Vol XIX, No. 3 January 20 26, 2014

>>>Rose Fostanes: a Filipina OFW; a singing TV star abroad

> F.E.S.T...P/8

Vol. 19, No. 3 | January 20 - 26, 2014 E-mail: balikasonline@yahoo.com Telephone: (043) 417.1662 Smart/TNT: 0912.902.7373 Globe/TM: 0917.512.9477 Php 12.00/copy

Sharing Good News..

Bridging Communities..

Towards Development

A proud member of:

Philippine Press Institute National Association of Newspapers Since 1964

READ THE FULL STORY ON

p. 2

Batangas police nabs 2 Liberians for swindling

POWER PLAY. President Benigno S. Aquino III and First Gen Chairman and CEO Federico R. Lopez lead the groundbreaking ceremony of the 414M San Gabriel Power Plant in Batangas City, January 14, as Energy secretary Jericho Petilla, Batangas governor Vilma Santos-Recto and other key players look on.|JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS

........................................................................

By JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS CAMP GEN. MIGUEL MALVAR – TWO suspected members of the International Black Dollar Money Laundering Syndicate otherwise known as Wash Wash Gang fall in an entrapment operation of elements of Batangas City police led

by PSupt. Manuel Castillo, COP, Wednesday morning, the eve of Feast of Sto. Niño in Batangas City.

Batangas Police Provincial Director Omega Jireh Fidel presented to the members of the media, Thursday noon the suspects identified as Joseph Gbalah, 36, and Jackson Gale, 42, both single, natives of Monrovia, Liberia and residents of Makati City. A third member of the group, a certain “Mark” who is a Canadian national was not with the duo when they apprehended that morning.

>>>‘BUDOL’...turn to P/3

..................................................................................................................

Measles cases in Calabarzon increased by 288% in 2013... ‘but no outbreak yet’ - DoH CALAMBA CITY, Laguna —The Department of Health (DOH) declared measles outbreak in some cities of the National Capital Region (NCR) early this month while there was no reported occurrence of outbreak in Calabarzon as of this time.

But Calabarzon was not spared from the rising cases of measles in the Philippines. Last ‘BUDOL-BUDOL’ GOES GLOBAL. PSupt. Manuel Castillo, Batangas City year, the total number of laboratory-confirmed chief of police, (right) briefs Batangas police provincial director PSSupt. Omega Jireh measles cases in the region was 458, which was D. Fidel on the apprehension of two Liberian nationals in an entrapment operation, 288% higher compared with the 159 confirmed January 15. Looking on is BPPO PIO chief PSInsp. Dwight Fonte, Jr.|JOENALD M. RAYOS

Where the year ends

Batangas cop, councilors, civilians linked to gun-for-hire nabbed p. 3

.......................................................................................................................

Abu: "Align Philippine Customs p. 6 admin with global standards"

cases in 2012.

According to Dr. Nestor F. Santiago, Jr., regional director, DOH - Regional Health Office (DOH-RHO) 4A, there was an increase in measles cases last 2013 in three provinces in the region, namely: Laguna, 259; Batangas, 88; and Cavite, 57. The cities with the highest number of measles cases were: 1) Sta. Rosa City, 119; 2) Lipa City, 42; and 3) Bacoor City, 23.

>>>HEALTH UPDATES..turn to P/7

“I will kill you!”

2

NEWS

Balikas

January 20 - 26, 2014

PNoy leads groundbreaking of First Gen’s power plant in Batangas

By JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

BATANGAS governor Vilma Santos Recto greets First Gen Chairman & CEO Federico R. Lopez as VG Mark Leviste and First Gen chairman emeritus Oscar Lopez look on.|

BATANGAS City – President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the groundbreaking of First Gen Corp.’s San Gabriel Power Plant in Sta. Rita, this city at around 10:00 o’clock Tuesday morning.

The 414-megawatt San Gabriel gas-fired project was expected to begin construction last year within the compound of First Gas Power Plant, just adjacent to the existing Sta. Rita and San Lorenzo Power Plants. Proponents eye to complete the project in the 2014/2015 timeframe.

The Lopez-owned First Gen Corp. was incorporated in December 1998 as the primary holding company for the power generation and energy-related businesses of the Lopez Group through First Philippine Holdings Corporation (FPH).

Last year, First Gen had 15 power generation plants that were predominantly contracted for sale under long-term power purchase agreements or other energy sales

agreements. First Gen’s power generation portfolio utilizes indigenous fuel such as natural gas, water and geothermal steam.

The company accounts for about 17 percent of the country’s total installed power generation capacity.

It ranked 33rd in gross revenues and 34th in net income among BusinessWorld’s Top 1,000 Corporations in the Philippines in 2012.

First Gen’s Management System complies with standards set by the International Organization Standards (ISO) of Geneva.

In his speech, PNoy conveyed his gratitude to the First Gen for the latter’s contribution to the country’s energy needs, especially so that the 400+ MW of hydro-electric power plant in the Visayas has bogged down to zero during the onslaught of supertyphoon Yolanda.

First Gen Chairman and CEO Federico R. Lopez, however, said that the company has also planned to put up another power plant, the Avion Power Plant, just across the site of the San Gabriel, and an import terminal for liquefied natural gas

(LNG) in preparation for the termination of the commercial operation of Camagao-Malampaya natural gas supply some 10 years later.

Joining the President in today’s activity include Energy secretary Jericho Petilla, Batangas governor Vilma Santos-Recto, the father-andson duo of Oscar Lopez and Federico R. Lopez, emeritus and Chairman, respectively; First Gen Executive Vice Presidents Richard Tantoco and Ernesto Pantrangco, Siemens Philippines president and CEO Jacky Chan, Siemens Energy Solutions Ltd president and CEO Rochus Bergmann and Siemens AG Energy Solutions CEO Rainer Hauenschild.

The ceremony was also witnessed by Batangas vice governor Mark Leviste, 2nd District board member Marvey Mariño, Batangas City government officials led by Mayor Eduardo B. Dimacuha and Vice Mayor Emilio Francisco A. Berberabe, Jr. and the village officers of both Sta. Rita Aplaya and Sta. Rita Karsada, and other stakeholders.|

.................................................................................................... ...............

San Gabriel Power Plant, sinyales ng kumpiyansya ng mga mamumuhuan sa Lunsod ng Batangas

FGPC Vice President Ramon J. Araneta discusses with Batangas City mayor Eduardo B. Dimacuha and 2nd District board member Marvey Mariño some points about the San Gabriel Power Plant as Batangas City councilors Aileen Montalbo and Claudette Ambida listen attentively.|

.............................................................................................. <<<‘BUDOL.’...from P/1

Batangas police nabs 2 Liberians for swindling Castillo, however, identified the victims as both retired teachers – Isabel Marasigan y Espino, 66, single and a resident of Evangelista St., Batangas City, and Conchita Martin y Evangelista, 64, and a resident of Beredo Subdivision, Alangilan, Batangas City.

Police report said that the victims were enticed by the suspects of big return of investment after the latter fraudulently obtained cash money from the victims amounting to some PhP8 million, the engagement being starting with an electronic transaction way back September 2013.

It was also learned that the victims were lured of huge income after they were able to exchange the previously released dollars to local money changers. The modus operandi of the suspects presented black dyed US dollars which said to be undyed only after being soaked to a certain chemical that can be bought only in Bangkok, Thailand.

Late last year, the suspects presented to the victims two luggage with one vault each inside supposed to be full of black dyed dollars. The victims were then persuaded to pay for the chemical solutions to be used in washing the dollars which were dyed black to avoid detection of the Bureau of Customs when transported by the principals.

Suspecting something went wrong with the transaction, one of the victims availed of the service of a sidewalk key duplicator to open one of the vaults entrusted to them.

To their surprise, the vault is just full of cut black thick paper filed inside it.

Before, the next transaction, the victims then asked the assistance of the police that lead to the entrapment operation.

Recovered from the operation were the two luggage with the vaults inside it full of papers, US$ 90 coated with protective layer, white

BATANGAS City – Isang sinyales ng malaking kumpiyansya ng mga mamumuhunan sa pamahalaang lokal ang pagtatayo ng panibagong planta ng kuryente sa lunsod – ang 414 San Gabriel Power Plant.

Ito ang binigyang-diin ni Secretary to the City Mayor, Atty. Victor Reginald Dimacuha, sa katatapos na groundbreaking ceremony ng naturang planta sa Brgy. Sta. Rita na pinangunahan mismo ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III noong Martes, Enero 14.

Ani Dimacuha, karangalan ng

............................................... powder, a small vial of chemicals or washing liquid, and marked money amounting to P5,000.

The suspects are now detained at the Batangas City Police Station detention cell while criminal complaints are being prepared against them. Meanwhile, PD Fidel has instructed Castilo and his men to verify with the embassy and other government authorities the legality of the entry and stay of the suspects in the country.

