Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper (Dec. 3-9, 2018) by Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper

Senators, congressmen to get millions of pesos from budget LAWMAKERS WOULD get millions from the 2019 budget for their pet projects, as they have “traditionally” received, House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya told CNN Philippines’ The Source. Andaya explained that congressmen would

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receive around 60 million for projects, while senators would get 200 million. The House Majority Leader said they could use the allocation for health, education and public works. He said this is within “the realm of budget authorization” and that they

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are trying their best to comply with the 2013 Supreme Court decision which outlawed the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or more popularly known as the pork barrel. The amount is similar to the PDAF received Continue on page 3

Zambo lawmaker recycles news to be in media limelight? ZAMBOANGA CITY Rep. Celso Lobregat is accused of recycling issues against re-electionist and popular Mayor Beng Climaco in a dire effort to be in the news as Zamboanguenos remain steadfast in their strong support to the local chief Continue on page 3

Rep. Celso Lobregat & Mayor Beng Climaco (FB page)

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December 3-9, 2018

Duterte pushes for Federal government

Read Story on page 2 President Rodrigo Duterte, House Speaker Gloria Arroyo, and MILF rebel chieftain Murad Ebrahim (Presidential Photo)

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The Mindanao Examiner

December 2-9, 2018

Duterte pushes for Federal government

RESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE has again vowed to push for a change in form of government - from presidential system to federal – and even threatened to make Mindanao a federal region if lawmakers fail to amend the Constitution to pave the way for new government. Duterte said the current unitary system has spelled so much trouble. When he was may- Muslim Mindanao or ARMM, or in Davao City in southern under the rule of the rebel Philippines, Duterte had been group Moro Islamic Liberation strongly campaigning for the Front or MILF. establishment of a federal form The MILF signed an interof government and in many im peace deal with Manila in of his public appearances and 2014 which paved the way for speeches the President said the drafting of the Bangsamfederalism is the next best thing oro Basic Law and was signed for the country. He also vowed by Duterte and became what is to step down - even before his now known as BOL. In October, term ends on 2022 - as soon as the Department of the Interior the new federal government and Local Government or DILG is fully functional. “Do not be conducted a road show to raise afraid of a dictatorship because public awareness on the proI will not be the one,” Duterte posed shift to a federal form said. of government. It held a forum Duterte’s stand virtually for 2 days dubbed “Pederalismo reinforced Sulu’s strong sup- para sa Tunay na Pagbabago.” port to the President firm stand In the proposal of the and advocacy for a federal form Constitutional Commission as of government. stated in Article XI, the federal The governor of Sulu, Toto republic will have 18 regions, Tan, even filed a petition with 16 of which will be symmetrithe Supreme Court questioning cal. The Muslim and Cordillera the legality and constitutional- regions will have asymmetriity of the Bangsamoro Organic cal setups due to provisions of Law or BOL which, if approved their autonomy which recogby Muslims in a plebiscite set nizes ethnicity, culture, cusin January, shall replace the toms, traditions, language and current Autonomous Region in distinct identities.

Federal state of ZamBaSulTa Muslim leaders and various stakeholders in Mindanao have been pushing for the separation of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi from the ARMM and instead include the provinces in Zamboanga Peninsula to form part of a federated states should Congress approve the proposed federalism government. The three neighboring provinces were originally part of Region 9 in Western Mindanao which is comprise of Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte, and now the addition of Zamboanga Sibugay. In a consensus held only this year, stakeholders from Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Maguindanao trooped here to read their manifesto as a show of strong support to the proposal for the creation of ‘Federal State of ZamBaSulTa’. Justifications Among the valid justifications for the proposed Federal State of ZamBaSulTa are Economic Viability and to ensure this is to group together Zamboanga Peninsula with Zamboanga City as the center, and Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi;

Sulu vice gubernatorial candidate Toto Tan with President Rodrigo Duterte . (Presidential Photo)

An MILF rebel guarding an outpost in Maguindanao province. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

Historical Reality as the shared history of the area and proposed federal state is a strong argument for its unity as one federal state. This history stems from the once dominant force exerted by the Sulu Sultanate over these areas, including Southern Palawan and the islands of Sulu and South China Seas, but the consensus also maintained that this is not to say the Sultanate of Sulu will again lay claim to these areas, instead, the region is now witness to different operative local government units that wield the real power and that cannot be changed. It also cited other justification for the union such as Geographical Proximity because the provinces and Zamboanga City is contiguous to each other

