Pinoy seamen remittances seen hitting $5.5B this year
Police kill arrested Sayyaf man in Sabah kidnappings PAGE 3
Aquino launches mass vaccination program
Teenager rapes girl in refugee shelter in Zamboanga City
PAGE 5
PAGE 4
Bosses or voices?
10 KIDNEY TIPS: Basahin ito para IWAS SAKIT
PAGE 6
PAGE 7
PAGE 7
FOR SALE FORD Fiesta Sport 2011 P450,000
Call 0917-7103642 Zamboanga City Founded 2006
mindanaoexaminer.com
FOR ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE CALL (062) 9925480
P10
Sept. 8-14, 2014
Yaman ng mga Ampatuan i-freeze
N
anawagan ngayon ang media group Alab ng Mamamahayag (ALAM) sa mga otoridad na gawan ng paraang ma-freeze ang mga diumano’y natitirang kayamanan ng pamilya Ampatuan matapos itong maakusahan ng panunuhol. Ayon kay ALAM Chairman Jerry Yap, halos limang taon na o 57 buwan na ang nakararaan mula nang maganap ang malagim na krimeng kinasangkutan ng napakaraming media men ngunit wala pa ring nangyayari sa kaso. “May 57 months na ang nakalilipas nang walang awang pinatay ang 58 katao, pero wala
pa ring linaw ang kaso. Pag pera talaga ang nagsalita, lahat nakikinig,” ani Yap. Dagdag pa ni Yap, kung walang pera ang mga Ampatuan ay walang akusasyon ng suhulan na magaganap.. Nabalitaan umano ng ALAM na patuloy na nagaakyat ng limpak-limpak na salapi ang nagkalat na negosyo ng mga Ampatuan sa Mindanao. “May fleet sila ng taxi, may asyenda, may bakahan, at kung anu-ano pa,” aniya. “Wala nga sa pangalan ng mag-amang (Andal Sr, Andal Jr at Zaldy) Ampatuan ang mga negosyo, pero kumikilos naman ang kanilang mga dummies na kamag-anak din nila.” Nagpalit na umano ng apelyido ang karamihan sa
mga Ampatuan ngunit nananatili ang loyalty nila sa kanilang datu kaya namumuhay pa rin ng marangya lahat. Dagdag pa ni Yap, marami nang ipinangako ang administrasyong Aquino para maresolba ang nasabing kaso ngunit wala pa ring resulta ang kaso. Matatandaang naganap ang tinaguriang Maguindanao massacre kung saan nahukay ang pinagbaunan sa may 58 katao noong umaga ng November 23, 2009. Kasama sa mga pinatay ang asawa ni Esmael Mangundadatu, ngayon ay gobernador ng Maguindanao; dalawang kapatid na babae, 34 mamamahayag, mga abugado, aides, at mga motoristang nakasaksi o Continue to P age 2 Page
‘Abswelto’
Impeachment vs. Aquino ibinasura!
T
ulad ng inaasahan, ibinasura ngayon ng mga k aalyado ni Pangulong Benigno Aquino ang tatlong impeachment complaints na inihain laban sa kanya ng ibatbang grupo at sektor kaugnay sa isyu ng Disbursement Acceleration Programo DAP at ang Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sa Estados
ARMM
Unidos. Maging ang debate sa Kongreso ukol sa mga merito ng kaso ay naging mainit rin sa pagitan ng mga sumusuporta at nagsusulong sa impeachment complaints at mga mambabatas na nasa likod ng Pangulo. Ibinasura ang mga reklamo laban kay Aquino dahil “insufficient in substance” diumano ang mga ito. Ito rin ang ibinato ng
oposisyon kay Aquino sa paglalagda nito sa EDCA na nagbibigay ng malawak na access sa mga tropang Kano sa bansa. Nasa Korte Suprema pa ang isyu ukol sa EDCA. Sa reklamo kontra kay Aquino, sinabi ng mga naghain nito na isang “culpable violation” sa Saligang Batas at “betrayal of public trust” ang implementasyon ng DAP. Naunang idineklara Continue to P age 2 Page
Southern Mindanao
Davao
Si dating Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr noon ito ay nasa pangangalaga pa ng Eastern Mindanao Command sa Davao City. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board thanks Sulu Gov for support
T
Tan, has been actively advocating and protecting human rights in the province and has set up a human rights desk - in coordination with the Commission of Human Rights - to ensure the rights and welfare of ince. civilians in Sulu. The Human Sarmiento Rights Victims’ said the applicaClaims Board tion for claims headed by retired started on May 12 police general Lina this year and will Sarmiento conrun until Novemducted three days of ber 10. Failure of “claims intake” or victims to file documentation of claims during the claims of victims of 6-month period human rights during as provided by Rethe Marcos regime in public Act 10368 or Sulu. the Human Rights “As Chair of the Victims Reparation Human Rights Vicand Recognition tims’ Claims Board Act of 2013 - will be created by RA 10368 considered a to recognize and waiver. The filing of provide reparation application claims to victims and heis also free of roes of Martial Law, I Sulu Governor Totoh Tan charge. would like to express Sarmiento has urged all victims of Mardeep appreciation and thanksgiving for your all-out support to the members of our staff tial Law to apply in person, including those team, our partners in the Regional Human conclusively presumed as human rights Rights Commission, volunteers from civil violations victims so the Claims Board will society organizations and security person- be able to determine appropriate awards, nel from the Philippine National Police dur- as provided by RA 10368. RA 10368 recognized as conclusively ing the Claims Intake in Sulu.” “We thank you for the free use of the presumed human rights violations victims Sumadja Hall, the gymnasium, the gracious- the class suit and direct action plaintiffs of ness of your staff in the Sulu Area Coordinat- cases filed in Honolulu and other US courts ing Center and the overflowing hospitality against President Ferdinand Marcos, and during the claims process. It was also a de- those recognized by the Bantayog ng mga light to meet with you in your office and to Bayani. The Claims Board said it can renlisten to the development of Sulu under your der “motu proprio” recognition to some vicenergetic leadership. It is very inspiring to tims of Martial Law through judicial notice. The RA 10368 recognizes and provides hear your stories. We pray for the success of your plans and for peace and security in the reparations to those who suffered and sactwo districts of Sulu,” Sarmiento said in a let- rificed during Martial Law covering the period from September 21, 1972 to February ter she wrote to the Governor. Governor Tan said the provincial gov- 25, 1986. The names of the victims will also ernment is all-out in its support to the efforts be enshrined in the Roll of Human Rights of the Aquino government to give justice to Violations Victims that will be turned over victims of human rights during the Marcos to the Human Rights Violations Victims regime. He the provincial government, even Memorial Commission. (Mindanao Examduring the time of then Sulu Governor Sakur iner) he Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board praised Sulu Governor Totoh Tan for his huge support during its recent visit in the southern prov-
Western Mindanao
Cebu
Manila
2
The Mindanao Examiner
Sept. 8-14, 2014
