Probe begins on Sokol chopper crash
Health advocates laud BIR’s safeguards vs. tobacco company tactics
Who coddled Palparan? PAGE 2
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Philippine troops to get new M4 rifles
NEA gets P7.6-B for electrification project
Aquino honors outstanding cops during 113th Police Service Anniversary
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MILF PINATATAHIMIK NG PALASYO
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akumbinsi umano ng pamahalaang Aquino ang mga lider ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) na huwag ng magbigay ng anumang pahayag ukol sa naantalang Bangasamoro Basic Law (BBL) dahil nakaka-apekto umano ang baitkos kay Pangulong Benigno Aquino. Ang BBL draft ay nasa Malakanyang pa rin hanggang sa kasalukuyan dahil sa patuloy na review ng legal team ng pamahalaan sa pangunguna ni Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Alfredo Caguioa upang masigurong hindi lalabag sa Konstitusyon ang anumang probisyon nito na binuo ng Bangsamoro Transition Commission
(BTC). Isinumite ang draft BBL sa Malakanyang noon pang Abril at dapat sana ay naipasa na ito sa Kongreso nitong Mayo bilang paghahanda sa referendum sa susunod na taon. Halos lahat ng nilalaman ng BBL ay binago ng Malakanyang ng walang konsultasyon sa BTC na binubuo ng 15 miyembro na itinalaga ng MILF at pamahalaang Aquino. Ilang beses na rin nagpahayag ng pagkadismaya si Mohagher Iqbal, ang chief peace negotiator ng dating rebeldeng grupo; at Ghazali Jaafar, ang MILF vice chairman for political affairs, dahil sa lubhang pagkakantala ng BBL at ang mga probisyon na binago ng Malakanyang. At bawa’t
bitaw ng pahayag nina Iqbal at Jaafar ay nakaka-apekto umano kay Aquino at sa pananaw ng mga Muslim sa pamahalaan kaugnay sa peace agreement na nilagdaan ng mag-kabilang grupo. Hindi naman mabatid kung sino ang nakiusap sa MILF na huwag ng batikusin si Aquino, ngunit posibleng si Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles ang nasa likod nito. Naunang sinabi sa Mindanao Examiner ni Iqbal, na siya rin chairman ng BTC, na: “We are seriously worried about the delay in signing of the BBL by President Aquino and this further delay the implementation of the peace agreement – the Comprehensive Agreement on Bang-samoro – and it cre-
ates problems not only to the Aquino government, but the MILF as well. It’s a political problem and government has to address this quickly because we are running out of time here.” Nababahala ang MILF sa mga commanders nito na nawawalan ng pag-asa sa peace deal ng grupo sa pamahalaan dahil sa pagkalikot ng Malakan-yang sa draft BBL. Ngunit hindi pa natatapos diyan ang problema ng pama-halaan dahil nakaabang sa Kongreso ag ilang mga pulitiko na inaasahang haharang sa BBL dahil sa takot na makaka-apekto ito sa kanilang mga negosyo at ari-arian sa Mindanao na sakop ng bagong Muslim autonomous region. ( J. Magtanggol)
Photo of abducted German yachters in Palawan surfaces on Facebook
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photograph of two German yachters who disappeared at sea off Palawan Island in the Philippines has surfaced on the Internet and in the picture were masked gunmen believed to be members of the al-Qaedalinked Abu Sayyaf group guarding them. The picture - shared on Facebook - shows the yachters Stefan Viktor Okonek, 71, and Herike Diesen, 55, behind a German flag and surrounded by at least 10 gunmen in
what appeared to be a forest and a black flag with an Arabic inscription can be seen in the background. It was not immediately known who posted the picture on Facebook, but Philippine television TV5 also ran a story about the photograph. The duo was believed snatched at sea in April 25 while heading to Sabah after from a holiday in Palawan and they were reported missing after Filipino fishermen spotted their empty yacht. There was no immediate statement from Filipino security officials or the Ger-
man embassy about the authenticity of the picture. The Abu Sayyaf is still holding several foreigners and Filipinos kidnapped in southern Philippines. Because of the abductions of the Germans, the United Kingdom warned its citizens in May against travelling to southern Philippines due to threats of terrorism and clashes between security forces and insurgents, and kidnappings. Britain said there are several terrorist groups operating in the Philippines that continue to pose a threat. It
Herike Diesen and Stefan Viktor Okonek
ARMM
Southern Mindanao
Davao
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MILF Vice Chairman Mohagher Iqbal Photo of retired army general Jovito Palparan released to the Mindanao Examiner by Karapatan.
said there is a threat from kidnapping, particularly in the southern Philippines where kidnapping could occur anywhere, including on coastal and island resorts and on dive boats and sites in the Sulu Sea. “Foreigners have been targeted in rural, urban and coastal areas in the past. In April 2014, two foreign nationals were kidnapped while yachting in the Sulu Sea. In February 2012, 2 foreign nationals were kidnapped from Parangan in the township of Panglima Sugala in the Tawi-Tawi island province.” “The long-standing policy of the British government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking,” it said. Britain was referring to the two German yachters and the two European wildlife photographers Ewold Horn, 52, from Holland; and Lorenzo Vinciguerre, 47, from Switzerland, who were taken captive by in the coastal village of Parangan in Panglima Sugala town in Tawi-Tawi province two years ago. (Mindanao Examiner)
Western Mindanao
Cebu
Manila
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The Mindanao Examiner
Aug. 18-24, 2014
Who coddled Palparan? MANILA – Philippine authorities have vowed to investigate the people who provided refuge to a former military general Jovito Palparan who is accused of abducting two student-activists in 2006 in Bulacan province just outside Manila. Palparan was arrested ion burn in Santa Mesa; Manila after M e r i n o’s government agents raided dead body his hideout. His capture and buried came three years after a the corpse court ordered his arrest in in the vilconnection to the disap- lage called pearance of Sherlyn Bliss. MeCadapan and Karen rino was Empeño, both students of killed June the University of the Philip- 10, 2007. Manalo pines. Both women are his feared dead, but their fami- and lies believed they are still b r o t h e r , Photo courtesy of Human Rights Asia Reynaldo, alive. Bearded, long hair and were allegedly seized by ministration of President looking frail, Palparan de- members of the 56th Infan- Gloria Arroyo, according to nied all accusations against try Battalion on February 14, the Kapayapaan, a broad him. He was later brought to 2006. They stayed in this network of peace advocates. Reactions the National Bureau of In- Bataan detachment along Dr. Lito Manalili, former vestigation headquarters in with Merino, Cadapan, and Manila and presented to Empeño from November Dean of the UP College of Social Work and Commujournalists clean-shaven. 2006 to June 2007. Aside from Palparan, nity Development and one He said the two women were 'hard-core' members of the also included in the crimi- of the convenors of communist rebel group nal charges were Colonel Kapayapaan, said the arrest New People's Army and that Felipe Anotado, Staff Ser- of Palparan shows that there he nor his soldiers were in- geant Edgar Osorio and are still patriotic and demovolved in the disappearance Master Sergeant Rizal cratic elements in state seHilario. curity forces who uphold the of Cadapan and Empeño. Besides the Cadapan, rule of law. A farmer, Manuel Me“This is a good step but rino, who was abducted and Empeño case, Palparan along with the two women, is also being linked to the there is a long way to go to was tortured and killed by killings of Southern Tagalog make Palparan accountable soldiers and his body human rights defenders for all the human rights burned before being buried Eden Marcellana and Eddie abuses he committed at an army detachment in Gumanoy in April 2003. against activists and civilLimay, Bataan province. Palparan is also implicated ians,” Manalili said. Rep. Carlos Zarate said Raymond Manalo, who es- in many cases of extrajudicaped from a military ab- cial killings in Eastern the arrest of Palparan is a duction in 2008, said he saw Visayas, Central Luzon and “long delayed action” in the soldiers, who were mem- Southern Tagalog where he search for justice for bers of 24th Infantry Battal- was assigned during the ad- Empeño and Cadapan, as
