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Solar powered roofs eyed as solution to power crisis A LAWMAKER is proposing a novel solution to the Mindanao power shortage and the impending power crisis in Luzon––build a million solar powered roofs in 10 years. Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, author of House Bill 5405 or the proposed One Million Solar Roofs Act, said that Congress should fast track the bill which provides incentives and financing facilities to ordinary electricity consumers like residences, offices and
small to medium business establishments who want to put up their own solar power systems. Casiño’s bill will allow homeowners and entrepreneurs to take out loans from Pag-Ibig, GSIS, SSS and other financial SOLAR/PAGE 7
P125 wage increase to render 344,000 jobless By CRIS DIAZ, Associate Editor
LABOR OFFICIALS the other day reiterated its position that the proposed across-the-board P125 daily wage increase in the country is not feasible, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said. Baldoz said an across the board increase of P125 daily minimum wage will weigh down heavily on the economy through higher prices, loss of jobs, and slower overall economic growth. The labor department’s position was in response to House Bill No. 375, otherwise known as “An Act Providing for a P125 Daily Across the Board Increase in the Illegal gold miner workers remove debris of mud and rocks from a collapsed pit in Balabag Mountain in ZamWAGE/PAGE 7 boanga del Sur’s Bayog town. (Al Jacinto/Mindanao Examiner) Paying the Correct Taxes... “A Noble Act of Concern and Love, for Oneself, our Children and our Country”
WEATHER UPDATE EASTERLIES prevailing over eastern section of the country. The eastern section of the country will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to at times cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Northeast to East will prevail over Luzon and the eastern section of Visayas. The coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the East to Northeast with slight to moderate seas.
source: pagasa
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In Oroquieta City, Relax & Enjoy @
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Editor: CRIS DIAZ , Email: crisguardian@yahoo.com
Gunmen attack wedding revelry ZAMBOANGA City––Gunmen attacked a wedding revelry in Basilan on Saturday evening leaving 13 people wounded but missed their target, police reported Sunday. The Basilan Police Provincial Office (BPPO) said that the incident took place around 11:30 p.m. Saturday in Barangay Tong Sengal, Sumisip municipality, Basilan province. The victims were identified as Loy Junjam, Nasri Saluan, Muamar Majang, Jamiro Amigos, Hassad Kunaji, Anasani Toki, Jaari Daia, Nuraifa Jaari, Aning Talani, Sahang Kambang, Bahia Bulansang, Mamang Bulansang, and a certain Ibno. They were rushed to the hospital in Isabela City, the capital of Basilan province, for treatment. The police said that the victims were attending a celebration on the eve of a wedding when a group of gunmen armed, with high-powered firearms arrived, and opened fire. Police said that the attackers failed to hit their target - Muhammad Balakat, a resident of Barangay Etub-Etub, Sumisip municipality, who was at the celebration. WITH WIRE REPORT
Abu Sayyaf sub-leader slain in Basilan ambush
(088) 586-0350
Zambo residents condemn killing of university Prexy Z AMB OANGA City–– Mayor Celso Lobregat on Sunday condemned in its strongest possible terms the killing of the president of the Universidad de Zamboanga (UZ) as he ordered a no nonsense investigation of the incident. Hajdi Arturo Ammar “Archie” Eustaquio, III, UZ President, died at a local hospital after two men riding-tandem in a motorcycle shot him near his house in barangay Sta. Maria Sunday afternoon. He sustained five gunshot wounds in various parts of his body. Lobregat ordered the
creation of an Special Investigation Task Group Archie to probe into the circumstances of the killing and to bring the perpetrators to justice. “The instructions are really to dig deeper into the incident and to look at all possible angles that caused the slaying of Archie Eustaquio,” Lobregat said. Lobregat personally went to the crime scene and later to the hospital to personally look into the situation and for possible interventions. Lobregat said doctors at the Eustaquio-owned ZAEC Community Hospital
tried their best to revive Eustaquio during which time called for donation of AB positive blood. “Unfortunately efforts to revive him proved futile as doctors declared him dead at exactly 2:05 p.m.,” he said. From the hospital, Lobregat met with police authorities, including Police Regional Offce-9 (PRO-9) director Chief Supt. Napoleon Estilles; PRO-9 Deputy for Operations Chief Supt. Mario Yanga, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-9 (CIDG-9) director Sr. Supt. Edgar Danao; Zamboanga City Police Office
director Sr. Supt. Edwin de Ocampo and other officers for an assessment of the incident. Lobregat described the incident as very unfortunate and offered his condolences and sympathies to the Eustaquio family. He said authorities expect to leave no stone unturned in the investigation of the incident. The mayor said family members have yet to give their statements to authorities, as they were still preparing for Eustaquio’s burial in Islam rites on Monday. WITH WIRE REPORT
By AL JACINTO, Regional Editor-Zamboanga
ZAMBOANGA City––An Abu Sayyaf sub-leader was killed on Sunday following a fire fight between with another bandit group in Basilan province in the southern Philippines, military officials said. Army commander Col. Ricardo Visaya said the bandits headed by Ibnie Mallapin, whose father is a member of the Moro National Liberation Front, attacked and killed Long Malat Sulayman in the town of Al Barka. “Long Malat Sulayman died due to loss of blood
after he was critically wounded in the attack staged by the group of Mallapin. We still don’t know how many more were killed or injured from both sides,” he told the Mindanao Examiner. The motive of the attack is still unknown, but Visaya said both armed groups are actively operating in the town. “We don’t know the motive of the attack, but it could be connected to the control of the area where both groups operate,” Visaya said.
Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT 4th SHARI’A CIRCUIT COURT 4th Shari’a Judicial District Iligan City IN RE: PETITION TO APPROVE AND REGISTER THE DIVORCE BETWEEN SPOUSES VAN ALEX T. SAGARIO AND MA. CRISTINA H. DAL1SAY-SAGARIO
CIVIL CASE NO. 2012-016
Buddy Tancontian of Alfonso Light Brandy and Joel M. Gonzales, vice president of the National Darts Federation of the Philippines, do the ceremonial honors opening the one-day Alfonso Light Brandy P50,000 Dart Festival. Close to 200 players competed in the event for the champion’s prize of P15,000 in the Classified Draw Doubles and P5,000 in the Open Singles. Cash prizes were also awarded to the rest of the top 8 finishers. Photo by Gerry L. Gorit
VAN ALEX T. SAGARIO AND MA. CRISTINA H. DAL1SAY-SAGARIO, Petitioners. x-----------------------------------------------------/ ORDER Before this court is verified Joint Petition for the approval and Registration of the Divorce filed by their Counsel and alleging among others: That petitioners are husband and wife, respectively, in a marriage performed under Civil rites on December 28, 2000 at Iligan City, they converted to Islam faith, of which conversion to Islam were Registered with this court, both of them can be served with summons and notices at Bahayan 7, Luinab, Iligan City Norte and 0009 San Miguel Village, Palao, Iligan City. That said marriage did not last long, due to lack of love and affection until the relationship manifested incompatibility and sustained misunderstanding between petitioners and reached the point of irreconcilability and they separated sometimes in 2003 or over Eight (8) years now, they decide to live physically in bed and board thereby executed Divorce Agreement in order to formalize their separation; since their separation in 2003, they had never been communicating or supporting either financially or emotionally to each other, neither minding each other’s affairs; petitioner’s seek judicial decree of divorce thereby severing their marriage bond on December 28, 2000 so that they will have free hand to do what a single man or woman could do without marital burden: reconciliation between them had already been diligently employed but all proved futile. WHEREFORE, finding this joint petition to be sufficient Inform and substance set the initial hearing of this case on April 13, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. at which time, date and place, any interested party may appear and show why the petition should not be granted. Let copy of this Order be published in a news paper of General Circulation in the City of Iligan one week for three (3) consecutive weeks at the expense of the petitioned. SO ORDERED. Iligan City, Philippines, this 20th day of March, 2012.
MD: March 27, Apr 3 & 10, 2012
DART TOURNAMENT
(Sgd.) HON. OSOP M. ALI Presiding Judge
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC Please be informed that Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines., Inc. (PCPPI) Official Receipts (ORs) with Series Number 20056250 & 20061472 were lost. PCPPI company will not be held liable for any mendacious usage of the above documents. By Management MINDANAO DAILY: APRIL 2, 3, & 4, 2012
Strictly for job hunters THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Region 10 announced vacancies in six job positions. According to Linda O. Boniao, officer-in-charge of DTI-10, there are openings for Senior Development Specialist, Development Specialist, Development Analyst, Administrative Officer I, Accounting Clerk II, and Clerk III. Submit applications with bio-data, transcript of records, and certificate of eligibility to the Chairman of the Selection and Promotion Board not later than April 10, 2012.
News In Focus
BUNYE/PAGE 7
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TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012
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House okays affordable NOTHING BUT food transparency act THE House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill adopting and implementing a policy of full public disclosure of all government transactions involving food and food supply, consistent with the Constitutional right of the people to information. House Bill 5868, to be known as the “Affordable Food Transparency Act,” mandates that all information involving food and basic commodities in the custody and control of the government be made available and accessible to the public. With 235 affirmative votes, the House passed the measure, which was endorsed for plenary approval by the House Committee on Trade and Industry chaired by Rep. Albert Raymond Garcia (2nd District, Bataan). It substituted House Bill 1143 authored by Rep. Reynaldo Umali (2nd District, Oriental Mindoro) and House Bill 3603 authored by Reps. Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo (2nd District, Camarines Sur) and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2nd District, Pampanga). Umali said this information is necessary in taking the needed actions, whether for families budgeting their daily expenses, for law enforcers running after hoarders and price colluders, private enterprises planning for the medium-term, or for national agencies and local governments directing their
efforts to solve impending supply problems. “Indeed, government transparency in food information is a step towards reinforcing the right of the people to affordable food and food security. The people have the right to know the factors that influence food supply and prices,” Umali said. Arroyo said the Filipino people have the right to information on all matters of public concern. Access to food is a fundamental human right and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure an adequate food supply for the people at affordable costs. “In order to reinforce and guarantee the right of the people to affordable and adequate food supply, the government must be transparent in all its transactions involving food and basic commodities,” Arroyo said. The bill defines the term information, among others, to mean all documents, papers, letters, minutes and transcripts of official meetings, maps, books, photographs, films, sound and video recordings, magnetic or other tapes and electronic data processing records. The term also refers to and includes stored computer data, electronic mail messages, or any other like or similar data or material, recorded, stored or archived in whatever form or format, which are made, received or kept in or under the control and custody of any
government body pursuant to law, executive order, rules and regulations, ordinances or in connection with the performance or transaction of official business by any government body. The measure provides for the creation of a Congressional Oversight Committee consisting of five members each from the Senate and House of Representatives, which shall be composed of the Chairpersons and members of the Committees on Agriculture, Trade and Commerce and Justice and Human Rights of both the Senate and House of Representatives, which shall meet bi-annually. The bill mandates each government body to submit a report covering the preceding year relative to the implementation of this Act, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate for referral to the appropriate committees in Congress. Under the measure, any government official or employee who shall knowingly release false and misleading information is penalized with a fine of not more than P40,000 and imprisonment of 3 years. In case any official or employee who fails to respond to a request due to negligence or failure to meet the time limits for response, a fine of P20,000 is imposed and/or imprisonment of one year, including accessory penalties in both instances.
