Friday, April 4, 2008

Davao Del Norte maps out sports dev't plan

TAGUM CITY, Davao Del Norte (MindaNews / April 4) – The opening rites
of the first-ever Davao Del Norte Sports Summit on Thursday prepared the red
carpet for the provincial government's journey towards making the province as
the region's sports capital.



Addressing the opening rites of the two-day sports summit at the
Bulwagan ng Lalawigan here, Gov. Rodolfo Del Rosario said he believed that the
summit and the "redevelopment" of the provincial sports complex "would make
the biggest banana exporting province as the region's sports hub".



"(Davao del Norte) is the region's sports capital in the making," said
Del Rosario. " The possibilities are boundless and this is where it all
begins," He added.



The summit was graced by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman
William "Butch" Ramirez.



Del Rosario said "this is the beginning of the comprehensive genuine
sports development program of the province".



Former Vice Governor Anthony Del Rosario, the governor's son and
currently the provincial sports chief, said that "with the active participation
of all the provincial sports stakeholders, the province will have a genuine
sports development program that focus on sport disciplines where local
athletes have good chances in excelling".



"With your active participation and through this sports summit we can
map out a genuine strategic plan for sports development," the younger Del
Rosario told the summit that was attended also by barangay captains,
chairpersons of the Sangguniang Kabataan chapters and private sports
groups.



"This is the kind of program that needs to be sustained. We really need
to
set direction for our sports development programs," said Danny
Sumalinog, a
sports summit participant from Island Garden City of Samal.



Ramirez said that the completion of its sports complex in 2010, the
province
"perhaps, could be the regional training center in the south".



"We will no longer go to Manila, we will just train here. This is the
better
place to live, away from pollution, and work for the future champions
of the
country," said Ramirez.



The Davao Del Norte sports complex project was also unveiled during the
summit.







Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Davao Del Norte unanimously
approved in special session on Wednesday the resolution authorizing the
provincial government to enter into a loan agreement with Land Bank of
the
Philippines.



"We have approved the authority to borrow P500 million, and the P250
million
of that will be used for the sports complex," Vice Governor Victorio
Suaybaguio, Jr., said.



The construction of the proposed P250-million sports complex will start
soon, according to the provincial engineers office.



The 15-hectare sports complex will rise in Barangay Mankilam across the
province's Government Center, where the old sports complex once stood
until
it was razed by fire in March 2003.



The complex would have a total of 49 spans of concrete bleachers, a
rehabilitated and upgraded Olympic-sized swimming pool, a modern oval
track
with rubberized track materials and synthetic foot soccer field.



"The swimming pool and track oval will have eight lanes," said
provincial
engineer Josie Jean Rabanoz.



The complex would also have a parking area that could accommodate more
than
300cars. (Rico Biliran / MindaNews)

City gov't awards cash incentives to Davaoeño Thailand Seag medalists


DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / April 4) – Twenty medallists in last year's
Southeast Asian Games in Thailand who hailed from here received cash
gifts from the city government "for bringing honor and pride to the city and
the country".



The medallists were top-billed by Olympic-bound divers Shiela Mae Perez
and Ryan Rexel Fabriga, who each received P25,000 each for their single
gold and silver medals respectively.



Acting Mayor Sara Z. Duterte awarded cash incentives to the Davaoeño
athletes on Wednesday in a brief awarding rite held at the Pag-asa Bar of the Marco
Polo Hotel.



Duterte handed over a total of P260,000 cash gifts with gold medal winner took home P15, 000
while the silver and bronze medal medallist got P10,000 and P5,000, respectively.



Perez and Fabriga personally received their cash bonus from Duterte but
many of the other awardees were in Manila. Their parents received the awards
on their behalf.



Last December, the Davaoeño medalists also received cash incentives
from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.



"More than the cash gift, we congratulate them (the athletes) for
bringing honor and pride for the city and the country," Duterte said.



She encouraged the athletes "to continue to work hard for better
glory".



"We are very thankful for the cash bonus given by Vice Mayor Duterte,"
said Rodrigo Porala, father of Ruditha who was part of the 10-member women's
traditional boat race that won bronze medal in the 1,000-meter contest.



Luvelyn Maganda, who played a vital role in the gold medal finish of
the national softball squad, brought home P15,000. Cue artist Lee Van
Corteza and Mary Anne Basas got P10,000 apiece for winning silver in the men's
9-ball and women's 6-Red snooker, respectively.



Other awardees were marathoner Jho-Ann Banayag (silver), batters Edmer
Del Socorro and RuelBatuto (bsilver), golfer Jhonnel Ababa (silver),
traditional boar racer Amina Anuddi and Sanita Kasim (silver), diver Jaime Asok
(gold),
diver Zardo Domenios and Nino Carog (silver), tri-athlete George Vilog
(silver), sailor Richly Magsanay (silver), judoka Ruth Duga-Duga
(bronze)
and water polo team member-brothers Frazier and Norton Alamara and
Monsuito
Pelenio (silver). (Rico Biliran / MindaNews)

Pinoy US-based coach to conduct seminar in Davao City

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/01 April) -- Three years ago, he left this city for the US to be with his family where he eventually continued his coaching career as assistant coach for a high school basketball team.
And now, with the world class basketball knowledge he learned in the US, Ronel Leuterio will be back to conduct a free seminar for Davao coaches on April 10 to 11 at Barangay 35-D gym.

The project, jointly organized by the basketball association and the city's sports development division under sports coordinator Christopher “Bong” Go, is open to all Davao coaches who are willing to know about the latest trends in coaching in the U.S.

The Chicago-based Leuterio has attended many seminars and conferences in his three years in the U.S. and will be coming to share his knowledge, including his newly-developed "Spread Offense".

The “Spread Offense” is a result of a three-year work of Leuterio who attended numerous seminars under U.S. college coaches.

“It is an offense that is out of the box, something unconventional. The positions are different or at least they are viewed in a different way,” he said in an email from Chicago.

He said basketball is usually thought of in terms of point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center.

“It is not 1, 2,3,4,5 like most teams do. Here you have two guards, two forwards, and a center. The guards and forwards are interchangeable, the center is the only position that is not,” he added.

Leuterio coached the Ateneo High School to several championships in local and national tournaments before he left for the US.

He is best remembered for mentoring the Ateneo HS team that won the Milo BEST national title in Cebu. He was also an assistant coach of the Davao Eagles in the Metropolitan Basketball Association, a short-lived play-for-pay league.

For more information about the seminar, contact the sports division at 2278074 and look for seminar coordinator Bert Malinao. (Rico Biliran/MindaNews)

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Cultural exchange to mark 6th BIMP-EAGA Games

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/25 March) - A four-nation "youth exchange program" will coincide with the holding of the 6th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines -East Asian Growth Association (BIMP-EAGA) Friendship Games on November 28 to 30 in Brunei Darussalam.

The youth from the four countries' growth areas will promote their respective cultures and economic movement, among others.

"This is the first time that we will hold this program and we recognize the importance of this program," said Haji Matassim Bim Jibah, director of Brunei Ministry of Cultural, Youth and Sports during the friendship games road show here Tuesday.

He added the program, acknowledged as a significant side event of the biennial meet, will boost the growing good relationship of the four nations.

The BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games was conceived in 1995 as a venue for sports development, as well as educational and cultural exchange among athletes from the four countries. It aims to promote opportunities to intensify interaction among peoples and governments within BIMP-EAGA other than trade and enhance unity and cooperation among the youth of participating countries through friendly sports.

Joseph Encabo, Mindanao representative to the BIMP-EAGA Sports Council, said the participants in this "holistic program" will learn the culture and economic movement, among others of Brunei and other growth areas in the region.Eight slots are allotted to the Philippines or four apiece for Mindanao and Palawan, according to Encabo who is also the senior executive assistant to Philippine Sports Commission chairman William "Butch" Ramirez.

Asked who will represent Mindanao, he said "we are encouraging local government units to send representatives to discuss their cultures and economic movement in this holistic program".

Encabo explained that the LGU's will only shoulder the airfare to and from the venue.The host country will bear the cost of accommodation, food and inland transportation, said Haji Jibah, adding Brunei is well prepared for the 6th edition of the Games.

Carrying the theme "Cooperation through sports", the four-nation friendship games, touted as a venue for strengthening economic cooperation in the region, will feature competitions in athletics, aquatics, sepak takraw, badminton, futsal, tennis and pencak silat.

Traditionally, the choice of events depends on the limited budget available for the athletes' transportation and needs of the host country and its growth area.

Since it also aims to promote friendship, the BIMP-EAGA sports council has preferred to feature mostly non-contact sports."We have already discussed the aspect of logistics issue and also the accommodation of the participants," said Haji Jibah.

