'Freedom and Crime'
Malaysia High Court Upholds Death Sentence on 9 Sulu Sultan Followers
by Jun Ledesma AM NOT SURPRISED when some quarters are exploiting to the hilt the order of the Securities and Exchange Commission to shut down the operations of Rappler.The bannered story warns of the muzzling of the press. Rappler itself, quoting Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, wrote that if Duterte wants to close the
Founded 2006
media establishment they could have just sent the military. Of course it is the usual Rappler's furtive way of saying it which is very characteristic of this media outfit. But this is not about press freedom. It is about media ownership which, under Philippine laws, should be 100% owned by Filipinos. For years since the inception of Rappler,
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the impression was that it is fully owned by Pinoys. There are Filipinos with extra money to spare who invested money in Rappler in the hope that they can support an independent media outfit. As every body knew, the big media establishments are tools used by the wealthy and famous to protect Continue on page 4
SULU – Malaysia’s Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence for 9 Filipinos who were charged with waging war against the Malaysian King during the 2013 assault on Lahad Datu in Sabah. The Filipinos have been identified as Julham Rashid, 70; Virgilio Nemar Patulada, 53; Salib Akhmad Emali, 65; Tani Lahad Dahi,
64; Basad Manuel, 42; Datu Amirbahar Hushin Kiram, 54; Atik Hussin Abu Bakar, 46; Al Wazir Osman, 62; and Ismail Yasin, 77. Chief Justice Md Raus Sharif said the January 15 decision of the five-man panel of the Federal Court was unanimous, according to reports by The Star and Asia News Network, adding, the panel agreed with the
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Court of Appeal that the death sentence was the most appropriate based on the findings of the facts of the case. The other judges were Chief Judge of Malaya Ahmad Maarop, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Richard Malanjun, and Justices Ramly Ali and Azahar Mohamed. Continue on page 3
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Jan. 22-28, 2018
Mariners still wary about security in Southern Philippines
ver Z AMBO ANGA CIT Y–S afety concer n rremains AMBOANGA CITY Safety concern ov emains o attacks on shipping to abduct seafar ers in S outhseafarers Souther n P hilippines e hav e been no ern Philippines hilippines,, although ther there have repor ted incidents since A pr il last yyear ear eported Apr pril ear.. According to the anti-piracy body ReCAAP Seatrade Maritime News Information Sharing Cenciting a report by the ter, said the situation in
the Sulu - Celebes Sea area remains a cause for concern. It said between March 2016 and April 2017 attacks on merchant ships in the southern Philippines
resulted in the abductions of 59 seafarers from 13 vessels in the troubled, but mineral-rich region. While there have been no actual or attempted attacks in the area since April,
Masafumi Kuroki, executive director of ReCAAP, said “the concern and threat is not yet eliminated.” Kuroki said the three littoral states - the Philip-
pines, Malaysia and Indonesia - had made efforts with coordinated patrols and Manila was making a lot of progress on the issue. Continue on page 2
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Rebels Bring War To Duterte’s Turf
AVAO CIT Y–C ommunist insur CITY Communist insurgents gents vvo owed e attacks against go ver nment more gov ernment to launch mor and militar y tar gets and said they would military targets br ing the war rright ight in the doorstep of P bring Prresident R odr igo D uter te wn – D av ao City Dav avao City.. Rodr odrigo Duter uterte te’’s hometo hometown The New People’s pushed them off a cliff in Army said it will not be Calinan district, he said. cowed by Duterte’s all“Workers and peasin corporate out war against the ants communist group, say- plantations around ing, rebel forces are ready Southern Mindanao are to strike at any oppor- rejoicing Saturday’s putune time anywhere in nitive action,” he said in the countr y. Just last a statement sent over to week, the rebel group the regional newspaper claimed responsibility on Mindanao Examiner. He a daring attack in Davao said the attack is part of revolutionar y City’s Calinan district their where insurgents de- movement’s policy to pestroyed several trucks nalize big bourgeois owned by fruit compa- comprador companies nies operating there. which continue to exist Rubi del Mundo, a with impunity by inflictspokesman for the rebel ing unimpeded group, said the recent as- environmental destrucsault was a punitive tion and exploitation of action against the Japa- peasants and workers. nese firm Sumitomo Del Mundo branded Fruits Corporation and the two companies as noAyala-owned Highland torious and accused the Banana Corporation. Sumitomo Fruits CorpoRebel forces torched ration and Highland three trucks owned and Banana Corporation of
exploiting workers’ welfare by dishing out barely liveable wages, subjecting them to inhuman working conditions, union busting and other repressive labor practices, particularly in their farms in Davao City where Duterte’s daughter, Sara, is also the mayor. “Both companies push plantation workers to work almost 12 hours, sometimes 16 hours daily under different schemes meant to extract superprofit. Packing plant workers are also made to work the same length of hours without sufficient safety implements. SUMIFRU and Highland, likewise, continue to utilize toxic chemical fertilizers and pesticides in their boom truck sprayers. Workers report that they are routinely exposed to the harmful chemicals being sprayed by boom trucks,” he said.
Sulu’s Maimbung Mayor Samier A. Tan signs the Memorandum of Agreement for and in behaf of the Municipal Government with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for the implementation of Maimbung Port Development Project. Engineers from DOTr, Acting Vice Mayor, Municipal Counsilors and Datu Shabandar Abdusakur Tan Witness the signing of MOA recently.