Interior and local government recognizes outstanding ‘lupons’ CAGAYAN de Oro City–– The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Region 10 has once again recognized 11 barangays in the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Award (LTIA) Calendar Year 2011. Awarded were Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City; Kalasungay, Malaybalay City; Poblacion, Impasugong, Bukidnon; and Barangay Kisolon, Sumilao, Bukidnon as outstanding ‘lupons’, in the HighlyUrbanized City, Compo-
nent City, First-Third Class Municipality and FourthSixth Class Municipality categories, respectively. Also recognized were Barangay Tubod, Iligan City, first runner-up for Highly-Urbanized Cities category; Catumbalon, Ozamiz City, first runnerup for Component Cities category; Lower Lamac, Oroquieta City, second r unner-up; Poblacion, El Salvador City, third runner-up; and Barangay 19, Gingoog City, fourth runner-up.
For the 1st-3rd Class Municipalities category, Barangay Poblacion, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte (first runner-up); and for the 4th-6th Class Municipalities category, Barangay Poblacion, Sapad, Lanao del Norte (first runner-up). Lupons were assessed by the regional and field evaluators, based on the efficiency of operations, effectiveness in securing the Katarungang Pambarangay objectives, and creativity and resourcefulness of mediators. (DILG-10/jdelpf )
TO OUR DEAR FRIENDS, READERS, AND ADVERTISERS IN line with the observance of the Lent Season, printed copies of the Mindanao Daily News will not be available from April 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. We will resume on April 10, 2012. The Management
THE TRUTH
Cagayanons are observing the Holy Week in the tradition of forgiveness and selfretrospection. We forgive those who want to divide us by spreading the gospel of lies and deceptions. We exonerate groups, individuals, and organizations who sow discord to our peace. We forgive and forget those who inflict so much pain instead of consolation in times when we mourned of the death of our sons and daughters. We know that the wicked will continue to defy righteousness. We are aware that the malevolence of those who want to rule us will continue our sensitivity at all costs. As days go on, the wickedness of ambitious groups, individuals, and organization also grow in the pursuit of their malicious intents. Provide us strength, Oh, Lord, Spare us, Cagayanons, from the inequities of men who sow dissension and conflict among us. Intensify our faith in our leaders and drive us from people, individuals or groups pretending to be respectable and decent. Let the light of the Holy Week guide those who want to grab power through personal vindictiveness and deceit be enlightened so that they will stop their injustices to us. Lord, let the Holy Spirit enlightened the minds of people, individuals or groups who concoct falsehoods so that they accept truth and honesty in their hearts and minds. In this season of Lent, we the people of Cagayan de Oro, also implore God’s Divine intercession to make our place safe from all forms of calamities and disasters. We implore the compassion of the Divine Providence to protect our city from all threats to the lives and limbs of our people. Lastly, we ask the Holy Spirit to let this season be a time to mend personal and political differences. Let the Holy Week be a force that would unite the Cagayanons’ quest for progressive and peaceful urban capital. MABUHI AND CAGAYANONS! MABUHI ANG CAGAYAN DE ORO! PD ADVT
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TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012
Editor: RUEL PELONE , Email; mindanaodailynews@gmail.com www.mindanaodailybalita.com
The MINDANAO DAILY NEWS (MDN) is published by Mindanao Daily Balita at Door 3, Geleng Bldg., Lapasan Highway, Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Region 10 with Certififcate No. 01349532, and with Business Permit No. 02275, TIN No. 946-396-807-001 Telefax Nos: (088) 856-3344, (08822)74-53-80, Cell nos.: 0917-7121424, 0923-432-0687 Website: www//mindanaodailybalita.com E-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com mindanaodailynews@gmail.com DANTE M. SUDARIA PUBLISHER
RUEL V. PELONE
ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA
ALLAN M. MEDIANTE
MELANIE RIVERA IRENE DOMINGO PINKY CADAVEDO
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
JOE DEL PEURTO FELICILDA MANAGING EDITOR CRIS DIAZ ASSOCIATE EDITOR PAT SAMONTE R ¦®ÊÄ ½ E ®ãÊÙ-C Ù ¦ AL JACINTO R ¦®ÊÄ ½ E ®ãÊÙ-Z Ã Ê Ä¦
FINANCE MANAGER
A ò Ùã®Ý®Ä¦
GUILLERMO ADE, JÙ. PÙÊ ç ã®ÊÄ
ALBERT MOLIT MARLON DOMINGO CIRCULATION
JUN ESCUADRO RIZA O. ARES LIEZL A. DELOSO JOE PALABAO RENE MICHAEL BAÑOS