There are 13 growth areas who are participating in the meet: Brunei Darrusalam, Gorontalo, East Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, South East Sulawesi and West Papua of Indonesia, Sabah, Sarawak and Federal territory of Labuan of Malaysia and Palawan and Mindanao of the Philippines.

Team Mindanao-Philippines will be composed of athletes from the island whose participation will be bankrolled by their LGUs."LGUs will take care of the airfare of their athletes and the rest of the operational expenses will be shouldered by the PSC," Encabo clarified.

In 2005, Team Mindanao-Philippines bannered by athletes from Davao City, Davao Oriental, Panabo City, Gen. Santos City and Koronadal City placed third overall. (Rico Biliran/MindaNews)

Give little support to sports, firms asked

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/06 March) - The British chief executive officer and founder of the American style restaurant here yesterday encouraged corporations to provide support to organizations that help "the people of Davao, especially the kids."

Alan W. Barnett, CEO and founder of the Al's Diner, cited American boxing patron Ron Doran, who helps train young boxers to stand out in the sport.

"As a business, we have a responsibility to the city where our business is situated to help the people in any possible way," Barnett told sports journalists during the Davao Sportswriters Association Forum at the Tower Inn Hotel.

Al's Diner, touted as the little restaurant that cares and home of the giant burger, sponsored the uniforms of the Davao City boxing team under Doran that saw action in the recent Kalilangan festival boxing competition in Gen. Santos City.

After four days of competition, the team brought home two gold, three silver and four bronze medals. A victory party for the triumphant boxers is scheduled on March 8, 2 p.m. at Al's Diner.

Barnett promised to give P1,000 as incentive to the gold medal winners, brothers Engilbert and John Vincent Morante, and P500 and P250 to the silver and bronze medal victors, respectively.

Concerned over the lack of equipment for the daily training of the young boxers, the restaurateur said he is now encouraging other corporations to extend any assistance to the kids who train in rings with holes and without light.

He cited that helping this kind of endeavor is "just giving thank you to the community, the people of Davao, in practical way and it's also an investment in the future".

"Their business comes from the people of Davao and just give back to the people of Davao," said Barnett.

Doran said he is seeking for corporate sponsors to take care of the needs of the young boxers, mostly indigent kids. Jonas Aleonar, regional sales manager of Petron Corporation, said their company has been supportive to the sports development programs in the localities.

"We are supporting various sports programs just like in volleyball, basketball and taekwondo,” said Aleonar who also graced the forum to give an update on the ongoing Petron Basketball Tournament.

Sports organizers acknowledged the vital role of corporate sponsors in staging tournaments as part of the sports development programs saying “without corporate sponsors the program usually dies". (Rico Biliran/MindaNews)

SPORTS: Davao del Norte to boost grassroots sports dev't program

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/17 March) – Grassroots sports development program in Davao del Norte will get a boost with the provincial government eyeing to focus on sport disciplines where local athletes have good chances in excelling.

Former vice governor Anthony Del Rosario, the provincial sports coordinator, said it was time to give attention to this ‘forgotten’ program.

Del Rosario, 41, acknowledged the importance of sports development program and its impact to the community which, he said should be understood by the people of Davao del Norte.

He also announced the staging of a two-day sports summit in cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Sports Institute on April 3-4 with at least 600 participants expected.

The bulk of these delegates will come from the barangays, the public schools, and the youth sector, he said, adding he hopes that the sports summit would "strengthen our ranks" from the provincial government down to the barangay government.

"We need to achieve a common bond and a common goal to have a uniform program and common direction for sports," he said.

The sports official said he expects the stakeholders to identify the focus sports where the athletes from the province would excel nationally or internationally.

He also encouraged the barangays to formulate their own sports programs anchored on their chosen focus sports using funds for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK).

A true-blue sportsman, Del Rosario said he is seeking an additional P2-million budget for his office which is only receiving an annual allocation of P1-million.

Davao del Norte has laid down the groundwork for a reinvigorated thrust towards positioning itself as a major sports destination in the country.

Gov. Rodolfo Del Rosario made three major bold steps towards achieving that goal. First, he appointed his son, Anthony to head the province’s sports front office.

Second, he programmed the reconstruction of the burned old sports complex into a spanking new state-of-the-art facility. Third, he conducted a province-wide consultative sports summit to redirect the policies and programs on sports. (Rico Biliran/MindaNews)

SPORTS: VM Duterte's team rules Davao City cycling tourney

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/24 March) -- Team Inday Sara did it again.

The wards of Vice Mayor Sara Duterte ruled the recent Mayor Rodrigo Duterte – 71st Araw ng Dabaw Cycling Challenge here.Team Inday Sara, which won the Samal Cycling challenge last month, clocked in fifteen hours, eight minutes and 23 seconds to rule the 154-kilometer race.

University of Mindanao placed second with a time of 15:13.20, trailing most of the way Team Inday Sara bannered by Marcial Catangue, Glen Yap, Dany Tapao, Tatu Labaya, Alan Salutillo, and team captain Rosano Bontia.Team 3MJ-Gen.Santos ended its campaign at third place with 15:43.14 and the Great Circle Logistics at fourth with 15:52.14.

Inday Sara topped the Samal event in 11 hours and 46 seconds, beating UM which clocked 11:05.18, and Great Circle Logistics/Kambras which finished the race in 11:11.39.

Glen Yap took the individual title for Inday Sara while the runner-up was a promising young rider, Marvin Aleonar. Glen Ibanez settled for third place.In the veterans class, Jerry Castillon of 3MJ won over Danny Samaniego and Dominic Carpio while Romeo Mascardo shared the limelight by taking the juniors title over Nathaniel Caresma and Andrew Jurilla.

Joel Parba bagged the masters title at the expense of Carlofer Salonga and Andres Pedregosa.Hilario Saronel was the oldest rider at 66 while the youngest participant was Cliff Collence Prospero.

PhilCycling regional director Salvador Paholio Jr. thanked the supporters of the recent Araw ng Dabaw-Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte Cycling Challenge for the success of the race.

Radio Mindanao Network's dxDC, Davao City Sports Coordinator Christopher "Bong" Go, Unilever Phils., Emperador Brandy, Lipovitan Amino sports, Phoenix Fuels, Coca-Cola, Rain Water, 3rd District Rep.Isidro Ungab, Davao Sports Council Inc., Karancho Inc.and SK Federation president Halila Sudagar backed the race.

In chess, law student Henry John Lopez overwhelmed titled veteran chess players to bag the Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte and Vice Mayor Inday Sara – 71st Araw ng Dabaw Open Chess Tournament at the Market Basket in Damosa Gateway.

Lopez, SEA Paralympics gold medalist, tallied 6.5 points to clinch the title in the tournament, one of the 17 sport events that highlighted the Araw ng Dabaw sporting conclave.

Cagayan de Oro City bet and National Master (NM) Levi Mercado beat four other 6.0 scorers via tiebreak to grab the runner-up honors.

NM Jimmy Dano placed third followed by Erwin Aton, Perkins Bayron and Carlo Doctolero in fourth, fifth and sixth places, respectively.

In dama, hometown bet Cerelio Enobio took the spotlight after bagging the Mayor Rodrigo and Duterte and Vice Mayor Inday Sara – 71st Araw ng Dabaw Dama competition played at the Osme¢¥a Park.Enobio beat Daniel Asor from Digos City in the finals to claim the masters crown. Edwin Cabalquinto placed third and Roy Rodas bagged the fourth place. (Rico Biliran/MindaNews)

SPORTS: BIMP-EAGA Games roadshow slated in Davao soon

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/18 March) -- Brunei Darussalam delegates led by its Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports permanent secretary will arrive for the road show and launching of the 6th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines- East Asian Growth Association (BIMP-EAGA) Games on March 25, 9 a.m. at the Apo View Hotel.

Dr. Zafri Mohamed, the ministry secretary, will spearhead the road show which signals the start of preparations for the four-nation friendship games slated November 28 to 30 in Brunei, said Joseph Encabo, Mindanao representative to the BIMP-EAGA Sports Council.

Encabo added delegates from Sabah, Malaysia will also be coming over to attend the road show.

This year’s edition of the four-nation friendship games carries the theme “Cooperation through sports.” Sports coordinators from various local government units in Mindanao will be invited to attend the road show, according to Encabo who is also the senior executive assistant to Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez.

The list of LGUs to be invited included those from Compostela Valley, Davao Del Sur, Davao Del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao City, Sarangani Province, General Santos City, South Cotabato and Lanao Del Sur. Encabo said the LGUs will select the events they want to participate in and determine the number of athletes they will be sending.

This year’s edition of the four-nation biennial meet, touted as a venue for strengthening economic cooperation in the region, will feature competitions in athletics, aquatics, sepak takraw, badminton, futsal, tennis and pencak silat.

