Mindanao Examiner Newspaper

Mindanao Daily

Founded 2006

mindanaoexaminer.com

P10/RM1

Zamboanga City, Philippines

Feb. 18-24, 2013

Praises, Accolades for Sajahatra Bangsamoro

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week after President Benigno Aquino and Muslim rebel chieftain Murad Ebrahim led the launching of a socio-economic initiatives for Muslim communities in Mindanao, the historic event continues to draw accolades and praises from various civil groups and Moro residents.

Aquino was accompa- ers,” Mark Navales, bureau nied by his Cabinet offi- chief for the regional cials led by Presidential newspaper Mindanao Expeace adviser Teresita aminer, said.

He said the Sajahatra Deles to the town of Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao Bangsamoro, which litermeans “Peace province, a stronghold of ally Moro Islamic Liberation Bangsamoro,” is also Front rebels now negotiat- aimed at uplifting the ing peace with the govern- health and education of MILF communities in the ment.

Security was tight Muslim autonomous rethroughout the launching gion which comprises of “Sajahatra Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Bangsamoro” with army Maguindanao and Lanao soldiers and rebels guard- del Sur province, including the site where the ing the cities of Marawi event was held. Hundreds and Lamitan.

During his visit, of Muslim villagers flocked to the area to wit- Aquino distributed health ness the historic event, insurance, college scholone journalist was cover- arships and technical vocation training, including ing Aquino’s visit said.

“It was really a historic education assistance to Isvisit and everybody was so lamic schools, among happy that finally the gov- other government proernment is now putting at- grams for the poor.

Aquino said his goal is tention and efforts to uplift the condition of Mus- to accelerate the transition lims in this part of the of MILF communities, country. I saw rebels and steeped in armed struggle, soldiers guarding the to a productive citizenry venue and there is this at- that buys into the national mosphere of camaraderie agenda, and contributes and brotherhood and to shared goal of equitable imagine from former foes, progress. He said the now they are peace broth- peace negotiations is

moving forward unhindered by secrecy and manipulation, and propelled by solidarity towards the shared goal of empowering every Filipino in the Muslim autonomous region. Aquino’s visit was the first of any Philippine president to a rebel stronghold to launch peace and development projects.

In October, Aquino invited Ebrahim to the Presidential Palace to witness the signing of the Framework on the Bangsamoro Agreement which shall replace the current Muslim autonomous region. Under the accord, the government and the rebel group would intensify development efforts for rehabilitation, reconstruction of poverty-stricken Muslim communities and institute programs to address the needs of MILF combatants and war refugees, according to Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte.

“Even before a peace agreement is signed, you will see that it’s about providing the social services to the MILF and to the Moros in Mindanao because of the Framework Agreement. It shows also the sincerity of both sides as a

Poverty, aside from corruption, remains the biggest problem in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ARMM

Northern Mindanao

Davao

President Aquino and MILF chieftain Murad Ebrahim during the launching of the 'Sajahatra Bangsamoro' in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao province. (Mindanao Examiner Photo Mark Navales) continuity to talk and to finalize the annexes in the Framework Agreement,” Valte said.

Mike Pasigan, the MILF spokesman for Sajahatra Bangsamoro program, told the Philippine Information Agency that the head of their peace panel Mohagher Iqbal has also

affirmed the partnership of the parties in Sajahatra Bangsamoro.

“Both sides have been working together in identifying and designing the projects that will address the immediate needs of Bangsamoro communities.

The program will further strengthen the collabora-

tion between the government and the MILF as we build on the gains of the peace process. We believe that Sajahatra Bangsamoro is a step towards long-term development that will benefit not only the Bangsamoro people but all Filipinos,” Iqbal said.

(Mindanao Examiner)

ARMM bantay-sarado sa ‘ARMM WATCH’ COTABATO CITY – Mahigpit ang pagbabantay ng mga netizens sa pangasiwaan ng Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao na kung saan ay tila wala pa rin humpay ang mga sumbong ukol sa ibatibang anomalya sa pamahalaan.

Sa Facebook account ng grupong “ARMM WATCH” ay samut-sari ang batikos na tinatanggap ng ibatibang mga opisyal. Mga bintang ng pangungurakot mula sa mga ahensya hanggang sa luklukan ng kataastaasang tanggapan at kung anu-ano pa.

Nagsisilbing mga mata at tainga ang naturang social-media watchdog sa mga kaganapan sa ARMM at iba't-ibang isyu ang binabantayan mula sa mga ghost teachers, nepotism at ang gastusin sa pondo ng ARMM. Isang miyembro nito ang nagsabing: "SO THE PUBLIC MAY KNOW. I have a reason to believe that there are still remaining "ghost teachers" in the ARMM who are receving salaries without really teaching or reporting for work for

Manila

the simple reason that they do not have the knowhow to perform the job.

What they do is they pay other persons to do the dirty work while they do nothing at all. They are hard to find because they hide behind the veils of their protectors in the ARMM who are pretending to be champions of change and development.

(Nota bene: Pasintabi po sa mga taong totoong maganda talaga ang hangarin sa ARMM)."

Ilang beses na napaulat na maraming ghost teachers ang natanggal sa ARMM ng umupo si dating congressman Mujiv Hataman bilang officer-in-charge, at pinuri pa ito ng Pangulong Benigno Aquino at binansagan pa itong "ghost buster."

Ngunit sa katotohanan ay wala pang 80 diumano ang nadiskubreng ghost teachers sa mga paaralan sa buong ARMM na kumukulekta ng sahod, ayon sa Department of Education. Wala rin balita kung may nasampahan ng kaso ukol sa mga anomalya at hanggang ngayon ay blanko pa rin ang publiko sa isyung ito.

Nagsisilbi rin sum-

bungan ng mga mamamayan ang ARMM WATCH ukol sa kanilang mga napupuna at nakikita sa kapaligiran.