President Rodrigo Duterte and Sulu gubernational bet Sakur Tan. (Presidential Photo) by land, and Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are situated next to each other like a chain of island south of the Zamboanga Peninsula. And Demographic and Cultural Identity because of similarity in culture and peoples – Muslim and Christian relationship, education and interfaith engagements have strengthened this identity in the region. At least 5 influential Sulu sultans, Ibrahim Bahjin, Muizuddin Jainal Bahjin, Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram, Mohammad Venizar Julkarnain Jainal Abirin and Phugdalun Kiram who are part of the Royal Council of the Sulu Sultanate, also attended the event dubbed - “The Bangsa Sug Consensus – ZamBaSulTa. A People of Significance.” - and threw their all-out support for the proposal along with Muslim religious leaders led by the Grand Mufti, His Eminence Abdulbaqi Abubakar. Zamboanga City Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde, who represented Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar, read a message in front of some 1,500 people. Christian and Muslim political leaders, among them former Sulu Governor and a strong ally of Duterte, Dr. Sakur Tan - also called Datu ShahBandar – and his son, the governor of Sulu, spoke in the event. Consensus The Tan patriarch, in a position paper he read before the huge crowd, enumerated several concerns and reaction of Muslims to the proposed Bangsamoro Bill and federalism. He said the main objections of the people of Sulu through its Sultanate to the proposed Bangsamoro law center on the provisions on Territory that would change the historical name of the Sulu Sea to “Bangsamoro Waters.” He said Sulu Sea should retain its name. Tan said the constituents in the provinces under the ARMM (including Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao) should be given the option to vote against inclusion in the proposed Bangsamoro entity. “The position is anchored on the principle of democratic consultation which is an essential

element of plebiscites and a basic concept in Islam, as embodied by the principle of Shura (or consultation) in the Holy Qur’an.” “The method of plebiscite and the counting of votes should be based on real democratic consultation and should not be hampered by what may be considered as the tyranny of the majority,” the elder Tan said. He said the present version of the bill provides that the establishment of the Bangsamoro and the determination of the Bangsamoro territory shall take effect upon ratification of the Basic Law by majority votes cast in plebiscite. The present bill, Tan said, takes for granted that all five constituent provinces favor inclusion in the new Bangsamoro entity. “This should never be presumed because presumption destroys the democratic essence of plebiscites. Precisely for the reason that the Bangsamoro entity is new, and is not just an amended version of the ARMM, the consent and option of the ARMM constituent provinces should be respected,” he said. Tan said when the constituent provinces voted for inclusion to the ARMM in past plebiscites, they consented to be included in the ARMM, and not in the Bangsamoro which is completely new legal entity. “Ratification therefore should be on the basis of the majority votes of each constituent province and not of the entire geographical area of the present ARMM,” he said. He said the territorial lines of federalization should not be dictated by religious dogma for this would be limiting, counter-productive and contrary to the spirit of nationhood. “The federal territorial divide is not a divide of peoples and religions; it is a realistic and practical divide of administration and governance, so that the people get the best and most viable governance that befits their needs and circumstances,” Tan said, adding, a copy of the consensus was submitted to the House of Representatives and Senate, and the Palace. Representatives from

various sectors from the academe to business groups also read their own manifesto supporting the consensus. Consultations Muslims have been urging Duterte to consult all different tribes in southern Philippines in drafting the Bangsamoro bill that will be part of the new Federal government lawmakers are proposing. There are over a dozen Muslim tribes in the region, mostly in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao and also in Palawan. An estimated 11 million Muslims or approximately 11 percent of the Philippine population, but their leaders are not well represented in the Bangsamoro Transition Commission or BTC the government has put up to draft the BBL. Majority of the Muslims do not even know the provisions in the BBL and previous consultations in the time of the Aquino administrations were mostly staged with Muslim leaders saying they were not consulted. And to make matter worse, Christian lawmakers continue to challenge the provisions in the draft law by saying they are unconstitutional. Separate Muslim Region Even provincial governors of the Muslim provinces were not part of the BTC which was chaired by Mohagher Iqbal, the vice chairman of the rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which signed an interim peace deal with Manila in 2014. The MILF - whose influence is concentrated only in Maguindanao - now wanted to rule over the proposed new Bangsamoro homeland that would replace the Muslim autonomous region. Muslims in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and Palawan belong to the majority Tausug which is the native inhabitants of Sulu and two ethnic tribes – the Yakan and Samal – and they do not want to be ruled by the MILF, of majority of its tribe and members. They wanted a separate autonomous region for the Tausug, Yakan and Sama; and for the revival of the Sultanate of Sulu and give political powers to their sultans. (Mindanao Examiner)

The Mindanao Examiner

December 2-9, 2018

Zambo lawmaker recycles news to be in media limelight?