Traditionally, the choice of events depends on the limited budget available for the athletes' transportation and needs of the host country and its growth area.

The BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games was conceived in 1995 as a venue for sports development, as well as educational and cultural exchange among athletes from the four countries.

It aims to promote opportunities to intensify interaction among peoples and governments within BIMP-EAGA other than trade and enhance unity and cooperation among the youth of participating countries through friendly sports.

Since it also promotes friendship, the BIMP-EAGA sports council which is composed of the heads of the various sports councils of the four-member countries in the growth area preferred to feature mostly non-contact sports.

There are 13 growth areas entered in the meet: Brunei Darrusalam, Gorontalo, East Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, South East Sulawesi and West Papua of Indonesia, Sabah, Sarawak and Federal territory of Labuan of Malaysia and Mindanao and Palawan of the Philippines.

In a previous interview with MindaNews, Susannah Liaw, permanent Secretary of Sabah, Malaysia's Ministry of Youth and Sports and chair of the Sabah Sports Council, said sports tourism around the region could be an offshoot of the games.

She said that through sports, regional cooperation takes a new pace as it gives more reason to come together.

"With the friendship games, we strengthen similarities and celebrate differences," she said. (Rico Biliran/MindaNews)

SPORTS: Davao del Norte: the new sports capital of the South

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/11 March) -- Davao del Norte hosted the recently concluded Mindanao elimination of the prestigious 12th Nestea Beach volleyball which was held at the Tagum City Volleydrome in Tagum City. And, later this month, the first official provincial trip of the 2008 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Cup that will feature the inaugural game of the import-laden conference will take place in the country's biggest banana exporting province at the Multi-Purpose Tourism, Cultural and Sports Center in Panabo City.

Even before the talks on these two big events got underway, the province has been poised to become the new sports capital of the South. It has laid down the groundwork for a reinvigorated thrust towards positioning itself as a major sports destination in the country. Gov. Rodolfo Del Rosario made three major bold steps towards achieving that goal.

First, he appointed his son, former vice governor and true-blue sportsman Anthony del Rosario to head the province’s sports front office. Second, he programmed the reconstruction of the burned old sports complex into a spanking new state-of-the-art facility.

And third, he conducted a province-wide consultative sports summit to redirect the policies and programs on sports. All these are geared towards an immediate goal—to host the 2010 Palarong Pambansa, the country’s national biggest school-based sports competition, according to a statement sent to MindaNews.

Davao City and other provinces in the Davao region have been eyed as possible hosts of the annual national sports conclave. However, the unavailability of a venue made the region lose in past biddings. In contrast, Southwestern Mindanao neighbors Koronadal City, Sarangani Province and General Santos City have all hosted the Palarong Pambansa, the former having hosted the meet in 1995 and in 2006.

The new sports complex project will start soon in Barangay Mankilam across the province’s Government Center, where the old sports complex once stood until it was razed by fire in March 2003. "We expect this project to be completed by 2010," Gov. del Rosario said.

The younger Del Rosario, who owned the Davao Eagles franchise in the defunct MBA, is now laying the cornerstones of the province’s sports program that will lead to the possible hosting of other major sports events like the revived Mindanao Friendship Games and the Davao Regional Athletic Association, or even national competitions conducted by the National Sports Associations.

In November, it was reported that the provincial engineer’s office had prepared the blueprint of the proposed 15-hectare sports complex project originally amounting to P171 million. But based on today’s prices of construction materials, the appraised value of the project could reach up to more than P200 million.

Construction of a total of 49 spans of concrete bleachers, rehabilitation and upgrading of the Olympic size swimming pool, construction of a modern oval track with rubberized track materials and synthetic foot soccer field, proposed parking area that can accommodate more than 300 cars, among other vital components are the priorities of the project.

An executive clubhouse is also included in the plan, while the existing mini-forest shall be retained to provide an ecological balance.

The PBA is taking its act down south with an exciting match-up pitting the Coca-Cola Tigers and the Talk N Text Phone Pals on March 29 at the Panabo Multi-Purpose Tourism, Cultural and Sport Center in Davao del Norte, the PBA website reported.

Organized by the city's local government unit led by Mayor Jose Silvosa Sr., the lone game scheduled at 4:30 p.m. highlights the celebration of the 7th Araw ng Panabo City.The Panabo stop is an official provincial game of the import-laced 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Cup, which opens on March 30 at the Araneta Coliseum with a double-header featuring Welcoat against Air 21 at 4:30 p.m. and Red Bull facing Barangay Ginebra at 6:50 p.m. (Rico Biliran/MindaNews)

15th Iligan National Writers Workshop now open for applications

The Iligan National Writers Workshop is accepting manuscripts on its 15th year this year.Fifteen (15) slots, five each from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are available for writing fellowships to the INWW.

Applicants are required to submit five poems, or, one short story, or, a one-act play in Filipino, English or in Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, Waray (with translations) and Chabacano along with the applicant’s biodata, two 2X2 photos and a certification that his/her work is original.

For short stories or plays, please submit a hard copy and a 3.5 diskette with the manuscripts encoded in MS Word 7.0. Unpublished works are preferred. Writing fellows will be given free board and lodging, honoraria and a travel allowance.

Applications must be postmarked on or before April 15, 2008. No applications or manuscripts will be accepted if sent by fax or e-mail. Applicants are also advised to keep copies of their manuscripts since these will not be returned.Send all applications to the 15th INWW Director, Christine Godinez-Ortega c/o OVCRE, MSU-IIT, Iligan City . For more information call Pat Cruz tels. (063) 3516131; or e-mail:
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PGMA brings ‘Serbisyo Muna Caravan’ to Surigao Del Norte tomorrow

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will arrive in Malomino, Surigao Del Norte on Friday (March 28) to spearhead the delivery of her administration’s enhanced social services to this province as part of her commitment to uplift the welfare of the Filipino people.

The Serbisyo Muna Caravan is the Arroyo administration’s service and goods-laden assistance program that provides livelihood, health and financial support to the poorest families in the country.

The President, who is expected to arrive at 10 a.m. at the Malimono Elementary School, will be welcomed by Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Ace Barbers and Malimono Mayor Teodoro Sinaca Jr., among others.

STATEMENT: Union of Peoples' Lawywers in Mindanao

Mindanao lawyers, law students, paralegals: Oust Gloria Now!Uphold the Rule of Law and the People's Sovereign Will!The lawyers, law students and paralegals from the Union of Peoples' Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) call on Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to step down from Malacañang, for having lost the legal, Constitutional and moral ascendancy to rule the country with the latest ZTE broadband scam and the looming sell out of our national territory in the Spratly Islands.

The Senate probe on the ZTE deal has not only revealed the truth of corruption involving the First Family, but also the underhanded means of the Arroyo government to suppress the truth. There was the abduction of ZTE witness Rodolfo 'Jun' Lozada to prevent him from testifying in the Senate, and the invoking of Executive Order 464 to prevent former Neda chair Romulo Neri from appearing in the Senate. Both instances showed the government's attempt to violate the Senate power to conduct investigation and violate Lozada's life and liberty.

That Arroyo later admitted to having known about the anomaly in the ZTE deal but still signed the contract makes her culpable of graft – an impeachable offense.This ZTE deal is only one of the many cases of corruption involving Arroyo and the First Family.

It is disgusting how Arroyo has suppressed the truth, the same way she has done in the Hello Garci election fraud in 2004; the many anomalous projects such as the P728-million fertilizer scam, the P200 million Diosdado Macapagal Highway, and the P503-million North Rail project; and the current reported sell-out of the Spratly Islands to China in exchange of the ZTE deal, North Rail and South Rail Projects.

Arroyo has run this government like a Mafioso bent on corruption and repression, without regard to the rule of law and the people's sovereign will. She has run this government like a dictator, imposing Draconian measures to silence critics and giving tacit approval to the culture of impunity that is responsible for more than 900 cases of political killings and disappearances of activists, media and professionals, including lawyers, judges, and paralegals.

But it is the sovereign will of the people that had put her in the presidency through people power in 2001.

It is this same sovereign will that now decides to remove her from power.Impeachment under a rubber-stamp House of Representatives is not an option, as evidenced with the killing of impeachment complaints in the past three years.

A probe by a partial Ombudsman would just cover up the Arroyos. We see the Ombudsman probe as a smokescreen to the ongoing Senate investigation.

Only the ouster of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo remains the choice of the people to remove the illegitimate, corrupt and evil occupant in Malacañang. Only the ouster of Arroyo would restore the rule of law and the supremacy of the people's sovereign will.

SPORTS: Montana Pawnshop captures Araw ng Dabaw cagefest title

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/17 March) - Former pro Henry Fernandez lived up to his billing in the game that mattered most.