Isang halimbawa ang pagbisita ni Pangulong Aquino kamakailan lamang sa Maguindanao, na bahagi ng ARMM, upang ilunsad ang “Sajahatra Bangsamoro” na kung saan ay namudmod ito ng mga Philhealth cards sa maraming mamamayan.

Ngunit ito naman ang naging tugon ng isang mambabasa sa ARMM WATCH: “PNOY, magpatayo ka muna ng Hospitals, Schools, colleges at Universities sa ARMM para sa Bangsamoro people para sa ganun magamit nila yung mga pinamimigay mo na na mga Philhealth cards at scholars sa Bangsamoro... Useless kung itoy nakatago lang sa WALLET ng bawat Bangsamoro....hanggang sa itoy masira na lang at di nagamit...Aanhin mo pa yan kung di mo naman magamit...ilagay na lang ba sa frame at isabit sa Wall Street, NYC.” (Mindanao Examiner)

Zamboanga Peninsula

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The Mindanao Examiner

Feb. 18-24, 2013

Anti-drug seminar ng Sulu, PDEA tagumpay ZAMBOANGA CITY – Isang anti-drug seminar ang isinagawa ng Sulu provincial government sa pangunguna ni Gov. Sakur Tan para sa mga hepe ng pulisya sa lalawigan ng Basilan, Sulu at Tawi-Tawi.

Ang naturang seminar ay sa pakikipagtulungan na rin ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) sa ilalim ni Director General Arturo Cacdac, Jr. na siyang nanguna sa lectures.

Ginanap ang nasabing seminar sa Zamboanga City na kung saan ay dinaluhan ito nina Gen. Pedrito Magsino, hepe ng Preventive Education and Community Involvement Service (PECIS); Dir. Edgar Apalla, hepe ng PDEA Academy;

Dir. Adzhar Albani, ang regional PDEA chief sa Western Mindanao; Mohd.

Taha. Arakama, ang hepe ng Department of Interior and Local Government sa Zamboanga City; Sherwin Vitterbo, ng PDEA Intelligence and Investigation Service; Atty. Sherwin Closa, ng PDEA sa Western Mindanao; at si Sulu Board member Alkramer Izquierdo.

Nasa pagtitipon rin ang mga hepe ng pulisya na sina Senior Superintendents Antonio Freyra, ng Sulu; Mario Dapilloza, ng Basilan at Joey Salido, ng Tawi-Tawi.

Nagpasalamat naman ang mga ito sa malaking suporta at inisiyatiba ni Gov. Tan at sa PDEA sa nasabing seminar. Si Gov.

Tan ay kilalang aktibo sa kampanya kontra illegal na droga sa Sulu at marami na itong programang inilunsad sa lalawigan upang mailayo ang mga kabataan sa masamang bisyo.

“The seminar aims to address the growing problem of drugs in BASULTA (Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi) and to find ways to put a stop on the number of pushers and users of illegal drugs in the region. Sincere appreciation to the local governments of BASULTA, and especially for Gov. Sakur Tan for sponsoring this seminar,” ani pa ni Gen. Cacdac.

Sa mensahe naman ni Gov. Tan ay hiniling nito sa PDEA na pag-bayuhin

pa ang kampanya laban sa illegal na droga hindi lamang sa Sulu, Basilan o Tawi-Tawi kundi maging sa iba pang bahagi ng Mindanao.

Sinabi naman ni Board member Izquierdo na: “The Sulu provincial government has always taken the necessary steps to curtail the menace of drugs in the province. We have created the Provincial Anti-drug Abuse Council to empower the local government to curb and apprehend drug pushers in the province.”

Kabilang naman sa mga tinalakay sa seminar an gang briefing sa sitwasyon ng illegal na droga sa bansa; ang organisasyon ng PDEA at Revised Guidelines sa

Migrante mourns death of another OFW MANILA - A Filipino migrants’ rights group, Migrante-Middle East (MME) said it was saddened by the death of a sick fellow overseas Filipino worker who was on his way home.

It said Reynaldo Ofracio, who was suffering from liver cancer, died in the plane. “We express our sympathy to the family, relatives and friends of our fellow OFW Reynaldo Santos Ofracio, who died on board a flight going home. We have known that he has been sick and suffering from cancer,” John Leonard Monterona, MME regional coordinator, said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.

Monterona, also the vice-chairperson of Migrante Sectoral Party of OFWs and Families, said there are quite a number of OFWs in same situation with that of Ofracio. “We have been a witness to fellow OFWs struggle, especially those who are old and sick, and undocumented,” he said, adding in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia alone there were about close to 12,000 undocumented OFWs. Monterona also called on OWWA to provide assistance to the family of Ofracio specifically burial and financial assistance.

“Sixty to 70 percent of them are sick women and

JUST SAY

NO!

old. They’re those who have been undocumented for six to 10 years or even more. But could not come home due to the need to earn a living for their families back home,” Monterona said.

Monterona cited the case of OFW Virginia Gabilan, 47, a native of Iloilo and who is now confined at a Jeddah hospital for more than 3 months due to meningococcemia, an acute and potentially life-threatening infection of the bloodstream.

“OFW Gabilan sought a friend’s assistance who in turn endorses her to us. We arranged her hospital confinement and we are working her repatriation with the PH consulate in Jeddah. If she could get a medical certificate that she’s fit to travel then we are more than happy to see her home and reunited with her family,” Monterona said.

Monterona also cited the case of OFW Mateo Amaro, 67, who succumb to lung cancer and died in November last year.

“His remains still at morgue in a hospital here in Jeddah; MigranteJeddah were informed by the PH consulate that his remain will be repatriated this week,” Monterona said.

“The cases of OFWs Ofracio, Gabilan, and Amaro, are just few of the cases we have been attending. This prompted us to renew our call to the Aquino govt. and concerned Philippine agencies such as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Department of Foreign Affairs to consider deploying medical attaché or a medical team whose task will look into the medical needs of sick and old OFWs and assist for their eventual repatriation,” he added.

