Who Ranked Davao City As The Safest City In The Philippines?

One of the things that Rodrigo Duterte is brandishing as one of his major contributions in Davao City is its low crime rate. In fact, many are saying that Davao City is the safest city in the Philippines. The question is, who ranked Davao City as the safest city in the Philippines, in terms of crime rate?

If you Google “Davao Safest City”, it will give you search result that points to one particular website – Numbeo.com. It is a Serbian company that holds the world’s largest database of user contributed data about cities and countries worldwide.

User contributed data, meaning, visitors to the site can contribute data about any cities in the world. It doesn’t user Google’s Location (like in smarphones) so it doesn’t pinpoint the location of the PC being used.

I tried to contribute some information about Pasig City but the website doesn’t give the link to the questionnaires about the Crime Index so I have to email Numbeo. They provided me the link and I’ve answered the questionnaires. It didn’t ask me for any information at all – no name, location, age, gender – nothing. There are four answers – Very, Fairly, Not a very, Not at problem at all.

So I finished the questionnaires for Pasig City and found out that I’m among the 1,109 contributors who answered the questionnaires. I then compared it to the data for Davao City. It has 469 contributors as of today. Davao City has 1.449 million population (as of 2010). So 469 answers (out of 1.449 million) concluded that Davao City is the safest city in the Philippines.

The problem with the questionnaire is you can answer it repeatedly. So the 469 contributors can be a single person. I tried to access the same questionnaires using another browser (without even rebooting my PC or modem to renew my IP address) and I was able to answer it again. This is not the most scientific or statistically-accurate way of rating a city, especially that we’re talking about Crime Rate. I took Statistics as a subject and this way of gathering data is definitely not the best way to do it.

Now I’m very upset that Duterte’s camp is using the information from this highly-questionable method and website, to brag that Davao City is the safest city in the Philippines. I’m hoping they could back up this claim by providing figures from the Philippine National Police (PNP) instead.

On the contrary, I stumbled upon a Wikileaks article regarding Davao City saying:

“Davao has made a remarkable turnaround in the past 20 years from the "murder capital of the Philippines" to a peaceful and secure pro-business environment that is internationally recognized as one of the most livable cities in Asia. Although the methods which seem to have been used in Davao to obtain peace are not ones we would want to see replicated, Davao serves as an example of the progress which can be made if peace can be established and good economic policies put in place.” (Bold letters for emphasis are mine)

Who or What is Numbeo?

Email from the Founder/CEO of Numbeo on where to get the Crime Index Questionnaire.

The Crime Index Questionnaire

The Crime rates in Davao, Philippines as answered by 469 contributors. 

The famous screenshot of the ranking of Davao City as the safest city in the Philippines. Look, the contributors even posted an even safer city – Fruitful and Feisty Filipino Memes – as a way of mocking this list.

I tried to answer the questionnaire again from the same PC with the same IP address, but on a different browser, and I was able to access the questionnaires again. So the 469 contributors could be a single person or a small group of people (lower than 469)

Even Wikileaks never mentioned Numbeo as a source of Davao’s ranking as Safest City in the Philippines

Technorati Tags: Davao City,Safest City in the Philippines,Questionable

5 Reasons I Will Not Vote For Duterte

As a blogger and a Wikipedia contributor, the #1 rule I learned is to credit your source for everything you’re saying on your blog (or article) that is not your personal opinion. When you’re stating your source, it should be from a generally-accepted reliable website (.com) and not from a blog.

Image courtesy of The Philippine Star.

On the topic of why I’m not voting for Duterte, here are my reasons for #NoToDuterte:

1. Duterte disregards rules – the filling for the Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) was already scheduled October 12 to 16, 2015. Duterte filed his CoC November 27. For me, it’s general disregard for rules. My Facebook friends are seeing it as a political strategy to gain attention, but for me, I see it as a reason not to vote for him. I’m seeing an indecisive candidate.

He held 2 press conferences saying, he is not seeking the presidency – and yet, he filed a CoC. For me, that’s a sign of being indecisive and I will not vote for indecisive candidates.

“Ending weeks of speculation, he announced this during a press conference in Davao City on Monday afternoon, October 12. This is the second press conference he has called to confirm he is not seeking the presidency.” Source and Source.

2. Duterte is known for human rights violation – he was quoted, on criminals, “Kill all of them”. Source

For me, killing another human being is not acceptable for whatever reason. Even Hitler deserves to be in prison to reflect on his crimes. I believe every criminal has the right to repent. I still believe in our current criminal justice system. There is no Death Penalty in our law.

Duterte, by the way, admitted to these killings. Source

“His strongman approach was criticized by no less than the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and other human rights advocates as a form of vigilante justice”. Source

3. He’s not successful at keeping a marriage – I don’t trust a political candidate who can’t keep a wife happy. “Court records show that it was his wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman Duterte, who was on the receiving end of  “emotional abuse” from Rodrigo whom she described as a “womanizer” who had frequent “outbursts of temper.” Source

This is the best quote that describes his character, as a person:

“The court cited the results of an examination by a clinical psychologist who found Rodrigo unable to “remain committed to a person or a relationship.” He carries a “gross indifference to others’ needs and feelings, heightened by lack of capacity for remorse and guilt.” Source

4. I generally hate political dynasty – and Duterte has been mayor of Davao City since 1988. I’m a strong opponent of political dynasties and I criticize even the Eusebio family for that.

Even before Duterte became mayor, his father Vicente Duterte (died in 1988) served as Davao Provincial Governor from 1959 to 1965. Source

“Digong is among the country’s longest-serving mayors. He has been Davao City mayor for 7 terms, totalling more than 22 years. When not a mayor, he was vice mayor under his daughter, Sara, or congressman.” Source

5. Davao as one of the safest cities in the world is questionable – Again, we have to dig deeper at the source of this statement. I found out that this list was from an unpopular website, Numbeo. I myself is subscribe to news organizations and agencies. Yet, this is the first time I heard about this unpopular website.