Fernandez hit a three-pointer as time expired to lift Montaña Pawnshop to victory over Duterte Agilas-Goldstar Hardware, 80-79 in their winner-take-all championship match in the 71st Araw ng Dabaw-Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Inday Sara commercial basketball league Sunday night at the jam-packed Davao City Recreation Center.

Following a timeout and with only two seconds left, Montaña forward Lendy Dawal made an inbound pass to the sweet-shooting Fernandez who threw up a semi-fade away triple at the right corner that swished the net before the final buzzer sounded.

Fans proceeded to storm the court to celebrate Montaña’s victory that came as a big surprise as the Pawnbrokers were trailing all throughout the game.Agilas forward Apple Coronado split his free throws after his teammate John Gonzaga missed two bonus shots in their previous possession that boosted their advantage to 2, 79 – 77 with 2 seconds remaining.

Fernandez, who was named Most Valuable Player, scored 25 points, 10 of which came in the payoff period including the buzzer-beating triple that upset the Agilas who squandered their chance to cop their first title in several years.Michael Maniego drilled an open layup that tied the count at 74 all.

He chipped in 16 points for the Arman Quibud-owned Montaña Pawnshop which trailed 59 – 65 going to the final period.Gonzaga had 24 points for the Agilas who was up 78 – 77 before the high-flying guard missed his pivotal bonus throws via penalty with 30 seconds left.

Arian Daja also canned 24 markers for the Agilas who was enjoying a 4-point lead, 78-74, after Gonzaga made an open layup with only 1:42 remaining.

The Agilas opened the game with a bang behind the heroics of Gonzaga, Coronado and Daja, taking a 24 – 17 lead after ten minutes of play.But Montaña went into a scoring rampage in the second quarter behind Maniego and Fernandez, a former Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants player, to tie the count at 41 all at the half.

The Roi Josol-mentored Agilas then came out strong in the third period, gaining a 12-point advantage, 60 – 48, the biggest lead of the ballgame.

M. Lhuiller Kwarta Padala of Cebu City clobbered Zamboanga City Latinos to cop the third place honor.Councilor Edgar Ibuyan awarded cash prizes to the winners in the tournament which was the centerpiece sport event in this city’s charter day celebration. (Rico Biliran/MindaNews)

SPORTS: PSC bankrolls RRD-Araw ng Dabaw sportsfest

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/17 March) -- The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has bankrolled five sport disciplines in the 2008 Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte-Araw ng Dabaw Sports Festival calendar of sport events.

The PSC, chaired by Dabawenyo William "Butch" Ramirez, is sponsoring dancesport, chess, arnis, taekwondo and swimming competitions."We will be sponsoring events that are focus sports in Davao City," said Ramirez, a former sports consultant of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, in an earlier interview.

The City Government of Davao through the Sports Development Division-City Mayor's Office has supported 17 events in line with the city's charter day celebration.Football for the young and veteran players opened the festival on March 8 to 9 at the Tionko field.

Bodybuilding started on March 9 at the Victoria Plaza.The other events include commercial basketball, boxing, table tennis, sepak takraw, billiards, lawn tennis, volleyball, cycling, among others.

Four teams are vying for the title in the ongoing commercial basketball league which offers cash prizes and trophies.

They are M. Lhuiller Kwarta Padala of Cebu City, Zamboanga City Latinos, Montana Pawnshop and Duterte Agilas Goldstar Hardware.In table tennis, Some 140 paddlers across Mindanao are vying for top honors in the tournament which opened on March 16 at the SIR Elementary School.

"There will be players from Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Panabo, Cotabato, Davao Oriental and Iligan, " said Frendee Nunez of Metro Davao Table Tennis Association (MEDATTA). (Rico Biliran/MindaNews)

Commercial Basketball:

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/11 March) - Zamboanga City has confirmed its participation in the 2008 Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte-Araw ng Dabaw Basketball Tournament on March 12 to 17 at the Davao City Recreation Center.

Zamboanga City, bannered by local talents, is the fourth squad to confirm its entry. A team from the Visayas is also set to join the competition.M.Lhuillier Kwarta Padala of Cebu City, Montaña Pawnshop Davao and Philippine Air Force have been invited to join the six-day event which is one of the sporting highlights of the 71st celebration of the Araw ng Dabaw.

Entrance is free.Another Davao squad, possibly a combination of players from the Duterte Agilas and Goldstar Hardware, will join the tournament presented by Mayor Duterte.

The Zamboanga squad which is expected to arrive Tuesday or Wednesday morning will parade Cris Concepcion, Darwin Cordero, Emrey Ramirez, Jomie Alvarez, Junie Navarro, David Sebastian, Tantan Parreño, Eter Chua, Jeffrey France and Ronald Saracho.

Two other big men will be named soon by team manager Jun Navarro.Meanwhile, the organizers have advised would-be spectators to follow the security measures to be implemented by local authorities.

Montaña Pawnshop is eager to do battle in the tournament organized by the BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas XI and supported by the Sports Development Division-City Mayor's Office.Nick Serafica will do the coaching chores for the Pawnbrokers.

He will be assisted by former head coach Dodong Cagampang and Peter Epe.Serafica will put his hands full on veteran erstwhile PBA standout Henry Fernandez, Mike Manigo, Harold Sta.Cruz and Marvin Poloyapoy, former Adamson falcon in the UAAP.

Biboy Clavel, Charlie Braga, Ryan Abanes, Dado Ayson, Ronald Lamocha, Junel Jawod, Lendi Dawal, Jojo Endrinal and Arden Guiyab are expected to provide support. (Rico Biliran/MindaNews)

SPORTS: 'Araw ng Dabaw' sporting highlights unfolds this weekend

DAVAO CITY (Mindanews/5 March) -- Dabawenyos can now look forward to an exciting and fun-filled sports activities as the 71st Araw ng Dabaw sporting highlights take center stage this weekend.Football and cycling will signal the start of the sporting spectacle as the Araw ng Dabaw celebration kicks off this weekend in separate venues.

Dubbed as Araw ng Dabaw football festival, the event will unfold March 8-9 at Tionko Football Field.

The two-day event will feature competitions in elementary girls, high school girls, boys 10 and under, boys 12 and under, boys under 14, men's 35 and above and ladies open.

The boys U-14 will serve as a tryout for the Philippine team that will compete in the AFC Festival of Football in Malaysia this May, according to a press statement from the Davao Football Assocation (DFA) emailed to MindaNews.

The selected players will compose the Mindanao team and later on compete with their counterparts in Luzon and Visayas to determine the team's final line up. Mindanao Center of Football Excellence coordinator Consur Manreza will scout the players.

The Mindanao team will be coached by David Dwight Penano.In cycling, after successfully conquering the Island Garden City of Samal cycling challenge, the Inday Sara Team is gunning for honors in the 71st Araw ng Dabaw Cycling Challenge on March 9.

The race starts at the Rizal Park at 7 a.m. PhilCyling XI Director Salvador Paholio Jr. said the next race on Sunday will be another exciting competition as other teams are planning to exact vengeance after losing to the riders of Inday Sara.

Marcial Catanque will lead the squad of the Davao City Vice Mayor against teams from University of Mindanao, Great Circle Logistics/Kambras, Davao Oriental, among others. Paholio said this Sunday's race, sponsored by City Government of Davao through City Sports Coordinator Christopher "Bong" Go, offers prizes to the winners.

Inday Sara topped the Samal event in 11 hours and 46 seconds, beating UM which clocked 11:05.18, Great Circle Logistics/Kambras which finished the race in 11:11.39. (Rico Biliran / MindaNews)

Friday, February 29, 2008

From Left to Right: Bing Gonzales of Mindanao Daily Mirror, Dennis Lazo of Bombo Radyo, Fiscal Emelio "Nonot" Dayanghirang III, Coach Huebert Paz, BAP-SBP Executive Director Patrick Gregorio, BAP-SBP Davao region chief Regino "Boy" Cua, Marianne Saberon-Abalayan of Sunstar Davao, Pastor Gary Visitacion of Philippine Challenge Ministry, Rico Jhone Biliran of MindaNews and Charles Maxey of Sunstar Davao.





SPORTS: PSC chief calls for unity in Davao sports


Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez has called on sports stakeholders inthis city to "unite and work with unity" in order to attain sustainable sports development program.


"This is for the better of sports in Davao City. We need to move andlook forward," Ramirez told sports journalists here following theawarding rites of the Edsa Unity Basketball Tournament Saturday night.






Ramirez, a former city sports coordinator, said he personally wants tohave a sustainable sports development program in Davao City that wouldplan and implement an integrated program of physical fitness andsports development for the city as well as sustain sports trainingactivities.



