FOR SALE
'Engrandeng Panlimbong'
Montero GLS SE
ni Jun Ledesma
P795,000
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SABAH IS OURS!
Feb. 5-11, 2018
‘Malaysia tightens grip on mineral-rich island of Sulu sultanate’
M
AL AYSIA HAS tightened its gr ip on S abah which is being claimed b y ALA grip Sabah by ultanate of S ulu follo wing a pr oposal - b y a member of the P hilSultanate Sulu following proposal by Philthe S ippines e committee tasked with rreviewing eviewing and ippines’’ 25-man consultativ consultative pr oposing amendments to the C onstitution – to include the minConstitution proposing er al-r ich island as the countr y’ al state eral-r al-rich country’ y’ss 13th feder federal state.. Former senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr and other ASEAN countries as theirs – to made the proposal while Filipino lawmak- be part of the federated states of the Philers are preparing to amend the 1987 ippines. Pimentel has also proposed the Constitution and shift from presidential to following to form part of the federal federal form of government. He said the states Northern Luzon, Central Luzon, Duterte administration should continue Southern Luzon, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, to push for the country's claim to Sabah Central Visayas, Western Visayas, in a way acceptable to international laws. Minparom, Northern Mindanao, South“There should be a way that is accept- ern Mindanao, Bangsamoro and Metro able under international laws to assert our Manila as its capital. claim to Sabah. I think we can defer it a “Eventually once we have asserted little bit more, but to say that we stop do- our sovereignty and rights over Sabah, we ing it is not in the context of my proposal,” should include Sabah. Not only Sabah, he told ABS-CBN Television. but also Scarborough, Benham Rise, and He also wanted Scarborough and Spratlys,” Pimentel said. Continue on page 2 Spratlys - which is being claimed by China
Foreign investors eyeing Davao City DAVAO CITY - The Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc (DCCCII) said it is expecting an influx of more foreign investors here who regard Davao as the new location of their businesses. Arturo Milan, DCCCII president, said some investors, among them Chinese,
Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III reading the Mindanao Examiner regional newspaper in his home in Manila when he was still alive.(Library photo - Mark Navales)
ARMM
Eastern Mindanao
Japanese, Taiwanese, and Hawaiians, are expected to arrive Davao in March to explore business and trade opportunities here. “There must be interesting reasons in March probably because it is Araw ng Davao as they also wanted to see what is in here," he said. He said there are also
several groups who want to come and also look at business opportunities here, adding, some are from China who attended the Davao Investment Conference and Malaysians who are slated to meet with DCCCII officials and Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. Continue on page 2
Army soldiers inspect baggages of civilians entering Davao as part of security in the bustling city in southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Western Mindanao
Cebu
Manila
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The Mindanao Examiner
Feb. 5-11, 2018
SABAH IS OURS!
‘Malaysia tightens grip on mineral-rich island of Sulu sultanate’ Continued fr om page 1 from According to a report by Channel News Asia, Kuala Lumpur has strongly rejected Pimentel’s proposal to include Sabah as a federal state of the Philippines. “Malaysia is aware of remarks made by Mr Aquilino Pimentel Jr, a member of the Philippines’ Consultative Committee, which appeared in the media on the claim on Sabah recently,” it said, citing Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman as saying in a press statement. “The Government of Malaysia reiterates its position that Malaysia does not recognise and will not entertain any claims by any party on Sabah. Sabah is recognised by the United Nations and the international community as part of Malaysia since the formation of the Federation on 16 September 1963,” Anifah said. “Therefore, statements such as these will only expose the ignorance of history and international law of those who make them, as well as potentially harming the excellent bilateral relations which Malaysia and the Philippines currently enjoy.” Death S entence Sentence Just last month, Malaysia’s Supreme Court 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 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. 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, the reports further said. Chief Justice Md Raus said the panel has no reason to decide otherwise and affirmed 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,
35,000 students in Maguindanao's conflict areas benefit from DepEd-ARMM programs COTABATO CITY – About 35,000 students living within conflict-affected areas, or ‘SPMS box’, in the province of Maguindanao have been reached by the Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) while 52 scholars have benefited from the Commission on Higher Education’s College Financial Assistance Project. These efforts were made possible through the Humanitarian and Development Assistance Program (HDAP), a flagship initiative of autonomous Muslim region under the administration of Governor Mujiv Hataman. The program seeks to create stable and sustainable communities across the region. SPMS box refers to an area that covers 15 municipalities including the adjoining towns of Sharrif Aguak, Pagatin (Datu Saudi), Mamasapano and Shariff Saydona. These municipalities were affected by military operations launched against lawless elements after the Mamasapano incident in 2015. Taya Aplal, DepEdARMM special events director, said all the 31 schools inside Maguindanao’s conflict-affected areas were declared
as ‘Salam’ schools, or Zones of Peace. This came after a memorandum of understanding was signed by the stakeholders including non-state actors – Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front – with the military and local government units. As of date, DepEdARMM has organized and conducted psycho-social support services and psychological first-aid in the 31 schools to address the stress experienced by the students, teachers and students. Supplementary feeding and distribution of school materials were also conducted by the agency under its Support Services Education Recovery Program. The Education department is currently in the process of finishing the Education Emergency Module that follows international standards but with a context-based conceptual framework that gives importance to survival, disaster preparedness and functional literacy. Special classes focusing on reading, writing and arithmetic have been integrated with peace education and values formation under the Special Education Recovery Program, also under DepEd-ARMM.