Senators, congressmen to get millions of pesos from budget Continued from page 1 by lawmakers before it was declared unconstitutional for letting lawmakers to participate or intervene in the execution of the budget. Previously, the PDAF system allocated a lump sum of 70 million to congressmen and 200 million to senators. Lawmakers would determine where these funds would go after the enactment of the budget. This allegedly allowed some legislators to pocket funds by funneling them through bogus non-government organizations. Now, Andaya said, the millions which would be given to lawmakers would have to be itemized. “It has to be clear. It’s not a lump sum. We are compliant with the Supreme Court decision. The legislature, the Senate and the House cannot interfere in the post-enactment phase of a budget,” he said. Senator Ping Lacson has alleged that despite being outlawed, the 2019 budget is still padded with pork amounting to 130 billion. “’Pag sinabing appropriation for their district ang interpretation ko lagi dun PDAF,” Lacson said in a forum at the Philippine Daily Inquirer in April. House Speaker Gloria Arroyo has said that all congressmen, even those in the opposition, would receive budget allocations — going against the practice of former House leaderships who slapped opposition lawmakers with zero budget. “Bakit ko naman zizeruhin ‘yung healthcare ng isang distrito kung ‘di lang siya bumoto sa isang priority bill which he personally feels is not favor-

able to him?” Andaya said. “We’re fair to everyone.” As everything is itemized, Andaya insisted that the 2019 budget is porkfree. The House passed the 3.757-trillion 2019 General Appropriations Act last Nov. 20, but the Senate is not eyeing the budget’s passage until January 2019. This means that the government would have to operate on a re-enacted budget for the first month next year. A budget is reenacted when Congress fails to pass the budget bill by the end of the fiscal year. This means that the budget for this year will repeat for next year, including all projects itemized for that year. Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno warned that the delayed approval of the budget may result in a five-month implementation gap for new projects. He added that the re-enactment of the budget would also delay salary hikes for civilian and military personnel. But Andaya, who was Arroyo’s Budget Secretary from 2006 to 2010 when the budget was often re-enacted, said that “there’s really nothing to be scared of” in a re-enacted budget. “The sky will not fall down. Government will still work. The increases in salary will still happen. The infrastructure projects, with the multi-year obligational authority, are still going on and will still go on,” Andaya said, noting that there is “no difference” in the budget for this year and 2019. He added that it is only Diokno who is propping up a re-enacted budget as a scare tactic and that the

delay in the implementation of projects would be caused by the ban on the release, disbursement or expenditures of public funds leading to the May 2019 polls. Andaya also defended Congress from accusations that it caused the delay of the passage of the 2019 budget. “When Congress tackles the budget and you see an error or something which needs improvement, you stay the cause of the President and you serve the interest of the people. You betray their trust if you don’t do anything,” he said. The planned shift to a cashbased budget became a bottleneck for the budget’s passage in the lower house, with the chamber suspending all budget deliberations until the Budget Department backed down from its proposal which would make the budget only valid for one year and three months. Andaya also pointed to the 51-billion fund in the Department of Public Works and Highways’ budget which could not be explained by the agency and the Budget Department as a cause of delay. The House later realigned these to other agencies. The House Majority Leader also said President Rodrigo Duterte has asked them in a meeting to realign 10 billion for housing projects for members of the military. Andaya said this would be tackled during the bicameral conference committee meeting on the 2019 budget, which, according to the Senate’s schedule, is slated from January 18 to 23, 2019. (By Xave Gregorio, CNN Philippines)

Continued from page 1 executive. Lobregat, who is not a native or born in Zamboanga, has over and over again raised the issue of the controversial flyover project by the Department of Public Works and Highways. The elderly lawmaker has been insisting on the local government to immediately allow the construction of the flyover without fulfilling the requirements needed for the project before it can start. One of the requirements is for the widening of the roads where the proposed flyover would be erected so as not to clog vital routes where traffic is heavy. If not the flyover issue, Lobregat, whose clan is from Cebu and Lanao del Sur in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, will always argue lengthily before the media about the City Budget which has been officially approved by the City Council. Mayor Beng urged Lobregat to spend his time working on the passage of important bills in the House of Representatives rather than become an “obstructionist” along with his few allies at the

City Council. “Lobregat should concentrate on his job as a congressman. He is not a construction contractor, he is not a council man lest he wants to become one and we shall welcome that so he can blabber more or filibuster at the City Council,” Mayor Beng said. “He’s been a failure in protecting Zamboanga City from the BBL (Bangsamoro Basic Law) and BOL (Bangsamoro Organic Law) after Lobregat did not vote against the BBL. And now it opens door for pro-BOL to push for several barangay to join the Bangsamoro plebiscite which we had strongly rejected many times in the past,” she added. In a television interview, Lobregat even made fun of Mayor Beng by offering her to take various energy drinks, but the good mayor said: “Celso should consume plenty of energy drinks. He needs it considering he is a senior citizen. He needs energy more than I do because I am a strong woman, a fighter for our people.” Lobregat has been a rabid critic of the good mayor after she rejected the lawmaker’s insistence for her to give up City Hall so he can again