Del Mundo said peasant families who initially expected to be alleviated from poverty by entering into agr ibusiness venture agreements with SUMIFRU and Highland are faring no better under highly-exploitative arrangements that eventually cost them their lands. “ With no control over production, they fall prey to the companies’ exclusive and manipulative management schemes that have buried them deep into indebtedness and have resulted in the seizure of their lands,” he said. There was no imme-
diate statement or reaction from neither the mayor nor the two companies on the accusations against them by the rebel group which has been fighting for many decades now for a separate state in the country. Last month. Rebels also seized a police officer, Inspector Menardo Cui, Sr., who was inside a KTV bar in Nor th Cotabato’s President Roxas town in southern Philippines. NPA fighters stormed the HMB KTV Bar and Lodging House in the village of Tuael where Cui - the town’s deputy police chief - was
having a good time with friends. Cui was taken out of the bar by rebels while other customers looked horrified on the sight of heavily-armed insurgents who threatened to kill anybody who would dare to stop them. The NPA declared Cui as a prisoner of war and said the officer would be tried by its so-called people’s court for crimes against innocent civilians. President Rodrigo Duterte, who had supported the NPA when he was mayor of Davao City, branded the rebels as ter(Mindanao rorists. Examiner)
Mariners still wary about security in Southern Philippines Continued fr om page 1 from “But still I think that the perpetrators who conducted this abduction of crew, the Abu Sayyaf group are still there. They are not completely eliminated so there is still the potential that the Abu Sayyaf group make conduct other similar types of attacks against ships so I think more needs to be done by the Philippines authorities and the regional states to make sure for the shipping industry this area in the Sulu Celebes sea particularly for ship passage is safe for navigation for merchant ships,” he explained. The first four months of 2017 saw three actual abduction
incidents from the Fishing Bianca, Giang Hai and Super Shuttle Tug 1, and four attempted attacks against the Ocean Kingdom, Donghae Star, Phu An 268 and the Dona Annabel. Some nine seafarers continue to be held hostage. The Filipino government has extended martial law in the province of Mindanao, which has seen fierce fighting with insurgents, until December 31, 2018, Seatrade Maritime News said. It said ReCAAP continues to advise shipping to reroute from the area if possible. “Of course it is up to the shipping industry whether they reroute or not,” it said, quoting Kuroki, adding, ReCAAP also remains concerns about the hijacking of
small tankers to steal oil cargoes, with such hijackings in the Asian region. The Philippine military’s Western Mindanao Command with task forces in Basilan, Sulu and TawiTawi island-provinces, all in the Muslim autonomous region, said navy and the army, including the air force, have been guarding the seas in the area to ensure the safety of mariners. It said the operations against the Abu Sayyaf were also continuing in Mindanao, including Basilan, Sulu and TawiTawi which are all under martial rule. (Seatrade Maritime News. With a report from Mindanao Examiner.)
ARMM holds workshop for Halal chevon stakeholders
Sulu’s Maimbung Mayor Samier A. Tan visits the construction of housing project under the Go Negosyo at Barangay Laum.
The turn over of 5 units Fish Aggragating Device to beneficiaries of 5 coastal barangay is witnessed by Mayor Samier A. Tan, of Maimbung municipality in Sulu province, and also visits the on-going construction of CFLC at Barangay Ipil. (Photos from Maimbung Government)
COTABATO CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have conducted a workshop for entrepreneurs involved in Halal chevon or goat meat. DTI-ARMM Secretary Atty. Anwar Malang said the recent workshop was conducted in line with the government’s efforts to make the autonomous Muslim region the country’s “Halal Hub”. Atty. Ranibai Dilangalen, Department of Agriculture Undersecretary, said Halal is not only limited to the absence of pork ingredients. “We should enlighten the community about Halal production for them to fully understand even its basic principles,” she said. The workshop seeks to widen the knowledge of stakeholders about the Halal industry as an emerging economic phenomenon in the world market. It was also aimed at exploring the wide array of market potential for Halal chevon production and to identify the gaps in
the supply chain of chevon, from production to marketing. The goat industry in the country has been identified as a “sunshine industry” brought about by the high demand for chevon meat both domestic and global, as well as the sufficient supply of goat dominated by backyard raisers and slowly becoming popular among commercial raisers. The workshop was conducted through the Philippine Rural Development Program I – Plan and attended by participants involved in the processing, production and marketing of goat meat within the region and government and nongovernmental institutions mandated to boost the development of the Halal industry in the region. Asc part of the region’s efforts in the development and promotion of the Halal industry, the Office of the Regional Governor released a memorandum directing all its offices and agencies to create programs, projects, missions and visions that should be
anchored on the ARMM Vision. The ARMM Vision states that: “By 2040, the peoples in the Bangsamoro are self-governing with predominantly middleclass society living in safe communities, having a dynamic economy including a Halal ecosystem, enjoying inclusive peace and diverse cultures, who shall enhance sustainable development ensuring that responsibilities and benefits are shared by all.” In May 2016, former President Benigno Aquino III signed Republic Act No. 10817 to ensure the integrity and quality of Philippine Halal exports and to promote its growth in the domestic and international markets. R.A. 10817, or the “Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act of 2016”, is a legislation instituting the Philippine Halal export development and promotion program, creating for the purpose the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Board, and for other purposes. (Bureau of Public Information)
