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April 18-24, 2022
Zamboanga to reclaim ‘ARMM’ property ZAMBOANGA CITY Mayor Beng Climaco, who is running for congresswoman in District
1, said she will vigorously pursue - if elected - Zamboanga’s rightful claims to the sprawling Cabatan-
gan property, used by the Moro National Liberation Front in staging deadly attacks here in 2001.
Climaco said it has been the long desire of the Zamboangueño people and the local government
to purchase and legally own the properties of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
(ARMM) in the village of Cabatangan. The mayor said she Continue on page 5
Duterte, Xi talk for hour after ‘Balikatan’ war game
T
HE PHILIPPINES and China have agreed to exert all efforts to maintain peace, security and stability in the West Philippine Sea by exercising restraint, dissipating tensions and working on a mutually agreeable framework for functional cooperation. READ STORY ON PAGE 2
Duterte trust, approval ratings high DAVAO CITY – Barely two months before he steps down, President
Rodrigo Duterte’s approval and trust ratings are higher this month
than at any point in 2021, according to the results of Continue on page 3
Smart Greenhouse sa Bukidnon gilusad sa Dept. of Agriculture Gilusad sa Department of Agriculture ang natukod nga P100 million nga Smart Greenhouse sulod sa research station niini sa Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex Malaybalay City sa Bukidnon. (BGE)
China President Xi Jinping and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte (PCOO)
US, Philippines conclude military exercise
Read Story on page 2
DOT seeks return of Korean tourists MANILA – The Department of Tourism said the Philippines is seeking the support of Korean tourism players in its effort to ramp up the promotion of Continue on page 3
DOT Secretary Bernadette Puyat and DOT Korea Office Director Maria Corazon Apo with DOT Assistant Secretary for Branding and Marketing Communications Howard Lance Uyking pose with South Korean stakeholders led by In-Tae Yu, President/Co-CEO at Modetour Network Inc.
ARMM
Eastern Mindanao
THE UNITED States and the Philippines concluded their joint military exer-
cises dubbed as “Balikatan 2022” which involved nearly 9,000 soldiers, the
largest ever mounted by the two allies since 1991. Continue on page 5
Army tells civilians to stay vigilant COTABATO CITY – The 6th Infantry Division has Continue on page 5
A photo released by the 6th Infantry Division to The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper shows the recovered improvised explosive.
Western Mindanao
Cebu
Manila
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Duterte, Xi talk for hour after ‘Balikatan’ war game
From page 1 West Philippine Sea is the official designation by the Filipino government of eastern parts of the South China Sea that are included in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. In a one-hour telephone summit, President Rodrigo Duterte and President Xi Jingping tackled the West Philippine Sea, the conflict in Eastern Europe, and the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Palace statement. “Both leaders acknowledged that even while disputes existed, both sides remained committed to broaden the space for positive engagements which reflected the dynamic and multidimensional relations of the Philippines and China,” it said. Duterte and Xi likewise discussed global and regional developments, with both of them reaffirming the centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and making renewed commitment to ensure regional peace, progress and prosperity. At the same time, the two leaders emphasized the importance of continuing discussions and concluding the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea. During their conversation, both Duterte and Xi expressed deep concern over developments in other parts of the world, including Russia’s invasion
of Ukraine. They renewed their call for a peaceful resolution of the situation through dialogue in accordance with international law. It was also agreed during the telephone summit for Manila and Beijing to work closely together to address the impacts of climate change and to give voice to the developing world in all relevant climate change fora. Addressing the pandemic, Duterte and Xi acknowledged the importance of making Covid-19 vaccines available to nations that most needed them, highlighting it “as crucial to global and regional economic bounce back”. “The leaders committed to work even more closely to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic and agreed to explore constructive ways to jumpstart interaction and exchanges through, among others, mutual recognition of vaccine certificates, streamlining health protocols and resumption of commercial flights,” the Malacañang statement said. It added that the recent telephone summit gave the Philippines and China an opportunity to review their ties over the last six years, describing the trajectory of their relations as one that is positive and created greater space for partnership and coop-
eration with both leaders recognizing that economic and infrastructure cooperation between the two countries must be intensified, underscoring the significant growth of bilateral trade and economic exchange. They also stressed the need to open up access to goods and services and work for a balance of trade that would reflect a healthy state of economic partnership. Elevating the Philippines-China bilateral relations into a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation was also considered by the two leaders during the summit, describing it as a milestone achievement that demonstrated the commitment of the Philippines and China to continue building on the gains of the previous years towards the future. Duterte and Xi also agreed to further enhance bilateral trade and investments, and continue supporting the Philippine government’s infrastructure Build, Build, Build Program. Balikatan The summit came a day after the Philippines and the United States concluded their joint military exercises dubbed as “Balikatan 2022” which involved nearly 9,000 soldiers, the largest ever mounted by the two allies since 1991.