run for mayor. Lobregat who at one time became the richest congressman - has been running back and forth as mayor and congressman of Zamboanga as if the city is his “perpetual and personal” kingdom where he can dictate upon anybody. Now tagging his younger brother Jomar, Lobregat has been campaigning hard to get the sympathy of the people with his dramatic antics and teary-sad stories, but the constituents had enough of the Lobregats, and wanted Mayor Beng to continue serving the city for the welfare of the Zamboanguenos. Just like Celso, Jomar - who is based in Manila - has been coming back consistently to Zamboanga only during election time to run again for a congressional seat. He lost terribly in the 2016 elections after the constituents strongly rejected his candidacy. “Let us all work hard together and pray that we shall overcome all these dark forces and black propaganda and smear campaign by some people who have only personal and bested political interest,” Mayor Beng said in a press statement. (BCPR)

ARMM students bag awards in national, international competitions COTABATO CITY – Student representatives from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) brought pride to the Bangsamoro after bagging medals in different national and international competitions. The student awardees were Ricco Teraytay from Camp Siongco National High School, a finalist who competed in the 2018 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships from November 15 to 18 in Taipei, Taiwan; Yahser Malang from ARMM Regional Science High School, top two grand-finalist in Southeast Asia Video Festival held on November 24 in Manila; and five students from Parang National High School who bagged the grand champion in Science Investigatory Project on November 16 in Olongapo City. Bringing the banner and pride of the Bangsamoro, according to the awardees, is a strong statement that people in the ARMM have many to offer. “I am really proud dahil bilang isang taga ARMMang sarap sa pakiramdam na i-represent ang lugar ko (Maguindanao) at ang bansang Pilipinas,” said Teraytay, who was included in the top 10 under 17 junior male team.

ARMM’s Education Secretary lawyer Rasol Mitmug Jr. noted that the ARMM government has consistently been supportive of these outstanding students. “Yun po yung masarap sa pakiramdam, dahil may direct communication po kami ni Secretary Mitmug at lagi po nya akong mino-monitor kaya malaking tulong po iyon para makarating ako sa ibang bansa,” Teraytay said. Thousands of athletes from 59 countries joined the 2018 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships. Moreover, students from ARMM Regional Science High School bagged the championship in a video competition under the theme ‘Everyday’s Hero’ children category for their video entitled ‘Super Guro’. Sinebata 2018 is a competition of creators of videos for and by children from the Philippines convened by Anak TV, an advocacy organization that promotes television literacy and child-sensitive, family-friendly television in the Philippines. Apart from receiving trophies and other prizes, the team placed second in the Second Southeast Asia Video Festival for Children – also known as Southeast Asia Prix

Jeunesse. The competition’s participants were from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. “Nakaka-proud po na dala-dala namin ang banner ng ARMM at ng Pilipinas at maipagmamalaki na maraming may angking talento dito sa lugar natin,” Malang said. For the grand champion in Science investigatory project, students from Parang National High School said it is an honor to represent the region in a science competition. The team’s grand champion project is an anti-theft door alarm. Sec. Mitmug commended the students for their achievements. After receiving the award, the students said they are hoping their success will also inspire other students to develop their skills to investigate scientifically and make investigatory projects as part of their learning. In his message, Secretary Mitmug emphasized that the regional government is confident that the students in ARMM would also participate successfully in future national and international activities. (Bureau of Public Information)

The Mindanao Examiner

December 2-9, 2018

2 drug rehab centers to open next year in Mindanao

TWO DRUG REHABILITATION centers are soon to be completed in the provinces of Sarangani and Agusan del Sur in Mindanao and these projects are part of the aid granted by Beijing following President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to China in 2016 and will support the drug rehabilitation and treatment programs of the Department of Health. The construction of the projects is led by China State Engineering Construction Ltd. And Republic Cement in the Philippines has been tapped to provide Republic Type 1 cement, known for its high-early strength and optimum durability.

“We are glad to be part of DOH’s program to rehabilitate more patients with its existing drug rehabilitation programs across the country. We value the trust given to us by our client to supply quality cement for structures such as these that help build a stronger Republic,” said Nabil Francis, President of Republic Cement Services, Inc. The two rehabilitation centers are anticipated to be operational by next year and will be among the top drug rehabilitation and treatment centers in Mindanao. With access to advanced medical equipment and well-established rehabilitation programs, each

drug rehabilitation center has 150 beds, covering a site area of 3.05 hectares and construction area of 6,923 square meters. The two facilities will include administration buildings, clinics, male and female dormitories, visitor’s pavilions, transition villas, and multi-purpose

covered courts. These centers also adopt the design idea of “Windows of Hope” where spaces are built to become fully functional to the patient’s well-being with modernized architectural style. Once completed, the Philippine government will have full control over the

operations to ensure compliance with Philippine standards and requirements. “We look forward to serving more Chinese contractors in the country for various infrastructure projects, including those under the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative,” Francis said.

