Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper (Nov. 5-11, 2018)

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Anti-Sayyafs ops continue SULU - The Philippine military continues its operation against the notorious Abu Sayyaf group in the southern island of Sulu where troops are risking their lives to protect civilians from harm and maintain peace and order in the province. Just recently, security forces killed 2 Abu Sayyaf militants in a fierce fire-

Founded 2006

fight in Panglima Estino town where soldiers also captured two wounded gunmen. No soldiers were killed or wounded in the clash that erupted in Lihbog Kabaw. Soldiers from the 61st, 62nd, and 64th Marine Companies clashed with some 100 militants under Radulan Sahiron, Idang Susukan, and Almujer Ya-

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dah, according to Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, a spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command. “Troops were conducting focused military operation when they encountered the bandits. No casualty was listed on the government side while two enemies were killed based on Continue on page 7

Up to Duterte to bare narco list THE DEPARTMENT OF the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said it is up to President Rodrigo Duterte to make public the names of politicians he accused as involved in the illegal drug trade. Duterte has previously said that he has a socalled narco list of local government officials, but

would not divulge them in public. The DILG has insisted the Commission on Elections to disqualify officials in Duterte’s drug list, although no criminal charges have been filed against them in court. “Well, we need to get clearance from the President to make that happen and we have not yet received that. In the last

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barangay elections, we got clearance that’s why we were able to release the names,” DILG Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya said. Malaya said they are now building up cases against those politicians in the drug list. “The challenge now for us is to be able to file Continue on page 7

November 5-11, 2018

Bangsamoro Organic Law challenged in Supreme Court Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi want to stay in Region 9’

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USLIMS IN BASILAN, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, including Lanao del Sur are opposed to future rule by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to the proposed Bangsamoro autonomous region. A referendum has been anao - which comprises Bangsamoro Organic Law set for next year for resi- Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, that will govern the new dents of the Autonomous Lanao del Sur and Ma- region. Region in Muslim Mind- guindanao - to ratify the Continue on page 2

Senior citizens criticize Zambo solon

Photo released by City Hall shows Zamboanga Mayor Beng Climaco with senior citizens during one of her pro-poor programs.

Read story on page 3

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The Mindanao Examiner

November 5-11, 2018

Bangsamoro Organic Law challenged in Supreme Court Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi want to stay in Region 9’

Continued from page 1 Residents of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi who are from Tausug, Yakan and Sama tribes wanted to be part of Region 9 in Western Mindanao, and not be included in the Bangsamoro autonomous region. MILF leaders -who are mostly from Maguindanao tribe - are mulling to govern the proposed region with rebel chieftain Murad Ebrahim as regional governor, and senior rebel leaders to hold key position in the Bangsamoro autonomous government. Even in Wao town in Lanao del Sur, residents had strongly opposed the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Supreme Court Just recently, The Manila Times reported that Sulu province, through Gov.

Toto Tan, filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition with the Supreme Court to review the legality and constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Organic Law which was signed (RA 11054) in July by President Rodrigo Duterte. The proposed law is the result of peace negotiations between the Filipino government and MILF rebels. It said lawyer Sixto Brillantes is representing Tan. The report said the respondents in the 48page petition were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Interior and Local Government Officer-in-Charge Eduardo Año, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza and

the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, and the MILF. Tan claimed that Congress committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction when it passed the Bangsamoro Organic Law. He said the Bangsamoro Organic Law violates Section 18 and 19 of Article X of the 1987 Constitution which authorized the enactment of only one Organic Act to establish the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. “Since ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) is created by Constitutional fiat, Congress, by itself, has absolutely no authority to abolish ARMM. Only through an amendment

Residents of Lanao del Sur’s Wao town protest the government’s Bangsamoro deal with the rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front. (Mindanao Examiner – Mark Navales)