In partnership with agencies such as Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and international nongovernmental organizations, community-based livelihood programs were organized. With active participation from students, parents and teachers, the livelihood programs are expected to sustain and maximize development in the communities. Amounts of up to P30,000 were granted to each beneficiary school as aid to help in implementing the content of the modules. “Makakatulong ang pag-implement ng lahat ng ito sa pag-prevent ng violent extremism, dahil ibang approach na ito sa education – may innovation,” Aplal said. Aplal claims success in the implementation of HDAP projects under DepEd-ARMM since the start of the program in 2015. The DepEd-ARMM director said the implementation reports they received were based on assessments and were validated. “The services we provided really benefited our schools and their communities.” (Bureau of Public Information)
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 nonMalaysians, 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. (Mindanao Examiner)
Foreign investors eyeing Davao City Continued fr om page 1 from Milan said: “We need to do a lot and whether we like it or not security is still an issue. We should not get tired of talking about security to allay the fears of investors in coming to Mindanao and Davao.” He noted that Davao is competing with neighboring regions, thus there is a need to work on best offers and packages. “What we can do is to team up with our foreign chambers
counterpart so they will bring them (investors) here,” he said. Milan said businessmen can bring in investors through the holding of investment conferences. “We have a lot to offer and we need to aggressively promote them,” he said. Milan, however, underscored the need to expand the Davao International Airport to other foreign destinations to attract investors to the city.
He said the business sector will strengthen training and development especially for Micro Small and Medium Entrepreneurs to guide them in making their businesses grow. DCCCII is also pushing for the creation of economic zones in the area and expansion of sisterhood agreements, more air linkages to encourage foreign chambers to come here and look at opportunities. (Digna Banzon)
DAR-ARMM turns over 46 HDAP projects COTABATO CITY – The Department of Agrarian Reform of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAR-ARMM) has turned over 46 various infrastructure projects worth P13,656,250 to agrarian reform beneficiaries and communities in Maguindanao province in January, officials said. The projects were funded under the Kalilintad sa Kangilupa component of the Humanitarian and Development Assistance Program (HDAP) of the ARMM government, which is implemented by DARARMM. Dayang Carlsum Sangkula-Jumaide, DARARMM Secretary, said the projects aim at assisting the agrarian reform beneficiaries and their organizations to develop agriculturebased enterprises towards improving farm productivity and increasing household income. The projects include 24 socialized housing units, two community warehouses, and two solar dryers, which were turned over to agrarian reform beneficiaries and communities in the towns of Rajah Buayan and Sultan Sa Barongis in Maguindanao on January 30. The turnover was led
by Sec. Jumaide and Assistant Secretary Sampaco Mamainte and was witnessed by Sultan Sa Barongis Vice-Mayor Datu Al-Fizzar Allandatu Angas. Camsa Mindal, 50, is among the recipients of the socialized housing. Mindal said the housing unit is a big help for his family because his house, made mostly of light materials, is nearly damaged since it was built in 1980s. Mindal is also the president of the Kulambog Al Amanah People’s Organization, Inc., an agrarian reform beneficiary organization based in Sultan Sa Barongis. The organization also received one community warehouse and one solar drier. Mindal said the projects will surely boost their members’ income. Member-farmers of Al Amanah People’s Organization, Inc. have previously resorted to storing their harvest in their houses, which may cause losses to quality and quantity of their products. Mindal added these projects will surely protect their harvest from loses. “Ya sigurado sa niya ba na katiyakapan name su inenggay nu sa lekami ka masela e makadtabang na niyaba sa lekami (We assure you that we will take
good care of these facilities you awarded to us because it helps us a lot.),” Mindal said. Sixteen socialized housing units, one community warehouse and one solar dryer were also turned over to beneficiaries in Mamasapano during the ARMM People’s Day that marked the third year commemoration of the Mamasapano incident on January 25. Immediately following the Mamasapano encounter in 2015, the HDAP was drafted by the ARMM regional government. The program is an anti-poverty initiative covering barangays in 15 municipalities affected by intensified law enforcement operations launched immediately following the events in Mamasapano. The Kalilintad sa Kangilupa component of HDAP has a total funding allocation of P100,462,000. The amount will be used for social infrastructures in agrarian reform communities, provision of farm inputs, various trainings and capability building, and provision of common service facilities that include mobile rice mills, rice threshers and huskers, corn shellers, among others. (Bureau of Public Information)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Feb. 5-11, 2018
Displaced families in Marawi City to transfer to transitional shelters MARAWI CITY – As the government rebuilds this city, President Rodrigo Duterte led the distribution of 400 certificates of acceptance and occupancy of transitional shelters to residents left homeless by the fivemonth battle between government troops and local terrorist groups. ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, together with national and local officials, witnessed the ceremony held on January 30 at the site of the temporary resettlement in the vilage of Sagonsongan, which is about 4.4 kilometers away from the city center. Marcelino Escalada Jr., General Manager of the
National Housing Authority said a total of 1,149 families displaced by last year’s fighting are expected to transfer to the temporary shelters in March this year. “The government will turn over 10 to 20 housing units every two weeks until we completely deliver the 1,149 units in March,” he said. “Hindi lang basta bahay ang itinayo natin, ito ay isang malaking komunidad at layunin na pagtibayin ito,” Escalada said. The 11-hectare area will have school buildings, madrasah, houses with kitchen and washroom, wet and dry market, mosque, water supply and
a multi-purpose hall. “We assure you that the government will always be there for the people of Marawi,” President Duterte said. “Let’s build a community for our children,” he said. The construction of the temporary shelters is part of Task Force Bangon Marawi’s recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation program for the city. Jariya Dia, recipient of a housing unit is in mixed emotions as she shared her traumatic experience during the siege. “Masaya naman po ako dahil sa kabila po ng nangyari sa amin, nawalan man po kami ng tirahan, ngayon ay agad kaming mabibiyaan ng
matitirahan,” Jariya said. “Ang problema ko naman po ngayon ay kung paano ko maengganyo ang mga anak ko na lumipat na dito sa bago naming matutuluyan dahil hanggang ngayon po ay takot sila na bumalik dito sa Marawi City,” she added. Dia and her five children are still staying at an evacuation center in Iligan City since the war started. Her home is among those destroyed by the local terror group in Barangay Marinaut West – one of the villages inside ground zero. “Pero masaya pa din po ako na makitang hindi kami iniwan at madaming tumutulong sa amin,” she said.
Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra told his constituents: “Sa inyong pagbabalik, ang gobyerno ay handang tumulong. Magtulung-tulong po tayo, magkaisa tayo, sabay natin ibangon ang Marawi.” On the same day, Gov. Hataman, with Mayor Gandamra and Ayala Foundation President Ruel Maranan, visited the newly inaugurated ‘Siyapen Center’, a community-based drug rehabilitation center. The center is a 70-bed, two-storey facility located at Poblacion. It will also serve as hub for economic activity for Marawi residents especially those in need of short-term employment, or
cash-for-work activity. Aside from the center, the Ayala Foundation has a cash-for-work project worth P3 million for livelihood. Gov. Hataman stressed that Ayala Foundation has been a partner of the regional government especially in two program areas: youth leadership and education. He said the regional government has earmarked funds to support appropriate assistance for the people of Marawi. Speaking to residents, the governor said: “Makakaasa kayo na hindi iiwan ngARMM regional government ang Marawi City.” (Bureau of Public Information)
Mahigpit ang seguridad ngayon sa lalawigan ng Bukidnon sa Mindanao dahil sa bantang atake ng rebeldeng New People's Army. Maging mga pasahero sa bus ay pinababa at hinahanapan ng ID tulad nito sa bayan ng Sumilao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Feb. 5-11, 2018
Confidence in ARMM government will help BBL passage, says Senator Zubiri COTABATO CITY - “It is clear that public service in the ARMM is on an entirely different level,” Sen. Miguel Zubiri said after an emotional speech by Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman during the Joint Public Hearing on the Bangsamoro Basic Law Bills held Thursday in Cotabato City. Zubiri, who chairs the Senate subcommittee on the BBL, said it is the third joint public hearing on the proposed law. An emotional Hataman, holding back his tears, expressed his sadness over accusations that the ARMM has done nothing to help the Bangsamoro people. “I think of the sacrifices that many of my colleagues had to make, some of them even leaving their families behind in the island provinces, just to serve the ARMM and to show that Moros and Muslims can lead our people,” he said. “It’s sad that there are people who discredit the value of the BBL and the gains of the ARMM,” the governor said. “This is challenge to all of us. Will we really sacrifice the future of the Bangsamoro just to advance our personal interests?”
Hataman stressed the importance of unity among leaders in the ARMM at this time, especially when any indication of discord is taken advantage of by those who are discrediting not only the BBL but their capacity to lead their people. “Let us not wait for more deaths in our region, or for the return of ISIS. Let us not give terrorists a convenient narrative in which they can say to the government, ‘see, you’re only making fools out of us,” he added. Salient points of the BBL Atty. Raissa Jajurie, of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), also presented an overview of the revisions they made to the initial BBL draft they had in 2014, resulting to a new draft that is more aligned with the 1987 Constitution and the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people. These revisions, she said, include explicitly reserved seats in the Bangsamoro parliament for more sectoral representatives and the creation of a transitional justice mechanism in the new Moro region.