Yaman ng mga Ampatuan i-freeze Continued fr om P age 1 from Page inakala ng mga killers na nakasaksi sa krimen. Ito ang pinakamalaking bilang ng pagpatay sa mga mamamahayag mula pa noong 1992. Dahil dito, itinuring ang Pilipinas na ikalawang pinakadelikadong bansa para sa mga journalists, kung saan ang nangunguna ay ang Iraq. Idinagdag naman ni Yap na nakababagot na ang mabagal na takbo ng paglilitis sa Maguindanao massacre. Nagtataka rin umano ang lahat kung bakit napakatagal mabigyan ng hustisya ang mga biktima. Maging si Presidente Benigno Aquino ay nagpahayag na rin ng pagkadismaya. “Kung kaming hindi kaanak ng mga biktima ay nakakadama na ng sobrang frustration, yun pa kayang mga namatayan? Kelan pa maibibigay ang hustisya? Pag patay na rin ang mga akusado?” tanong pa ni Yap. Nauunawaan umano nilang kailangang busisiing mabuti ang kaso, ngunit napakatagal ng
limang taon para dito. “Abot sa 198 ang suspek sa kasong ito pero iilan lamang ang nasa kulungan. Lahat ng akusado, daraan sa arraignment, petition for bail, at kung anuano pa, at napakatagal noon,” wika ni Yap. Nakatakda sa Quezon City court ang unang pagdinig at pagsusumite ng mga ebidensya upang suportahan ang petition for bail na isinumite ni dating Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao Governor Zaldy Ampatuan. Inatasan naman ni Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Jocelyn Reyes ang Heffron Esguerra Dy and De Jesus Law Office na ihanda ang mga ebidensya. Unang hiniling ni Atty. Andre De Jesus na bigyan sila ng 30 araw upang maihanda ang mga ebidensya ngunit tumanggi si Reyes. Kadalasang hindi na kailangang magprisinta ng tagapagtanggol ng mga ebidensya sa mga bail petitions. G a y u n m a n , pinayagan ni Reyes ang Fortun, Narvasa and
Salazar Law Firm, na dating nagrerepresenta sa dating ARMM governor, na sanggahin ang mga ebidensya ng prosekusyon sa bail motion. Sa hiwalay na report, isa sa mga akusado ang humiling sa Court of Appeals na baligtarin ang desisyon ni Reyes na malipat si Andal sa Quezon City Jail Annex sa Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig. Nagpasa rin ng petition for certiorari si Takpan Dilon sa tulong ni Atty. Marlon Pagaduan, para sa pag-iisyu ng temporary restraining order upang hindi siya malipat sa Custodial Center ng Philippine National Police sa Camp Crame sa Quezon City Jail Annex. Ipinalilipat ni Reyes si Dilon sa jail annex dahil hindi na umano ito kailangan ng prosekusyon para maging state witness. “Bilis-bilisan naman sana nila para ma-convict na ang dapat ma-convict sa Maguindanao massacre. Baka nakababa na si PNoy sa pagkapangulo sa 2016, malabo pa rin ang kaso,” sabi ni Yap. (Nanet Villafana)
‘Abswelto’
Impeachment vs. Aquino ibinasura! Continued fr om P from Page age 1 ng Korte Suprema na illegal at unconstitutional ang DAP na pinalagan naman ni Aquino at ng mga kaalyado nito sa Kongreso na karamihan ay nakinabang doon. Ang DAP ay brainchild ni Aquino at Budget Secretary Butch Abad at binuo ito upang may dahilan ang Malakanyang na magamit ang mga salapi o pondo na nakalaan para sa ibang bagay sa anumang naisihan ng mga ito. Matatandaang inakusahan rin noon ng oposisyon si Aquino at Abad na ginamit ang DAP upang isuhol sa mga politiko para sa conviction ni Renato Corona, ang dating pinuno ng Korte Suprema. Binansagan naman ng mga militante ang DAP na siyang “pork barrel” fund ni Aquino, bukod pa ang limpaklimpak na pondo mula sa Presidential Social Fund. Nagsimula ang DAP noon Oktubre 2011 matapos na aprubahan ito ni Aquino sa rekomendasyon umano ng Development Budget Coordination Committee at ng Cabinet Clusters bilang “stimulus package” ng administrasyon para sa mga sari-saring proyekto. Bilyon-bilyong pisong pondo ang inilaan ng pamahalaan para sa DAP. Mula 2011-2012, umabot sa P142.23 bilyon ang inilabas para sa mga programa at proyekto - P83.53 bilyon noon 2011 at 58.70 bilyon naman sa 2012. Sa 2011,
karamihan sa mga pinag– laanang pondo ng DAP ay napunta sa healthcare, public works, housing and resettlement, gayun rin sa agriculture at iba pa. At noon 2012, ginamit naman ang pondo ng DAP sa turismo at road infrastructure, school infrastructure, rehabilitation at extension ng kontrobersyal na light rail transit systems, at ang sitio electrification. Sa taong 2013, umabot naman ang pondo ng DAP sa P15.13 bilyon at ginamit naman ito para sa karagdagang tauhan ng pulisya at bilang dagdag-pondo rin sa modernization ng pambansang pulisya at sa redevelopment ng Roxas Boulevard sa Maynila at maging sa rehabilitation projects sa mga lugar na napinsala ng bagyong Pablo sa lalawigan ng Compostela Valley at Davao Oriental. Ginamit rin ang DAP para pondohan ang mga proyekto ng mga piling mambabatas at umabot ito sa P142.23 bilyon mula 2011-2012. At karamihan sa mga salaping inilaan para sa DAP ay galing diumano mula sa mga savings ng ibatibang ahensya ng pamahalaan at ang ang mga “realignment at unprogrammed” funds na aprubado rin ni Aquino, kabilang dito ang mga pondong mula sa remittance ng dividends ng mga government-owned and controlled corporations and government financial institutions at mga pinagbentahan ng mga govern-
ment assets. Hindi naman agad mabatid ng Mindanao Examiner kung gaano kalaking salapi ang nakuha ng DAP mula sa Malampaya Fund kung mayroon man, ngunit ang pondo mula sa Malampaya ay maaari lamang gamitin sa mga proyektong may kinalaman sa enerhiya. Ipinag-matigasan noon ni Abad at Aquino na legal ang DAP base na rin sa Article VI Section 25 (5) ng 1987 Constitution. “…the President, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and the heads of Constitutional Commissions may, by law, be authorized to augment any item in the general appropriations law for their respective offices from savings in other items of their respective appropriations.” At ang Book VI Chapter 5 Section 39 of the 1987 Administrative Code na nagsasabing: “Except as otherwise provided in the General Appropriations Act, any savings in the regular appropriations authorized in the General Appropriations Act for programs and projects of any department, office or agency, may, with the approval of the President, be used to cover a deficit in any other item of the regular appropriations….” Sa kabila nito, sinabi naman ni Aquino na nais niyang maiwan sa bawat mamamayan ang isang legacy ng maayos na
pamamalakad ng pamahalaan at magsilbing role model. “If there is a singular legacy that I am leaving and sana, masanay ang kababayan natin na ito ang kaya ng gobyernong pinapatakbo nang matino,” ani Aquino. Mariing binatikos naman ng Anakbayan at ibang mga grupo ang pagbasura sa impeachment complaints. “We condemn the railroaded murder of the impeachment complaints. Aquino’s pork gang in congress killed accountability and truth in the name of pork. The shameless act shows Aquino’s desperation. This shows that he is afraid of truth and accountability,”wika ng Anakbayan sa ipinadalang pahayag sa Mindanao Examiner at nagbanta pa ang grupo na dadalhin sa kalye ang protesta laban kay Aquino. Matatandaang inindorso ni Rep. Neri Colmenarez noon Hulyo 21 impeachment complaint laban kay Aquino.“ Ang culpable violation ay nangangahulugan ng wilful and deliberate violation o sinasadyang paglabag. Kung alam ng Pangulo na labag sa Saligang Batas, pero ginawa niya pa rin, iyon po ay willful ant deliberate violation, kaya culpable o sinasadyang paglabag,” sabi pa ni Colmenarez. Sa ilalim ng DAP, pinagsama-sama ang naturang pondo at inilipat sa ibang pagkakagastusan, lihis o taliwas sa inaprubahan ng Kongreso at ng GAA. Aabot sa P144 bilyon ang pondong DAP na ginastos ni Aquino na siya