Over 400 politicians face disqualification THE COMMISSION ON Elections (Comelec) said it has filed perpetual disqualification charges against more than 400 individuals, including two senatorial bets, for their alleged failure to file Statements of Contribution and Expenditures (SOCEs). Data from the Comelec-Campaign Finance Office (CFO) showed that a total of 460 people failed to file their SOCEs in violation of a provision of Republic Act 7166, otherwise known as “Synchronized National and Local Elections and Electoral Reform Act.” On top of the list are former Senator Serge Osmeña and Hussein Alba-

ni, who both failed to file their SOCEs in the 2010 and 2016, when they ran in the senatorial polls. Both have filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) for senator in the May 2019 mid-term elections. The CFO report covered the last four elections held in the country from 2007 until 2016. It also showed that for local positions, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, was recorded to have the majority number of offenders with 254. It is followed by Northern Mindanao with 30 people; Bicol Region, 22; Calabarzon, 20; Western Visayas, 18; Cordillera Administrative Region, 17. Eastern Visayas and Soccsksargen

have each 14 people who failed to file SOCEs while National Capital Region and Cagayan Valley both had 11. Regions with 10 and below number of offenders are Central Luzon and Zamboanga Peninsula with 10 each; Mimaropa with eight; Ilocos Region with seven; Davao Region with five; Central Visayas with four; and Caraga with three. Section 14 of Republic Act 7166 requires the filing of SOCE by all those who participated in the elections. Failure to submit the requirement document prohibits winning candidates from assuming their office until they have complied. (Ferdinand Patinio)

Residents of Lanao del Sur’s Wao town protest the government’s Bangsamoro deal with the rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front. (Mindanao Examiner – Mark Navales) of the Constitution may ARMM be abolished. This is so, because only the Constitution may create or abolish an autonomous region,” Tan said. “Accordingly, when Congress, by enacting RA 11054, effectively abolished ARMM, and established BAR (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region) in its stead, Congress committed an unconstitutional act, an unwarranted infringement of Article X of the Constitution,” he added. The Manila Times reported that petitioner stressed that establishing a parliamentary form of government in the Bangsamoro autonomous region violates the doctrine of separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution. “The same provision of Bangsamoro Organic Law, also violate Section 18, Article X of the Constitution requiring that the Organic Act of an Autonomous Region shall, among others, define the basic structure of government for the region consisting of the executive department and legislative assembly, both of which shall be elective and representative of the constituent political units,” Tan pointed out. Tan said the automatic inclusion of the ARMM in the newly created Bangsamoro Region “and the provision that the provinces and cities of the ARMM shall vote as one geographical area are likewise unconstitutional.” “The provisions under Section 2(a) , Article III on Territorial Jurisdiction and Article XV of RA 11054 on the conduct of the plebiscite do not afford the constituents of

the Province of Sulu, to the prejudice of their right to suffrage and their right to local autonomy, the option to vote to join or not to join the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region,” the governor added. Tan asked the high court to stop the Executive Department from implementing the Bangsamoro law. He also urged the tribunal to issue a Writ of Prohibition to bar the Commission on Elections from proceeding with the scheduled plebiscite in January. Under the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the Bangsamoro region will be composed of the ARMM, six municipalities of Lanao del Norte and 39 villages of Cotabato, and the chartered cities of Isabela and Cotabato subject to the approval of voters. The region will be headed by a chief minister and two deputy ministers. The parliament will be composed of political party representatives, parliamentary district representatives, sectoral representatives and indigenous tribes and settler communities. All parliament members will have a term of three years and can enjoy a maximum of three consecutive terms. The parliament can enact its own laws. The Bangsamoro Organic Law also allows 75-25 wealth sharing between the Bangsamoro autonomous region and national government. The Supreme Court has already directed the government to comment on the petition filed. MILF Says “We recognize that it is within the rights of Governor Tan to file this petition. However, it is also within our preview