Balikatan, which literally means “shoulder-to-shoulder,” is a longstanding bilateral exercise highlighting the deep-rooted partnership between the United States and the Philippines. The bilateral exercises, which began on March 29 and ended April 8, focused on maritime security, amphibious operations, livefire training, urban operations, aviation operations, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava said the Philippines military and U.S. forces will continue to train and stand together routinely during other exercises and initiatives throughout the year to promote readiness, interoperability, friendship, and security. Brig. Gen. Joseph Clearfield, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific Deputy Commander, said the
completion of yet another successful Balikatan is a clear example of shared commitment to advancing peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. “As a result of our mutual efforts, our militaries have grown together in friendship, and we are better prepared to respond as one cohesive team to any crisis or challenge,” he said. South China Sea The U.S. repeatedly warned China of its aggression in the South China Sea, saying Beijing’s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them. It said Beijing uses intimidation to undermine the sovereign rights of Southeast Asian coastal states in the South China Sea, including the Philippines, bully them out of offshore resources, assert unilateral dominion, and replace international law
with “might makes right.” The U.S. said China has no legal grounds to unilaterally impose its will on the region and that Beijing has offered no coherent legal basis for its “Nine-Dashed Line” claim in the South China Sea since formally announcing it in 2009. In a unanimous decision on July 12, 2016, an Arbitral Tribunal constituted under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention rejected China’s maritime claims as having no basis in international law. The Tribunal sided squarely with the Philippines, which brought the arbitration case, on almost all claims. As the U.S. has previously stated, and as specifically provided in the Convention, the Arbitral Tribunal’s decision is final and legally binding on both parties. China said it does not recognize the Arbitral Tribunal’s ruling. (Mindanao Examiner)
Smart Greenhouse sa Bukidnon gilusad sa Dept. of Agriculture From page 1 BUKIDNON - Opisyal nga gilusad sa Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) ang kumpletong natukod nga P100 million nga Smart Greenhouse sulod sa Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex compound sa Dalwangan, Malaybalay City. Ang Smart Greenhouse usa ka State-ofthe-Art nga proyekto sa agrikultura nga gipangunahan sa gobyerno sa South Korea ug gipundohan pinaagi sa Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs sa maong nasud, sa pakigtambayayong sa Department of Agriculture sa Pilipinas, nga nagpakita kung unsa ang kaayuhan sa Smart Greenhouse Technology alang sa innovative production sa strawberry, cherry tomato, ug white potato. Si Jong-Soon Lee, presidente sa Korean Agency of Education Promotion and Information Service sa Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries miingon nga ang Korean Smart Greenhouse Technology natukod tungod kay sibo ang klima ug nagkalain-laing kondisyon sa Pilipinas alang ni-
ini nga teknolohiya. “Korean Smart Greenhouse Technology has been proven in terms of productivity and effectivity. I hope this event will serve as a meaningful step forward in developing the Philippine Agriculture by successful cooperation between Korea and the Philippines,” matud ni Lee. Si Evelyn Laviña, DA Undersecretary for High-Value Crops and Rural Credit, miingon nga tungod sa teknolohiya nga gipaambit sa gobyerno sa Korea, panahon na nga tan-awon ang modernisasyon sa agrikultura sa Pilipinas. “This technology will greatly help in the Duterte administration’s national agenda towards Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita. This new technology is crucial in feeding the next generation,” matud ni Laviña. Ang Smart Greenhouse Project gibahin sa upat ka mga component nga mao ang: Pagtukod sa usa ka Smart Farm nga gilangkuban sa 11 ka fully-automated Smart Greenhouses ug usa ka cold storage facility; Development of a local distribution system;
Dispatch of experts; ug Capacity-building for potential technology adopters. Pinaagi sa proyekto, ang DA-RFO 10 nag tumong sa pagpataas sa produksyon sa de-kalidad nga strawberry, cherry tomato, ug white potato, isip sunod nga trademark nga produkto sa Northern Mindanao. Si DA Regional Executive Director Carlene Collado mipasalig sa mga Korean partners sa DA sa interes sa ahensya sa pagpalambo sa Smart Greenhouse Project. “We are very thankful for being the only region in the entire Mindanao to be chosen as the recipient of the Smart Greenhouse Project. Certainly, we will share the technology with our farmers not only in Bukidnon, but in all five provinces of Northern Mindanao, particularly through the promotion of Smart Farming and precision agriculture,” dugang ni Collado. Isip usa ka research ug training center, ang DA-RFO 10 nagplano sa pag-abli sa Smart Greenhouse ngadto sa publiko aron mahimong agri-tourism destination sa rehiyon. (BGE)
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DOT seeks return of Korean tourists
DOT Secretary Bernadette Puyat. Continued from page 1 the country as a safe and fun destination in the new normal. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat, who recently led a delegation to Korea, said the DOT is seeking to tap the Korean travel market to boost tourist arrivals. Korean tourists were the Philippines’ largest visitors before the Covid-19 pandemic, Puyat said her delegation, including representatives from Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific met with Korean tour operators Kyowon KRT, Modu Tours, and Hana Tours and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, as well as executives from the Asiana Airlines, Air Seoul, T’way, Jin Air, Jeju Air and Fly Gangwon and pitched the country's newest tourism products and activities that will likely appeal to the Korean travel market in the new normal. “The Philippines is more than ready to welcome our Korean tourists. Our entry requirements are one of the safest and most relaxed in Asia,” said Puyat in a briefing held by the DOT for some 80 Korean tourism industry players at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul during the visit. Puyat said she also assured Korean stakeholders that the Philippines instituted measures to keep everyone safe, adding fully vaccinated foreign tourists with a negative Covid-19 test results need not quar-