well as for the other victims of human rights violations under the brutal reign of the former general. “We laud the relatives of the victims, particularly the parents of Karen and Sherlyn, for their relentless efforts to make the favorite general of Gloria Arroyo accountable for his crimes,” Zarate said. Lorena Santos, Secretary-General of Families of Desaparecidos for Justice, said Palparan is accountable for at least 59 victims of enforced disappearances five victims in Mindoro; 42 in Central Luzon, and 12 in Eastern Visayas. “We demand that Palparan be imprisoned in a regular jail and not in a military custody," Santos said. Cristina Palabay, Secretary-General of Karapatan, said while they welcomed the capture of Palparan, two other cases of military abductions were reported in the town of Carranglan in
Nueva Ecija p r ov i n c e. She said Guiller Cadano, 22, and Gerald Salonga, 24, was seized August 8 by elements of the 3rd Infantry Battalion under the 7th Infantry Division. The two men w e r e handed to the police on false charges, she said. She said Cadano is a member of Pi Sigma Fraternity while Salonga is a member of Sigma Kappa Pi Fraternity and both of UP Clark chapters. Cadano and Salonga are both youth organizers of Kabataan party list. A Filipino youth group called Anakbayan said “Palparan and other military officials responsible for this fascist mass murder campaign should be held accountable for their crimes. There should be no special treatment, no cover up. Other military officials, retired or in active service, should also be arrested and held accountable. Military and government officials who helped Palparan elude arrest should also be charged.” Resolute deter mination determination Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda praised the capture of Palparan. “We commend the
Armed Forces of the Philippines and the National Bureau of Investigation for their steadfast doggedness in pursuing all leads to find and capture Jovito Palparan. Today, this resolute determination has paid off; the long arm of the law has finally reached Mr. Palparan. President Aquino promised that those who evade the law will be found. That promise to capture General Palparan has been fulfilled today,” Lacierda said. A government spokesman Herminio Coloma also said the arrest of Palparan shows the administration's determination to reform the justice system to ensure equal protection for everyone. “Matibay ang determinasyon ng ating Pangulo na iharap sa hukuman at panagutin ang mga mayroong usapin sa paglabag ng mga karapatang pantao at sa paglabag ng batas,” Coloma said. He said while Palparan’s arrest is a small victory in the country's justice system, the Aquino government is working hard to have an effective criminal justice system in the long term. “Ensuring the conviction of those who have violated the law is a prime consideration of the government and the commitment of the government to ensure the rule of law is a major step to breaking the culture of impunity in the country,” Coloma said. (Mindanao Examiner)
17 people, including Chinese poachers rescued ZAMBOANGA CITY – Philippine authorities said 17 people, including 7 Chinese poachers, were rescued at sea off the southern province of Tawi-Tawi. The fishing boat FB King and Queen spotted the Chinese trawler burning off Malugi Island in Tawi-Tawi and rescued the 7 crewmen and brought them last week to Palawan province where the fishing boat is based.
Cipriano Enoy, the boat’s skipper, radioed Wednesday the Mapun municipal hospital in Tawi-Tawi and informed officials there of the rescue of the poachers. Jonathan Tiblan, who works at the hospital, told the Coast Guard about the rescue of the Chinese fishermen, whose identities were not immediately available. The Coast Guard said the poachers cannot speak
English. The Coast Guard said six Filipino children and 4 women were also rescue off Tawi-Tawi by the crew of a foreign vessel MV Sabrina who spotted them floating at sea between Sibutu and Bongao towns. The victims told the Coast Guard that their motorboat was battered by huge waves and capsized. (Ely Dumaboc)
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The Mindanao Examiner
Aug. 18-24, 2014
Philippines, 5 other countries finish expert workshop on transitional justice in Switzerland
DPWH Regional Secretary Emil Sadain (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
DPWH begins new projects in Maguindanao COTABATO CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways in the Muslim autonomous region said it will concrete a 7-kilometer farm-to-market road in the town of Talayan in Maguindanao province in southern Philippines. Regional Secretary Emil Sadain said once completed, the P70-million road project will hasten the transport of farm products and help spur economic growth in the area.
Sadain has signed a memorandum of agreement with Talayan Mayor Tungkang Midtimbang for the road project that will link several villages in the town. The town of Buldon, also in Maguindanao, also inaugurated a 1.4 kilometer road project that links the village of Tamar to the main highway. Another road project, the 1.3 kilometer stretch in the village of Calaan, is also expected to begin soon. (Mindanao Examiner)
Bahay sa Pagadian City niratrat PAGADIAN CITY – Himalang nakaligtas sa tiyak na kamatayan ang dalawang mag-utol matapos na ratratin ng 7 armado ang kanilang bahay sa Pagadian City sa Zamboanga del Sur. Nabatid na nilusob ng naturang grupo gabi ng Linggo ang bahay ng magsasakang si Gil Bernabe at utol na si Julie, ngunit bago pa man ang atake ay namataan na nito ang mga armadong papalapit sa kanilang lugar sa Barangay Bulawan kung kaya’t pinatakas na agad ang kanilang pamilya at biyenan. Naiwan lamang ang mag-utol upang mabigyan ng sapat na oras ang mga kasama sa kanilang pagtakas. Gumapang na lamang ang dalawa upang makaiwas sa mga balang pinakawalan ng mga armado. Pinasabugan rin
umano ng granada ng mga salarin ang bahay at saka mabilis na tumakas. Nasugatan naman sa kanyang paa si Julie. Kinumpir ma kahapon ng pulisya ang naturang atake at sinabing iniimbestigahan na ang krimen, ngunit hindi pa mabatid kung sino ang nasa likod nito. Sinabi rin ng pulisya na rumesponde umano ang mga parak, ngunit hindi na naabutan ang mga salarin. Nabawi sa lugar ang mga basyo ng bala mula sa .45-caliber at 9mm pistol, shot gun, at safety lever ng Granada. Ligtas naman ang mag-anak ng mag-utol at ang kanilang biyenan. Hindi naman mabatid kung may kinalaman sa lupain o clan war ang atake. (Mindanao Examiner)
SUPPORT PEACE IN MINDANAO For all your publications and advertisements in Pagadian City and Zamboanga del Sur, please call Richard Suarez 062-2142706 and 0910-7348600
DELEGATIONS from six countries, including the Philippines, have finished a 10-day workshop on “Dealing with the Past and Transitional Justice” in Switzerland. The workshop provided an opportunity for the delegation from the Philippines to engage with renowned experts and to be exposed to international good practice and lessons learned in the field of transitional justice. This year’s course included delegations from Colombia, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, and the BosniaHerzegovina, and Kosovo. The Philippines was the only Asian country invited
to attend the July workshop. The Embassy of Switzerland in Manila said the Philippines’ four person joint delegation was designated by the Aquino government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front peace panels, respectively, as members of the forthcoming Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) created by the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro by the Philippines and the MILF on October 15, 2012, as well as the Annex on Normalization signed on January 25 this year. The future Swiss chair of the TJRC was also in at-
tendance. The main function of the TJRC is to undertake a study and produce a set of recommendations on the appropriate mechanisms to address legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people, correct historical injustices, and address human rights violations and marginalization through land dispossession, towards healing and reconciliation. The Philippine delegations were able to hold constructive in-depth discussions over several days about issues related to the mandate of the future TJRC of the Bangsamoro people. “By engaging in a
broad consultation process based on cooperation and dialogue, they believe they will be able to create a conducive environment for the development of a nationally owned report on transitional justice and reconciliation in the Philippines, particularly with regard to the armed conflict in Mindanao,” the Swiss embassy said. The Advanced Learning Course on Dealing with the Past was offered by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs on an annual basis to a select group of senior government officials and representatives of civil society from different post-conflict contexts.