to challenge his motivation, hoping that altruistic reasons drove him rather than prolonging a political career. The BOL is more than a piece of legislation. It is a product of the 17 years of difficult peace negotiations and four years of arduous drafting and consultation process with a variety of stakeholders in the Bangsamoro as well as eminent constitutionalists and legal experts.” “The BOL hopes to fulfill the Bangsamoro’s right to self-determination, address the historical grievances of the Bangsamoro people and introduce necessary reforms to promote good governance and improve the delivery of services in a region gravely affected by decades-long conflict. The BOL, compared to RA 9054 and RA 6734, has provisions that will grant the Bangsamoro people, including the Sulu province, the opportunity to chart their political, economic and social future. Surely, the Sulu governor can see value in that?” “We can only hope that the honorable men and women of the High Court would see that the BOL will help reinforce and strengthen the political and legal foundation of just and lasting peace in the region. Moreover, it was deliberated upon and approved by the Congress’ best legal minds who are also confident that the BOL can stand the test of constitutionality in the Supreme Court. In the meantime, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will remain committed to the peace process and work with various stakeholders in Mindanao.” (Mindanao Examiner. With a report from The Manila Times.)


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The Mindanao Examiner

November 5-11, 2018

Senior citizens criticize Zambo solon

Photo released by City Hall shows Zamboanga Mayor Beng Climaco with senior citizens during one of her pro-poor programs. (Kathy Wee Sit) SENIOR CITIZENS IN Zamboanga City who are beneficiaries of the local government’s medical assistance program have strongly criticized Rep. Celso Lobregat after he questioned the distribution of medicines and incentives to the elderly here. They accused Lobregat as being anti-poor. Lobregat, who served many years as mayor and congressman, complained that Mayor Beng Climaco is using government resources to provide necessary medical and financial assistance to senior citizens in different barangays. For 75-year Ruben Bautista, the Largo Vida program has become their lifeline. He and his diabetic wife are both beneficiaries of the medical assistance for the elderly population of Zamboanga. Largo Vida, which literally means “Long Life”, is part of Climaco’s benevolent programs dedicated for the welfare of senior citizens. It is being implemented by the City Health Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office and Office of the City Mayor. “I am happy. We are so grateful with the medical assistance under Largo Vida because the Mayor is able to help us – me and my wife, who is diabetic. We are receiving free medicines,” Bautista said. Despite the overwhelming success of the Largo Vida, rabid critics and political foes Climaco led by Lobregat strongly criticized the local government medical program for senior citizens and questioning the timing of its launching. Bautista defended Climaco’s Largo Vida program from criticisms. “We heard that on TV, on ra-

dio that other people are trying to malign her (Climaco) – that is what I can say. She (Climaco) is helping us (senior citizens) so why will they criticize that (Largo Vida program), it is intended for senior citizens and other people are trying to destroy her (Climaco) and that is not right. It is our only hope,” he said. Bautista’s wife, the 73-year old Filomena, an amputee, also defended Climaco from her political detractors and said: “Just like what he (my husband) said, we are just receiving a meager pension. I was a former teacher and what we were receiving then was very small compared to the salary of the teachers nowadays. We are just happy that we are getting free medicines from the Mayor.” Former government worker, Aida Masuhod, 67, also has praises for Mayor Climaco’s medical assistance program for senior citizens. She and her husband, and her 100-year old mother are all receiving free medicines from the Largo Vida program. “That medical assistance program is for long life, if we don’t have money, we cannot buy medicines. That (Largo Vida program) is really good because it help us greatly – the three of us, I and my husband, and my 100year old mother. If the local government will not help up, we are all going to die because we have no money to buy maintenance medicines. So to all the critics (Climaco) just stop, because this (Largo Vida program) is big help to the poor, to the senior citizens,” she said. Stroke victim Carmelita Alob, 61, also thanked Climaco for free medicines she is regularly receiving from Largo Vida “life

liners” who go house-tohouse in different villages to distribute medicines to the elderly. “The Largo Vida program is a big help to us. We thank the Mayor for the free medication,” Alob said. Aside from the Largo Vida program, Climaco also provides cash incentives to senior citizens celebrating their birthday as provided in a local ordinance. Considered as the first of its kind in the history of Zamboanga, the distribution of the cash gifts covers all the 98 barangays here. City Hall said a total of P12 million has been allocated for the incentives which is being implemented by the CSWDO, City Treasurer’s Office and the OCM. Under the ordinance, the birthday cash incentives will be given annually starting this year to all senior citizens: P500 for ages 60 to 69; P700 for ages 70 to 79; P800 for ages 80 to 90; P1,500 for ages 91 to 94 and P2,000 for ages 95 to 99. Lobregat also criticized the cash incentives for the senior citizens. But Cesar Jimenez Jr, a former council member and Climaco’s ex-spokesman, said this will be increased to P18 million by next year and included in the 2019 Executive Budget which was also opposed by Lobregat’s allies in the City Council. “This will be increased to P18M in the 2019 Budget to which the councilors from the Red Team (of Lobregat) voted against. I criticized the P25M fountain at Paseo del Mar during his (Lobregat) term. To make matter worse, it cost up P130K per month to operate it. Let people be the judge,” Jimenez said in his Facebook page and followed by a hashtag #NOTOMATA-