Castillo, however, warned the public that in all transactions, especially so if it entails money, “if the offer seems to be too good to be true, then it is untrue.”|

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. One of the two vaults full of cut papers entrusted to the victims as bulk of balck-dyed dollars.| JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS

lungsod ng Batangas na maging host ng ganitong multi-million project.

“We are helping the country solve its power crisis. Sa local economy, that is additional income for the city and job opportunities for our kababayan. This also manifests a strong confidence of investors to the local governance. First Gas has always been the corporate residence of Batangas City and for them to expand their investments, is very significant.”

Samantala sa pambungad na pananalita ni First Gen Chairman and Chief Operating Officer Federico R. Lopez, binigyang-diin nito na lubhang mahalaga ng proyektong ito hindi lamang sa Batangas City, kundi sa buong bansa dahilan sa posibleng kakulangan sa kuryente sa susunod na dalawang taon. Ito rin aniya ay gagamit ng combined cycle turbines na gagamit ng natural gas at may mataas na thermal efficiency na mas mataas ng 5% sa nauna nang dalawang planta.

Isa pa ring binigyang diin ni Lopez ay ang pagkakaroon ng younger population na ages 20-64 ng Pilipinas, kumpara sa karatig bansa. Kung kaya’t aniya upang sila ay maging produktibo ay kailangan ang mga social services at imprastraktura na mangangailangan ng power system tulad ng kanilang investments sa natural gas fired power plants sa lungsod ng Batangas. “…The Philippines is acknowledged to be one of the few countries that will soon relative to our peers in Asia and around the world. We will have a younger population, blessed with working ages 20-64. A demographic dividend only if we could give them with the right level of social services, infrastructure and a power system that could keep pace with a growing and vibrant economy..).

Aniya pa, 65% ng power generation capacity ng Pilipinas ay 15 taon o higit pa nang itinayo at kailangan ang maintenance nito. Kung kayat

ang mga susunod na planta na kanilang itatayo ay state of the art na pangmatagalan ang buhay.

Tinatayang nagkakahalaga ang proyekto ng US$650 M (P26B) ang kabuuan ng proyektong ito na may tatlong bahagi.

Binalikan din ni Lopez ang mga pangyayari bago pa naitayo 1,000 MW Santa Rita at 500MW San Lorenzo na nakatayo sa hangganan ng Sta. Rita Karsada at Sta. Rita Aplaya.

Ani Lopez ang dating lubog sa tubig at fishpond, dalawampung taon na ang nakararaan (1994), ay ngayon ay tahanan ng pinakamalinis na gas sa buong mundo at pangalawang pinakamalaking investment sa buong bansa.

“Literally, this was a 13 hectarelot under water and a mixed of mangrove and fishponds… when we show the aerial map to the banks and potential equipment suppliers, they actually thought we were joking…

However, by the start of the new millennium six years later, those fishponds were transformed into a complex that house the most efficient power plants in the world…”

Ipineresenta naman ni First Gen President/COO Francis Giles B. Puno ang brief profile ng proyekto kung saan ang unang bahagi ay inaasahang magiging operational sa huling kwarter ng taong 2014 o sa pagpasok ng taong 2015.

Ipinaliwanag din niya na ang natural gas mula sa Malampaya, Palawan ay masasaid na sa loob ng 10 taon. Kung kayat ang ikatlong bahagi ng kanilang proyekto ay binubuo ng dalawang 400 megawatt units at ng liquiefied natural gas (LNG) receiving at regasification facility na inaasahang matatapos naman sa 2018.

Ang naturang facility ay may kapasidad tumanggap ng bulto ng LNG mula sa ibayong dagat upang gamiting panggatong ng mga planta kapag naubos na ang supplay ng Malampaya Gas-to-Power Project.| May ulat ni Letty Chua

NEWS

January 20 - 26, 2014

Balikas

SOCIAL SERVICES

Daan-daang aplikante, nakilahok sa jobs fair LUNSOD BATANGAS -- May 40 local at 10 international companies ang lumahok sa Handog ni Mayor: Trabaho para sa taga lungsod ng Batangas job fair na ginanap sa Batangas City Sports Center noong ika-13 ng Enero.

Ito ang una sa tatlong nakalinyang job fair ngayong taon ng Batangas City Public Employment Service Office (PESO). Ito naman ang ikalawang pagkakataon na mapabilang ang naturang proyekto sa mga gawaing inihanda ng pamahalaang lungsod sa pagdiriwang ng kapistahan ng lungsod.

Humigit-kumulang sa 500 aplikante mula sa Batangas City at karatigbayan nito ang nag-aplay sa iba’t ibang domestic at overseas jobs.

Kabilang sa mga basehan ng hiring ng isang aplikante bukod sa kanyang working experience, ay ang skills na taglay nito, educational background, attitude at personalidad.

Sa mensahe ni Secretary to the City Mayor Atty. Reginald Dimacuha na syang kinatawan ni Mayor Eduardo B. Dimacuha, hangarin nila na magkaroon ng trabaho ang mga mamamayan sa

lungsod ng naaayon sa kanilang mga kwalipikasyon at kakayahan na makakatulong upang maiangat ang antas ng kanilang pamumuhay.

Lubos din ang suportang ipinagkaloob ng Department of Labor and Employment(DOLE) at ng private sector sa gawaing ito na makapagbigay ng hanapbuhay sa mga mamamayan kung kayat regular ang pagkakaroon ng job fair dito.

Dumating bilang kinatawan ng DOLE Region IV si DOLE Officer Rochelle Claveria.| RONNA ENDAYA CONTRERAS

...............................................................................................................................................................

First community potable water facility launched in Pinugay ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal -- The Department of Agrarian Reform-Rizal together with the Pinugay Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperatve, Antipolo City and Baras LGUs have launched the first Community Managed Potable Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (CPWASH) Facility in Rizal Province through a MOA signing at Pinugay, Rizal.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer I James Arthur Dubongco, Pinugay ARB-MPC Chairman Teofilo Gallardo Jr. , Barangay San Jose, Antipolo Chairman Felicito Garcia and Barangay Pinugay, Baras Kagawad Rhodora Rey signed the agreement supporting the construction

of the said CPWASH within the locale.

Funding for the CPWASH facilities will be coursed by DAR through the Pinugay ARB MPC inclusive of filter systems as well as bio gas digesters for local communities. Upon signing the MOA, DAR-Rizal will find suitable sources of water to install the facilities.

The assembled facilities may then be replicated by municipalities who wish to pattern their own CPWASH facilities after the technology provided by DAR. The agency eyes the construction of the CPWASH facilities on February 3-11.

Pinugay is a community along the borders of the City of Antipolo and Municipality of Baras which has been subject to boundary disputes. However,

both the DAR and the LGUs reiterate that the CPWASH is a community based project and does not focus on a particular LGU which it exclusively serves. DAR-Rizal also stated that it may also cater to nearby municipalities of Teresa and Tanay, Rizal other than the two signatories of the MOA. Also present during the signing were representatives from the Rizal Provincial Government, Antipolo City, Baras, DARRizal, Philippine Center for Water and Sanitation, Pinugay ARB-MPC and Antipolo City Mayor Jun Ynares III. Mayor Ynares also expressed interest in adopting the said technology upon its installation and testing.| GIDEON GAPAYAO

...............................................................................................................................................................

Tulalang madre, nagsilang ng batang lalaki ITALY – Misteryo ba ito o gawa-gawa lamang? Ito ang umiikot na katanungan sa buong bayan ng Rieti sa bansang Italya, matapos mapaulat ang panganganak ng isang 31-anyos na madre sa isang batang lalaki matapos makadama ng pananakit at paninigas ng tiyan nitong nakalipas na linggo.

Sa ulat ng International Business Times (IB Times), matapos umanong dalhin sa ospital, kaagad na nagsilang ang naturang madre at pinangalanan ang sanggol na “Francis” kasunod ng pangalan ng kasalukuyang

Papa sa Roma na si Pope Francis.

Nabatid pa na mula sa bansang El Salvador ang naturang madre at wala umanong kamalay-malay sa kaniyang pagbubuntis.

Kabilang siya sa konggregasyon ng mga madreng “Little Disciples of Jesus” na nangangasiwa ng isang home for the aged na nakabase sa Campomoro, kalapit ng bayan ng Rieti na may populasyong humigit-kumulang 47,700.

Kasunod ng pagputok ng balitang ito, nanawagan naman si Rieti mayor Simone Petrangi sa publiko na bigyan ng kaukulang ‘privacy’ ang

naturang madre. Nagsimula namang mag-datingan sa ospital ang mga damit at iba pang donasyon.

“I did not know I was pregnant. I only felt a stomach pain,” pahayag ng madre sa ANSA news agency.