Health advocates laud BIR’s safeguards vs. tobacco company tactics MANILA - HealthJustice Philippines, a public health policy think tank, commended the Bureau of Internal Revenue for installing added safeguards against tobacco company interference in the setting and implementation of public health policies. The tax agency issued Revenue Memorandum Order 28-2014, which sets new guidelines in limiting interaction between its officials and tobacco manufacturers and defines certain offenses as additional grounds for administrative disciplinary action. Public officials and employees who violate the memorandum may be subject to administrative, criminal, and civil liabilities. The new memorandum was released pursuant to the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2010-01
of the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Health, which prohibits interactions with the tobacco industry, except when strictly necessary for the effective regulation, supervision, and control of the tobacco industry. Any necessary interaction must be conducted publicly and transparently, and efforts must be taken to prevent or correct any perception of partnership with the tobacco industry. “This is a very positive development and clear proof that the BIR is serious in safeguarding the agency against tobacco industry interference. There is a fundamental and irreconcilable conflict between the tobacco industry’s interests and tobacco control interests,” said HealthJustice President, Dr. Daniel Tan.
BIR’s new memorandum aims to avoid potential conflict of interest between the agency and tobacco companies. The memorandum prohibits any government official, regardless of status, to have any conflict of interest with the tobacco industry at all times. In the event of a conflict, the official must resign from his position in the tobacco industry within 30 days after assuming office or divest his industry shares or interests within 60 days after assuming office. “Commissioner Henares sets an example for other government officials to implement the CSC-DOH JMC in their own agencies. This is an excellent measure to prevent conflicts of interests and promote transparency in line with the Aquino administration’s Daang
Matuwid, because tobacco companies only claim to be transparent but in reality they hide the truth about their deadly products and activities,” said Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance Project Director, Dr. Ulysses Dorotheo. In 2012, President Benigno Aquino signed the Sin Tax Law, which imposed higher excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol products. It took 16 years to pass the historic law due to the opposition and intense lobbying by tobacco companies. In July, Aquino signed the Graphic Health Warning Law, which is the second tobacco control measure signed by the current administration. The BIR is one of the government agencies that were tasked to implement the Sin Tax Law.
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The Mindanao Examiner
Aug. 18-24, 2014
Probe begins on Sokol chopper crash CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine Air Force has began investigating the crash of a Sokol chopper shortly after take-off at an army base in Marawi City in the southern province of Lanao del Sur. But results of the probe are not expected to be released soon as the air force grounded all Sokol choppers pending the outcome of the investigation. Capt. Franco Suelto, a regional army spokesman, said the Sokol (921) was piloted by Major Marebell Manambao. He said two passengers Staff Sergeant Darius Valdes and civilian Santiago Saavedrawere injured in the crash. The chopper was carrying 11 military officers headed by Major General Ricardo Visaya when it crashed last week. The chopper’s tail and rotor were also damaged in the crash. The helicopter crashed after it took off from the headquarters of the 103rd Infantry Bri-
gade where Visaya’s group accompanied Defense chief Voltaire Gazmin and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Energy Secretar y Jericho Petilla, among other government officials, who were in an another aircraft. The group was in Marawi to discuss the power crisis in Lanao del Sur province. “We still don’t know the cause of the crash, but it happened ten seconds after the chopper took off from the army base,” Suelto said. The downed W-3A Sokol multi-purpose combat helicopter was one of 8 choppers - worth nearly P3 billion - purchased by the Philippines from PZL Swidnik of Poland in 2008. Last year, President Benigno Aquino in his State of the Nation Address, criticized the purchased of the choppers made during the time of President Gloria Arroyo, saying, it was example of an “irresponsible purchase” because it did not meet the
Cock gaffer tinira sa labas ng sabungan ZAMBOANGA CITY – Isang cock handler o gaffer ang binaril sa Zamboanga City ng hindi pa nakikilang lalaki ilang minuto matapos itong lumabas sa sabungan. Patuloy na pinaghahanap ng pulisya ang nasa likod ng pamamaril kay Owen Malik, 34, na sinasabing gaffer o tagalagay ng tari sa mga manok ni Jerry Wee.
Hindi pa mabatid ang motibo sa pamamaril o kung may kinalaman ba ito sa sabung kamakalawa ng gabi sa Barangay San Roque. Naisugod naman sa pagamutan si Malik matapos na tumakas ang salarin. Ayon sa pulisya, naghihintay ng sasakyan si Malik ng ito ay lapitan ng salarin at saka binaril. (Mindanao Examiner)
The Mindanao Examiner Media, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer (On Leave) Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief/Producer (OIC) Joanna Valerie Wee Graphics/Video Editor Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily Business Week Mindanao Star NEWS/ADVERTISING OFFICES Mark Navales Central Mindanao Richard Suarez Pagadian City Zamboanga del Sur
Alan Navales North- South Cotabato Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Ely Dumaboc/ Jun Feliciano Zamboanga Peninsula The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines. The Mindanao Examiner Television is broadcast in KISMET Cable TV and Pagadian Cable Television Channel 63. Our business and editorial offices are located at Units 15, 3rd Floor, Fair Land Bldg., Nuñez St., Zamboanga City Phone & fax: 062- 9925480 Mobile: 0917-7103642 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
specifications set by the Philippine Air Force. Aquino said the door gun was blocking the (door) opening for mounting and dismounting troops in a combat situation, thus is unsuitable for its intended role as a combat utility helicopter. According to the defense website maxdefense.blogspot.com - the Department of National Defense also made a follow-on statement a few days later saying that the Sokol was indeed flawed for the said mission, and instead will be assigned as a search and rescue helicopter for the 505th SAR (Search and Rescue) Group. It reported that Gazmin even said that the 8 Sokol choppers will be the last order of its type, effectively killing hope for possible additional Sokol for the Philippine Air Force in ( J. the future. Magtanggol)
A photo of the downed Sokol chopper released by the Philippine Army to the Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper.
Mining firm pinasabugan COTABATO CITY Pinasabugan ng di-kilalang salarin ang tanggapan ng Kiamba Mining Company sa bayan ng Kiamba sa Sarangani province, ngunit wala naman inulat na sugatan o nasawi sa nasabing atake kamakailan. Ayon sa pulisya, naganap ang pagsabog gabi ng Lunes, subali't hindi pa mabatid ng mga
awtoridad kung sino ang nasa likod nito o ang motibo. Hindi rin masabi ng militar kung may kinalaman ang New People's Army sa naturang pagsabog, ngunit inaayawan umano ng mga residente ang operasyon ng kumpanya. Kasalukuyang iniimbestigahan ng pulisya
ang naturang insidente. Walang ibinigay na pahayag ang kumpanya sa naganap na atake. Nangangamba naman ang ilang sektor sa naganap at baka umano'y maulit pa ito kung kaya't naghigpit ang pulisya ng siguridad nito sa nasabing bayan at naglabay ng checkpoint sa ibat-ibang lugar doon. (Mindanao Examiner)
Police to deploy more cops in Metro Manila MANILA – Some 900 police recruits will be deployed next month in Metro Manila in an effort to help deter crimes, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said. He said the decision to deploy police recruits in Metro Manila’s crimeprone areas agreed upon by him and Police Director General Alan Purisima, and National Capital Region Police Director Mel Valmoria. “Kailangan nating lalong paigtingin ang kampanya laban sa kriminalidad dito sa Metro Manila kung saan maraming naiu-ulat na kaganapan na tulad ng
robbery/hold-up, pickpocketing, snatching, at iba pang petty crimes. Kailangan natin ng isang full court press, kung baga sa basketball, laban sa mga kriminal na ito, organisado man o hindi,” Roxa said. He said Purisima and Valmoria told him there is at least 100 policemen from the Regional Public Safety Battalion at the National Capital Region which will be tapped to assist the local police forces in the the establishment or regular checkpoints and choke points in selected and strategic areas of the Metropolis. Roxas said he directed the police officials to tap
the services of a select group of personnel from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Intelligence Group to go after members of notorious crime groups operating in Metro Manila. “We lack enough manpower from the local police forces in Metro Manila and we need to augment them in their crime investigation and detection work by tapping the services of the PNP-CIDG and the PNPIG,” he said. He said there must be a complete mapping of the crime-prone areas and appropriate profiling of members of crime groups. “We are going to hold
responsible or accountable any police district officials and their local chiefs of police if a crime wave will persist in their respective areas of jurisdiction,” Roxas said. At least 21 villages in Metro Manila had been declared as “crime-prone” areas in 2012 because it registered the highest number of crimes. These villages are located in Caloocan City; Malabon City; Navotas City; Valenzuela City; Marikina City; Pasig City; Mandaluyong City; San Juan City; Pasay City; Makati City; Paranaque City, Las Pinas City; Muntinlupa City and Taguig City.