POBRE. Lobregat admitted that he considers himself as an “underdog” in the mayoralty race. “This is going to be a tough fight; it will not be easy as our opponent is using all government resources for her re-election. Incentives are given to the senior citizens that were never given before; medicines are delivered personally to the houses of senior citizens which never happen in the past. Tarpaulins have been posted all over the place announcing projects still to come and so much more. All of these are done to give the impression that the city government is doing so much,” Lobregat said, who also has his photograph printed on national government projects in Zamboanga. Climaco is seeking re-election so she can continue serving Zamboanga and her constituents and propel the city to becoming one of the most progressive in the country. Her loyal supporters said Lobregat was just griping because during his time as mayor, he did not have projects like what Climaco initiated. “Lobregat is just bitter and scared that he

will lose in the 2019 polls,” said Noel Santos. Other supporters said Climaco is a strong advocate for the welfare of the elderly, the poor children and youth and her various humanitarian programs and barangay projects are well received and appreciated by the people because they have not experience anything like it in the past administrations of the Lobregats which had ruled Zamboanga for many decades now. The Lobregats are natives of Cebu and Lanao del Sur provinces. In the 2016 elections, Lobregat’s brother, Jomar, lost in the congressional polls. He is running again as congressman in Zamboanga. City Hall said the tarpaulins where infrastructure projects of the local government are printed show how serious the Climaco administration of being transparent and for the people to know where their taxes go and what is to come for the benefit of all. And unlike congressmen, whose mandate is to craft laws and not in construction business to build roads and buildings, Climaco said she always see to it that all local govern-

ment projects be known to all her constituents as “taxpayers money”. “Government funds are really being used to support many and various projects and programs of the city because we are not pocketing or stealing it. Government resources are intended for the welfare of my people, of my constituents to uplift their long sufferings in the previous Lobregat administration,” Climaco said. The mayor is also known - by her peers - to run her office “democratically” and not like a dictator who wanted to control all aspects of civil governance, according to one employee, who asked not to be named so as not to be accused as partisan. “She listens to all. She hears and talks from the heart and respects everyone, Christians, Muslims and the indigenous groups, and that is one of her best traits,” the employee said. Climaco is the niece of Zamboanga’s most loved Mayor Cesar Climaco, who served the city for 11 years, and had greatly influence her to serve the public. Among Zamboanga greatest mayors were the elder Climaco and Vitaliano Agan. (ZCH)

Photo released by City Hall shows Zamboanga Mayor Beng Climaco with senior citizens during one of her pro-poor programs. (Kathy Wee Sit)

17 OFWs in Halloween party arrested in Saudi Arabia, says DFA THE DEPARTMENT OF Foreign Affairs (DFA) has confirmed the arrest of 17 Filipino workers who participated in a Halloween party in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Citing information from the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato said the Filipinos are being held at the Al Nisa Jail in the capital. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Adnan Alonto said Embassy officials have been requesting access

to the detained Filipinos since their arrest was reported last Friday. The Filipinos were among a number of people taken into custody by Saudi intelligence operatives, who raided a compound in Riyadh, after neighbors complained of loud noise coming from the Halloween party. The envoy noted that it was not immediately clear what charges have been filed against the detained Filipinos, but initial information the Embassy had

gathered indicate that the organizers of the event have been charged with holding an event without a permit and for disturbing the neighborhood. Saudi laws strictly prohibit unattached males and females from being seen together in public. The DFA and the Embassy issued an advisory urging overseas Filipino workers, particularly those in Middle East, to be mindful of local sensitivities. (Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)