They’ll feast at your funeral THINK a minute. When you decide to do something, whose opinion do you think and care about the most? Do you simply do what you know is right, or do you first consider what other people might think about you? What will your neighbors or people you work with think? Your family and friends? Do you realize that when you die, except for your closest family and friends, most people will not even be sad enough at your funeral to lose their appetite! Thos e s ame p e ople whom you now try so hard
Think A Minute Jhan Tiafau Hurst to impress and please are going to feast at your funeral. Yet, we often neglect and hurt our own wife and children, the people who truly love us, because we try so hard to please and impress others. But the greatest tragedy of all is that we seem to care the least about what
Coastguard tolerates dynamite fishing
DYNAMITE FISHING is back in the coastlines of Misamis Oriental. This time, the coast guard’s P24-million M Ù» ã®Ä¦ CÊÄÝç½ã ÄãÝ FELIX SANTILLAN patrol boat stationed in Macabalan L ùÊçã AÙã®Ýã ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI ããù. ÙÊ ÙãÊ . Äã ¦Ê ¹Ù. Port appeared useless. URIEL C. QUILINGUING L ¦ ½ CÊçÄÝ ½Ý Two decades ago, dynamite fishing E ®ãÊÙ® ½ CÊÄÝç½ã Äã was rampant in the fishing villages of Bayabas and Bonbon in Cagayan MARKETING PARTNERS de Oro City. Aside from dynamite A VENTURE MKTG CORP. fishing, there was cyanide fishing, too. MARLYN PARͳTelefax: (02)485-0570 The coastal seas of these fishing Cris Diaz 2512 Opalo St., San Andres Bukid villages were then teeming with Sta. Ana Manila rich and rare marine life. Multi-colored corals and rare coral reef fish like beaked and butterfly fish, the lion RURAL PRESS COMM. REP. INC. and hawk fish were teeming in Bayabas coastlines. One 3055 Tolentino Cor. Balabac Sts. Pinagkaisahan, of the famous coral reef fish, the ‘clown fish’ featured Makati City in the movie ‘Finding Nemo’ abound in Bayabas then. The Bayabas coral reef extended as far as the fishJUN ESCUADRO - 0917-511-1724 ing village of Bonbon. The coral reef in Bonbon settled 44 Lungos, Pulilan, Bulacan about two kilometers off the beach at high tide. Unlike RICHARD ALMENANZA-0920-9467267 the lively coral reef in Bayabas where marine life was Suit 701 C Dansalan Condominium itself a natural wonder, the coral reef in Bonbon was dead Mandaluyong City and devastated. Thanks to rampant dynamite fishing! The city government in the early 90s’ organized a CEBU THE VOICE ‘bantay-dagat’ group composed of anglers and village FREDDIE PAR - 0932-867-2326 officials. ‘Bantay-dagat’ was to guard the coastal areas C. Padilla cor. Fatima Sts., Cebu City against dynamite fishing in coordination with local Mindanao Examiner/Mindanao Daily police authorities. Unit 15, 3F Fair Land Bldg., Nunez Extension Perhaps, ‘Bantay–dagat’ effectively carried its mandate Zamboanga City Phone & Fax (062) 992 5480 in guarding the coastal areas off Bayabas and Bobon since Email: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com dynamite fishing in the area stopped. Without dynamite fishing, comes cyanide fishing. The difference between MARX’S PUBLISHING AND MARKETING SERVICES the two is that dynamite fishing employs improvised P-7 Resureccion Road., Holy Redeemer, Butuan City explosives while ‘cyanide fishing’ employs ‘poison.’ Cell No. 0948-4183501, 0912-8091093 GERRY LEE GORIT ROLANDO SUDARIA P«ÊãÊ JÊçÙÄ ½®ÝãÝ
MDN CAGAYAN DE ORO JOE PALABAO - 0905-1569709 ROLANDO SUDARIA- 0906-7035614 RIZA O. ARES-0922-8708374 LIEZL A. DELOSO-0905-2123718 RENE MICHAEL BAÑOSͳ0917ͳ7148484 JHO PANTOJA- 0906-7469233 ARJAY FELICILDA - 0949-328-4099 HARRY DEL PUERTO-0910-3688981
MDN BUKIDNON PROVINCE ANN NOBLEͳ 0926ͳ3125850 DAHLIA S. BENEMERITO 0926ͳ858ͳ2013 EDGARDO MALIZAͳ 0926ͳ4759372 SAMMY TE ͳ 0926ͳ561ͳ9848 MILDRED TORREJAS ͳ 0917ͳ408ͳ6905 ROSEMARY ALLOͳGENONͳ0935ͳ315ͳ2014
MDN CARAGA REGION PAT SAMONTE- 0912-8091093 OBET SAMONTE-0948-4183501 MANUEL EGAY ͳ 0926ͳ213ͳ1640 TANDAG ͳGEN CANTORͳ 0929ͳ5817116
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ILIGAN CITY ͳ JEFFREY OPONDA 0935ͳ9490654 TUBODͳ LOUIE BUKODͳ 0948ͳ1323348 OROQUIETA CITY- PJ TREMEDAL 09193452375 OZAMIZͳ ATTY. ROBERTO CANTAGO ͳ0918ͳ807ͳ0707 ARMM ͳ SONY SUDARIA ͳ 0947ͳ4810371 PAGADIAN CITY ͳ MANNY MAULANAͳ0917ͳ7048333
Zamboanga- Al Jacinto- 0918-9180895
God thinks of us. We almost seem to have no shame or fear of God and His opinion of us. Even though at the end of our life, it’s only what our Maker thinks of us and whether we have truly lived His way that will decide where and how we live forever: in heaven or hell. God the Son even be-
came a human being named Jesus Christ to die for all our wrongs and then come back to life, just so we could know how much our Creator loves us. Jesus cares more about you than anyone does! Especially those people you and I try so hard to please—those people who will feast at our funeral. So if we’re smart, we will stop living to please other people and start living Jesus Christ’s way to please Him. Always remember, at the end of your life it is only what Jesus your Judge will think of you that can save you. Just Think a Minute.