lang ang nagpasya at labag sa pasya ng Kongreso at ng Batas. Iginiit ni Colmenarez na sinadyang nilabag ni Aquino ang Saligang Batas na nagbabawal ng transfer of appropriations at nagtatadhana ng paggamit ng savings ayon sa itinakda ng batas. Iniutos umano ni Aquino sa pamamagitan ng National Budget Circular 541 at iba pang memorandum na i-withdraw ang mga unobligated allotments sa kalagitnaan ng taon at idineklara ito kasama ng unreleased funds bilang savings at ginamit para sa ibang proyekto o programa. “Ang susing tanong ay savings ba ayon sa batas ang unobligated allotments sa kalagitnaan taon? Ang sagot ay hindi savings ang unobligated funds sa kalagitnaan ng taon at wala sa definition ng savings ang unobligated funds sa GAA nooong 2011, 2012 at 2013.” “Ano ba ang unobligated funds? Ito yung pondo para isang proyekto na hindi pa na-bid at nagkaroon ng kontrata o obligasyon. Walang karapatan si Aquino na hugutin ang unobligated funds bago matapos ang taunang budget,” paliwanag pa ni Colmenarez. Ayon kay Colmenarez, hindi maipagkakaila at alam diumano ni Aquino na ang ginawa niyang savings ay wala sa definition ng batas. Sa katunayan, gustong pagtakpan ni Aquino ang paglabag na ginawa niya sa panukalang idagdag ang unobligated funds as of June 30, 2015 sa definition ng savings sa 2015 proposed national budget. Sinabi pa nito na
mawawalang saysay ang poder ng Kongreso na magpatibay ng taunang batas sa budget kung tatanggapin ang pinalawig na depinisyon na savings dahil kalagitnaan ng taon maaari nang baguhin at ilipat-lipat ni Aquino ang appropriations ng mga unobligated funds gamit ang maskara ng savings. “Malinaw na sinasabi sa Saligang Batas “no law shall be pass allowing transfer of appropriations”; ang tanging exception ay ang pag-augment ng items sa respective offices mula sa savings na itinakda ng batas. Hindi savings ang unobligated funds sa kalagitnaan ng taon, ito ay appropriations na may kalahati pang taon na nalalabi para isakatuparan, bawal itong ilipat ng gamit. Kung bawal sa Konstitusyon na magpasa ng batas sa transfer of appropriation lalung bawal na ang presidente maglabas ng utos sa transfer of appropriations,” ani Colmenarez. Sinabi naman ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte, na transparent ang proseso ng dismissal ng impeachment cases laban kay Aquino. “The Committee on Justice of the House, after a thorough review of the allegations in terms of its substance, has dismissed the complaints against the President. We take note that the process took place with transparency, not just according to the rules, but to give the proponents every opportunity to make their case,” ani Valte. (Mindanao Examiner)
3
The Mindanao Examiner
Sept. 8-14, 2014
Police kill arrested Sayyaf man in Sabah kidnappings POLICEMEN killed a key Abu Sayyaf member arrested in the southern Philippine province Tawi-Tawi in connection to the spate of kidnappings and murder in Sabah, Malaysia, reports said. Malaysia’s The Star Online reported that Mobin Hailil alias Kahumbo, who was arrested in Bongao town on August 26, had been shot dead allegedly after grabbing the gun of one of his escorts while on their way to jail from a court appearance on August 29. The 44-year old Hailil was charged with illegal possession of firearm and explosives after police commandos and soldiers seized a pistol and a grenade from him during his arrest. Hailil is also being linked to the killing of a Malaysian policeman Kpl Rajah Jamuan, 32, on Mabul Water Bungalow Resort dur ing an Abu Sayyaf raid in July this year. Rajah’s companion Kons Zakiah Alejp, 26, was kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf and is being held for ransom in southern Philippines. The Star Online exclusive report said TawiTawi police chief Joe Salido has ordered an investigating into the killing of Hailil. Quoting from a police report it obtained, The Star Online said that Hailil was killed when he allegedly tried to escape while being escorted under heavy guard in Bongao town. The police report said “the suspect pulled the firearm of a security team member and resisted. That gave reason for the security team to shoot
Kahumbo, resulting in his instant death. Team medics immediately applied first aid and brought Kahumbo to the hospital but he was declared DOA (dead on arrival).” The Star Online also quoted an unidentified intelligence source from Tawi-Tawi that claimed Hailil was killed to prevent him from bailing out of prison. “They said that it would have been difficult to find him guilty in court as he had the protection of someone influential in southern Philippines. It would be difficult to find him guilty on either illegal possession of weapons or kidnapping. Security forces know that he would eventually be freed and that is why they executed him,” the source said. It was unknown whether police and military had completed its interrogation on Hailil, or whether he was killed to silence him. Abu Sayyaf prisoners are usually transported to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City while charges are being prepared or for further interrogation, especially those involved in high profile cases such as the Sabah kidnappings. Eastern Sabah Security Command Intelligence Director Datuk Ahmad Nadzer Nordin said at least 14 groups from souther n Philippines were involved in cross-border kidnappings in Sabah. The Star Online also quoted a report by former Abu Sayyaf hostage and Mindanao State University lecturer Octavio Dinampo as saying that Hailil was “an intelligence gatherer for Abu
Sayyaf, whose main duty is to identify possible targets for the gunmen to kidnap.” “As an urban operative, he would be familiar with places like Sandakan, Lahad Datu and Semporna,” Dinampo, who was kidnapped in June 2008, told The Star Online, adding that Hailil would blend in with the Tausug and Yakan communities in these districts. “ These operatives use their knowledge to identify possible kidnap victims and watch their movements as well as the fast boats to be used in the abductions,” he said, adding, any information from Hailil would enable Philippine security officials to know the inner workings of the Abu Sayyaf. Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abd Rahman earlier tagged brothers as Nilson and Badong Muktadil as among those involved in kidnappings in Sabah. The two brothers were also linked to the raid on Mabul Water Bungalow Resort. Malaysia’s Star Online also quoted Jalaluddin as saying that the brothers were part of a kidnap-for-ransom group based in Tawi-Tawi province. They were believed to be involved in the April 2 kidnapping of Chinese tourist, Gao Huayun, 29, and Filipino worker Marcy Darawan, 40, from the Singamata Reef Resor t off Semporna in Sabah. Both women had been freed in exchange for a huge ransom. (Mindanao Examiner. With a report from The Star Online.)
