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Gibo, Chiz gain; Erap, Noynoy lose ground in new Davao survey

Here is the result of the latest survey in the First District of Davao.

It was taken last Saturday, October 10, in nine barangays (5-A, 8-A, 39-D, 40-D, Ma-a, Matina Crossing, Matina Pangi, Bago Aplaya, Bago Gallera) with 240 respondents.

Rank President Oct 10 Sept 3 Change
1 Aquino 35.0 37.4 -2.4
2 Escudero 20.4 14.8 6.8
3 Estrada 17.1 24.1 -7.0
4 Villar 13.3 13.0 0.3
5 Teodoro 8.3 0.0 8.3
6 Villanueva 2.1 0.4 1.7

The September 3 survey was taken also in nine but different barangays in the district, which includes the poblacion and southern suburban areas of downtown Davao City.

City gives aid to Luzon flood victims

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte called for a special emergency session of the Davao City Council yesterday afternoon to appropriate funds to help victims of Typhoon Ondoy in Metro Manila and Luzon.

Twenty of 27 members of the City Council showed up in the hastily arranged emergency session and approved P10 million in cash assistance to the Philippine National Red Cross.

The Mayor also donated the equivalent of his one month salary and the councilors present followed his lead. The total amount is more than P10.5 million. He directed the city’s chief of police Chief Supt. Ramon Apolinario to fly the cash this morning so that PNRC can buy food, water and other needs to help the flood victims.

The City Government and Davaoenos also extended help in the past like those struck by calamities in northern Mindanao, Leyte and Samar.

In your face!

During the many debates on the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), its proponents promised us that the country would be treated well by Japan with this pact. And that we will gain much in trade, aid and investments, among other things.

Ngek!

What is this P1.3 billion loss?

This clearly shows that the Philippines is not a favored nation in spite of the JPEPA as Tokyo cuts its aid to Manila next year.

Time to make those who voted for JPEPA accountable. Remember them on May 10, 2010.

Davao is safe for ships

This old report from the International Maritime Bureau was simply outrageous.

“The center said ships calling at Davao in the Philippines have also reported men firing rocket-propelled grenades at ships from banca (small canoe with outriggers). In the past 4 weeks, four ships have been attacked this way.”

This report was part of the FF World Ocean News to warn against pirates.

I have been a resident of Davao for the past 52 years, a member of the media and an elected official. I can attest that no incident of this type happened in Davao.

Clear proof of this is the uninterrupted sailings of banana boats from Davao to Japan, China, South Korea, Middle East and other destinations.

This news would definitely help correct the utterly erroneous IMB report.

3-in-1 Today

Three important events are being marked today, 37th anniversary of Martial Law in the country, celebration of Eid ‘l Fitr, and UN International Day of Peace.

Here are some activities in Davao City:

9 a.m. – Aksyon Mindanaw and Mindanaons for Noynoy Movement interfaith prayer and Kaduli at Shanghai Bro’s Restaurant;

1-5 p.m. – Task Force Detainees of the Philippines Human Rights Forum at the UP-Mindanao Anda Campus;

3 p.m. – Kabataang para kay Noynoy Aquino (K NA!) Free t-shirt printing at Centennial Park;

5 p.m. – Candlelight ceremony at Centennial Park to honor victims of martial law and promote the International Day of Peace

Robinsons at Abreeza

Davao City will have a full-service Robinsons Department Store located at Abreeza, the Ayala Center project here of Ayala Land and the Floriendo Group.

Clavel Tongco, Senior Division Head of Ayala Malls based in Cebu City told me that Robinsons Department Store would be the anchor department store at the Ayala Center Davao at Bajada.

She said Robinsons would build its own department store connected to the Abreeza Mall.

Robinsons recently opened a Cyber Center along JP Laurel but with limited space for stores and restaurants. The entire second level of the center is devoted to BPO business locators.

Tongco said the Ayala Center Davao is expected to open in mid 2011 with development cost topping P2.4 billion.

The Davao City Investment Incentive Board recently granted its application for local tax holidays.

Luzon goes Noynoy

The SWS survey in Luzon has confirmed Senator Noynoy has now become the man to beat in next year’s polls.

