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Anti-discrimination bill approved, lauded H
OUSE DEPUTY Speaker Mujiv Hataman of Basilan province lauded the approval of the House Bill No. 8423 or the “Equality and Non-Discrimination on Race, Ethnicity, and Religion Act.” “We, Anak Mindanao of talks on the nationThe bill was introduced by Hataman and Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan al budget and Charter Anak Mindanao Rep. Ami- and I, are grateful that this Change. The approval or bill was approved ahead hilda Sangcopan in 2019. Continue on page 2
Pinas lubog sa utang, ekonomiya bagsak! PATULOY NA lumulubog sa utang ang bansa dahil sa walang humpay na kahihiram ng salapi ng administrasyong Duterte at ngayon ay inamin ng Pangulo na bagsak na rin ang ekonomiya ng bayan, ngunit mabilis rin nitong ibinato ang sisi ng lahat sa Covid-19 pandemic. “Do you really want to know what’s Continue on page 2
President Rodrigo Duterte (PCOO)
Tausugs calls for election in BARMM Most Common Symptoms of the U.K. Coronavirus Variant VICTIMS OF a new, fast-spreading variant of the coronavirus first identified in the United Kingdom are reporting more symptoms across the board than those infected with the original
strain of the virus, new research shows. A survey conducted by the Office for National Statistics in England found that those who test positive for the variant are more likely to report a per-
sistent cough, tiredness, muscle aches, sore throat and fever compared to those who have the original strain. Interestingly, patients infected with the variant Continue on page 3
TAUSUGS WHO are natives of Sulu province are protesting the proposed extension of the interim Bangsamoro government for another 3 years despite strong opposition from various sectors and provincial leaders led by Governor Sakur Tan. Tan confirmed to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner the Continue on page 6
President Rodrigo Duterte is greeted by his political ally Gov. Sakur Tan in Sulu province.
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February 8-14, 2021
Anti-discrimination bill approved, lauded
Continued from page 1 the enactment into law of this measure has long been overdue,” he said. Hataman, former governor of the Muslim autonomous region, said many Congresses have come and gone, but the Anti-Discrimination Bill has never seen light past the plenary in the House and in the Senate. “This is why we are so happy that our colleagues in the lower chamber approved the bill on third and final reading. Isa itong hakbang sa tunay na malayang lipunan. Isa itong tagumpay ng mga mamayan laban sa anumang uri ng diskriminasyon base sa lahi, etnisidad o re-
lihiyon. Bilang isa sa mga pangunahing may-akda sa panukalang ito, itinuturing ko itong malaking hakbang ng ating bansa tungo sa isang tunay na malayang lipunan, kung saan ang lahat ay namumuhay ng mapayapa at walang diskriminasyon,” he said. He also called on lawmakers to approve the Marawi Compensation Bill to be able to help and compensate the victims of the war in Marawi City between security forces and pro-ISIS militants in May 2017. “We can now only wish that the Marawi Compensation Bill be also given a swift congressional nod. Importante din po ang panukalang ito para mabig-
yan ng nararapat na ayuda ang mga naging biktima ng Marawi Siege apat na taon na ang nakakaraan. Ang laban natin ngayon ay nasa Senado na. At hinihikayat ko ang ating mga magigiting na senador na sana ay maipasa na rin ang panukalang ito,” Hataman said. Hataman elaborated on the importance of the Anti-Discrimination Bill. “Tagumpay ito ng lahat ng Pilipinong naging biktima ng diskriminasyon, kasama na ang mga kapatid nating Moro at mga katutubo. Kapag maisasabatas ang panukalang ito ay wala nang inosenteng Moro ang maaaresto sa isang krimen. Wala nang hindi matatanggap sa tra-
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baho dahil lamang siya ay may suot na hijab. Wala nang hindi tatanggapin sa paaralan dahil lamang sa pangalan niya. Wala nang katutubo
ang maaagawan ng lupa sa sarili nilang ancestral domain. At wala nang hindi mabibigyan ng kaukulang serbisyo publiko o pribado man dahil lamang sa
kanyang lahi, etnisidad o relihiyon,” he explained. Hataman thanked lawmakers and House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco who supported the bill. (Mindanao Examiner)
Pinas lubog sa utang, ekonomiya bagsak! Continued from page 1 happening in our economy? You talk to (Finance Secretary Carlos) Dominguez. Alam mo lahat ng bayan ngayon ng buong mundo bagsak, talagang bagsak. Tayo, maganda na sana noong hindi dumating ‘yung Covid, we were doing fine. Hindi naman ‘yung very good. We were doing good. Tapos dumating ‘yung Covid. Walang kita, walang ano.” “Ngayon, mababa na ang value… Well, ang GDP (Gross Domestic Product) natin sabi ngayon it’s about nine. According to the Secretary of Finance, araw-araw ngayon hanggang matapos itong Covid, araw-araw we are losing two billion (pesos) na pera para sana ‘yon sa mga tao ‘yung the workers, the Filipino workers, would have earned that money kung ang ekonomiya natin gumagalaw. Eh kaya nga hindi eh,” paliwanag pa ni Duterte. Sinabi nito na sa dami ng mga health protocols na dapat sundin ng bawat Pilipino upang makaiwas