HIV infects over 300 OFWs
MANILA - A total of 379 overseas Filipino workers - 334 males and 45 females - have been found with human immunodeficiency virus from January to July this year, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said. The latest figure represents an increase of 23 percent, or 70 cases, versus the 309 OFWs found HIV-positive over the same seven-month period in 2013, according to TUCP president Ernesto Herrera. Herrera said 378 of the stricken OFWs acquired the infection through sexual transmission, including 152 cases via male-to-male sexual contact. “There was one case wherein the OFW was an intravenous drug user, and was infected by a tainted needle,” Herrera said. HIV causes the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS and while the disease that destroys the immune sys-
tem does not have any known cure, the World Health Organization says “huge reductions have been seen in rates of death and suffering when use is made of a potent antiretroviral regimen, particularly in early stages.” “The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Health and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. should see to it that every OFW found HIV-positive is able to avail of cost-free Anti-Retroviral Therapy in accredited treatment hubs,” Herrera said. “We are also urging Malacañang to certify the proposed new AIDS Prevention and Control Law, or Senate Bill 186, introduced by Sen. Miriam Santiago,” he added. The bill seeks to improve the living conditions of HIV-positive people through greater access to treatment, care and support. It also sets tougher penalties for entities and individuals who
discriminate against HIVpositive people as well as those who violate their rights to confidentiality. An aggregate of 3,017 OFWs with the median age of 34 now comprise 15 percent of the 19,915 cases in the Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry as of July 31, 2014. The Registry began passive surveillance of the disease in 1984. According to the Registry, some 98 percent of all HIV-positive OFWs, or 2,951 cases, acquired the virus on account of sexual contact. Some 81 percent of all HIV-positive OFWs, or 2,456 cases, are males, and 834 of them, or 28 percent, were infected due to male-to-male sexual contact. HIV is being spread primarily through sexual contact, predominantly male-to-male sex, and secondarily via needlesharing among injecting drug users or the transfusion of contaminated blood, according to the Philippine National AIDS Council.
Customs intercept 'Balikbayan' boxes OVER 400 watches worth some P4 million were seized by customs officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the Philippines after the cargoes which came from Dubai were declared as chocolates and groceries. The watches, all Casio G-Shock, arrived in six Balikbayan boxes sent through cargo companies
Forex and Filex, and were immediately seized by Customs officials during an inspection. “We are closely monitoring all packages coming in or going out of the country. We have received reports that certain individuals are trying to use various cargo forwarding companies to try and smuggle items into the
country,” said NAIA District Collector Edgar Macabeo. Macabeo said they have stepped operations at the airports in an effort to thwart the entry of illegal cargoes. “These smugglers will now have difficulty in their illegal operations with our continued vigilance against these scalawags,” he said.
In reporting crime, Incident Record Form is important - Police POLICE have urged citizens, especially those filing complaints or reporting a crime, to secure a copy of Incident Record Form which contains data provided by the Desk Officer pertaining to the complainant, victim or suspect, and including the narrative details of the incident. It said the IRF becomes an official document once it is signed by the investigators and the reporting person in which the information contained will be immediately recorded in the police blotter, uploaded to the Crime Incident Reporting System (CIRS) database, and becomes the first document included in the case folder. CIRS is an electronic database system that fa-
cilitates crime documentation and systematic data storage and retrieval. The system presents a quick, fast and reliable transmission of crime information from lower police units and offices to the National Headquarters. Police Director General Alan Purisima said the use of IRF is implemented in all police stations and offices with investigative functions. “ The implementation of Crime Incident Reporting System will ensure the gathering and inclusion of all cr ime data that are reported in the police station into the said database. This is why the Incident Record Form is very important to both reporting citizen and to us in the PNP,” he said.
“All police stations and units with investigative functions is equipped with CIRS-installed computers which will be the source of a nationwide database of crime incidents. It is part of our efforts to further provide our people with ‘tr ue crime reporting’ this is why IRF is very impor tant to be kept by both complainant and our investigators,” he added. He said in the case of crime incidents which was reported to the police, but referred back to barangay authorities, the report must clearly indicate whether the case is amicably settled, under investigation or referred back to the police with a certification to file action.
4
The Mindanao Examiner
Pinoy seamen remittances seen hitting $5.5B this year MANILA - The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said it expects Filipino sailors aboard foreign merchant ships to send home via bank wire a record $5.5 billion this year, mainly on account of increased deployment to Europe. “A growing number of Filipino sailors are being dispatched to Europe, especially to the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, Greece, and The Netherlands,” said TUCP president Ernesto Herrera said. He said remittances from Filipino sailors already hit $2.746 billion from January to June this year, an increase of $223 million, or 8.84 percent, versus the $2.523 billion that they wired home in the same six-month period in 2013. Cash transfers from
sailors grew twice faster compared to the remittances from land-based migrant Filipino workers in the first semester, according to Herrera. “The remittance growth was due to a boost in hiring. Some of the increase may also be attributed to rising inflation here at home, prompting sailors to send more money to their families to enable them to cope with the surge in food and other consumer prices,” he said. TUCP has been batting for the aggressive deployment of sailors, nurses and other surplus skilled workers to foreign labor markets, to help ease domestic joblessness and promote a rising standard of living for Filipino families. “We prefer the deployment of highly skilled sur-
plus labor because they tend to enjoy superior conditions of employment. Since their skills cannot be easily replaced, they are treated well by employers,” Herrera said. The Philippines has been the world’s chief supplier of sailors since 1987. Some 375,000 Filipinos comprise one-fourth of the estimated 1.5 million merchant mariners worldwide. The top 10 sources of remittances from Filipino sailors in the first semester were: the United States ($1.326 billion); the United Kingdom ($237.583 million); Germany ($194.844 million); Norway ($183.529 million); Japan ($149.295 million); Greece ($141.452 million); Hong Kong ($123.084 million); Singapore ($110.194 million); The Netherlands
($45.726 million); and Italy ($23.511 million). The $223-million jump in remittances from sailors accounted for 36 percent of the aggregate increase in cash transfers from all overseas Filipino workers, both on land- and sea-based, in the first semester. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas previously reported that remittances from all OFWs hit $11.421 billion from January to June, higher by $621 million, or 5.75 percent, versus the $10.800 billion that they sent home over the same semester in 2013. Land-based OFWs transferred $8.675 billion from January to June, up $399 million, or 4.82 percent, from the $8.276 billion that they remitted in the same six-month period last year.