Hataman, on the other hand, highlighted the clause regarding the Bangsamoro’s fiscal autonomy. He said that without fiscal autonomy, “we are autonomous only by name.” Citing the Marawi siege, he said the regional government spent P70 million in the first three weeks of the conflict and there was an urgent need to realign funds to respond to the crisis. However, due to the lack of fiscal autonomy, they had to first secure permission from national government agencies to do so. The ARMM, in effect, was only able to re-channel some of its funds to Marawi sometime in December – more than six months since the crisis started. “How autonomous are we really if the functions of the national agencies are devolved to their ARMM counterparts, but the funds aren’t?” Hataman asks. “If the solution is in our hands, and the problems are ours, shouldn’t the decisions involved in the process be ours, too.” Ov er whelming suppor Over erwhelming supportt Representatives of different sectors were
given a chance to express their stance regarding the BBL, starting with the Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA)’s presentation of their position paper on the proposed legislation. “We hereby express our unequivocal support to the establishment of the Bangsamoro region, rooted on decades if not centuries of historical injustices,” RLA Speaker Datu Roonie Q. Sinsuat said, as he called upon members of Congress to “enact a BBL that is reflective of the aspirations of the Bangsamoro.” A Sama youth from Simunul, Tawi-tawi expressed his support, but not without some concerns. “If the intent is inclusion, why is the Sama people not represented in the BTC? I am standing here today because I want to contribute to everlasting peace in the Bangsamoro,” he said. “We are not here to beg. We are here to remind you that as the first Muslim inhabitants of the Bangsamoro, we support the passage of the BBL, and we hope there will be more opportunities for us to participate in the future,” he added. Zubiri responded, saying that he has already been to Simunul and that
it was a “life-changing experience.” He assured the young man as he noted that a public hearing will be held in Tawi-tawi on February 8, and that the Sama "will be given all the time we could give, so you can provide us inputs on how to further improve the BBL.” Near the end of the hearing, Senator Sonny Angara said that ”the legislative process continues as we create a BBL that responds to the aspiration of the people.” Meanwhile, Senator JV Ejercito said that he was happy to see and hear that the BBL is clearly supported in the region. “As your representative and your voice in the Senate, especially now that the constitutional infirmities of the old BBL draft have been addressed, I also support the BBL.” “I am for peace,” Ejercito added. BBL timeline of the S enate During the hearing, Zubiri laid out the initial timeline that the Senate has set for the passage of the BBL. “Hopefully, there will be no stumbling blocks. Our timeline is to finish by the second week of February all the consultative hearings. Our Valentines gift to the Bangsamoro will be a fin-
ished committee report, and then we will start the deliberations around the third week of Februrary. Before the end of session in March, we’ll be holding our third hearing and we hope we can pass the BBL by then,” he said. Senator Risa Hontiveros echoed the statement delivered early in the program by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front chairman, Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim. “The BBL will be a political and not just a legal document, and we would have to stretch the spirit of the Constitution, exercising innovation while remaining faithful to its spirit,” she said. Zubiri, who earlier filed his own BBL draft, has replaced it with the approved BTC draft. Hontiveros also filed in the senate the same BTC draft, and so did Senator Bam Aquino. At the start of the program, Hontiveros also said, “Insha’Allah, this will pass. Mabuhay po ang BBL.” Hataman has once again expressed his willingness to resign, should the BBL be passed before the end of his term to give way to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority. (Bureau of Public Information)
Despite martial law, Sayyafs continue attacks in Basilan
BASILAN – Despite the extended imposition of martial law in Mindanao, Abu Sayyaf militants still managed to sow terror and fear in the lives of civilians, especially in the restive province of Basilan in the Muslim autonomous region. Just last week, Abu Sayyaf militants ambushed a group of government workers, killing two of them and wounding two others in Lamitan City. Police said all of the casualties are employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways and have identified the dead as Ahzhar Dakis and Basit Daimun while the wounded were Abdul
Sarabin and Mitoy Estajal. It said the militants strafed the victims in the village of Baas while they were travelling on a truck on the way to work. The ambushers escaped after the attack. The motive of the ambush is still unknown, but the Abu Sayyaf has been demanding money from the DPWH. Police said it is investigating the ambush which occurred while the whole of southern Philippines is under martial rule. The military has not released any statement on why it failed to prevent the attack. The ambush occurred after police captured a notorious Abu Sayyaf bomber Abdulham Ataram in
Zamboanga City after escaping military operations in Basilan. Ataram is being linked to the October 2007 bombing in Kidapawan City and a string of criminal charges in Basilan, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.He was also accused of kidnapping and beheading over a dozen Christian coconut farmers in Basilan in June 2001. Police said the militant is also a member of the Abu Sayyaf ’s Special Operations Group, blamed for the spate of bombings in the southern region. It was unknown how Ataram managed to flee Basilan and hid in Zamboanga. (Mindanao Examiner)
SUPPORT PEACE IN MINDANAO Army soldiers perform classical music to the delight of a huge crowd of shoppers at Centrio Mall in Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao on Sunday, January 28, 2018. (Mindanao Examiner)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Feb. 5-11, 2018