DILG-ARMM strengthens drive against illegal drugs, terrorism COTABATO CITY – The Department of the Interior and Local Government in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DILG-ARMM) has strengthened its AntiDrug Abuse Councils to help solve the drug problems. As of December 2017, the regional offices of the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and other law enforcement agencies have listed around 56,000 individuals in the ARMM who are coping with the drug problem. Atty. Noor Hafizullah Abdullah, DILG-ARMM Secretary, said there was a proposal to create a Regional Anti-Drug Abuse Council to oversee the
anti-drug councils in the provincial, municipal, city, and barangay levels. He said LGUs are also actively supporting the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. The DILG-ARMM has issued an order to all LGUs to conduct anti-terrorism summits and to help monitor the activities of suspicious individuals in their respective areas, he said. Sec. Abdullah expressed optimism thr LGUs will continue to manifest good performance in terms of administrative management and good governance this year. “We want to make a statement that our LGUs in the ARMM are competent,” he said. In a briefing Thurs-
day, Sec. Abdullah discussed the Three-Year Governance Road Map of DILG-ARMM and after 2 years, the regional department will focus on the implementation of the plans, one of which is disaster plans of LGUs. Trainings for disaster officers, purchase of equipment for disaster preparedness, and other indicators of implementation shall be checked as part of the assessment, he said. Sec. Abdullah also urged constituents to be brave enough and not to hesitate in reporting wrongdoings of their local officials, provided that these concerns are factual and true so these would be treated as official reports. (Bureau of Public Information)
British man accused of assaulting Filipino hotel manager
PAGADIAN CITY – Police were searching for a British national who escaped after assaulting a Filipino hotel manager in Dipolog City in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Norte. Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, a regional police spokesperson, said the 34year old Mario Romano, manager ng D’ Hotel & Suites, accused Stephen
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Jan. 22-28, 2018
Daubney of attacking him and fled after the assault. She said Romano, in his complaint lodged with the local police force, claimed the foreigner also failed to pay his hotel bill amounting to nearly P3,000. It was unclear what triggered the attack or whether the foreigner was a frequent visitor in Dipolog or not, but in her report, Galvez said Daubney also stayed in
the town of Tampilisan. “The complainant already filed a case through regular filing against the suspect,” Galvez said without providing other details and information about the foreigner. It was unknown if the police alerted the Bureau of Immigration and other law enforcement agencies and the British embassy in Manila. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Malaysia High Court Upholds Death Sentence on 9 Sulu Sultan Followers
Continued fr om page 1 from Basad Manuel is the son of the Jamalul Kiram III, the self-proclaimed Sultan of Sulu, who died from multiple organ failure in Manila in 2013. The bloody incursion by some 200 followers of Kiram from the southern Philippines in February 2013 was inspired by the supposed sultan's claims of historical dominion over Sabah. The two-month siege was the most serious security crisis faced by Malaysia in years, involving armed conflict between the Sultan’s loyal followers and the Malaysian armed forces sent to root them out. The panel also dismissed the prosecution's appeal against the acquittal of 14 men on the charge of waging war against the King and terrorist-related offences linked to the intrusion from Feb 12 to April 10, 2013. Chief Justice Md Raus said the panel has no reason to decide otherwise and af-
firmed the decision by the Court of Appeal delivered last June. At the height of fighting between Kiram’s followers and security forces, Malaysia deployed armoured vehicles and combat helicopters, including naval boats in an effort to flush out the Filipinos on the oil-rich island being claimed by both sides. About a dozen armoured personnel vehicles arrived in the town of Lahad Datu to support ground troops hunting down at least 50 members of the Sultanate of Sulu headed by Raja Muda Agbimuddin, the sultan’s younger brother. The group intruded Sabah in February 2013 to exert claim over Sabah, citing historical and legal claims, but Malaysia rejected this and launched a massive assault on about 200 of the sultan’s men following a deadline for them to surrender peacefully. The assault by Malaysian jets and ground artilleries left at least 62 intruders dead, but
the fighting between the two groups also killed and wounded 18 Malaysian policemen and soldiers. Malaysia arrested more than 300 Filipinos who are suspected of supporting or aiding Raja Muda Agbimuddin’s group under a strict anti-terrorism law. More than 2,000 Filipino Muslims have returned to Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces after fleeing Sabah in 2013 for fear they would be arrested in a massive crackdown launched by Malaysian on illegal immigrants and Filipino communities on the island. Sabah, just several nautical miles off Tawi-Tawi, is home to about 2.3 million Malaysians and 889,000 non-Malaysians, based on its 2010 population survey. Malaysia is still paying cession money to the Sultanate of Sulu although it lays claim on the Sabah, a gift given by Brunei to the Sultan of Sulu for helping quell a rebellion in 1658. (With a report from Mindanao Examiner.)
