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July 15-21, 2019
President meets with Misuari for 3rd time PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE has met with former Moro National Liberation Front rebel leader Nur Misuari and his group in Malacañang, but details of the talks were not made public by the government except photos of the recent gathering. It was the third time
since February this year that Duterte has met with Misuari, who previously expressed his opposition to the government’s peace talks with rival group Moro Islamic Liberation Front headed by Ahod Ebrahim, now the Chief Minister of the Muslim autonomous region previously headed
by the MNLF chieftain. Duterte has been urging Misuari to support Ebrahim and at the same time said he also wanted to continue talking peace with the MNLF. Ebrahim’s group broke away with the MNLF in 1977 following disagreement over Continue on page 7
Duterte vows to crush corruption amid coup rumors T
HE PHILIPPINE MILITARY was reported getting restive over corruption problems within the government and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said top military officials may have warned President Rodrigo Duterte about a possible coup. “Ang premise noon bakit ganyan.” And this has promptPanelo said Duter- under the Constitution, te believes the military the AFP (Armed Forces ed Duterte to urge Concould stage a coup if of the Philippines) is the gress to amend the widespread corruption protector of the people. Constitution to crush coris unsolved. “I think it’s So kung ang military alam ruption. “If you want to a fair warning to all na nila na maraming kalo- change the Constitution, baka pag nagalit iyan, kohan, maraming kora- do it now (habang) nandibiglang mag-coup iyang psyon,” Panelo said. “Gaya yan pa ako. And I can tell mga iyan,” he said, add- nga ng sinasabi ni Pres- the military, ‘No, no, no. ing, the military was very idente, iyong sa Manila You better ano…’ Kasi ang much aware of corrup- Water, iyong mga kontra- military mainit na. And I tion within the govern- ta, masyadong onerous. have told you all the corment and may now be Alam na ng military iyon, ruption sa gobyerno, ang reacting to it. so nagre-react sila doon, Continue on page 3
Is Mina Chang incoming US ambassador to Manila? Embassy says not true THE UNITED STATES embassy has denied news reports that Mina Chang, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations of the US State Department, is being eyed as new ambassador to Manila. “We’ve seen this claim. It is not true,” the US embassy said, Continue on page 3
Mina Chang (US State Department)
ARMM
Eastern Mindanao
President Rodrigo Duterte (PCOO)
Dangerous times ahead, terror threats persist PRESIDENT DUTERTE has urged Congress to pass measures that will provide police and military with more equipment to fight terrorism following last month’s twin suicide bombings outside an army base in the southern province of Sulu. Police said 2 pro-ISIS suicide bombers who were Abu Sayyaf members carried out the attacks in Indanan town. Five soldiers
Western Mindanao
were among those killed in the attacks that also wounded a dozen more. Eight civilian casualties were also reported by the police. One of the bombers had been identified as Norman Lacusa and the other only by his alias “Black.” Duterte, who was briefed by the military on the bombings, said he sees “dangerous times ahead” as terror threats persist in the
Cebu
restive region where ISIS managed to influence the bombers to carry out the deadly attacks. An undated photo obtained by the police also showed the bombers clad in white vest rigged with explosives posing side by side with a black ISIS flag. One of the attackers, police said, previously surrendered to the military. But it was unknown what Continue on page 3
Manila
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Duterte happy if public appreciates his hard work PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE said he would be happy whenever the public appreciates his hard work as an elected official after the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey reported that 80% of adult Filipinos are satisfied with his performance for the second quarter of 2019. Without putting much attention on the survey results, Duterte said: “I do not go for this kind of things. Basta ako, trabaho lang. As always, sinabi ko, if you are satisfied with my work, then I’m happy. If you are not satisfied, then I’ll work more. Dagdagan ko ‘yung pawis ko,” he told
reporters in Malacañang when asked about the SWS survey. The survey showed that only 12% of Filipinos are “dissatisfied” with Duterte’s performance while 9% said they are undecided. Duterte posted a net satisfaction rating of +68, which is classified as “very good,” SWS said. The rating is also his new personal record-high, surpassing his previous record of +66 in March 2019 and June 2017. The President’s net satisfaction rating remained “very good” in Balance Luzon (+65), Visayas (+66), and Metro Manila
(+59) while it stayed “excellent” in Mindanao (+81), according to the SWS. In both urban and rural areas, Duterte’s net satisfaction rating also remained “very good.” The SWS survey also found Duterte reaching a new record-high among those in Class E after his +58 rating in March 2019 jumped to +68 in June 2019. The survey was conducted from June 22-26 using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults (18 years old and above) nationwide: 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, SWS said. (Rhoderick Beñez)