Nagpahayag din naman ng pagkagulat ang iba pang madre sa kumbento sa misteryosong pagbubuntis ng kanilang kasamahan, at sinasabing lubha silang nasorpresa ng balitang ito.

Sinabi naman ni Don Fabrizio Borrelio, isang pastor, na naniniwala siya na nagsasabi ng totoo ang madre na hindi niya alam ang

PILLARS OF FITH. Makikitang seryosong nag-uusap sina Lipa Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles at Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, archbishop-emeritus of Manila bago magsimula ang Banal na Misa noong kapistahan ng Mahal na Patrong Sto. Niño sa Lunsod Batangas, Enero 16.|FR. NONIE DOLOR

tungkol sa kaniyang pagbubuntis. Sinabi na rin umano ng madre na siya na mismo ang mag-aalaga sa kaniyang sanggol.

Bunga ng insidenteng ito, sinabi ni Msgr. Delio Lucarelli, Obispo ng Rieti, na mas makabubuting piliin nan g madre ang mamuhay ng secular kasama ang kaniyang sanggol, sa labas ng kumbento o hiwalay sa buhay relihiyosa, ngunit nakahanda naman ang disyosesis na bigyan ng kaukulang tulong ang mag-ina sa pagsisimula ng kanilang buhays a,labas ng kumbento.

Maging si Mayor Petrangi ay nag-alok din ng tulong sa mag-ina.

Sinasabi naman sa isang pag-aaral ukol sa reproductive health na inilathala ng British Medical Journal, na lumalabas na isa sa 200 kababaihan sa Estados Unidos ay nagsabi na nagsilang sila ng sanggol kahit hindi nakaranas ng anumang pakikipagtalik.

Ayon pa sa ulat ng BMJ, sa mga kababaihang nakilahok sa pag-aaral, 45 o katumbas ng 0.5% ay nagsabing saila’y pawing mga birhen pa. at hindi gumamait ng anumang “assisted reproductive technology”.

Sinasabi rin nilang ang kanilang pagbubuntis ay hindi dahil sa pakikipagtalik o maging sa tulong ng in-vitro fertilisation (IVF).

Ayon sa BMJ, ito ay tinatawag na parthenogenesis (mula sa salitang Griego na parthenos na ngangahulugan ng birhen, at genesis na nangangahulugan ng pagsilang).| BALIKAS NEWS TEAM

3

Peace & Order Update Collated By JEROME JAY C. SAPINOSO

Batangas cop, councilors, civilians linked to gun-for-hire nabbed CALACA, Batangas —- Alleged members of a gun-for-hire group and drug syndicate that include a rookie policeman and two barangay councilors were arrested in separate raids by elements of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Army and Philippine Air Force in two Batangas towns on Wednesday morning.

An early morning raid at barangay Lumbang Calzada in Calaca town resulted to the capture of Police Officer 1 Wilfredo Paglinawan, a member of Calaca police, a certain Mark Ruedas and two unidentified men.

Armed with a search warrant issued by Executive Judge Carlos Flores of Malabon Regional Trial Court, joint government operatives swooped down on the house owned by a certain Gerardo Paglinawan alias “Taling”” at around 6:30 a.m. but Gerardo Paglinawan, who was the subject of the search warrant, managed to escape during the raid.

The raiding team captured Gerardo’s brothers Gregorio, 47, married, and Police Officer 1 Wilfredo Paglinawan, a member of Calaca police, both residents of the said place.

Also apprehended were identified as Narciso Manalo y Azuncion, 43 of Brgy. Putting Kahoy, Ronaldo Rubion y Paglinawan, 20; Cris Paglinawan y Pilar, 18; and a minor cousin of the Paglinawans.

NBI-Batangas agent Jun Japlit said the suspects allegedly opened fire at the raiding team, triggering a brief gun battle.

No one was reported hurt in the incident.

Authorities recovered an Armalite rifle, a .45-caliber pistol, a shot gun, a hand grenade, and an undetermined amount of suspected shabu from the suspects.

Meanwhile, two barangay councilors were also arrested in simultaneous raids by NBI agents in Nasugbu town.

Police identified the arrested suspects as councilors Jie Perno and Etok Limboc of Barangay Papaya in Nasugbu, recovered from their possession a shotgun from Perno, and a .22-caliber pistol from Limboc.

The NBI raiding team also swooped down on the house of councilors Rene Rabasio, Carpo Gonzales and Guillerma “Lerma” Limboc but no firearms or illegal drugs were recovered from it.

Limboc, a former councilor and a defeated mayoralty candidate in last year’s election, was tagged by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) as an leader of a gun-for-hire group.

Earlier reports reaching PAOCC Chairman Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. alleged that six bodies had been dug up in Limboc’s property in Calaca and had been positively identified as victims of the gun-for-hire group.

However, the Batangas Police denied the report and said there were no remains found in an alleged mass grave in Barangay Lumbang Na Bata in Calaca reportedly owned by Limboc.| JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS

Batangas City’s No. 1 in drug watchlist nabbed BATANGAS City – IT would be a good signal for the leadership of Batangas City Police Station to have captured lawless elements at the start of the year.

Following the arrest on the eve of the city fiesta of two suspected members of international black money laundering syndicate, elements of the Batangas City Police have arrested a 34-year-old man who was listed as the No. 1 among the top 10 personalities under Batangas City’s Drug Watchlist for 2014.

Supt. Manuel Castillo, Batangas City police chief, identified the suspect as Roland Lumanglas alias ‘Bagyo’, a barker and resident of Sitio Puyo, Barangay Sta. Clara of the said city.

Castillo said the suspect was arrested at around 2:30 pm on Thursday, the city fiesta, after he was caught possessing a yellow coin purse with seven plastic sachets of suspected shabu at the said barangay.

The police said proper charges are now being prepared for filing for possession of dangerous drugs against the suspect who is currently detained at the Batangas City Police Station detention cell.|

ERRATUM NOTICE is hereby given that the Sheriff’s Notice of Sale filed by Bolbok Rural Bank, Inc. against Sps. Felipe Salapare & Cristeta Salapare was inadvertently published on November 11, 18 & 25, 2013. The same should be read as “EJF CASE NO. 2013-199” and not “EJF CASE NO. 10-085” as published. Pahayagang Balikas regrets the error.

Batangas City, January 17, 2014.

Pahayagang Balikas / January 20, 2014

OPINION

Balikas

4

January 20 - 26, 2014

Starting the New Year 2014… wrong

By BENJIE OLIVEROS FILIPINOS have this superstition that one has to start the new year right because that would reflect on his or her fortune for the rest of the year.

This is why deaths, illnesses, quarrels, having no money at the beginning of the year spell doom for the unlucky one.

If this is to be believed, then Filipinos are heading for a bleak year despite the supposed rosy economic growth figures and the natural optimism of the Filipino people.

Why? For one, we began the year with high prices of oil products, including LPG cooking gas, meat and vegetables, and groceries. Prices of food and other consumer goods are generally high during the Christmas season but go down soon after. But as of now, there are no signs of prices going down significantly.

Add to this the increase in power rates. Power rates would have spiked

by P4.15 per kWh if not for the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court. However, the TRO lasts for only 60 days beginning December 23, 2013 when it was issued. The Aquino government has no intention of stopping the rate hike.

In fact, a December 28 Philippine Star report revealed that Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla is even asking electric company Meralco to appeal the TRO. Secretary Petilla was quoted by the Philippine Star report as saying, “If Meralco cannot collect, it may have to borrow money and if it borrows, there will be interest, which may add to electricity cost, so that’s the reason why I want Meralco to appeal the TRO so that there would be no interest cost.”

The increase in power rates, resulting from the increase in generation charges, is supposedly just a pass-on cost that Meralco is charging consumers. The generation charge is the cost of electricity that Meralco buys from power producers. This supposedly increased because of the maintenance shutdown of the Malamapaya natural gas platform, which also coincided with similar shutdowns by several power plants in Luzon.

Well, Meralco has been notorious in jacking up its pass-on costs, but assuming Meralco is not to be blamed for the spike in power rates, then who is?

Some groups suspect that power producers connived to shut down operations at the same time to cause an increase in power rates. This has yet to be proven but is not far-fetched. Companies controlling basic commodities and services such as power, water, oil, and even the supply of rice have been caught price-fixing before.

But, granting for the sake of argument that power plants did not shut down operations purposely to push electricity rates up, could the recent spike in rates be avoided?

Yes, with better planning. Malampaya, as well as the several power plants in Luzon that went through maintenance shutdowns, could have not done so at a whim. Maintenance shutdowns of factories are planned way ahead of time, at the minimum, during the annual corporate planning.

And surely, the government was informed about this. The Aquino government could have instituted measures to avoid a spike in power rates such as entering into agreements with power plants that have not planned maintenance shutdowns or setting a ceiling for rates, even temporarily.

