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April 8-14, 2019
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PASAKOP NA TAYO SA CHINA! I
TO ANG naging tugon ni Senator Panfilo Lacson dahil sa umano’y pagiging malambot ng pamahalaang Duterte sa pamba-braso ng China hindi lamang sa mga mangingisdang Pinoy, ngunit maging sa pagsakop nito sa mga isla ng ating bansa sa South China Sea at pagpasok sa teritoryo ng Pilipinas.
Read Story on page 2
Security tight in Isulan town after bombing President Rodrigo Duterte and President Xi Jinping (PCOO)
Duterte orders review of all govt. contracts PRESIDENT DUTERTE has ordered the Solicitor-General, the Secretary of Justice, and all those in the legal departments of different government agencies to finally review all contracts entered into by the government.
ARMM
The order coincided with mounting calls by the public for Duterte to bare all contracts entered by the government with China, especially on infrastructure programs and other loans that could be Continue on page 2
Eastern Mindanao
KIDAPAWAN CITY – Security has been tightened around Isulan town in the southern Filipino province of Sultan Kudarat after last week’s bomb attack outside a restaurant that left over a dozen casualties. Maj. Arvin Encinas, a spokesman for the 6th Infantry Division, said 18 people were wounded in the bombing outside Continue on page 3
Western Mindanao
Photo shows police investigators searching for the remains of an improvised explosive device that went off April 3, 2019 outside the Carlito’s Chicken in Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat.
Cebu
Manila
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The Mindanao Examiner
April 8-14, 2019
PASAKOP NA TAYO SA CHINA! Duterte sa United Nations Arbitral Tribunal decision na nagpatibay sa sovereign rights ng Pilipinas sa South China Sea. At ang masakit pa nito
ay nagsagawa ng exploration ang China sa Benham Rise na teritoryo ng ating bansa at 5 sa mga underwater features ay walang takot na inako ng
China at pinangalanang Haidongqing Seamount, Jinghao Seamount, Tianbao Seamount, Jujiu Seamounts at Cuiqiao Hill. (Mindanao Examiner)
Duterte orders review of all govt. contracts
Sen. Panfilo Lacson (senate.gov.ph) Sinabi ni Lacson na ang bansa sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Duterte ay naging “too friendly, too accommodating” sa kapritso ng China. “The fact that there are...Chinese vessels ng mga militia, not even fishermen, anong ini-indicate noon? Tapos sasabihin natin hindi naman tayo pwedeng makipag-giyera sa China, isang missile lang tapos na tayo. So kung ganoon rin lang, pasakop na tayo, ‘di ba?” ani Lacson sa CNN Philippines. Matatandaang paulit-ulit na sinasabi ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa kanyang mga public speeches na walang magagawa ang ating bansa laban sa China sa kabila
ng maraming abuso ng mga Chinese Coast Guard sa teritoryo ng Pilipinas sa South China Sea. Ito ay sa kabila ng matinding batikos na ibinabato ng publiko kay Duterte dahil sa pagiging inutil umano nito pagdating sa isyu ng China na siyang inuutangan ng Pangulo upang maisulong ang infrastructure program nitong “Build, Build, Build” kahit lubog na lubog sa utang ang Pilipinas. Sinabi pa ni Lacson na kinumpirma na rin ng Armed Forces of the Philippines na nagkalat ang napakaraming barko ng China sa paligid ng Pagasa Island. Wala rin magawa ang militar dahil sa
katayuan o pagkampi ni Duterte sa China. Ayon kay Lacson, mas mabuti pang itigil na ni Duterte ang pagsasabi sa publiko na walang kakayahan ang Pilipinas na ipagtanggol ang karapatan ng bansa o ng mga Pilipinong mangingisda sa South China Sea. Maging ang Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ay mistulang inutil na rin matapos nitong sabihin sa mga mangingisdang Pinoy na umiwas na lamang sa South China Sea. “Alam mo nang mahina ka, huwag mo nang ipagsigawan na mahina ka kasi lalo kang ibu-bully (ng China),” wika pa ni Lacson. Wala rin aksyon si
40 Kidapawan business establishments ordered closed KIDAPAWAN CITY – The local government has ordered the closure of 40 business establishments for operating without the necessary permits. Lawyer Christopher Cabelin, the City Legal Counsel, said the closure order imposed after owners of the business establishments had failed to secure permits from City Hall
and continue to operate illegally. “Business permits are needed and we cannot allow these establishments to continue operating without the required permits. And we appeal to all business owners to follow the law or the Local Revenue Code ,” he said. Cabelin said Kidapawan remains “business-friendly” and re-