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The Mindanao Examiner
Aug. 18-24, 2014
35 state universities, colleges get fresh funds HOUSE Assistant Majority Leader and Cebu Rep. Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr. said 35 state universities and college damaged by super typhoon Yolanda, the Bohol earthquake, the Zamboanga City siege, and other disasters were able to obtain new funds to help them rebuild facilities. He said the fresh funds of the 35 SUCs, to include were facilitated in a big the sums that each obway by Pasig City Rep. Ro- tained: man Romulo, chairman of · Eastern Samar State the House committee on University (P217.70 milhigher and technical edu- lion); cation. · Eastern Visayas State Gulas, also the vice University (P125.04 milchairman of the House lion); committee on higher and · Visayas State Univertechnical education, like- sity (P113.80 million); wise praised the Commis· Bohol Island State sion on Higher Education University (P112.73 milChairperson Patricia lion); · Northern Iloilo PolyLicuanan for making the fund releases possible. technic State College He said so as to pro- (P94.06 million); · Capiz State University mote absolute transparency and public account- (P76.90 million); ability, he released the list · Zamboanga State
College of Marine Science & Technology (P27.15 million); · University of the Philippines-Palo, Leyte (P26.62 million); · Romblon State University (P23.69 million); · Palompon Institute of Technology (P21.83 million); · Antique University (P20.03 million); · Aklan State University (P18.44 million); · Iloilo State College of Fisheries (P16.72 million); · Cebu Technological University-Daanbantayan (P13.89 million); · University of the Philippines-Tacloban (P13.04 million); · Naval State University (P12.12 million); · Zamboanga City State
Polytechnic College (P9.69 million); · Southern Leyte State University (P6.65 million); · Oriental Mindoro State University (P6.26 million); · Western Visayas College for Science & Technology (P5.17 million); · University of Eastern Philippines (P4.71 million); · Batanes State College (P3.43 million); · Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture & Technology (P3.18 million); · Surigao del Sur State University (P3.13 million); · Western Philippines University (P2.10 million); · Occidental Mindoro State University (P1.56 million); · Guimaras State Col-
lege (P1.52 million); · Misamis Oriental College of Agriculture & Technology (P1.38 million); · Samar State University (P1.23 million); · Cebu Normal University-Main Campus (P939,000); · Technological University of the Philippines (P773,000); · Cebu Technological University-Main Campus (P502,000); · Cebu Normal University-Medellin (P298,000); · Palawan State University (P241,000); and · Northwest Samar State University (P233,000). Gullas said the Aquino government previously authorized the Department of Budget and Management to release a total of P987.25
million to enable the 35 SUCs to rebuild calamitywrecked structures and other physical assets, based on actual impairment verified by CHED and the Department of Public Works and Highways. He said the funds is chargeable against Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program Fund under the 2014 General Appropriations. Typhoon Yolanda tore through Eastern Visayas and parts of Central and Western Visayas on Nov. 8, 2013, killing over 6,000 people. The 7.2-magnitude tremor that shook Bohol and neighboring provinces on Oct. 15, 2013 left 209 people dead. The September 9 to 28, 2013 Zamboanga siege took the life of 140 people.
Philippine troops to get new M4 rifles
Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar doing carpentry works in the village of Kasanyangan following the groundbreaking ceremony of the Buggoc Challenge, a bayanihan build project initiated by the International Organization for Migration, an intergovernmental organization, and the local government in partnership with various private groups, government agencies and other organizations. (Photo by Joey Bautista) President Benigno Aquino during the ceremonial distribution of M4 rifles to soldiers. (Photo by Rey Baniquet) MANILA - President Benigno Aquino and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin led the ceremo-
nial distribution of new M4 assault rifles to the Philippine Army and Marines at the headquarters
of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Quezon City last week. Aquino said one of the major programs of the AFP Modernization is to upgrade the mission-essential capability requirements of the military in terms of firepower for ground troops. Under the modernization program, the acquisition of 50,629 units of M4 assault rifles was prioritized to supplement and replace the early models of M-16 and M-16A1 assault rifles issued to troops. He said the whole project will be delivered within the year and will be shipped in two batches. (Rey Baniquet)
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Aug. 18-24, 2014 Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Ninth Judicial Region BRANCH 19 Pagadian City
MILAGROS JAIME
CIVIL CASE NO. 5003-2K13 -forCOLLECTION OF SUM OF MONEY WITH DAMAGES
Plaintiff, -versusAZRALF MANUPAC, Defendant.
SUMMONS BY PUBLICA TION PUBLICATION WHEREAS, plaintiff throught counsel filed with this Court a verified complaint for Collection of Sum of Money with Damages againts defendant AZRALF MANUPAC, the vital portion of which is quoted as follows:
President Benigno Aquino during the 113th Police Service Anniversary at the PNP MultiPurpose Center, Camp Crame in Quezon City. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan)
Aquino honors outstanding cops during 113th Police Service Anniversary
MANILA - President Benigno Aquino led the celebration of the 113th Police Service Anniversary at the Philippine National Police Headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City. Aquino also recognized several policemen and PNP Units for their outstanding achievements. He commended the Zamboanga City Public Safety Company for being the first unit to respond during the Zamboanga City siege in September last year, as well as Superintendent Lambert Suerte, of the Benguet Provincial Public Safety Company, for seizing the largest camp of the New People’s Army in the Cordillera and capturing the group’s leader in 2013. Interior Secretary Mar Roxas accompanied
Aquino, who cited the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, headed by Director Benjamin Magalong, for apprehending 3,453 fugitives, including 22 most wanted criminals in the country, last year. Aquino also recognized the achievement of Senior Police Officer 1 Dominador Canlas, who saved three children during an operation against the NPA in Tarlac province. Other awardees included PNP Deputy Chief for Administration Felipe Rojas Jr., Chief Inspector Juanito Gaces Jr., Police Officer 2 Crissandra Aggabao, Police Regional Office 9, Anti-Cybercrime Group, Crime Laboratory and Cagayan Police Provincial Office, Abra Police Provincial Office, President Roxas
Municipal Police Station, and the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force. “Ilan lamang sila sa magigiting nating pulis na kinikilala natin sa araw na ito. Sinasalamin nila ang malasakit at propesyunalismo ng iba pa nating kapulisan na talaga naman pong nagpakitang-gilas sa serbisyo,” Aquino said. “Bilang mga alagad ng batas, malinaw ang inyong responsibilidad: Ang ipagtanggol ang ating mga kababayan at maipadama sa mga kriminal na hindi nila matatakasan ang katarungan; na sa oras na makalap natin ang sapat na ebidensya, sa oras na mahuli natin sila sa akto, mararamdaman nila ang lakas ng estado,” he said.