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'Freedom and Crime' by Jun Ledesma Continued fr om page 1 from their interest from political predators but they end up using the muscle of the press to either promote or destroy politicians and their adversaries. Not until SEC ordered the closure of Rappler that it came out in the open that the notorious ON OMIDYAR had wormed its way in and into the heart and brain of Rappler. The characters behind these outfits are shrewd but not wise enough their own disclosures in their PDRs gave them away. The Philippine Deposit Receipts which Rappler through its holding company issued explicitly granted ON OMIDYAR to have a say in the operations and business of Rappler. Ma. Ressa's attention was called by SEC on this critical item but it appears that she was not paying attention or might have thought she can deal with the problem anyway. Looks like she sat on the problem that even the members of the 5-man Commission who, except for one, are all appointees of ex-Pres. Noynoy Aquino have reach a point of decision. As the story unravels, again it showed that there was an attempt to correct the provisions in the PDRs by submitting ON OMIDYAR's waiver on its right to intrude into the conduct of business of
Rappler. Again Rappler showed its cavalier attitude, it submitted the waiver document which was not even notarized. Obviously even the Aquino-controlled SEC cannot take the lackadaisical attention of Ma. Ressa. It revoked the SEC registration of Rappler. Even as it had been axed, Ressa and Pia Ranada fought back, the later calling Pres. Rodrigo Duterte names as if they reign supreme and they alone know what freedom of the press means. To add to her dramatics Pia intoned that she is prepared to go to prison for exercising her rights of free expression. She forgot that It was Duterte who, early in his presidency signed an EO on Freedom of Information. Ressa and Ranada wailed their press freedom had been curtailed. But such is not the case. Every word that they say saw print and broadcasted in nearly 2,000 media outlets in the Philippines and not counting the social media. The revocation of Rappler's permit is not about freedom of the press but its violation of the constitution which succinctly underlines that media establishment must be 100% Filipino owned. In hindsight the Duterte government was even too kind to Rappler even as it was the leading media organization that
demonize Duterte in every turn. I had seriously doubted its overtures that brag it stands for truth and fairness. During the senate hearing on extra-judicial killing allegedly carried out by the Davao Death Squad which Sen. Leila De Lima and Sen. Antonio Trillanes claimed was organized by Duterte, Rappler simply swallowed what witnesses Matobato and Lascanas said. In 2009 when as CHR Chair De Lima conducted a probe on EJK the number of victims she alleged then was less than 300. The probe lasted for months with nary a piece of evidence was found to indict Mayor Duterte. She pursued her quest to pin Digong when she became Justice Secretary but again she failed. When she became senator she became even more aggressive she placed a bungling Matobato in the witness stand. But Matobato was flawless in his delivery when he was interviewed by Time Magazine. It was unmistakable he was reading from an idiot's card. He proudly state that as member of DDS he killed and buried more than 200 persons in an abandoned quarry. Yet he cannot find the grave of his victims. When it was the turn of Lascanas to testify in the senate inquiry, he casually
said that they buried more than 2,000 EJK victims in the same quarry. Between the two perjured witness they confessed to the killing of over 2,200 victims of EJK which they buried, they said, in the abandoned quarry. It is simply a classic fantasy. A manslaughter of such magnitude cannot escape notice especially when that narrow piece of land is just about four kilometers from city hall and so adjacent to a number of housing subdivisions. Nevertheless, if they were so sure then why cannot they find a single piece of viable evidence. In all these occasions Rappler gave the hearings liberal space and took the testimonies of the witnesses as the biblical truths. Both Rappler and Time Magazine adopted exactly the same flawed statistics which in their recent count had reached 13,000 EJK victims. I am based in Davao and frankly I am amazed by the courage of Rappler and Time magazine to extrapolate figures for I do not
know where they plucked these from. I also am aghast at their courage to perpetuate the lies. Much of what they wrote about DDS, EJK and curtailment of press freedom are figments of their fertile imagination. DDS for one is a ghost force conceptualized by Police Regional Commander Dionisio Tangatue Jr. This predates Duterte's entry in politics. EJK issue was an invention of the political adversaries of Duterte who were salivating for the mayoral position. In Davao the champion of press freedom or freedom of expression is not from the media but Duterte himself. Time and again, as Mayor, Duterte would prod media men to be critical but speak or write the truth. It is only in Davao City where leftist organizations can stage rallies or demonstrations without permit from city hall. Frankly, I find Duterte's tolerance for rabid attack against him quite uncanny. He had been subjected to
scurrilous attacks in his 25 years of service as an elected official but I never heard of any single libel suit filed by him against any of his detractors. Rappler, even as it has been ordered closed by SEC, can go on demonizing Duterte because he is one that protects the freedom of critical or even inventive press but he can do nothing when the act is violative of the basic tenets of the constitution. In or out of Rappler, Ressa can do her thing and so with Pia provided they watch their steps. Press freedom is one thing and an offense that breach the limits of what the constitution mandates is another. And please do not drag PAS Bong Go to add spice to your melodrama. The intrigue will not wash. Like me the media persons who write from Davao know Bong's tasks from day one. He is the personified data bank of Duterte. While he has been dubbed as the country's photo bomber his role in the administration is simply benign.
