has only attended 38 of the total number of 59 plenary sessions held last year.

“That’s a good record considering his absences were for his fights, which projected the country positively,” said House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. (With a report from Rio Rose Ribaya)






Pacquiao ponders retirement

by goldstardailynews.com


AFTER bidding goodbye to his prized fighting cocks, Manila casino and entertainment joint in General Santos City several weeks ago, world boxing sensation and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao is now considering giving up his boxing gloves for good in favor of his faith and "Biblecentered" life. Pacquiao disclosed that he is seriously leaning on retiring from boxing after his scheduled June 9 World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title fi ght against American brawler Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas, Nevada. "Hindi maganda na nagseshare ako ng salita ng Panginoon tapos nananakit ako ng kapwa (It's not right that I share God's word and at the same time hurt other people)," he told reporters after gracing the oath-taking of newly-promoted personnel of the Army's 73rd Infantry Battalion in Maasim town in Sarangani.

The neophyte Sarangani lawmaker, who already made a good fortune from his boxing exploits since his ring debut 16 years ago, said he wants to concentrate more on sharing his faith and at the same time on helping his poor constituents. "I've gained more than enough blessings these past years so I think it's time for me to return the favor," he said in Filipino. In September last year, Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank was reported in the media as saying that the former supposedly plans to retire from boxing by the end of 2013 after running for governor of Sarangani province.

Pacquiao's mother Dionisia had asked him several times to quit boxing and just focus on his businesses and budding political career but to no avail. On the other hand, Pacquiao said he would only retire from boxing once his famed trainer Freddie Roach sees him slowing down or his vaunted punching power waning out. After his cont roversial unanimous win over Mexican nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez last November, Pacquiao was initially reported to have started attending Bible studies through the help of a Protestant pastor. Mayor Reynaldo Constantino of Malungon, Sarangani, a close ally of Pacquiao, earlier said the latter has so far become a "changed man" as a result of his new found passion for studying the Bible.

Pacquiao, who made the headlines in the past for his alleged affairs with other women as well as his gambling and drinking habits, has reportedly sold a casino that he operates in a Manila hotel and disposed of his fighting cocks. He also shut down recently his J-Mix restaurant and bar, where he used to treat his friends for drinks and billiard games. Earlier this month, Pacquiao accepted an offer from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to become the Church's "Bible ambassador." With his impending retirement, the ring icon's highly anticipated showdown with undefeated American champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. and fourth face-off with Marquez now appears in limbo.

The Pacquiao camp earlier tried to sign up Mayweather Jr. for a May 5 brawl but the initial talks eventually went nowhere reportedly due to differences on the sharing percentages of the mega-fight's anticipated earnings. Mayweather Jr. decided instead to go with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto while Pacquiao settled on Bradley for their May and June fights, respectively. Two years ago, the two future boxing hall of famers were supposed to be primed up for a fight but it was later scrapped after both camps failed to agree on their pre-fight drug testing method. PNA






Pacquiao To Ruffle Mayweather's Feathers

by NICK GIONGCO


MANILA, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao gets the chance to ruffle Floyd Mayweather’s feathers on Friday (Saturday in Manila) in Las Vegas when he takes his deposition in connection with the defamation case he filed against the outspoken American boxer.

A deposition is a sworn testimony that is taken before a trial and Pacquiao will be joined by his American lawyers during the legal proceeding, according to the Filipino fighter’s legal adviser Franklin Gacal.

The case was filed last year, owing to Mayweather’s statements charging that Pacquiao had used performance-enhancing drugs whenever he trained for a fight.

Also part of the lawsuit were Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) president and owner Oscar De La Hoya and GBP chief executive officer Richard Schaefer and the case was dropped against them after a public apology was issued.

Lending a hand to Pacquiao’s case against Mayweather are lawyers David Marosso and Daniel Petrocelli.

“The case against Mayweather is very strong,” Petrocelli told the Bulletin.

There is bad blood between Pacquiao and Mayweather and their animosity towards each other reached fever-pitch a couple of weeks ago when efforts to stage a fight between them fell apart for the third time, owing to a disagreement on revenue-sharing.

Mayweather has signed to face Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico on May 5 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, while Pacquiao has agreed to fight Tim Bradley on June 9 also at the MGM Grand.