DOH cited over 53 licensed and accredited drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centers in the country. These centers include residential and outpatient facilities where 15 of which are government-owned. (With a report from Mindanao Examiner)

COA urged to audit OPAPP funds PEACE STAKEHOLDERS have urged the Commission on Audit to examine the funds of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process or OPAPP and whether it was well spent in accordance

SUPPORT PEACE IN MINDANAO

with the agency’s mandate and mission. This after President Rodrigo Duterte fired last week OPAPP Undersecretary Ronald Flores and Director Yeshter Donn Baccay on corruption allegations. OPAPP chief Jesus Dureza also resigned following the sacking of his 2 executives. “I fired Usec Ronald Flores from the Office of the Presidential Assistant

for Peace Process. And there is a guy there working Director IV, Yeshter Donn Baccay,” Duterte said, adding, he also accepted Dureza’s resignation. “I am very sad that I accepted the resignation of Secretary Dureza,” he said, noting that he is set to fire another official soon. Duterte admitted that the reason for the dismissal of the two officials was

corruption. “And Dureza treated the matter as command responsibility so he thought that it was only proper that with the involvement of his two subordinates — he offered to resign and I accepted his resignation,” he said. He said Dureza is unlikely to head another post. “He did not ask for anything,” adding that all positions in his Cabinet are occupied.

Republic of the Philippines Department of Finance BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE Revenue Region No. 18 Revenue District No. 108 Kidapawan City

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING May it be known that a Public Hearing for the Revision of Zonal Values on Real Properties in the coverage areas of Cotabato Province and Kidapawan City will be conducted on December 18, 2018 (9:00AM) at Boylyn’s Hotel and Restaurant, Magsaysay, Kidapawan City. (Signed)

MACA-ANGCOS G. AMPUAN OIC-Revenue District Officer

The Mindanao Examiner

December 2-9, 2018

Western Mindanao has 687 new cops

Police photos released to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner show the recruits and regional police officials during the oath-taking recently of the new cops. ZAMBOANGA CITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Regional police director, Chief Supt. Emmanuel Luis Licup has reminded police recruits to put first the welfare of the people and community they will now serve and always uphold the rule of law and protect the innocent as 687 new cops took their oath recently in Zamboanga City. Licup administered the oath-taking of the rookie policemen following their presentation by Senior Supt. Romulo

Cleve Taboso, Chief of the Regional Police Personnel and Human Resource Development Division. Of the total number of new cops, 547 are males and 140 are females and all have the rank of Police Officer 1 and they shall receive a basic monthly salary of P29, 668 aside from allowances and other non-cash benefits. They came from the different cities and provinces in western Mindanao and had been chosen after a tough and thor-

ough screening process conducted by the Regional Screening Committee on Recruitment headed by Chief Supt. Edwin De Ocampo, Deputy Regional Director for Administration. The 687 rookie officers were turned over to the Regional Training School 9 and received by Supt. Marlon Quimno, the Regional Training Director, where they will undergo one-year training at Camp Felisizimo Marcos here. (With a report from Mindanao Examiner)

The Mindanao Examiner

December 2-9, 2018

Across : 1. Rent contract 6. Wind dir. 9. Sheep’s comment 12. See eye to eye 13. ___-Mex cuisine 14. List ender (abbr.) 15. As yet (2 wds.) 16. Beseech 18. Singer Frank ___ 20. Sombrero, e.g. 23. Lamprey 24. Fidgety 28. Stops 30. Indefinite number 31. Uses the oven 32. Nova ___ 34. Emanate 35. Beasts 36. Lettuce dish 38. Sermon subject 39. Permit 40. Board member 43. Malady 46. Lady’s title 50. ___ roll (2 wds.) 51. Males 52. Hockey venue 53. Compass pt. 54. Picasso’s creation 55. Use money

Answer to last week’s crossword:

Down : 1. ___ Vegas 2. Self-esteem 3. Dog’s sound 4. Oceans 5. Spookies 6. Pilfers 7. Dispatched 8. Spare 9. Honey producer 10. “One Day ___ Time” (2 wds.) 11. Play section 17. Kidnapper’s request 19. Seines 20. Rabbitlike animals 21. Perfume 22. Hiking path