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ARMM hires 75 new teachers for Maguindanao, more expected to get jobs COTABATO CITY – Dozens of newly hired teachers for the province of Maguindanao were added to the roster of the Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) on Monday, officials said. ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman signed the appointment papers of 75 teachers and said their profession is more of service and commitment than livelihood. “You chose this path because it is your passion -because you are committed and determined that you want our youth to learn. The regional government will not neglect your efforts and will provide what you deserve,” he said. Debunking the misconception that appointments in ARMM are tainted with corruption, Gov. Hataman said those appointed are qualified and do not have those so-called backers. A mechanism was made to ensure that appointees are well-distributed to schools that are in need. Along with the appointment order is a deployment order. In his first appearance as the newly appointed DepEdARMM Secretary, Atty. Rasol Mitmug, Jr. reminded the teachers that the region’s “youth is expecting to receive quality education.” “Sana maging daan kayong mga guro na matulungan ang mga batang magsumikap sa pag aaral dahil maraming kabataan ang umaasa na magkaroon ng maayos at dekalidad na edukasyon,” he told the teachers. One of the teachers, Elpigenia Apellido, a 41-year old single mother with two children, said: “Excited ako na may halong kaba.” Her appointment was 18 years in the making. Since her graduation in 1999,
Apellido served as a factory worker in Luzon and also as a farmer in her hometown in Sultan Kudarat. During the past two years, she served as a volunteer teacher in Kulasi Elementary School where she did not receive compensation. Previously teaching in makeshift classrooms to underprivileged children, she is now eager to go back as a full-fledged teacher and help her students who usually go to school without basic supplies such as pens and notebooks. “As a teacher and the second mother of my students, I play an important role in nurturing them for their future,” she said. “It’s never too late to reach for your dreams. I’m here now signing my papers, although long overdue, this serves as a message to everyone.” “Sacrifices have to be made along the way, but if you get the chance to go to school, do not miss it, since you never know when your break will come,” she said. Gov. Hataman said the appointments comprised just the first batch of new teachers in the region. More appointees are expected to be made this year. “The process will be easier now. Our main goal is to finish all appointments, including senior high school, by first quarter of this year,” he said, adding, DepEd-ARMM will fill all teaching positions in nine schools divisions in the region in the first quarter of this year. Newly hired teacher Sahira Kalipapa said the distance between her home and her school assignment may be challenging, but she is more excited to help her students. A 30-year-old resident of Datu Paglas North, she will be deployed to Darampua Elementary School in Sultan sa Barongis town, an hour
away from her place. “Wala pong kaso sa akin ang layo, ang mahalaga po sa akin ay makatulong sa mga estudyante sa sarili kong probinsya,” Sahira said. Overwhelmed with joy as she signed her deployment order, she said: “It’s an answered prayer po. Sobrang saya po na finally teacher na po ako.” “Ang sarap po sa pakiramdam dahil alam namin na dumaan ito sa tamang proseso. Libu-libo ang applicants na kasabay ko dito at masaya ako na napabilang ako sa mga newly hired teachers,” she said. Sahira said that she never thought of applying to other places outside the ARMM. “Mas pipiliin ko pa rin po ang lugar namin dahil mas kailangan po kami sa lugar namin,” she added. Applicants for teaching positions in the ARMM have to go through the Assessment and Competency Examination for Teachers that includes a panel interview and a teaching demonstration to evaluate their aptitude and proficiency for teaching. The process is meant to promote quality education in the region. Gov. Hataman said it helps guarantee that only qualified teachers will be hired. On January 4 this year, the appointment papers and deployment orders of the 192 public school teachers in Sulu were signed by the governor. “Our goal is to fill in all the teaching vacancies in the first quarter of the year,” he said. “Nandito kayo hindi dahil sa kung sino ang nagrecommend sayo, nandito kayo dahil dumaan kayo sa tamang proseso at alam namin na qualified kayo,” he said. Another teacher, Johaira
Good governance is Hataman’s legacy in ARMM
COTABATO CITY – Making the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) functional through good governance is the top achievement of the Hataman administration’s in the last six years. “When we started here, we said that the most essential thing we should do is to make the government functional,” ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman told journalists Thursday as he cited excellence awards local government units (LGUs) received last year from the Department of the Interior and Local Government. A total of 22 LGUs were awarded the "Seal of Good Local Governance" for their achievements, among others. The feat is a first in the ARMM history, according to Hataman, who said they intend to double, in not triple this year's good governance awardees in ARMM which has 118 municipalities and cities. Hataman also reiterated that he would address the issue of absenteeism in some LGUs following a memorandum from Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the Mar-
tial Law Administrator, instructing him and provincial governors to supervise local chief executives. “The Provincial Governors of Mindanao, and the ARMM Regional Governor are hereby directed to ensure that Local Chief Executives under their general supervision are placed under a clear monitoring system that will guarantee their presence and the delivery of government programs and services to the constituents of the respective LGUs,” Lorenzana said. Hataman also raised challenges in terms of security, citing the Marawi siege and the steady recruitment and series of attacks by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and other rebel groups in ARMM. However, he said incidents of kidnapping in the region have gone down after personalities involved in abduction cases have been apprehended. Through the ARMM’s Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team, the regional government’s response to crisis has also become more efficient, he said, adding, a regional de-