sa Covid ay lubhang naka-apekto ito sa lahat. “Iyong may social distancing. We cannot also argue with the science people. If they really mean good so what can we do about it? So ‘yung mga transportation, sabi kung hindi ‘yang social distancing nakaka-discourage. So ang transportation business wala. And you know the world and the economy is run by oil, gas. Kung hindi natin patakbuhin ‘yang mga cargo trucks, mga ano diyan, wala na.” “So we are sinking deeper and deeper pero hindi lang rin tayo. Kung hindi tayo, lahat. Pero we are trying our very best to keep us afloat. Ang ekonomiya natin, mga kababayan ko, is masama talaga. Biro mo naman, ilan taong walang trabaho? The economy of the Philippines is really — is in bad shape. But as I have said, it is not only the Philippines who suffers. We, in the world, is suffering with everybody,” ani Duterte. Muling iginiit ni Duterte na ang Covid vaccines
ang siyang lunas sa problema ng bansa sanhi ng pandemic mula pa noong nakaraang taon. Sinisi pa nito ang mga bansang nakabili na ng mga vaccines, samantalang hanggang ngayon ay wala pang nakukuha ang pamahalaang para sa lahat. “The problem is ‘yung bakuna. For all of the brouhaha, “O mayroon kami dito nakita, mayroon kami…” Saan? Eh ‘yung AstraZeneca hinostage (hostage) ng European Union. Kasi sa Europe kasi isa ‘yung isa — parang isa na lang sila. Ang pera nila ng Euro dollars ang pera ng France pero lahat tanggap na ‘yan. Wala na silang distinction kaya ganoon ang ginagawa nila.” “Ewan ko kung ano but sana itong — one day, maybe, one day — not, not in other fields of ano — magkakaroon rin tayo ng panahon to shine. I might — hindi na ako ‘yan. But kung dalhin lang nang mabuti, hindi naman gaganti, but our time will shine someday,” sambit pa ni Duterte. (Mindanao Examiner)
Notorious Sayyaf sub-leader killed in Zambo clash ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police here shot dead a notorious Abu Sayyaf sub-leader involved in terrorism and kidnapping of foreigners in the southern Philippines, officials said recently. Officials said Arrasid Halissam was killed in his hideout when he opened fire on policemen serving a warrant in the village of San Roque. There was no report of police casualties. Police also recovered a .45-caliber pistol from the slain terrorist who was linked to the numerous kidnappings of Filipinos and foreigners, and Christian missionaries, some of them beheaded in captivity.
Halissam was also involved in the 2015 bombing in Zamboanga that killed 2 people and injured over 50 others. He was one of the Abu Sayyaf facilitators of Malaysian bomber Zulkipli Abdhir, also killed in police operation in 2015 inside the territory of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels in Maguindanao’s Mamasapano town. Among his kidnap victims were Americans Gerfa Lunsmann and son Kevin who were seized in Zamboanga City; Australian adventurer Warren Rodwell who was kidnapped in Zamboanga Sibugay’s Ipil town; Chinese nationals Yuan Lin Kai and
Jian Luo, both snatched in Kabasalan town also in Zamboanga Sibugay; South Korean Nwi Seong Hong, kidnapped in Zamboanga Sibugay’s Roseller Lim town; and nearly a dozen Filipinos, including members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Sulu. Prior to his killing, Halissam was believed recruiting members in Zamboanga City to carry out terror attacks in Zamboanga Peninsula. Police forces also recovered from Hallisam’s hideout one gallon of ammonium nitrate/fuel oil and other materials used in the manufacture of improvised explosive devices. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Mindanao Examiner
February 8-14, 2021
Most Common Symptoms of the U.K. Coronavirus Variant
Killer ng ex-cop, di pa rin kilala HINDI PA rin nakikilala ang 2 kriminal na pumatay sa isang retiradong parak sa Koronadal City at kung ano ang motibo ito. Binaril ng 2 lalaking nakasakay sa motorsiklo si Armando Domingo, na dating sarhento ng pulisya sa naturang lugar, kamakailan lamang. Tinira si Domingo habang bumababa mula sa isang tricycle sa Zulueta Street sa Barangay Zone 1 at di-kalayuan sa palengke. Ang biktima ay resi-
dente ng Purok Leganes sa Barangay Zone 1. Ayon kay Lt. Reynaldo Sotelo, ang chief investigator, ay nagpapatuloy pa rin ang kanilang imbestigasyon sa kaso. Posible rin umanong may kinalaman sa dating trabaho ng biktima ang krimen. Sinabi ni Sotelo na si Domingo ay naitalaga pa sa South Cotabato Provincial Police Office bago nag-retiro dalawang taon na ang nakalipas. Ipinahayag naman ng
nakasaksi sa pamamaril na nakita mismo nito kung papaano binaril ng patalikod ng angkas ng motorsiklo ang biktima bago tuamakas. Ayon sa saksi, ang driver ng motorsiklo ay naka-helmet habang naka-bonnet naman ang angkas nito na siyang bumaril kay Domingo sa ulo. Narekober ng mga pulis sa crime scene ang limang mga basyo ng .45-caliber pistol. (Rhoderick Beñez)
Security forces kill wanted man, 2 others arrested TAWI-TAWI – Security forces killed a suspected criminal and arrested 2 others in a recent operation in Tawi-Tawi province in southern Philippines, officials said. Army Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said policemen, backed by soldiers, were trying to arrest four people in Panglima Sugala town, but one of them Sabri Umbing was armed with an M14 rifle and attacked security forces,