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antine or undergo testing upon arrival. Unvaccinated children below 12 years old may travel to the Philippines with their fully vaccinated parents, she added. She underscored the high vaccination rate among the country’s tourism workers and stakeholders, which is now at 97% nationwide, and the decreasing daily rate of Covid-19 infection in the country. “With the majority of the country’s tourism workers being fully vaccinated, we have begun rolling out our booster shots for added protection. We hope that these efforts will help entice visitors to return, especially now that we have developed many new tourism circuits catering to the interests of tourists in this new era of travel,” Puyat said. The Duterte government took advantage of the tourism lull brought about by the pandemic by developing a total of 112 new tourism circuits across the country, introducing the best travel products and experiences, including culinary, history, nature, wellness, and farm tourism. Puyat announced that 102 more tourism circuits in 14 regions across the country are undergoing development, according to Puyat. While in Korea, Puyat said she promoted the DOT’s latest campaign “It's More Fun with You” is aimed at welcoming back foreign tourists and showcase the preparations made during the pandemic, covering
both safety measures and tourism circuits. “In this campaign, we highlight the preparations that our tourism industry has carried out while travel was put on hold. We will also feature the exciting destinations to visit, activities to experience, and culinary wonders to try. We have missed you; our destinations have also missed you, and the Philippines would certainly be more fun if you come and visit us,” she said. Similar to the DOT’s seven-day mission to Japan last month, Puyat sought the participation of Korean tourism officials and industry players in the upcoming World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit, which the Philippines will host for the first time in Manila on April 20-22. “We hope that tourism professionals and the media from Korea also come, attend, and enjoy. With the theme “Rediscovering Travel,” the Summit will provide an opportunity to address the social, environmental, and economic challenges as we rediscover global travel amid this pandemic,” Puyat said. Though fourth in the ranking of arrivals in the Philippines in the past two months with only 5,551 visitors, Korean tourists registered some 1.98 million arrivals in 2019, which is considered the highest arrival figure among all markets ever recorded in the country. Other than its natural beauty, the lure of the Philippines to South Korean tourists can be partly attributed to the proximity of the Philippines, which takes only three and a half hours by air. The emergence of low-cost carriers, resulting in frequent flights and reasonable travel cost, and good quality of service have also attracted Korean tourists to the Philippines. (With additional reporting from the Mindanao Examiner)
Zamboanga ranks 12th in Resiliency, 13th in Economic Dynamism rankings ZAMBOANGA CITY - The local government ranked 12th in the Resiliency ranking and 13th in Economic Dynamism in the 2021 Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index (CMCI) in the country. It also ranked 16th in Government Efficiency ranking and 18th in Infrastructure ranking, according to the CMCI, an annual ranking of cities and municipalities developed by the National Competitiveness Council through the Regional Competitiveness Committees with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development. The rankings of cities and municipalities were based on the sum of their scores on four pillars: Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, and Resiliency. The provincial rankings were based on population and income weighted average of the overall scores of cities and municipalities under a province. Last year, Zamboanga City was 15th in overall CMCI and distinguished itself as the
5th Most Improved Local Government among all 33 highly urbanized cities in the country – 16 of which are located in Metro Manila. The local government along with other cities and municipalities were feted recently by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Mayor Beng Climaco praised anew City Hall employees and department heads for their hard work even during the Covid-19 pandemic and the heightened political propaganda and attacks against her administration ahead of the local and national elections. “My appreciation goes to all our employees, the department heads and everybody who really work hard despite the current health crisis. I thanked God most of all for continuously guiding me in this difficulty times of the pandemic and the challenges ahead of us all,” she told the Zamboanga Post by phone. Climaco was also selected to speak online for a technical panel on Cascading, Compound, and Systemic Risks
during the Asia Pacific Science and Technology Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction 2022 (APSTCDRR). The mayor shared her insights on inclusion and resiliency, drawing from her experiences as local chief executive during the 2013 siege of Zamboanga by Moro National Liberation Front rebels and the Covid-19 pandemic. “For us in local government, resiliency begins with having a shared and common vision, propelled forward by a whole-of-city approach and sustained by strong political will to enact the systems for change,” Climaco said. The APSTCDRR 2022 was hosted by the Philippines National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the Office of Civil Defense, the Department of Science and Technology, the National Resilience Council, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific; and the Asia-Pacific Science and Technology Advisory Group and ARISE Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)
Duterte trust, approval ratings high Continued from page 1 the PAHAYAG 2022 First Quarter Survey (PQ1 2022) conducted by PUBLiCUS. The pollster said 67.2% of the 1,500 respondents who participated in the latest survey said they ‘approve’ or ‘strongly approve’ of Duterte’s performance as chief executive over the past 12 months. His approval ratings on PUBLiCUS’ 2021 quarterly surveys ranged from a low of 57.9% in July 2021 to a high of 64.9% in March and December 2021, respectively. Meanwhile, 61.2% of PQ1 2022 respondents rated Duterte’s trustworthiness as ‘high’ or ‘very high’. His Total High Trust ratings in 2021 ranged from a low of 50.4% in July to a high of 55.1% in January. Aureli Sinsuat, Executive Director of PUBLiCUS, said Duterte is on pace to become the first president in recent history to end his term with approval and trust ratings above 50%. “The longevity of President Duterte’s popularity is a rarity in Philippine presidential politics,” he said The survey said Vice President Leni Robredo and Senate
President Tito Sotto also notched five-quarter highs with their April 2022 trust ratings. It said 27.2% of respondents said they had ‘high’ or ‘very high’ trust in Robredo, compared to 25.3% for Sotto. However, Robredo also earned the highest Total Disapproval and Total Low Trust ratings among the top five government officials, according to PUBLiCUS, adding 42.2% of respondents said they ‘disapprove’ or ‘strongly disapprove’ of Robredo’s performance over the past 12 months. Almost half of all respondents (48.2%) said they put ‘no trust’ or ‘low trust’ in Robredo. “Vice President Robredo’s relatively poor approval and trust ratings are likely attributable in part to her branding as the leader of the opposition. 42.9% of survey respondents identified themselves as ‘mildly’ or ‘strongly anti-opposition’. This is practically identical to her 42.2% disapproval rating, and close to her 48.2% Total Low Trust rating,” Sinsuat noted. “The data suggest a harsh electoral climate for opposition standard bearers going into the