25. Whole 26. Grin 27. Bread ingredient 29. Tycoon’s property 32. Fit of temper 33. Movie theaters 35. Concur 37. Serious play 41. Operator 42. Wyatt ___ 43. ___ Quixote 44. Hostel 45. Cut wood 47. Actress Sandra ___ 48. Raggedy ___ 49. Furious

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OPINYON: LAGMIT SI KANHI Special Assistant to the President, Sec. Bong Go, wa makaamgo nga ang iyang opisyal ug karon pribado nga pagtabang sa mga di-na-maihap nga mga tawo dunay mahinungdanon nga epekto di lang sa gidaghanon sa mga indibidwal ug komunidad nga natabangan kundili sa lawom nga gibati nga utang kabubut-on nga lagmit wa gyud niya mabatii gikan sa iyang natabangan. Atong paminawon si UP Prof. Clarita Carlos. Dako ko nga magdadayeg niining usa ka higante sa mga intelektuwal tungod kay ang iyang mga ginapatik sa Facebook puro mga bulawanong hiyas nga libre niyang gipanghatag. Niadtong niaging buwan sa usa ka higayon, pwerte niyang sukoa kay ang iyang drayber na-istrok sa kasingkasing ug gidala gilayon sa Veterans Hospital kay retiradong sundalo. Naputong ug nasuko kaayo si Propesora Claire sa ospital tungod kay ninglabas man nga mora og kulang sa mga pasilidades nga gikinahanglan sa pasyente. Dangtan og mga 3 ka adlaw gikan sa iyang katapusang gisulat ug gipatik, ang propesora mora og ningkalma na ug diha-diha dayon ningbalik sa iyang pagbinayloay sa FB kauban ang iyang research team dala ang iyang malantip nga salabotan ug ekselente nga paghusga sa nagkalainlaing tema. Mientras tanto, gikan sa akong gamay nga suok sa Davao, mopatik sab ko og mga asuy bahin sa mga kalihokan ni SAP Bong Go isip nag-inusara nga tigdeliver og mga tabang gikan sa iyang mga suod nga higala ngadto sa mga biktima og sunog, baha ug uban pang katalagman. Nailhan nako si Bong nga usa ka pormal ug mapaubsanon nga tawo nga naa kanunay sa kilid ni Mayor Rodrigo Duterte ug hangtod nga ninglingkod siya pagka Presidente. Importante kaayo si Bong sa Presidente sa wala pa siya mahimong SAP, sa panahon sa, ug bisan human sa

The Mindanao Examiner

December 2-9, 2018

Di malupig nga bentaha ni Bong Go ni Jun Ledesma iyang termino pagka SAP. Si Bong ang iyang kaban sa kasayuran, tigtubag sa mga tawag, appointment secretary, ubp., ubp. Ang orasan sa iyang lawas pareha sa Presidente ug bisan asa siya moadto, tua sab si Bong. Kaniadto, si Presidente Duterte mismo ang moatiman sa mga panginahanglan sa mga biktima sa mga katalagman, sa panagsangka sa mga armadong pwersa ug kadtong nagkinahanglan og tabang sa tambal. Ang kadako ug kadaghan sa trabaho sa Presidente ninglimiti sa iyang presensya. Mao nga ang pobre tawon nga SAP Bong Go maoy nahimo niyang tig-implementar sa buluhaton nga akong gitawag og programa sa Corporate Social Responsibility sa Presidente. Wa masayod ang kadaghanan nga si Bong Go dili estranyo sa trabaho sa CSR. Gitukod ni Mayor Duterte sa Davao City ang proyekto sa “Lingap”. Ang tumong sa maong proyekto mao ang pagtabang sa mga pasyente nga nagkinahanglan og atensyon sa ospital sa gobyerno o bisan pribado. Gitukod sab ni Duterte ang special clinic para sa mga bata nga dunay kanser. Ang opisina ni Bong Go ang in-charge sa pagtabang sa mga benepisyaryo. Sa sinugdanan ang “Lingap” gipundar para lang sa taga Davao City apan daghang pasyente gikan sa ubang probinsya nga gidala sa mga ospital sa Davao ang mahutdan sab og pundo ug gitunolan sa gikinahanglan nga tabang. Dugang pa, ang cancer clinic nahimo na nga kompletong ospital. Nagaatiman na kini og mga pasyente gikan sa Mindanao ug Visayas. Dili lang ang mga batang pasyente ang ginatagaan og kapuy-an, ang ilang mga ginikanan o bantay duna say kapuy-an. May mga talagsaong panghitabo sa mga flash floods kaniadto sa Davao City ug usa sa pinaka grabe ningtabon og tubig sa usa ka subdivision dihang ang kusog nga bul-og sa