velopment plan was also formulated to sustain the region’s development even after his term has ended. “Ang pagpaplano na ito ay nakabatay sa real situation, scientific data was used. Every year pwedeng may magbago, mabago man ito mula sa ARMM patungong Bangsamoro government, depending on the situation sa community,” Hataman said. During the final stretch of his administration, the regional government will focus on barangays that urgently need attention from the government. “Since the most basic unit of the government is the barangay, we are focusing on 636 ARMM-HELPS (Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance and Synergy) and ARMM-BRIDGE (Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development for Growth and Empowerment) areas.During the last planning, all agencies were directed to give priority to these areas especially in terms of health, sanitation, housing and governance,” Hataman said. (Bureau of Public Information)
Ali, also thanked and praised Gov. Hataman for hiring them, saying, they waited for this for a long time. “I’m excited to be finally appointed by the ARMM Department of Education because I’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” she said. Musarafah Ebrahim, a teacher who shared her own excitement, said: “I’m happy to be here. I’ve always found joy in teaching, and I feel like this is truly the job for me.” Qualified, not endorsed Gov. Hataman told the teachers “I made sure to meet all of you today because I wanted to tell you personally that you are here not because of anyone’s endorsement, but because you are qualified. Atty. Mitmug reminded the teachers of their crucial role as educators. “Many of the youth here in the ARMM are hoping to receive quality education in our public school system, and the backbone of good and quality education are good and qualified teachers.” Ali and Ebrahim, both of whom have served as volunteer teachers prior to their appointment, know their responsibility all too well. Thr eat of terr or ism Threat terror orism Ali acknowledged the unique challenges in the region, especially with the threat of terrorism and the vulnerability of the youth when it came to the ongoing recruitment of local terror groups. “I always remind my students to be critical and to refuse when someone recruits them into an unknown
group with the promise of a better life. I tell them that joining organizations that promote violence and terror will do nothing to help our community. It will only make our critical situation worse,” Ali said. Ebrahim, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of education to her students. “I tell them not to join those kinds of groups because it will do nothing for their future. Failing to prioritize their education will only result to them being left behind as the rest of the community works towards peace and development,” she said. She also worked on her students’ social skills and sense of community. “It’s important to me that they learn how to socialize and interact with other people. I’ve encountered students who were very shy, but with a bit of encouragement they’re now more open to their peers,” she shared. Catalysts for change Seated at the next table was Sandria Mustapha, a former volunteer teacher who was set to be appointed as a public school teacher as well. “Everybody says this, but I’m really passionate about teaching,” Mustapha said. “I used to volunteer in a high school in Buluan. As a teacher, I believe we are catalysts for change. Once you’re a teacher, you’re changing the lives of children you’re handling.” “Values-based education is important,” she added. Every day, we must
remind the students of the values we hold dear as Muslims and the values we share with the rest of humanity. It is our responsibility to constantly impress upon that terrorism is wrong.” Ser ve the nation erv Atty. Mitmug also told the teachers that “you may encounter students of different beliefs, they may be Lumad, Christian, or Moro, and it is important to remember that despite these differences, we are rendering our service and commitment to one country.” Echoing Mitmug’s sentiment, Gov. Hataman said: “We are not here just to work and earn wages; we are here to serve the youth, especially the next generation who will inherit the triumphs and failures of our own.” “It is important that you are passionate and committed to this career, and you are determined to guide our youth as they learn not just in school but in life. In return, know that the regional government is committed and determined to give you what is right and just,” he added. The regional government has previously appointed 192 teachers and deployed in Sulu earlier this month. To date, the ARMM has 25,000 teaching and non-teaching personnel. The region is composed of nine schools divisions that include the divisions of Maguindanao I and II, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur I and II, Lamitan City, Basilan, Sulu, and TawiTawi. (Bureau of Public Information)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Jan. 22-28, 2018
Acr oss: cross: 1. Use a broom 6. Quiet! 9. Foldaway bed 12. Florida seaport 13. Cow's cry 14. Cigar residue 15. Mediate 17. Hockey surface 18. Pains 19.Nest eggs (abbr.) 20. Atop, poetically 22. President ___ Roosevelt 25. Deny 28. Hewing tool 29. Fragrances 30. Spring, e.g. 34. Sept. follower 35. Mad 36. Sport with webbed rackets 40. Limb 41. Bait 42. Dandy's neckwear 45. Had a meal 46. Bruce Springsteen, e.g. 50. Bossy Stooge 51. Wayside hotel 52. Craze 53. Egyptian cobra 54. Acquired 55. Slumbered Do wn: Down:
Answ er to last w eek osswor d: Answer week eek’’s cr crosswor ossword:
1. Bus terminal (abbr.) 2. Conflict 3. Trade prohibition 4. Heroic 5. Garden walk 6. Hit show 7. Fiery 8. Gardening tool 9. Egypt's capital 10. Movie award 11. Not those 16. Quizzes again 19. Thoughts 20. Stop ___ dime (2 wds.) 21. Poet's always 23. Least difficult 24. Plow-pulling animals 26. Love, in Rome 27. Mexican dish 31. Soup cracker 32. ___ in a million
33. Not pos. 36. Peruvian animal 37. Detroit products 38. Crawl 39. Holy person 43. Picture takers, for short 44. Uttered 46. Band's booking 47. Numero ___ 48. Small taste 49. Tit for ___
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ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE: Unit 15, 3/F Fairland Building, Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue Phone & fax: 062-9925480 Mobile: 0995-5202358