Monterona suggested that medical attaché and its team will be stationed in Philippine diplomatic posts and will provide onsite medical services and guidance, among others, to sick and old OFWs while waiting for their repatriation.

Sulu Governor Abdusakur M. Tan (D Hum) Conduct of Barangay Drug-Clearing Operations; Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002; implementasyon ng multiple search warrant at buy-bust operations at Demand Reduction Strat-

egies; at ang DILG Memorandum Circulars No. 2012-94 na nagpapatibay sa City, Municipal at Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils.

(Mindanao Examiner.

May ulat ni Ahl Salinas)

The magnificent Moore-inspired Sulu Provincial Capitol building. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Australian Aid, The Asia Foundation donate 6,000 books to schools SARANGANI - The Asia Foundation’s Books for Asia program, with suppor t from Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), distr ibuted a total of 6,000 brand new books to all public elementary schools in the remote towns of Malungon in Sarangani p r ov i n c e in Mindanao and Daraga i n A l b a y p r ov i n c e i n Luzon.

A u s A I D, t h r o u g h t h e P h i l i p p i n e s - Au s tralia Community Assistance Program ( PA C A P ) , h a s s u p ported literacy projects for out-ofschool youths in the two municipalities.

PAC A P i s t h e Au s t ra lian G ov e r n m e n t ’s long-running program that provides small grants assistance to poor communities throughout the Philippines.

The Books for Asia program distributes free books and supplementary reading materials to schools nationwide as a continuing commitment to promote education and literacy in the country.

“Au s t r a l i a’s s u p port reflects our commitment to help Filipino children have access to quality education. Australia and the Philippines share the belief that education is a way for people to overcome pover ty. We h o p e t h a t m o re c h i l -

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The Mindanao Examiner

Feb. 18-24, 2013

d re n w i l l b e e n c o u ra g e d t o s t a y, p a r t i c i p a t e m o re a n d l e a r n b e t t e r i n s c h o o l ,” Geoff King, AusAID Co u n s e l l o r, s a i d i n a statement released to the regional newspap e r Mi n d a n a o Ex a m iner.

D r. S t e v e n R o o d , Asia Fo u n d a t i o n’s C o u n t r y Re p re s e n t a tive, said they appreciate the partnerships demonstrated in AusAID’s long-running PACAP. “ We a r e p r o u d t o manage this program f o r Au s A I D, a n d a r e encouraged by the partnerships we see among local organizat i o n s, t h e c o m m u n i ties, and local governments. As we continue to pursue development in communities throughout the Philippines, we need to emphasize on the imp rov e m e n t o f e d u c a tion of our younger generation.

Our s c h o o l c h i l d re n m u s t be enabled to become thinking individuals so that they could become a driving force in our efforts for peace a n d p ro g re s s. T h i s i s where books are vital to allowing students to learn about the wider world.”

“Our successful effor t will come a long way as we try to bring books even in the remotest schools in the country. We are thankful to AusAID in supporting the Books for

Philippines to produce own Tc-99m for medical, research purposes

ous donations of brand new books to our program,” Rood said in the same statement.

MANILA - The Department of Science and Technology said it is set to locally produce Technetium-99m (Tc-99m), a silver-gray, radioactive metal used for medical and research purposes, including evaluation of the medical condition of the heart and other organs, and studying blood flow.

It said with the Tc99m, Filipinos may avail of cheaper medical diagnostic tests. This prospect comes with the recent unveiling of the Radioisotope Laboratory building at the DOST’s Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) office in Quezon City. The laboratory, which houses the generator plant for the isotope, is the first Tc-99m production facility in the Philippines. PNRI Director Alumanda de la Rosa said that producing Tc99m locally will cut at least 50 percent of hospital procedures. She also added that by February, PNRI would be able to provide all the Tc-99mbased radiopharmaceutical needs of hospitals at a cost lower than the current prohibitive cost of imported radiopharmaceuticals. Also called Molybdenum 99, Tc-99m is a radioactive tracer chemical used in almost 80 percent of diagnostic imaging procedures such as bone and lung scans, and renal scintigraphy. It is widely preferred because of its short-lived gamma rays and its capacity for normal imaging techniques.

Over 35 hospitals around the country with nuclear medicine centers have to import Tc-99m generators, thus making medical procedures too costly for the public. A typical imported generator costs $1,000—higher than its cost in Indonesia which is $388.

However, the local production of Tc-99m will make diagnostic tests more affordable and accessible to a wider segment of the population.

The facility was completed with assistance from the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure that the laboratory complies with good manufacturing practices and radiological safety requirements. The facility also aims to localize the production of radiopharmaceutical products and make them available to government hospitals, particularly for charity patients, at a subsidized cost. According to De la Rosa, by February 2014, PNRI would be able to provide for all the Tc99m-based radiopharmaceutical needs of hospitals at a cost lower than the current prohibitive cost of imported radiopharmaceuticals.

Meanwhile, DOSTPNRI is preparing the installations of Tc-99m hot cell facility for the production of Tc-99m generators and studies on quality control procedures for the preparation and production of Tc99m and Tc-99 radiopharmaceuticals. (Allan Ace Aclan)

THE P H I L I P PI N E S CO N D E M N E D No r t h Korea’s nuclear test, saying it violated the UN Security Council resolutions banning the communist country from any further nuclear tests.

“The Philippines condemns the nuclear test carried out by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea today.

The nuclear test by the DPRK clearly violates U N Se c u r i t y Co u n c i l Resolutions 1695 (2006), 1718 (2006) and 1874

(2009) which demanded that the DPRK not conduct any further nuclear t e s t s ,” a g ov e r n m e n t statement said.

The Philippines joins its international partners in urging the DPRK to desist from continuing these acts of p r ov o c a t i o n a n d t o abandon all nuclear weapons and programs in the interest of genuine confidence-building towards peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the Asia Pacific Region.

“The Philippines deplores the series of acts of the DPRK that have violated these UN Secur i t y C o u n c i l Re s o l u tions,” it said.