Davao River ning-awas sa iyang tampi. Sa tungang gabii kadto nahitabo. Si Bong Go, usa ka hawod nga water ski rider, ningdali-dali dayon og atraka sa lugar nga gilunopan ug nag-inusara nga ningsalbar sa mga nagtungtong na lang sa mga atop sa ilang kabalayan. Mao ni ang rason ngano nga wa ko masorpresa ngano nga ang exSAP ningpursige gyud sa pagtukod og mga Malasakit Center sa tibuok kapupud-an sa wala pa siya moluwat sa iyang posisyon aron modagan sa Senado. Apan bisan karon og ordinaryo na lang siya nga lungsoranon, paminawon gihapon siya sa Presidente, mao nga ayaw mo katingala og ang mga Malasakit Center motumaw og kalit sa daghang suok ug kanto sa nasud. Awtomatik si Bong Go nga moatraka sa mga lugar nga naagian og katalagman ug mangapud-apod og mga relief good ug ubang porma sa tabang nga gikan sa iyang mga higala ug dumadapig para sa mga biktima sa kalamidad ug kawad-on. Ang iyang ranggo sa mga survey sa mga “senatoriable” ningsaka na gikan sa numero 23, nga gihimo ang survey sa panahon nga nagtuo ang mga tawo nga di siya modagan, ngadto sa numero 8 sa survey nga bag-o lang nga gihimo sa DZRH. Gawas pa, nalabwan na niya ang iyang boss sa pagdeliber og mga diskurso sa mga importanteng okasyon. Ug ang mga naminaw ganahan kaayo niya bisan og way pamalikas. Niining panahona dili na siya ang tigguba og litrato nga bunyag sa media kaniya. Karon siya na ang sentrong persona sa larawan. Kay ngano? Tugoti ko nga mosumaysumay sa mga pulong ni Prof. Clarita Carlos sa iyang gipatik sa FB: “Wow! Kamanggihatagon nga tawo! Kahibalo ko…tungod kay ninghatag sab siya og tabang ngadto sa akong drayber nga na-istrok sa niaging bulan… modako unta ang iyang tribu! Salamat, Bong Go!”

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We Refuse to Forget NINE YEARS. Three administrations. Yet justice has remained elusive for all the victims of the bloody Ampatuan massacre where 58 people, 32 of whom were journalists, were killed in Ampatuan, Maguindanao province in what is considered as the worst election-related massacre in Philippine history. Branch 22 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) has concluded the trial of the primary suspects and is expected to release by early next year its verdict on the multiple murder cases against Andal “Datu Unsay” Ampatuan Jr. and other members of the Ampatuan clan. This is indeed a development that many have been waiting for. But it also reminds us all how glacial the pace of the so-called justice system has been: after almost a decade, what was once thought to be the trial of the century is only now being partly concluded, while the trial of more than a hundred other accused is still ongoing. Past developments insult the memory of those killed in the Massacre, among which certainly belongs the court’s allowing one of the prime

suspects, former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, to attend his daughter’s wedding last August, and Datu Sajid Islam Ampatuan’s being out on bail together with ten others accused of involvement in the crime. Nine years – and the perpetrators think we will forget. They all think that the damage and violence they wrought would now be a fading memory. That the blood on their hands will somewhat be cleansed by the passage of time. No, we refuse to submit to the reign of impunity by forgetting that justice has not been served to colleagues who have been killed in the line of duty — in the Ampatuan massacre and beyond. Three administrations have passed, yet instead of dissipating, the killings and attacks against journalists have further intensified. The current administration has more than aided and abetted those that seek to harm vanguards of the truth. Under the Duterte administration, at least 99 cases of attacks and threats, both online and offline, have been made against members of the Philippine media. Twelve were killed, seven of whom were Mindanao

journalists. In general, the killings have surged – doctors, church people, innocent civilians all killed under a worsening climate of impunity. Impunity — the exemption from punishment of wealthy, powerful and well-connected wrong-doers – is in fact what it is all about. And we fear that like Imelda Marcos, who is likely to escape imprisonment despite her conviction on seven counts of graft, those accused of planning and implementing the Ampatuan Massacre will also go scot-free. Almost a decade after the bloodbath in Maguindanao, the reign of impunity continues to deny its victims the justice they deserve. The day of reckoning will surely dawn, and justice will finally be served. Until then, we enjoin the Filipino people to never forget – and to combat all attempts to curtail the freedom the Constitution guarantees the press as a potential instrument of change and liberation. Until that day comes, our call will always reverberate: we will never forget. By Prof. Luis V. Teodoro, National Chairperson, People’s Alternative Media Network