'Engrandeng Panlimbong' ni Jun Ledesma Continued fr om page 1 from Ang resulta sa maong pagpamakak ning-unlod na hinoon og samot sa Rappler sa mas lawom pa sa danawan nga puno og tae tungod kay ang PDRs sa tinud-anay lang mga papeles nga panggamit sa negosyo. Sa dihang wa mailad ang SEC, si Ressa ningsulay na sab og palusot pinaagi sa pag-ingon nga si Omidyar ningbiya sa iyang katungod sa pagbabag sa mga desisyon nga wa niya mauyoni (waiver of veto power). Ang nakaparat niini para sa Rappler kay wa gihapon mopasar kining waiver kay sa paghiling sa SEC, papel ni nga way nada kay dili man notaryado. Sa dihang nahutdan na og mga galamiton sa pagpanlimbong, nag-amok na lang si Ma. Ressa sa dihang gideliver na ang orden sa pagsira sa Rappler. Lupig pa ang tawo nga giangkon og demonyo sa iyang pagsininggit nga ang iyang kagawasan gisugpo ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte mismo. Ang iyang partner nga si Pia Ranada nagsininggit gihapon nga siya kulongon sa mga military ni Duterte. Tataw kaayo nga ang maong pasundayag nga mora og hingyawaan usa ka pamaagi sa pagtago sa kalapasang criminal nga ilang nahimo ug pagpintal sa Rappler ug sa mga staff niini nga gipangulohan ni Ressa nga biktima sa panglupig ug sa rehimeng diktador ni Duterte. Sukwahi sa ilang
pamahayag nga nawad-an sila og katungod sa pamahayag, ningsamot hinoon og kakusog ang kagahob sa Rappler sa iyang way lipud-lipod nga ataki nga ang gitira si Pangulong Duterte mismo. Nangulo si Ressa og usa ka Black Friday Movement nga ginasuportahan sab sa maihap lang sa tudlo nga mga estudyante sa eskuylahan nga hain pa kundili sa University of the Philippines ug ang naanad na sa pagkatabian ug pagkasabaan nga mga loyalista sa nagtinga na nga Partido Liberal nga gipangulohan ni Bise Presidente Leni Robredo. Ningsalmot si UN Rapporteur Agnes Callamard ug ang iyang lokal nga katugbang nga si Chito Gascon sa pagsaway sa administrasyong Duterte sa pagsugpo sa kagawasan sa prensa o freedom of the press. Ang ubang mga grupo sa langyawng media ningsalmot sab tungod sa halata ug kadedusohan nga rason. Kataw-anan ang ilang mga yagawyaw. Si Robredo nagwarning nga ang pagsira sa Rappler simtoma sa mangitngit nga kaugmaon sa nasud. Ang mga batan-ong delingkwente sa UP Diliman campus ningsalmot sa way hinungdan nga mga asembleya uban ang mga placards nga nagsaway kang Pangulong Duterte ug sa iyang “makadaot nga
mga pwersa nga nagpadayon og pamaligya og mga bakak aron paghatag og pangatarongan sa ilang panglupig ug diktadurya.” Mo-absin sila sa ilang mga klase aron moatubang sa mga camera sa TV arong mangataki kang Pangulong Duterte nga way pagpakabana sa ekselente nga grado nga gihatag sa Katawhang Pilipino kaniya sumala sa Social Weather Statuon ug Pulse Asia ilabi na gayud sa malahutayong pagsalig ug popularidad sa tawong ilahang gikastigo nga walay kahumanan. Wa man hinooy nagtagad sa ilang isyu bahin sa panglupig kuno ug diktadurya kuno samtang ang World Bank hapit supak sa buot nga nagdiklarar nga ang “DDS ningpatay sa demokrasya sa Pilipinas apan wa nila mapatay ang malagsik nga ekonomiya sa nasud”. Ang Forbes, usa ka magasin nga internasyonal nga ginabasa sa mga magpapatigayon, nangutlo sab gikan sa diklarasyon sa World Bank nga nagkanayon sa iyang Global Economic Prospects nga ang “Pilipinas ilawom sa administrasyong Duterte ang ikanapulo nga pinakapaspas nga nagtubo nga ekonomiya sa tibuuk kalibutan”! Dakong tamparos ang maong statistics sa nawong ni Bise Presidente Robredo nga nagpabilin nga “incurable pessimist” bisan sa mga numero nga dili kamaong
mamakak. Nagpadayon siya og tan-aw sa kaugmaon sa Pilipinas pinaagi sa antipara nga dagtom og kolor. Nakalimot siya nga siya ang Bise Presidente ug tungod niini angay nga magsaulog sa mga nakab-ot sa nasud. Bahin kang Maria Ressa, wa gyud niya tagda ang diklarasyon sa Forbes ug sa World Bank. Tingali tungod sa sobra nga pagkalain kay si Robredo mora og nawala sa panahon ug nabutaan sa lunlon ug sobra nga pamolitika ug negativismo, si Propesor Clarita Carlos sa Political Science ug tigtuki sa politika mipadangat og mensahe nga Iningles nga lima lang ka pulong ang sulod nga kun hubaron nagkanayon nga “Si Pangulong Duterte ningpalihok sa Pilipinas nga paabante”. Ngadto sa mga ning-ataki kang Duterte tungod sa iyang pagputol sa pusod nga sumpay sa America, ang tubag ni Propesor Carlos mao kini: “Giliwag ni Duterte ang Pilipinas gikan sa naandan na nga foreign policy” samtang “iyang gihulma ang nasudnong interes pinaagi sa paglatid ug pagsubay sa iyang kaugalingong dalan sa foreign policy”. Bilib kaayo si Propesor Carlos kang Duterte tungod sa iyang pamulitika nga modasdas gyud ug walay kukahadlok. Makaluluoy kaayo nga samtang ang Pilipinas ningsaka na og pipila ka angang sa natad sa politika ug ekonomiya, ang oposisyon
ug ang mga organissasyon sa media nga nagadawat og suporta gikan sa gawas sa nasud baga kaayo og nawong nga nagpadayon sa pagpakaminos nining mga nakab-ot sa nasud. Dili lalim ug dili gamay ang kahimoan nga ang Pilipinas ningtumaw nga mas lig-on sa ekonomikanhong kalamboan kun itandi sa China sa ikatulong kwarto sa 2017. Pero sa ikaupat nga kwarto sa 2017, misulbong ang China (6.9%) ug ningtugpa ibabaw sa tanang nasud sa Asya, Gisundan kini sa Vietnam (6.8%) ug sa Pilipinas (6/7%). Apan ang Pilipinas subsob nga nagatubo nga walay pagkunhod sa sagunson nga siyam ka kwartong nangagi. Kini nga malahutayong paglambo ang pinakahawod sa mga nasud sa ASEAN. Bisag asa nimo tan-awon ug bisan unsaon nimo og tan-aw, nangahulogan kini nga ligon ang ekonomiya ug ang grado sa ekonomiya taas kaayo gikan sa mga kompaniya nga nagahatag og serbisyo sa mga mamumuhunan sama sa Moody’s ug uban pang international credit rating institutions. Ang kawsa ug epekto usa ka simple nga pamaagi sa pagsukod sa hapak sa panglupig ug diktadurya nga maoy gibundak nga pamasangil sa Rappler ug sa iyang mga dumadapig kontra sa administrasyong Duterte. Apan sama sa kanunay nakong
ginabatbat, walay makiglantugi kontra sa kalampusan labi na gyud og ang mga institusyon nga walay mansa ang integridad mopasibaw sa mga positibong nangahimo ug nakab-ot. Laomi nga ang ekonomiya molambo pa og mas paspas sa sulod sa 2018 tungod sa paggastos sa imprastruktura ilawom sa programang Build, Build, Build sa administrasyong Duterte. Kitang tanan nasayud nga ang gobyerno nagbudget og P8.4 trillion aron sa paggama og mga dagkong proyekto sa imprastruktura sama sa railways, karsada, tulay, irigasyon, airports, ug seaports, ug uban pa. Ang mga oportunidad sa pagpanarbaho nga ihatag niining mga proyektoha halos dili nato makwentada tungod sa kadaghan. Walay peke niining maong statistics ug sa mga umaabot nga mga posibilidad. Samtang gisulat ni, ang Philippine Stock Exchange misulbong sa 9,000 points. Kugi kaayo ang administrasyong Duterte sa pagtrabaho aron maputol ang kadena sa atong kawadon ug mahaw-as ang ekonomiya gikan sa pagunlod. Mientras tanto, pwede nga ang Rappler ug ang iyang mga dumadapig padayon nga magrali bisag walay permit ug magyawyaw ug magtagawtaw kutob sa ilang gusto hangtud nga mapagaw. Hingpit man ang kagawasan sa kada Pilipino.