It is uncertain whether another round of talks would be done assuming they win their coming fights.

Pacquiao, 33, leaves for the US Thursday night and is expected to fly back to Manila immediately after the deposition.

Meanwhile, Filipino boxing idol and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny’” Pacquiao celebrated Valentine’s Day with wife Jinkee and family members by holding a Bible study session at his exclusive resort in Barangay Tuka, Sarangani Province.

Pacquiao spent a two-day vacation in his newly developed white beach resort in Barangay Tuka in Kiamba town where he was joined by relatives, friends, and some movie personalities, including Dennis Padilla, Long Mejia, Paulo Contes, Benjie Paras, Onyok Velasco and Blakdyak.

Pastors Sam Martinez and Boy Buan presided over the Bible study and sharing activities for two days where Pacquiao and Jinkee even led the singing of Christian gospel songs.

The Filipino boxing idol has been undergoing reformation for the past months and become active in holding Bible study sessions. As a gesture that he is deemed serious in his reformation process, Pacquiao even sold his shares in casino and nightclub businesses in Manila and disposed of all his fighting cocks on his breeding farm in Malungon, Sarangani Province,

“I’m satisfied and happy now with my new lifestyle where I can spend enough time for my family without my usual activities hanging out with friends in bars and casinos,” Pacquaio said.

Manny gave Jinkee roses last Tuesday,Valentines Day, shortly before the Bible study began, which delved on the biblical verses of God’s love to humanity.

After the Bible study, Pacquiao sponsored parlor games participated in by his family members, employees, and guests, including local officials and media with total prizes of more than P1 million.






Pacman considering giving up boxing in favor of the Bible

by Allen V. Estabillo


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/13 February) – After bidding goodbye to his prized fighting cocks, Manila casino and entertainment joint here several weeks ago, world boxing sensation and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao is now considering giving up his boxing gloves for good in favor of his faith and “Bible-centered” life. Pacquiao disclosed over the weekend that he is seriously leaning on retiring from boxing after his scheduled June 9 World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title fight against American brawler Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Hindi maganda na nagse-share ako ng salita ng Panginoon tapos nananakit ako ng kapwa (It’s not right that I share God’s word and at the same time hurt other people),” he told reporters after gracing the oath-taking of newly-promoted personnel of the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion in Maasim town in Sarangani. The neophyte Sarangani lawmaker, who already made a good fortune from his boxing exploits since his ring debut 16 years ago, said he wants to concentrate more on sharing his faith and at the same time on helping his poor constituents. “I’ve gained more than enough blessings these past years so I think it’s time for me to return the favor,” he said in Filipino. In September last year, Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank was reported in the media as saying that the former supposedly plans to retire from boxing by the end of 2013 after running for governor of Sarangani province. Pacquiao’s mother Dionisia had asked him several times to quit from boxing and just focus on his businesses and budding political career to no avail. On the other hand, Pacquiao said he would only retire from boxing once his famed trainer Freddie Roach sees him slowing down or his vaunted punching power waning out. After his controversial unanimous win over Mexican nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez last November, Pacquiao was initially reported to have started attending Bible studies through the help of a Protestant pastor. Mayor Reynaldo Constantino of Malungon, Sarangani, a close ally of Pacquiao, earlier said the latter has so far become a “changed man” as a result of his newfound passion for studying the Bible. Pacquiao, who made the headlines in the past for his alleged affairs with other women as well as his gambling and drinking habits, has reportedly sold a casino that he operates in a Manila hotel and disposed of his fighting cocks. He also shut down recently his J-Mix restaurant and bar, where he used to treat his friends for drinks and billiard games. Earlier this month, Pacquiao accepted an offer from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to become the Church’s “Bible ambassador.” With his impending retirement, the ring icon’s highly-anticipated showdown with undefeated American champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. and fourth face-off with Marquez now appears in limbo. The Pacquiao camp earlier tried to sign up Mayweather Jr. for a May 5 brawl but the initial talks eventually went nowhere reportedly due to differences on the sharing percentages of the mega-fight’s anticipated earnings. Mayweather Jr. decided instead to go with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto while Pacquiao settled on Bradley for their May and June fights, respectively. Two years ago, the two future boxing hall of famers were supposed to be primed up for a fight but it was later scrapped after both camps couldn’t settle on the pre-fight drug testing method. (Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews)






Sarangani is paradise for thrill-seekers

by CARMELA G. LAPEÑA, GMA News


At the southern tip of the Philippines is the province of Sarangani, whose name comes from "sarang-ani," meaning "this is our territory" in Malay.

