Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper

Last Bangsamoro plebiscite set

Marawi City residents cast their votes for the first Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite. (Photo by Wilnard Bacelonia)

WITH THE Bangsamoro plebiscite set on February 6, Muslims in Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato will decide whether to approve or reject the Bangsamoro Organic Law or BOL and be included in the new autonomous region under the wrebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF.

The MILF, which signed an interim peace deal with Manila in 2014, is expected to rule the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region after majority of the Muslims in Mindanao voted January 21 for the ratification of the BOL – except Sulu province and Isabela City in Basilan province.

The BOL (Republic Act 11054) shall replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or ARMM.

ARMM is composed of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur provinces. Majority of Sulu’s over 830,000 Tausug population led by their political leaders Governor Toto Tan and his father, Dr. Sakur Tan wanted out of the autonomous region and to be part again of Zamboanga Peninsula or Region 9.

But because of the block voting, Sulu shall stay with the autonomous region, except if the Supreme Court decides that the new organic law violates the Constitution following two petitions filed by Sulu Governor Toto Tan and the Philippine Constitution Association or PHIL- CONSA.

Petitions

Tan, in his petition filed late last year, is questioning the legality and constitutionality of the BOL. And PHIL- CONSA also filed a separate petition and asked the Supreme Court to declare the organic law as unconstitutional, null and void.

Both petitions questioned the creation of a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region or BAR to replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao which is composed of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.

Constitutional framers argued the 1987 Constitution only recognizes one autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao. The creation of a Bangsamoro political entity is contrary to the Constitution which created only provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays, and autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras, according to PHILCON- SA.

“When R.A. 11054 abolished the ARMM and created the BARMM, a new and distinct territorial and political subdivision in lieu thereof, without first amending the Constitution, respondent’s legislative and executive departments violated and/ or amended Sec. 1, Art. X of the Constitution, without jurisdiction or authority, with grave abuse of discretion tantamount to lack of and/or in excess of jurisdictions.”

“The legislative and the executive departments, creations of the Constitution, must observe and stand beside the Constitution and not act above, defy or supplant it,” PHILCONSA said.

Sulu along with Basilan and Tawi-Tawi were all originally part of Region 9 following the signing of the 1986 peace agreement between the Moro National Liberation Front under Nur Misuari and the Ramos administration. After the accord, a referendum was held following the 1989 signing by President Corazon Aquino of the Republic Act 6734, and amended in 2001 which paved the way for another plebiscite which included Basilan and Marawi City.

ARMM

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, a strong advocate of BOL, also urged his constituents to support the BOL and participate in the plebiscite because it is the answer to the aspirations of the Bangsamoro.

“Ang yes (vote) sa BOL ay yes sa ating mga pangarap. Kung may BOL, mas malaya ang pamahalaang Bangsamoro na magdesisyon para sa sarili. Bukod pa rito, ang BOL ang pinaka-sagisag ng tagumpay ng prosesong pangkapayapaan. Kung mara-ratify ito, magiging malinaw ang mensahe sa lahat, tapos na ang gulo. Kung may BOL, mas malaya ang pamahalaang Bangsamoro na mag-desisyon para sa sarili. Mababawasan na ang paulit-ulit at mahabang pasahan ng pakiusap at pagmamakaawa sa pagitan natin at ng Maynila. Mas mapapabilis ang pagbaba ng serbisyo ng gobyerno,” he said.

“Ang BOL ang pinaka-sagisag ng tagumpay ng prosesong pangkapayapaan. Kung mararatify ito, magiging malinaw ang mensahe sa lahat - tapos na ang gulo. Bagama’t kailangan pa rin bantayan at kailangan pa ring ingatan, masasabi nating narito na ang kapayapaan,” he added.

Murad Ebrahim

Murad Ebrahim, the MILF chieftain, has warned that they will continue with their struggle if the BOL is not ratified.

“As a revolutionary, we are prepared for whatever scenario, as long as the democratic processes is conducted in good manner, without intimidation, without cheating, we are determined to accept whatever is the result (of the plebiscite).”