6
The Mindanao Examiner
Feb. 5-11, 2018
Acr oss: cross: 1. Belly 4. British baby carriage 8. Pub brews 12. Fire remains 13. Loony 14. Not common 15. Zodiac lion 16. ___ transmission 18. Nabs 20. Build 21. Pal (Fr.) 22. Pallid 23. Competitor 27. Stairs 30. Have being 31. Poet's eternity 33. That female 34. Canvas covers 37. Bank transaction 40. Actress ___ West 41. Tuna container 42. Flaming 44. Ill-fated ship 48. Napoleon ___ 50. Picnic beverage 51. Burden 52. Lima or kidney 53. Male heir 54. Highland Scot 56. Key near Ctrl Do wn: Down:
Answ er to last w eek osswor d: Answer week eek’’s cr crosswor ossword:
1. Festive event 2. Client 3. Norse thunder god 4. Blood component 5. Standard procedure 6. Drama divisions 7. Barnyard sound 8. Biblical mount 9. Tardiness 10. Rock's ___ Clapton 11. Church group 17. Kitty sounds 19. Lobe locale 23. Chow down 24. Gun rights group (abbr.) 25. Airport section 26. Mogul ___ Turner 28. Greek letter 29. Gel 32. Music performance
35. Formal procession 36. Trickle 38. ___ leather 39. ___ roll (2 wds.) 42. Ready, willing, and ___ 43. Trick 44. Forest plant 45. Space gp. 46. Object of adoration 47. Lincoln's coin 49. NBC's rival
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The Mindanao Examiner
Feb. 5-11, 2018
LETTERS FROM DAVAO by Jun Ledesma ‘Grand D eception Deception eception’’ WHEN RAPPLER through its President, Maria Ressa, was caught trifling with an important tenet in the Philippine constitution that mandates that Philippine media should be 100% owned by Filipinos the Securities and Exchange Commission ordered it closed. Rappler was parading like it is wholly owned by Filipinos but turned out it accepted investment from Omidyar Network (ON) which is known for its notoriety in destabilizing heads of state that are not docile to America. It tried deception by claiming that the Philippine Deposit Receipts it issued to ON money was for philanthropic contribution. The attempt dragged them deeper in shit as PDRs are actually commercial instruments. When this trick did not work, Ressa again tried another act this time claiming that Omidyar signed a waiver on its veto power. Again this did not pass scrutiny of the SEC because the said waiver was discovered to be just a scrap of paper as the document was not notarized. Running out of deceptive tricks Ma. Ressa went berserk when she was served the closure order and went about town crying her freedom is being curtailed by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte no less. Her partner Pia Ranada did the same screaming she will be jailed by Duterte’s military. The grandstanding, it was obvious, was to stonewall the criminal violation they committed and to paint Rappler and its staff headed by Ressa as victims of oppression and dictatorial regime of Duterte. Contrary to its claim that they have lost their freedom of expression, more than ever Rappler had increased the crescendo of its unfettered attack on no less than the President Duterte himself. Ressa spearheaded a Black Friday movement supported by a handful of students from where else by the University of the Philippines campus and the usual garrulous but moribund Liberal Party stalwarts headed by VP Leni Robredo. They were joined in by UN Rapporteur Agnes Callamard and her local counterpart Chito Gascon in denouncing the Duterte government for curtailing the freedom of
the press. Other foreignfunded media outfits joined the fray for obvious reason. Theirs is a cacophony of ridiculous chants. Robredo warned that the closure of Rappler is a symptom of a dark future of the country. The juvenile delinquents in the UP campus joined pipsqueak assemblies with screaming placards denouncing Pres. Duterte and his “malignant forces that continue to peddle lies to justify their tyranny and dictatorship”. They cut classes to face the TV cameras and klieg lights unmindful of yet another spectacular grade the survey firms Social Weather Station and Pulse Asia showing an “excellent” grade on the sustained trust and popularity of the nation on Duterte which they had been flagellating no end. No one seems to mind their issue about tyranny and dictatorship as the World Bank grudgingly declared that “DDS killed democracy in the Philippines but they haven’t killed the country’s vibrant economy”. Forbes, an international business magazine, likewise quoted WB on its Global Economic Prospects, which asserts that “Duterte Philippines is the 10th fastest growing economy in the world”. The statistics is a slap on the face of VP Robredo who remains to be an incurable pessimist despite the figures that cannot lie. She continues to see the future of the Philippines in dark glasses forgetting that she is a Vice President and therefore should have celebrated with the rest for the gains that the country achieved. For her part, Maria Ressa simply ignored what Forbes and WB declared. Maybe out of outrage that the Robredo seemed to be out of sync and blinded by sheer politicking and negativism, UP Political Science professor and political analyst, Clarita Carlos, made a fiveworded message to The Vice President thus: “President Duterte moves the Philippines forward”. To those who denigrate Duterte from cutting the country’s umbilical cord to America, Professor Carlos had this to say. “Duterte has moved the Philippines away from the usual foreign policy and in turn