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July 15-21, 2019
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The Mindanao Examiner
July 15-21, 2019
Duterte vows to crush corruption amid coup rumors Continued from page 1 pinakamalaki nandiyan sa itaas,” Duterte said during one of his recent talks. Panelo said Duterte’s call to lawmakers to amend the Constitution
is considered part of his solutions to curb corruption. “Could be, dahil otherwise hindi sila nagsasalita ng ganoon eh. Meron siguro siyang info, very reliable,” he said. “Sabi niya, ‘you better
amend the Constitution habang nandito pa ako.’ Habang napapakiusapan ko pa iyong Armed Forces na i-respeto ninyo,” Panelo said. “You must remember that the history has shown us that when
Is Mina Chang incoming US ambassador to Manila? Embassy says not true Continued from page 1 clarifying that in September last year, the White House announced President Donald Trump’s intent to nominate Chang to be an assistant administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for the Bureau of Asia and the nomination was referred to the Senate foreign relations committee in January 2019. The embassy said there have been no additional White House announcements regarding Chang’s nomination to the USAID position. South Korean-born American diplomat Sung Yong Kim is the current US Ambassador to the Philippines. A purported photo of Chang in swimsuit was also sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner by a Filipino-American journalist
who claimed the picture came from a source at the State Department. He suggested that the release of the photo could be a press campaign against Chang. “Mukang may PR campaign versus her from within State Department. Mukang the Silk Road guys… sa China (sic) are worries kasi effective siya sa Africa and warning versus China loans. That’s what this seems to have all been about,” he said. Prior to joining the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, Chang served as the Chief Executive Officer of an international nongovernmental organization, Linking the World. She has extensive on the ground experience in conflict areas such as in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Nigeria, and the Philippines. And she has been
an advocate for proactive stabilization as a strategic tool of foreign engagement and an investment in a stronger America abroad. Chang is an alumna of the Harvard Business School, a graduate of the United States Army War College National Security Seminar, a Harvard John F. Kennedy Senior Executive in National and International Security and a former International Security Fellow at New America. She has been published in CNN, Fortune, Foreign Policy Journal, Forbes, Defense One and The Hill, writing on issues of policy, humanitarian aid, development, the application of emerging technologies and data science capabilities by the sector and its role in the context of national security and global stability. (Mindanao Examiner)
the Armed Forces of the Philippines rise and supported by the people, eh
nababago, nagkakaroon ng leadership change.” (Azer Parrocha. With a re-
port from Mindanao Examiner)
Dangerous times ahead, terror threats persist Continued from page 1 drove him to re-join his group and eventually ended up a suicide bomber. This is believed to be the first suicide bombing mission of the Abu Sayyaf and first for Filipino terrorists. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the suicide attacks which occurred during an extended martial rule in the region where security forces are battling several pro-ISIS groups and communist insurgency. It also released a video recently showing Abu Sayyaf fighters in Sulu renewing their pledge of allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Security has been tightened in Sulu after the bombings with policemen and soldiers putting up additional checkpoints and roadblocks to deter future attacks by terrorists. Duterte, who previ-
ously ordered the military to destroy the Abu Sayyaf, said: “I hope that Congress would tide us over to complete the instruments that we need in dealing, especially with terrorism. I hope that by the time I make my exit, nandiyan na lahat ‘yan because I am not belittling the events to come or the person coming in to be the next president. I’d rather, that I leave with a strong military and police and equipped to challenge the enemies of the state, especially terrorism.” “I see very dangerous times ahead. And I hope that we will be able to contain whatever there is to really to… Lumalabas nga ‘yung pawis sa kamay ko just thinking about if it would go awry outside of Sulu and Basilan Islands,” he said. Duterte strongly stressed the need to contin-
ue acquiring more military assets and equipment because of the terror threats. “So that I said, I must be prepared and nabili ko na ho ‘yung mga kailangan, but there are still a few things that I must have for my Armed Forces and the police. And one of these days, I will call for a, just for a time to talk and we’ll talk about it because it’s really needed by the country,” he said. Police spokesman Colonel Bernard Banac described Duterte’s remark as an “accurate and honest assessment” of trends in terrorism, transnational crime, and cross-border criminal activities, noting these problems required greater flexibility and capability of military and police forces. (Mindanao Examiner. With reports from Azer Parrocha and Christopher Lloyd Caliwan.)