“Now if when and if BOL will not be ratified, then we will continue to struggle until the (peace) agreement is implemented. It is the duty of the government to implement the agreement. We are only a partner, but the main responsibility is with the government, they have to implement the agreement,” Ebrahim said.

The Commission on Elections said the total number of registered voters in the ARMM plebiscite is 1,980,441 and 71,124 in Isabela City, and 113,751 in Cotabato City. The second referendum for Lanao del Sur has 352,494 registered voters and North Cotabato with 286,867 voters.

MILF

The plebiscite is a result of the March 2014 interim peace deal between the MILF and Manila. The rebel group vowed to surrender a third of its huge weapons stockpiles if the organic law is ratified. Rebel forces have tripled if not doubled due to its massive recruitment in the South taking advantage of the peace talks with the Filipino government at the time of then President Benigno Aquino and now President Rodrigo Duterte.

It now boasts of heavy armaments, including anti-aircraft machine guns, B40 anti-tank rockets, mortars and assorted high-powered rifles, and an army of civilian supporters, many of them counting on the prospects of better life with the new Bangsamoro region under the MILF rule.

For his part, Ebrahim said the decommissioning of weapons is part of the accord and vowed to implement it. “The decommissioning process is part of the agreement and as part of agreement; we are bound to implement our side. And we assure the people and the government that once the process will be implemented as a condition for the decommissioning then we will immediately undergo decommissioning(process). Our fighters are already well aware of this and they have expressed their full support for the decommissioning process,” he said.

MNLF

Ebrahim’s group originally was part of the Moro National Liberation Front under Nur Misuari, but broke away in the late 1970s, and fought the democratic government for the establishment of a separate Muslim homeland.

Misuari eventually signed a peace agreement with Manila in September 1996 and after the accord agreement was signed, he became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region. But despite the peace accord, there was a widespreaddisillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.

Under the peace agreement, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.

In 2001, Misuari’s loyal forces and former rebels, who joined the Philippine Army following the September 1996 peace accord, attacked a key military base in Jolo town and civilian targets in Zamboanga City in an effort to stop the government from calling an election in the ARMM.

Misuari then escaped by boat to Malaysia, where he had been arrested and deported to the Philippines and was eventually pardoned and released by then President Gloria Arroyo in exchange for MNLF support to her election bid as well as her allies in the Senate and Congress in 2004. He also ran thrice for governor in Sulu even while under detention, but lost miserably.

Now, when Duterte became president, he ordered police and military not to arrest Misuari – his friend and political ally – saying he would talk peace with the MNLF, and even invited the former Libyan firebrand in the Presidential Palace to talk about peace. (Mindanao Examiner)

Most Muslims favor BOL approval, survey says

A SURVEY by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) has showed that 79 percent of Muslims in the country favor the approval of the controversial Bangsamoro Organic Law or BOL.

In the SWS report released only last week, showed 67 percent of Muslims nationwide say they definitely want it and 12 percent somewhat want it, while 14 percent were undecided, and 4 percent somewhat do not want it. The 3 percent said they don’t want it. This gives a net approval score of +72.

The same survey held in December also showed that there is a higher net approval among those who understand the law. For respondents who have extensive knowledge about the BOL, a net approval was recorded at +43, with 62 percent saying they definitely/somewhat want it and 19 percent who said they somewhat/definitely do not want it (19 percent undecided).

President Rodrigo Duterte has since pitched for the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, officially the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, being the first president who hails from Mindanao and bore witness to the ‘Moro problem’.

The President called on the people of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Cotabato City, and Isabela City to cast their vote for the BOL’s ratification. “Let us use the plebiscite as a peaceful means to finally correct the historical injustice committed against the Bangsamoro people,” Duterte said.

The net approval of the BOL was higher among those satisfied with his performance, at 20 percent. Some 5 percent are undecided, while a -3 percent said otherwise. Upon approval, the historic law would pave the way for the abolition of the ARMM, which was established in 1989 through Republic Act 6734. The ARMM groups the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

The Bangsamoro government will be parliamentary-democratic in form, a first in the country’s political history. It will be headed by a regional leader called a chief minister, who will preside over an 80-member parliament.