‘defined national interest’ by tracking his own way of foreign policy”. She admired Duterte for his political guts and courage. It is indeed pathetic that while the Philippines rise several notches higher in political and economic arena the opposition and the foreign-aided media outfits shamelessly continue to belittle these achievements. It is no small feat that Philippines came out stronger in economic growth than China in the 3rd quarter of 2017. On the 4th quarter moreover China rallied (6.9%) and landed on top of Asian countries followed by Vietnam (6.8) and Philippines 6.7%. The Philippines however has been growing more than 6% for nine consecutive quarters and that sustained growth is best among Asean nations. Any which way you look at it, that spells economic stability and investment grade for investors service firms like Moody’s and other international credit rating institutions. Cause and effect is a simple gauge to measure the impact of the tyranny and dictatorial regime that Rappler and its sympathizers have been accusing the Duterte regime. But as I always say, no one can quarrel with success especially when institutions of unquestionable stature put the positive figures across. Expect the economy to grow even faster in 2018 when infrastructure spending commences under the Duterte’s Build, Build, Build program. As we all know, the government had earmarked P8.4-trillion to achieve the mega infrastructure projects comprising of railways, highways and bridges, irrigation’s, airports and seaports to name a few. The job opportunities that these programs will generate are equally mind-boggling. Nothing in these statistics are fakes and neither are the future possibilities. As we write this piece, the Philippine Stocks Exchange Index is rallying to breach 9,000 points. The Duterte government is working hard to liberate us from want and stagnation. In the meantime Rappler and the rest can go rally even without permit and rant for as long as they want. The Philippine is a free country.
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HEALTH: Mahalagang Payo Sa May TB Payo ni Dr. Willie T. Ong SA PILIPINAS, may 73 Pilipino ang namamatay dahil sa TB bawat araw. May tinatayang 200,000 hanggang 600,000 Pilipino ang may aktibong TB. Bawat taon, ang isang pasyenteng may aktibong TB ay makahahawa ng 10 ibang Pilipino. Ang sintomas ng TB ay ang pag-ubo, p a m a m a y a t , pagkapagod, lagnat sa hapon, pawisin sa gabi at walang ganang kumain. Kung may sintomas kayo nito o kung may kasama kayo sa bahay na may TB, kumonsulta na sa doktor. Payo sa may TB: 1. Huwag manghawa ng ibang tao. Sundin ang payo ng doktor at inumin ang gamot ng 6 o 9 na buwan. Kapag hindi nagpagamot ang pasyenteng may TB, malamang ay mahawa din ang lahat ng kasama niya sa bahay, lalo na ang mga bata. 2. Manatili sa bahay sa unang 3 linggo ng gamutan. Huwag munang pumasok sa eskwelahan o trabaho. Ang iyong plema at laway ay puwedeng makahawa sa iba. 3. Buksan ang bintana sa iyong
Dr. Willie T. Ong kuwarto. Huwag muna makisama sa iba sa loob ng 3 linggo. 4. Takpan ang iyong bibig ng tissue kapag umuubo o bumabahing. Itapon ang tissue sa basurahan. 5. Kung gusto mong lumabas ng bahay, puwede kang magsuot ng face mask. 6. Mahalaga na tapusin ang 6 o 9 buwan na gamutan para sa TB. Huwag ititigil ito nang walang pahintulot ng doktor. 7. Sumunod sa healthy lifestyle at umiwas sa bisyo. Kumain ng masustansya para manatili ang lakas. 8. Maging positibo sa iyong pananaw. Ituloy ang iyong mga gawain at hobbies. Pagkatapos ng iyong gamutan ay malaki ang tsansang gagaling ka na.
Payo sa mga health workers: 1. Gamitin ang DOTS strategy o Directly Observed Therapy Short Course. Ang ibig sabihin nito ay may isang health worker o kamag-anak ang magbabantay sa pasyente habang iniinom niya ang kanyang gamot arawaraw. 2. Ano ang mangyayari kapag naitigil ng pasyente ang gamutan sa TB ng 2 linggo o higit pa? Sa ganitong pagkakataon ay kailangang ulitin ng pasyente ang 6 na buwan na gamutan. 3. Sana ay magpacheck up ang pasyente bawat buwan sa kanyang doktor. Ito’y para masuri ang epekto ng gamot at matugunan kung may side effects ito. 4. Kapag umiinom ng gamot para sa TB ay magiging kulay orange ang ihi ng pasyente. Normal lang ito at ituloy pa rin ang gamutan. 5. Karamihan ng pasyente ay gagaling na pagkatapos ng 6 na buwan na gamutan. Inaasahan nating tuluytuloy na ang kanyang paggaling. Good luck po.