SUPPORT PEACE IN MINDANAO
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July 15-21, 2019
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Sulu Governor Abdusakur M. Tan Multi-Purpose Gym, Sulu Province 30 June 2019
Auzubilla hi minashaytan nirrajeem Bismillahi Rahman Nirraheem Thank you Vice Governor Abdusakur A. Tan II for your kind and generous words. On behalf of the people of Sulu, allow me to put on records our deep appreciation for keeping watch over Sulu for the past six years. No one could have done it better. You have really grown up to be a self-made man any father would be proud of. Their Royal Highness, our Sultans; Representatives of Congress, Partylist Representative Shernee Tan-Tambut and Representative Samier A. Tan of the First District of Sulu; Honorable Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan; Members of the BARMM Parliament, Atty. Nabil A. Tan, Abraham T. Burahan and Dr. Sahie S. Udjah; officers and men of the AFP headed by BGen. Corleto S. Vinluan Jr. and PNP headed by PCol. Pablo G. Labra II; the Honorable Alsad H. Alfad, Jr. Presiding Judge, Branch 25 with our thanks for administering our oaths; my partners in governance the Municipal Mayors, Vice Mayors and Municipal Councilors; Barangay Chairmen and their Kagawads; heads of line agencies and government offices; leaders of the religious sector; members of the academe and other sectoral representatives; my Lawyers; my fellow Bangsa Sug and above all, the Former Vice-Governor Hja. Nurunisah A. Tan, the love of my life and the ageless woman of my soul: Assalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wa barakatu. I stand before you today humbled by your continued trust and mindful of the new mandate you have entrusted me and the rest of the team.
Before anything else, let us put things in its proper context. In election posters and posts in the social media, they always say that this time is my second comeback. In political soundbytes that may be appropriate, but in the truest sense of the word, how can I make a comeback when in the first place I have never left nor have I abandoned Sulu, not even during its darkest days. I could have lived safely anywhere in the world and wait for the darkness to fade, and come back when it is safe and sound. I did not and, inshallah, will not. Amu pa ka bang hula’ na iban bangsa in sabbutun. Misan bagay-bagay atawa iban-iban sin manga pila tahun, mahunit da taykuran. Awun san pali-palihan sin Bangsa Sug “Maraw pa laung niya muti’ in bukug ayaw muti’ in tikud-ikud”. Bihayan in dat sin Tausug ha pamaugbug ha bangsa, ha hula’, ha Agama, iban ha pagbagay-bagay. Marayaw pa laungnya kakitaan in puti’ sin bukug ha pagbaugbug sin kapatut, dayin sin mamin ha iban. Ampa yan pila tahun mu nara nag agad-agad paglingi’ mu tikud-tikud da kuman in iyabutan sin pangita’, binin na kaw limaksu na pa kain baha. Pikil niyu? Despite the gloomy picture concocted by bashers and cynics about Sulu, it will never fade into oblivion nor will the Bangsa Sug vanish from the face of the earth, inshallah. In the annals of history we have risen from the ashes of destruction many times over; our forefathers suffered defeats from stronger enemies but as a people, we picked ourselves up and rebuilt our lives piece by piece. It took us a while longer than it should, but we managed,
by the same spirit and tenacity that had served our forebears well in their exploits. On this day, as we took our oaths of office, we also come to proclaim an end to the pettiness of the campaign period, the animosity and the divisiveness that such period created between politically passionate and opposing sides. That season has ended and had come to pass. The real victors in the recent exercise are the people whose choice we all must accept and respect. To our political opponents who were unfortunate in their quest to wrestle the right to govern, I will not be so pretentious as to offer the usual “olive branch” cliché, nor will I extend the “hands of friendship” for I have never considered any of them a personal enemy. We are adversaries only within the confines of the political arena. To the Bangsa Sug in general, let us be wary of ideas and ideologies that are founded on false promises and false hopes even though they are appealing to sentiments and emotions. The possibilities of attaining whatever good we wish for Sulu and our people are always open if we take the option of practicality and reality and mindful of the dynamics of political, economic and social factors at play. must remember as an example that there were two revolutionary movements who had lofty ideals of freedom and self-determination only to end up with agreements subsuming to the Philippine Constitution. Possibilities should not reside only in imaginations, or as ideas and philosophies, but should have legs and feet for them to have life and to walk the talk. It eluded the imagination of everyone that one day America, which was once divided by race issue elected to the White House the first colored President in its history?. In his inauguration President Barack Obama said: Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted, for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it