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The Mindanao Examiner

November 5-11, 2018

Young pro-ISIS fighter yields the best chance for him to return to mainstream society and achieve his aspiration,” Murillo said. The Maute Group

Military photos released to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner show Asnor with other pro-ISIS fighters. PAGADIAN CITY – The Philippine Army is holding a young pro-ISIS fighter after he surrendered in the province of Lanao del Sur in southern Philippines where security forces are hunting down militants fighting for a caliphate in the troubled region. The 18-year old fighter, whose nom de guerre is Asnor, was actively engaged in battling government troops in Lanao del Sur following his recruitment by the Maute Group

when he was 14. Asnor told army interrogators that he was recruited by militant leader Abdullah Maute in 2014 along with a dozen children to fight for a separate Muslim homeland. Capt. Clint Antipala, a spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division, has confirmed the surrender of Asnor to the 49th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Edgar Allan Villanueva in the town of Butig. “Asnor was 14- years old when he was recruited

by Maute ISIS leader Abdullah Maute in 2014 together with 12 other minors,” he said, adding, the youngest recruit was only 9 years old. The fate of the young fighters was still unknown. “Custodial debriefing is still on-going,” Antipala said. Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, the division commander, lauded the surrender of the young militant. “We are glad to hear that Asnor decided to surrender and this is

and Abu Sayyaf fighters occupied Marawi City in Lanao del Sur last year in an effort to declare a caliphate, but security

forces battled militants numbering about 200 for five months ending the deadly siege. (Mindanao Examiner)


The Mindanao Examiner

November 5-11, 2018

China opens Consulate General in Davao City DAVAO CITY – Beijing has recently opened its consulate office here with Manila welcoming Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Wang led the inauguration of the consulate general and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. welcomed its formal opening, saying its inauguration underscores the growing cooperation between Manila and Beijing. “Being the biggest Philippine city in terms of land area, and the third largest in terms of population, the inauguration of the Chinese consulate general here in Davao is an auspicious sign of the city’s promise and the bright prospects for our engagement with China,” Locsin said. “May this be a continued testament to an immemorial friendship, to a robust and interconnected relationship, and to sustained interactions between the Philippines and China, as we promote our common goals to the mutual ben-

efit of both our great nations,” he added. Locsin said he was pleased with the positive turnaround and vigorous momentum in Philippines-China relations. “The Philippines has always been a friend of China,” he said, as he recalled how he broke through the Western news embargo on China in 1967 to see for himself and tell the world of the progress that China had made. “We have since enhanced our dialogue and consensus on many levels,” he said. “Our practical cooperation in many areas is reaping an early harvest of tangible benefits.” Locsin said he is looking forward to sitting down and discussing with State Councilor Wang on Monday ways to further advance Philippines-China relations through cooperation in various areas. These areas include trade, investments, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, and education, science and technology, anti-ter-

rorism, anti-narcotics, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. This is the first time State Councilor Wang is visiting Davao. “Davao is a rapidly growing metropolis that also signifies the friendship between our peoples and the great strides that we have accomplished in the bilateral relations between our two countries,” Locsin said. A consulate is similar to, but not the same as a diplomatic office, but with focus on dealing with individual persons and businesses, as defined by the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. A consulate or consulate general is generally a representative of the embassy in locales outside of the capital city. Davao is renowned for its strategic location and connectivity, a gateway to the rich resources and culture of Mindanao. It also accounts for 40 percent of Chinese fruit imports from the Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)

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The Mindanao Examiner

November 5-11, 2018

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The Mindanao Examiner

November 5-11, 2018

OPINION:

In defense of Sec. Sonny Dominguez By Jun Ledesma

TWO THINGS ARE happening on the eve of the unprecedented visit of China Pres. Xi Jinping. There is a perceptible attempt of the western press and its clones in Southeast Asia and the Philippines to demonize China’s foreign policies and assault on the integrity of some of the Cabinet members of the President and Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte himself. The Coalition Against Corruption struck straight into the jugular of the Duterte administration by asking for the resignation of Finance Sec. Carlos “Sonny” Dominguez for his alleged silence on the smuggling of drugs through the Bureau of Customs. They also cited Secretary Dominguez for being “unconcerned” about the corruption in BOC and the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Excuse me. CAC seems to be impervious to the reforms instituted by the Finance head from day one Dominguez assumed as head of those two rotten agencies. Makati Business Club which is the chief convenor of CAC seemed to stonewall the fact that