Dengue fever on the rise in Caraga region CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Health reported over 3,000 cases of dengue fever in the southern Philippine region of Caraga. It said more than a dozen people had already died from the deadly disease whose virus is transmitted to human through the bites of a particular mosquito Aedes aegypti – which causes hemorrhagic fever. According to the Re-
gional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, the number of dengue cases is still rising since early this month in the region. Agusan del Sur has the biggest number of cases
with 752 and followed by Butuan with 732 dengue cases. The virus is characterized by high fever, rash, headache and severe muscle and joint pains. Officials appeal to citizens to help fight dengue by cleaning their surroundings to get rid of breeding places of mosquitoes such as stagnant water, canals, flower pots and discarded tires. (Mindanao Examiner)
"C OMPL AINT "COMPL OMPLAINT The plaintiff, to this Honorable Court, most respectfully alleges: 1. The plaintiff is of legal age, married, Filipino and a resident of Binayan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines, whereas, the defendant is likewise of legal age, Filipino and a resident of Upper Campo Islam, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines, where both parties maybe served with summons and other processes of this Honorable Court; 2. The defendant is a member of the Sangguniang Bayan of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur and a close family of the plaintiff, as such, plaintiff response trust in him; 3. That on July 3,2011, the defendant borrowed the amount of Sixty Thousand Pesos (Php60,000.00), Philippine Currency, from the plaintiff with a promise to pay on July 7, 2011, the photo copy of the promissory note is hereto attached marked as Annex "A and made as part of this complaint; 4. That on July 7, 2011, the defendant failed to pay the plaintiff instead be issued check on July 19, 2011, in favor of the plaintiff in payment of the aforementioned amount of indebtedness but the check bounded and up to this point in time, the defendant did not pay the plaintiff, the photo copy of the check is hereto attached marked as Annex "B" and made as part of the pleading; 5. Likewise, on July 7, 2011, the defendant took Two Hundred Sacks (Bags) of rice from the Sepada Rice and Corn Mill in the equivalent amount of Three Hundred Forty Thousand Pesos (Php340,000.00), Philippine Currency guaranteed by the plaintiff with a promise to pay upon the release of the calamity fund of Combo, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur but upon verification said calamity fund was already released. The land title of the plaintiff was put up as a guaranty by way of Real Estate Mortage, photo copies of the promissory note, the real estate mortage and land title of the palintiff are hereto attached marked as Annexes"C","D" and "E" and made as part of this complaint; 6. That series of verbal demands were made to the defendant to pay all the above-stated indebtedness but likewise, series of promises to pay were answers of the defendants; 7. That on April 16, 2013, the plaintiff have formally demanded from the defendant to pay all the above-stated indebtedness but up to this point in time, plaintiff was never heard from the defendant and/or ignored the demand of plaintiff, photo copy of the letter of demand is hereto attached marked as Annex "F" and made as part hereof; 8. That through the acts of the defendant, plaintiff will be compelled to engage the services of a lawyer from Twenty (20%) percent to Thirty (30%) percent as embodied in the IBP Revised Schedules of Minimum Fee for lawyers, Series of 1999-2001 of the total amount demanded as Attorney's Fee; 9. Likewise, plaintiff will be spending the amount of Fifteen Thousand Pesos (Php15,000.00) as litigation, necessary and incidental expenses in the filing of this case and coming back and forth to this Honorable Court; 10. The defendant should be sentenced to pay exemplary damages to be determined by this Honorable Court during trial on the merits. WHEREFORE PREMISES CONSIDERED, it is respectfully prayed of this Honorable Court that judgement be rendered in favor of the plaintiff and againts the defendant to wit: a. Sentencing the defendant to pay plaintiff the amount of Four Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php400,000.00) plus Ten (10%) Percent monthly interest as embodied in the real estate mortage; b. Ordering the defendant to pay plaintiff the amount of Twenty (20%) percent to Thirty (30%) percent as the case may be as attorney's fee; c. Sentencing the defendant to pay exemplary damages to deter others from doing the same act as that of the defendant to be determined during the trial on the merits. Plaintiff prays for such other relief and remedies consistent with law, justice and equity in the premises. Pagadian City, Philippines, April 26, 2013. (SGD) MILAGROS JAIME Plaintiff VERIFICA TION AND CER TIFICA TION OF NON-FOR UM SHOPP ING VERIFICATION CERTIFICA TIFICATION NON-FORUM SHOPPING (As rrequir equir ed)" equired)" WHEREAS,on June 30, 2014, the Court issued an Order directing plaintiff to publish her Complaint againts defendant Azralf Manupac including the Summons issued by this Honorable Court dated November 5,2013 in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga City for three (3) consecutive weeks. WHEREAS, by virtue of the Order of the Court dated June 30, 2014, SUMMONS in the aboveentitled case is now issued and served upon the defendant thru publication. NOW, THEREFORE, in compliance with the Order of this Court dated June 30, 2014, you defendant, AZRALF MANUPAC, whose present exact address is unknown, is required to file with the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Branch 19, Pagadian City, your responsive pleading within SIXTY (60) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF LAST PUBLICATION OF THIS SUMMONS, otherwise, the plaintiff will take judgment againts you and demand from this Court the remedies and reliefs prayed for in said petition. Let this Summons be published at the expense of the plaintiff in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga City, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks. WITNESS the HONORABLE ROMEO T. DESCALLAR Presiding Judge of this Court, this 30th day of July, 2014, at Pagadian City, Philippines.
Former President Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada is visited by "Jenny," the 8-year old girl who was the subject of physical maltreatment by her mother in an incident recorded on CCTV. Mayor Estrada gave Jenny, who is currently under the care of Bgy. Chairwoman Lourdes Lantican, some kiddie treats and listened as she related her story. Estrada also ordered officials of the Manila Social Welfare Department to update him on the status of the child's recovery.
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Aug. 18-24, 2014
NEA gets P7.6-B for electrification project MANILA - The Department of Budget and Management said it released some P7.68 billion to the National Electrification Administration to energize off-grid communities in various remote areas in the country. The DMB said P6.36 billion of the total amount released will support the implementation of the Sitio Electrification Project and that P3.29 billion have so far been released to support the program initially in 4,395 communities. It said P1.26 billion was also allotted for the Barangay Line Enhancement Project. “The Aquino administration is putting more barangays and sitios on the grid this year so they can finally gain access to power services. This is a crucial step in helping these communities and their residents take control of their socioeconomic development. Many of these communities are located in remote and far-flung parts of the country, and connecting them to the grid will allow families to stay productive even after sundown,”
Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said. He said the remaining P57.8 million of the total amount released has been set aside for the implementation of both the SEP and BLEP in conflict-affected areas covered by the Payapa at Masaganang Pama-yanan program. “Now that we are at the cusp of formally establishing lasting peace in the Bangsamoro, we can focus even more closely on pursuing socio-economic development in the region. Access to electricity is one of the basic services that Bangsamoro communities will receive, alongside other peace and economic interventions. This is exactly what we mean when we say ‘inclusive growth,’ where the benefits of economic growth can truly be felt by everyone,” Abad said. As of June 30, a total of 16,467 sitios have been completely energized through the SEP since 2011. BLEP has likewise enhanced a total of 436 barangays during the same period.