The New York Times reported that North Korea confirmed the test and said it used a “miniaturized and lighter nuclear device with greater explosive force t h a n p re v i o u s l y ” a n d claimed that it “did not pose any negative impact on the surrounding ecological environment.”

A Filipino girl whose parents are both scavengers looks from behind a cardboard box containing books from The Asia Foundation in this photo taken in a village called Lumbangan in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines. The village is where the government garbage dump is located. Many children abandon schooling to help their parents scavenge for food and junk in Zamboanga City. The poor children for the first time in their life - is now able to own a book donated by The Asia Foundation and browse the colorful pages themselves - and perhaps dream that one day they can go back to school and continue their studies. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Asia program. The Asia Fo u n d a t i o n i s a l s o grateful to McGraw Hill companies for gener-

Philippines condemns Nor th K or ea n uk e test North Kor orea nuk uke

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The Mindanao Examiner

Feb. 18-24, 2013

Pagkamatay ng saksi sa Gerry Ortega slay, dapat imbestigahang maiigi: ALAM

Si Kris Aquino at sina Melai Cantiveros at Jason Francisco habang namamasyal sa bayan ng Glan sa Sarangani province. (Kuha ni Martin Fernando)

Kris Aquino dumayo sa Sarangani SARANGANI – Dinayo ni Kris Aquino ang magandang lalawigan ng Sarangani para sa taping ng kanyang television talk show.

Kasama ni Kris si Melai Cantiveros at real-life lover

nitong Jason Francisco na kung saan ay naispatan ang tatlo na namamasyal sa tabing-dagat ng Gumasa sa bayan ng Glan.

Ang Gumasa rin ang venue sa nalalapit na

Sarangani Bay Festival na kung saan ay ipinagdiriwang doon ang pinakamalaking beach party sa Mindanao.

(Mindanao Examiner.

Geonarri Solmerano)

Abala ang batang ito sa pagbebenta ng matatamis na pinya sa Kidapawan City na isa sa mga pangunahing lugar sa Mindanao na mapayapa at malinis. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Geonarri Solmerano)

The Mindanao Examiner Media, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer (On Leave) Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief/Producer (OIC) Gregorri Leaño Joanna Valerie Wee Video Editor Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily Business Week NEWS/ADVERTISING OFFICES Mark Navales ARMM

Giovanni Solmerano Eastern Mindanao

Merlyn Manos Iligan City

Geonarri Solmerano Southern Mindanao

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Asa Madale Lanao Provinces Ely Dumaboc Zamboanga Sibugay/Zamboanga del Sur/Zamboanga del Norte John Shinn III California The Mindanao Examiner Newspaper/Business Week/Mindanao Daily is published weekly/daily in Zamboanga City and Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao, Philippines.

The Mindanao Examiner Television is broadcast in Skycable 54 in Zamboanga; Lupah Sug Cable in Sulu province and Basilan Cable in Basilan province.

Our business and editorial offices are located at Units 15, 3rd Floor, Fair Land Bldg., Nuñez St., Zamboanga City Phone & fax: +63 62 9925480 Mobile: +63 9152756606 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com

MANILA – Hiniling ngayon ng grupong Alab ng Mamamahayag (ALAM) na paimbestigahang mabuti ng Department of Interior and Local Government ang pagkamatay sa piitan ng isa sa mga suspek sa Doc Gerry, kasunod ng post-mortem examination na ipinalabas ng Public Attorney’s Office (PAO).

Ayon kay PAO Chief Persida Rueda Acosta, lumitaw na pinatay si Dennis Aranas, na isa sa magsisilbi sanang testigo laban sa magkapatid na sina Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes at Coron Mayor Mario Reyes.

Inamin nitong siya ang naging look-out ng magkapatid noong January 2011 nang patayin si environmentalist Doc. Gerry Ortega, kaugnay ng umano’y paglaspag sa bilyun-bilyong pisong share ng probinsya ng Palawan sa Malampaya gas project.

Iginiit naman ni Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Calabarzon director, Chief Supt. Serafin Barretto na nagpakamatay si Aranas sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigti sa kanyang selda sa Quezon District Jail sa Lucena City.

Gayunman, sinabi ni ALAM Chairman Jerry Yap na ang ibinulgar ni Acosta ay nangangahulugan lamang na may foul play sa pagkamatay ni Aranas at nagpabaya ang BJMP at National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Ayaw umano niyang isiping nagsinungaling ang NBI at BJMP dahil kung magkakaganoon ay

nangangahulugan ding nagkabayaran.

Ani Yap, pangunahing testigo si Aranas sa pagkamatay ni environmentalist-broadcaster Gerry Ortega at pihadong madidiin ang magkapatid na Reyes kung hindi ito namatay.

Imposible umanong nagsisinungaling ang PAO dahil base yan sa autopsy na ginawa kay Aranas.

Hindi rin umano sila maaaring magkamali dahil second opinion na sila.

Sa report ng PAO, hindi namatay si Aranas dahil sa asphyxiation o pagkaubos ng hangin dahil sa pagkabigti. Ayon sa PAO, pinatay sa sakal ang biktima at may mga katibayan silang pinanghahawakan dito.

Dahil dito, iginiit ni Yap na imbestigahan kaagad ang pagkamatay ni Aranas. "Wala naman siguro silang itinatago o pinagtatakpan,” ani Yap.

“Naniniwala pa rin kami sa hustisya sa Pilipinas. Kahit magtagal, the long hand of justice will reach the culprit.”

Ngunit para naman kay ALAM President Atty.

Berteni Causing, “Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Ani Causing, inip na inip na ang pamilya at kapwa mamamahayag ni Ortega na maparusahan ang pumatay sa kanya.

“Ilang taon na rin naman ang nakalipas at alam na alam na natin kung sino ang mga dapat managot, pero bakit wala pa ring nangyayari?” ani Causing.