has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom”. To the Bangsa Sug, I dedicate this quote. Do not wallow in despair or continue to dream of our glorious past. We cannot carve our future on tombstones. It is up to us, the living, the risk- takers, the doers and the makers-ofthings to strive and pursue the possible. As prelude to the 2019 National and Local Elections, a referendum was held for the core provinces of the ARMM for the ratification of RA 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law. From the conceptual stage of the peace agreement and the processes leading to its signing into law we consistently registered our opposition to some of its clauses, in particular the clause on the ratification of the law in a referendum. The people are aware of the issues we fought and stood for. All our pleadings were cast aside and the bill was railroaded into law. I was very vocal in articulating our grievances to a point I was branded as anti-Peace and many other unkind tags. The wrath of the proponents was centered on me. As the only recourse available after all avenues were exhausted, Sulu filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the BOL. The Petition is still pending resolution by the Supreme Court. The armchair pundits and the cynics were quick to jump the gun and opined that my stance on the BOL spelled the end of my political career. The opposition parties joined the fray. I cannot blame them for entertaining that scenario, perhaps due to the experience of the Peace Agreement with the MNLF, when almost all the candidates having the blessings of Chairman Misuari won their candidacies. What they have failed to appreciate was that the ground situation had shifted beneath them. The adage that “all politics is local” still rings true. The rest is history and we are standing here and proved them wrong.
I will continue to speak for my people, alone if need be. But now I’m more emboldened to do so knowing that the people are behind me as shown by their votes against the BOL and their overwhelming and unwavering support for the continuity of our programs for peace and development of Sulu. Last June 16, I was in Cotabato City and had a one-on-one with Chief Minister Haji Murad Ebrahim. We talk on matters centered on the delivery of basic services to Sulu like infrastructure, health, education, water and electricity, among other matters. In conversations I had on the side with Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo who is the Minister for Local Government, I told him pointblank that we in Sulu expect that the BARMM will be better than the ARMM which has shortchanged us in terms of services. I noticed, I told the Minister, that some of the officials of the defunct ARMM are now employed or should I say recycled into the BARMM which dampens any expectations we have with the new regional entity. When the BTA have settled down, maybe they bring good tidings for Sulu. We challenge BARMM to infuse impact projects in infrastructures, education and health. During his six years in office former Governor Toto Tan has initiated good programs and plans which we intend to continue. Although he had done many good things for the people, there are still many things to be done and I’m sure that he will provide us with the necessary legislative support now that he is the Chief Legislative Officer of the Province. As a government we cannot embark on major initiatives without first improving the basics. Our infrastructures must be in place if we hope to attract investments and business ventures. We will continue to make representations to the national government as the capacity and the capability for the provision of these infrastructures lie with it. Reliable power and water supplies must be assured. We will continue to relay these concerns with national offices and agencies responsible for power and water services aside
from seeking to make Sulu examination centers for professional examinations like the Civil Service Exams, Licensure Examinations for Teachers or LET, and NAPOLCOM Entrance Examinations for intending policemen among others. We will pursue our standing requests for opening satellite offices or even just a desk for passport applications and also for issuances of drivers’ license. This administration will continue to safeguard the welfare of women and children through the Sulu Provincial Women’s Council. We hope to have an arrangement where the council can support us in the delivery of social services to the marginalized sectors. We still cling to the belief that the hope of tomorrow lies with the youth of today. There is no reason why they should not be better than our generation. They have access to the technology where they can command information at the touch of their fingers, a luxury which were not available during our time. They should utilize these gadgets and apparatus to better themselves and their communities. Peace and Security remains a common concern. Sulu and other parts of the region are still feeling the residues of war and insurgencies of the past. Military firepower alone will not solve this problem. Past insurgencies have ended in negotiations and peace agreements, not in the theatres of war. The local government and the community are in the frontline of any eventualities in their areas of responsibility, and rightly so, they have to partner with the security sector in the spirit of shared responsibilities. The war against criminalities, under whatever names and guises, is everyone’s concern. “What has to be done, has to be done by government and people together, or it will not be done at all. The lesson of past agony is that without the people we can do nothing; with the people we can do everything”, former President Richard Nixon. May the Almighty continue to keep Sulu in His Grace and Mercy. Thank you.