But the Aquino government chose not to do anything about it because of poor planning or incompetence and/or lack of concern for the welfare of consumers.

Also to increase are the premiums being exacted by the Social Security System (SSS) and PhilHealth. The Aquino government has made it clear

>>PERSPECTIVE...turn to P/7

A bilingual weekly newspaper of general circulation published by the BATANGAS LEAGUE FOR ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES (BLADES), INC., a corporation duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with Certificate No. CN201013234.

Office: The BALIKAS Centre, Fondevilla Comp., Purok 3, Brgy. Calicanto, 4200 Batangas City, Philippines  043.417.1662 |  0912.902.7373 | 0917.512.9477 E-mail: balikasonline@yahoo.com | www.facebook.com/pages/Balikas Lipa Office: San Sebastian St.,Brgy. 10, Lipa City Joenald Medina Rayos Publisher / Editor-in-Chief

Ronalina B. Lontoc

Columnists: Gerry M. Zamudio | Atty. Jose Sison Jesus Dureza | Atty. Ramel C. Muria

Circulation In-Charge

Contributors: Jerome Jay C. Sapinoso Jack L. Aquino Jessie delos Reyes PIO - (Provincial / Batangas City) Philippine Information Agency

Atty. Roberto Iñigo Sanchez Legal Consultant

Official Representative - Lipa Office

Special Project Editor

Nicetas E. Escalona Lifestyle Editor

Benjie de Castro

Member:

Ad rate:

Cecille M. Rayos-Campo Batangas League for Alternative Development & Services (BLADES), Inc.

Commercial : P200/col. cm. | Legal Notices : P110/col. cm

Ang pangalang “BALIKAS” ay hango sa mga salitang ‘balik’ at ‘kalikasan’.

Hangad ng pahayagang ito na maging kasangkapan sa paghahatid ng mahahalagang impormasyon upang maibalik ang dating anyo ng ating inang kalikasan.|

CBCPNEWS.COM

perspective

........................................................................................................................................................

Gross neglect of the future VIVA Señior Sto. Niño!

The Feast of Sto. Niño is one of the most widely celebrated feasts in the Philippines. Aside from the religious tradition that made Santo Niño a central Catholic celebration, the feast manifests the Filipinos regard for children. History shows that Filipinos are a culturally child-focused people.

This is the reason why the Feast of Sto. Niño is received with adulation and high festive spirit. However, the meaning of the celebration has been continually pushed into the periphery of the people’s consciousness. Like other religious festivities, the feast has become a mere culture-inspired commercial event for many people. This reflects not merely the declining Filipino religiosity but our eroding concerns for the plight of children as well.

Children suffer the worst neglect in our time.

Concerns for the welfare of the young have declined over the years. We see this in how we provide our children with basic necessities. Majority of Filipino children are poorly fed. Malnutrition and obesity stand witness to this. Children from poor families however suffer worse than malnutrition. Extreme poverty exposes them to extreme hunger and deprives them with the sustenance needed for their physical and mental growth. Disease and violence pose them real threats. They have no future because society deprives them of the right to have any.

Juvenile delinquency and child-violence are attributable to parents’ and society’s gross disregard of the welfare of children. For many years the debate is about the propriety of sending children who committed crimes to jail. Unfortunately, the arguments for and against the question are confusing and misleading. As such, we stop talking about the causes of juvenile delinquency and the remedies that could root them out. Jails of course are the classic quick-fix solution for children behaving badly. Unfortunately, they do not

provide lasting solution to the problems that caused juvenile delinquency.

Another glaring example of this neglect is the manner we educate our children. The situation is alarming. More children are ending up in the streets or in the workplaces. More children are forced out of school because of the failure of the government to solve the problems confronting the public school system. And despite of the assertion about the improvement of the quality of our basic education, going to school remains prohibitive for many poor children.

The coming implementation of K-12 Basic Education program will likely become more burdensome for poor families. This is so because the additional two years in high schools will mean additional direct and indirect costs to parents. Consequently, the number of children who will drop out of school will increase also.

Education does not mean the training of the minds and the acquisition of life skills only. The public school system does not concern itself merely with basic literacy or numeracy or the training of mechanics or business executives. Public schools must also contribute to the formation of civic and moral consciousness of our children. They are in the frontlines of the fight against ignorance. On the other hand, teachers mould the character of children and develop their moral fiber.

This is how society prepared its leaders. Teachers are entrusted to prepare them to lead and build the nation.

And only teachers who are competent and morally upright qualify for this job. Neglecting the quality of teachers means the utter disregard of children’s welfare.

Unless we take the plight of the present generation seriously and do drastic actions to repair what can still be mended, the future will remain bleak. The need to intervene is urgent. Unless we act now, our future will be lost forever.

Ang Mabuting Balita Ang Simula ng Paglilingkod ni Jesus sa Galilea NANG mabalitaan ni Jesus na ibinilanggo si Juan, bumalik siya sa Galilea. Ngunit hindi na siya sa Nazaret nanirahan, kundi sa bayan ng Capernaum na nasa baybayin ng Lawa ng Galilea na sakop ng Zebulun at Neftali. Sa gayon, natupad ang sinabi ni Propeta Isaias, "Lupain ng Zebulun at lupain ng Neftali, daanang papunta sa lawa, sa ibayo ng Jordan, sa Galilea ng mga Hentil!

Ang mga taong nasa kadiliman ay nakakita ng maningning na ilaw!

Sa mga nakatira sa lilim ng kamatayan ay sumikat ang liwanag."

Magmula noon ay nangaral na si Jesus. Itinuturo niyang, "Magsisi na kayo at talikuran ang inyong mga kasalanan sapagkat malapit nang dumating ang kaharian ng langit."

Ang Pagtawag sa Apat na Mangingisda Minsan, naglalakad si Jesus sa tabi ng Lawa ng Galilea. Nakita niyang naghahagis ng lambat sa lawa ang dalawang mangingisda, si Simon na tinatawag ding Pedro, at ang kapatid niyang si Andres. Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanila, "Sumunod kayo sa akin at gagawin ko kayong mga mangingisda ng mga tao." Noon di'y iniwan nila ang kanilang mga lambat at sumunod kay Jesus.

Nagpatuloy siya ng paglalakad at nakita rin niya ang magkapatid na Santiago at Juan na mga anak ni Zebedeo. Sila'y nasa bangka kasama ng kanilang ama, at nag-aayos ng lambat. Tinawag din sila ni Jesus. Agad nilang iniwan ang bangka at ang kanilang ama, at sumunod kay Jesus.

January 20 - 26, 2014

OPINION

Sabwatan ng mga superbisor KASO ito nina Randy, Ernie at Lando. Si Randy ang delivery supervisor samantalang sina Lando at Ernie naman ang sales supervisor sa isang kompanya ng mga softdrinks na nakabase sa norte. Ang kasong ito ay nagsimula ng maaksidente si Mando, isa sa mga salesman ng kompanya. Wala siyang kaukulang permiso nang gamitin ang sassakyan ng kompanya.

Malubha ang naging pinsala ni Mando at kinakailangan siyang ipasok sa ospital. Lasing siya nang mangyari ang aksidente at kahit sa police blotter ay nakasaad ito.

Nakipagsabwatan sina Randy at Lando kay Ernie upang palabasin sa medical certificate at sa police blotter na hindi lasing si Mando nang mangyari ang aksidente.

Pati pangalan ng general manager ay ginamit ng tatlo upang gawin ito.

Nang malaman ng kompanya ang ginawa ng tatlo na pagmamanipula sa laman ng police report at sa medical certificate, agad silang pinagpaliwanag kung bakit hindi sila dapat patawan ng kaukulang parusa alinsunod sa patakaran ng kompanya at sa batas (Art. 282 Labor Code).

Matapos marinig ang kanilang pahayag at makapag-imbestiga, napag-alaman na talagang nagsabwatan ang tatlong bisor upang mabago ang mga ulat at palabasin na hindi lasing si Mando nang

mangyari ang aksidente.

Tinanggal ang tatlo sa trabaho dahil na rin sa nilabag nila ang tiwalang ibinigay sa kanila ng kompanya.

Nagsampa ng reklamo sina Randy, Lando at Ernie laban sa kompanya para sa illegal suspension, illegal dismissal, backwages at separation pay. Ayon sa kanila, hindi naman daw ganoon kabigat ang kasalanan na kanilang ginawa. Isa pa, wala naman itong kinalaman sa kanilang trabaho.