The province is in Mindanao's Socsksargen Region, which includes South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City.

Home to the indigenous communities of B'laan, Tagakaolo, T'boli, Manobo, Ubo, and Kalagan, Sarangani is rich with Filipino culture.

The province is also the hometown of world champion boxer and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao's wife, Jinkee.

Already popular for its powdery white sand beaches, Sarangani takes things up a notch with its array of activities for thrill-seekers. From white water tubing to zip lining, this is definitely a place for the adventurous.

Although it is quite a distance from Manila, the trip is more than worth it, as Weekend Warriors Jigs Maniega and Angelo Salcedo found out last month.

Sarangani in two days

The cousins headed to Sarangani for an unforgettable two days, enjoying the usual vacation activities like swimming and eating. But they also had to complete some unusual tasks, as all Weekend Warriors must. It was all worth it, as they discovered. It was all part of the Sarangani experience.

The adventure began with white water tubing down the 1.6-kilometer Pangi River in Maitum. White water tubing is like rafting, except you sit on an inflated rubber tire instead of a raft. The ride lasts for 25 minutes, and every second is filled with screams of delight. There is the danger of falling off, but there are always guides on an attached tube behind you.

For another kind of adrenaline rush, visit the IML Eco Park, an all adventure resort where you can pretend to fly on a 580-meter zip line, or test your shooting skills at a world-class firing range.

If riding the rapids doesn't appeal to you, visit the Maitum Municipal Hall instead to see the replicas of Maitum anthropomorphic jars, which date back to the Metal Age. In 1991, the secondary burial jars were found by a team led by National Museum Archaeology Curator Eusebio Dizon. The actual jars are on display at the National Museum, but they were discovered in Piñol Cave, which is not far from the Maitum Municipal Hall.

If you have enough time, you can visit the cave itself and see the bat sanctuary, where you can find hundreds of thousands of giant golden crowned flying fox bats. You could also head to the Pawikan Nesting Sanctuary in Old Poblacion, where you can see green turtles, hawksbill turtles and the Olive Ridley. Over 3,000 hatchlings have been released into the ocean from the sanctuary since it was established in 2003 by Danilo C. Dequiña.

Oldest town

For some history, visit Glan, the oldest town in Socsksargen. Glan was Agricultural Colony No. 9, headed by Cebuano Don Tranquilino Ruiz, who was appointed superintendent by Governor General Francis Burton Harrison in 1914. Don Ruiz's house still stands, and it is filled with antique furniture, paintings, bottles, jars and other memorabilia including a komoda which was made by a Japanese carpenter in 1921.

You can also learn how to produce copra, one of the province's main industries. Watch as they remove the coconut's skin, then halve the nut in order to extract the liquid, which will be made into oil. The rest of the nut is burnt and turned into coal. It sounds simple enough, but as Jigs and Angelo discovered, it takes a lot of strength.

"Kasi process 'yun eh. 'Pag kopra kailangan tatanggalin namin 'yung balat nung buko na natuyo na tapos bibiyakin. Tatanggalin 'yung laman, paghihiwalayin, susunugin 'yung pinaka-niyog, 'yung bao ng niyog. Sa una sobrang struggle. Pagbalat pa lang kailangan talaga ng strength. Nung una pa lang hindi ko na matanggal...nahirapan talaga ako," says Jigs.

Even Angelo, who had previous experience, found it difficult. "Natataranta nga ako kasi hindi na ako sanay. Ang tagal na. Five years na akong hindi nakakapag-kopra," he shares.

Tuna fishing

Make sure to visit Sarangani Bay, the largest producer of fish in Southern Mindanao. Sarangani is famous for its export-quality tuna, and as the Weekend Warriors learned, it takes a lot to prepare the fish perfectly. Their mission: to get five fish from a boat, weigh the fish, and then clean them. In the end, they managed to weigh and clean 110 kilos of tuna.

As a reward, they were brought to Gumasa Beach, where the sand is powdery white and the water is crystal clear. "Ang ganda kasi. 'Yung sand nila super fine na white talaga. Ang presko nung tubig, saka ang clear, ang ganda," says Jigs.