BOC and BIR were consistently underperforming for decades on account of the lackadaisical and loose management and supervision of the previous Finance heads and administrations. Let’s face it. Both BIR and the BOC under the watch of Sonny have been consistently heating their collection performance. As the proverb say, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating”. CAC in issuing its statement did not even mention who, among its members called for the resignation of Dominguez. The intensified tax collection drive of BIR and BOC must be hurting the members of Makati Business Club they want to cripple the Duterte government by asking for the head of Dominguez. True, huge shipment of shabu slipped thru BOC, but that is a different story. It is patently a fishy work of some CAC members to drag Dominguez into the fiasco and impute that he condoned what happened just because he was silent. How sure are they that Sonny was not seething mad?

It’s myopic of CAC to expect Secretary Dominguez to spend his time and express in public his outrage over what happened in BOC. The Finance chief is attending to many other important problems and opportunities than to focus on the investigation of shabu contraband. He manages things by objective. The probe had started by various investigating agencies to include the Senate, so I do not think that Sonny will allow himself to be shackled by the issue. What a timing this Makati Business cum CAC clique to call for Dominguez resignation. His detractors knew that China President Xi Jinping is arriving and they are aware that much of what could be the agenda in this historic visit is about finance and investment. He just played host to China Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Davao and for certain he and Teddy Locsin are finalizing the agenda of Xi’s visit. If this is the way to get back at Sonny for demanding from MBC to pay correct taxes then I do not think this will wash.

Up to Duterte to bare narco list

Continued from page 1 cases against them and to ensure that they do not stay in power. So again, it’s a continuous case build-up on the part of the PNP because of the unrelenting approach to the drug war.” “Many of the officials have actually taken a more I should say non-active stance insofar as drugs are concerned because I think the government’s anti-drug war has taken a toll also on the operations of many of the syndicates in the country so it’s now more difficult to determine if a certain individual which used to be in the narco list continuous to be in the narco list. It’s an evolving process. Many of them have taken a backseat now as compared before,” Malaya said.

He also noted that there has been a decrease in the number of local officials on the list based on data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency but they have yet to validate it. “Nung nakausap ko ang PDEA ang sabi nila yung iba natakot na yung iba because of pressure from many sources,” Malaya said, adding, the DILG stands firm in its decision to have narco-politicians disqualified from running in next year’s mid-term elections. “We are in continuous talks with them to make sure the Filipino people get the complete information insofar as these individuals are concerned. We cannot make the Comelec disqualify them obviously but we are doing this in the fulfilment of our man-

date. We are the DILG, we would like to cleanse the department of individuals that are involved in the drug trade,” he said. While acknowledging that narco-politicians cannot be disqualified unless they have been convicted with finality, Malaya is hopeful that the poll body will find a way to disqualify them. DILG OIC-Secretary Eduardo Año said since 2016, there have been 300 local officials facing administrative cases that might be suspended and dismissed. A total of 93 local officials are included on the narco-list, while 250 others have pending cases investigated by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Año said. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

Anti-Sayyafs ops continue Continued from page 1 recovered bodies, and two were also wounded. Recovered in the encounter site were one M653 and one M14 rifles,” he said. He said the wounded militants were brought to a military hospital in the capital town of Jolo while troops continue to hunt down Abu Sayyaf fight-

ers who split in smaller groups and fled to the mountains. Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said security forces have intensified the operation in Sulu to rid the province of Abu Sayyaf. “I commend the troops of the Joint Task Force Sulu for the unrelenting efforts to eradicate

the menace of society,” he said. Authorities blamed the Abu Sayyaf, whose leaders have pledged allegiance with the Islamic State, for terrorism and cross-border ransom kidnappings in the South. The militants are still holding Filipino and foreign hostages in the region.(Mindanao Examiner)

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November 5-11, 2018

Capitol’s livelihood programs benefit women’s groups

C

ebu Vice Gov. Agnes A. Magpale led the signing recently of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) with a women’s organization based in the northern town of Carmen to improve the group’s livelihood programs.