Tama ba sila?  MALI. Ang ginawa nina Randy, Lando at Ernie ay nakapinsala hindi lang sa management kundi sa mismong kompanya. Niloko nila ang kompanya. Sa pamamagitan ng pagmamanipula sa laman ng police report at ng medical certificate, pinilit nilang pagtakpan ang katotohanan na lasing si Mando nang mangyari ang aksidente. Ang ginawa nila ay laban sa interes ng kompanya at malinaw na paglabag ito sa tiwalang ibinigay sa kanila. Konektado rin sa trabaho ang kanilang ginawa kaya tama lamang na tanggalin sila sa trabaho at hindi bayaran ng backwages at separation pay. Binabayaran lang ito kung talagang nagkaroon ng illegal dismissal (De la Cruz and Lacuata vs. Coca Cola Bottlers Phils. Inc., G.R. No. 180465, July 31, 2009).|

........................................................................................................................................................

Gamitin natin ang kahinaan ng Tsina KAPAG biniyayaan ka raw, isa sa mga dapat mo gawin ay ipamahagi ang kagandahang asal at kung sakaling hindi mo kayang ipamahagi ang mismong biyaya na sa iyo ay ipinagkaloob ay gawin mong tulay ang iyong katanyagan upang ipalaganap ang kaayusan at kapayapaan sa puso’t isipan ninuman.

Makaluma man ang pananaw na ito, ito ay mahalaga sa kasalukuyang panahon hindi lamang para sa indibidwal na tao kundi pati na sa mga samahan at maski na sa isang bansa.

Dito sa atin sa Asya Pasipiko, ang bansang Tsina ng kasalukuyang panahon ang siyang tinitingala ng halos lahat na Asyano’t mga bansa sa Asya dahil sa angkin nitong lakas sa larangan ng ekonomiya at sa mayaman nitong kasaysayan na para sa karamihan ay tila wala nang hihigit pa.

Pero kung inyong titingnan ang mga balita sa Asya Pasipiko, hindi kanaisnais ang kasalukuyang pagmumukha ng bansang Tsina sa lipunan ng mga bansang nakapaligid sa kanya. At kahit na sa ibang bahagi ng mundo, hindi mabango ang tingin ng karamihan sa kanila.

Sino ba naman ang magkaroon ng magaan na loob sa isang bansang kilala sa pamemeke ng mga lisensyadong produkto? O kung saan talamak ang child labor at panunupil ng mga artists at ng intelegentsia?

Pati screwdriver na Made in China ay tila naging extension na ng masamang imahen nito dahil pang isahang gamit lang at nabubungi kaagad na siya namang ikinagagalit ng mga mamimili. May mga balita pa na may lead content ang maraming produkto galing Tsina’t meron din naniniwala na sa larangan ng droga talo pa nila ang mga taga-Timog Amerika.

Ang ganyang uri ng ugali, kesehoda mayaman man siya’t malakas, okay lang ba sa inyo? Sa akin po hindi.

Hindi dapat ginagamit ang kalagayan sa buhay o katayuan sa lipunan para takutin ang iyong kapitbahay.  Na siya nga po ang ginagawa ng Tsina sa atin.

Dahil kulang tayo sa kagamitang militar o di kaya ay angking mababait ang lahi natin ganyan na lang ba ang trato nila sa atin?

Sa West Philippine Sea, ipinahayag na ng Tsina ang lawak ng karagatang plano nitong angkinin.

Ipingangalandakan nila na parte pa daw ng teritoryo nila ang karagatang napakalayo na sa kanila’t ang mga bansang siyang may karapatan ay kanilang tinatakot.

Kahit ang kapwa nilang komunistang Vietnam ay

di nila pinalampas. Bansang Hapon, India at ibang pang mga bansa na nakapaligid sa kanya ay halos kaalitan nya. Sa isang komunidad kahit gaano Kaman kayaman pero kung wala kang kaibigan, wala pa ring saysay ang kayamanan mo.

Talo ka pa rin ng isang ordinaryong tao na mayaman sa kaibigan.  Pero, sa totoo lang mga masugid kong kapatid, napakalayo ng probability na sumiklab ang giyera sa West Philippine Sea dahil sa ipinapakita ng Tsina. Pero, malayo man may probability pa rin. At dahil sa ipinapakita nila, malamang na may nabuo na silang plano para sa West Philippine Sea. Malay mo, baka gusto nila sila na lang ang makinabang sa lamang dagat at langis na kumpirmado nang nasa ilalim ng karagatang nakapaligid sa Pag-Asa Island.

Gayun pa man, kailangan nating maging vigilant o mapagmatyag sa mga kilos ng higanteng ito lalo na ngayon na ang mga new breed of military at political leaders na ang namumuno sa Tsina.

Sa panahon ngayon kung saan ang halos buong mundo ay nagpapalitan ng produkto at talino sa lahat na ng bagay, napag alaman ko mula sa mga kuro kuro ng mga prominenteng policy at agenda setters na hindi kayang talikuran ng Tsina ang opinion ng buong mundo sa siyang namimili ng mga produkto nito o di kaya ay pinagkukunan nya ng mga importante niyang pangangailangan magmula sa gamut hanggang teknolohiya. Ito ay isang kahinaan ng Tsinan na maari nating gamitin para magkaroon ng malakas na global opinion kontra sa mga maling hakbanging ipinapakita ng Tsina sa kanyang mga karatig bansa.

Ang mga kamaliang ito ay maari nating baguhin sa pamamagitan ng pagbuo ng isang malakas na opinion mula sa iba’t ibang sulok ng mundo kung saan iparating natin sa Tsina ang mga ginagawa nito ay mas lalong makakasira sa kanyang interest dito sa Asya Pasipiko.

May gamot tayo diyan sa ganyang ugali.

Pagkakaisa. Pag nagkaisa tayong lahat na mga Pilipino’t na ihayag ang mga maling gawain ng China, darating ang panahon na pati kapwa nilang Intsik saan man na bahagi ng mundo ay mawawalan na ng galang sa kanila.

Hindi man natin kayang matumbasan ang kakayahan nito, pag nagkakaisa tayo kaya nating baguhin ang maling panananaw ng mga decision makers ng Tsina. Kapag ito ay nangyari, maghahari pa rin ang katahimikan di lang sa ating bansa o sa Asya Pasipiko kundi sa buong mundo na rin.|

Balikas

5

I will kill you!

WHEN Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte threatened rice smugglers in general with “I will kill you”, he did not violate any law.

However, if he tells you to your face: “I will kill you” you can file criminal charges against him for grave threats. If in fact, you get killed later, he can be charged for murder or homicide, as the case may be, using the earlier threat as evidence if there are other corroborating evidences.

But if the threat is general or “generic” or is directed at no particular person but to a sector or group and the identity of the one threatened cannot be ascertained, then there is no crime committed. Or at the very least, there is no complainant to claim redress. Unless of course someone crazy comes forward, admits himself as the rice smuggler and claims it was specifically directed at him.

That was the reason why the Commission on Human Rights called the mayor’s latest tirade as simply “unethical”, nothing criminal.

But here is something worrisome.

We (and that includes “ME”) applaud and feel good hearing that a drug pusher or a robber or a trouble-maker or a murderer gets killed or gunned down. “Good for him, he deserves it”, expressed in many ways in the vernicular like “karma”, “dapat lang”, “tama gyud”, “maayo ra gyud”, “gaba”, “mirisi”!

We rejoice that the so-called bad elements are eliminated for good, never to bother us again. We thank the police for shooting them down.

And we never bother to find out whether the killing was justified under the rules of engagement. We always say: never mind bringing these bad elements to court or sending them to jail. “Kapoy na!” (“ No use”) This is the popular sentiment.

In fact, when Mayor Duterte uses his favorite threats to criminals: “I will kill you”, people like it. He is admired not only here in Davao but all over. Mayor Duterte, a lawyer, knows he is not allowed to “kill”. But he has reasons for bringing his campaign against violators of the law to the next level. Clearly, his intention is to instill fear and deter more crimes, as in terrorizing the terrorists. And yes, at times with dead bodies to boot for good effect. But if you ask me, this is worrisome.

Let’s briefly pause and think about this for a while. Is the public now enamored or charmed about quick, swift justice? Can we now do shortcuts and forget about going through the usual route of getting justice done? Is our justice system now so shot and so lacking in capability and credibility that we are just too happy to skip it? Are we all desperate for quick fixes, never mind going through the normal route? Are our usual rules no longer effective or working?

We always hear the call for primacy of human rights; that every person, rich or poor, the high and the lowly alike have the same human rights -including even criminals.

“Human rights” exist NOT because of some laws or some grant from the constitution or from government. They arise from the very nature of being a person. It is the essence of being. You violate one’s human rights and you cross the line. You violate a universal law of humanity. Again, let's not forget: even criminals have human rights, too.

When an unarmed “akyat bahay” gang member is killed, while in the act of stealing or eluding arrest we no longer ask or bother about the circumstances surrounding his killing. Was the police justified in shooting him to death? Under our laws, unless he forcibly resists and puts in peril the life or limb of others, there is no justification to take away his life.