minded business owners to secure their permits before legally operating. He said the local government had given enough time for business owners to permits and comply with all the needed requirements such as building permit, fire safety permit, sanitary permit, installation of CCTV, amiong others. (Rhoderick Beñez)
Lalaki, sumuko matapos mapatay ang utol, isa pa sa Davao Sur KIDAPAWAN CITY – Boluntaryong sumuko sa mga otoridad ang isang 33-anyos na lalaki na siyang pumatay sa kanyang sariling kapatid at security guard sa bayan ng Santa Cruz sa Davao del Sur. Ayon sa pulisya, nakunsensya umano si Jaime Panerio sa kanyang nagawa kung kaya’t nag-desisyong sumuko. Nabatid na naganap ang krimen sa Sitio Lower Pogpog sa Barangay Sibulan kamakailan lamang. Si Panerio ay residente ng Barangay Tinongtongan
sa bayan ng Bansalan at selos ang umano ang ugat ng krimen. Kinilala naman ng pulisya ay mga biktima na sina Mitchie Panerio, 28, isang magsasaka; at Elmon Galugas, 31. At batay sa inisyal na pagsisiyasat, ang mga biktima, kasama ang kanilang mga kaibigan, ay masayang nag-iinuman sa bahay ng suspek na noon ay wala doon. Habang nasa kalagitnaan ng pagiinuman ang mga biktima ay biglang dumating ang suspek at
sinipa nito ang pintuan at ginulpi ang dati nitong kasintahan na si Judecel Avergonsado na naroon rin. Hindi pa nasiyahan sa ginawa ay bumunot pa ito ng .357 Magnum revolver at binaril si Galugas at ang nakababatang kapatid. Ayon kay Captain Mary Grace Martinez, hepe ng pulisya, isinugod pa sa pagamutan ang mga biktima, ngunit patay na ang mga ito. Swerteng nakaligtas si Avergonsado. Nahaharap ngayon sa kasong kriminal si Panerio. (Rhoderick Beñez)
Continued from page 1 disadvantageous. But Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte’s decision came after the President himself discovered an onerous provision contracted by the Ramos’ administration when the government entered a deal with Maynilad. “In that contract the Republic of the Philippines was prohibited from interfering into the terms of contrac and that’s why we lost in the arbitration tribunal, and I think we were made to pay 3.5 billion pesos because according to the ruling, the government intervened and by reason of intervention Maynilad suffered damages,” Panelo said. He said Duterte is adamant in following the provisions of the Constitution. He said anything that runs counter to the highest law of the land can be rescinded and struck down by the government. Panelo claimed that Duterte’s order is to review, evaluate, scrutinize every contract entered into by the government and or its agencies with private entities and or states, and to determine whether there are onerous provisions in the contract that would put Filipinos at a disadvantage or would be in violation of the Constitution. “Even if it is executed, if it’s in violation of the Constitution, you can rescind and strike it down. We’ll ask the court to
rescind it,” Panelo said, adding, Duterte was disappointed to know that a private company is prohibiting the government from taking actions regarding water services. “That contract was entered into by the government and drafted by lawyers of the government. There could be collusion between the lawyers of the government and the lawyers of the private company. We cannot do that. We have to prosecute them,” Panelo explained. Quoting Duterte, Panelo said this new promulgation is the President’s way of keeping with his mandate to serve and protect the Filipino people. “In other words, the President is warning all and sundry that for as long as he is the President he will not allow anything that will go against the interest of the Filipino people. He will use the Constitution, all the powers given him to protect the Filipino people and to serve them faithfully,” he said. Panelo said Duterte’s new directive to the Cabinet is to review all contract regardless if it is already in place or not. “We’ll have to examine every provision in the contract. Anything against public policy or against the law, against the Constitution, we have to strike down. It would be a continuing investigation of contracts,” he said. (With a report from Mindanao Examiner)
April 8-14, 2019
The Mindanao Examiner
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Security tight in Isulan town after bombing
Photos released by the 6th Infantry Division to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner show police investigators searching for the remains of an improvised explosive device that went off April 3, 2019 outside the Carlito’s Chicken in Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat province in southern Philippines.