Zambo airport naghigpit na rin ZAMBOANGA CITY – Naghigpit ng siguridad sa Zamboanga City airport matapos na pumutok ang balita na isang car bomb ang natagpuan sa parking area ng Ninoy Aquino International Airport na kung saan ay tatlong katao ang dinakip. Todo-bantay na rin sa Zamboanga at bukod sa mga pribadong security guards ay may mga parak na sa entrance ng airport bilang paniguro na walang makakalusot na pampasabog o armas. Matatandaang binomba ang Zamboanga airport noon Agosto 2010 at target nito ay si dating Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan at ang kanyang pamilya. Isang sibilyan rin ang nasawi at mahigit sa 2
doseang katao ang sugatan sa naturang pagsabog sa arrival area ng airport. Sumabog ang backpack ng karpenterong si Reynaldo Apilado matapos itong ipadala sa kanya ng kalaban ni Tan sa pulitika. Nagdagdag na rin ng patrulya sa Zamboanga at maraming mga parak sa sentro ng naturang lungsod bilang bahagi na rin ng nalalapit na paggunita sa atake ng Moro National Liberation Front dito. Sinabi ng mga awtoridad sa Maynila na kinasuhan na ang tatlong lalaki at maging si Atty. Ely Pamatong ay hinawakan na rin ng awtoridad sa hindi pa malamang dahailan. (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
Abala ang ground crew sa pagbababa ng mga bagahe mula sa isang eroplano sa Zamboanga airport.(Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Sept. 8-14, 2014
Donated used clothing held in Cebu port CEBU - The Bureau of Customs in Cebu said it is holding some 150 boxes of foreign donations that included used clothing intended for typhoon Yolanda sur vivors. The donations are currently at the Cebu International Port and awaiting orders from higher authorities whether to dispose them or not. BOC-Cebu Chief of Staff, Atty. Kenneth Sesante said under Republic Act 4653, foreign donations or importations of used clothing are prohibited entr y into Philippine shores to safeguard the health of the people. He said RA 4653 enacted in June 17, 1966 is an Act to safeguard the health of the people and maintain the dignity of the nation by declaring it a national policy to prohibit the commercial importation of textile articles commonly known as used clothing and rags. “By the end of the year, the used clothing will be condemned either by burying or burning them,” Sesante said. Sesante said there is a guideline that exempts the condemnation of the foreign donations of used clothing and that is to give them to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). “But there is a standing order from DSWD Secretary Dinky
Soliman not to accept donations of used clothing abroad,” Sesante said, adding that they have no choice but to dispose the items. He said detailed guidelines released recently covering foreign donations, customs duties and claims on international donations among other related matters can now be accessed at their website customs.gov.ph. Sesante also clarified that it is not their agency that caused the delayed release of foreign donations to Yolanda sur vivors resulting to the expiration of some per ishable goods leaving them unfit to be given. “The BOC-Cebu already waived its taxes and duties on foreign donations during the Yolanda relief operations,” Sesante said. According to Sesante, the release of foreign shipments is delayed due to demurrage and storage fees which are just waived for five days. Oftentimes, shipments are not released due to incomplete documents so the consignee cannot get the foreign donated goods unless necessary documents are in order. “And if the five-day has lapsed, the consignee already has to pay the cost which is computed per day per container,” he said. (Fayette C. Riñen)
SUPPORT PEACE IN MINDANAO
5
The Mindanao Examiner
Sept. 8-14, 2014
Environmental changes key to preventing non-communicable diseases, says cardiologist NATIONAL Academy of Science and Technology Academician Antonio Miguel Dans said no amount of health education or counseling can make people change their lifestyles to prevent noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and dementia and he has proposed making changes in the environment in order to make a person change his lifestyle and health status. NAST is an advisory body of the Department of Science and Technology. “We eat unhealthy because unhealthy food is cheaper. For a cheaper price, you can get a burger while salads are more expensive. We don’t exercise because there is no place to exercise. If you jog (on the street)… you’ll die – you’ll get run over by cars, you’ll get cancer,” Dans, a cardiologist and University of the Philippines College of Medicine professor, said during a NAST-sponsored round table discussion recently. Fun Runs, on the other hand, are good but when the running event is finished,
there is nothing where people can run safely, comfortably, and regularly for the rest of the year. “Go to UP. You’ll see how people are thirsty to exercise. They just don’t have a place to do it,” he emphasized. Dans said instituting environmental changes, such as imposing sin taxes on cigarettes and alcohol, is one strategy outside healthcare which can lead to a healthier population. The enactment of the Sin Tax Bill in December 2012 led to a 6 percent reduction in the Philippines’ smoking population. Specifically, the number of smokers among the 10-19 age bracket dropped by 25 percent, and those in the 70 and above age group had a 34 percent drop. The number of smokers among the poor likewise decreased considerably. “We are contemplating (on proposing) sin tax on sugar and salt, hoping that it will be as effective as that on tobacco,” Dans said. Other environmental changes suggested by Dans include the banning of unhealthy foods and creating more P.E. activities in
schools, building gym facilities and stand desks in workplaces, and creating more bike lanes, parks and sidewalks with “walkability” qualities such as cleanliness, adequate lighting, and safety. “We’re not saying that it (health education) does not work,” said Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, executive director of DOST’s Philippine Council for Health Research and Development during the open forum. “But maybe … we should determine the tipping point. Is it legislation? Or maybe it is in community initiatives,” he said. Cancer, heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dementia, renal disease, osteoarthritis, asthma, cataracts, osteoporosis, and diabetes are among the range of noncommunicable diseases which caused 34.5 million deaths out of a total 52 million deaths in 2010. Unhealthy lifestyles as well as aging, an issue that is becoming more difficult to manage, are among the factors leading to the onset of non-communicable diseases which are long-term and costly.
Davao cooperative gets more funding for banana powder production
DAVAO CITY - Banana farmers here find additional income by turning banana throwaways to banana powder and demand is increasing, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Davao Region. To boost their production, DOLE said it has provided additional P425,982 fund for the Progressive Highland Multi-purposes Cooperative (PHMPC) to expand production of feedgrade banana powder. “The funding is allotted for additional facilities including two hot houses, mechanical siever, warehouse for dried chipped banana and for their vermiculture production and training,” said DOLE Davao City livelihood focal Cristy Coro. She said that the area is highly mountainous and
has mostly rainy weather which causes 3 to 4 days delay in sun-drying the chipped banana. “The new facilities we will put up will ensure quantity and quality of production,” Coro said. Feed-grade banana powder as an essential component for industrial products such as hog and poultry feeds. Located at Sitio Baracayo in the village of Daliaon in in Toril District, PHMPC is an Agrarian Reform Beneficiary with 740 members who are mostly farmers, plantation workers and growers of Cavendish banana in a 246-hectare farm. “The project is environment friendly. It uses reject banana Cavendish processed into banana powder (feed grade). The cooperative has already institutional buyers which de-
manded for higher production,” the PHMPC’s project proposal stated. From the present 19ton monthly production of feed-grade banana powder, the cooperative eyes to expand to produce 34 tons or more every month as required by its buyer Bex Philippines. “Along with this expansion we also see increases employment among the members of the cooperative,” Coro said. The cooperative is also engaged in micro-lending, consumer store, job contracting services, propping and hauling services, agrimarketing of bananas, vegetables and seasonal fruits, bakery and noodles making which are all operational. The bakery project of cooperative was also funded by the DOLE. (Sherwin Manual)
President Benigno Aquino during the launching of mass vaccination program recently.