“Alam kong may sinusunod na sistema ang hustisya, pero ano pa ba ang hinihintay natin? Isa na namang journalist na mapapatay? Kahit isang akusado sa mga naganap na media killings, wala pang napaparusahan kaya lumalakas ang loob ng mga kriminal na yan,” dagdag pa nito. (Nanet Villafania)

Graphics from Ely Valendez blogspot

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The Mindanao Examiner

Feb. 18-24, 2013

Should the Philippine Senate be abolished?

By Perry Diaz

Runners join the Philippine Red Cross ‘Million Volunteer Run 2’ in Basilan province. (Photo

by Philippine Red Cross)

‘Million Volunteer Run 2’ successful in Basilan province BASILAN – Thousands of runners participated in the Philippine Red Cross “Million Volunteer Run 2” in Basilan province, south of Zamboanga City, in Mindanao.

The Basilan sub-chapter of the Philippine Red Cross said some 6,500 runners joined the event held in Isabela and Lamitan cities.

The runners snaked through around Isabela from the Basilan National High School in Mayor Brown Road down to the Plaza Rizal in N.S. Valderoza Extension and back to the Basilan National High School.

Governor Jum Akbar,

the honorary chairperson of the Philippine Red Cross Basilan sub-chapter, and her co-chairperson Isabela City Mayor Cherry Akbar, also attended the event and gave participants a few words of inspiration and thanked them for their participation.

Also present during the event were Basilan board member and former governor and lawmaker Candu Muarip, Colonel Carlito Galvez, Jr., commander of the 104th Infantry Brigade and Joint Task Force Basilan; and Senior Inspector Albert Larubis, the Isabela City police chief.

The Lamitan City Run was participated by 1,253

runners who started at Lamitan District Hospital in Quezon Boulevard down to Lamitan City Hall along Claret Street.

A total of 178 Red Cross volunteers were mobilized for the two-venue event.

And some 100 more had been stationed in Isabela City and 78 others in Lamitan City. All members of the Red Cross Action Team were mobilized to man First Aid stations along the route.

Assistant Tourism Secretary Maria Theresa Sakkalahul, of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, was also present during the fun run.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Inside the General Santos City Fish Port, fresh tuna catch is priced for its sweet meat. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

THE RECENT SCANDAL involving the “cash gifts” – or, bonuses – given by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile to 18 senators has brought to the forefront of debate the very existence of the Philippine Senate as a productive legislative body. Has it outlived its usefulness? But even its “usefulness” in the past is now being questioned!

Yes, it has gotten that bad, folks… very bad. Yet… yet, most of the senators – if not all of them – seem to be unperturbed by the scandal. It’s like water off a duck’s back; it doesn’t bother them at all. They just shake it off. Unremorseful, they pocketed their hefty bonuses… and no apologies. Indeed, the more I think about it, the more they’re beginning to look like ducks. Didn't someone once say, “If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it must be a duck”?

Hmm… But for sure, these prima donnas in the Senate know how to duck criticisms hurled at them. As a matter of fact, some of them are so good at ducking – a form of grandstanding -- that the people love them for it.

They have a knack for evading criticism and turn it around to make themselves look good. It’s called a “pogi” act; that is, how to look good, talk glibly, and smile from ear to ear in front of television cameras. Yes, ducks can look “pogi” if they know how to do their routine.

Now, here’s the proof. Look at the top three senatorial candidates, Chiz Escudero, Loren Legarda, and Alan Peter Cayetano.

During the impeachment trial of then Chief Justice Renato Corona last year, these three senators used their two-minute “pogi” talk countless times in front of television… and smiling all the time. And look at the other reelectionists, Koko Pimentel, Gringo Honasan, and Sonny Trillanes. They didn’t talk much during the impeachment trial and when they did, they weren’t smiling. So, they didn’t earn as many “pogi” points as the top three. Okay, enough of “pogi” talk.

Appendix The real issue is that the Senate is simply, unproductively inutile. It’s like the appendix of the human anatomy. According to wiki.answers.com, “The appendix has no known physiological function but probably represents a degenerated portion of the cecum that, in ancestral forms, aided in cellulose digestion. It is believed that the appendix will gradually disappear in human beings as our diet no longer utilizes cellulose.”

Many experts believe the “appendix is just a useless remnant from our evolutionary past. Surgical removal of the appendix causes no observable health problems.”

There is also a theory that the appendix “acts as a storehouse for good bacteria, ‘rebooting’ the digestive system after diarrheal illnesses.”

When I was reading it, I had goose bumps because that is exactly what the Senate is today. It might have had some political use when the 1935 Constitution -- which originally had a unicameral National Assembly -- was amended in 1940 to have a bicameral Congress composed of a Senate and House of Representatives. But today, the Senate – like the human appendix – has lost any purpose to exist. The people would be better off if the Senate was surgically removed from the anatomy of our government.

Dynasticr acy ynasticracy First of all, the Philippine Senate is not truly “representative.” It consists of 24 senators elected at-large and each senator is not representative of a district, province or region. More than one senator can be from

the same region or same province or same city… or same family, just like the Cayetano siblings, Alan Peter and Pia. If Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito were elected in the upcoming elections in May, he would join his halfbrother Jose “Jinggoy” Ejercito Estrada in the Senate. And if Juan Ponce “Jack” Enrile Jr. were elected, he too would join his father Juan Ponce Enrile in the Senate. Now, do you call that “representative” of the people?

I don't’ think so. On the contrary, that would be representative of their family dynasty’s political and economic interests.

In addition to these dynastic candidates (Alan Peter Cayetano, JV Ejercito, and Jack Enrile), there are seven more running in May: Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara (son of termed out Sen. Edgardo Angara); Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV (nephew of President Benigno Aquino); Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco (aunt-in-law of President Aquino); Nancy Binay-Angeles (daughter of Vice President Jejomar Binay); Cynthia Villar (wife of termed out Sen. Manny Villar); and Milagros “Mitos” Habana-Magsaysay and Ramon Magsaysay Jr. (related by affinity).