RECIPE: Chicken Congee
INGREDIENT S: INGREDIENTS:
– 1 lb. skinless chicken thigh – 1 Knorr chicken cube – 1¼ cups long grain rice – ¾ cups chopped scallions – 3 thumbs ginger, sliced into thin strips
– 2 tablespoons toasted garlic (optional) – 2 teaspoons Sesame oil – 7 to 10 cups water – Salt and ground black pepper to taste
INSTR UCTIONS: INSTRUCTIONS: 1) Heat water in a cooking pot. Add ginger, half of the chopped scallions, and chicken. Let boil. 2) Add Knorr chicken cube. Stir. Cover and continue to cook in medium heat for 15 minutes. 3) Remove the chicken from the pot. Let it cool down. Shred the chicken meat. Discard the bones. Note: you can shred the chicken using two forks, or your bare clean hands. 4) Add rice into the pot. Cover and to cook for 30 minutes. 5) Put the shredded chicken in the pot. Continue to cook for 30 minutes more or until the consistency of the porridge gets thick. Note: add water if needed. 6) Add salt, ground black pepper, and Sesame oil. Stir. 7) Transfer to a bowl. Top with chopped scallions and toasted garlic. 8) Serve. Share and enjoy! (http://www.panlasangpinoy.com)
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Feb. 5-11, 2018
Tourism achieves 'milestone' with 6.6-M tourist arrivals in 2017
The DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM (DOT) has achieved a “milestone” after reaching an all-time high of international tourist arrivals in 2017 at 6,620,908. This marks the unprecedented growth of the country’s tourism industry, the DOT said, adding, tourist arrivals grew 10.96 percent from the 2016 arrivals of 5,967,005. “We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to all the tourism stakeholders who worked hand in hand with the Department of Tourism in achieving another milestone for the country,” Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said. Philippine tourism even bested the average tourism growth of Asia and the Pacific which is at six percent and Southeast Asia at eight percent, according to the latest United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) World Tourism Barometer. The tourism milestone came after a series of political noise, security concerns, and travel advisories against the country in 2017. “We overcame these challenges with the innate resiliency of the Filipinos and the cooperation of everybody. And for that we are very thankful,” Teo said. She also thanked all stakeholders who made country’s hosting of the Miss Universe and the ASEAN Summit, Madrid Fusión Manila 2017, World Street Food Congress, and the UNWTO
International Conference on Tourism Statistics a huge success. Improved air routes and more cruise calls together with travel infrastructure development, travel facilitation, product development and tourism investments drummed up the tourism industry last year. South Korea remains the country’s top source market with the lion’s share of 1,607,821, attributing for almost a quarter of the total tourist arrival. Boracay and Cebu remain the top destinations for Koreans last year. China followed suit with 968,447 arrivals due to the improved ties between the two states, added air routes, and the Visa Upon Arrival (VUA) option for Chinese nationals. It is the most improved market with 43.33 percent growth rate overtaking United States with 957,813 arrivals. Japan and Australia wound up the top five markets with 584,180 and 259,433 arrivals respectively. Also good to note is Russia's growing number of tourists in the country with a 14.36 percent growth of 44,087 visitors compared to 38,552 in 2016.Last year had been a significant period for the two countries as it committed to further bolster cooperation and bilateral relations. Asia had a 63.83 percent share on the total 2017 figures with 4,225,256 visitors, North and South America a 17.77 percent share with 1,176,480, and Africa with 0.12 percent at
8,029 visitors. On the other hand, Australia and the Pacific had 5.03 percent total share with 333,179 visitors while Europe had 10.2 percent share in the number with 675,399 tourists. Benito Bengzon, Jr., DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Development, said the month of December registered 603,062 foreign tourist arrivals second best to the month of January 2017 at 620,121. “The seven million that some people refer to was a fighting target that we have set for ourselves,” he said. “Officially the target is at 6.5 million which is embodied in the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) and we have achieved it.” For 2018, the NTDP projected 7.4 million international tourist arrivals. Teo said the department would continue pushing for new and underrated destinations with the help of an expanded marketing plan, improved human resource capacity and service standards.She added plans to highlight tourism thematic products such as the farm and faith tourism sectors. Meanwhile, another centerpiece of 2018 would be sports and adventure tourism with the hosting of Strongest Man, the Iron Man, and other sports-related events. Cebu continues to be one of the top provinces visited by ( Joyce Ann foreigners. Rocamora)
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Cebu favors ‘Swiss challenge system’ for big-ticket projects CEBU CITY - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said he agreed with President Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to implement all government projects through the socalled “Swiss challenge system.” Duterte announced his plan to scrap the bidding process for government projects because it causes delays in the completion and breeds corruption. According to Davide, the Swiss challenge system would make the work of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) a lot easier, especially if it
Western Mindanao
concerns big-ticket government projects. Under the Swiss challenge system, unsolicited bids for a government project from a private firm can be matched or improved by third parties, whose proposals can also be countered by the original proponent with a better offer in return. Davide said the Swiss Challenge was much better compared to the bidding process provided under the current procurement law, which was a much longer process - from inviting bidders through
Cebu
publication, holding a pre-bidding conference, and checking the financial capabilities of the contractors or suppliers. The process would even go much further should a failure of bidding occur, the governor added. The procurement law, Davide said, also needed to be reviewed to shorten the process and not to necessarily favor the lowest bidder, who in most cases left the government with a substandard project or uncompleted. (Luel Galarpe)
Manila