Aquino launches mass vaccination program MANILA - President Benigno Aquino led the launching in Manila of the mass immunization campaign against measles and polio. The nationwide vaccination campaign targets children and is a follow-up to the 2011 Measles Rubella Supplemental Immunization. Some 13 million people in the country are at risk from measles, polio and rubella (German measles). Aquino has urged the public to cooperate in eradicating the diseases. He said the Department of Health (DOH) is carrying out the initiative aimed at preventing outbreaks. "Ito na nga ho ay mga pagbabakuna para mailayo sa kapahamakang madudulot kung
tatamaan ng polio o pati na ng measles, lalo na ang kanyang mga komplikasyon," he said. "Ngayon, ang Department of Health po ay talagang nakagayak na at binigyan ng sapat na pondo para maipaitupad ‘yung hinahabol nga nating 95 percent na vaccination." Aquino said the DOH will try its best to reach remote communities to carry out the vaccination program. He also emphasized the importance of coordinating with local government units throughout the country to ensure the program’s success. He called on parents to take it upon themselves to have their children vaccinated. "Pakiusap po sa lahat, itong ‘Ligtas sa Tigdas’ na programa
natin ay ating suportahan. Doon sa mga hindi pa nakakarinig nitong programang ito, makidamay na po tayong ipaalala sa kanila ang obligasyon natin sa kabataang ito," he said. Although there has been no reported case of polio in the country, the DOH is implementing the anti-polio campaign in compliance with the World Health Organization’s International Health Regulation on polio as a public health emergency. The campaign intends to maintain the county's polio-free status. The mass vaccination campaign will run until September 30 and all health centers throughout the country will serve as vaccination posts.
DO Y OU WANT T O YOU TO HA VE Y OUR O WN NEWSLETTER? HAVE YOUR OWN Are you in a corporation, a company, a club or organization, a school or institution, church or religious group, in government or cooperative? Make your own NEWSLETTER now! Why send your press releases when you can have your own NEWSLETTER just like this NEWSPAPER? No more expensive magazines as your quarterly or monthly NEWSLETTER when you can have a cheaper alternative just like this NEWSPAPER! Mindanao Examiner Productions offer NEWSLETTER printing at a very low price. And it comes with FREE LAYOUT and we can even make a digital copy of your NEWSLETTER also for FREE! We will also assist you in editing your articles for FREE! For inquiry, call us now at (062) 992-5480 or 0917-7103642 or email us at mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
6
The Mindanao Examiner
Sept. 8-14, 2014
Army sergeant killed by own soldier in barracks ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE – An army soldier surrendered to his superior officer after killing his sergeant in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Norte, police said. Police said Corporal Greggy Patpat, a native of Cebu City, shot Sergeant Romeo Piedad, of Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur, inside their barracks in the village of Dona Cecilia in Philippine military and defense officials are jubilant after Filipino peacekeepers in Golan Heights escape from their embattled positions following a clash with Syrian rebels affiliated with al-Qaeda. (Photo by Corporal Palima)
Peacekeepers in Golan Heights clashed with Syrian rebels MANILA – Filipino peacekeepers in Golan Heights have clashed with Syrian rebels and managed to flee from their embattled position to a more secure area at Camp Ziuani, Philippine military chief General Pio Catapang said. He said the rebels under Al Nusra Front, an affiliate of al-Qaeda, attacked the peacekeepers on-board several trucks, but the Filipinos fought bravely in self-defense. “Syrian rebels initiated an attack on Position 68. Our troops defended their position. The Syrian rebels attacked on-board pick-up trucks. Our peacekeepers returned fire in self-defense. Our troops fought back bravely and successfully held their positions. This
attack prompted UNDOF to re-position our troops to a more secure position within the mission area,” Catapang said. “The governments of Syria and Israel are supporting our troops to uphold the integrity of the area of separation and to deescalate the situation. The teamwork demonstrated by our fellow UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force) troop-contributing countries and the UN is exemplary. Other governments including the United States and Qatar also played a role in the safeguarding our peacekeepers,” he added. He said the Philippines and the UN will not compromise the safety and security of the peacekeepers while in the pur-
suit of their duties. “It is in our national interest to prioritize their safety without abandoning our commitment to international security. We commend our soldiers for exhibiting resolve even while under heavy fire. This manifests their determination to fulfill our commitment to the community of nations,” Catapang said. The rebels have already seized 43 Fijians peacekeepers after luring them to surrender their weapons in Golan Heights. They also demanded the Filipino peacekeepers to surrender their weapons, but the soldiers flatly rejected the demand and stood bravely to protect their position. (Mindanao Examiner)
ZAMBOANGA CITY - A 16year old boy was caught sexually abusing a sevenyear old girl at a refugee shelter in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, police said. Police said a protection volunteer Ricky Amisali caught the teenager abusing the girl at a comfort room inside the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex which is being used as a shelter for villagers affected by rebel attacks in Zamboanga city last year. Amisali was patrolling at the shelter when he spotted the teenager abusing the victim on August 28 and arrested the young felon and subsequently handed him over and the girl to social worker Abner Mandanagan, who reported the abuse to the police. The teenager was turned over to the custody of the Center for Children in Conflict with Law while the girl is under the care of her
Despite under unimaginable distress, these protesting OFWs still managed to give a big smile during a break in a dialogue with Migrante-Middle East in Saudi Arabia. Dharan Camp site with 100 OFWs. “The 950 OFWs were victims of contract violations such as delayed payment of salary, working without Iqama or residence identification card; and others who have been working for 10 or 15 years were not given entitlement like the end of ser-
For all your publications and advertisements in Pagadian City and Zamboanga del Sur, please call Richard Suarez 062-2142706 and 0910-7348600
vice benefits, and they were not even allowed to go on vacation although they already successfully completed their one-year contract. Some of them were deployed, but no actual job assigned as per their respective job applied,” he said. He said the complaints have been endorsed to the Philippine Labor Overseas Office in Al Khobar since June, but there was no prompt or timely intervention until the distressed OFWs were forced to stop working the following month to press their employer to honor the terms
Sirawai Police Station disclosed that the motive of the incident emanated from a personal grudge,” Samuddin said. He said the soldier surrendered to Lieutenant Chesler Mastino, commander of Charlie Company, who subsequently brought him to the police station. It was not immediately known what triggered the shooting. (Mindanao Examiner)
Teenager rapes girl in refugee shelter in Zamboanga City
OFWs stop working to protest labor violations by Saudi employer HUNDREDS of Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia have accused their employer of breaching their contract and other labor violations and appealed to Manila to help them after the Philippine Labor Overseas Office failed to safeguard their rights, according to Migrante-Middle East. John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator based in Riyadh City, said at least 950 Filipinos working for Al Mojil Group of Companies, a contractor of Saudi Aramco, have stopped working for three months now to protest the violations after negotiations failed. Monterona said the OFWs from 5 various job sites have stopped working since July - those at Jubail Camp 2 with 500 OFWs; Yanbu Camp site with 100 OFWs; WASIT SK Camp 150 OFWs; Shaybah Camp site 100 OFWs, and those at
Sirawai town. Both soldiers belong to the Charlie Company of 10th Infantry Battalion. Inspector Dahlan Samuddin, a regional police spokesman, said the shooting occurred on Wednesday morning. He said investigators recovered 21 shell casings of M16 automatic rifle from the crime scene, including the rifle used in the killing. “Initial investigation conducted by elements of
and conditions of their signed contract. “The Aquino government through the Department of Labor and Employment its labor offices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration have failed to safeguard the labor contracts of the OFWs despite rampant labor violations and also failed to provide assistance to distressed OFWs,” Monterona said. Migrante-Middle East has been assisting the distressed OFWs and monitoring the situation of other Filipinos in Saudi.