sparking a firefight that eventually killed him. “Sabri Umbing, one of the four targets, resisted arrest and fired upon the government forces which forced the latter to retaliate. Umbing was wounded and was immediately evacuated to the nearest hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician,” he said. Vinluan said soldiers and policemen captured Suraidi Umbing and Arasad Mukin, but Ilol
Umbing managed to escape and left behind one AK-47 assault rifle and ammunition. He said another AK47 and an M1 rifle, and ammunition were also seized from Umbing and Mukin, who are facing a string of criminal cases in Tawi-Tawi. He commended the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi headed by Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas and the police force for the successful operation. (Mindanao Examiner)
Continued from page 1 were significantly less likely to report a loss of the sense of taste or smell, among the more unusual symptoms of the coronavirus. Tony Moody, M.D., an infectious disease specialist at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute at Duke University Medical Center, said it’s not surprising that a new variant would cause somewhat different symptoms. “Variants have changes in their genetic code that will result in proteins being built differently, and those can change how the virus interacts with the body,” he said. He noted, however, that the differences found in the British survey are quite subtle — no new symptoms were reported by patients with the variant — and it’s too early to know if they indicate anything significant. “If suddenly a new symptom emerged or another one went away, then that would be perhaps something more concerning,” he said. Most common variant symptoms The U.K. variant, known as B.1.1.7, was first detected in September and has since spread rapidly around the world. It is circulating in at least 28 U.S. states. Studies show it is 40 to 70 percent more transmissible than the original coronavirus strain. It could become the dominant strain in the U.S. by March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said. Preliminary studies suggest the current COVID-19 vaccines will be effective against the B.1.1.7 strain. It’s unclear if the B.1.1.7 causes more severe disease. A U.K. report released Jan. 21 states there is “a realistic possibility” that it’s associated with
a higher death rate in infected patients, although more data is needed to know for sure. The Office for National Statistics surveyed people who received a strong positive COVID-19 test between Nov. 15 and Jan. 16. Those with the variant and those with the original strain answered questions about the symptoms they experienced in the seven days before the test. Cough was the most common symptom in those infected with the new variant, reported by 35 percent. The other common symptoms were: fatigue/weakness (32 percent), headache (32 percent), muscle aches (25 percent), sore throat (22 percent) and fever (22 percent). Only about 15 percent with the new variant reported a loss of taste or smell, compared to 19 percent of those infected with the original coronavirus. Other fast-spreading strains Viruses mutate, so it’s not surprising that the coronavirus is changing, the CDC said. A few specific variants have attracted the attention of scientists because they spread more quickly and therefore have the potential to become dominant. In addition to the U.K. variant, scientists are tracking strains discovered in South Africa and Brazil, according to the CDC. The one identified in South Africa, known as B.1.351, was found in the U.S. for the first time on Jan. 28, when health officials announced two cases in South Carolina. The patients had no history of travel or of contact with each other, which suggests it is already spreading in the community. The South African variant contains a mutation that could allow the virus to elude some of the antibodies produced
through vaccines, the CDC said. Early studies indicate that the current COVID-19 vaccines may be less effective against that strain, although they would still provide some protection. Vaccine makers Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech have already announced that they are working to modify their vaccines — and possibly to create booster shots — to better protect against the South African variant. The strain first identified in Brazil has been found in only one U.S. case — in Minnesota — and that person had recently traveled to Brazil, health officials said. There is some evidence to suggest that it, too, may be able to elude antibodies. Vaccine rollout is key to stopping mutations Anthony Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in a press briefing that getting the COVID-19 vaccines out quickly is important to reduce the spread of the variants while they are still somewhat rare. The longer the virus is allowed to propagate, the more mutations will develop. “Getting people vaccinated as quickly and as efficiently as you possibly can will always be the best way to prevent the further evolution of any mutant,” Fauci said. “When you do that, you prevent replication, and replication is essential for mutation.” Besides getting the vaccine, the best way to protect yourself against the new variants is to continue to follow the same precautions that protect against the original coronavirus strain: Wear a mask (consider doubling up), wash your hands, practice social distancing, avoid crowds and stay home if you can. (By Michelle Crouch, AARP)