(Oooops, there's a firearm usually recovered near the dead body -- never mind if this was “planted” for effect.) But we don't bother with this technicality anymore. Glad to see him dead!

When we hear about “riders in tandem” gunning down bad elements, we quietly say: “Good for them.” Many summary killings and murders remain unsolved. The public fascination for the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS) continues up to now, never mind if it is just doing a “job” for some aggrieved “customer”. We do not even bother ask or -- expect -- the police and the authorities to solve those “salvagings.” “Charge this to the DDS” is a common escape. Only the immediate survivors cry for justice but this is shortlived as there is no communal or collective indignation. We conveniently support eliminating the “dregs and scums of the earth” quick and fast.

A Manila taxi driver at the airport upon my arrival a few days ago told me: “ Taga Davao kayo sir? Ang galing ng Davao. Patay lahat nang mga masasama. Yan ang dapat!” Symptomatic of our times?

And yes, lest we forget, even convicted criminals of high crimes cannot be put to death (through electrocution or lethal injection) simply because we have removed death penalty from our statute books. Not even the State, with basis, can take someone else’s life. So why do we applaud when others “play God”?|

“Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.” - Theophrastus, philosopher

>>SPEECH...turn to P/7

BUSINESS

Rep. Abu: "Align Philippine Customs administration with global standards" TO achieve efficiency and negate opportunities for corruption, there is a need to modernize and upgrade the country’s customs administration in consonance with international standards, a lawmaker today stressed.

Rep. Raneo E. Abu (2nd District, Batangas) is author of HB 3339 or the proposed “Customs Modernization Act (CMA) of 2013” which seeks to align customs administration with the guidelines set under the World Customs Convention (WCO) of which the Philippines is a member.

“WCO-member states, including the Philippines, have all adopted the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC), [and I do not see any reason why can’t we adopt it]” Rep. Abu said.

The RKC, Abu explained, is an update of the Kyoto Convention which simplified and harmonized the customs procedures due to factors such as the pervading globalization and the rapid transformation of international trade patterns and advances in information technology.

The RKC was created to respond to the needs of providing a balance between customs functions of control and revenue collection and that of trade facilitation, Abu said.

“The proposed Act seeks to give teeth to the intents of RKC by promoting the professionalism of customs administration even as it reduces the susceptibility of businesses and citizens to corrupt customs practices,” the Batangas lawmaker added.

As a WCO member, the Philippines has already acceded to the RKC when the Senate passed Senate Resolution No. 220 entitled "Resolution Concurring with the Ratification of the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures (as amended)" in February 2010, the author recalled.

Abu pointed out that the country stands to gain enormous benefits and advantages like the other WCO states in terms of cost reduction of clearing customs in member states.

Likewise, there is also the reduction in delays of getting the export-goods in because of unanimity in customs administration among member states.

“Our exporting community does not have to learn as many separate sets of customs procedures as there are many importing countries in the world," Abu further pointed out.

One of the many salient sections of HB 3339 provides that “Customs shall apply information and communications technology to enhance customs control and support a cost-effective and efficient customs operations geared towards a paperless customs environment using internationally accepted standards.”

Among other penalty provisions, HB 3339 provides that any (responsible) person who fails to keep all the records of importations and/or books of accounts, business and computer systems and all customs commercial data in the manner prescribed in the proposed Act shall be punished with a

fine of not less than P200,000.00 but not more than P300,000.00 and/or imprisonment of not less than two (2) years and one (1) day but not more than six (6) years.

The said penalty shall also be imposed against importers brokers who deny an authorized customs officers full and free access to such records, books of accounts, business and computer systems, and all customs commercial data including payment records.

“This is without prejudice to the administrative sanctions that the Bureau of Customs may impose against the contumacious importers under existing laws and regulations including the authority to hold delivery or release of their imported articles,” Abu said.

HB 3339 also provides that mandates the Bureau of Customs “shall ensure that all information of general application pertaining to customs, including revisions or amendments thereto, shall be available to the general public.”

HB 3339 has been referred to the Committee on Ways and Means chaired

by Rep. Romero “Miro” Quimbo (2nd District, Marikina City) for appropriate consideration.| SAUL E. PA-A

BATANGAS representative Raneo E. Abu delivering his speech introducing HB 3339.

CLASSIFIED ADS SERVICE

FOR SALE

MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES

SUBDIVISION HOUSE & LOT

Company Registration Consulancy & Processing

273 sq. meters Corner Lot near the Batangas City Coliseum, Colegio ng Lungsod ng Batangas, BSU With good supply of electricity and water...

With clean title; for immediate disposition

E-mail: balikasonline@yahoo.com

COLLEGE THESIS TUTORIAL, EDITING & PRINTING Call/Text: 09129027373 / 09194200526

BANKING

SUNRISE RURAL BANK, INC. Deposits | Loans | Financing Services Brgy. Poblacion B, Rosario, Batangas

BATANGAS RURAL BANK FOR COOPERATIVES, INC. Deposits | Loans | Financing Services Collecting Agent of Meralco, BCWD, etc.

Pastor Avenue, Market Site, Cuta, Batangas City

Call or text: 0912.902.7373 | 0905.554.0200 (Joe) 0947.158.1235 | 043.980.6162 (Shirley)

January 20 - 26, 2014

6

LEGAL NOTICE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF BATANGAS FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF LIPA CITY NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE OF REAL PROPERTY UNDER ACT 3135, AS AMENDED EJF CASE NO. 2013-0120 Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135, as amended by Act 4118 filed by WOMEN’S RURAL BANK, INC., mortgagee, with office address at Carandang Street, Poblacion, Rosario, Batangas, against AGNES AGUILA, SPOUSES ESTER EVANGELISTA & RICARDO UMALI, SPOUSES LITO MATIBAG & MA. ALICE MATIBAG, Mortgagor/s, with postal address at Brgy. III, Rizal St., Mataasnakahoy, Batangas; Brgy.

San Sebastian, Mataasnakahoy, Batangas, and Brgy. San Sebastian, Mataasnakahoy, Batangas, respectively, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of April 2, 2013 amounts to Php 25,555,296.03 including/excluding interest and other charges agreed thereon and other expenses in connection with this sale, secured by the mortgagee the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 85, Lipa City, will sell at public auction on March 10, 2014 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning or soon thereafter at the main entrance of the Hall of Justice, Marauoy, Lipa City to the highest bidder for CASH and in the Philippine Currency, the described real property and its improvements thereon to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-139530 ‘A parcel of land (Lot 5 of the consolidation/ subdivision plan, Pcs-04-021772, being a portion of the consolidation of Lot 3 & Lot 5, both Pcs-04018224, Lot 4-A & Lot 4-C, both of Psd-04-166700, LRC Record No. 1306), situated in the Brgy. of San Sebastian, Municipality of Mataasnakahoy, Province of Batangas. Bounded on the SE., along line 1-2 by Lot 4; on the SW., along line 2-3 by Lot 3, all of the consolidation and subdivision plan; on the NW., & SW., along lines 3-4-5 by Lot 4-B Psd-4-166700; on the SW., along line 5-6 by Lot 2; on the SW., & SE., along line 9-10 by Road; on the NW., along line 10-11 by Lot 2, Pcs-04-018224; on the NE., along lines 11-12-13-14-15 by Lot 8975, Cad-218, Lipa Cadastre; on the SE., along line 15-16-17 by Lot 6, Pcs-04-018224; on the SW., along lines 19-20-1by Lot 4 of the consolidation and subdivision plan. x x x containing an area of SEVEN THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED EIGHTYONE (7,281) SQUARE METERS.” Registered in the names of AGNES AGUILA, single 3,180 square meters; SPOUSES ESTER EVANGELISTA & RICARDO UMALI, 1,320 square meters; SPOUSES LITO MATIBAG & MA. ALICE MATIBAG, 2,781 square meters.

Prospective buyers and bidders are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title herein above described and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

“All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated time and place.”

In the event that the Public Auction Sale should not take place on said date it shall be held on March 17, 2014, same place and time without further notice and republication.

Lipa City, January 2, 2014.

Offset Printing Machine Solna 124 Offset Machine Japan-made Vertical Platemaker 3-Phase Power Motor Converter Push-Button Switch Set up For details, Call / Text 0912.902.7373 0917.521.9477

(Sgd.) EUSTAQUIO C. ALONGALAY Sheriff IV Award of publication hereof in the Pahayagang Balik as drawn by raffle in accordance with law.

DULY RAFFLED: HON. NOEL M. LINDOG Executive Judge ATTY. ROBERT RYAN H. ESMENDA Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Sheriff

Copy furnished: PARTIES CONCERNED WARNING: It is absolutely prohibited to remove deface or destroy this Notice of Sale on or before the date of sale UNDER PENALTYOF LAW. Pahayagang BALIKAS / January 6, 13 & 20, 2013

Tawag na sa Pahayagang Balikas Telephone No. (043) 417.1662 * 0917.521.9477 * 0912.902.7373 para sa inyong pagpapalathala.