According to Google, it is the world's largest database of user contributed data about cities and countries worldwide. Sorry, but I only trust news websites.

User contributed data is similar to a popularity vote. Not necessarily from a news-worthy website like BBC, CNN, or even Inquirer. The ranking of Davao is not based on research. It’s not even based on the statistics by the Philippine National Police.

I tried Numbeo’s way of obtaining data and found out how questionable their method is. Click here.

On the other hand, I find two things I like about Duterte:

1. He believes in a Federal form of government, which I also, strongly believe. To quote a website: “He considers federalism the only way to solve corruption, criminality and the Bangsamoro problem.” Source
2. Davao City as a 911 system for emergency – which is always a good thing. I admire Duterte for this. Source 

In the end, I still won’t vote for Duterte since the negative side of him surpasses the positive ones. I don’t care if majority of my Facebook friends will cast their one vote for Duterte, but mine will not be counted for him. #NoToDuterte

Technorati Tags: 5 Reasons I Will Not Vote For Duterte,Blogger,Wikipedia

5 Tips to Boost Your Immunity during the Holidays

The holidays are fast approaching and we’ll definitely be busy with several events this Christmas and New Year. December is often the time of the year when high school reunion are held as well as company Christmas parties. In addition to these two events, I’ll also be attending two more additional Christmas parties from several camera clubs and some out-of-town trips.

Travelling and taking pictures are ways to reduce stress levels.

December is also the time of the year to be reunited with friends and “inaanak”. I currently have 6 –one in Quezon City, one in Marikina, and four here in Pasig City. I’m often the one who visits them to bring their “aginaldo” and have chitchat with their parents.

With several events during December, I boost my immunity in 5 ways:

1. I don't smoke and I limit drinking alcoholic beverages.

2. I get adequate sleep daily.

3. I eat lots of fruits and vegetables.

4. I reduce stress levels by listen to music on Spotify, taking photographs, and watching Kalyeserye. The latter never fails to give me good vibes and makes me laugh.

5. I take vitamins like FERN-C. It’s a great source of added immunity.

Eating lots of fruits and vegetables is a sure way of boosting our immunity.

Fern-C can definitely help us have a stress-free Christmas because it’s an immune-system booster and a potent anti-oxidant. It increases body resistance against infections and is a source of added immunity. It is also the first and only Quali-C sodium ascorbate in the Philippines, which assures you and your family of a safe, world-class product.

Fern-C contains sodium ascorbate produced by DSM of Switzerland, the second-largest producer of vitamin raw materials (next only to nature). In the Philippines, FERN-C is the only vitamin C which carries Quali-C®. Quali-C® assures that you and your family are getting only the safest, world-class quality sodium ascorbate.

The advantage of sodium ascorbate versus ascorbic acid is that it’s alkaline. Sodium ascorbate is a form of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) which is more bioavailable and “alkaline”, unlike the ascorbic acid form of the C vitamin, which leads to stomach upset in some people. (Inquirer.net)

For only P6.50/capsule, we can get a tried and tested immunity booster and potent anti-oxidant that’s subok na.

Please visit FERN-C’s official website and like their Facebook page. You can also follow them on Twitter and Instagram.

Technorati Tags: FERN-C,Subok Na,Nuffnang Philippines

My Belkin Wishlist

A few years ago, I always associate Belkin with modems and routers. It’s almost synonymous with networking items. However, a recent visit to Lazada website reveals that Belkin is more than modems and routers. Belkin now caters to almost all our digital needs – from USB cables, to charges and smatphone holders.

Since Christmas 2015 is fast approaching, I decided to list down my Belkin Wishlist – 5 must-have equipment for someone who’s living the digital life. My list includes the following:

• Belkin Mini Surge Protector – P1,190.00
• Belkin Universal Charger Kit – P2,390.00
• Belkin Micro USB Cable – P450.00
• Belkin Stylus – P325.00
• Belkin USB Keychain – P1,590.00

Belkin Surge Protector – our supply of electricity sometimes is unreliable. We often encounter power interruption which affects our electronic gadgets like desktop PC. A surge protector is a must-have for anyone who owns a PC. This will prevent unnecessary loss of data when these power outages happen.

It’s damage-resistant feature is what I like about this surge protector.

Belkin Universal Charger – I currently have 2 tablets and a smartphone. Unfortunately, they’re not using the same charger. Two connects via Micro USB while the other tablet is using an old, round charger. Good thing there’s the Belkin Universal Charger which I can use for all of my gadgets. A single charger to rule them all.

2.4A output ensures fastest charging.

Belkin Micro USB Cable – is very efficient in transferring data between my tablets and smartphone to my PC. This will ensure faster transfer of pictures between my gadgets and PC, for backup purposes.

I love the color of this ultra-compact cable – red.

Belkin Stylus – will be very useful for my 2 tablets. I can draw on my tablets with the Belkin Stylus for a more detailed drawing. Plus, editing pictures will be more effective since I can touch the details of the pictures that the fingers can’t reach.

I like the pen-like feel in hand feature of this stylus.

Belkin USB Keychain – is a very fashionable keychain and flexible cable in one. I can forget about bringing USB cables when I’m travelling since I’m always carrying my keychain around.

This one is a very stylish keychain that is available in 5 matte metallic colors.

You guys can also list down your Belkin Wishlist by visiting the website of Lazada here. Be sure to follow Belkin’s Facebook page as well for updates regarding other wonderful gadgets.

Technorati Tags: Belkin,My Belkin Wishlist,Lazada