May 9 election. The majority of voters are likely looking for a candidate who would continue the policies and programs of the popular outgoing president – not someone who would oppose them,” he added. PAHAYAG 2022 First Quarter Survey is an independent, non-commissioned nationwide purposive sampling poll conducted by PUBLiCUS between March 30 and April 6. The 1,500 respondents who participated in the survey were randomly drawn by the Singapore office of American firm PureSpectrum from its market research panel of over 200,000 Filipinos. The final survey panel was restricted to registered voters. Parameters based on respondent age, gender, and location were also utilized in the sample formulation in order for the resulting sample to conform more closely to the features of the voting population, as defined by statistics from the Commission on Elections. The nationwide margin of error is +/- 3%. The margin of error in NCR is +/- ~7%, and +/6% in other regional groupings. (Mindanao Examiner)
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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, Maimbung Municipal Government, Rep. Shernee Tambut, Noenyrie Asiri, and Aziz Salapuddin)
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Zamboanga to reclaim ‘ARMM’ property Continued from page 1 has repeatedly brought this issue to the national government and recently again with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) under Secretary Carlito Galvez. She said the OPAPP Technical Working Group has already conducted the necessary survey of the Cabatangan property, also known as Cabatangan Complex. “I gave them a deadline that it should be finished before President
Duterte leaves his office this year because it has been years and years of appeals for the City of Zamboanga since it (Cabatangan property) was turned over to then (Rear) Admiral (Romulo) Espaldon,” she said. Espaldon, who was chief of Southwest Command and later on named Southern Command, served as the first and only Commissioner for Region IX until it was abolished and replaced with the Lupong Tagapagpa-
ganap ng Pook in 1979 in Cabatangan. According to Climaco, records show that the 72-hectare Cabatangan property was titled under the name of the Republic of the Philippines. Prior to the establishment of ARMM, the Lupong Tagapagpaganap ng Pook purchased the property in Zamboanga City and turned it into its seat of government. ARMM was created by virtue of the Republic Act No. 6734 which was signed
US, Philippines conclude military exercise
into law by President Corazon Aquino on August 1, 1989. “This is something we must ensure that is pursued and cemented and as representatives of Congress, this pursuit is very important, the documents and land titles of the properties should belong to the City of Zamboanga,” Climaco said. “We have been squatters on our own property for years and years. It should address the (November 2001 MNLF) violence in Cabatangan and then the violence during the (September 2013 MNLF) Zamboanga siege,” she said, pointing out that the pursuit to get back the Cabatangan property “reflects in a leadership that has continuity - a leadership that is credible, courageous and capable such as Zamboanga Rep. Cesar Jimenez, now running as mayor under Team Climaco, and who also vowed to reclaim the Cabatangan property if he wins in the May election. Climaco said the local government had long wanted to take over the Cabatangan property which has been identified as a new government cen-
ter of Zamboanga in an effort to decongest the central business district. She said the local government has already developed the hilltops in Cabatangan - except the prime lots being claimed by the defunct ARMM - with the construction of the local government disaster command center, the Covid-19 mega isolation facility, the Balay Silangan and other government structures. The mayor also cited Republic Act 9054 or the expanded ARMM law, saying the national government through the Office of the President, is mandated to take possession of or buy the properties occupied and owned by the ARMM in non-ARMM areas such as Zamboanga City and sell the same to the host local governments. In 2018, Climaco said that Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told her that the national government would purchase the Cabatangan Complex since the local government is interested in buying it. In her past meetings with President Rodrigo Duterte and even with Lorenzana, Climaco said she discussed with them the
Cabatangan property, the city’s non-inclusion in Muslim autonomous region, and the return of the Zamboanga regional center and the proposed construction of a new airport. The mayor said she also handed over to Lorenzana a letter containing the list of ARMM properties located in Cabatangan, including a map and corresponding photocopies of titles of the properties. There was no immediate statement from the current Muslim autonomous regional government about the Climaco’s plan and Lorenzana’s promise to the mayor. The Cabatangan property is situated near national government agencies and military facilities - the Department of Education, Department of Health Training Centers, and Commission on Audit Regional Office, the Civil Service Commission Regional Office, the Population Commission Training Center, the National Telecommunications Commission, the Philippine Army Brigade, the Philippine Marines and the Philippine Navy barracks, among others. (Mindanao Examiner)
U.S. Army Pacific Soldiers with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, and Philippine Army Soldiers with Company B, 92nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, conduct combined air assault cold load training during Balikatan 22 on Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, April 2, 2022. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Matthew Mackintosh, 28th Public Affairs Detachment) Continued from page 1 Balikatan, which literally means “shoulder-to-shoulder,” is a longstanding bilateral exercise highlighting the deep-rooted partnership between the United States and the Philippines. The bilateral exercises, which began on March 29 from the northern coast of Luzon to Palawan, focused on maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban operations, aviation operations, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The U.S. Navy and Philippine Navy played key roles providing sealift and off-shore support. The Philippines military and U.S. military also conducted multiple humanitarian and civic assistance projects, including the renovation of four elementary schools, multiple community health engagements, and the exchange of advanced emergency rescue and lifesaving techniques. These construction projects, health engagements, and community relations events improved local infrastructure, facilitated the exchange of lifesav-
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava ing medical skills, and strengthened ties between local communities and Filipino and American military forces. “After two years of a global pandemic, U.S. and Philippine forces have come together to complete one of the largest Balikatan exercises ever held. This is a testament to the strength of the U.S.-Philippine alliance and the shared priorities of our countries,” said U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava. Variava said the Philippines military and U.S.