Davao City Sports Council, Inc. (DCSCI), which is composed of regionalchapters of the National Sports Association (NSA), the citygovernment, the private sector and other sports stakeholders, shouldwork hand in hand for Davao City's sports development program, hesaid.




"It's much better for us to work together to achieve our goal ofbetter sports program," said the former Ateneo de Davao Universityprofessor and chief mentor of the Blue Knights.



The national sports agency chief pointed out that the city governmentshould be the "hub of the wheel" of all the sports activities in thecity.



"By simply staging tournaments here and there is not a program. Weneed programs here, a sports development program, " he lamented.



Ramirez, the first Dabawenyo chief of the PSC, also reiterated theimportance of the creation of a sports commission that, according tohim, would give direction to the sports program of Davao City.



The formal creation of the Davao City Sports Commission (DCSC) throughan ordinance, however, had endured setback.



The envisioned DCSC, according to the proposed ordinance, will beacting as an umbrella body for all sports associations, organizationsand groups in the city, both from the public and private sectors.



The powers of the commission include to plan and implement anintegrated program of physical fitness and sports development for thecity as well as sustain sports training activities, particularly foroutstanding athletes and help the city government to identify, planand manage sports facilities required for the training of athletes andconduct of sports tournaments.



"It is the mandate of our office to help draft sports developmentprograms for the local government units and to have grassroots sportsprogram nationwide," said Ramirez.



He also said the opening of the PSC Mindanao satellite office herecould help achieve the common goal for Davao sports.



The PSC board has decided with board resolution to put up a Mindanaosatellite office to help augment the talent identification andgrassroots development program of the national sports agency.



It will also coordinate with various local government units theprograms of the PSC in Mindanao, which has 27 provinces and 33 citiesas well as the promotion of Philippine Sports Institute. (Rico Biliran/ MindaNews)

SPORTS: Palaro-bound DAVRAA delegation faces budgetary constraints

The Davao Region delegation bound forPalarong Pambansa in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan is facing"budgetary constraints, " reports said.

But Davao Region Athletic Association (DAVRAA) officials are nowtaking measures and finding solutions to the financial woes, accordingto Dr. Fidel Japos, head of the Department of Education's (DepEd) TaskForce on School Sports.

"We are now taking measures for that (problem)," said Japos. "One ofthat is to trim down the number of the technical officials in thedelegation."

At the moment, Japos said, the DAVRAA delegation is composed of 484delegates, 85 of which are "technical officials" taking care of threecommittees -- kitchen, transportation and communication.

"We cannot cut the number of athletes and coaches," he said, noting that some of the technical officials may have to go.

Apart from the 85 technical officials, there are 339 athletes and 53coaches from the Davao Region delegation attending the nationalmulti-sport events for elementary and secondary students on April21-26.

He said they are also negotiating with airline companies for a cheapercharter flight to Palawan since "we have found out that traveling byboat is much more expensive."

Japos estimated that the DAVRAA participation would cost P8 to P10million, including transportation, food, supplies, uniforms andallowances.

Explaining where the funding would come from, Japos said the localgovernment division offices will provide P150,000 each and the centraloffice will give P4 million.

"The DepEd regional office will also give its counterpart, " he said.DepEd-XI has nine division offices, including the cities of Davao,Digos, Tagum, Panabo and Island Garden City of Samal and the provincesof Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and CompostelaValley.

During his courtesy visit to DepEd-XI regional director SusannaTeressa Estigoy, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William"Butch" Ramirez has reportedly vowed "to provide help."

Ramirez said he will also hand out equipments that would be used for the training of the Davao Region athletes beginning on March 23 toApril 15 in the City of Mati in Davao Oriental.

"We will also send lecturers there to conduct leadership training andcoaches' education training," said Ramirez. (Rico Biliran / MindaNews)

Reconstruction of Davao’s oldest bridge completed by early August

MindaNews photo by: BJ Patiñ0

The reconstruction of the Gov. Generoso Bridge, the oldest span in this city, will be completed by early August this year, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane assured President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during her visit here Wednesday.




Formerly known as the Bankerohan Bridge, the 58-year-old bridge along the Davao-Cotobato Road was badly damaged during the typhoon that battered Davao last year.


The President arrived here Wednesday to look into the status of ongoing government infrastructure projects in Region XI, including the Gov. Generoso Bridge, which is situated in the heart of the city’s bustling commercial district.


Ebdane, who accompanied the President in her inspection of public works projects here, said the DPWH will see to it that the contractor of the span will meet the August construction deadline.


The President also congratulated Ebdane for the P10 million the government saved from the implementation of the project.


The DPWH chief said that the original cost estimate of the 170.88-linear bridge project was P216 million but his department awarded the contract to the bidder who offered the lowest bid of P206 million, thus the P10 million savings.


The President, in a light-blue raincoat jacket, braved the slight shower to view the ongoing construction of the bridge. Ebdane informed her that Pier I of the bridge was already completed, and that the contractor has started the construction of Pier II.


The President expressed elation over the progress of the project which, when completed, will cut the travel time between the neighboring provinces of Davao and Cotabato.


Moreover, the bridge will improve traffic conditions on the Maa Road intersection along MacArthur Highway in Matina, all the way to Quirino Avenue on the other side of the Davao River, the DPWH said.The old Bankerohan span, which had a maximum load capacity of 45 tons, was built over five years from 1946 to 1950.

Notice to the public: From the 1987 Philippine Constitution

Article III - Bill of Rights SEC. 18.

(1) No person shall be detained solely by reason of his political beliefs and aspirations.

(2) No involuntary servitude in any from shall exist except as punishment for a crime whereof the party shall be duly convicted.

Tell the Truth, Now, says AdDU community

Our country today is in a very deep political and moral crisis. We see its impact on the face of Jun Lozada, the reluctant star witness. He fears for his life and for his family’s safety, as he struggles to speak out what he knows about the NBN-ZTE deal.

This $329-million controversial deal apparently has a built-in $130 million kickback. This is very disturbing! Whoever has the key to the solution to this problem, speak! We want to know the truth! Whistleblower Lozada, of course, is not a saint. He himself confesses his previous wrongdoing. But his bold witnessing overcomes the tricks some authorities employ to avoid saying what they know and to prevent those who know from speaking out.

The greatest casualty here is the truth. So tell us the truth, now!For if all this is true, then it will confirm the grand scale corruption that the Philippine bishops have relentlessly been preaching against.

According to the Editorial of the official publication of the Philippine Bishops, “Graft and corruption in the government are so endemic and extensive that socio-political integrity in governance has seemingly become a moral impossibility to achieve during the remaining three-year tenure of the present national leadership” (CBCP Monitor June 25-Jul8 2007, p. A4).

This is a heavy statement. We would be hypocrite, however, if we blame only the government. At the moment, no social institution in Philippine society seems immune to corruption. So, like Lozada, the media must also say, “Mea culpa” for some distorted reporting.

Like Lozada, the Church must also admit its lack of transparency in its institutions, and should also say “Mea culpa”. Like Lozada, the private sector must stop bribery and not yield to extortion, and say, “Mea culpa”.

This collective admission of guilt is part of our communal cleansing. And this Lenten Season should be a good time to confess the sad truth of our participation in corruption!The Blessing of IntegrityThank God, there is another truth to be told.

The probinsyanong Intsik is not alone. There are many more whistleblowers who, in less sensational ways, live up to the demands of living a life of integrity. We witness the heroic citizenship of ordinary employees who continue, despite low salaries, to pour their energies into their public service. We know of judges who retire with peace of mind because they have held fast to their principles.

All this is also true! We bless the dynamic leaders who literally walk the streets in delivering basic services to their people. We affirm the achievements of conscientious individuals in the corporate world and the religious groups who combine professional competence with social conscience.

All this is must also be hailed for they are true! We celebrate, with both sacred rage and serene faith, the death of our contemporary martyrs who have sacrificed life, job, and family for the sake of justice.

They lived in the joy and consolation of the truth! Communal Action for TruthNow, in response to the call of Philippine bishops and various vigilant groups, the Ateneo de Davao University students, faculty, administration, staff, and other concerned citizens here in Davao City join together in “communal action,” to pray hard and work even harder for enlightenment, cleansing, and the courage to live by the “truth that sets us free.” (John 8:32).

We commit ourselves to continuous struggle---within our own selves, our families and institutions---to abhor lies and to uphold truth. At the same time, we challenge those who hold positions of public trust---please check and recheck your values.

We call on their relatives to interrogate the acts of their fathers or mothers or sons or daughters in positions of power. Do not be the cause of their downfall.We call on the students and alumni---you are the best contribution of schools to society.

Remember the values that your school stands for. Do not bring shame to your Alma Mater. We call on the religious communities and members of civil society. Support the authentic whistleblowers. Give them shelter. Help them discern.