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The Mindanao Examiner
February 8-14, 2021
Sulu Pictures in the News Sulu provincial government at work. This is where your taxes go. (Photos from the Office of the Provincial Governor, Jaques Tutong, Task Force Covid-19, and Jolo Municipal Government)
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The Mindanao Examiner
February 8-14, 2021
Maranao woman revives sweet delicacies
Journos tapped to help in Covid vaccination info campaign ILIGAN CITY - The local government has called on the media for bold engagement as the national government continues its campaign on the vaccination against the Covid-19. The City Health Office - Emergency Operation Center (CHO-EOC) for Covid-19 highlighted the vital role of media in promoting the national government’s immunization program. “The LGU-Iligan strongly believes that dako kaayo ang role sa media. Being (in the) media (industry), naa mo sa kahanginan. Siguro minus ang 100 ninyo nga followers. Siguro muabot mo og 1,000, 10,000, 20,000 nga tigpamati. In short, media men are one of the influencers,” said CHO-EOC Cluster Manager Dr. Belinda Lim. Lim reiterated that the vaccination plan implemented by the local gov-
ernment is strictly in line with the national government’s plan. Part of that plan is obtaining herd immunity for at least 60% to 70% of the population or 65 to 76 million Filipinos. Moreover, target groups or populations are identified to maintain the most critical essential services and directly reduce morbidity and mortality. The top five prioritized groups are frontline health workers, indigent senior citizens, remaining senior citizens, remaining indigent population, and uniformed personnel while media personnel are seen to be as the eleventh priority under the remaining workforce population. Lim said the completed Master Listing of Priority and Most Vulnerable Population is expected to be submitted next month to the Department of Health. She also disclosed that
the vaccine development and approval underwent stages to ensure its safety and efficacy. Phases for its implementation are also observed for its effective execution which is preroll out comprising management of expectations, attainable timeline and prioritization of specific groups; deployment implying the actual acquisition of authentic vaccines; and post-deployment covering responsible monitoring and cooperation. Lim appealed to the media to help them inform the public to only get vaccines from government sources. “Authentic vaccines are issued with Emergency Use Authorization or EUA. As of this time, only Pfizer has been given the EUA,” she said. (With additional reporting from Mindanao Examiner)
PBCOM bares new mobile banking app THE Philippine Bank of Communications (PBCOM) has announced its new mobile banking app called “PBCOMobile” designed to strengthen financial freedom for all Filipinos in this new normal. It said PBCOMobile allows anyone to immediately open a bank account by simply downloading the app and submitting an ID and a selfie (self-portrait photograph). It is free to download on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store and the Huawei App Gallery. The PBCOMobile App offers the regular benefits of mobile banking such as online funds transfers to other banks via Instapay, prepaid reloading, bills payments, transfers to other PBCOM accounts, and account maintenance. And what sets PBCOMobile apart is that a PBCOMobile account does away with the need
of ever physically showing up in a PBCOM branch. One of the major advantages of PBCOMobile is that customers can deposit checks to their accounts using just their mobile phones. “Gone are the days when you will have to go to the branch and queue on long lines just to deposit your check. All you need to do is take a photo of the check and it will be credited to your account,” PBCOM said. Furthermore, customers can request their PBCOMobile Mastercard Debit card to be delivered directly to them and then link, activate and control the debit card securely from the app. PBCOM said financial freedom also means being able to do pretty much anything on your account via the app. For this reason, PBCOMobile also has a Concierge feature where customers can basically request anything
to be done related to their accounts. For example, if a customer needs to pay someone by check they can request to buy a Manager’s Check and have it delivered directly to their payee or even picked up in any PBCOM branch. Or if they want to deposit cash, they can simply request a secure courier to pick up the cash (P200,000 maximum) in select locations. If customers want to save they can also open a time deposit account. The PBCOMobile Concierge feature can also be used to request account related transactions (within reason) via the app that even the bank has not yet thought of. This is one way customers can help enhance or redesign the app going forward. If enough customers request certain transactions, they can be built into the app later on. (Rhoderick Beñez)