The nationwide SWS poll was determined using face-to-face interviews of 1,440 adults ages 18 and older. (Christine Cudis)

‘Black propagandists’ spread fake news on Facebook

Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco (Photo by Kathy Wee Sit)

SEVERAL FACEBOOK accounts have begun posting “fake news” and “false information” on the Talisayan resettlement site and parroting what rabid critics and black propagandists have accused Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco.

Supporters of Mayor Beng reported the spike of political attacks and fake news made by trolls and army of propagandists to malign the popular mayor and members of the City Council for their pro-poor programs.

They said critics of Mayor Beng were desperately trying to fool the people by fabricating lies and spreading them as the “gospel truth” just like a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” ready to devour their unsuspecting victims.

Mayor Beng, who is running for re-election in the May polls, has warned the public to be wary of these social media posts which are obviously from her political foes.

Traditional politician Celso Lobregat also used the same issue against Mayor Beng. First on Lobregat’s list is the Talisayan resettlement area. And complete with his dramatic antics and tagging his Team Colorao led by his brother Jomar, questioned the basis of the local government in choosing the area for a relocation site for poor residents.

Lobregat’s group even questioned the feasibility study conducted by former government housing czar Cesar ‘Jawo’ Jimenez Jr. in Talisayan, saying, the area is prone to tsunami in case of a huge tremor, and that the relocation site is situated in the interior of the barangay which needs to be developed further allegedly to ensure safe habitation.

Just like in movies, Lobregat acts like the antagonist, while Mayor Beng is the protagonist – the real advocate or champion of a benevolent cause, who always put the welfare of the people as her top priority.

Defending the good mayor and the City Council which approved the putting up of the resettlement site, Jimenez accused Lobregat and his brother of lying to the public on the Talisayan resettlement issue.

“Anyway, claro man ese, open ese na public puwera lang con aquel otro na…they are trying to…hace issue, hace ya tamen liyas (mentiras) kanaton, hace ya tamen imbusterias,” Jimenez said told Brigada News.

Jimenez, who is running for a congressional seat in District 1, also took a swipe on Jomar, for riding on the issue – like Celso – which they do not fully understand, except use the Talisayan relocation site as propaganda so they get free media exposure.

“Aquel ta habla si Mr. Jomar Lobregat, por que daw de miyo tata (Councilman and lawyer Cesar ‘Sang’ Jimenez Sr.) yan preside (na City Council session) when the issue was tackled well, sabe man kita todo si Atty. Sang Jimenez is the Floor Leader, and whenever the regular presiding officer hinde le tan preside over the session, el Floor Leader amo tan cuento.”

“That was presented in the City Council. The contract or the deed of sale para con ese Talisayan property. El issue that time was for the Council to approve and to give the Honorable Mayor (Beng) the authority to sign the contract,” he said.

While Jomar was basing his allegations on searches of available real estate in other barangays in Google or the Internet, Jimenez said: “We are not basing our facts in Google alone cay tene quita maga oficina que puwede man anda saca maga propio informacion.”

Jimenez said Lobregat should also provide answers or clarifications of all real estate acquisitions for local government projects during his time as mayor, or prior. One such Lobregat project was the resettlement area in Barangay Tulungatung which was P99 million.

“So to begin with, el last time ya compra (el govierno local) bien grande tierra for resettlement area is in Tulungatung. I think that was 20 years ago and the question is how much did it cost the government for the Tulungatung and it was P99 million - so that was 20 years ago,” he said, comparing it to the cost of the Talisayan resettlement site.

Lobregat claimed that many of the poor dwellers declined to be relocated in Talisayan because it is too far away from downtown Zamboanga, but this was also denied by Jimenez.

“I wonder where he gets this information. Obligacion se de atun, antes quita grita na aire el de atun informacion, see to it na todo se verdad y hinde aquel ta hace lang quita imbusterias na maga vivientes,” Jimenez said.

He added: “Habla gane yo otra vez, 20 years ago during the time of late Caling Lobregat (former mayor and mother of Celso and Jomar) tiene alli resettlement area na Tulungatung, el abajo lang pa aquel P99 million ya y ya queda gayot este controversial. Again, no mas quita disemina fake news. Just a simple statement, the lies cosa ta habla el Team Colorao despues na todo asunto, el maga vivientes de Zamboanga sabe quien ta habla el verdad.”