While dynamite fishing seldom occurred in Bayabas in the last two decades, cyanide fishing became rampant too. Perhaps, cyanide fishing finally destroyed Bayabas’ coral reef and abundant marine life. The multi-colored corals that laced the coastal seas are dead. Gone are sea grasses where elegant and slippery eels, crabs, fish and shrimps raced when the sea starts to recede from the shore as the tide falls. Everybody thought dynamite fishing would not come back to Bayabas anymore. However, witnesses reported Sunday of the resurgence of dynamite fishing some five nautical miles off Bayabas. The distance is about 10-kilometer off Bayabas coastline. This is happening almost every day on fair weather. There were dozens of small boats surrounding one big fishing boat. At one time, these small boats disperse to various directions only to regroup. ‘They looked like frigates surrounding and moving fast from a main naval battle ship,’ witnesses said. ‘The mother boat is where explosives come from,’ another informant said. The small boats disperse in search of school of fish. Once found, an ignited improvised explosive is thrown to the school of fish. In five to 10 seconds, an explosion is heard signaling other smaller boats to regroup in the area. ‘They used fishing net to catch dynamited fish,’ a small boy said. The dynamited fish are then brought to the waiting ‘mother boat’ where they are unloaded in a freezer. People are wondering on the inability of coastguard and maritime police to check this illegal activity. Is there any consideration that authorities are adopting a blind eye on these illegal activities? Your guess is as good as mine is. react crisguardian@yahoo.com
Why so many bad politicians? THE no good leaders in the Philippines are better seen when one viewing it is in foreign lands than when he is in the country. When I was in Mindanao many years ago, I was very active in the media profession. It was my only source of income. I was the only tri-mediaman then being editor-publisher of my own newspaper, a commentator of a radio station and a news caster of a nightly TV newscast. I was editing two weekly newspapers. So I moved like hell gathering and writing no less than twenty news items everyday. Nearly all politicians in northern Mindanao were my friends and at the same time my enemies. I knew them all from head to foot and naturally knew them further who is who, the
The Striker
Ben Emata Jr. good ones, the bad ones, the crooks, etc. We meet so often, talk as friends, talk suspiciously with hidden anger and hatred and a lot of them maybe had plan to squeeze my neck or at least plant a knife on my ribs if there is a safe way to do it. I was then a hard-hitting journalist during my time. You may not believe it but with my three jobs, (was owner of a publication) I lived in a very small house built on a borrowed land area in Puntod. With five
children to support, three in college taking engineering degrees, you bet there really was hard life in the home. Many times I walked on badly damaged shoes, faded polo shirts and really a poor man body and soul. But I did not make use of my power and influence in the media to make a fortune in life. I was offered many times by some politicians with cash, or for my wife and grown up kids getting jobs in the government. I refused all these not because
I have so much money but to my mind were against the ethics of journalism or the profession. I felt I’d rather be a poor newspaperman than getting rich with unexplained wealth. During that time my wife who is a registered pharmacist did not have a job. I was an unafraid critic. I am a journalist through and through and knew fully well how to work as such having been trained in a prestigious Manila university. I hated so much government failures. I dislike abuses, corruptions, laziness in public service. I criticized poorly instituted public works, corruptionladen projects and everything that looks ugly despite the huge amount of funds involved. Many times I was BAD/p.7
TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012
Editor: Joe del Puerto Felicilda , Email: jdelpf@yahoo.com
PIA News Bits Director Abner M. Caga PIA, R10 & 13 Cluster
DILG plans against poverty REGION 13 – DILG is set to launch the anti-poverty action plan, a project under the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) to counter poverty incidence in the in the region.
Groups plant trees LANAO del Sur - Some 200 Mahogonay seedlings were planted in barangays Salvador Concha, Buadi Ong Kalo and Moriatao Luksadato, Taraka, Lanao del Sur. Jointly conducted by the municipal government, the 65th Infantry Battalion, Jamiatu Marawi Al-Islamia Foundation, Citizens Army Training Unit, Ranao Eagles Club, and the 1st Ready Reserved Battalion, the tree planting activity was aimed to educate the local residents to be peace and environmental-loving constituents. A nutrition feeding program was also conducted in said town benefitting students.
BFP sponsors contests MISAMIS Occidental - Various activities have been initiated by the Bureau of Fire Protectio (BFP) in Tangub City during Fire Prevention Month. Such activities included a Drawing and Writing Contest on the theme: “Makiisa, Makialam, Makipagtulungan Upang Sunog ay Maiwasan; and Poster Making and Essay Writing Contest for high school students and elementary
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088-855-1945 0918-979-3130 0922-865-9063 ADDRESS: 003 Guijo Street Baloy Cagayan de Oro City
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Karapatan calls for probe of Bukidnon killing By JOE DEL PUERTO FELICILDA
BUKIDNON - The Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights (KARAPATAN) is calling for an immediate investigation of the assassination of Punong Barangay Jimmy Liguyonn Dao, San Fernando town. To undertake the probe, Karapatan recommends an independent fact-finding team of representatives from human rights groups, the Church, local government, and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Liguyon was reportedly shot-dead at close range by Alde Salusad, aka Butsoy of the TRIOM Force, March 5 this year. The victim was said to
be a strong advocate against destructive mining activities and the development of bio-fuel plantations in his barangay. Witnesses confidently identified Salusad and his father, Nonong Salusad, a rebel-returnee as the ones who killed the village leader. Karapatan said, both suspects belong to the San Fernando Tribal Datus Association (SANMATRIDA), a group of Lumads that government has granted a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) over a 52,000-hectare of land in several villages of San Fernando, Bukidnon, including Dao. The other suspects are
Dao Barangay Council Members Merlyn Isidro, Merlyn Isidro and Fausto Bacliran when Liguyon was shot at close range by Alde, with an armalite rifle. Karapatan is also urging the military to stop labeling and targeting the human rights defenders
in the area as “belonging to front organizations of the communists” and as “enemies of the state;” and the withdrawal of government counter-insurgency program Oplan Bayanihan, “which has allegedly been victimizing innocent and unarmed civilians.”
BFP Iligan conducts home inspections By LORRY V. GABULE
ILIGAN City - The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is currently conducting a massive inspection of the city’s five fire-prone barangays of Saray, Mahayahay, Villaverde, Tambacan and Bagong Silang.
“These urban barangays are very congested with residential structures built with light materials, with non-accessible road networks,” said Iligan City Fire Marshall Rommel E. Villafuerte.
conduct of orientations on Republic Act No. 9514 (Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008), tapping the barangay tanods, the Civilian Volunteer Organizations (CVOs), and Prior to the inspec- the barangay volunteer fire tion, they coordinated with brigades. (LVG/PIA 10/ barangay officials in the jdelpf )
“His Destiny was the Cross. His Purpose was Love and his Reason was You.” From:
Rep. BENJO BENALDO 1st District, Cagayan de Oro City
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TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012 www.mindanaodailybalita.com
BUTUAN CITY, BAYUGAN CITY, SAN FRANCISCO, TAGUM CITY SUZUKI * HONDA YAMAHA* KAWASAKI MEMBER: G.A. ROMARATE GROUP OF COMPANIES
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Sharapova rues missed chances in Miami MARIA Sharapova put her third final defeat this year, at the Miami Masters, down to missed chances and a tenacious opponent in Agnieszka Radwanksa. The fourth-ranked Pole pounced on an error-strewn display from Sharapova to secure a 7-5, 6-4 win and the biggest tournament title of her career on Saturday. Asked who was the bigger opponent, Radwanksa or Sharapova herself, the world No. 2, who recorded 45 unforced errors, said: “It’s obviously a combination.” “You want to put pressure on her to go for a little bit more maybe when she’s, you know, moving, but she moved extremely well.” Sharapova said she fell victim to the power that she had generated in the rallies, but praised Radwanska for doing more than simply redirecting her booming groundstrokes. “She hit a lot of good balls on the run and they were deep. She didn’t just bring them back; she had something on them.”