Continued from page 1 Carlito’s Chicken. He said soldiers andpolicemen recovered from the blast site broken parts of a 9 volt battery and fragments of a cell phone, believed used to detonate the bomb, and concrete nails, including pieces of plastic container which were all part of the improvised explosive that went off outside the restaurant. “We are still investigating who was behind this dastardly act. We also tightened security in the town to help local police force guard Isulan,” he told the Mindanao Examiner regional newspaper. Town Mayor Marites Pallasigue said the blast occurred in front of the restaurant along the highway and the attack came as a surprise. She said they had no intelligence report of an imminent attack or terror threats in Isulan. “Wala kahit ano, walang threat, wala lahat, walang intell report kahit na ano sa amin,” she said, adding, her town is generally peaceful, although an ISIS bombing in August 28 last year killed two people and left at least three dozen others wounded. “Generally, our place is peaceful. I don’t know what happened or why this is happening to our place now,” she said. Former presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza, in his Facebook account, said 2 children were killed in the powerful explosion. “Two kids already confirmed dead! Gov. Pax Mangudadatu just informed me. He is now rushing from GenSan to the site,” he wrote. But Encinas said there were no reports of Dureza’s claim. “No, we have no report about it,” he said. A video posted on Facebook showed civilians running and screaming as black smoke billowed in front of the restaurant. The clip, recorded from a cell phone by another civilian, can be viewed here:https://www.facebook.com/jomayma.santiago.1/ videos/340377610166510/?t=99. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the attack, but the previous motorcycle bombing was claimed by ISIS, according to SITE Intelligence. The blast coincided with the town’s 61st founding anniversary and occurred while the whole region is under martial rule. The motorcycle was parked along the highway near several shops in Kalawag village when it exploded around 8.30 p.m. and two other improvised explosives were recovered not far from the area. At least 35 people wounded in the blast were rushed to hospitals. And an adult and child died from the bombing. The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters or BIFF whose leaders have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, also claimed responsibility for last year’s attack in the town. The BIFF, whose members were mostly former Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters, is one of several pro-ISIS militant groups fighting for the establishment of a caliphate on Mindanao. Security forces have been fighting militant groups in the southern region the past years. The blast occurred following President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to the armed forces to crush terrorism. (Mindanao Examiner. With a report from Rhoderick Beñez)
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The Mindanao Examiner
General Santos City launches updated Citizen’s Charter
April 8-14, 2019
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General Santos City Mayor Ronnel Rivera signs the pledge of commitment for the updated Citizen’s Charter during its launching recently in this photo provided by the Public Information Office. GENERAL SANTOS has updated it Citizen’s Charter to further improve its operations and delivery of excellent services to the public. Mayor Ronnel Rivera said the 3rd edition of the Citizen’s Charter, mainly rationalized various transactions at the City Government and updated some major policies and processes. He said these include the removal of some duplicated requirements and signatories in the processing of documents. “We also updated and placed the required fees in our new Citizen’s Charter to make them more trans-
parent,” he said. Rivera said the updating of the Citizen’s Charter was in compliance with the provisions of Republic Act 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007, which aims to “combat corrupt behavior and improve frontline public services offered to the citizens.” The local government came up with the first edition after the approval of ARTA in 2007 and updated it in 2011. Director Rilimin Sandoval, of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, lauded the city government for updating its Citizen’s Charter
and for continually working to improve its governance systems. She said it complements with the national government’s efforts to “improve efficiency in the delivery of basic services to the public by reducing bureaucracy, red-tape and preventing graft and corruption.” Sandoval urged local residents to take advantage of the Citizen’s Charter and avail of the best services from the local government. “Whatever is written in this book should be implemented and be practiced,” she said. (With a report from Mindanao Examiner)