forces will continue to train and stand together routinely during other exercises and initiatives throughout the year to promote readiness, interoperability, friendship, and security. Brig. Gen. Joseph Clearfield, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific Deputy Commander, said the completion of yet another successful Balikatan is a clear example of shared commitment to advancing peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. “As a result of our mutual efforts, our militaries have grown together in friendship, and we are better prepared to respond as one cohesive team to any crisis or challenge,” he said. Maj. Gen. Charlton Sean Gaerlan, Philippine military exercise director, also said the experience gained from the exercise complemented the security cooperation endeavors and helped enhance existing mutual security efforts. “Although there were limitations brought about by the pandemic, it is highly commendable that the exercise pushed through and generated a favorable outcome,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
Google satellite map of the Cabatangan Complex. (Image: Al Jacinto)
Army tells civilians to stay vigilant Continued from page 1 told civilians to stay vigilant after soldiers recovered a powerful improvised bomb on a corn field in the restive province of Maguindanao where security forces continue to battle extremist groups allied with the Islamic State. Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the 6th Infantry Division and the Joint Task Force Central Mindanao, also told villagers to immediately report to the authorities any suspected improvised explosives in their locality following the discovery of the bomb. “This kind of explosive, if not properly disposed of, could destroy properties and cause the loss of innocent lives,” he said.
Army Col. Oriel Pangcog, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, said patrolling members of the 40th Infantry Battalion discovered the improvised explosive last week in the village of Matagobong in Ampatuan town. He said the explosive was assembled from an 81mm mortar projectile rigged to a pair of batteries, a blasting cap and remote control transmitter. Pangcop described the bomb as a “high explosive anti-personnel mine.” “They (troops) immediately cordoned the area to allow members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team to render safety procedures and disarm the IED,” he said. No individual claimed
ownership of the bomb, but several armed secessionist groups are actively operating in the province and had been fighting security forces for many decades now in an effort to put up a Islamic state in the South. Most of the fighters were former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front whose leader Murad Ebrahim signed a peace deal with the government in March 2014. Ebrahim was eventually appointed as regional governor along with his deputies who now hold key positions in the autonomous region composed of other Muslim provinces Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Lanao del Sur. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Problems with family names similar in sound, but not in spelling DO YOU belong to the few groups of Filipinos who have family names different in spelling when written but sound similar when pronounced? If yes, then you can easily understand and relate with the problems cited in some parts of this article. While such similarity in pronunciation may be pleasing in one's ears, the difference in spelling when the family name is written may create slight confusion or perplexity for some. Examples of such family names are Guevara/ Guevarra, Guerero/Guerrero, Espinosa/Espinoza, Estabillo/Estavillo, Nepom o c e n o / Ne p o m u c e n o, Gonzales/Gonzalez, Gutieres/Gutierrez, Serano/ Serrano, Sicat/Sikat, Samuco/Zamuco, Sanches/Sanchez, Jimenes/Jimenez, Maderaso/Maderazo, Abolencia/Abulencia, Balbuena/Valbuena, Balderama/ Valderama, Baldes/Valdez, Baldoria/Valdoria, Goles/ Golez, Ismael/Ysmael, Ison/Yson, Jomadiao/Jumadiao, Martines/Martinez, and Rojas/Roxas. What is the most undesirable effect of having family names with almost the same sound when pronounced but spelled out differently? Cesar M. Guevara of Quezon City has this to say as he lamented that oftentimes, his family name is often spelled with double "R." "My family almost always have this problem: In our birth certificates, PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) licenses, and passports, even though we are making it clear that we spell our family name with a single R," he said. Guevara was commenting on a recent Facebook post by Bunny Arville on the Filipiniana Page titled "Who is Pedro Guevara?" Arville wrote: "If You Live in San Juan, then you know P. Guevara Street. But who was P. Guevara? Pedro Guevara (February 23, 1879 -January 19, 1938), was a Philippine soldier, lawyer and legislator and Spanish writer who became Resident Commissioner from the Philippine Islands during the American colonial administration. He joined the Filipino forc-
es during the Philippine Revolution and assisted in promoting the peace agreement of Biak na Bato at San Miguel, Bulacan in 1897. He also served throughout the Spanish–American War and the Philippine–American War, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel." It caught the attention of at least 180 members of the Filipiniana group, many of them heaving praises on Guevara. However, the comments and posts were not all praises. Cesar Guevara wrote that the name of a street in San Juan City and another in Sta. Cruz, Manila, spelling the name Pedro Guevarra (with double R) was erroneous. Stressing that the spelling needs correction, he said the subject of the write-up was his grandfather. "We used to live in P. Guevara St., Sta. Cruz, Manila. It was spelled with a single R way back in the 1960s. In fact, my grandparents were already there since the 1930s. And all correspondence and addresses used by my family was P. Guevara with single R. Even this article we are reading spelled the family name with a single R. My grandfather, Judge Guillermo Guevara, once wrote an article in the Manila Times entitled "Why Guevara should not be spelled with a double R. And Pedro Guevara is our great grandfather, so I should know," he said, adding that "It's more likely that it is only in the Philippines that Guevara is spelled with a double R." When told that a historical book on the Philippine Legislature, from the Pact of Biak-na-Bato (1897) to 1992, titled "Foundations of Freedom: A History of Philippine Congresses" written by veteran writer and editor Jose P. Abletez, listed the name Pedro Guevarra of Laguna's 2nd District with double R, he said it maybe a typographical error. This caused me to do quick research, thinking positively that there is indeed another family name Guevara spelled with double R. I have in mind our former Philippine News Agency (PNA) photographer with the same family name spelled with double