Still, Sharapova insisted she had her opportunities to reverse the tide. “Well, I was down 4-5 and I held and it was 5 All, and I was love 30 at some point, that was in the second set, and I didn’t take those chances. I was always playing from behind.” Not only was the defeat Sharapova’s third in a
final this year - she lost to Victoria Azarenka at both the Australian Open and Indian Wells - but it was her fourth loss in the Miami Masters final after reaching the ultimate stage in 2005, 2006 and 2011. The 24-year-old still takes a 13-3 record this year into a clay season that is rapidly becoming a favorite
after reaching last year’s French Open final. “I feel like I’ve improved with every year that I have been playing on it and I enjoy it,” she said of the surface. “I’m looking forward to taking a little break now but getting on the clay and starting the practice.” (PNA/ RIA Novosti)
Butuan Sports Academy starts for Summer League By PAT SAMONTE, Regional Editor-Caraga with JOEL PORTUGAL, Correspondent
Maria lost 5-7 4-6 to No.5 seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland in the final of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. In both sets, Maria’s serve was broken towards the end of the set and this was the deciding factor in the match. The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart is Maria’s next tournament which begins on April 23rd. This will be Maria’s first clay court tournament of 2012.
Head injury cuts short young boxer’s career CEBU City––Another young boxer’s career has ended after a life-threatening head injury. At 23 years old, Larry “Bon Jovi” Canillas’s dream of making it big in boxing has been shattered, cutting short his up-and-coming career, following a scary injury that required surgery. Most mishaps happen during a fight but Canillas’s injury occurred in his training camp at the ALA Gym in Cebu City. After a routine sparring session, Canillas felt wobbly on his way to the showers and fainted. He was immediately rushed to the Cebu Doctors’ Hospital last Feb. 22. “It was after sparring that he felt pain and fainted. He had to be operated on but thank God everything went well,” ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer said. Just last month, a Filipino fighter, Karlo Maquinto, suffered a similar head injury and died after his fight. Canillas’s fellow ALA Gym fighter Z Gorres also BOXING/PAGE 7
BUTUAN City––In preparation for the Summer Sports League, barangay San Vicente here conducted a Sports Academy in Barangay San Vicente here over the weekend to train and educate the youth in sports and to become responsible athletes. The two-day training was conducted through the efforts of Sangguniang Kabataan President Rauzil
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Carampatana, Barangay Sports Coordinator Jessie Tiwaquen and assisted by Councilor Jaime Cembrano, Jr., who chairs the city sports committee. Carampatana said the Sports Academy is aimed at providing the youth an opportunity to use and divert their idle time to useful activities and develop their skills and talents in their chosen sport.
Taken up during the first day were basic rules and theories in various sports. The participants were given actual training as well as techniques and strategies in basketball, softball, boxing and volleyball during the second day. Cembrano said the next batch will undergo traning on April 10-11, 2012 with youth participants coming from barangays Lumbocan, Masao, Ambago, Pagatpatan, Doongan, Agusan Pequeño and Babag.
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37. TV Host Guanio 38. Main artery 40. _and shout 42. Disagreeable 43. Fencing sword DOWN 1. Rainbow 2. Uncovers 3. Night before 4. Xenon symbol 6. Small horse 7. Baked dish 8. _Nido 9. Picture puzzle 11. Glacial ice 13. Restaurant 16. Extremist 19. Flow 20. Spotless 22. Mr.Alda 23. Ancient Persian
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TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012 www.mindanaodailybalita.com
Solar... from page 1
institutions to purchase solar panels and pay the amount from the ensuing savings in their electricity bills. “In this way, we hit three birds with one stone - we build additional supply of power; liberate ourselves from expensive, dirty and imported fossil fuels; and develop the local renewable energy industry. It is really the way to go,” he said. According to the lawmaker, “Government should think out of the box and go beyond the big developer mentality in dealing with the power crisis. Solar power technology now allows electricity consumers to be producers themselves. So rather than giving the President emergency powers to ink sweetheart contracts again with the big players, why not empower consumers to produce their own energy through solar power? “ “Our bill also allows these solar powered households and small firms to feed in their unused power to the grid during peak midday hours at a cost cheaper than existing diesel peaking plants. In the National Capital Region (NCR), some peaking plants sell at as high as P30/kWh while solar can come in at half that price,” Casiño revealed. He said the amount sold by the solar power producer can be offset from their monthly electricity bills via the net metering mechanism as proposed in the bill. “Solar technology can be an immediate and sustainable way to deal with the country’s energy problems, especially with the abundance of solar energy throughout the country and the modular nature of solar energy systems,” said the progressive solon. “Besides the country being second in Southeast Asia in terms of irradiation and insolation, we already have the foundation to become a renewable energy leader in the region owing to the strong semi-conductor industry and the manpower base serving in the manufacturing and service sectors, especially the installers sub-sector,” he added “With government harnessing the solar resources of the country and providing for incentives for massive deployment of solar energy systems, the prospects of attaining energy independence from oil companies and significantly lowering electricity prices in the medium-term are realizable,” said the lawmaker. As the Aquino administration admitted that the power problem in Mindanao had been neglected for years and as things develop a power crisis is looming in Luzon in the next 2 years Rep. Casiño proposed that the “government should invest in solar power to promote energy stability and independence from
imported energy sources, mitigate global warming and air pollution and encourage industry growth that will lead to more jobs and lower electricity bills,” “Ito ay isa sa mga bago at malikhaing paraan para lutasin ang problema sa enerhiya kaya dapat paspasan na agad ng Kongreso ang pag-apruba sa 1 Million Solar Roofs bill para mapigilan ang krisis. Lalo tayong mamomroblema kapag babagal-bagal tayo sa pagkilos,” ended Casiño.