Angelo observes that the beach is pristine, because they're very strict about their no littering policy.

"Kahit anong dumi wala kaming nakita. The best, ang ganda," says Angelo.

For a P1,500-diving fee, you can marvel at the countless colorful and unique fish at Lemlunay Resort, a well-known diving spot in Sarangani.

"Nakaka-amaze sa ilalim, ang ganda! Ang daming isda, nakaka-amaze na na-preserve nila 'yung mga ganung isdaan," says Angelo.

You'll definitely work up an appetite after diving, and there's no better dish than fresh kinilaw to make your hunger pangs disappear. This dish of raw fish marinated in spiced vinegar is the Filipino version of ceviche, a Latin American preparation method which uses citrus juice.

With all the things to do and sights to see, a couple of days will surely feel like too short a time, and it won't be easy to leave a beautiful place like Sarangani.

"Hindi siya the usual na probinsiya na pupuntahan kasi parang sa tao parang silent killer na parang wala lang, walang ganito sa Sarangani. 'Yun pala kapag na-explore mo 'yung buong lugar, ang dami mong pwedeng gawin, ang dami mong puwedeng matutunan, ang dami mong puwedeng maranasan. Ang ganda," says Jigs. — KG, GMA News

BFAR notes Alsons Aquaculture breakthrough into China

by BusinessMirror.com.ph


HE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is batting for value adding by aquaculture companies, saying the time has come for local milkfish and other fish species to find markets overseas. BFAR Director Asis G. Perez said aquaculture companies can produce fillets and special byproducts for the Asian, European and American markets and noted that processed products enjoy better prices.

In a briefing last week, Perez said the strides made by aquaculture has increased its share of the food-fish supply for the domestic market, which is now comprised of 94 million people.

“While we buy fish whole, other markets prefer processed products like fillets of milkfish,” he said.

Perez also noted the entry of Alsons Aquaculture Corp. (AAC) in the China market, shipping out an initial nine tons of milkfish to Xiamen, an industrial and commercial hub that has grown tremendously in the last two decades.

With the initial shipment, Gabriel H. Alcantara, AAC assistant vice president for the processed food division, said the company became the first Philippine company to test the potential of bangus in the lucrative China market.

Perez said the AAC was also instrumental in providing the milkfish fingerlings for Taal Lake and Pangasinan fishpen operators after these areas were hit by fish kills last year.

The BFAR chief said the market for aquaculture products like milkfish will grow since more and more people are now opting for seafood rather than meat.

“Livestock and poultry will have a problem once the share of fish in the diet increases for health reasons,” he said.

Alcantara said his company has cut a deal with retail stores in Xiamen to market the milkfish products under the Sarangani Bay brand.

By breaking into the huge China market, AAC hopes to further entrench itself as the country’s largest exporter of processed and packaged milkfish, Alcantara added.

“The export milkfish products were hatched and raised in Alsons’ own aquaculture farm in Alabel, Sarangani and processed on-site at AAC’s state-of-the-art facility,” he said.

Alcantara said the initial volume was shipped from Gen. Santos City in late December 2011 and arrived in Xiamen early this month.






Ex-Sarangani governor faces graft charges

by Macon Ramos-Araneta


THE Office of the Ombudsman filed graft charges against former Gov. Miguel Escobar of Sarangani province and several others over the grant of a financial assistance worth P450,000 in 2002.

In an Information lodged before the Sandiganbayan, charged with violation of Section 3(e) of the Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act were Escobar, provincial board member Juanito Purisima, Executive Assistant to the Vice Governor Amelia Carmela Zoleta, Accountant IV Suzette Clerigo, and management analyst Alexis dela Cruz, all of the provincial government of Sarangani.

Private respondent Velsie Banzon, treasurer of Malapatan Fishermens Group in Poblacion Malapatan, was also included in the charge sheet.

The Information, approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, stated that the respondents caused the disbursement of the amount P450,000 through a Development Bank of the Philippines check dated May 29, 2002 to Banzon as payee.

It added that they made it appear that financial assistance was requested and given to the fishermen’s group, and that evidence pointed to Escobar as the one who approved the fictitious request and even certified in the disbursement voucher that the cash advance was necessary, lawful and incurred under his direct supervision.