PCIC releases P20 million indemnities to farmers CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) said it has released some P19.6 million worth of indemnities to 1,596 farmers in the province of Bukidnon, and 67 farmers in Misamis Oriental who were affected by the dry spell. Lurther Romeo Salting, PCIC regional manager, said the undertaking was a respond to those severely affected by El Niño phenomenon. He said farmers, who are members of the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), may file a claim
for monetary indemnity for losses incurred due to the effects of El Niño pursuant to the premium subsidy fund from the national government. He also emphasized the importance of crop insurance and the benefits that can be gained out of the program. “All they have to do is fill up an application form before they start planting their crops, and specify the date they will start planting, their expenses, and the size of the farmland and submit this to the municipal agriculturist of their respective
towns,” Salting said. PCIC is mandated to provide insurance protection to farmers against losses arising from natural calamities, plant diseases and pest infestations of their palay and corn crops as well as other crops. Farmers reported damages on corn, rice, and vegetable crops due to El Niño since February. Damages in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental have reached to P309 million for corn while P10 million and P6.9 million for rice and vegetables, respectively. (EOR)
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The Mindanao Examiner
April 8-14, 2019
2019 is ‘big dengue year,’ says DOH THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH) has warned the public to take precautionary measures to avoid contracting dengue virus following a noted increase in the viral disease across the country. Health Undersecretary Enrique Domingo said they are now taking steps as part of their campaign to fight the spread of dengue. “We’re preparing now because we a’re expecting 2019 to be a big dengue year. The way dengue behaves is that you get one or two years of low cases and on the third year, tumataas,” he said He said the DOH Epidemiology Bureau reported 48,634 dengue cases in the first quarter of 2019 with 184 deaths. The figure showed significant increase from 23,328 cases with 150 deaths for the same period
last year. Central Visayas has the highest number of cases this year with 5,421 followed by Metro Manila with 4,855 cases, Calabarzon with 4,851 cases, Caraga Region with 4,570 cases and Central Luzon with 4,009 cases. Domingo said the cases are expected to rise in June which is the start of the rainy season. However, he warned the public against possible attack of dengue-carrying mosquitoes in the day during summer time. “Iyong dengue mosquito kasi (female mosquitoes mainly of the species Aedes aegypti) bites during the day so usually mga dawn hanggang an hour or two after sunset, so during the day syempre nakakatakot pa rin,” he said, adding, such mosquitoes also breed
in stagnant waters or in clogged rain gutters, sewers and discarded tires. Those who have been injected with the anti-dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, are still susceptible to the disease, according to Domingo. “Iyong mga nabakunahan dati, we tell them huwag na nating hintayin na grabe yung nararamdaman ng mga bata, basta may lagnat, isa, dalawang araw, may masakit ang tyan, masakit ang ulo, masakit ang mata dalhin na agad sa hospitals,” he said. He said the symptoms of dengue are the sudden onset of high fever for two to seven days, joint and muscle pains, pain behind the eyes, weakness, skin rashes, nose bleeding, abdominal pains, vomiting, dark-colored stool, and difficulty in breathing. (Maria Teresa Montemayor)
Troops hunt down Sayyafs after ambush SULU – Security forces were sent to track down Abu Sayyaf ambushers who attacked a group of policemen securing public school teachers in Sulu province. The recent ambush in Patikul town left 2 policemen injured. The Abu Sayyaf also clashed with troops on Simisa Island off Banguingi town. Marines killed one gunman in Simisa where soldiers had been pursuing since last month a group of Abu Sayyaf gunmen hiding on the forested island. Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said members of the 3rd Marine Company, recovered the body of the still unidentified militant, including an M1 rifle, following the 15-minuted firefight. Dela Vega said there was no report of military casualties and he vowed to destroy the Abu Sayyaf. “The Joint Task Force Sulu continuously employ more pressure on the remaining Abu Sayyaf bandits to gain more en-