Wage... from page 1
7-7.2 percent to 7.9-8.1 percent. “This year, it would have displaced 353,000 workers that could bring unemployment from 6.8-7.1 percent to 7.7-8 percent,” she explained. The combined effects of higher unemployment and higher inflation rates could invariably slow down GDP growth, weaken viability of micro, small and medium enterprises which comprise 99 percent of total establishments by forcing many of them to downscale, if not cease operation, she averred. “The more serious impact, of course, would be the erosion of the country’s competitiveness and loss of investments,” she said, saying higher labor costs will erode the country’s competitiveness against other Asian countries in attracting foreign direct investments. Presently, the minimum wage in the Philippines ($9.05-$9.91) is already higher than wages in Cambodia (US$2.03); Vietnam (US$2.23-US$3.19); Indonesia (US$2.67-US$4.93); China (US$3.75- US$6.98); and Thailand (US$5.23US$7.26). At US$9.91 (P426), Philippine minimum wage are, however, lower than those in Taiwan (US$20.13) and South Korea (US$30.66) An additional P125 to the current minimum wage of P426 will result in a daily minimum wage of P551 or US$12.82. WITH DOLE REPORT
Salary Rates of Employees and Workers in the Private Sector and for Other Purposes.” ‘While the labor department and the national government shares the view that there should be high and rising living standards for workers and families, the labor department cannot support the P125 minimum daily wage increase,’ Baldoz said. A P125 across-the-board wage increase, Baldoz said, will result to higher Inflation rates, which she said will further erode workers’ incomes. “The NEDA estimated that if wages were increased by P125 across-the-board in July 2011, inflation rates would have risen by 11.7 percentage points, effectively breaching the target inflation range of 3-5percent,” she said. The state economic planning agency, Baldoz also said, has estimated that the wage increase would have displaced about 344,000 from page 4 threatened with death. in 2011, which would have brought unemployment A number of occasions I from a range of between was recipient of letters that
Bad...
assaulted my person. I got phone calls threatening me of bodily harm should I continue discussing things that involved the particular politicians. I knew the threats came from some disgruntled politicians. Of course, there so many good and honest leaders. At one time I was slapped with numerous criminal libel cases, a total of fifty two of them, of which twenty six warrant of arrest came out in search of me. Many times, two or three people would come to me and challenged me to a duel or to whatever I prefer to engage to. Although, I was armed with a Llama 32 cal. Pistol, I felt afraid. I maintained my cool. I did not want to kill anyone or even injure someone unless perhaps to defend myself, honor and family. So I saw some politicians especially the hopeless and the bad ones resort to none sense style in politics when they are subjected to heavy criticism. Everyone is onion skinned when in trouble. Perhaps it is really human instinct to react. No wonder, many media people went down to their graves with assailants unknown. Some politicians want to
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from page 6 suffered the same lifethreatening head injury after a bout in 2009 but luckily survived and is recovering well. “He can’t fight again,” said Aldeguer. “We will give the same support we have given to Z Gorres. In case he wants to be a trainer or work in any of our companies, they will always be given a priority like most of our retired fighters,” he said. ALA Promotions has doled out more than P100,000 for Canillas’ hospital expenses but the young boxer still has a balance of more than P300,000. Canillas was one of the most passionate fighters from the ALA Gym. What he lacked in talent he made up for with his determination and his huge heart. “Definitely it would make him depressed but what is important is that he is now on the road to recovery and can spend more time with his family. He also knows that we will be there to support him as we always have done with all our retired fighters,” said
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the Cebuano promoter. Canillas, 17-4 with 14 knockouts, was one of the promising young fighters at the ALA Gym. Although he started out with virtually no basics in boxing, ALA Promotions saw something in Canillas and gave him a shot with the reality boxing series “Idol” in 2007. Canillas brawled his way to a unanimous decision over Rexon Borga in the first round of the “Idol” series, his first fight as a pro. However, he was eliminated from the tournament in his next fight after being stopped in the third round by Alde de Zosa, who would go on to win the super featherweight championship of the reality series. Canillas won his next seven fights then suffered a stumbling block after losing to Reman Salim via an eighth round technical knockout in 2009. He would ride another seven-fight winning streak before a unanimous decision defeat to veteran Ramie Laput in 2010. Canillas would have his biggest career break last year, challenging for the Pan Asian Boxing Association super bantamweight belt against then unbeaten Thai Sukkasem Kietyongyuth in Thailand. The brawler from Toledo City in western Cebu was impressive and stopped Kietyongyuth in the ninth round.