Nicetas E. Escalona, Lifetimes Editor

LIFE TIMES na pasanin ang relasyon.

Magiging busy ka ngayon sa trabaho na nakaatang sa balikat. Iwasan ang magbakasakali dahil tiyak na kasiphayuan ang makakamit.

Leo (Hul. 23 - Ago. 22) - Mabuti at maganda ang layunin ng kaibigan pero wala sa tamang panahon na paunlakan ang sinuman na magyayaya. Iwasan ang maging mapaghanap sa minamahal, kasambahay at kasamahan. Magiging masaya sa piling ng pamilya ang maunlad na negosyo.

Virgo (Ago 23 - Set. 23) - Pag-aralan ng mabuti ang magiging epekto ng salitang binitiwan. Mag-ingat sa pagpapahayag ng damdamin at baka hahantong sa hindi pagkakaunawaan. Kailangan na sundin ang payo ng doctor. Huwag magpadalus-dalos sa desisyon.

Libra (Set. 24 - Okt. 23) - Ang iyong ESP ang makakalutas sa taglay na problema. W alang magiging sagabal sa mga gawain o trabaho. Pabor ang mga gawaing mental kaysa sa pisikal. Umaayon ang panahon sa pagpaplano kung ano ang dapat gawin, mababayaran ang pagkakautang.

Scorpio (Okt. 24 - Nob. 22) - Huwag mangako kung hindi tutuparin. Mag-ingat sa tungkulin na nakapatong sa balikat dahil ikaw ay minamataan. Ang iyong pangako ang magiging batayan sa ikakaligaya ng relasyon. Huwag basta magtiwala at ipagkaloob ang sariling tungkulin sa iba.

Sagittarius (Nob. 23 - Dis. 21) - Ang makipag-date ay inaayunan ng panahon. Huwag mabahala dahil ang mga pangyayari ay kakampi sa iyong panig. Magiging emosyonal sa konting suliranin na lilitaw.|

<<<HEALTH UPDATES.. from P/1

Measles cases in Calabarzon increased by 288% in 2013... ‘but no outbreak yet’ - DoH Since May 2013, the health workers these areas have already conducted outbreak response immunization for children 6 months to 59 months old to complete the 2 doses of measles vaccination and ensure increase in the immunization coverage.

Dr. Santiago stressed that significant activities have already been undertaken by the DOH-RHO 4A, in coordination with the local government units, such as: massive information dissemination campaign; delivery of Measles vaccines (MV) and Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccines (MMRV) to different provinces to ensure availability of logistics; surveillance of all reported cases; and inventory of cold chain facilities.

Moreover, he said, health advisories have also been sent to local government units, to remind them to mobilize their

respective local health workers to conduct catch-up and follow-up immunization of drop-outs and missed children, to ensure high immunization coverage.

Meanwhile, in an interview over a local radio station in Laguna, last week, DOH-CHD IVA Assistant Regional Director Dr. Corazon Flores urged parents to have their children vaccinated against measles.

Dr. Flores encouraged Calabarzon household members especially the parents to encourage their children for the health agency’s anti-measles immunization program which is free of charge in government health centers and hospitals.

She said the health department’s control measures are aimed at ensuring children’s protection from the disease as they monitored more than 20 deaths

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................

Capricorn (Dis. 22 - Ene. 19) - Upang manindigan ang sariling kapakanan, kaila­ ngan na maging matapang at matatag sa pagpapahayag ng sariling panig. Kung inaakalang may katuwiran, ipahayag at huwag tumahimik. Hindi nakababawas ng pagkatao ang paghingi ng dispensa kung inaakalang nagkamali.

Aquarius (Ene. 20 - Peb. 18) - Ang dating hinanakit o tampuhan ay mapapawi. Tatakbong maginhawa ang mga bagay na nasimulan. Maging alerto sa naghahangad sa puwesto. Kung ano man ang nilalakad, ipagpaliban muna dahil kapalpakan kung itutuloy.

Pisces (Peb. 19 - Mar. 20) - Ang susi ay alamin muna ang mga bagay tungkol sa napupusuan bago magpahayag ng saloobin. Huwag maghangad ng labis.

Aries (Mar. 21 - Abril 19) - Iwasan ang mapikon o magalit sa mga biro o kantiyawan. Makakatulong ang payo sa sariling kapakanan. Sundin ang kutob. Maging matatag sa pagtanggap ng responsibilidad. Magiging sentro ka ng atraksyon ng mga kaibigan.

Taurus (Abril 20 - Mayo 20) - Magiging masaya ang pakikisama sa mga kaibigan. Mabibigyan ng kasiyahan ang mga magulang, kaibigan o mga kamag-anak.

Magandang balita ang matatanggap mula sa telephone o sa anumang uri ng komunikasyon.

Gemini (Mayo 21 - Hun. 21) - Suriing mabuti ang mga transaksyon bago pumalaot. May diin ang magandang kapalaran sa pananalapi o negosyo. Ang labis na pagpupuyat ay makakapinsala sa katawan na dapat iwasan. Alagaan sa wastong paraan ang kalusugan.

Cancer (Hun. 22 - Hul. 22) - Nasa sa iyo ang madaling paglutas ng sariling suliranin. May kabigatan

already from over 1,500 measles-infected persons in the National Capital Region alone.

Since the number of cases spiked last year and reported to be increasing this year, Dr. Flores cautioned the public to avail of the free vaccination and protection, noting the disease usually rises during summer months.

DOH officials have since advised parents not to allow their school children to attend classes if they have symptoms of the infection such as fever, rashes, cough and colds to avert spread of the virus.

Dr. Flores also urged parents not to wait for any skin blemishes to occur and immediately bring their children to the nearest health center for immediate medical attention, consultation and appropriate treatment.|

................................................................................................................................... <<<PERSPECTIVE.. from P/4

Starting the New Year 2014…wrong that it would not stop these two quasigovernment agencies from increasing its exactions and even justified the need for it. The funds of SSS, for example, are, according to the agency and President Benigno Aquino III himself, could no longer be sustained without an increase in exactions from its members. At the same time, the Aquino government justified the hefty bonuses given by the executives of these two agencies to themselves citing their supposed “good performance.” The logic of these two things escapes the ordinary observer.

Their funds are unsustainable and yet the executives of these agencies are doing a good job? Aren’t these contradictory?

Then there is the impending hike in fares of the MRT and LRT commuter train systems. The Aquino government would have wanted to implement this earlier if not for the strong protests led by progressive groups.

These increases in the prices and rates of basic commodities and services are adding to the already heavy burden being borne by ordinary Filipinos, and the year has just begun. The response of the Aquino government to these has been consistent: either the government

justifies it or says that it could not do anything about it.

Is it true that the Aquino government could not do anything about it?

Take the case of Iceland. In 2008, Iceland suffered its worst economic and political crisis. The three largest privately-owned banks in Iceland were on the verge of collapse and were placed under receivership. The value of the national currency Krona nosedived; Iceland went into severe recession.

Iceland imposed capital controls and followed IMF prescriptions as part of its bailout program, such as raising taxes.

Iceland prioritized repayments and placed as last priority foreign creditors and hedge fund managers or financial investment houses.

Now, the newly-installed Icelandic government is in the process of implementing tax cuts and mortgage relief in the amount of 24,000 euros per household. This, of course, elicited warnings from the International Monetary Fund and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, but earned praise from progressive economists.

A January 9, 2014 report from the Guardian with the title Iceland rises

7

January 20 - 26, 2014

Pinoy recipes. Lutuing Pinoy Pinoy Pineapple Ham

THERE will always be a ham on the table in a Pinoy Noche Buena, a perfect symbol and the center of the holiday meal.

Prepared with a ready-to-eat ham, pineapple, honey and Dijon mustard help to flavor this tasty dish.

Ingredients: 5 - 6 Pound fully cooked ham 1 Can 15 oz pineapple chunks 1 Can 15 oz pineapple slice 1/4 Cup brown sugar 1/4 Cup honey 1 Teaspoon Dijon mustard 2 Clove garlic finely chop Lettuce Cherry tomatoes Cooking Directions: Pour pineapple chunks in a deep sauce pan Add the juice from pineapple slices, honey, brown sugar, garlic and Dijon mustard Bring to a boil and simmer in medium high heat, stir until sugar are completely dissolve Simmer until mixture is

..............................................................

PA L A IS IPA N 1

2

3

4

5

6

10 12 15

17

18 19

WWW.BULATLAT.COM

9

16

23

21

22

24

25

26

27

29

28 30

31 34

8

13

14

23

7

11

20

from the ashes of banking collapse: Populist programme of new government includes a squeeze on foreign creditors as country emerges from years of instability quoted Paul Krugman as saying, “”Where everyone else bailed out the bankers and made the public pay the price, Iceland let the banks go bust and actually expanded its social safety net.”