Lobregat, citing real estate valuation, said interior lot – just like the Talisayan resettlement site - would only cost about P250 per square meter. But Jimenez challenged Lobregat to find lot owners in Talisayan who would sell their property for P250 per square meter. “Nohay quita encontra value del tiera P250 cada square meter. No difundir mentiras or fake news,” he said.

City Administrator Apple Go said negotiations with the Talisayan lot owner is now on going. (BC PR)

ARMM holds 1st Bangsamoro Datathon

COTABATO CITY - The Regional Planning and Development Office (RP- DO-ARMM) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) spearheaded a three-day Bangsamoro Datathon here.

The Bangsamoro Datathon (data + marathon) is a series of support processes in service of the transition from the ARMM to Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The exercise covered open data, open street mapping, and benchmark data.

The project is aimed consolidating and evaluating available administrative, statistical, and framework geospatial data of the ARMM and existing development plans and studies; comprehensive data inventory and consolidation required to build a baseline for the shift from the ARMM to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority this year; focus on development data, not human resource data (assets, liabilities, and personnel); train analysts and other officers of the ARMM regional government and the incoming Bangsamoro Transition Authority on basic geospatial analysis; and encourage the practice of open data in the context of open governance in the Bangsamoro.

The initial dataset was for Marawi City and Lanao del Sur for the first quarter of 2018. Later, the ARMM Regional Government worked with its different line agencies to also try updating the Regional Physical Framework Plan and the five Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plans in preparation for the transition to the incoming new Bangsamoro government.

During the recent activity, an overview and inventory of all the data, place-based analysis, and geographical data generation and cleaning were conducted. “This project marks the Bangsamoro as the first region in the Philippines to have an open geospatial and statistical portal for development planning and programming,” Baintan Adil-Ampatuan, RP- DO-ARMM executive director, said.

The datathon was successfully conducted with the support of all ARMM line agencies, provincial governments of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, National Economic and Development Authority, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, and the technical working staff of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission.

It was financed by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and The Asia Foundation. (Bureau of Public Information)

Wish granted, teachers & jailers get aid from Sulu guv

Sulu Gov. Toto Tan discusses school projects with teachers from Laum Alat Elementary School in the capital town of Jolo. (NBJ)

Gov. Tan with BJMP officials. (NBJ)

SULU - Governor Toto Tan has approved a request from teachers of Laum Alat Elementary School in the capital town of Jolo for assistance for the construction of a faculty room and for materials and repair and maintenance of the school.

The teachers headed by Benhar H. Jamali, Jonathan B. Maharail, Hashim H. Hadjibun were accompanied by Barangay Kagawad Arnalyn Jiron and Micram Madjilon.

Tan, have on many occasions, assisted various schools and students in their needs, as gestures of the priority he accords for the improvement and advancement of education in the province.

The governor also met with officials of the Bureau of Jail Management (BJMP) led by SJO2 Rashideen Isahac Yahya who went to see Tan to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation for his assistance in various improvement projects of BJMP in Jolo town.

Tan gave assurance to continue extending support to the improvement of the BJMP. (NBJ)

Aviation industry needs more infra projects, low-cost terminals

AIRASIA PHILIPPINES Chief Executive Officer Dexter Comendador said the aviation industry needs more infrastructures, including low-cost terminals, adding, it is a major problem for local carriers.

In an exclusive interview with the Philippine News Agency, Comendador said this is also the reason why AirAsia is creating hubs. “The government should develop more airports. There should also be more hotels to complement that,” he said.

Comendador said AirAsia is launching new Chinese routes this quarter via Kalibo, Aklan, instead of via Manila. “We no longer have space to offer the new routes via NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport). So, the other airports benefit from the new destination offerings,” he said.

He said the carrier will have three new planes this year and there’s no space for him to park these at NAIA. “We need slots so we could put more planes and so we could offer new routes from there,” Comendador said.

For low-cost terminals, he said developing a huge, extravagant airport like the Mactan-Cebu International Airport is fine. But he said the government would also realize that building lowcost terminals will be very helpful to the aviation industry.