The Information further alleged that Clerigo certified the completeness and propriety of the supporting documents despite non-compliance with Commission on Audit Circular 96-003 providing for the documentary requirements in disbursements for financial assistance.






The Philippine tuna industry crisis: Another look (3)

by Edwin G. Espejo


Last of three parts GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/06 Feb) — With the Philippine seas south of Mindanao already over fished, local tuna producers have looked beyond the country’s fishing grounds for their operations. In the 1990s, local tuna producers began opening up fishing operations in Indonesia and in Papua New Guinea. By the turn of the millennium, several Filipino companies had already put up canning plants in these countries known for their rich tuna fishing grounds. As local tuna production began to decline, pressures from Filipino companies operating fishing grounds in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea for raw materials increased. For a while, it sustained the six canning plants in the city which still operated 24/7. But since 2008, canning plants had been cutting production hours by a third, from three production shifts to just two and sometimes just once a day. The decline in Philippine tuna catch had little impact on Filipino exporters of canned tuna who were able to set up plants in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. As early as two decades ago, industry players had seen a steady decline of domestic catch due to over fishing and over saturation of commercial fishing operations in Philippine seas. At least four Filipino-owned corporations now have tuna canning plants in these two countries. But while production declined, increased international prices of canned and processed tuna as well as fresh chilled yellowfin tuna exports are keeping the Philippine tuna industry afloat. Over the last five years, the annual export earnings of Philippine tuna are still within the range of US$280 million despite reduced production. Days of aplenty Marfenio Tan, former president of the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industry (SFFAI), continues to reminisce the days when they had to bury tons of tuna catches on the beaches because there were simply abundant supplies and demand could not cope, if not non-existent. Landings of mature yellowfin tuna have steadily been declining over the last five years. Six years ago, before fuel costs skyrocketed worldwide, the average price of a box of skipjack was P600 (US$14 per 33-kilo box). On Thursday, it was US$48. “Way back in the late 1960s, bariles (yellowfin tuna) was sold at fifteen centavos (Php) and still there were no takers. Skipjacks were sold at five centavos a bundle,” Tan said. On Thursday, the sashimi grade yellowfin tuna fetched P290 a kilo (US$6.70). Back then these tunas were caught just a little over one hundred meters away from the shore. Today, the closest you can have them in volume is a good six hours from the coastal towns of Kiamba and Maasim in Sarangani. On a bad day, three weeks in the open seas off Sarangani Bay will net a zero catch. Today, the average vessel days of handline tuna fishermen is ten days. The aggregate medium sized purse seine fishing operations take about 30 fishing days. Glory days over Despite the pall of gloom in the horizon, producers and fishermen are not counting out the Philippine tuna industry although Tan says it definitely had already seen its better days. Many who relied solely on tuna fishing went bankrupt when the 1997 Asian financial crisis hit the region, mostly fishing companies who obtained loans, some of them in dollar denomination, to expand or to invest first time in the industry. But for some, the 1997 financial crisis was also time for windfall profits as exporters enjoyed the bonanza of the decline in the Philippine peso foreign exchange market. Tan said of the 10 or so families who pioneered the industry in the late 1960s and early 1970s, only three are left. During the stretch when the industry became the single top dollar earner commodity for Mindanao, several companies had also emerged, especially in the late 1980s and early 1990s. But the industry is going full circle again following the 2008 global collapse of several financial institutions and renewed oil price crisis. Five years ago, former General Santos City Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr urged key players to look beyond the tuna industry and invest in other businesses. He proved prophetic as the two-year Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission ban on tuna fishing gave them a rude wake-up call. Tan, now retired president of San Andres Fishing Industries, became big enough which allowed him to diversify his business interests long before the double whammy of crises hit the industry in the last two decades. He said the crisis has affected his production but his other business interests outside the fishing industry insulated and prevented him from going the way of his other contemporaries. He, along with the Riveras of the RD Fishing Group, is still one of the city’s biggest tuna producers as well as among the biggest businessmen in town. But he still yearns for what once were the glory days of the tuna industry. (Edwin Espejo writes for the asiancorrespondent.com)






Phl mango production posts 7% growth

by J. Antonio Rimando


GLAN, Sarangani,, Philippines - Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala announced here recently that the Philippines posted a seven percent growth in mango production in 2011 which he attributed largely to continuous flower induction in Southern Tagalog-A (Calabarzon) ,Southern Tagalog-B (Mimaropa), Central Luzon, Bicol, Ilocos and other parts of Mindanao and the Visayas.