Nobel prize winner Joeseph Stilitz reportedly said, “What Iceland did was right. It would have been wrong to burden future generations with the mistakes of the financial system.”

“Iceland let the creditors of its banks hang. Ireland did not. Good for Iceland!”

– Financial Times economist Martin Wolf.

The Icelandic government is able to go against the tide because it is determined to do so. What the government of Iceland did demonstrates that it is all a matter of priorities and perspective. If the government wants to and has the political will to fight for the interests and welfare of its citizens even if it would catch the ire of multilateral agencies such as the IMW-WB, the World Trade Organization, the OECD, among others, it could do so.|

thick, set aside Place the ham in a baking pan lined with aluminium foil Arrange pineapple slices over the top of the ham, securing with toothpicks Add sliced apple around the ham Pour the glazed mixture over the ham and spread pineapple chunks around Cover the ham with aluminium foil and bake at preheated 347 °F for about 30 minutes Leave the ham uncovered and bake for another 30 minutes, or until the desired golden glaze Basting the ham with the juice from the ham drippings Cooking Tips : If preferred, use the drippings for gravy. Put the bake apple and pineapple chunks with ham drippings in a blender Line the serving plate with lettuce and garnish with cherry tomatoes or any fruits you want

32

33

35

PAHALANG PABABA 1 Ilathala 1 Ibuwelta 6 Bawat 2 Puntirya 10 Sabit 3 Estado sa Amerika 11 Ina 4 Simbolo ng lithium 12 Lalagyan ng sorbetes 5 Hulapi 13 Laman ng pahayagan 6 Piitan 14 Lipi 7 Panahon ng paggapas 16 Almusal 8 Sapit 17 Information Technology 9 Iyan 18 Kaagaw sa nililigawan 11 Nawasak 20 Department of Agrarian13 bahay-inuman Reform 15 Idudugtong 21 Jon ___ Jovi 19 Asignatura 23 Aalis sa grupo 20 Dos 25 Noli __ Tangere 22 Kulasisi 27 ___ Khayam 23 Kisap 29 Saudi ____ 24 Mauna __ 30 Muhammad ___ 25 Ulirat 31 Malaking ibon 26 Punglo 32 Tadtad 28 Lisya 34 Mababa sa lima 32 Simbolo ng tantalum 35 Pag-aari niya 33 Inch: daglat

>>>PNoy leads groundbreaking of FG’s 3rd power plant in Batangas>>News. . P/3 Ronalina B. Lontoc, Special Project Editor

F.E.S.T.

......................................................................... >>>FESTIVALS & FEASTS..EVENTS & SHOWBIZ..SPORTS...TRAVEL & TRENDS<<<

DANA DENISE SABILLO is the BB. LUNSOD NG BATANGAS 2014!

January 20 - 26, 2014

8

Rose Fostanes: a Filipina OFW; a singing TV star abroad MANILA, Philippines – After decades of working abroad and serving different families as caregiver, it was a big surprise for Rose Fostanes and her family that this year, she would become a bona fide reality TV star in her host country Israel, after she was declared the winner of the “X Factor Israel” Tuesday, January 14 (Wednesday, January 15 in Manila).

BATANGAS BEAUTIES. Ms. DANA DENISE SABILLO was applauded by her co-finalists after being crowned as the BB. LUNSOD NG BATANGAS 2014.| CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Lipa City Fiesta Activities 2014 Jan. 10, Friday - Blood Olympics 8:00 am @ Lipa City Youth & Cultural Center Jan. 11, Saturday - Start of Novena Mass 5:15 pm (San Sebastian Cathedral) - San Miguel Night 7:00 pm @ Lipa Plaza Independencia Jan. 12, Sunday - Body Painting Competition (“Fiesta De Barako”) 10:00 am @ SM Events Center - Amateur Boxing Tournament 1:00 pm @ Lipa Plaza Independencia Jan. 13, Monday - “Isang Libong Bata, Isang LibongTuwa” 8:00 am @ Lipa City Youth & Cultural Center Jan. 14, Tuesday - Street Dancing Competition “Makalanyog Festival” 8:00 am @ SM City Lipa to Lipa Plaza Independencia “KaBosesKo Si Idol” Grand Finals Night 7:00 pm @ Lipa Plaza Independencia Jan.15, Wednesday- Cultural Night (“Fuzion”) 7:00 pm @ Lipa Plaza Independencia Jan. 16, Thurs. - “Mautak Ako Showdown” Yr. II

10:00 am @ Lipa City Youth & Cultural Center - Runway Fashion & Beauty Year III 7:00 pm @ Lipa Plaza Independencia Jan. 17, Friday- Lipa Queen of Charity 2014 7:00 pm @ Lipa Plaza Independencia Jan. 18, Saturday - 10th Roadrunner 117 Moto-Racing Invitational Cup 6:00 am @ Leviste Drive, Inosluban - Ginebra Variety Show Lipa Plaza Independencia Jan. 19, Sunday - Mutya ng Lipa 2014 Coronation Night 7:00 pm @ Lipa Plaza Independencia - Car Show 2014 9:00 pm @ Ayala Highway Jan. 20, Monday - Grand Parade 6:00 am (from SM City Lipa to Lipa City Youth & Cultural Center) - Concelebrated Mass 9:30 am @ San Sebastian Cathedral - Procession (5:00 pm) - “ABS-CBN Kapamilya Caravan” 5:00 pm @ Lipa Plaza Independencia

THE VICTOR. Rose Fostanes (center) cries while being congratulated by her fellow X Factor Israel contestants, after winning the reality show’s first season, 14 Jan 2014. To Fostanes’ left is her sister.| IMAGE COURTESY OF RESHET TV/X FACTOR ISRAEL PAGE ON FACEBOOK

“Thank you for giving me the chance to be in the ‘X Factor Israel,’” the 47-year-old overseas Filipino worker turned singing sensation said. She was part of the show’s “Over 25s” category and now among a number of Filipinos who have shown exceptional musical talent in reality singing competitions abroad, which include Jessica Sanchez, Ellona Santiago, and Jasmine Trias.

Fostanes was seconded by Eden Ben Zaken from the Girls category, and third by Ori Shakiv from the Boys category.

She has been one of the favorites to win the reality show’s first season, with performances regularly lauded by the show’s judges.

For the final showdown, she sang “My Way” by Frank Sinatra, and Alicia Keys’” “If I Ain’t Got You” in a duet with her mentor Shiri Maimon.

Her rendition of “My Way,” with an orchestra as her backup, got a standing ovation from the judges: rock singer Rami Fortis, singer and composer Moshe Peretz, pop singer Ivri Lider, and Maimon.

“I really [can’t] believe I’m really here now,” she said after. “To all the Filipinos and

Israelis who supported me, thank you so much.” Her mentor Maimon was teary-eyed after her performance, while the other judges again praised her.

Present at the final was her sister Nancy and partner Mel Adel, along with members of the Filipino community.

Fostanes started working in Israel as a caregiver 6 years ago, but she has been working in the region for around 20 years now.

In an interview with Reuters, she told that at first she thought Israelis won’t vote for her on the show, fearing the stereotype of Filipinas working as maids and caregivers would turn them off.

Her breakthrough performance came when she got onstage and sang “You and I”

by Lady Gaga. After that, her performances of songs such as Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful” and Shirley Bassey’s “I Who Have Nothing” has wowed the show’s judging panel, host Bar Refaeli, and the entire nation.

She also hopes her stardom would help raise awareness about the country’s foreign workers and their problems, she also told Reuters.|

DEED OF SALE ---GSIS sells Philcomcen for P772 M to Filinvest Land Inc. The GSIS today formally sold Philcomcen building for P772 million to Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI) through the signing of the deed of sale at its head office in Pasay City. In a public bidding held in December 2013, the 2,411-square-meter prime property in Ortigas, Pasig City, fetched more than thrice its book value of P234 million. Shown in the photo sealing the deal with a handshake are GSIS President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara and FLI Director Joseph M.Yap (second and third from left), as FLI Business Planning Analyst Christian Ernest N. Santos and GSIS SVP Gracita Gilda V. Bocanegra stand as witnesses to the signing.| CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Go away from drugs....

Harness your talents at

D’ BLADES JAMM We welcome home-grown bands, students, amateur jammers.

BLADES Centre, Fondevilla Comp., Purok 3, Calicanto, Bats. City For inquiries and schedule, Call of Text 0912-902-7373 to 74.

Services Offered: * Rehearsals * Rentals * Tutorial *Band Service We also offer: Photobooth Service for all occasions.

Call: 043.417.1662