July 15-21, 2019
The Mindanao Examiner
Pictures in î…ťe News
Oath-taking of elected officials of the Province of Sulu led by Governor Sakur Tan and Vice Governor Toto Tan. (Mindanao Examiner Photos)
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July 15-21, 2019
Across : 1. Legendary stories 6. Uno 9. Pig,s pad 12. Box 13. Business VIP 14. Pitching stat 15. Church walkway 16. Burst of bad temper 18. California wine valley 19. Make lace 20. Epochs 21. Caveman’s era (2 wds.) 24. Concurrence 27. Time past 30. ___ Witherspoon of “Sweet Home Alabama” 31. Had 33. And so forth (abbr.) 34. Proposed as a candidate 38. Renovator 40. Pub drinks 42. Shade 43. Stood up 47. Childhood disease 49. Golfer ___ Woods 50. Bathroom rug 51. Tax org. 52. ___ eclipse 53. Lyric verse 54. Compass dir. 55. Printing machine
Answer to last week’s crossword:
Down : 1. Skim over 2. Opera solo 3. Struggle for breath 4. Books of maps 5. Behold 6. Gasoline classification 7. Tidy up 8. Chunk of eternity 9. Military rank 10. Faithful 11. Sweet potatoes 17. Children’s game 19. Actor ___ Hanks 22. Adolescents 23. Make amends 24. Common verb
25. Acquire 26. Make again 28. Goodness! 29. Strange 32. Soldier 35. Additional ones 36. Styling foam 37. Wrath 39. Highway curve 40. Military supplies 41. Show the way 44. Leer 45. Oceans 46. Miscalculates 48. Recline 49. Recipe unit (abbr.)
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July 15-21, 2019
President meets with Misuari for 3rd time Continued from page 1 policies, although both had fought deadly secessionist wars in the troubled South until Misuari signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996, and Ebrahim in March 2014. Also present during the meeting were Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Senator Christopher Go. Misuari is facing criminal charges over deadly attacks against civilians and soldiers in Sulu province and Zamboanga City since 2001. But Duterte ordered security forces and law enforcement agencies not to arrest Misuari, a close friend of the President and both are advocating a federal form of government. Misuari at one time threatened to wage war if his demand for federalism fails even if the whole of Southern Philippines are on an extended martial rule. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the Martial Law implementer, said Misuari - who threatened Duterte when he told him that he will go to war if the government fails to push through with federalism – is no longer capable of waging war because many of his followers have joined other groups or supportive of the government’s peace efforts and the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Mus-
lim Mindanao (BARMM). But he was quick to say that Misuari and his loyal followers can still create trouble. “They are still capable of creating trouble like what they did in the Zamboanga City siege. But war? Not anymore,” Lorenzana said, explaining that Misuari no longer has manpower. Lorenzana was referring to the 2001 and 2013 deadly attacks by MNLF forces in Jolo town in Sulu; and Zamboanga City in an effort to stop elections in the Muslim autonomous region and for Misuari to remain the regional governor. Nur still powerful But Lorenzana’s view of Misuari as incapable of waging war is naïve, according to residents of Sulu, the stronghold of the MNLF, where it continues to maintain thousands of armed members and supporters. “They cannot just arrest Misuari and that proves the government is incapable of putting him behind bars for his alleged crimes against humanity in so far as the siege in Zamboanga and Jolo. The MNLF is more stronger now and have more weapons, powerful that your ordinary soldiers,” the 60-year old Ibrahim said, describing Misuari’s firepower. “He may not be as popular as other politicians, but Misuari has this charisma, the way he talks to the people, just like Duterte. They
know how to deal with ordinary people and let them believe what he wants to say,” he added. Lorenzana said Misuari was just bluffing when he threatened Duterte with war. He dismissed Misuari’s threat as a mere sound bite in an attempt to make himself be noticed. “But he is missing a great chance to be really relevant. He should accept the BARMM, work within it and lend his leadership, stature and expertise to make it succeed. My guess, he’s bluffing,” Lorenzana said. Honor MNLF peace deal Misuari opposed the government’s peace talks with the MILF and the BARMM and insisting the MNLF signed a deal with Manila in September 1996 that led to the creation of the Muslim autonomous region which was abolished this year to pave way for the new autonomous region under the rule of the rival Moro Islamic Liberation Front led by Murad Ebrahim. He is also facing graft charges at the Sandigan Bayan over the alleged anomalous purchase of education materials when he was the regional governor of the autonomous region. Misuari denied all criminal and graft accusations against him. After the MNLF peace agreement was signed, Misuari became the governor of the Muslim autonomous re-
President Rodrigo Duterte with Nur Misuari (PCOO) gion. But despite the peace accord, there was a widespread disillusionment 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. Misuari’s loyal forces and former rebels who joined the Philippine Army following the peace accord, attacked a key military base in Jolo town and civilian targets in Zamboanga in an effort to stop the government from calling an election in the autonomous region where Misuari wanted to be a perpetual governor. 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 and now House Speaker, 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. Justice Zamboanga City leaders and residents are still demanding justice for the deadly siege that left over 200,000 people without homes following weeks of street battles between security and MNLF forces that killed and wounded some 300 civilians. It was the second time that MNLF forces raided Zamboanga. In November 2001, Misuari’s loyal forces also attacked Zamboanga and left dozens of civilians dead and wounded.