If all 10 dynastic candidates win in the May elections and you add the three incumbent dynastic senators (Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, and Pia Cayetano), there would be a total of 13 dynastic senators in the new Senate. That’s more than 50% of the entire Upper House of the new Congress!

That’s not “representative” of the people.

That makes the eight family dynasties collectively in control of the majority of the Senate. That’s called dynasticracy.

Sav e the rrepublic epublic ave What’s going on with the Senate is like a human being having appendicitis, an inflammation of the appendix. Although appendectomy is a routine surgical procedure, failure to do so would cause the inflamed appendix to burst and could lead to death.

Likewise, the Senate is now functionally inflamed and inutile. It is in the throes of death. The people have to deliver the coup de grâce to the moribund Senate; thus, saving the republic from self-destruction.

The Constitution needs to be amended to restore a unicameral legislative body just like it was in 1935 when the Philippines tasted democratic self-rule for the first time in her history.

A unicameral Congress would consist of representatives from districts created based on the population distributed equally among congressional districts, just like how the current House of Representatives works today.

Equal rrepr epr esentation epresentation Needless to say, it would still be possible for a powerful family dynasty to field their own candidates for more than one congressional seat in their province. However, they would be unable to control Congress unless they form alliances with other families or political parties. But that’s politics, which cannot be avoided. But regardless of such eventuality, equal representation of the people would be maintained and preserved in Congress. Besides, it would be a lot easier – and faster – to pass laws in a unicameral legislative body.

At the end of the day, abolition of the Senate would remove an unwanted appendage in our legislative system that has stymied progress and development in the sixth fastest growing economy in the world today. It is just right that we streamline our government to be more representative – and responsive to the needs – of the people.

That is democracy. (PerryDiaz@gmail.com)

6

The Mindanao Examiner

Jan. 14-20, 2013

The Mindanao Examiner

Feb. 18-24, 2013

7

A need for true honesty, not false heroism: The Manila Times

An emergency medical team attends to Roland Climaco following a motorcycle crash in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Balut v endor injur ed vendor injured in motor cycle cr ash crash motorc ZAMBOANGA CITY – A duck egg vendor was seriously injured after a motorcycle rammed his bicycle on a highway in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines.

The victim, Roland Climaco, was rushed to hospital by an emergency medical rescue team and so was the motorcycle driver Joshua Atilano, who was also hurt in the accident along Maria Clara Lobregat Highway.

“It was too late to avoid the vendor because he suddenly turned on his left without making any signal and he did not even bothered to look behind before making a sudden U-turn,”

Atilano told the Mindanao Examiner.

Climaco could hardly talk because of his injuries, but managed to tell police investigators his name.

It was not immediately known whether Climaco would file charges against the motorcycle driver, who is a student in Zamboanga.

(Mindanao Examiner)

RODOLFO NOEL LOZADA Jr., AKA Jun Lozada, is known to most Filipinos for the role he played in unveiling the details of the ZTE-National Broadband Network (NBN) scandal. He has even been referred to as the whistleblower behind the deal, although it was in fact businessman Joey de Venecia who first revealed that former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo ordered him to “back off” from the huge contract.

Lozada entered the fray when he was identified as being a close adviser of then National Economic and Development Authority chief Romulo Neri. The multi-million peso telecommunications contract needed NEDA’s imprimatur, and this was granted by Neri. Lozada said that the NEDA approval was granted after Neri was promised a huge cash gift by one of the players in the contract between the Philippines and China. (Note: Neri himself would admit that an offer was made, but that he had refused it.)

Whether as whistleblower or key witness, Lozada has become something of a hero to some, especially to a group of nuns and priests who have been serving as his personal security due to alleged threats on his life. And Lozada himself has thrived on his status as semi-celebrity.

He showed that he had a flair for the dramatic when Lozada and his family took refuge inside one of the La Salle campuses. He also claimed that a Cabinet secretary tried to “kidnap” him as he was returning from a short trip abroad. Tears flowed freely from Lozada’s eyes whenever television cameras were focused on him, as he related the sordid details of a deal gone sour and the alleged threats to his life that followed.

We do believe that what he did in telling on the attempts at bribery in the ZTE broadband project (which former president Gloria Arroyo immediately scuttled) was an act of bravery.

We also believe, however, that his being a hero there should therefore absolve him of any wrongdoing that he might have committed while he was in government service, particularly if what he did had no connection to the ZTE-NBN scam.

Lozada faces arrest this week for his alleged role stemming from his granting of leasehold rights to his brother when he was president of the Philippine Forest Corporation, a government-owned company. It was a graft-tainted agreement on several counts, not the least of which was the fact that Lozada betrayed the public trust by dealing with such close blood kin.

The accusation was serious enough to warrant an investigation by the Ombudsman, which found a prima fa-

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cie case against Lozada. As such, the Sandiganbayan was left with no recourse but to issue a warrant for his arrest.

Now, we must also be careful not to say or even think Lozada is guilty. It is up to the anti-graft court to determine his innocence or guilt. But Lozada should not expect special favors, nor should he cry that he is being persecuted.

Such an accusation flies in the face of one undeniable fact: Lozada, like de Venecia, was considered an enemy of the Arroyo administration. But the Arroyo administration is no more, and in its place is the Aquino administration, which has no love lost for the regime it replaced. Perhaps Lozada expects to be treated with kid gloves because he believes in the saying, “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

Preferr ed par tner eferred partner Because the Aquino administration has been aggressively pursuing former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for her perceived crimes, Lozada may believe that he should be treated as a partner of the present dispensation.

Therefore, he should not be taken to court for any crime or misdemeanor he may have committed in the past.

Wrong.

If any member of the Arroyo administration is ever found guilty of wrongdoing vis-à-vis the ZTE-NBN case, and if Lozada’s testimony proves crucial to the truth being known, then the “whistleblower” is to be congratulated and commended.