He described a low-cost terminal as a simple terminal where carriers could have a fast turnaround time, and where passengers could pass through up to the gate within 20 minutes.

Comendador explained that AirAsia Philippines for instance, deplanes in 10 minutes while refuelling and only have 5 minutes for security and cleaning, and another 10 minutes for boarding. A simple terminal’s ramp, therefore, should be able to accommodate a 25-minute turnaround time, he said.

“We need the infrastructure, we need the facilities,” he said, adding, AirAsia Philippines has been building hubs in regional airports. Currently, the carrier has a hub in Manila, Clark, Kalibo and Cebu.

Comendador said he is eyeing the recently-launched Bohol-Panglao International Airport, the country’s first eco-airport, as the airline’s fifth hub by 2019.

He also acknowledged the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program. “It is very important for us because Manila is too congested already,” Comendador, who is also a pilot, said Luzon is just small, and air traffic must really be addressed. “For us, pilots, we see Luzon from end to end, and it’s small,” he remarked, and added that building other airports will be helpful,” he said.

According to Comendador, AirAsia Philippines would want to introduce contactless check-in counters in the country, but the airline needs the necessary facility. “Passengers’ checkin time will be processed faster if we do that contactless. They would only need to undergo facial recognition. Of course, we need to have the facility in our airports for us to introduce this,” he said.

Comendador emphasized that AirAsia is banking on digital technologies. He said AirAsia has pioneered the seamless baggage checkin at Changi Airport in Singapore, and is also offering the same service in some airports in the Philippines. He said the service enables passengers to tag and drop their baggage by themselves. (Maria Cristina Arayata)

New suit filed vs. martial law in Mindanao

ANOTHER SUIT has been filed before the Supreme Court (SC) questioning the extension of martial law in Mindanao.

In a 30-page petition dated January 15, lawyers led by Christian Monsod, asked the High Court to issue a restraining order to stop the implementation of Proclamation No. 216 extending martial law in the southern region.

The petitioners argued that “the power of the court to determine the sufficiency of the basis of martial law is over and beyond the action which Congress may take... (T)he intent of the framers of the Constitution is for this Honorable Court to play an active role in the determination of the sufficiency of the factual basis for the extension of martial law at this instance,” they said.

“Verily, the Court of expected to be especially critical and have an active involvement with this conferred power to review the proclamation or extension of martial law. The powers of the judiciary to review are actual- ly a product of our experience during martial law,” the petitioners added.

Meanwhile, the oral arguments into the suit challenging the extension of martial law in Mindanao have been rescheduled, SC spokesman Jose Midas said. “There will be no oral arguments tomorrow. It has been moved to January 29 and if another day is still needed on the 30th,” Marquez said. Militant group Bayan Muna, which filed their own petition, earlier asked the Supreme Court to consolidate their petition with the one filed by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman and that the group may “be allowed to participate in the oral arguments.”

State lawyers, on the other hand, asked the Supreme Court to turn down the petition filed before the tribunal, which challenges the validity of the extension of martial law in Mindanao. In a 50- page comment, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) pointed out that conditions warranting the extension of martial law did not end with the cessation of the Marawi City siege by extremist groups.

The OSG also insisted that there is “sufficient factual basis to extend the duration of the effectivity of martial law since rebellion persists in Mindanao and (that) public safety requires the extension.”

Solicitor General Jose Calida also underscored that Congress has the sole authority to allow or deny any extension of martial law, explaining that the petitioners in the case failed to show that they will be prejudiced by the extension of martial law. “Petitioners do not have a clear and unmistakable legal right to prevent the implementation of the extension of martial law in Mindanao,” he said.

Among other things, Calida also pointed out that communist terrorist groups have pursued recruitment campaigns in Mindanao, leading to more lawlessness and violence. No less than 181 persons in the martial law arrest orders have remained at large, Calida noted.

“Despite the dwindling strength and capabilities of the local terrorist rebel groups, the recent bombings that transpired in Mindanao that collectively killed 16 people and injured 63 others in less than two months is a testament on how lethal and ingenious terrorist attacks have become,” he said.