Take care of their families. More importantly, don’t leave individual whistleblowers to carry the burden of shaking the conscience of society. Let’s transform our groups into prophetic communities and communal whistleblowers.

We call everyone to tell your stories of pain and anger, your dreams and energies. In homes and classrooms, talk about Filipinos who tell the truth. Tell children not to cheat their way to success. Teach them hard and honest work.

Tell them to respect the real value of words---and numbers. Remind them of the dignity of our people. We believe that the present crisis is not in our genes. Even our seemingly immovable social structure and incorrigible culture of corruption cannot be our eternal destiny.

If we dare to change, things will change. So let us change!What we now see as an apparent dead-end may yet turn out to be the threshold of a new creation. In the “darkness that covered the abyss” in the beginning of creation, God’s “mighty wind swept over the waters. God said, ‘Let there be light. And there was light’” (Genesis 1:2-3).

In the seemingly desperate situation our country is in today, let the mighty wind of God’s spirit move us. Let there be movement! And there shall be change!But first, give us no less than the truth, and the faith to face it---now!

(This is the statement of the Ateneo de Davao University community, read out last Feb 22, during our mass officiated by Fr. Antonio Samson, SJ, University President, and also read during the prayer rally held at the gate of ADDU after mass.The prayer rally was convened by Ehem! and ADDU, and joining us were various groups, including Pakisama, Bayan, Mindanao Commission on Women, Mincode, and other schools in the city)

Nograles urges nation to join CBCP in fight against corruption


House Speaker Prospero Nograles today urged the Filipino nation to join hands with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in its fight to weed out the culture of graft and corruption that has permeated in Philippine society.

The House Speaker said he welcomes the CBCP statement and stressed that this should motivate our people into joining the Church in its call for communal action to revive the Christian values that would help restore the dignity of each and every Filipino individual.

Nograles also said that this is now the time for the whole nation to unite and participate in the call of the Church to uproot graft and corruption from our political system pointing out that the House of Representatives under his leadership has jumpstarted the call for reforms with the formation of an oversight committee that has been tasked to draft the reform package in the Lower House that would yield greater accountability, transparency and the prudent utilization of government funds particularly the so-called development funds.

Nograles also urged the Filipino people to join the government in its fight to either eliminate or reduce the level of corruption in the public sector by remaining vigilant and conscious of their roles as citizens by participating more actively in the political process.

Citizenship bears some responsibility and primary among the duties of every Filipino is to help the government establish a society that would promote social justice, equal distribution of the country's wealth and resources, greater accountability and, integrity in public service, said Nograles.

The CBCP statement, he said, should provide both the Arroyo Administration and the Filipino people with the opportunity to come together and examine where our country now stands and where we want out nation to go from here.

We are all in the same boat and we cannot afford to see the country sink deeper in the abyss of poverty and political instability.

As such, we must all come together to ensure that our country remain afloat so that our vision of an economically stable Philippines may be fulfilled, Nograles explained.

Statement: Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

Beloved People of God:

Greetings in the peace of the Lord!

Today in the midst of restlessness and confusion, we come to you as pastors, for that is our precise role. We do not come as politicians whose vocation it is to order society towards the common good. Our message contributes to the flourishing of a democracy which must not be built only on political formulae.

We face today a crisis of truth and the pervading cancer of corruption. We must seek the truth and we must restore integrity.

These are moral values needing spiritual and moral insights. Therefore, we address this pastoral statement to everyone particularly you our beloved people and in a special way to our political rulers and officials.

We are convinced that the search for truth in the midst of charges and allegations must be determined and relentless, and that the way to truth and integrity must be untrammeled, especially at the present time when questions about the moral ascendancy of the present government are being raised.

For this reason, we strongly:
1. Condemn the continuing culture of corruption from the top to the bottom of our social and political ladder;

2. Urge the President and all the branches of government to take the lead in combating corruption wherever it is found;

3. Recommend the abolition of EO 464 so that those who might have knowledge of any corruption in branches of government, may be free to testify before the appropriate investigating bodies;

4. Ask the President to allow her subordinates to reveal any corrupt acts, particularly about the ZTE-NBN deal, without being obstructed in their testimony no matter who is involved;

5. Appeal to our senators and the ombudsman to use their distinct and different powers of inquiry into alleged corruption cases not for their own interests but for the common good;

6. Call on media to be a positive resource of seeking the truth and combating corruption by objective reporting without bias and partiality, selective and tendentious reporting of facts;

For the long term we reiterate our call for “circles of discernment” at the grassroots level, in our parishes, Basic Ecclesial Communities, recognized lay organizations and movements, religious institutions, schools, seminaries and universities.

It is through internal conversion into the maturity of Christ through communal and prayerful discernment and action that the roots of corruption are discovered and destroyed.

We believe that such communal action will perpetuate at the grassroots level the spirit of People Power so brilliantly demonstrated to the world at EDSA I.

It is People Power with a difference. From the grassroots will come out a culture of truth and integrity we so deeply seek and build. We instruct our CBCP Commissions to take active role including networking for this purpose.

May the Lord bless us in this sacred undertaking to build a new kind of Philippines and may our Blessed Mother be our companion and guide in this journey to truth and integrity.

For and on behalf of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines:

Suara Bangsamoro chide PNP for using “terrorist” hysteria against nationwide interfaith rally vs. GMA

The Suara Bangsamoro cannot anymore stomach the use of the Philippine National Police of the “terrorist” hysteria in a bid to make President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo look like a target of terrorist killing in the midst of a mammoth interfaith rally calling for her resignation.

“We condemn the PNP for using another Muslim as a fall guy to divert the public attention from the massive interfaith rally in Makati calling for President Arroyo’s resignation and ouster by staging a plot that another so-called Jeemayah Islamiya terrorist is out to kill the President,” said Amirah Ali Lidasan, national president of Mindanao-based group Suara.

Bangsamoro.Lidasan is afraid that another innocent Moro brother or sister will again be used as a pawn to make it look like there is a threat to the life of the President.

“The Moro people join the rest of the Filipino people in the nationwide interfaith rally because they cannot stomach anymore the list of human rights violations committed by the police and military because of the anti-Moro policies released during President Arroyo’s term,” said Lidasan.

Lidasan also lambast the PNP, saying that the people have become numb to their constant use of the “terrorist” hysteria, knowing full well that Police Director General Avelino Razon has a lot more to answer for the issues of abduction his men has done against NBN-ZTE star witness Jun Lozada.

Lidasan clarifies that the Moro people’s call for Arroyo’s ouster and resignation is part of the legitimate call of the Filipino people and should not be linked to any terrorist plot concocted by the PNP.

Lidasan said her group has joined various sectors in the interfaith rallies held in key cities in Mindanao and in Manila.(Press release by: Suara Bangsamoro)

RMC wins EDSA cagefest title

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/25 Feb) -- The Rizal Memorial College Bulldogs defeated Ateneo de Davao University Blue Knights, 102-96, to win the EDSA Basketball Tournament title Saturday night at the Davao City Recreation Center.

The Bulldogs leaned on their run-and-gun type of play to pull off the improbable title-clinching victory over the Blue Knights.

Hermann Dejito came out unstoppable, canning 32 big points for the Bulldogs who took a 73-68 lead going to the final period.

But it was Mohaledin Distancia who provided RMC's much needed lift, converting four straight points down the stretch to take a 92-84 advantage.

The high-flying Distancia split his free throw but superbly hauled the rebound for a put back plus a foul. He sank the bonus throw.

Kinny Rosil Isik and Ramfe Rodriguez added 18 and 11 points for RMC which took home the P10,000 cash prize personally awarded by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez.

The Blue Knights threatened to take the lead as Richard Madelo, Jarius Guingguing and Paulo Sta. Ana conspired for a 6-0 run that cut the deficit to 4, 94-90.

But Dejito was quick to answer with a short jumper to give RMC some breathing room, 96-90, with less than a minute remaining.

The next play saw Madelo who topscored for Ateneo with 32 points missing on his three-point attempt. With the time not on their side, the Blue Knights were forced to foul to stop the time but the Bulldogs showed nerves of steel as they calmly sank their free throws that eventually sealed the victory.

RMC took a 25-23 lead after 10 minutes of play and both teams managed to trade baskets in the second period to tie the count at 43 at the half.

Agro Industrial Foundation Sailors clinched the third place honor in the two-day tournament sponsored by PSC and backed by City Mayor's Office-Sports Development Division and sanctioned by Samahang Basketbolista ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) regional director Regino " Boy" Cua. (Rico Biliran / MindaNews)

SPORTS: Powerhouse, UM, Holy Cross share DC-PRISAA athletics plum

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/25 Feb) -- Holy Cross of Davao College and University of Mindanao shared top honors following two days of backbreaking track battle at the close of this year's Davao City Private School Athletic Association (DC-PRISAA) athletics competition Sunday at the University of Mindanao track oval.