“From the 10 sacks of rice turned over to Bugasan sa Kababayen-an in Carmen, now they are a million-worth organization,” Magpale told the more than two dozen women officials who attended the MOA signing. The Bugasan sa Kababayen-an is a PWC-initiated livelihood program that aims to transform simple housewives to entrepreneurs by making them rice dealers. Aside from the Bugasan program, the Provincial Women’s Commission (PWC) cochaired by Magpale also

introduced other alternative livelihood programs, such as swine fattening, meat processing, and cacao processing. The beneficiaries, who are members of associations, underwent a series of training for these new initiatives. To put their new skills into practice, Magpale, together with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), provided tools and starter kits to several women’s organizations from six municipalities earlier today. Meat processing tools have been given to the group in Minglanila town;

cacao-processing equipment to Balamban; while swine fattening tools to the towns of Alcantara, San Remigio, Poro and Carmen. For the swine fattening, each town is set to receive 10 piglets from the Capitol, through the PSWDO, aside from the tools given to them. Magpale said each piglets is priced at at P2,500. During the ceremony, Anecita Rodriguez signed for Minglanilla, Lucina Milan for Balamban, Pedrilina Salingbongcogon for Carmen, Elizabeth Libato for Alcantara, Gemma Marie Guinocor for

Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale leads the signing of the memorandum of agreement with a women’s organization based in the northern town of Carmen to improve the group’s livelihood programs. Poro, and Amparo Dumoran for San Remigio. Most of the women’s

associations present in the ceremony are members of the Kalipunan ng

Liping Filipina (KALIPI), a national women’s federation. (Oscar Pineda)

DILG monitors island resorts, beaches nationwide to ensure cleanliness PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE has instructed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to monitor all island resorts and beach tourism destinations in the country to avoid temporary closure. To ensure the DILG’s compliance with Duterte’s order, DILG Officer-In-Charge Secretary Eduardo Año directed all regional offices to submit a report of the list and summary of provincial, city, or municipal ordinances relative to environmental conservation,

building construction, and easement regulation. “The DILG will evaluate the status of sewage treatment facilities, power and water supply service capacity, and Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Land Use Plan of local government units (LGUs) with beach tourism destinations,” Año said. The regional reports shall be submitted to the DILG Beach Tourism Monitoring Team (BTMT) which was reconstituted from the former DILG Boracay Secretariat. Knowing that closing a

tourism site impacts on people’s livelihood and the local economy, Año urged all LGUs not to wait for sanctions or interventions by the national government. “We should all learn from the Boracay experience. Let’s not wait until your beaches turn into another cesspool,” he said. “Complacency is tantamount to dereliction of duty. Local chief executives are accountable of regulating tourism businesses and enforcing critical environmental laws, rules and regulations, and local ordinances. Let us

not wait for nature’s boiling point to fire back to the point that restoration efforts would be very tough. Let’s not procrastinate on this matter. Be proactive even if no one watches over your shoulders,” he added. DILG Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya said the BTMT is creating a monitoring framework and tools based on the Boracay experience for the monitoring of all other beach tourism destinations and island resorts. DOT has already sent re-

minders to LGUs of some major destinations, including El Nido in Palawan, Panglao in Bohol, Oslob in Cebu, and La Union. “WhilE LGUs actively promote more businesses for investments and employment, they must also balance it with upholding the integrity of the environment. These are standards set in the DILG Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG),” Malaya said. For provincial governments, the 2018 SGLG assessment criteria require a province to at least have

an organized provincial solid waste management board and an approved 10-year solid waste management plan. City governments and municipal governments must, on the other hand, have solid waste management board organized, no operating open or controlled dumpsite, approved 10-year solid waste management plan, materials recovery facility, and access to a sanitary landfill or alternative technology as final disposal. (With a report from Cebu Examiner.)

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