Heavily-armed MNLF gunmen also took hostage over 100 civilians, including women and children, and used them as shield and pawn so they can negotiate with the then Lobregat administration and eventually allowed to escape to Basilan and Sulu provinces. In 2016, Mayor Beng Climaco banned all MNLF rallies in Zamboanga City following attempts by Misuari’s group to hold a peace caravan despite the charges against Misuari. “The destruction wrought by the 2013 siege continues to linger, as internally displaced persons – both Muslims, Christians and Lumads, most of whom are those who eluded the conflicts in Sulu and Basilan – have suffered the brunt of the MNLF attack in Zamboanga,” Climaco said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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July 15-21, 2019
DILG to sue former mayor Osmeña
T
HE DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said it will file charges against former Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña following his order to remove all facilities and furniture from his office shortly before stepping down. retary said we will defi- tions,” he said. DILG spokesper- nitely file cases but let’s Citing the former son and Undersecretary just find out the facts first mayor’s claim that he Jonathan Malaya said to determine what cases spent around P2 million Secretary Eduardo M. are to be filed,” Malaya which came from his Año has ordered the fil- said. friends, Malaya said he ing of charges against Malaya said he was can just have the amount the former mayor. disappointed over Os- reimbursed. “He doesn’t “The decision to file meña’s order to strip his have to strip the office of cases has been made al- office of fixtures. “This the mayor bare and again ready. We are still study- is just so unfortunate. I it disrupts the delivery ing the specific cases cannot even determine of public service. It’s bebecause we have yet to the intention of Mayor cause the mayor is curreceive a report from Osmeña. This does not rently holding business our regional director set a good example be- in another office,” Malafrom Region 6. The Sec- cause there are other op- ya said.
‘Tsuper Iskolar’ goes to Visayas THE TECHNICAL Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) have launched the “Tsuper Iskolar” program in Cebu which aims to provide scholarships and livelihood training to utility drivers and provide them with free skills and entrepreneurship training. A total of 18 transport cooperatives in Cebu and nearby provinces participated in the program which was also launched in the National Capital
Region, Ilocos Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Davao regions, including Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña said everyone is welcome to apply for the program, but priority will be given to drivers affected by the modernization program and their families, the indigenous people, and rebel returnees. He said trainees will receive a daily allowance of P350. Among the cours-
es they can choose from are Heavy Equipment Operation (Forklift) NC II, Hilot (Wellness Massage) NC II, Food and Beverage Services NC II, Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) NC II, Housekeeping NC II, Caregiving NC II, Driving NC II, Bread and Pastry Production NC II, Beauty Care Services NC II, and Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II. Lapeña said the DOTr has allotted a P300 million fund for “Tsuper Iskolar” for 2019. The program will continue as needed. (Maria. Cristina Arayata)
He said as a general rule, an official may only remove movable furniture and fixtures such as chairs, tables, and computers that are personal property when he ends his term. “But the act of even removing what is considered immovable objects like ceiling, walls, and the tiles are already bad faith because it renders the office, which is government property, as unusable by his successor and therefore affects the delivery of public service to the people of Cebu City. Under the Civil Code, immovable improvements may only be removed by the owner if it does not cause damage or injury to the work constructed,” Malaya said. He also suggested that Osmeña should have filed a claim for indemnification for all the immovable improvements that he introduced to the office so that reimbursements should have been made. The former mayor said that he paid for the repair of the office in 2010 with his friends amounting to P2 million since the budget had been rejected by Cebu City Vice
Former Cebu Mayor Tomas Osmeña FB page Mayor Edgardo Labella, who defeated Osmeña in the May 13 mid-term elections. Labella said he was also surprised when he found the mayor’s office “vandalized”, disconnected from the
plumbing system and electrical connection, the ceiling and tiles stripped off, and no furniture was left aside from the two industrial air-conditioners and some chairs. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)
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