Mindaya Ali shows her product - Ina’s Mamis. MARANAO DELICACIES just like any other popular snacks in the country are just as tasty as it is, but they are not widely available outside the Maranao community. Many of these sweet treats are probably unheard of by many Filipinos. Collectively, these sweet goodies are called “Mamis” – the ingredients are rice flour, coconut, and cassavas and are a crucial part of the Maranao food culture. And this inspired Mindaya Lacsaman Ali, of Lilod Madaya village in Marawi City and currently residing in the Bakwit Village Phase 2 in Lanao del Sur’s Saguiaran town, to start her own small business – ‘ Ina’s Mamis.” Mindaya, a mother of seven, is the woman behind Ina’s Mamis - a food enterprise in Marawi City serving different variants of sweet treats. “Bago po mag-siege, nandiyan na po ang Ina’s Mamis. Ang main product namin yung apa. Ang ibig sabihin ng apa sa Christian areas are sweet wafers kaya at that time konti lang at hindi gaya ngayon na at least nag-improve,’’ she says. Ina’s Mamis was established because of Mindaya’s endeavor in making a mark of giving importance to the Maranao culture by introducing
the Mamis to the public. “Ito pong Ina’s Mamis ay Maranao delicacies sweet delicacies at ang main purpose po namin dito ay para hindi makalimutan ang mga Maranao delicacies dahil ngayon karamihan na may mga chocolate cakes, all kinds of cakes na naiiwan na sa isip ng tao imbes na Maranao delicacies,’’ she explains. Aside from Mamis, Mindaya also sells Broa and Lukatis. Broa is a sponge biscuit - a spongy but compact bite-sized cake and best served with coffee and tea. And Lukatis, on the other hand, is a combination of donut and pretzel. The five-month-long Marawi siege in 2017 stopped all Ina’s Mamis operation. Along with the other residents of Lilod Madaya, they were relocated to a temporary shelter for their own safety and security. After the deadly siege, Mindaya, who managed to save a meager capital, pursued her business. And in support to Mindaya’s business, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in 2019 provided her family a livelihood settlement grant worth P20,000.00 and another P53,000 for the Transitory Family Support Package.
“Sa amount na P20,000 nakabili ako ng two or three machines para sa paggawa ng apa, so nagsimula na akong nag-accept ng mga orders from different outlets,’’ she says. Now, Ina’s Mamis has been supplying three bakeshops, several grocery stores, including the Home Pasalubong in Iligan City and Quiapo in Manila, and in Greenhills Shopping Arcade in San Juan City. “Kumikita po kami ng estimate sa isang araw ng P3,000, less pa yung capital so nakaka-net kami dyan ng P1, 000 in three to five days,” Mindaya says. “Nag-iipon po kami. Yung family nag-iipon ng pambili ng machinery, gusto namin mapalawak para maging factory. Unti-unti nakakabili din kami ng mga machines na gaya nung apa maker. Pakaunti-konti lang every month or every 2 months nakakabili kami ng isa ganun,” she adds. This year, Mindaya says she received an additional P14,400 cash assistance from DSWD and was thankful for the financial support. “Maraming salamat po sa DSWD at Task Force Bangon Marawi, nabago niyo yung buhay namin. Nabibigyan ninyo ng financial assistance yung gaya namin. Pasasalamat din kami dahil malaki rin ang naitulong niya para makaipon kami at nag iipon po kami ng pambili ng machineries,” she says. And to help her fellow refugees, Mindaya says she shares her knowledge in delicacy making so they can start their own livelihood. “Sana hindi niyo malimutan ang mga tinuturo ko sa inyo mga kakanin ng mga Muslim sana ipagpatuloy niyo pa yun,” she tells her fellow Maranao. (PIA. With additional reporting by Rhoderick Beñez)
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The Mindanao Examiner
February 8-14, 2021
Troops disarm 3 bombs in South Tausugs calls for election in BARMM Continued from page 1 sentiments of the Tausugs. “People are now protesting here (in Sulu) because they are opposing the self-serving proposal to extend the interim Bangsamoro government for another 3 years,” he said. Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and his allies in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) are pushing and lobbying for the extension of the interim government. It would also extend Ebrahim’s term and BTA members and those holding key positions in the regional government. Ebrahim, also chieftain of the former rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said he is pushing for the extension of the interim government based on the recommendation of the peace advocacy group Mindanao Peoples’ Caucus (MPC) following its so-called “rapid midterm review” on the Bangsamoro transition period. Mid-term review House Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman also wanted to review the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), but this too was quickly rejected by BARMM. The Philippine Daily Inquirer also quoted Hataman as saying: “Hindi ako against the extension. But I feel it is not wise to blindly decide to extend without looking at the very reasons for the call of extension and present concrete plans at addressing them. Kung wala tayong malinaw na roadmap, paano natin assess kung ano ang kulang at ano ang kailangan,” said Hataman, who urged the leadership of the House of Representatives to exercise its power of congressional oversight and conduct a midterm review of the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), and the peace agreement that brought about the creation of BARMM. Ebrahim has met several times with President Rodrigo Duterte to lobby the proposed extension even without public consultations, not even a meeting with the governors and mayors of the volatile Muslim region.