But if he is also found to have committed large-scale graft and corruption because of the questionable contract he granted his own brother, then he must face the consequences of his actions.

There is something quite disturbing about Lozada playing the role of hero by exposing graft and corruption, on one hand, then himself also being accused of a similar crime, albeit in a lesser scale, on the other.

Put it another way, one good act cannot erase the harm created by one bad act.

Jun Lozada must learn stop presenting himself as some kind of hero, but rather speak the truth in open court.

He should not hide behind the skirts of well-meaning nuns, who have already raised the money needed for his bail bond.

Every person accused of the most serious crimes – whether sinner or saint—should have his or her day in court. Innocence or guilt should only be proven in court.

And by this, we do not mean the court of public opinion, but the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court in the case of past or present government officials. Like Jun Lozada, to begin with.

8

The Mindanao Examiner

Feb. 18-24, 2013

9

The Mindanao Examiner

Feb. 18-24, 2013

Mindanao b usiness ffir ir ms ur ged business irms urg to tak e par vey take partt in online sur surv ZAMBOANGA CITY - Philippine trade officials said business owners in Western Mindanao are encouraged to take part in the online customer satisfaction survey, particularly for local government units, which have streamlined their business permits and licensing systems. Regional Trade director Nazrullah Manzur said the National Competitiveness Council which spearheads the project, works closely with its regional counterpart, the Regional Competitiveness Committee and the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Trade and Industry, and

Western Mindanao State University, in conducting the survey. The project seeks to elicit feedback on the quality of service the business owners received during the renewal of their business permits this year.

“We will know from the survey if indeed there was an improvement in the service delivery of LGUs which have simplified their business permitting system in accordance with the national BPLS standards,” Manzur, who is also the chairman of the Regional Competitiveness Committee, said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.

Manzur said that business owners and respon-

dents need only at most five minutes to log on at www.compettitive.org.ph, fill up the survey form and upload their reply.

“There are now at least 19 local governments in the region which have undergone BPLS streamlining as of December 31 based on the monitoring and evaluation report prepared by our partner, the DILG,” Manzur said, however, only Zamboanga, Pagadian, Dipolog, Dapitan, Katipunan, Labason, Liloy, Salug and Sindangan are included in the survey.

“This means that we only need respondents in those named areas for this year’s survey. By the next

year, the coverage may become bigger as more and more local governments are enrolled, and, in fact many LGUs now are in various stages of compliance to the national BPLS standards,” Manzur said.

“We appeal to our friends in the media to help us in disseminating this information to the public so we will get as much feedback as possible. The respondents’ feedbacks are important to help further enhance the local governments' responsiveness in the area of cost reduction and in improving ease of doing business in each locality,” he added.

(Lowell Vallecer)

RP highlights interfaith, human rights in London THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY in London cited before Philippine and British audiences the country’s initiatives and achievements in the fields of interfaith cooperation and human rights promotion.

The Embassy said it hosted its first ever reception commemorating World Interfaith Harmony Week. The gathering brought together leaders and representatives of different religions in the United Kingdom, as well as UK government officials and members of the Filipino community with an interest in cooperation and understanding among faiths.

In his remarks, Philippine Ambassador to the UK Enrique Manalo traced the Philippines’ long history and leading role in the promotion of interfaith cooperation within the interna-

tional community, and recalled the country’s own direct interests and experiences in religious dialogue.

“The Philippine Government views interreligious dialogue as a vital component of the comprehensive effort to achieve a global culture of peace – peace that is essential for security, growth and development,” Manalo said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

World Interfaith Harmony Week has been celebrated around the world on the first week of February since 2010, through a resolution unanimously adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.

National Human Rights Consciousness Week is commemorated in the Philippines in December each year pursuant to Republic Act 9201.

The ‘La Virgen del Pilar’ in Zamboanga, known as ‘The City of Flowers,’ is one of the most striking icon in Western Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

The majestic Philippine eagle in Davao City. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales)

Philippine Embassy holds business seminar in Nigeria MANILA - The Philippine Embassy in Abuja held the third Business Seminar dubbed as “Look Better, Develop your Career” and was attended by at least 60 participants, including overseas Filipino workers, among others.

The event was highlighted by the presentations of Wede Wallace Edherue, entitled Dress for Success: The Key to Your Financial Future. Edherue touched on personal and career development, dealing with job interviews and starting a business.

Edherue is the founder of Wallace and Associates, a real estate and property management company based in Maryland, U.S.A, and the International Rainbow Foundation in Liberia. Evelyn Bariyat Abrakson demonstrated techniques on facial care and face make-over.

Abrakson is the owner of the Bariatsbrushstrokz in Abuja and has participated in the Theory and Practical Application of Aribase Make-up Glasgow in En-

gland.

Officer-in-Charge Anita dela Cruz acknowledged the presence of the guests and speakers, and mentioned that Ambassador Alex Lamadrid is on official travel to the Philippines to attend a very significant conference. She hoped that the participants will attend the Embassy’s next seminars.

The organizer of the event, Economic and Information Officer Nadjefah Mangondaya emphasized that the main objective of the Embassy in conducting business seminars is to encourage OFWs to avail of the Reintegration Program of President Benigno Aquino. She distributed a news article entitled “Labor Department Encourages OFWs to Avail of Government Loan and Start a Business”. Mangondaya informed the OFWs that there are around 50 workers in Nigeria who were registered since the Embassy started the Pag-IBIG campaign in Nigeria in 2011.

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Feb. 18-24, 2013

MORE HUMANITARIAN AID NEEDED FOR MINDANAO TYPHOON VICTIMS DA VAO ORIENT AL - With humanitar DAV ORIENTAL humanitarian ian needs still ingly high mor e than two months after ty staggeringly more ty-stagger phoon B opha (locally kno wn as P ablo) dev astated Bopha known Pablo) devastated south-easter n P hilippines nter national C omsouth-eastern Philippines hilippines,, the IInter nternational Committee of the R ed C C) said it is appealing Red Crross (ICR (ICRC) for mor e than P1.3 billion in additional funding to more suppor ations for hundr eds of thousands of supportt aid oper operations hundreds sur viv ors surviv vivors ors..