parents. It was not immediately known if the victim’s mother would pursue a criminal case against the teenager. Rape and sexual abuses are not uncommon at the sports complex and despite the presence of social workers and protection volunteers these incidents still continue and in some cases involving relatives or family members. In June this year, a sixyear old girl was repeatedly abused by her 12-year old neighbor at the sports complex and was not even reported by her family to authorities for a still unknown reason. Thousands of refugees remain in the filthy sports complex as the government continues to rebuild communities destroyed by three weeks of fighting in September where more than 400 people were killed and wounded in the violence. The clashes displaced over 120,000 people. Those in the evacua-
tion areas were villagers affected and displaced by rebel attacks mounted in September by the Moro National Liberation Front under Nur Misuari. The attack sparked three weeks of street battles that killed and wounded over 400 people and displaced some 120,000 villagers. More than 170 refugees had died from diseases in the evacuation centers due to lack of sufficient medical and emergency facilities there. The United Nations has expressed alarm over the poor conditions of refugees still at different evacuation centers and transition sites here. Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar has been going around refugee sites to personally see their condition and assured them of the government’s rehabilitation efforts. She is frequently spotted in transitory sites and in housing projects supervising ongoing works in those areas. (Mindanao Examiner)
Aquino itching to sign Anti-Dynasty Bill PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino said he is ready to sign into law the bill that seeks the abolition of political dynasties in the country. “Kapag naitapos ho nila ‘yan, ako’y handanghanda pirmahan ang batas na ‘yan,” he told radio station Bombo Radyo. Aquino said that the Anti-Dynasty Bill is already gaining traction in Congress, with House of Representatives Speaker Feliciano Belmonte favoring the initiative. He said he favors the abolition of political dynas-
ties in the country as dynasties control the economic, political and even the judicial component of communities. Political dynasties also hamper the conduct of a fair and democratic election in a locality, he said. One of those who filed the Anti-Dynasty Bill was Congressman Edgar Erice of Caloocan. The 1987 Constitution calls for an enabling law against political dynasties, but Aquino's clan members also sit in Congress and control much of his hometown in central Luzon.
7
The Mindanao Examiner
Sept. 8-14, 2014
Bosses or voices? By Perry Diaz When Communications Secretar y Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. was asked what made President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III change his mind about amending the Philippine Constitution and pursuing a term extension, he said, “What is essential for the President is to know the sentiments of his ‘bosses,’ the Filipino people. He will continue to listen to them so he will know their views on how to ensure that the reforms and transformation that he has begun will continue and will become permanent.” But what reforms had he instituted that are beneficial to good governance? If there is one reform that is direly needed, it is the Freedom of Information (FOI), which P-Noy had consistently refused to certify as “urgent” legislation. If he stays in power beyond his six-year term, then FOI would presumably remain in limbo, which begs the question: Is he scared of FOI? If so, why? Another reform that is as important as FOI is the repeal or revision of the bank secrecy law and the Foreign Currency Deposit Act (FCDA) that have provided untouchable “safe havens” for corrupt officials, jueteng lords, drug dealers, and other criminals to hide their ill-gotten wealth. That, in a nutshell, is what’s at the center of a whirlwind of debate over whether the Constitution should be amended to give Aquino a second chance to run for president. If P-Noy was really serious – and sincere – about stamping out corruption, he must have an FOI, which, if enacted into law, would remove the firewall that is shielding corrupt officials and criminals from the reach of the law. If P-Noy wanted to listen to his “bosses,” then he should look at the polls taken in the aftermath of the pork barrel scandals. He should also listen to the social media “chatter,” which provides a great deal of straight-from-thehorse’s-mouth critique; thus, giving him an accurate measure of the people’s sentiments. He should – nay, must! -- go out and rub shoulders with the poor and hungry and feel their “pulse,” and perhaps even taste the pagpag that his “bosses” eat to survive from day to day. Imper ial pr esidency mperial presidency But after four years of P-Noy’s imperial presidency, things really haven’t changed much, which reminds me of Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr’s famous epigram in 1849: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Indeed, the changes that P-Noy brag about is like a bucket of water: you kick the bucket and the water pours out -- gone. They’re nothing more than empty slogans like his oft-repeated mantra, “Kung walang korap, walang mahirap” (“No corruption, no poverty”), which has become the butt of jokes in the social media. Indeed, his much-touted crusade against corruption is now just another public relations exercise intended to keep the people’s hopes high while lawmakers ransack the treasury. What is sad is that these lawmakers plundered the people’s money right under P-Noy’s watch. But what makes this whole charade so despicable is that the money the lawmakers stole was from the bloated pork barrel or Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) that P-Noy created. These funds were supposed to be used for projects endorsed by members of Congress for the benefit of their constituents. But as the ongoing investigation into the pork barrel scam had revealed, more than P10 billion had been skimmed off the top and pocketed by lawmakers in cahoots with Janet Lim-Napoles, the notorious
“pork barrel queen.” To date, three senators are in detention for the nonbailable charge of plunder. More are under investigation. onage politics Patr atronage The recent rulings of the Supreme Court that declared the PDAF and DAP unconstitutional had put an end to PNoy’s use of “patronage politics” to keep the loyalty of the majority of the legislators to achieve his legislative agenda. Some say that P-Noy is engaged in bribery using the PDAF and DAP money to pursue his private agenda, which doesn’t equate to benefits for the people, his “bosses.” Take for instance the additional P50 million in discretionary funds – taken from DAP --given to each of the 20 senators who happened to have voted to convict ex-Chief Justice Renato Corona. And how did his “bosses” react to all these shenanigans? In today’s age of the “information highway,” the people can express their opinions in the Internet on just about everything that the government does. Of course, there is the traditional method of taking the “pulse” of the people, which is to survey a random sampling of the population. The two major pollsters are the Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia. Poor per for mance perfor formance Since his presidency began, P-Noy had consistently been rated “Good” or “Very Good.” But a SWS survey taken last June 27-30, 2014 showed that PNoy’s net overall performance rating had dipped to +29 or “Moderate,” which is down from the +45 or “Good” rating in the first quarter of 2014. But a closer look at the numbers further reveal “tectonic” slippage in PNoy’s ratings on specific issues. For “Ensuring that no family will be hungry,” P-Noy was rated -9 (“Neutral”); “Fighting inflation” -18 (Poor); “Ensuring oil firms don’t take advantage of oil prices” -19 (Poor); and “Resolving Maguindanao massacre case with justice” -44 (Bad). For the first time, P-Noy’s net performance hit the “Poor” and “Bad” ratings, which doesn’t bode well with his “bosses.” As to P-Noy’s desire to run for a second term, an ANC survey of business leaders shows that 71% oppose the idea. The question is: Who are those who want P-Noy to run for a second term? Various sectors have voiced out their opposition to a P-Noy extended term. The groups that favor P-Noy running for a second term are his Liberal Par ty mates, his “KKK” cronies – Kaibigan (friends), Kaklase (classmates), and Kabarilan (shooting buddies) – and his relatives; which makes one wonder, why? The answer to this question is obvious. These are the people who benefit from their association with P-Noy, politically and economically. Needless to say, if P-Noy wins a second term, their political and economic assets would be protected and continue to grow in value as well as influence. On the other hand, if P-Noy steps down, his cronies would have to look for another padrino whom they could cling to… profitably. P-Noy has to make a choice. Would he listen to his “bosses” who don’t want him to run or to the “voices” of his cronies that are much louder – and more influential -- than his “bosses”? At the end of the day, politics is all about power. And power corrupts. (PerryDiaz@gmail.com) 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.