Manifesto Sulu has cited various reasons for rejecting the proposed extension, according to a manifesto passed November 17 by the Provincial Board after consulting with municipal mayors and peoples’ organizations, among other sectors. The manifesto said the Bangsamoro Parliament and the Regional Government have not delivered even the most basic of government services, as mandated, to Sulu. And for almost 2 years, all it delivered were the retrenchment and separation from services of regional employees causing a great distraught to the affected and their families. It said that after almost 2 years, “all they can afford to banner is but the passing of an Administrative Code while the administration of component localities, in particular, the insular provinces, was left to fend for themselves.” The manifesto also said BARMM’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic in Sulu, thus far, have been unsubstantial and wanting, almost negligible; And to allow the extension of the transition (period) would be tantamount to escape judgment by the constituents of the BARMM on the performance of the latter vis-a-vis its capability to administer a region, and would be a blatant denial of the people’s constitutional right of suffrage to which the BOL has been incorporated into, and thus requiring constitutional amendment or legislative intervention, failing which possible legal redress maybe sough. It further said “that the region and the country in general, should be spared the humility and made a laughing stock for perpetuating the condescending brand of a failed experiment.” “The question should be asked to those who are in the seat of authority in the BARMM on why are they so hesitant to submit themselves to an election when even before the transition they have repeatedly boasted of their readiness and preparedness to rule and govern; and how could they have the moral ascendancy to sit as an authority over a region when they are devoid of a mandate by the
true will of the people, thereby casting doubts on their platform of so-called “Moral Governance?”, the manifesto reads. It also called on the Office of the President, House of Representatives and the Senate, and Constitutional Commissions and other concerned groupings and individuals and the BARMM general populace to disallow and deny all attempts and maneuverers to extend the tenure of the BTA. It said that aspiring members of the Bangsamoro Parliament should be compelled to submit themselves before the true will of the people to legitimize their mandate through the electoral process as set and scheduled by the Constitution. Fears Ebrahim said he fears that he may not win should the elections push through and that is why there is a need to extend the term of the interim government. “We are very concerned kasi ang tingin namin, nag-i-start pa lang kami. And then parang wala pa kaming tangible na accomplishment talaga na maipakita namin. So ‘yun ang challenge sa amin, na kung mageleksyon, baka sabihin ng mga tao, wala naman ginawa ito,” he said in a podcast interview on November 13 with journalist Christian Esguerra on Press One. He said new transition schedule might not be enough to complete systemic and structural changes in the region, including the crucial decommissioning of combatants under the peace deal’s normalization process. “Kasi nga nakita natin na kailangan talaga na meron. Halimbawa, mabuti kung talagang siguradong manalo kami (in 2022 elections). Pero walang assurance ‘yun kasi anybody’s game na pagka-eleksyon na. Pag hindi, ano mangyayari dun sa other aspects ng negotiation?” he told Esguerra. Esguerra’s report said BARMM was allocated a much bigger budget compared with the old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Its block grant is worth P65.3 billion in this year’s appropriations law, on top of a P10-billion special development fund it was supposed to receive. (Mindanao Examiner)
GOVERNMENT TROOPS sent to fight pro-ISIS militants in Lanao del Sur province disarmed 3 improvised bombs planted at a trail where security forces are tracking down the terrorists, officials said. Army Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said members of the 55th Infantry Battalion discovered the bombs planted in different areas in the village of Tamporong in Madalum town. Vinluan said the bombs were believed planted by members of the Dawlah Islamiya who clashed with soldiers recently. “Troops from the 55th Infantry Battalion
were conducting combat clearing operations when they discovered the IEDs,” he said. Lt. Col. Franco Raphael Alano, the battalion commander, confirmed the recovery of the bombs and said one of the explosives had a pressure-release mechanism. “The IED buried in the ground is probably a pressure-release type,” he said, adding, the two other improvised explosive devices were planted five meters apart. Scout Rangers operating in the neighboring province of Maguindanao also recovered Thursday components in the manufacture of improvised