emy strongholds and armaments. We believe that a number of the bandits were wounded and probably could have died due to loss of blood after the encounter especially that our troops are still pursuing them as of this report,” he said. But while vowing to finish off the militant group blamed for the series of ransom kidnappings of fishermen off Sabah in Malaysia and the spate of terror attacks, Dela Vega also called on Abu Sayyaf fighters to surrender peacefully. “While operations are vigorously undertaken to neutralize the remaining bandits, we still encourage other Abu Sayyaf members to lay down their arms in order to finally have peace in Sulu,” he said. Security forces also clashed with Abu Sayyaf fighters in the village of Kan Ague in Patikul town. Two policemen were wounded in the fighting, according to Dela Vega. He said soldiers and policemen were escorting a group of teachers when about 10 militants
attacked them in the village, sparking a firefight. “The police personnel were escorting the teachers from Jolo town to the village of Taung, Patikul when they chanced upon the bandits. The exchange of fires resulted to the wounding of two policemen while casualties of the enemy side are yet to be determined,” Dela Vega said. He did not say if any of the teachers were wounded in the firefight. The wounded policemen were rushed to hospital in the capital town of Jolo as security forces pursued the militants in Patikul’s hinterlands. The Abu Sayyaf is still holding nearly dozen mostly Malaysian and Indonesian fishermen kidnapped for ransom off Sabah and has recently threatened to executive 3 captives if ransoms running into tens of millions of pesos are not paid by Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur. No deadline has been set for the execution of 2 Indonesians and a Malaysian fisherman. (The Zamboanga Post)
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Sarangani govt. targets more villages for ‘zero open defecation’ GENERAL SANTOS CITY - The provincial government of Sarangani is pushing for the declaration of more villages this year under the “zero open defecation” or ZOD status as it aims to provide more households with access to basic toilet facilities. Dr. Arvin Alejandro, head of the Sarangani provincial health office, said they are currently working on the expansion of the ZOD program to more villages, especially in the remote areas. He said as of last year, 72 out of the 141 villages in seven municipalities already have ZOD status. “That’s about 80 percent of our barangays so far,” Alejandro said. He said they have validated four more villages last January and more will be added to the list in the coming months, adding, they are currently working on the declaration of
Alabel town under the ZOD status as it already posted a rating of over 90 percent, followed by Maasim in the next six months. The provincial government initially declared the entire Malungon town under ZOD status in 2016, according to Alejandro. Since the ZOD program started in 2015, he said the provincial government already spent around P2.1 million for the production of concrete toilet bowls and were distributed by the local government through the rural health units to identified households that have no basic toilet facilities. The initiative was implemented in partnership with the Department of Health and the United Nations Population Fund. Alejandro said the campaign for ZOD took off as a strategy to address the
rising cases of admissions on acute gastroenteritis among residents. From 1994 to 2014, he said around 1,000 cases of acute gastroenteritis were recorded in the province annually and cost the local government P6 million per year based on the P6,000 case rate set by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Around 28,000 households were documented in 2014 to have no toilets, which accounts for an estimated 4 million tons of human wastes a year. Alejandro said some 65 villages already have active local health boards and have established their sanitation action plans. Through its water and sanitation program, he said they are currently working on the activation of sanitation task forces in the municipal level. (Beverly Paoyon)
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The Mindanao Examiner
April 8-14, 2019
Across : 1. Munitions, for short 5. Disintegrate 8. Mammoth 12. Yule song 13. Rowing blade 14. Imitator 15. Propose as a candidate 17. ___of Man 18. Supervisor 20. Metal fastener 22. Mature 26. Blacken 27. Thinker 30. Tease 31. Shabby 32. “___ Maria” 33. Coalition 35. Appeal 36. Wharves 37. Carried 38. Top, to bottom 42. Grace closing 45. Menu term (3 wds.) 48. Enthusiastic review 49. Limb 50. Youth 51. Dancer ___ Astaire 52. Homer’s bartender 53. Probabilities
Answer to last week’s crossword:
Down : 1. Dancer ___ Miller 2. Cow’s comment 3. Noteworthy 4. “ ___ Twist” 5. Lion’s sound 6. Horse feed 7. Forest plant 8. Coiffure (hyph.) 9. ___ and downs 10. Hair goo 11. Keats’ “before” 16. ___ Orleans 19. Uncomplicated 20. Remnant 21. Spicy dish 23. Unmodified 24. Embankment 25. Staircase part
27. Moved swiftly 28. List abbr. 29. Broke bread 31. Scrape roughly 34. Pressed 35. Couch ___ 37. ___ -tac-toe 39. Hand part 40. Bogus butter 41. Wise man 42. Dog’s sound 43. Ruin 44. Eden lady 46. Baseball’s ___ Williams 47. Navy officer (abbr.)