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NEWS IN FOCUS 8 House leader formalizes proposal to VAT-exempt petroleum products TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012
REPRESENTATIVE Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito (Lone District, San Juan City) has formalized his proposal to exempt the sale or importation of petroleum products from the value added tax through the filing of House Bill 6014 that aims to ease the burden of the people from the oil price hikes. Ejercito said instead of having another dole-out program such as the Pantawid Pasada Program, it is high time to provide an immediate relief for the people from the increasing cost of oil by classifying the petroleum product as a VAT-exempt transaction. “The Pantawid Pasada program of the government falls short at overcoming the burden of the Filipino masses. Neither the bus, jeepney, and taxi operators nor drivers agree it is the solution to the skyrocketing cost of gasoline, diesel, kerosene and LPG. It does not benefit the people at all,” he said. Ejercito, Chairman of the House Committee on
Metro Manila Development stressed that every increase in the price of gasoline, diesel, kerosene and other petroleum-based products has a domino effect on the price of prime commodities. “This situation, if not abated, will certainly retard our economic growth targets and create widespread poverty among our people.” A lt houg h remov i ng the VAT from the sale and importation of petroleum products would reduce government revenues, Ejercito said it is imperative to consider the incomes and revenues derived from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Malampaya gas project. “These revenues should be included from the annual drafting of the national budget instead of being treated as off-budget items subject to the full control of the Office of the President. The funds from these sources are sufficient to replenish the
lost revenues,” Ejercito said. He cited that the projected gross income of Pagcor for FY 2012 is P45 billion while those of the PCSO and Malampaya are P31 billion and P43 billion respectively. When the Expanded VAT or Republic Act 9337 was enacted by Congress in 2004, its purpose was to address the prevailing looming crisis brought about by an unprecedented increase in national debt according to him. “The economic situation then was (that) the country’s debt-to-gross domestic product ratio was at record high of 78.2 percent. Debt payments then were equivalent to 86.1 percent of government revenues which was unparalleled since 1986. However, in 2012, the country’s debtto-gross domestic product ratio fell to 55.4 percent, a large improvement from the 2004 level,” Ejercito said. He said the economic team of President Aquino is committed to cutting
the debt-to-gross domestic product ratio to 46 percent when his term ends. Furthermore, he said even the known financial and economic analysts forecast that the peso will strengthen and the Philippine economy will rebound this year. In HB 6014, Ejercito sought the amendment of Section 109 (1), Chapter 1, Title IV, Value Added Tax of RA 8424, otherwise known as the Tax Reform Act of 1997, as amended by RA 9337 so that the following transactions shall also be VAT-exempt: Sale or importation of petroleum products (except lubricating oil, processed gas, grease wax, petrolatum, and coal and natural gas in whatever form or state) subject to excise tax imposed under Title VI; and Sale or importation of raw materials to be used by the buyer or importer himself in the manufacture of petroleum products subject to excise tax, except lubricating oil, processed gas, grease, wax and petrolatum.
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Zambo scrimps on traffic lights By FELINO M. SANTOS of PNA
ZAMBOANGA City––The series of three-hour power interruptions and the rising cost of electricity have forced the city government to cut down on its electrical consumption, including those for traffic lights that are anyway ignored by drivers late in the evening or early morning. As a result, the city government has decided to shut off its over a half-dozen traffic lights for about seven hours a day. General Services Office Engr. Rene Dela Cruz said that henceforth, all traffic lights will be shut off at 10 p.m. and relighted at 5 a.m. the following day. Timers have been placed on the city’s traffic lights to save on electricity, Dela Cruz said. The city has seven traffic lights installed in the following intersections: Governor Camins-Canelar; Baliwasan Chico-San Jose; Governor Camins-Veterans Ave.; Veterans Ave.-Governor Lim; Veterans Ave.-Tetuan; Mayor Jaldon-Governor Alvarez; and Climaco-San Jose Road. Dela Cruz said the timers would automatically switch on at 5 a.m. each day and shut off at 10 p.m. There are no separate lines for these traffic lights so the lights also automatically shut off when blackouts occur in the area. He explained that during nighttime, motorists no longer follow the traffic lights. And unlike Manila and other progressive cities in the country, traffic flow in Zamboanga slows down starting at 8 p.m. since most business establishments close at 7 p.m. The only establishments that stay open until after midnight are videoke bars, nightspots and similar places for night entertainment. There are no taxicabs in Zamboanga and people seldom spend the night in the city since public utility jeepneys stop plying routes starting at 8 p.m. In the evening, the only public transportation available are motorized tricycles that normally triple charge their passengers per ride. The city government spends about P7,000 for electricity to light up these traffic lights and shutting off the traffic lights can bring down the cost of electric bills for these devices in the city. According to the GSO officer, the money saved will be used for the maintenance of the traffic lights, installed since over 20 years ago. Aside from traffic lights, the city government has also scheduled the shutting off of street lights in the city. The General Services Office has adopted an alternate schedule for the lighting of streetlights, shutting off an average 500 streetlights at a time. In this alternative system for streetlights, portions of streetlights in some urban barangays are shut down, particularly from late in the evening to early dawn. Since these streetlights are activated by the absence of light as in the evening, they automatically light up at sundown and shut off early morning. Dark clouds that darken the day also light up these lights. As a result, the alternate shutting down of streetlights are done by hand. This means savings in electric bills for the city, the General Services Officer said. (PNA)
BFP-Ozamiz collects P1.58m in fire code fees
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OZAMIZ City––A total of Php1.58 million in fire code fees have been collected by Bureau of Fire Protection, this city (BFP-Ozamiz City), last year, the highest amount of which was recorded in the first quarter of the year. Sr. Insp. Clint S. Cha, City Fire Marshall, said this could be because it was during this time when renewal of business licenses and building permits were done. Particularly, the highest collection was recorded in January with Php735,077.20, followed by February with Php383,689.82 and March with Php114,092.23. Collections during the rest of the year also showed the following amounts: April, Php47,619.07, May, Php30,002.33, and June, Php48,314.78. July, Php24,213.53, Au-
gust, Php30,056.12, September, Php53,631.49, October, Php35,125.90, November, Php54,191.17 and December, Php24,098.27. Meanwhile, Cha said hopes are high that all the six fire trucks of BFP-Ozamiz will be put back to its running condition with the implementation of Republic Act 9514. This was the optimistic view of the City Fire Marshall, who said only four of these fire trucks can be used during fire emergencies because the other two still needed repairs. Cha, however, said they cannot just let go of the vehicles, even if they were bought in the early 70’s yet, because they have special features which are not found in the new units sold in the market, today.