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LETTERS FROM DAVAO by Jun Ledesma Duter te and the demise uterte of A quino myth Aquino THE TRUST RATING of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte is at record high in the level of excellence. This despite the efforts of the opposition and the leftists organizations to discredit and demonize him with issues that ranges from the banal extra-judicial killings, threats of martial law to name a few. Despite all the denigration the President just go on with his job with his usual and to some unusual leadership style that had made him so distinct from the mold of traditional politicians particularly the Chief Executives before him. Well they may not like what and how he conducts and manages the affairs of the government but there is no denying he delivers. The critics might repudiate that but the public as borne by the results of the surveys tells a more significant and meaningful story. This overwhelming support for the President swamp and dump whatever issues the critics raise against Duterte. Even in survey of the "senatoriables" nary a political figure identified with the opposition landed in the magic 10. This apparently worries Bam Aquino who, of late, swallowed his yellow pride and hinted that he is willing to cooperate with the Duterte government in its development undertaking. My take here is that if the midterm elections are going to be held tomorrow no one from the Liberal Party is going to make it. For Bam, who is the remaining
7
The Mindanao Examiner
Jan. 22-28, 2018
Aquino active in politics, the survey is very foreboding as it rings the political death knell for the clan. Two chapters of the Aquino administrations were replete with ineptness and vindictiveness in the first canto, the second continued with it but added a bitter note, that of institutionalizing corruption in the government bureaucracy and the abatement of syndicated crime to include the utter disregard for the growing menace of terrorism. Attempts to cover the sins of omissions and commissions especially the fist chapter of the Aquino administration had waned as quickly as adherents discover the cracks which for a long while were eclipsed by the hatred against the Marcoses. But it looks like the Marcoses have a tenacious staying power except for Bongbong lackadaisical campaign for Vice President where he lost to a lackluster Leni Robredo by the skin of the teeth. The mortal sin of the Cory government was not so much on holding on to Hacienda Luisita Inc. which involved the tenants in that vast agricultural land, but in passing that Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) which mandated the land be awarded to any Tom, Dick and Harry who landless and who might even hate the smell of the earth but love its value. CARP was conceptualized principally to saved HLI (Hacienda Luisita Inc.) but was the primary and only reason why many actual tenant-farmers were deprived of land.
The coming of the new leader from the hinterlands of Mindanao has radically altered the entire political spectrum. Duterte is a child of destiny. When his mother, Nanay Soleng, was appointed as vice mayor of Davao City for her role in the Yellow Fridayprotest march she politely declined the position. The regional leadership placed Rodrigo's name in her stead. He went on as Mayor for more than 23 years punctuated only with a stint in congress. In the Presidential elections, he was the most reluctant candidate. But I have personally witnessed and hear how the crowd of people would gravitate around him as he was campaigning for Federalism. Each assembly was a specter of pandemonium as the event would end up with the audience roaring in thunder "Duterte for President", Takbo! Takbo! Takbo" , run, run Digong run. His name for a long while was not even mentioned in surveys. But when they did, the survey institutions discovered what they never expected. The man who abhors the power of the Presidency leads. President Duterte closed the final chapter of the Aquino myth. Today we see pages in our current history written as events are taking place in dizzying dynamics. Duterte has only to steady the course and we are on the way to prosperity. The demise of the Aquino myth is behind us now and no one mourns. (Jun Ledesma)
HEALTH: Ang Tamang Pagsusuri ng Suso Payo ni Dr. Willie T. Ong ANG KANSER sa suso ang pangunahing sanhi ng pagkamatay sa kababaihan. Dapat alamin ng bawat babae ang tamang pagsusuri ng kanilang suso. Nakasalalay po ang buhay ninyo dito. Sundin ang 3 steps na ito: 1. Habang naliligo, itaas ang kanang braso. Gamitin ang dulo ng mga daliri ng kaliwang kamay para kapain ang iyong kanang suso. Ang hinahanap natin ay ang mga cyst or mabibilog na parang holen sa ilalim ng suso. Minsan ay kasing-liit lang ng isang monggo ang makakapa. Pagkatapos ay itaas naman ang kaliwang braso at ang kaliwang suso naman ang suriin. Kung may makapa na kadudadudang bukol, kumonsulta sa doktor. 2. Tumayo sa harap ng salamin at ilagay ang braso sa gilid ng katawan. Pagmasdan maigi ang bawat suso kung pareho ang laki at hugis nito. Masdan ang bandang utong at paligid nito (ang nipple
Dr. Willie T. Ong at areola). Suriin kung may pamumula, pangungulubot o dili kaya’y tumutulo na likido dito. Ang mga ito’y maaaring masamang senyales. Pagkatapos ay itaas at ipuwesto naman ang dalawang kamay sa likod ng iyong ulo. Ulitin ang pagmamasid sa iyong suso. 3. Ngayon naman ay humiga sa isang patag na kama. Itaas ang kanang braso at ilagay ang kamay sa ibabaw ng ulo. Gamitin ang kaliwang kamay para salatin ang kanang suso. Mula sa gilid ng suso ay gamitin ang mga dalir i para diinan ng paikot-ikot ang suso. Magumpisa sa utong at unti-unting
bumilog ng palaki ng palaki. Huwag kalimutan: kapain ang kili-kili. Kung may kanser sa suso, kalimitan ay may bukol din na makakapa sa kilikili. Ito’y mga kulani (lymph nodes). Pagkatapos ay gawin naman sa kabilang suso. Ang pagsusuri ng suso ay dapat gawin bawat buwan, kung puwede ay bago magregla at pagkatapos ng regla. Minsan kasi ay may mga parang bukol na nakakapa bago magregla (dahil sa hor mones natin) at nawawala naman pagka-regla. Sa kababaihan, huwag makalimot sa iyong check-up bawat taon. Magpasuri ng suso sa iyong obstetrician (OB) at sabayan mo na rin ng Pap’s smear. Ang pagsuri ng suso ay naguumpisa sa edad 20 pataas, at ang Pap’s smear ay kapag nakikipagtalik na ang babae o edad 30 pataas. Magpatingin sa doktor (surgeon) kung may nakapang bukol. Good luck.