Holy Cross hauled 24 gold, 15 silver and 10 bronze medals to clinch the men's division title while UM reaped 32 of the 39 gold medals at stake along with five silvers and four bronzes to capture the women's crown.

Led by middle distance runner Philip Ocon who won six gold medals, Holy Cross topped the men's medal board with huge victories in medal-rich relay events over UM which placed second with 15-22-2 gold-silver-bronze performance.

Ocon, who won numerous gold medals in the previous national PRISAA competitions, pocketed the gold in his favorite 800 meters and 1,500 meters and led the Holy Cross relay team to golden performances in 4x200m, 4x400m, 4x800m and classical relay.

The BIMP-EAGA gold medallist crossed the finish line 2:13.56 to bag the gold in the coveted 800 meters.

His teammate Flor Guimagan settled for silver with 2:21.00 while University of Mindanao's Belierba Satumcacal took the bronze after clocking 2:30.01.

Long distance runner Joselito Dugos contributed two gold medals to the Toto Lacanaria-mentored Holy Cross gold medal production by topping the 5-kilometer and 10,000-meter run.

In the women's side, UM stamped its class, ruling all contests apart from throwing event that was dominated by Holy Cross which clinched the second spot with 7-21-1 gold-silver-bronze showing.

Jose Maria College ended its campaign at third place with three silvers and six bronze medals. Genebeth Cantila, a middle distance runner, took six gold medals and a silver across her name to lead UM's medal production.

Cantila, who settled with silver in the long jump, won the gold in the 800 meters and 1,500 meters and led the UM relay team to win the gold in 4x100, 4x200, 4x400 and 4x800 relay events.

Vivian Avergonzado chipped in three gold medals for UM which dominated all the events except throwing. Avergonzado, a national medallist, topped the 5-kilometer, 10-kilometer run and 3,000 meters.

Holy Cross ace thrower Johanna Mae Pacaldo, a Palarong Pambansa medallist, won the gold in shot put and discuss throw.

In men's basketball, University of Mindanao Wildcats won their four consecutive titles by beating Agro Industrial Foundation College, 89-79 Sunday at the UM Matina Gym.

Arnold Adormeo, Ryan Calimpong and Aldrin Blanco combined for 44 points to lead the charge for UM. Brokenshire College bested Rizal Memorial College (RMC), 104-97, to cop the third place plum. In the distaff side, UM clobbered RMC, 103-55, to capture the title. Brokenshire College placed third by beating San Pedro College, 61-58. (Rico Biliran / MindaNews)

Monday, February 18, 2008

Mindanao's 'Sports for Peace' is back

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/7 Feb) -- The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) announced today the revival of the sports for peace program dubbed Mindanao Friendship Games (MFG) taking place simultaneous with the week-long celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace.

The MFG, which has been dormant for half a decade, will be revived starting this year, commencing on Nov. 29 up to Dec. 5, according to Joseph Encabo, chief of staff of PSC Chairman William Ramirez.

Encabo said the "rebirth" of MFG will be held in Lanao del Norte following the provincial government’s acceptance to host anew the MFG. Lanao del Norte hosted the inauguration of the MFG in 2001.

"Gov. Khalid Dimaporo sent us a letter, confirming that the provincial government accepted the hosting of the revival of the MFG," Encabo told sports journalists during the Davao Sportswriters Association Forum.

The MFG, which had sent a strong message of peace in the region in 2001, 2002 and 2003 was scrapped in the calendar of the national sports agency in 2004 due to funding shortage.

The multi-sports competition among the island’s local government units (LGU) was launched in Tubod, Lanao del Norte in 2001, a year after the "all-out war" against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) erupted in the municipality of Kauswagan in the same province.

The war eventually spread in some other parts of the island with MILF presence.The games were then held in Cagayan de Oro City in 2002 and finally in Mati, Davao Oriental the following year.

Kicking off the preparation, Encabo said sports coordinators from various LGUs across the island, with the collaboration of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, will meet next month to discuss the staging of the MFG.

Encabo said that recently, PSC obtained a financial help of P10 million from "one company in Manila," and half of which will be used for the MFG.

The other half was allocated for the grassroots sports program. Encabo did not name the company. "That's why Chairman Ramirez is very optimistic to revive the MFG because of the agreement (financial assistance) that will be signed last week of February, " he added.

Encabo estimates that P5 to 7 million is needed for the staging of the MFG.

Last December, Ramirez mentioned the revival of the MFG as part of the measures that would be taken to enhance the national sports agency's grassroots sports program.

He had said the PSC has allotted P50 million of its 2008 annual budget to fund grassroots development programs that includes the revival of Mindanao’s "Sports for Peace" program.

The national sports agency’s budget got an increase for 2008 after Ramirez, the former Ateneo de Davao professor, defended it in both chambers of Congress. (Rico Biliran / MindaNews)

PGMA cites importance of fight vs corruption in quest for peace and progress


Amid unfounded allegations of corruption hurled against certain officials of the Arroyo administration linked with the long-cancelled National Broadband Network (NBN) project, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo underscored today the need to rid the bureaucracy of corruption to attain peace and economic prosperity.


In her opening statement at the Procurement Transparency Group-National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-Cabinet Group meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room in Malacañang this morning, the President stressed that the government has put anti-corruption campaign at the fore of its agenda.




''It is empirical that we fight corruption so we can attain further economic growth, increase investments that would create more new jobs for the people,'' the President said in Filipino.


Thus, she added, the government allotted last year some P3 billion in its war against corruption, ''the largest amount spent for an anti-corruption campaign.


'The President said among the measures taken by the government to stamp out corruption included lifestyle check on people in government.''


Dozens of officials have either been discharged from service or are facing corruption charges in courts as a result of the lifestyle check waged by the present administration,'' she stressed.


The President also said she has created the Procurement Transparency Group (PTG) chaired by Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. to ''monitor and evaluate contracting of government projects.''


''The PTG, which we are meeting now, has been tasked to partner with business, academe, religious and civil society groups to be government's watchdogs,'' she said.


''To rid the system of corruption, the participation of the civil society through the PTG is important,'' the President stressed.


She likewise cited the important roles the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman play in the government's quest to rid the system of corruption and let truth and justice prevail.


Thus, the President said, the budget of the Office of the Ombudsman was doubled to allow it to hire more investigators and prosecutors.


'The number of cases won by the Sandiganbayan increased by 5 percent due to more prosecutors and investigators who are focused on graft and corruption cases,'' she said.


The President expressed hope that the Ombudsman would be fair in its investigation, “no leanings, no politics and no drama involved but fair and just decision...just the truth in accordance with due process, based on solid evidence, and respects the rights of the accused and the accuser.''


''This is the democratic process in resolving peacefully and truthfully issues and accusations,'' the President said.“If we could resolve corruption charges in the democratic process, then our country would be respected as a democracy. Let us respect the rule of law, the key to peace and prosperity,'' the President said. (http://www.gov.ph/news/)

Metro Manila is not the Philippines, says Mindanawon lawmaker


A Mindanao congressman today warned that they will secede from the Philippines and form an independent state if "the people of Metro Manila will continue dictating their will on the Filipino people."


Davao del Sur Rep. Marc Douglas Cagas said that many Mindanaoans are enraged by the "reckless misrepresentation of the people of Metro Manila" on the real sentiment of all Filipinos."


Many people in Mindanao are already anguishing on what's happening here in Metro Manila. We are already tired of being dictated upon by the people of Metro Manila. Metro Manila is not the entire Philippines," Cagas said.


Cagas warned that fresh moves to bring down the Arroyo administration and the constant political wrangling that is taking place in Metro Manila might force the people of Mindanao to assert their right to have an independent state.


"How can we achieve peace in this country when the people of Metro Manila is always in the warpath against the government? All these demonstrations, all these calls for President Arroyo to resign, all these anti-Arroyo investigations in the Senate are a distraction in our effort to bring progress in the countryside, particularly in Mindanao," Cagas said.


"We deplore all those Metro Manila-based personalities fomenting civil unrest under the guise of searching for the truth. This unholy alliance, which is claiming to speak for our people and our nation, does not have any inkling on or does not care to know what the people outside of Metro Manila really want and deserve to get from the government," Cagas said.


Cagas also deplored the so-called "arrogance of the noisy few" as he pointed out that those who have been calling for President Arroyo to resign "do not speak for the people Mindanao."