explosives and military uniform usually used by Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Datu Piang town. Troops fired canons in the hinterlands of Alonganen and Buayan villages where militants had been spotted. There was no immediate report of enemy casualties, according to Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the 6th Infantry Division. Both Dawlah Islamiya and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters are fighting for the establishment of a caliphate in the restive southern region. Their leaders pledged allegiance with ISIS. (Rhoderick Beñez)
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Across : 1. French buddy 4. Party 8. Military supplies 12. Writing tablet 13. Aloud 14. Brad 15. Sign up again 17. Floor covering 18. Chile’s mountains 19. Greeting word 20. She, to Pierre 22. Fire alarm 24. Luau necklace 25. Serious 29. School assignment 33. Serious injury 34. Clothes cabinet 36. Chafe 37. Shallow dish 39. Swine 40. Host ___ King 43. Necklace part 45. Concept 46. Briefest 49. Intend 50. Retained 51. Cry of surprise 52. Scandinavian capital 53. The ___ of March 54. Fisherman’s snare
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27. Arrogant 28. File labels 30. High voice 31. Greasy 32. Pro-gun org. 35. Engraved 38. Marry clandestinely 39. DDE’s predecessor 40. Star’s car 41. Fruit beverages 42. Not imaginary 44. Humanities 46. Go downhill 47. That gal 48. Create lace
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HEALTH
ni Dr. Willie T. Ong
Fatty Liver A
ng fatty liver ay isang kondisyon kung saan nababalot ng taba ang atay. Kung may fatty liver ka, kadalasan ay mataas din ang iyong kolesterol sa dugo, blood sugar at uric acid. Malamang ay sobra ka din sa timbang at malaki ang tiyan. Sa umpisa ay walang sintomas ang fatty liver. May ibang tao na sumasakit ang kanang bahagi ng tiyan. Ngunit kapag umabot sa liver cirrhosis ay malala na ito at magkakaroon na ng paninilaw ng mata, pamamayat, paglaki ng tiyan at pagmamanas ng paa. Malalaman na may fatty liver ang pasyente sa pamamagitan ng Ultrasound ng atay o Ultrasound of the Whole Abdomen. Minsan ay lumalala ang fatty liver at umaabot sa pamamaga ng
atay at liver cirrhosis. Para maagapan ang fatty liver, sundin ang mga payong ito: 1. Itigil ang pag-inom ng alak. Kahit isang patak ng wine, beer or hard drinks ay huwag nang subukan pa. Ihinto na rin ang paninigarilyo. 2. Magpapayat kung sobra ka sa timbang. Kapag nagbawas ka ng timbang, puwedeng mabawasan din ang taba sa iyong atay. 3. Umiwas sa pagkain ng matataba (oily) at matatamis na pagkain. Limitahan ang pagkain ng cake, mantikilya, ice cream at karneng baboy at baka. Umiwas o bawasan na rin ang pag-inom ng matatamis na inumin tulad ng soft drinks at iced tea. 4. Kumain ng masustansyang pagkain tulad ng maberdeng gulay at isda. Puwedeng kumain ng prutas pero huwag din sosobrahan ito dahil ito’y matamis din. 5. Gumalaw-galaw at
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Mactan-Cebu International Airport or Lapu-Lapu International Airport?
C
EBU – Deputy Speaker Pablo John Garcia has opposed a proposal to rename the Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Lapu-Lapu International Airport. Lapu-Lapu City that the airport is on the island of over the years to market the airRepresentative Paz Radaza Mactan in the Province of Cebu,” port as Mactan Cebu International Airport. proposed the name change he said. Garcia also emphasized “Much of that will go down which she filed in 2020. The proposal to rename that since 1956 when it was built the drain if we change the the Cebu airport stemmed as an airbase followed by its con- name – if we change the brand from a suggestion of the Na- version to a civilian airport un- – of Mactan Cebu Internationtional Historical Commission til now, the facility was named al Airport Authority. Should we of the Philippines (NHCP). Mactan and the Cebuanos have really be doing that now, as our economy struggles to recover During the commemoration of always referred to it as such. “The generations of Cebua- in this pandemic, and we see National Heroes Day in Taguig City, NHCP Chairman Rene nos, for whom the airport was the region relying upon tourEscalante proposed the idea of built, have always known it as ism as key economic driver? Do “immortalizing and popular- Mactan and have never thought we spend millions again marizing” Lapu-Lapu in the coun- it needed to be changed for keting a new name and brand, any reason. Changing its name when these resources could be try and on a global scale. But Garcia made the man- would erase more than 50 years better put to use elsewhere in ifestation to the Committee on of history,” he said, adding, aside our recovery?” he argued. For Garcia, naming the Transportation which carried from history, renaming the airout an initial deliberation of port would also erase its name Opon town to Lapu-Lapu City in 1961 is “supreme recognition” the bills. He said there is no and brand recognition. He highlighted the resourc- already. “Besides, the name Maccompelling reason to change es, time, and effort the Mac- tan is inextricably linked with the name of the airport. “The name itself is not tan Cebu International Airport the heroism of Lapu-Lapu so objectionable; it is perfectly de- Authority and GMR Megawide that there is really no compelling scriptive of the geographic fact Airport Corporation have spent need for the renaming,” he said.