RECIPE: Pocherong Baka
INGREDIENT S: INGREDIENTS:
– 3 lbs. beef chuck, cubed – 1 Chorizo de Bilbao, sliced crosswise
into smaller pieces – 1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomato – 1 large baking potato, cubed – 12 to 15 pieces long green beans (Baguio beans) – 1 bunch baby bok choy – ½ head small cabbage
– 1 ripe plantain (or saba), sliced – 1 (15 oz.) can chickpeas (garbanzos) – 4 to 5 cups beef broth – 3 cloves garlic, minced – 1 medium yellow onion, minced – 3 tablespoons fish sauce – ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper – 3 tablespoons cooking oil
INSTR UCTIONS: INSTRUCTIONS: 1) Heat oil in a cooking pot. 2) Once the oil becomes hot saute garlic and onion until soft. 3) Add beef chuck. Cook until light brown. 4) Add the sliced chorizo. Cook for 1 minute. 5) Pour the diced tomatoes into the pot. Stir and cook for 3 minutes. 6) Pour the beef broth into the pot, Let boil. Cover and cook until the beef becomes tender. 7) Add the chickpeas, potato, and plantains. Stir. Cook for 6 minutes. 8) Add the long green beans. Cook for 1 minute. 9) Add cabbage and bok choy. Cover and cook for 3 minutes. 10) Season with fish sauce and ground black pepper. Continue to cook for 3 minutes. 11) Transfer to a serving plate. Serve. 12) Share and enjoy! (http://www.panlasangpinoy.com)
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P10
Jan. 22-28, 2018
DOH medical scholarship up for grabs in the Visayas CEBU – The Department of Health (DOH) said it has reopened its scholarship program for medical courses in partner schools in Cebu and the Visayas. Registered nurse Mario Natividad of DOH said two courses are open for the scholarship program - medicine and midwifery - and these are being offered in three schools in the region. For medicine course, two slots are available at the University of Cebu Medical Center (UCMED) in Mandaue City and four slots at the Southwestern University in Urgello in Cebu City. For midwifery, it is offered at the University of Bohol in Tagbilaran City. “This means that DOH is offering all in free education, the scholar will not pay for anything while enrolled in the program,” Natividad said. The requirements to
avail of the scholarship, Natividad said, will depend on those set by the partner schools. For those who are accepted in the Medicine scholarship program, they are entitled to receive more than P30,000 which include allowances for books, uniform, miscellaneous, transportation, lodging, living subsidy, and an annual premium for PhilHealth. For midwifery, the scholar is entitled to a book allowance worth P10,000 for every semester and uniform allowance at P2,500 annually. Aspiring scholars will have to apply directly to the partner school which has their own set of requirements, he said. After graduation, the scholars will have to take the Professional Licensure Examination within the year. If they fail to pass, the scholar will have to shoulder the expenses for the succeeding licensing exam.
Natividad said the scholars are also required to render a “return of service”. “For every year of the scholarship program, multiply that by two and that is the required return of service obligation years,” he said. “They shall render first three years in Public Health Care Services through the Doctors to the Barrio Program. The remaining years shall be in government service, either in national or local public health institution, academe, residency training, and research and development,” he added. Natividad said the aim of the program is to draw more medical professionals to work in the public health sector to address the inequitable access to quality health care services prioritizing the depressed, hard to reach communities, the marginalized and vulnerable population in the country. (Ferliza Contratista)
Senior citizens, mahatagan subsidiya tungod sa TRAIN Law CEBU - Gibanabanang naa sa 3-milyong senior citizens sa tibuok nasod ang makadawat og dugang nga P200 subsidiya matag buwan ubos sa “Unconditional Cash Transfer” alang sa mga kabos, base sa nakalatid sa bag-ong Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion ( TRAIN) Law. Matud pa ni Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) Officer-In-Charge Emmanuel Leyco, ang mga senior citizen nga nalakip sa Social Pension Program sa gobyerno makadawat og dugang nga P300 matag buwan sa 2019. Giingong makadawat usab sila og lump sum nga P2,400 sa umaabot nga buwan sa Marso. Gawas pa kini sa binuwang pension nga P500. Apan gi-klaro ni Leyco nga dili tanang senior
citizen ang kwalipikado tungod kay kadto lamang mga nalakip sa Social Pension Program sa ilang ahensiya ang mahatagan sa bag-ong subsidiya. Ang dugang tabang pinansyal nakalatid sa TRAIN Law aron maabagan ang mga kabos nga senior citizen sa epekto sa pagsaka sa presyo sa mga panaliton tungod sa bag-ong buhis nga ipahamtang sa pipila ka produkto. (Elvira Bongosia)
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