R: Johnny Guevarra (RIP). After a cursory glance at a number of written sources, including the DPC (Directories Philippines Corporation) Yellow Pages 2008-2009 Metro Manila Edition, I found there are really persons using the family name Guevara (with single R) and also Guevarra (double R). Some of the other family names with similar sound when pronounced but with different spelling are listed above. The National Press Club (NPC) of the Philippines, in its 50th Anniversary Commemorative Book, listed six members with the family name Guevarra, all spelled with double R. Next, I looked at the 1998 Philippine Centennial Almanac for Children which has a single sentence entry for Feb. 23, 1878. It said that "Pedro Guevara, politician, writer and resident commissioner of the Philippines in the United States, was born on Feb. 23, 1878. He died on Jan. 19, 1938." Yes, the family name only had one R. The almanac was edited by National Artist for Literature and Children's Communication Center Executive Director Virgilio S. Almario. The family name with a single R also appears at the signboard of the Pedro Guevara Elementary School in San Nicolas, Binondo, Manila. The school principal, Editha Lopez, told PNA photographer Ben Briones that the family name Guevara as written on the signboard has only one R. However, P. Guevarra St. in Sta. Cruz, Manila is written with double R. The street begins from the vicinity of the Chinese Cemetery, crosses Aurora Blvd., Blumentritt St., the Philippine National Railways (PNR) railroad track and extends all the way parallel to Rizal Ave. until V. Fugoso St. (formerly Zurbaran) near the Central Market and the Dr. Fabella Memorial Hospital. The street sign for P. Guevarra St. in San Juan City also has double R. It is now up to these local governments if there is a need to make the proper and long overdue correction. (Severino Samonte)
Organic Kopi Luwak or Civet coffee isn’t really pricey
KIDAPAWAN CITY Coffee lovers in the Philippines may now enjoy the best and the most expensive coffee in the world - Kopi Luwak - but not as pricey as every connoisseurs think. Kopi Luwak is a coffee that consists of partially digested coffee cherries, which have been eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet. The cherries are fermented as they pass through a civet’s intestines, and after being defecated
with other fecal matter, they are collected. In Manila, a kilogram of Civet coffee sells for as high as P15,000 and over $500 dollars abroad. But Kopi Luwak can now be enjoyed by every coffee lovers for as low as P150 for a 16 oz. cup that comes with a drip bag, ground organic Civet coffee beans, two packets of brown sugar and a stirrer in a beautiful Kraft paper bag – thanks to the Mindanao Civet Coffee
seller in Zamboanga City. The new market player in the coffee business, although small, is now offering affordable organic Kopi Luwak – sourced and picked by farmers from the highlands of Mindanao, cleaned and dried and roasted to perfection to give coffee lovers that distinct aroma of Civet coffee berries – chocolaty and nutty and smooth bodied brewed drink. Mindanao Civet Coffee, which started as a home reseller of coffee beans, now offers organic Kopi Luwak in 250 grams ground Civet coffee and 250 grams Civet coffee beans – all medium roasted to perfection. Kopi Luwak is also available now in 3rd Cup Café at LM Metro Hotel in Zamboanga City, and resellers in Luzon, Cebu and other parts of Mindanao. The Mindanao Civet Coffee is a favorite among travellers and tourists and coffee connoisseurs. And for those who wanted the perfect gift for all occasions, Kopi Luwak is the best choice. And those who are interested to resell or perhaps enjoy a daily hot cup or cold brew of Kopi Luwak may call the Mindanao Civet Coffee at this mobile number 09153976197. (AJC)
April 18-24, 2022
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April 18-24, 2022
Duterte no regrets being president DAVAO CITY – A former aide of President Rodrigo Duterte and now senator Bong Go said the elderly leader has no regrets running the government as he prepares to step down in June. Go said although the burden of the presidency has taken a toll on Duterte’s health, the 77-year old veteran politician is in good condition and will continue serving the people until the last day of his term. "It's a thankless job but no regrets for PRRD," he said. The lawmaker, who served Duterte for more than 20 years, cited how the president has been working and who is only focused on serving the people. Go admitted the duties of president really drained Duterte both physically and mentally, especially with his age.
“That it is only normal for the President to feel tired after years of being a public servant. Talagang piniga siya, ibig sabihin, mentally, physically and health wise, talagang piniga,” Go said. “Kapag isa kang Pangulo, talagang pipigain ka talaga. It's a thankless job pero no regret po si Pangulo dahil ito na ang huling chapter ng kanyang buhay, ibinuhos na nya sa Pilipino. So kahit na medyo humihina na, at his age, 77 years old tuloy pa rin ang kanyang pagseserbisyo,” he added. Duterte was previously seen visiting the Cardinal Santos Medical Center, but the Palace or his doctors have not released any medical bulletin or his health condition.