The OSG also stressed that Mindanao remains to be the hotbed of the communist insurgency, citing that eight of the 14 active provinces in terms of communist rebel insurgency are on the island. Citing again the SC’s previous rulings, the OSG said sufficient legal safeguards are in place against human rights abuses.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23, 2017 after pro-ISIS militants laid siege on Marawi City in Lanao del Sur province and houseto-house fighting lasted 5 months and left the whole area in ruins. Since then, martial law in Mindanao has thrice been granted extension, with the most recent from January 1 to December. 31, 2019. (Benjamin Pulta)

North Cotabato, tinamaan ng El Nino

A farmer tills his dry land. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

KIDAPAWAN CITY - Abot sa 45 mga magsasaka mula sa dalawang mga barangay sa Kidapawan City sa lalawigan ng North Cotabato ang apektado na ng El Nino matapos na makaranas ng matinding tag-tuyot dito sa mga na- kalipas na linggo.

Ito ay kinumpirma rin sa Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper ni City Agriculturist Marisa Aton at sinabi nito na ang mga naapektuhang magsasaka ay mula sa mga barangay ng Onica at Macebolig. Karamihan sa mga natuyong mga pananim ay mga sakahang palay at ang taniman ng mga gulay na umaabot na sa 75 ektarya.

Ayon sa kanilang isinagawang evaluation, sinabi ni Aton na ang Barangay Onica ay umaasa lamang sa ulan kaya’t ang mga palayan at gulayan ay nanunuyo na. Ang barangay Macebolig naman ay sa irigasyon rin lamang umaasa ang mga magsasaka, pero maging ang supply ng tubig ay kinukulang na rin.

Sa ngayon ay nakapagsumite na rin ng datos ang City Agriculturist Office para agad na makapagbigay ng tulong sa mga apektadong magsasaka. Maliban sa Kidapawan City ay apektado na rin umano ang 20 barangay sa bayan ng M’lang at ilang mga lugar sa bayan ng Tulunan. (Rhoderick Beñez)

Palay farmers urged to avail of subsidized buying price

KORONADAL CITY - The local government has advised palay farmers here to sell their harvests to the National Food Authority (NFA) in the wake of the declining commercial buying prices here and other parts of South Cotabato province.

Emelita Miguel, head of the City Agriculture Office, said farmers could avail of the subsidized prices being offered by the food agency that are way higher than those of local private traders.

Farmers and local government officials earlier raised alarm over the decreasing prices of commercial palay in recent weeks in the city and other parts of South Cotaba- to, reaching as low as P14 a kilo.

Miguel said farmers could get as much as P20.70 a kilo from the NFA based on the additional incentives that the agency currently offers. “They assured us that they have enough funds to buy the palay produce of our farmers,” she told reporters.

The city government has already issued 50 certifications to local palay farmers as required by the agency, she said, adding that the certification aims to ensure that those selling their produce to the NFA are legitimate farmers and not private traders.

Miguel said they are also providing assistance to farmers for the proper drying of their harvests based on the requirements set by NFA.

“DA is currently working on the opening of drying facilities in NFA buying stations that could be used by palay farmers,” she said.

For the hauling of palay to the buying stations, she said the food agency will be deploying additional mobile procurement trucks in several barangays. Miguel said the NFA provincial office here has been visiting villages that have harvestable palay to ensure that they would be covered by its procurement program. (Hydee Templonuevo)

Cebu ready to mark 500 years of Christianity

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma (in amaranth red skull cap) is assisted by Agustinian Friar, Fr. Pacifico Nohara Jr., Basilica Minore del Santo Niño’s prior-rector, in mounting the centuries-old image of Señor Santo Niño de Cebu. (Photo courtesy of Basilica Minore del Santo Niño Facebook page/Pitik DM Daan)

CEBU CITY — The Archdiocese of Cebu said it is set to host various events to celebrate 500 years of Christianity in the country in 2021 and Pope Francis may attend the event, Archbishop Jose Palma said.

Palma said the invitation was already sent to Vatican for the leader of 1.2-billion members of the Roman Catholic Church in the world to visit the Philippines.