He polled 50%, the highest ever among the so-called presidentiables since polling to track voter preference started more than two years ago.

This survey also confirmed results of our own survey in the first district of Davao that he can win support from erstwhile supporters of other presidentiables, cutting across all political forces and economic classes.

The survey also revealed an interesting fact. He gets more support every time a presidentiable’s name is taken out in the survey, getting a high of 63% in a three-way fight among Noynoy, Villar and de Castro, and 55% in a four-way contest among Noynoy, Villar, Erap and de Castro.

He needs to sustain the momentum is how one vice mayor in Davao told me in reaction to the survey result.

Well, the Noynoy support groups are mounting more activities this week in Davao including community and campus tours, Rock the Vote Concert, Piso-piso fund drive and start of round-table discussions in crafting a Mindanao Agenda for Noynoy.

Washington Sycip in Davao

The SGV, the country’s and perhaps Asia’s best accounting and business consulting firm, marked its 50th year in Davao with a lavish dinner last night at the Marco Polo Hotel.

The golden anniversary was complete with songs and dances, tributes to past and present employees, thank yous to all clients and guests, and sumptuous dinner with an open bar.

What was unique about the event was the message of its founder, Washington Sycip, one of the most respected business leaders in the country and in the Asian region.

His words were not about the glory of the firm he built after the war to become was it is today. His speech was a tale of lament and a challenge.

He said the country was seen 50 years ago as the leading country in Asia after Japan. He said being democratic and a Christian nation were seen as the country’s asset for development. But now, he said the country lagged behind our neighbors, and has become a bottom-dweller in almost all categories in Asia. He cited though that the Philippines was No. 1 in corruption!

He expressed worry about the continuing decline in the quality of education, the rising poverty, and the ballooning population.

He said the country is now realizing that being “democratic” and a Christian nation have become instead obstacles to development.

The anniversary may not have been appropriate to promote his passion for certain advocacy such as education and raising the living standards of the Filipinos.

Yet, he said he was concerned about the country that we will leave behind for our children.

It was a message that struck the hearts and minds of most in the audience of accountants, business leaders and government officials.

SGV gave out copies of his new bio “Wash: Only a bookkeeper” as the program closed. I rushed to get mine and had it autographed by this great man, who at 88 was still sharp and witty. His citation of statistics during his speech was admirable.

I told him his speech was great. He just smiled knowing that he has inspired or challenged another human being, a fellow Filipino.

City grants incentives to 3 big projects

The Davao City Investment Incentive Board led by Vice Mayor Sara Duterte granted yesterday the application of three projects for local government incentives.

The projects are all property development, namely:

Abreeza, the Ayala Mall in Davao, a joint venture between Ayala Land and the Floirendo Group, and with a project cost of P2.4 billion;

Santiago Villas of Kisan Lu Realty, Inc. with a project cost of P253 million; and

Deca Homes Resort and Residences of 8890 Housing Development Corporation with a project of P586 million.

They were granted exemption from payment of local taxes, building permits fees and other charges for three years and property taxes for two years.

Projects processed by the local Investment Incentive Board for this year have already reached P4.1 billion, way above its goal.

Resignations in the sports council

As President of the Davao City Sports Council, Inc., I sent this message out early this morning in reaction to this news.

“This is to confirm media reports that Rommel Tan of AAK has sent an email letter of resignation yesterday (September 10, 2009) and earlier sent a text message of resigning from the Davao City Sports Council, Inc.

No such message was received regarding the reported resignation of Salvador Paholio, Jr. of cycling.

I am surprised by their resignation.

They are active members of the Sports Council and have been undertaking various activities in their respective sports here and in participating in tournaments on the national and international levels.

I am calling for an emergency meeting of the Sports Council as soon as possible to calendar these matters.

We are not aware of any problems with their membership in this sports coordinating body, although their national sports associations are having leadership problems. The same can be said of other sports bodies at the national level. However, I am happy to note that leadership problems hounding a number of NSAs have not affected the local sports body.

The Davao City Sports Council is primarily a coordinating council. It is not a policy-making body or a funding agency and it fully allows its member national sports associations to undertake their own programs, projects and activities.