Armas ug bala para sa Cebu City police
GITUNOL sa Cebu City Government ngadto sa Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) ang mga armas ug bala agig pagsuporta sa
ARMM
anti-criminality campaign ug peace and order program sa kapolisan. Si Mayor Edgar Labella mapasalamaton sa CCPO
sa ilang padayong paningkamot sa pag-mintinar sa kahapsay ug kalinaw sa syudad lakip na ang hugot na pagpatuman sa lagda batok sa Covid-19. Personal nga gidawat ni Colonel Josefino Ligan, ang director sa CCPO, ang mga armas ug bala. Mitambong sa turnover ceremony silang Konsehal Philip Zafra, City Administrator Atty. Floro Casas Jr. ug Department of General Services, Equipment Repair and Maintenance Management Section head Engr. Rene Plarisan.
Eastern Mindanao
He argued that if the renaming aims to emphasize that the airport is in Lapu-Lapu City, it is not enough reason as Mactan as an island where the facility is located covers not just the city but Cordova town as well. Garcia further reasoned out that Mactan as a place-name is rich in historical and cultural meaning and association. “It is the site of this archipelago’s first known resistance against colonial rule. There is a reason why Lapu-Lapu City’s colorful festival – certainly one of the best in the country – is known as “Kadaugan sa Mactan” and not “Kadaugan sa Lapu-Lapu,” he said. He stressed that the name of the country’s second busiest airport should not be changed without consulting the people, the organizations, the sectors that have contributed to the airport’s vitality through their daily patronage. “We should hear from the locators of the Mactan Export Processing Zone whether they would want to lose the advantage of having its name associated with an airport nearby. We should hear from the tourism sector not only in Cebu, but in the whole Visayas, who have contributed greatly to the marketing of the brand – Mactan Cebu International Airport,” he said. “We should hear from the millions of people of the City of Cebu, and the 44 municipalities and six (6) component cities of the Province of Cebu, who, after all, co-own the airport with the people of Lapu-Lapu City, whether the airport, which they have historically, consistently, and endearingly called “Mactan” should be changed at all; and whether we should change it now, as we struggle to pick up the broken pieces of our lives and livelihoods without knowing
Western Mindanao
when this pandemic will end,” he added. In August 2019, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia already expressed her objection to the name change. “I would wish for it to continue to be named as Mactan-Cebu International Airport because it recognizes the fact that the airport is in Cebu kay naa man ang pangan nga Cebu. Naa ang pangan sa Mactan kay naa man na’s Island of Mactan,” she said. Meanwhile, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport said it has received accreditation from the ACI-AHA in recognition of the health and safety measures implemented in Terminals 1 & 2. ACI-AHA refers to the Airports Council International–Airport Health Accreditation. Louie Ferrer, President of GMR MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC), the private airport operator, said these health and safety measures meet global airport standards such as the ACI Aviation Business Restart
and Recovery guidelines, ICAO Council Aviation Restart Task Force (CART) recommendations, as well as other industry best practices. He said with this accreditation, Mactan-Cebu International Airport is recognized as one of the airports globally driving best industry practices for safe travel during the pandemic. The Airport Health Accreditation Certification was awarded on January 26. “Safety is the number one priority at Mactan-Cebu International Airport, especially during this health crisis. We are committed to implementing and delivering best practices in the airport industry, particularly concerning the health and safety of our passengers, staff, and public. This health crisis is one that all airport stakeholders and all Filipinos should address, and we are thankful to our partners at MCIA for making safety their number one priority,” Ferrer said. (Eleanor Valeros, Cebu Examiner)
Liquor ban sa Cebu City
Mayor Edgar Labella CEBU CITY - Gipirmahan ni Mayor Edgar Labella ang Executive Order (EO) No. 117 nga nag-mando sa pagpatuman sa liquor ban sa tibuok syudad. Ubos sa EO No. 117, gidili ang pag-serve sa ilimnong
Cebu
makahubog sa mga pampublikong lagar sa syudad. Apan gitugtan ang mga hotels, resorts ug uban pang mga accommodation establishment nga maka-serve og ilimnong makahubog sa ilang in-house guests. Gitugtan usab ang pagbaligya sa mga ilimnong makahubog sa mga grocery, sari-sari stores ug convenience store apan dili mamahimo nga imnon gawas sa mga tindahan. Ang maong lakang lakip sa mga precautionary ug safety measures nga gihimo sa City Government nunot sa pagtaas sa kaso sa mga nagpositibo sa Covid-19 sa syudad.
Manila