“Yung nabalitaan n'yong pumunta dito, normal po na pupunta dito ang Pangulo because 77 years old (na siya). Kailangan na pong magpa-check up. Kaya inaalagaan po ng Cardinal Santos ang ating Pangulo. Lahat ng mga doktor natin dito, especially Dr. Agnes (del Rosario) po, inalagaan talaga nila si Pangulo and with that, nakapagpatuloy po ang ating Pangulo sa kanyang tungkulin bilang Presidente," Go explained. “Physically (fit) to finish his term? Oo, kaya pa and beyond. Oo, in good condition kaya nga sabi ko papasalamat tayo sa Cardinal Santos at kay doktora din po for taking care of his (PRRD's) health,” he said when asked whether Duterte is physically fit. (Malou Cablinda)
BIR told anew to collect Marcoses P203-B estate tax
OPINION
Good emotions come from good actions by Engr. Carlos V. Cornejo (Cebu) GROWTH IN the intellect is achieved through reading books, studying for a course, attending seminars, etc. Emotional growth follows our intellectual growth. Emotion is an internal bodily reaction we would have as a consequence with whatever we perceive in our minds. If I perceive you as a friend, I will feel comfortable being with you. Emotionally I am glad to see you. However, if I perceive you as an enemy, my physical reaction will be one of fight or flight. My muscles will grow tense and my heartbeat will accelerate. Perhaps, I feel afraid of you and don’t want to be in your presence. In short, whatever dominates our thoughts would likewise be the prevailing emotions. If we think of good thoughts, good feelings will follow. If we think of bad thoughts, like imagining ourselves having failed, bad feelings would follow. That’s why many self-help books would recommend to control our thoughts and think only of good and positive ones. I would agree with this to a certain extent. But what some self-help authors don’t see is that positive thoughts don’t just come to us automatically. It is part of who we are. It is part of our character. Let’s have an exaggerated example but I think it strikes home the point. Let’s say you have just robbed a bank. Would you be able to have good thoughts when your conscience would bother you with the crime you have done? Perhaps the immediate good thoughts you would have, are the riches that you have just acquired. But in the long run the godly voice of your conscience will distress you for your wrong doing. That’s why some individuals have shut off their conscience not because they are able to turn it off like a switch but because their conscience has become numb due to
their constant failure to do the right thing. Well, we might say, “Wouldn’t that be a good thing, no one reprimanding us anymore?”. Not at all, would you want to become so indifferent to your offenses that killing a person for example might feel normal to you as swatting a fly? The foundation of good thoughts are good actions. Good actions are also called virtues. Once your life is founded on good actions you become a virtuous person. And a virtuous person is a happy individual because good and happy thoughts prevail all the time. This was how Aristotle, the philosopher of common sense, arrived at this conclusion. This would tell us the importance of “formation in values” or many people would refer to it simply as “formation.” Formation is educating ourselves on virtues. Formation is all about forming or training our conscience to distinguish clearly from what is morally good from bad. It is also acquiring wisdom to see the silliness of choosing the bad from the good. Why choose sin when it brings us misery, whereas choosing virtue gives us true joy? The Bible is the ultimate source of formation. Religious instruction such as classes on the teachings of the Catholic Church or Catechism classes likewise is another basic foundation in formation. Reading spiritual books, attendance in recollections, retreats and seminars, seeking advice from wise people are all great sources of formation. Good thoughts turn into good actions and good actions generate good thoughts. Good thoughts become good feelings which in turn makes a good and happy life. That’s literally what we call a virtuous cycle. (Carlos Cornejo)
AS MILLIONS Filipino workers dutifully file their income tax returns, Senator Francis Pangilinan urged the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), to show fairness and collect the estimated P203-billion estate tax of the Marcoses. He said in 1997, the Supreme Court ruled that the Marcos family must pay P23 billion in estate tax, which became final in March 1999 as the entry of judgment showed. The debt remains unpaid and the amount has ballooned to P203 billion due to penalties and interests through the years, The Department of Finance has said the estate taxes remain unpaid up to now. Pangilinan said there are no more contentious issues as to the need to pay because of the finality of the High Tribunal's ruling. “Gustong makita ng ating mga kababayan na patas ang gobyerno sa pangongolekta ng buwis na dapat bayaran. Sa mga manggagawa, awtomatiko ang kaltas ng buwis, hindi man lang natin mahawakan ng buo ang sweldo. Kailangan, sa utang na buwis ng mga Marcos, hindi pwedeng nag-uusad-pagong ang gobyerno,” Pangilinan said. The senator said the BIR or any concerned agencies involved in the collection of the tax should be transparent in their dealings with the Marcoses and the steps they intend to take to demand payment. Even President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the BIR to collect the taxes. ABS-CBN also quoted Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez as saying that BIR, through Commissioner Caesar Dulay, confirmed that Duterte reminded the agency to collect the taxes. “BIR is collecting and
demanding payment from the Marcos Estate Administrators. They have not paid. BIR will continue to consolidate the titles in favor of the government on those properties which have been levied upon. The procedure may take time as it involves selling at public auction to convert to cash. Bottom line, Marcos does not take any steps to settle and pay because of pending litigation,” he said, referring to former senator Bongbong Marcos, who is running for president in the May election. The BIR said it has sent the Marcos family a written demand to settle their estate tax liabilities. GMA News also quoted former Presidential Commission on Good Government commissioner Ruben Carranza as telling the television network the tax law allows the BIR to file a criminal complaint against Marcos for willful non-payment of taxes. “Ibig sabihin ng willful, alam mong may utang ka, alam mong hindi ka nag bayad ng buwis pero ayaw mo talagang magbayad ng buwis,” he said. Marcos’ spokesman, lawyer Vic Rodriguez insisted the tax liability is still pending in court and said the issue raised against the former senator was all politics, adding the ownership of the Marcos properties has yet to be settled. He said: “It ss not a coincidence that rivals of presidential frontrunner Bongbong Marcos are raising this matter in unison a few weeks before the elections. Sadly, this is all about politics. Our rivals are misdirecting everyone by claiming that the case has attained finality when the truth of the matter is, it is still pending in court and the ownership of the properties in litigation has yet to