Part of the Sports Council’s role is to be the NSAs link with the City Government in coordinating annual sports activities such as during the Araw ng Dabaw, Kadayawan and Paskuhan sports competitions. It also links with the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee and civil society groups such as the Sports for Peace Foundation of former PSC chair William “Butch” Ramirez.

The Davao City Sports Council also undertakes the annual So Kim Cheng Awards, now going on its 16th year in partnership with the So Kim Cheng Foundation, and the new Vic Sai Sports Journalism Awards, now going on its 2nd year.

The Sports Council just recently held its election of officers and there were no indication at all of any of these resignations. Mr. Paholio was in fact re-elected as an officer.

We respect the individual decisions of NSA officials on their membership in the Davao City Sports Council. We wish that they would continue to be of service to the sports community of the city.”

Presidentiables and JPEPA

I was totally surprised that my post on October 9, 2008 on the Senate vote on the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) would attract interest these past few days.

I noticed that this particular post “Only 4 voted ‘no’ on JPEPA” was getting many hits.

Well, in that story, I wrote Senator Noynoy Aquino “a new hero,” Senator Mar Roxas a “wimp,” and in the comments section, I added Senator Manny Villar being “more presidentiable” and Senator Chiz Escudero having “more major league balls.”

You too might want to revisit the story in the light of recent political developments.

Incidentally, it might interest you to know that surveys among so-called presidentiables between December 2007 and December 2008 revealed an interesing fact.

It showed that only two such “presidentiables” lost ground, while a number made more headway.

Who are these two, you might ask?

Believe it or not, the two Ilonggo senators – Miriam Defensor Santiago and Mar Roxas, the main proponents of JPEPA.

Mar has not recovered from this slide. I believe he was punished for his JPEPA stand.

Go check your stats.

Software Freedom Day in Davao

Davao is once again celebrating Software Freedom Day on September 19.

The SFD is an annual event celebrated worldwide to honor contributors to Free/ Open Source Software.

The event is spearheaded by Holden Hao of DabaweGNU, Inc., a non-profit organization of ICT professionals and enthusiasts promoting the use of Free/ Open Source Software or FOSS.

Hao said the event aims to promote awareness on the advantages of using FOSS compared to proprietary software, which are expensive.

This year’s Software Freedom Day will be celebrated at the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC) Gym at Bankerohan from 1 – 5 pm. Last year, we held the event at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USP).

The event will feature various presentations on the technical and social issues on using FOSS.

Noynoy accepts challenge

Senator Noynoy Aquino has finally accepted the challenge and responsibility to continue the legacy of his parents and lead the country by running as president next year.

He made the announcement just a while ago at the historic Club Filipino in San Juan, Metro Manila.

Here in Davao, the planned activities to mark the 40th day of mourning on the passing away of former President Cory Aquino would now become the opening salvo for Noynoy for President Movement.

A motorcade is now underway in the city’s main streets towards the Matina Town Center (MTS) where an inter-faith prayer service and assembly of various Noynoy support groups would be held.

I was invited to represent the Liberal Party. I will also represent Mayor Rody Duterte is the activity.

At noon, a mass would be held at the San Pedro Cathedral with Raffy Lopa representing the Aquino clan.

In 20 minutes it would be 9 am of September 9, 2009 or 09-09-09-09. Will this bring luck to Noynoy and win in 2010?

Well, your guess is as good as mine.

An interesting mix

I started to compile a list of key personalities in Davao who expressed support for Senator Noynoy to run as president in 2010.

This is a clear proof that Senator Noynoy’s appeal cuts across the wide spectrum of Pinoy politics. This gives flesh to the result of our survey that Noynoy can draw away support from almost all presidentiables.

A former congressman from Davao del Sur whose father is the pre-martial law Mister Nacionalista in the Davao Region;

A former vice governor of Davao del Norte whose father is a key Lakas-Kampi official;

An incumbent vice mayor of one of the cities in the Davao Region identified with Kampi;

A retired Police Superintendent;

A former COMELEC official in Sultan Kudarat;

A member of the Maguindanao royalty;

A former official of the Mindanao Business Council seen in one Manny Villar function;

A youth leader previously identified with Jeep ni Erap;

A businessman previously identified with the movement to draft Chief Justice Puno for president.

An interesting mix indeed.