Alcala addressed the recently concluded National Mango Congress, which focused on the theme “Posturing the Philippine Mango Strongly in the World Market,” held at the Isla Jarden del Mar Resort in this capital town.

Last year, Alcala said, the country was able to export a total of 20,115 tons of fresh mango worth at least $15.2 million, even as it further exported 36,000 tons of dried mangoes and 9,328 tons of processed mangoes.

“This enabled the country to earn a total of over $50 million from combined exports of fresh, dried and processed mangoes during the 12-month period, Alcala said, adding that despite these figures, “we still noted a shortage in supply.”

Consequently, the agriculture chief urged the nation’s mango growers and producers to plant more even as he challenged them to surpass last year’s produce.

The Department of Agriculture has strengthened its partnership with the mango industry sector especially in improving handling and transporting system.

Alcala noted the significance of last year’s congress theme which, he said, is timed relevantly with the strong demand abroad for Philippine mangoes.

At the same time, Alcala pledged to continue the DA’s continuous all-out support for the growth and development of the Philippine mango industry.

He assured the congress participants from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao that the DA would continue to intensify its assistance and sustenance for deserving programs, particularly in the establishment and rehabilitation of nurseries and, household and village processing assistance and crop improvement especially for climate change adaptability.

Alcala identified the major mango production regions in the Southern Philippines as Western Mindanao or Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga and Central Mindanao which covers South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and General Santos City.






Housing project opens doors to occupants

by BEVERLY C. PAOYON


ALABEL, Sarangani - -The fist -ever Public -Private Partnership (PPP) initiated housing project in Sarangani finally opened its doors to the first batch of occupants on January 24 in time for the awarding of certificates of occupancy to 11 beneficiaries. Called as "The Capitol Residences", it is the housing project of the provincial government, in joint venture with Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) and Sarangani Land and Development Corporation, which translates the commitment of provincial leaders to provide better shelter through medium grade but affordable housing facility for its employees. The local government unit (LGU) -led housing project was implemented pursuant to Section 8 of Republic Act (RA) 7279 otherwise known as Urban Development and Housing Act in conjunction with Section 17 of RA 7160 also known as the Local Government Code of 1991.

HDMF Chief Executive Officer Atty. Darlene Marie Berberabe said there have been a lot of negotiations ongoing nationwide for the PPP housing program for the LGUs but she pointed out Sarangani's project was yet the first ceremonial turn-over she witnessed. "Una ko po itong (The Capitol Residences) napuntahan na tunay naman na nakatayo na ang mga bahay, tapos na ang Land development, at may takeout na na labing-isang bahay," Berberabe disclosed. Berberabe said it was the first mandate of Vice President Jejomar Binay to Pag-IBIG, being the chairman of Pag-IBIG housing program, to conceptualize housing programs for LGUs which the latter supported with a campaign last year, but Berberabe said Sarangani implemented its own much ahead. For his part, Governor Migs Dominguez said it was the "first time that the local government unit engages the first private public partnership project especially in housing in the whole of Mindanao and maybe the whole Philippines."

"A step towards providing innovations in utilizing partnership with the private sector to meet (our) developmental objectives finally today of abiding quality housing especially to our local government and national government employees," Dominguez said. The governor emphasized also that he wanted to leave the housing project as his legacy where all the beneficiaries "build families, will build noble communities." Dominguez, likewise, anticipated that The Capitol Residences could be a "template where other local government units or agencies of the government can follow as a progressive, innovative way of developing."

This, according to Dominguez, will also signal the start of investment development that would "provide formal, decent and the best housing project in Sarangani and also become a little imperative for the city residents to look at where you can experience fresh air, where you can see Mt. Matutum and get the fresh breeze coming from Sarangani Bay." Dominguez , however , stressed that in this project it is not only the houses that will be made as the model of development but as well as the families that will grow there. Atty. Wendel Avisado, secretary general of Housing and Development of the Office of the Vice President, noted this initiative of the provincial government as effective in encouraging employees in return to be more productive civil servants. "Ang pagkakaroon ng kasiguruhan sa usaping pabahay ay mahalaga sa bawat pamilya," Avisado said. He also pointed out "isa sa mga pangunahing karapatan ng bawat tao sa mundo ay magkaroon ng sariling lupa at bahay para sa kanyang pamilya.