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The Mindanao Examiner
April 8-14, 2019
Zambo Sur sexagenarian graduates in college
Generito Yosores, 64, graduated with a decree of Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English at the Western Mindanao State University-External Studies Unit-Molave Campus. (Photo courtesy of: JR Tems) PAGADIAN CITY – “Age doesn’t matter when it comes to learning” as the adage goes and this 64year old pedicad driver - Generito Yosores, who is a native of Molave town in Zamboanga del Sur province - graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) Major in English at the Western Mindanao State University-External Studies Unit (WMSU-ESU). Yosores, who remains unmarried,
walked the stage proudly here along with 1,398 graduates from WMSU-ESU Pagadian, Molave, and Aurora campuses. He said poverty and age were never a hindrance in achieving his goal in finishing his dreamed college degree. Speaking to the Philippine News Agency, Yosores said he first enrolled in an agricultural course, but eventually shifted to BSED Major in English as he wanted
to become a teacher. He dreamed of becoming a professional despite hardships in life, driving his pedicab during daytime and to earn a decent living while attending night classes. When Yosores walked the stage to get his diploma, the audience stood up and clapped their hands and proud of what he has achieved and the inspiration it gives to others who wanted to finish their education. Feeling elated, Yosores said he completed the degree in four straight years, studying late at night especially during examinations to make sure he will pass all the tests given by his professors. After graduation, Yosores said he wanted to take the next step and that is to look for a job and a wife and raise a family to fulfill his dream. He also urged the youth to finish their studies because this will lead them to a better future. Yosores’ inspiring perseverance and life story has become viral on social media. (Leah Agonoy)
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April 8-14, 2019
Pray for rain to come, Catholics told
A vegetable farmer Loloy Abalan tills his dried land. Many areas in the country are experiencing drought due to the El Nino weather phenomenon. Abalan says the long dry spell is forcing many farmers to abandon their lands and look for an alternative source of livelihood. (Cebu Examiner)
C
EBU CITY - Roman Catholics in Cebu will begin reciting the “Oratio Imperata” for rain and the Christian faithful here were quick to share the text of the obligatory prayer. Cebu Archbishop Jose Pal- drought caused by El Niño. ma approved the release of Cebu and other areas in the the prayer because of the country are now under the
state of calamity due to the dry spell. Oratio Imperata, Latin word for Obligatory Prayer, is a set of Roman Catholic invocative prayers consisting of a liturgical action and a short, general prayer which the local ordinary or prelate of the church may publicly pray when a grave need or calamity occurs. Monsignor Ruben Labajo, parish priest of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, said he was amazed on how fast Catholic faithful shared the prayer on social media. The Oratio Imperata reads: “Most Gracious and Most Merciful God, Creator, Source and Giver of all things, Most powerful in heaven and on earth, we give You honor and glory. We thank You for our home – the earth; for our light – the sun, moon and stars; for our solace – our family and friends, our community, our neighbors. United as Your children, we come to You, pleading, shower us
Stay apolitical, teachers and school admins told CEBU CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) warned teachers and school administrators that they will be sanctioned if they engage in partisan activities. DepEd regional director, Dr. Juliet Jeruta, said education personnel are being monitored to ensure they do not engage in partisan politics. She said DepEd has an existing policy prohibiting schools from engaging in any political activity in all elections. “In fact, long
before the election, we were given memo by DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, warning us all not to engage in any partisan politics,” she said. Jeruta stressed that school administrators and faculty members are prohibited from inviting politicians during an event and announcing his accomplishments to the public. “Such an act of announcing the accomplishments would tend to enhance the image of the political candidate before the voting public. Partisan activ-