Zambo solon lambasted by ex-ally FORMER ZAMBOANGA CITY Councilman Charlie Mariano has lambasted traditional politician Celso Lobregat and accusing him of spreading lies to the public as the controversial issue on the construction of a flyover here drags on. Lobregat is insisting on the construction of the flyover by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) despite having no feasibility study and the lack of requirements, among them is the executive order from the local government, for the project to begin. Popular Mayor Beng Climaco, who is running on her third and last term, said the flyover would create monstrous traffic problem unless the DPWH widens the road where the proposed flyover would be erected. In a news conference, Mariano also branded Lobregat a liar for saying in

a television interview that the flyover project has a feasibility study only to backtracked later and denied having uttered such remark. “Cosa le (Lobregat) ya habla cuando nohay pa habla el DPWH na City Council cay nohay gale feasibility study, cosa le ya habla cay tiene daw le Xerox (copy) pero nohay le lleba. Ahora cosa le ya habla? - Nohay gane yo conese habla – claro gayot embustero and I know Congressman Lobregat and I think he is a desperate man,” Mariano said. He also accused Lobregat of dictating upon officials of the DPWH to hurry the construction of the project which is expected to take over 500 days to finish to say the least and initially would cost the national government some P600 million. Lobregat, according to Mariano, is acting far more than DPWH Sec. Mark Villar. “Ta mira yo

si Congressman Lobregat ta fuerza con el DPWH que apura conese project. Taman pelea ya sila alla cay ta dicta daw kanila si Celso para apura conese project y tiene sila crea con Congressman Lobregat que quierre empuja con el project.” “Alli mismo deberasan na DPWH, that is the sentiment of the employees y bien disgustao sila con Congressman Lobregat cay mas pa raw el con Secretary Villar si ta dicta con el maga alla. Ese para habla yo que de bien dictador si Congressman Lobregat,” Mariano said. Mariano was a former supporter and a political ally of Lobregat, whose clan is originally from Cebu and Lanao del Sur province in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, but broke his ties with the lawmaker for his alleged autocratic and dictatorial style of politics. (BCPR)

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December 3-9, 2018

Duterte inaugurates new BoholPanglao International Airport P RESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE led the inauguration recently of the P8.9-billion Bohol-Panglao International Airport (BPIA). Duterte asHe stressed that it sured Boholanos of the would be the perfect time government’s full sup- for tourists to explore the port in making the prov- wonders of Bohol urging ince more accessible Filipinos “to demonstrate to tourists through its solidarity in our shared newly-constructed air- task of building a stronger port, which is expected and more robust society to serve as an alternate for all.” Dubbed as the “Green gateway to Central ViGateway to the World,” the sayas. “This modern airport Panglao airport was built will serve local and in- in cooperation with the ternational tourists who Government of Japan supwould like to experience ported and funded by the the beauty of Panglao. Japan International CoopIt will also address the eration Agency. With a toproblem of our growing tal project cost amounting traffic congestion and to P8.914 billion, the facilaccelerate economic ac- ity was built in a 220-hecttivities in the region,” he are site in Panglao Island, said. “Be assured of this which is 10 times bigger government’s full sup- than Tagbilaran Airport’s port as you make Bohol 22-hectare land area. With its larger space, it more accessible to the world through this new is expected to accommodate two million passenairport.”

gers annually, more than double the capacity of Tagbilaran Airport. It can also accommodate four large jets such as Boeing 777s and Airbus 330s, or seven small jets like Airbus 321s or 200s. It was likewise declared to be the first eco-airport in the country. And we take great pride in its complete airport facilities that feature green and sustainable structures, such as solar panels and motion sensor lighting, among others. When it comes to its architectural design, BPIA features undulating roofs inspired by the world famous Chocolate Hills and the waves from the beaches in Panglao. With the new airport’s opening, the local government will then order the Tagbilaran Airport closed, as it will be developed into a business park.

Bohol-Panglao International Airport (DOTr Photo)

Drug traders put up bounty vs. cops: Police CEBU CITY - Drug personalities in Cebu have reportedly put up reward money for anybody who can kill a policeman in the province. Provincial police director, Senior Supt. Manuel Abrugena said they have received “raw” information that members of a drug syndicate have chipped in money for the bounty on every policeman’s head. Abrugena, citing intelligence reports, said drug lords will be giving

out P20,000 for every killed policeman. He said they received the information following their successive operations especially in Talisay City, where illegal drugs trade allegedly continues to thrive. But he was quick to say that they are still validating the reports and called on his men to continue doing their job. Police have been conducting anti-drug operations in Cebu and drug trad-

ers want to retaliate since their nefarious activities have been greatly affected, Abrugena said. Because of the CPPO’s intensified anti-drug campaign, several police officers have also received death threats, he said. “I have advised the men and women of the CPPO not to be affected by the threats and remain vigilant. Threats are part of their job,” Abrugena said. (Luel Galarpe)

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