It said the destruction the Pacific, said in a statecaused by the typhoon has ment to the Mindanao Exleft them with few re- aminer.

"At the same time, we sources, as most have lost not only their homes but will strive to help restore also the sources of their livelihoods. Our assistance will include a cashlivelihood.

"Together with the for-work program to upPhilippine Red Cross, we grade agricultural prowill provide food and duction areas, and proother essentials, such as vide people with seed, tarpaulins, mosquito nets, seedlings, tools and cooking utensils, and soap equipment to enable and other hygiene items, them to restart farming," for up to five months to he said.

He said to ensure that 300,000 people who lost virtually everything dur- even the worst-affected ing the typhoon," Alain communities can obtain Aeschlimann, the ICRC’s basic necessities, the head of operations for East ICRC and its local partner Asia, South-East Asia and Philippine Red Cross will

support the repair of damaged water supply systems and the reconstruction of health facilities. Some 30,000 people will also benefit from the donation of building materials to fix their partially destroyed houses, according to Aeschlimann.

Aeschlimann said since the immediate aftermath of the typhoon on December, the ICRC, working together with the Philippine Red Cross, has already been providing 300,000 people with food and other vitally important supplies.

"It has also set up a field clinic, which admits more than 100 patients daily and offers free medical care for basic health problems, maternal and child health care, psychosocial support and vaccinations."

The aftermath of heavy rains in the Southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Geonarri Solmerano) "In addition, the ICRC and the Philippine Red Cross have made clean drinking water available

MILF, Philippines peace panels to create new monitoring team COTABATO CITY – The Moro National Liberation Front and the Philippine government are expected top organize a so-called Third Party Monitoring Team which would monitor, review and assess the implementation of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and all other signed agreements between the two groups.

Jun Mantawil, who heads the Secretariat of the MILF peace panel, said the monitoring team will be composed of 7 members and headed by an international eminent person and that two others may be appointed as well.

He said two other members will be from international nongovernmental organizations, one to be nominated by the Philippine government and another by the MILF. And those are on top of two members from a local nongovernmental organizations and one to be nominated by the Philippine government and the other by the MILF. “All members are to be mutually decided,” he said.

Mantawil said the MILF is seriously considering someone from Europe to head the TPMT, but

ARMM

MILF forces in Souther Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales) added that the MILF will most likely nominate one Muslim eminent person and at least one from the international Muslim NGO who is active in the resolution of global conflicts.

The Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro which was signed by the MILF and the Aquino government would create the Bangsamoro autonomous region that would replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao which is composed of the provinces of

Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, and cities of Marawi and Lamitan.

The MILF is fighting for self-determination in the southern Philippines.

President Benigno Aquino is set to make a historic visit next week to the MILF in Maguindanao province in an effort to further hasten the peace talks with the Muslim rebel group.

Aquino will meet with rebel leaders and inspect government projects in the largely Muslim prov-

Northern Mindanao

Davao

ince.

In August 2011, Aquino secretly met with the secluded MILF chieftain Murad Ebrahim in Tokyo, Japan along with their peace negotiators and both agreed to pursue the peace talks in an efforts to end decades of violence and conflict in Mindanao.

Last year, Ebrahim was invited by Aquino to the Presidential Palace for the signing of the Bangsamoro accord.

(Mindanao Examiner.

With a report from Mark Navales)

Manila

to more than 25,000 people by setting up emergency water distribution stations, trans-

porting drinking water to communities, and upgrading existing water systems," he said.

Western Mindanao cops get award for outstanding accomplishments ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police authorities in Western Mindanao awarded 15 officers and lawmen for their outstanding accomplishments in the implementation of the total gun ban in Zamboanga Peninsula.

Regional police director Chief Superintendent Juanito Vaño, Jr. commended the awardees for a “job well done” in the implementation of the six-month gun ban ordered by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to ensure peaceful local and national polls in May. Hundreds of illegal weapons had been seized by policemen in various checkpoints in the region since the ban began in January.

Lawyer Francisco Pobe, COMELEC regional director, who was the guest of honor and speaker during the awarding ceremony held at the regional police headquarters in the village of Mercedes also praised the police officers. Regional police spokesman Inspector Ariel Huesca said the awardees who attained highest accomplishment in the implementation of the COMELEC gun ban were Senior Superintendents James Mejia, officer-in-charge of the Zamboanga del Norte Police Office; Thomas Abella, officer-in-charge of the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Office; and Edwin de Ocampo, officer-in-charge of the Zamboanga City Police Office.

He told the Mindanao Examiner that for the Provincial Public Safety Company Category, the awardees were Superintendent Reynaldo Maclang, commander of the Provincial Public Safety Company; Inspector Roldan Molate and two non-commissioned police officers PO2 John Harold Barros and PO1 Joseph Capino, of Zamboanga del Norte Police Office.

Huesca said Inspector Noel Lozano and SPO3 Miralam Baring, PO3 M Sorilla and PO1 Noel Falcasantos, Jr., from the Zamboanga City Police Office, also received the same awards.

On the Municipal Police Stations category, the Polanco Municipality Police station was awarded the Highest Accomplishment in the Implementation of COMELEC gun ban.

And Inspector Edison Alviar, SPO4 Sergio Sumagang, SPO2 Marlon Velasco and PO3 Simeon Wapelle, Jr. of the Zamboanga del Norte Police Office Warrant Section received the same award for garnering the highest number of arrest in the campaign against wanted persons. “Chief Superintendent Juanito Vaño, Jr. expressed warm gratitude to the awardees for their unsolicited commitment in the implementation of laws and a job well done,” Heusca said.

(Mindanao Examiner. With a report from E. Dumaboc)

Zamboanga Peninsula