be settled.” Presidential aspirant and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has repeatedly criticized Marcos for his failure to pay the estate taxes. The Philippine Daily Inquirer also quoted former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio during a 1Sambayan forum as saying that the Bureau of Internal Revenue should file a criminal case against the Marcos family over their “willfull refusal” to pay their estate tax liability. “The BIR, if it wants now, can file a criminal case. And I think it’s time because it’s almost 25 years. Almost a quarter of a century they have not paid the tax. Ano pang iniintay ng BIR? Filean na nila ng criminal case. That’s the last thing that they can do. They should now file a criminal case,” Carpio said. Carpio said that as co-administrators of the Marcos estate, Bongbong and his mother Imelda Marcos, are legally and primarily mandated by law to pay the estate tax before any heir, including themselves, can receive a single centavo from the Marcos estate. Citing the Tax Code, Carpio said Bongbong and his mother can be charged criminally by the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Department of Justice under Section 255 of Tax Code for willful refusal to pay the estate tax of the Marcos estate. “The refusal to pay the estate tax is willful because almost a quarter of a century since the estate tax was declared final and executory by the Supreme Court and still Marcos Jr. and Imelda Marcos have refused to pay a single centavo of the tax which now has ballooned to P203 billion due to interest,” Carpio said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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April 18-24, 2022
April 18-24, 2022
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Unlicensed real estate brokers flood social media
C
EBU CITY – The Philippine Association of Real Estate Boards Inc. (PAREB) has complained about the proliferation of unlicensed real estate agents or brokers who unscrupulously dupe buyers despite a law regulating the practice of real estate service. Jovencio Cainong, and can be fined with up to buyers are at risk of being PAREB senior vice presi- P100,000 or imprisonment offered by unlicensed real dent, said unlicensed real of not less than two years or estate sellers fictitious propestate brokers are already both, according to Cainong, erties or even with problemdominating the trade in saying “a person who sells atic or fake land titles and social media, especially in real property without a li- other documents. Cainong said only a few Meta’s Marketplace plat- cense commits a criminal segments of the population form where anybody can offense.” Cainong said unli- are aware that there are projust offer to sell real estate. He cited the Real Es- censed real estate agents fessionals whom they can tate Service Act, saying no using social media or di- deal with in terms of real person is allowed by law to rectly selling to buyers are estate brokering, appraisal, practice real estate service also competing with li- and consultancy. He urged if he has no license from censed real estate brokers prospective buyers of house the government, adding and salespersons. “At least and lot to be wary of sellers real estate agents should 90% of real estate salesper- of residential subdivisions, be accredited and transact sons on Facebook are unli- saying there is now a boom business under the direct censed,” he said, adding this of illegal subdivisions that supervision of a duly-li- malpractice resulted in loss even agricultural lands are censed broker. of income for the licensed also being developed into subdivisions, Those who are not real estate practitioners residential working under a licensed and poses a high risk for the which is a violation to the local government zoning broker are violating the buyers. He said real estate laws. (Minerva Newman) Real Estate Service Act
Cebu Landmasters reports huge income despite Covid pandemic CEBU CITY – Real Estate company Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) has reported a record P2.61 billion net income attributable to shareholders in 2021, up by 42% from 2020’s P1.85 billion. Jose Soberano III, CLI Chairman and CEO, reported that the recovery of the property sector from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic is evident in the firm’s income performance which also surged past its 2019 pre-Covid pandemic bottom line by 30%. He said the increase in sales and sustained housing demand is an indicator of recovery from the health crisis, adding the company’s performance “puts us in a position to pick up from where we left off pre-Covid and shows that the industry is on track to sustained recovery moving forward.” Soberano said there continues to be a solid housing demand in the Visayas and Mindanao, particularly in the economic and mid-income segments, which drove the firm’s sales to hit a record P16.5 billion in 2021, which is 16% more than the previous year.
Astra Corporate Center is situated within Astra Centre Cebu, a masterfully planned mixed-use community strategically located along AS Fortuna Street, Mandaue City. (CLI Photo) By the end of 2021, Soberano said construction was in full-swing across all their project sites in 16 key cities in Visayas and Mindanao, and catch-up measures had been put in place to compensate for delays caused by quarantine restrictions. A major investment now progressing as planned is Masters Tower Cebu which will generate 10,500 square meters of
gross leasable area and also incorporates Sofitel Cebu City’s 195 rooms. Another anchor project is the 125-room Abaca Resort Mactan, a luxury hotel designed to be among Cebu’s premier hotel destinations, coming at a time when the tourism industry also looks to sustain recovery post-pandemic. (Carlo Lorenciana)
U.S. turns over Palawan boat facility to Philippine Marines THE UNITED States turned over a newly constructed assault boat maintenance bay facility in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan to the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) as part of a small-scale construction Foreign Military Financing (FMF) grant. The facility is one of three FMF construction projects, valued overall at P256.9 million ($5 million). The two others are in Zamboanga City in Mindanao and in Ternate City in Luzon and were turned over in November 2021 and in February, respectively. The Puerto Princesa structure is valued at approximately P17.5 million ($340,000) and consists of a 30m long x 16m wide x 4.5m high maintenance
ARMM
Eastern Mindanao
Western Mindanao
bay and a 5-ton gantry crane. The facility will be used primarily by the Assault Boat Battalion as well as other tenant commands co-located at the 3rd Marine Brigade Headquarters in Puerto Princesa. The mission of the Assault Boat Battalion is to conduct sea-to-shore amphibious operations as well as maritime interdiction boardings at sea. “We are inspired to see the PMC pursue its bold and vital modernization plan to expand its presence and maintain its maritime fleet in order to meet the full array of challenges in these archipelagic waters. Together, the United States and the Philippines will continue to make great strides in the pursuit of free and open
Cebu
waters,” said U.S. Senior Defense Official and Chief of the Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group-Philippines Col. Stephen Ma. PMC Commandant Maj. Gen. Nestor Herico also thanked the U.S. for the facility. “On behalf of the PMC, we are grateful for this facility, others like it, and the ironclad U.S.-Philippine partnership. We are very grateful for this assistance and this alliance,” he said. In the past five years alone, the United States has provided over P15.8 billion ($302.3 million) in grant assistance through FMF to support the Philippines’ sovereignty and modernization efforts. (Cebu Examiner)
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