“Two years from now, saulogon nato ang ika-500 nga anibersaryo niining unang bunyag, niining unang,” Palma said in his recent homily during the Pontifical Mass in honor of Señor Santo Niño de Cebu.

“Ug itugot ni Lord, i-ampo nato nga posible moabot ang Papa kay giimbitar man. Mag-ampo kita for that kalooy sa Dios, kay importante kining kasaulogan sa 500 ka anibersaryo sa pag-abot ni Santo Niño dinhi sa,” Palma said.

The Archbishop said the country is known to be the “cradle of Christianity in Asia,” with history commemorated every January. He reminded the devotees about the significance of the “kaplag” (finding) of the miraculous image of Santo Niño on April 28, 1565, some 44 years after the arrival of Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, in March 1521.

“Sayod kita nga tuig 1521 pag-abot sa mga Katsila gibunyagan si Queen Juana ug gihatag ang imahen ni Santo Niño,” he said.

Juana was the wife of King Humabon, the ruler of Cebu when Magellan arrived.

Palma said after 44 years when the Agustinian missionaries arrived with Miguel Lopez de Lagazpi in Cebu, the image was found unscathed in a scorched hut. “The point is, we say that the Spaniards found the Santo Niño image, but the truth is, it was the Santo Niño who found us, the people in Islas de la Pilipinas,” Palma said.

The Cebu Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has set this year’s theme for the year of the youth, “Filipino Youth in Mission: Beloved, Gifted, Empowered,” in preparation for the 2021 celebration of 500 years of Christian faith, he said as he urged the faithful to pray for this big celebration. (John Rey Saavedra)

Sinulog Festival, a huge success

Re-electionist Senator JV Ejercito.

CEBU – The strong Catholic devotion of Cebuanos have proved once more that faith in God brings together people from all walks of life as the Sinulog Festival here - one of the Philippines’ grandest religious festivals - was a huge success.

Over 2 million people from various parts of the country and even from abroad joined the Sinulog parade in Cebu City. Colored floats and different costumes by contingents many of them carrying the infant Jesus, snaked throughout the city’s roads and chanting “Viva Santo Niño” while security forces enforced tight measures around Cebu.

Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, who is seeking re-election, also congratulated Cebu officials for the rousing success of annual festival which showcased the talent of the Cebuanos’ interpreted in various activities and programs that entertained the spectators.

Ejercito said he admires the Cebuanos for preserving and promoting the Filipino rich tradition and culture through the Sinulog Festival using modern style of performances and displays without losing its religious roots and content, which is a deep expression of honor, faith, and complete devotion to the Beloved Santo Niño.

“We Filipinos should be thankful to the local officials of Cebu and their partners in the private sector and all the Cebuanos for giving us a very lively, joyful, and memorable Sinulog Festival every year and I hope this will inspire us to contribute our share, whether individually or collectively, in promoting and preserving our rich heritage amid rapid social transformation and modernization,” he said.

Cebuanos, just like those in Mindanao and Luzon, are strong supporters of Ejercito, who is included in the top 12 of the recent SWS senatorial survey.

For over three decades now, the Sinulog Festival, a traditional celebration in Cebu City held every third Sunday of January, is to honor the Santo Niño which many devotees believe performs miracle. (Cebu Examiner)

NBI leads probe on murder of ex-Cebu prosecutor

THE PALACE has directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a probe on the murder of former Cebu City Assistant City Prosecutor Mary Ann Castro who was killed by motorcycle gunmen.

“We are outraged by the brutal and brazen ambush of former Cebu City Assistant Prosecutor Mary Ann Castro,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said. “The Department of Justice, through the National Bureau of Investigation, has been directed to immediately look into this dastardly crime, identify the perpetrators and bring them to the bar of justice.”

He said the Philippine National Police (PNP) will also review whether there was an oversight that took place despite the election gun ban.“The Philippine National Police has likewise been directed to check into possible lapses, if any, considering the incident happened during an election gun ban,” he said.

Panelo assured Castro’s family members that justice will be served. Castro was ambushed January 17 while driving a yellow Nissan Juke along Escario St. in Cebu City. (Azer Parrocha)