ity is strictly prohibited in schools,” she said. Jeruta also said that politicians are not allowed to hang their campaign streamers and posters in school buildings and campus walls. “We will not hesitate to investigate teaching and non-teaching staffs who will be subjected to citizens’ reporting and that is why we are warning them that any citizens can report them if their actions suggest they engage in partisan activity,” she said. (John Rey Saavedra)
with rain, provide us with water that we need. Father, Your children are begging to survive, hear us, we desire to live. Prolonged drought is depriving us of the fruits of our toil; low water supply means hunger and thirst for most of us; El Niño continues to threaten our relationship with one another. O’ Lord, this is a very hostile phenomenon that we beg for You to end. At this time of looming catastrophe, dear Lord, dwell in our hearts. Teach us to be more generous; bring out the best
in us; turn our eyes and ears toward the needs of others, especially the poor. Move us to share more, care more, serve more and love more. Holy God, You sanctify this earth to be our sacred abode. Grant us courage to take in hand the sufferings of the environment, grant us might to save and protect the beauty of nature. Grant us wisdom to restore whatever we have destroyed. O’ Loving God, behold on us, Your beloved children, feel us, feel for us; let heaven cry and its tears be our blessed rain. Have mercy
on us Lord, have mercy. We beg you, most Gracious and Merciful God, please, let it rain. Amen.” El Niño is the periodic warming of water in the Pacific Ocean every few years. When it occurs, it means more energy is available for storms to form there. El Niño also affects wind shear, which is when air currents at a lower altitude blow in a different direction from winds higher in the atmosphere. (John Rey Saavedra. With a report from Cebu Examiner)
‘Malacañang sa Sugbo’ returns to Customs control CEBU CITY – The historic Cebu customs house at Pier 1 which has been converted into the so-called “Malacañang sa Sugbo” and abandoned in 2010 will soon be back to the control of the Bureau of Customs (BOC). BOC-Cebu Deputy Collector Administration Shirley Abarintos said customs employees in Cebu are happy that they can now return to their old customs clearing house soon. Emmanuel Daez, director of Assets Management Office (AMO) and Edgardo Torres, director of the Engineering Office in Malacañang, conducted an inventory on the movable properties remaining inside the “Malacañang sa Sugbo”, and accounted for at least 300 of them. Daez visited Customs Collector Elvira Cruz and informed them of the result of their inventory. “We are happy to learn from AMO of Malacañang
that they are readying the building for turnover to us. We will soon be holding office in that old customs house,” Abarintos told the Philippine News Agency. Abarintos said they are now looking for a consultant who can help determine how much it will take to retrofit the building, considering the extent of its damage after it was abandoned. “Even if the repair of the old customs building will have a cost higher than constructing a new one, we are still determined to conduct such repair if only to preserve its elegance and grandeur. Such a building has a historical and sentimental value for the Cebuanos, being one of the oldest buildings existing in the island nowadays,” she said. She said the old BOC building is situated in a heritage corridor in Cebu City where the historical Fort San Pedro, Plaza Independencia, Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu and the Casa Goror-
do are located. It is also near the Cebu City Hall. Currently, the old customs building is under the management of Internal House Affairs Office of the Office of the President after former President Gloria Arroyo converted it into “Malacañang sa Sugbo” in 2004 and transferred the customs district office to a nearby building. However, its ownership and occupancy was reverted to BOC after President Rodrigo Duterte approved the request of then Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña in October of 2018. BOC-Cebu is currently occupying the old terminal building at the Cebu International Port complex. The terminal building, which is managed by the Cebu Port Authority, was declared by the Office of the Building Official of the City Government, after it was damaged by two earthquakes in the past. (John Rey Saavedra)
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