Playboy na cult leader dinakip COTABATO CITY – Isang lider ng kulto sa South Cotabato ang dinakip ng pulisya matapos na umano’y ireklamo ng sariling asawa nito dahil sa pagkakaroon ng tatlo pang asawa. Nakilala ang inireklamo na si Jessie Casianares na siyang pinuno ng grupong Apha Omega Mission o ang Una at Huling Misyon, na nakabase sa bayan ng Tampakan. Inireklamo rin ito ng hindi pagsusustento sa kanyang pamilya at bukod pa diyan ay isinumbong rin ng babae sa pulisya ang
paggamit ni Casianares ng mga bata at menor de edad sa kanyang kulto. Dinampot ng pulisya ang lider ng kulto sa bias na rin ng arrest warrant na hiniling ng awtoridad sa korte base sa reklamo ng asawa nito. Paglabag sa AntiViolence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004. Iniimbestigahan pa rin ng pulisya ang naturang kulto upang alamin kung may mga reklamo laban sa akusado na ngayon ay nakapiit sa Koronadal City. (Mindanao Examiner)
2 NPA rebels yield to military in Davao Oriental
DAVAO CITY – Two communist rebels surrendered to the military following a series of firefight in the southern Philippine province of Davao Oriental, officials said. Officials identified one of those who surrendered as Felipe Nacion, a member of the New People’s Army’s Team Baking, who operated in Mati City. The other, who was wounded in the clash, was not identified by the military, but officials said he is a senior rebel leader under the Pulang Bagani Command.
Capt. Alex Mindalano, of the 701st Infantry Brigade, said Nacion also yielded an AK-47 assault rifle. He said troops also recovered six improvised explosives and at least 3 dozen backpacks left behind by NPA rebels. There was no report of military casualties, he said. The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been fighting for a separate state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
The march, organized by the Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light headed by its chairman Man Hee Lee; and Nam Hee Kim, of the International Women's Peace Group, and Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar. (Joey Bautista)
Thousands join international peace walk in Zamboanga City ZAMBOANGA CITY – Thousands of people have joined an international peace march in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines in an effort to promote peace and compassion to the world. The march, organized recently by the Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light headed by its chairman Man Hee Lee, a South Korean war veteran turned peace advocate; and Nam Hee Kim, of the International Women's Peace Group, and the local government of Zamboanga,
and Western Mindanao State University, drew various civil and religious groups and students and Muslim and Christian residents. They marched from City Hall in downtown Zamboanga to the Paseo del Mar park, about a kilometer away where the organizers and Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar signed a peace covenant. Joon Park, the organizer’s media liaison, said the event “focused on fostering a culture of peace both within communities
and internationally with a hope of bringing about the cessation of war.” “As an advocate of peace, Chairman Mr. Man Hee Lee, has been making peace trips all around the world and endeavoring to bear substantive fruitions of peace despite his old age.” “Last time, during the Mindanao Peace Agreement, Chairman Lee was the driving force that brought the 40 year religious dispute between the Islam and Catholic to an end. And this time, he has
made his trip to the Philippines once again,” he said. The Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light is a non-profit, nongovernmental international organization registered under the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and operating out of Seoul, South Korea. It aims to create positive and lasting change internationally through uniting communities around the world and supports the development of communities through cultural, volunteer, and youth activities. (Mindanao Examiner)
Be wary of Manila's double-speak, solon warns Muslims CONGRESSMAN Carlos Zarate chided the Aquino government for committing something in its negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that in eventually it cannot deliver. “Ang lumalabas ngayon mukhang pinaasa lang ng Malacañang ang mga kapatid nating Moro sa kasunduang nalagdaan na para lang may masabing mayroong legacy si Pangulong Aquino kahit na hindi naman nila kayang bigyan ng tunay na
autonomiya ang Bangsamoro,” Zarate said. He said Malacañang has returned the draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law with many comments and revisions that practically nothing has been left unchanged in the original document that the Bangsamoro Transition Commission submitted April 22 to President Benigno Aquino. The MILF said the drafted law was practically mangled by the revisions proposed by the Office of
the President. The comments and revisions supposedly veered away from the four annexes of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which are “the heart and soul” of the two parties’ peace agreement signed last March 27. “While we await the final outcome of the long delayed review process, it would be well for the Moro people to be critical and continuously be wary of the government’s doublespeak as it pushes for a measure that will not actu-
ally solve the historical wrongs committed against the Bangsamoro,” Zarate said. “One-sidedly revising the agreed contents of the Bangsamoro Basic Law is an insincere and lopsided act by the Aquino government; it is not in accord with the quest for genuine peace in Mindanao. In the end, the Moro people’s continuing struggle for self-determination is what will truly facilitate genuine development and lasting peace in the Bangsamoro,” he added.
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Aug. 18-24, 2014
Philippines monitors Filipinos traveling to Middle East MANILA - The Philippines have tightened measures on Filipino workers travelling to conflict areas in Middle East following reports that some were joining Islamic militants in their fight in Syria and Iraq. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Bureau of Immigration has stepped up its alert level in handling Filipinos going to those loca-
tions. "The Bureau of Immigration is on alert when it comes to those who are supposedly either going to Iraq, to Syria, or to other transit points kasi ayaw din naman po nating madamay sila," Valte said in a radio interview. She said the reports that some Filipinos have joined militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and
the Levant are still being investigated by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Filipinos joining the conflict in Syria and Iraq pose a serious danger to the country's national security because of the possibility that upon returning home, they will use their experience to apply what they learned from the ISIL terrorist group, security analysts said.
Zamboanga City businessman murdered in Tungawan town ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY – Two unidentified gunmen shot dead a businessman in an attack in the town of Tungawan in Zamboanga Sibugay province in southern Philippines, police said . Police said Allan Tarroza, 39, was shot near the village of Tigpalay where he and his driver and four other workers
stopped to check their truck’s clutch system. One of the gunmen suddenly appeared and shot Tarroza while the other acted a lookout. The gunmen fled after the shooting, leaving behind Tarroza’s driver Edgar delos Santos and workers Cassamiro Barredo, Apolinario, Napolereyes, Danilo Mendoza, and Floriano
Bautista. The motive of the killing is still unknown, but the attack targeted only Tarroza. Police said Tarroza, a native of Zamboanga City, was heading home from Tungawan town where he purchased coconut lumber, when the attack occurred. Police said it is investigating the murder. (Mindanao Examiner)
Explosives seized in Compostela Valley DAVAO CITY – Police have seized improvised explosives and munitions in two separate houses in the southern Philippine province of Compostela Valley, officials said. Officials said two men – Allan Montecalvo and Jona Aricos - were being sought by authorities in connection to the illegal explosives and assorted ammunition and gun parts seized from their houses in Maco town. A total of 7 kilos of explosive devices and blast-
ing caps and detonating wires, were seized from their houses, including anti-government propaganda by the communist rebel group New People’s Army. A bag containing personal belongings and an identification card of security guard Rex Franco, who was abducted by rebels in July this year, was also recovered from Montecalvo’s house. Franco, of Mongoose Security Agency was assigned with Apex mining,
raided by the NPA in the province. Officials said the army has provided intelligence information about the explosives stacked in the houses, which were abandoned by their occupants. It was not immediately known whether the two men are members of the NPA or not, but the rebel group has been fighting for decades now for the establishment of a separate communist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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Is DAP worth fighting for? by Perry Diaz IN AN ATTEMPT to do a great service to the people – or his “boss” as he calls them -- President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III used an ingenious system of funneling “savings” generated by underspent government programs to a huge piggy bank. He can then take money from it to spend on projects that he believes would benefit his “boss” or for any other endeavor he wishes to pursue. And that’s exactly what P-Noy must have had in mind when he commissioned his friend and political ally Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to design and devise a system that would accelerate the disbursement of the money taken from these “savings.” Simple as it may seem, the “system” we’re talking about here is conveniently called Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP). But to circumvent the Legislature’s “power of the purse” constitutional mandate, it requires the expertise of a person who works “outside the box” and who would do whatever it takes to achieve that goal, including unconventional – and unconstitutional -means to make it happen. Sounds Machiavellian? Implemented in 2011 into P-Noy’s second year in office, DAP churned these “savings” into funds that he can use without congressional authorization. These funds are then earmarked for whatever projects P-Noy had selected. Needless to say, the beneficiaries couldn’t care less where the funds originated. Indeed, there is a built-in “omerta” mechanism that guarantees the silence of the beneficiaries. After all, who would dare question the provenance of these funds? P-Noy must have been enjoying his “lucky streak.” But like the 14th century poet Geoffrey Chaucer’s famous line says, “All good things must come to and end,” P-Noy’s three-year run with DAP came to an end amidst the biggest corruption scandal the country ever had – the P10-billion “pork barrel scam.” Bombshell On September 25, 2013, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada broke his “omerta.” He delivered a privilege speech on the Senate floor exposing a series of “payoffs” to senators to influence how they voted on bills or issues pending before the Senate. He dropped a bombshell saying that P50 million in discretionary funds was given to each of the 20 senators who voted to convict former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona. Although Jinggoy made it crystal clear that the money was not a bribe -- which made sense because the money was given after the vote was taken -- who is there to say that it was not a reward for their vote? Or could it be that it may have been a pre-arranged amount to be released only if they voted to convict Corona? If that was the case, then it was a bribe in every meaning of the word. The day following Jinggoy’s exposé, Secretary Abad admitted that the funds came from the hitherto unknown Disbursement Acceleration Program, which was later revealed to be his brainchild. That’s when all hell broke loose!