"All is quiet in most parts of the country because all that we want is to have more bridges, more school buildings, more paved roads, more scholarships, more post-harvest facilities, more jobs and more irrigation. We have no demonstrations in the countryside. We have better things to do than going in the streets shouting slogans and calling for the President to resign," Cagas said.


He added that the Senate investigation on the so-called ZTE scandal highlighted by the revelations of Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada is now focused on fanning public outrage to bring down President Arroyo but this do not have any effect on most people particularly those who are in the countryside.


"This is an arrogance of the noisy few. The should give it a rest and wait for the 2010 elections. Their so-called search for truth are actually motivated by their endless desire to grab power," he said."


They should stop pretending that they represent the will of all Filipinos because they don't. The desire of most Filipinos is to be spared from all these noise in Metro Manila so that the government can pump more funds to develop the countryside," Cagas said.


Earlier, Manila Rep. Tricia Bonoan-David warned that staging another People Power revolt and forcing President Arroyo to step down may lead to a "civil war" because many Filipinos still support her government.


Compostela Valley Rep. Manuel "Way Kurat" Zamora also said Mindanaoans would most likely secede from the government if the anti-Arroyo forces will have their way in bringing down her government. (Office of Rep. Marc Douglas Cagas of 1st district of Davao Del Sur)

PCID lauds SC Chief Puno for Court's "preferential option for the poor"

Chief Justice Reynato Puno yesterday said he would spearhead a workshop, tentatively scheduled for March, aimed at "leveling the playing field" and providing legal help to the poor, including farmers, fishermen and indigenous peoples, who were usually intimidated by the abstract court processes.

The Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy applauds this latest effort from the Chief Justice.

Coming on the heels of his valiant efforts to defend the victims of extra-judicial killings, the move to give "preferential option for the poor" in terms of justice certainly deserves acclaim from all sectors.

We are particularly happy with the focus given by the Chief Justice to those who are, for a long time now, at the margins of our society.

This, we believe, is essential to reclaiming the trust of the people in our justice system. The Moro nation is poorest of the poor, the most marginalized, and the most affected by armed conflicts. We hope that the Chief Justice will bear this in mind.

Poverty, exclusion and discrimination have long complicated the struggle of the Bangsamoro for self determination.This is a vital step towards changing the perception that justice in this country are only for the rich and privileged.

This is a significant stride in ensuring that we do not only have court of laws but court of justice as well.

We support this effort and hope that the proposed workshop will give all marginalized sectors a forum to address the injustice that they have long experienced. We gently remind the Chief Justice to ensure that Muslims, long victims of exclusion, discrimination and poverty, are properly represented in the workshop. (Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy)

SPORTS: Samal cycling to push tourism industry

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/16 Feb.) -- The Island Garden City of Samal Tourism Council has lined up sporting events to help promote the city’s tourism industry including the staging of the Samal Festival Cycling Challenge which reels off on March 2.

The one-day bikefest with out and back course at the Kaputian Beach Park is one of the sporting highlights in this year’s weeklong celebration of Samal’s founding anniversary on March 1 to 7.

“We have sport events in our calendar of activities for the founding anniversary that could help us promote tourism in IGACOS,” said Cecil Ayuste, Samal Tourism Council president.

Despite limited budget due to Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) cuts, the Samal Cycling Challenge was included in the calendar as part of its efforts to make known the “inland and island tourist spots of Samal”, Ayuste said.

“We are forming Samal to be a tourist destination,” she said during the Davao Sportswriters Association Forum at the Tower Inn Business Hotel.

The 50-kilometer Samal cycling challenge is likely to attract participants and sport enthusiasts from various places to visit the island garden city. The place is composed of 46 barangays including Camudmud, the site of fine beaches.

Salvador Paholio Jr., PhilCycling regional director, said riders from Metro Manila and Cebu have already signified their intention to join the cycling challenge which is expected to attract elite riders across Mindanao.

The cycling championship will feature road bike and mountain bike competitions. "The road bike will be an open event while the mountain bike will have the 23 years old and under and 35-above categories," Paholio said.

Cash prizes and a slot to the national training pool are up for grabs in the cycling race presented by IgaCoS Mayor Roger Antalan in cooperation with Karancho and Samahang Siklista Kooperatiba ng Dabaw. (Rico Biliran/MindaNews)

Davao Oriental LGU told --- “Listen to your peoples’ grievances”

A church group appealed to Davao Oriental’s provincial government to heed the evacuees’ plea to stop the military operations in certain militarized sitios and barangays in the municipalities of Baganga, Cateel and Boston .

The Promotion of Peoples’ Church Response (PCPR) encouraged the provincial government to listen to the victims’ sentiments. The PCPR, a group composed of church leaders and workers joined the evacuees and human rights violations victims from Cateel and Baganga in addressing the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Davao Oriental Province yesterday.

“We urge the LGU to listen to the grievances of their people. Instead of dismissing the peoples’ complaints, initiate prompt action within the LGU’s mandate and see how the government can work for the people,” said Reverend Jurie Jaime, acting secretary general of the PCPR.

Reverend Jaime noted concern over the military’s “tagging” of the victims and of the organizations that represent the victims.

“Peoples’ issues should not be buried with the labeling of people or organizations facilitating the victims’ complaints. The LGU should instead focus on the grievances expressed by the people, the victims. The problem is that the victims who profess their problems are considered nuisance and the LGU is constrained by their desire to cover-up the issue to save face,” Reverend Jaime said.

The PCPR will conduct prayer meetings and dialogues among other church leaders and members to gather more support for the evacuees who are seeking shelter in the grace of church support groups. (Press Release: Reverend Jurie Jaime Acting Secretary General Promotion of Peoples’ Church Response (PCPR)

Mindanao rallies call for ouster of US troops and GMA

Cagayan de Oro - Thousands of people in Mindanao marched in key cities to protest the opening of the US-RP Balikatan exercises and denounced the Arroyo government’s puppetry to US interests.

Cagayan de Oro became a central point of the Mindanao anti-Balikatan protest, as 5,000 people joined the Peoples’ March for Sovereignty, Peace and Justice including contingents from Zamboanga, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, and Caraga.

Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo and Gabriela Women Party representative Liza Maza joined the march and later in the rally called for the unity of Mindanao people to oust the US troops and President Arroyo.

Moro, Lumad and Christian groups led by the US Troops Out Now! Mindanao and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) convened the caravan.Rallies in Cotabato City and Pikit, North Cotabato gathered around 10,000 people.

Davao City 3,000 protesters led a rally and a cultural program. In General Santos City, 500 protesters marched in the streets after negotiating with police to allow their rally to push through.

“Along with our call for the ouster of US troops, let us also call for the ouster of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for her puppetry to US interest,” said Ocampo, referring to the growing protest against Arroyo in Manila following the ZTE broadband exposé of Rodolfo Lozada.

Ocampo and Maza threw support to the resolution by some Mindanao congressmen to suspend the Balikatan, citing the February 4 incident in Sulu where US troops were alleged to be behind the killing of eight civilians in a military operation.

Amirah Ali Lidasan, vice president of Suara Bangsamoro, said the US troops have “turned the Moro people into live fire targets of their military exercises.” She cited various Moro civilians in Sulu and Basilan who have been killed or wounded during Balikatan war games.

She said US troops were found to be joining ground operations with the AFP, in clear violation of our national sovereignty.

Lidasan challenged local government officials in the ARMM to side with the people and oppose the Balikatan over the grave human rights abuses of the US military against the Moro people.

Lidasan also lashed against the so-called ‘humanitarian missions’, saying that “US troops give us aid with their right hand, but their left hand is brandishing firearms that kill us.”Groups such as the Sisters’ Association in Mindanao (Samin), Ranao Crescent Against Balikatan Exercises (Racabe) of Lanao del Sur, Kusog sa Katawhang Lumad sa Mindanao (Kalumaran), and Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao joined the rallies.

Samin executive secretary Sr. Elsa Compuesto, MSM, said that with the Visiting Forces Agreement, “the US perpetrates an unequal relation with the Philippines where we become dependent on their aid, while they secure resources for their own economic interests.”

Kalumaran and Racabe called for the unity of Lumads and Moro to defend their land against the entry of the American troops, which will pave the way for “development aggression.”Atty. Frederico Gapuz, chair of UPLM, a long-time anti-bases activist, shared a personal challenge to the protesters:

“I’ve been fighting US military intervention for fifty years. It’s been that long, but are we ready to ensure that in our lifetime we can drive them away?”

The protesters responded with a resounding yes.The march rally in Cagayan de Oro ended with the protesters burning the US flag and an effigy of Arroyo.

The peoples’ march was preceded by activities set by the Out Now! Mindanao coalition in various cities, including forums and rallies. In Marawi, protesters threw stones at US military vehicles in protest of their presence.(Press Release: Atty. Beverly MusniOut Now! convenor)