Also during the ceremonial turnover was the signing of memorandum of understanding between Sarangani and its partners where part of the covenants agreed was the recoupment of the P6 million the provincial government spent in purchasing the 6-hectare housing area that would in turn earn the provincial government P33,334 per unit based on the one peso computation from the proceeds of the loan per takeout. From the total 180 housing units to mortgage with HDMF, 11 beneficiaries constituted the first batch in which HDMF ceremonially turned over to the provincial government its monetary cash equivalent of P4.7 million as its share. Per lot measures 210 square meters Land area and 39.24 sq. meters floor area each unit, the advantage beneficiaries get compared to commercial housing units in cities which would range to an average of only 90 to 120 square meters.






GenSan, SouthCot, Sarangani brownouts not to end soon

by Allen V. Estabillo


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 2 Feb) – The continuing hour-long daily rotating brownouts here and in nearby South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces will not likely end soon as Mindanao’s power situation reportedly remained under “red alert” status. Joy Celeste Alora, information officer of South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (Socoteco II), said they received an advisory from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) that the power load cuts it imposed early last month to local power cooperatives in Mindanao will remain in effect due to the unstable power supplies coming from the hydroelectric plants of the National Power Corporation (NPC). Based on the NGCP’s power situation outlook for Thursday, the combined capacity of Mindanao’s power generation plants is pegged at 1,216 megawatts (mw) or 51mw short of the area’s estimated peak demand of 1,267mw. The NPC’s hydropower plants in Bukidnon and the two Lanao provinces supply more than half of the island’s power requirements. “The one-hour rotating brownouts will continue to affect two of our main power feeders from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The curtailments will normally happen during the peak hours, especially in the evening,” Alora said. Socoteco II serves this city, the seven municipalities of nearby Sarangani Province and two municipalities in the first congressional district of South Cotabato. The cooperative’s franchise area has a current peak demand of 102mw that grows at an average of 4 percent annually. But Rodolfo Ocat, Socoteco II general manager, projected that the increase in the area’s total power demand would double this year due to the opening within the first half of the year of a major shopping mall complex as well as several hotels and commercial establishments. Beginning January, Ocat said NPC cut down the area’s power allocation by 28 to 30mw, reducing their average daily base power load at around 70mw. Socoteco II forged an agreement in May last year with the Aboitiz-owned Therma Marine Inc. (TMI) for an augmentation of 18mw, leaving the current power deficit in the area at 14mw. Alora said the area’s power situation will only improve if the status of NPC’s hydropower plants would stabilize within the next few months. “The situation might ease a bit when the summer season comes in since we expect then some improvements in the generation capacity of the hydropower plants,” she said. Alora said the Socoteco II management is presently working on another deal with TMI for another augmentation of 5mw within the first half of the year. In June last year, Socoteco II signed a power sales agreement with the Alcantara-led Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC) for a base load supply of 70mw for 25 years starting in early 2014. The agreement, which is currently pending approval by the Energy Regulatory Commission, will take effect in time for the projected commercial streaming of the initial 100mw of the 200mw coal-fired power plant of SEC in Maasim town in Sarangani. The US$ 450-million coal power plant is being built by SEC’s mother firm Conal Holding Corporation, which is backed by the Alcantara Group and Thailand’s Electricity Generating Public Company Limited. (Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews)






NPA rebel killed in Sarangani clash

by Mindanao Examiner



KIDAPAWAN CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 30, 2012) – Government troops clashed with communist rebels on Monday and killing one insurgent in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said the fighting erupted in the village called Tamban in Malungon town in Sarangani province. Soldiers also recovered an M16 automatic rifle and an M203 grenade launcher from the slain New People’s Army rebel.

Lt. Col. Adolfo Espuelas, Sr., of the 73rd Infantry Battalion, said villagers tipped off the military on the presence of about 20 gunmen who were collecting food and harassing the locals.

He said the fighting lasted over 30 minutes and troops and policemen were sent to pursue those who were able to escape.

The army battalion is under the command of the 10th Infantry Division.

The NPA is fighting for decades now for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)


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