Setback Recently, the Supreme Court ruled – by 13-0 vote -- that three key parts of DAP were unconstitutional. It was a major setback for P-Noy, who depended on the DAP to sustain his programs and projects without congressional interference. He must have felt like a junkie whose source of dope had been cut off. Immediately, he went on the offensive. In a press conference following the Supreme Court ruling, P-Noy attacked the high court and its adverse ruling. During his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), P-Noy stubbornly defended his DAP. He went as far as to call on Congress to pass a “Joint Resolution” that would define government “spending terms” and to defy Supreme Court’s ruling. And in a display of emotion, P-Noy invoked the name of his father, Ninoy Aquino, and quoted his famous line: “The Filipino is worth dying for.” Then he added, “The Filipino is worth living for” and “The Filipino is worth fighting for.” But this cliché of dying, living or fighting for the Filipino is overused. It’s now passé. Stubbor nness tubbornness P-Noy’s tirade against the Supreme Court is like a little boy throwing a tantrum, making unreasonable and foolish demands. He knows better that the Supreme Court’s ruling, once it became executory, is final and there is no appeal. Perhaps his legal staff should give him advice on the legality – and futility – of what he’s doing. What he should have done was do a mea culpa routine just like when thenPresident Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appeared on TV and said she was sorry for the “Hello Garci” scandal. She did it without admitting guilt. It was brilliant! Indeed, there is nothing more profound than admitting a mistake. It’s the best defense. But that is not P-Noy’s character. He is the kind of person who would stubbornly stick to what he has in mind. And it is a major weakness, a quality that is absent in great leaders of our times. Time and again, P-Noy has manifested his bull-headedness in many incidents during his presidency, including his refusal to apologize for the killing of eight tourists from Hong Kong when the tourist bus was hijacked at the Rizal Park in Manila in 2010, just seven weeks after he was sworn in as the country’s president. But his stubbornness in rejecting the Supreme Court decision and his continued defense of DAP could be the turning point in his presidency. Does he think that he would prevail in a constitutional showdown against the Supreme Court? Our government was designed with three independent co-equals – Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary – that have distinct functions. To date, these co-equals have worked harmoniously together with each other. With PNoy challenging the Judiciary, he is putting the Executive in a tenuous position. Indeed, he is in a no-win situation, which begs the question: Is DAP worth fighting for? (Perr yDiaz @gmail.com)
Abducted fisherman found dead in Zamboanga City ZAMBOANGA CITY – A fisherman, who was abducted early this month in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, had been found dead, floating at sea with one leg chopped off and his head blown out, police said. Police said the decomposing body of
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Aug. 18-24, 2014
Bong-Bong Sabado – recovered near Bolong village - had been identified by his wife Helen with the clothes he was wearing the day he disappeared. Sabado was seized by three men on a motorized boat on August 6 and left behind a ransom note. Little was known
about the victim except that he was or iginally from Quezon City who migrated to Zamboanga and married a local woman. Police said it is investigating the death of Sabado. No individual claimed responsibility for the killing. (Mindanao Examiner)
Palparan Arrest End of Aquino Apathy on Philippines Impunity? by Carlos Conde PHILIPPINE authorities did something extraordinary on Tuesday: in the early morning hours they arrested a former senior security forces official implicated in serious human rights violations. The arrest of Jovito Palparan, a retired army major general, marks a rare challenge to the country’s rampant impunity, which the government of President Benigno Aquino III has failed to adequately address. Palparan had been a symbol of that impunity by evading arrest for the past three years and thumbing his nose at the authorities with the alleged help of former military colleagues. His arrest by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation and naval intelligence should be a warning to other rights abusers who routinely elude justice for serious crimes. Palparan is notorious for his alleged role in the abduction, torture, and enforced disappearance of University of the Philippines farmers’ rights activists Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño in 2006. There is also evidence linking his unit to the torture of Raymond Manalo, who later testified that he witnessed soldiers under Palparan’s command torture Cadapan and Empeño. Palparan, while an army brigade commander in Oriental Mindoro province, was also implicated in the abduction, torture, and murder of at least 29 leftist activists beginning in 2001. Palparan’s reputation for abuses made him a visible symbol of
military brutality during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. During her State of the Nation Address in 2006, Arroyo publicly praised Palparan for his role in a military counter-insurgency campaign that had resulted in widespread human rights violations. Palparan’s arrest gives Aquino an opportunity to make real progress on his long unfulfilled promise to end rights abuses in the Philippines. That means ensuring that Palparan goes to trial without interference from powerful elements in the military who might seek to protect him. Above all, Aquino needs to followup Palparan’s arrest by bringing to justice other high-profile rights abusers, such as former Mayor Rey Uy, the alleged mastermind of the Tagum City “death squad.” That means jumpstarting the currently moribund judicial “superbody” Aquino created in 2012 to expedite the investigation and prosecution of extrajudicial killings. Failure to do so will be a betrayal of the victims of human rights violations who have looked to Aquino to end the status quo of impunity rather than perpetuate it. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Mindanao Examiner or any of its staffs and employees.
'AlkanSSSya' program successful in Philippines MANILA - Offering social protection for as little as P11 per day, the AlkanSSSya program of the Social Security System has attracted more than 74,000 members from 748 informal sector groups in the Philippines as of May 2013. The AlkanSSSya program is a micro savings program that aims to attract informal sector workers seeking access to social protection. This program will make use of cabinet-like “piggy banks” to help its members save up on their premiums and eventually come up with the needed P312 monthly due. AlkanSSSya members can avail of the agency's salary and housing loans as well as funeral, maternity, disability, death and retirement benefits. They will likewise be issued a Unified Member Identification Card which they can use when transacting to private and public institutions. Amalia Tolentino, SSS AlkanSSSya Program Director, said informal sector workers who save at least P11 per day can complete the minimum P330 monthly (AlkanSSSya) contribution
based on a declared monthly income or “salary credit” of P3,000. “The growth in participating ISGs reflects the AlkanSSSya's appeal to the needs of informal sector workers such as affordability and convenience, especially since many among them have busy work schedules and tight budgets,” Tolentino said. A total of 180 ISGs representing over 17,000 members joined the program within the first five months of 2014. Luzon-based groups account for 337 out of the 748 covered ISGs – nearly half of the nationwide total – while 179 ISGs were from the National Capital Region, 116 ISGs were from Visayas, and 116 ISGs were from Mindanao. To date, the transport industry accounts for about half of the Al-kanSSSya-enrolled ISGs, including groups for operators and drivers of tricycles, jeepneys, tri-sikad, vans, shuttle buses and habal habal; motorboat and pumpboat operators; airport service providers; and bus dispatchers. A total of 332 out of these 389 transport-based ISGs are tricycle
operators and drivers associations. Apart from transport workers' groups, other covered ISGs include associations for ambulant and market vendors, farmers and fisher-folk, inmates, garbage pickers, pottery makers, lay ministers, beach cottage owners, and members of cooperatives and communitybased organizations, among others. Workers' savings are placed in a communal AlkanSSSya unit that houses dozens of secure box-type “piggy banks” owned by the ISG members. Recently, the SSS has also started the eAlkanSSSya program, which primarily caters to job order and contractual workers in state-run institutions who are excluded from the mandatory coverage of the Government Service Insurance System. “The e-AlkanSSSya employs automatic deduction of contributions from workers’ salaries and wages, which the government office will then remit to the SSS. Like the regular AlkanSSSya, this program helps promote an active SSS membership among workers by putting in place a system for the regular remittance of their SSS contributions, as facilitated by their respective organizations,” To-lentino explained. Out of the 106 government-based ISGs, 73 are enrolled in the regular AlkanSSSya program while 33 opted for the eAlkanSSSya scheme. Workers benefiting from these partnerships include JO and contactual workers in government offices, barangay employees and tanod, street sweepers and daycare workers.
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French, anyone? La Vie Parisienne?
Cebu Governor Hilario III during a news conference with members of the media in Cebu.And the Naga trees.
‘To cut, or not to cut, that is the question’
G
overnor Hilario Davide III said he is unfazed by threats of lawsuit after environmentalists vowed to file charges against him for supporting the cutting of century-old trees in Naga City. “If they think they have basis to sue me and the others, let them do it, ila manang katungod (that is their right),” he said. Davide said he supported the cutting of the old trees because of safety concerns. He said the trees with its rotten branches and twigs posed serious dangers to the
safety of the commuters and residents. He said he will ask Environment Secretary Ramon Paje to reconsider his order in revoking the special permit for cutting of trees nationwide, including the seven trees in Naga City. Paje’s recent decision was sent to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 7 under Director Isabelo Montejo. Because of that order, the Department of Public Works and Highways halted the cutting of trees. Davide said the DENR Region 7 has already made an assessment and found
these trees decaying. In a meeting by environmentalists and concerned government agencies, the groups agreed for a third party assessment on the condition of the ageing trees. Davide said if the third party assessment finds that the trees are needed to be cut, he will apply a special permit with Paje for the cutting of those trees. “Katong trees that are worth saving, pwede i-save nila. Katong trees nga di na jud mada, which are in danger of falling, these should be cut,” he said. The provincial government earlier said it would provide 100 seedlings to
replace each of the seven trees that are permitted to be cut by the DENR, and also a boom truck which will be used for this purpose. But members of the Movement for Livable Cebu, the Philippine Earth Justice Center and Fr. Robert Reyes have opposed this. Reyes said his group is planning to file a temporary environmental protection order against the DENR and DPWH. He was also quoted that they may also file charges against the City Government of Naga and Davide for supporting the plans by these government agencies to cut down the trees. (Xerxes Alkuino)
Pasil Fish Port butangan og monitoring system
S
a tuyo nga ma monitor ang mga mosulod-gawas nga mga pasahero ug mga kargamento sa Pasil Fish Port, laraw sa kagamhanan sa dakbayan sa Sugbo nga magbutang og usa monitoring system arun mapakgang ang pagsulod sa mga illegal sa maong pantalan. Gibutyag ni Atty. Collin Rosell, pangulo sa Coastline Management Board, nga gisuta karun sa dakbayan uban sa
Ang Coastline Management Special Board Meeting sa Cebu City. Bantay Dagat ang dagan sa operasyon sa maong pantalan human sa nahitabong pagkasikop sa
usa ka motor Bangka sa miaging semana nga may makumpiskar nga armas ug mga marijuana nga
gituohang nagdunggo gikan sa Pasil port. Matud ni Rosell nga buot niining ma establisar ug ma secure ang area sa pasilidad ingun man ma regulate ang mosulodgawas sa maong pantalan hilabi na sa nahitabong pagkadakop sa maong Bangka. Buot usab niining masayran kinsa ang nagdumala sa maong pantalan, asa ang kita sa koleksyon niini kun aduna man ug gikinahanglan bang magpadagan ang
A young Filipino traveler reads a label of a fine wine at the La Vie Parisienne wine library in Cebu City. La Vie Parisienne or simply La Vie as what Cebuano calls it, is attracting not only local residents, but foreign and local tourists as well. La Vie is a French bakery and cafe, and wine bar situated at 371 Gorordo Avenue in Lahug village. It is one of the best places to dine or hang, or sip a wine and relax with families or friends. (Cebu Examiner Photo) dakbayan ug usa ka passenger terminal sa dapit. “We just wanted to secure and establish the parameters of the area and to regulate its operation… we also wanted to know what vessels allowed to dock and if there is proper monitoring,” Matud ni Rosell. Gitambungan ang
maong tigom sa Philippine Coastguard, Maritime Police ug sa Naval Forces Central ug sa repre-sentante sa Bantay Dagat ug sa Cebu City Environment Office diin nagkauyon kining mopahigayon og ocular inspection sa pantalan karung katapusang semana sa buwan. (Elite)
Calls mounting for reforms in Sangguniang Kabataan
V
arious youth organizations in Cebu have banded together and called for reforms in the Sangguniang Kabataan or SK. Youth leaders also signed a manifesto calling for the immediate passage of SK Reform Law which they will pass to Cebuano members of the House of Representatives. They urged lawmakers to expedite the approval of SK Reform Bill. Cebu City Acting Mayor Edgardo Labella
ARMM
also showed his support to the youths and even welcomed them during a motorcade August 12 which coincided with the International Youth Day and the National Day of Action for SK Reform. The youth groups were also being supported by National Youth Commission, SK Reform Coalition in Cebu, Akbayan Youth Cebu, Student Council Alliance of the Philippines Cebu Chapter, various student organizations, civic and barangay-based youth organizations, local governments of Cebu City, Mandaue,
Talisay, and Lapu-Lapu, and the provincial government of Cebu Youth groups were united in saying "No to Status Quo, Fix and Reform SK Now." National Youth Commission Undersecretary Gregorio Ramon Tingson, together with former NYC commissioner Erwin Andaya and former Cebu City SK Federation president John Philip Po, were also in Cebu and spoke about the advocacy. Congress approved the postponement of the SK elections for one year sans hold-
Southern Mindanao
Davao
over which is aimed at passing reforms in the youth sector's representation in the government. Andaya said the SK election was supposed to have been set on October 28 this year, but lawmakers also agreed to hold the next SK polls between October 28 and February 23, 2015. He said the Commission on Elections and some lawmakers are proposing for status quo on SK elections, but there is a strong clamor from the youth sector to initiate much needed reforms in the framework of SK and some of
these are the proposed adjustment in the age bracket of SK officials from the current 1517 years old to 18-24 years old; no to political dynasty; and
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Cebu
the mandatory leadership training for the SK Officials for them to be efficient and effective in their positions. (Greggy Jiggs Senados)
Manila