10 KIDNEY TIPS: Basahin ito para IWAS SAKIT Ni Dr Willie T. Ong Napakahalaga ng ating kidneys o bato. Ang kidneys ay tumutulong sa pagtanggal ng dumi ng katawan sa pamamagitan ng pag-ihi. Kapag nasira ang ating kidneys, puwede itong magdulot ng kidney failure at pagdialysis. Mahal at mahirap ang gamutan sa kidneys. Heto ang mga tips ni Dr Elizabeth Montemayor, isang kidney specialist: 1. Bawasan ang asin sa pagkain – Kailangan ay matuto tayong limitahan ang pagkain ng maaalat tulad ng asin, patis, toyo, bagoong at maaalat na isda. Mataas din ang asin ng mga instant noodles, sitsirya at de-lata. Kapag nasobrahan ang asin o alat sa katawan ay tataas ang ating presyon. At ang high blood pressure ang sisira sa ating kidneys. 2. Limitahan ang protina sa pagkain – Alam ba ninyo na ang pagkain ng sobrang protina, tulad ng karneng baka, baboy, lalo na ang malalaking steak, ay nagpapahirap sa kidney? Dahil dito, hindi pinapayo ng mga doktor ang Atkin’s diet o South Beach Diet na mataas ang protina sa diyeta. Isang balanseng diyeta ang pinaka-healthy:may kanin, gulay, isda at prutas. 3. Gamutin ang Altapresyon o High Blood Pressure – Kapag mataas ang iyong presyon sa 140 over 90, dito na nag-uumpisa ang pagkasira ng kidneys. Gusto ng kidneys ang
normal na presyon ng dugo lamang. Bawasan ang alat sa pagkain at uminom ng gamot sa altapresyon. 4. Gamutin ang diabetes – Napakasama ang naidudulot ng diabetes sa kidneys. Sinisira ng diabetes and kidneys at puwedeng magdulot ng kidney failure at pagda-di-
Dr. Willie T. Ong alysis. Kapag 5-10 taon na ang diabetes, naguumpisa nang masira ang kidneys. Dahil dito, kumonsulta agad sa doktor at gamutin na ang diabetes at altapresyon. 5. Limitahan ang paggamit ng pain relievers (gamot sa kirot) – Ang mga pangkaraniwang pain relievers tulad ng mefenamic acid, ibuprofen, at mga mamahaling pain relievers tulad ng celecoxib, ay puwedeng makasira ng kidneys. Kailangan ay limitahan ang paggamit nito sa isang linggo lamang. Kaya kung ika’y may arthritis, lagyan na lang ng mainit na tubig ang tuhod at gumamit na lang ng paracetamol tablet. 6. Uminom ng sapat na tubig bawat araw – Ang pangkaraniwang payo ng doktor ay ang pag-inom
ng 8 basong tubig sa isang araw. Makatutulong ito sa pag-iwas sa kidney stones o bato sa bato. 7. Para sa mga taong magpapa-CT Scan o MRI with contrast dye (iyung gumagamit ng dye na ipinadadaan sa ugat), kailangan nating pangalagaan ang inyong kidneys. Uminom muna ng 1 o 2 basong tubig bago magpa-CT scan o MRI para matulungan ang kidneys na mailabas itong dye. 8. Wala pang basehan ang paggamit ng supplements para sa kidneys – Ayon kay Dra. Montemayor, wala pang supplement na naimbento na napatunayang makatutulong sa kidneys. Sundin lamang ang mga payong naibigay natin at mapapangalagaan na ang ating kidneys. 9. Huwag sobrahan ang pag-inom ng Vitamin C – Ayon kay Dra. Montemayor, hanggang 500 mg lang ng Vitamin C ang kanyang marerekomenda. Ang sobrang vitamin C ay puwedeng magdulot ng kidney stones. At ang kidney stones naman ay puwedeng umabot sa kidney failure kapag hindi naagapan. 10. Magtanong muna sa doktor bago uminom ng kahit anong gamot. Magpacheck ng ihi (urinalysis) at dugo (CBC, BUN at creatinine) at kumonsulta sa inyong kidney specialists o doktor. Napakahalaga ng ating kidneys. Alagaan natin ito.
Police arrest shooter of Dagupan radio man POLICE have arrested a man tagged as behind the shooting of a radio man in Dagupan City just outside Manila. Police said Rolando Lim Jr. was arrested in connection to the August 26 shooting of Orly Navarro near his house in the village of Pantal. Navarro is the acting manager of radio station dwIZ and is a known hardhitting commentator who hosts a news and commentary program “Orly sa IZ.” Police said Lim was arrested after witnesses pointed to him as the alleged shooter. Police said it filed criminal charges against Lim, who is also allegedly into illegal drugs which was probably the motive for the
attack. Navarro was hit in the shoulder with a bullet while talking to a tricycle driver. “Navarro was on his way home at around one o’clock in the morning and was about 15 meters away from his house in Barangay Pantal, Dagupan City, when he heard a gunshot. He then felt his left shoulder numb and heavy.” “He told the tricycle driver, to whom he was talking, to bring him to the nearest hospital. He is being observed before he will undergo an operation to remove the bullet lodged in his shoulder,” the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said following the shooting.
Chief Superintendent Roman Felix, the regional police chief, commended Superintendent Christopher Abrahano, the police chief of Dagupan City, for the immediate arrest of Lim. Felix also ordered Abrahano to further investigate Lim. “The creation of the Special Investigation Task Group to dedicate speedy and accurate investigation to identify the mastermind and motive of the frustrated killing was a great help in the arrest of the suspect as well as the statements of the victim and two witnesses,” Abrahano said. There was no immediate statement from the NUJP on the arrest of Lim. (Mindanao Examiner)
288 tons of African oranges seized THE PHILIPPINES seized 288 tons of oranges illegally shipped here from South Africa after its consignees failed to show proper documents to Custom authorities, officials said. Officials said the fruits arrived at the Manila International Container Port in ten 40-footer container vans
which came from Cape Town. The shipments, according to the Bureau of Customs, would be forfeited in favor of the government. The Bureau of Plant Industry and the Department of Agriculture earlier asked the Bureau of Customs not to release any shipment of agricultural products from Af-
rica without prior clearance due to health concerns. Importing fruits without the proper permits is a violation of Quarantine Law. Officials said four other shipments of contraband oranges from South Africa have been placed under alert by the Bureau of Customs in the ports of Manila, and Davao.
Advertising Department Tel. (062) 9925480
Founded 2006
mindanaoexaminer.com
FOR ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE CALL (062) 9925480
Sept. 8-14, 2014
P10
The New Plaza Independencia
O
ne of the most popular tourist attractions in the Queen City of the South is the Plaza Independencia. This historical site is strategically located between Fort San Pedro and Casa del Gobierno de Visayas which was used as the Provincial Capitol until 1938. Several excavations have been conducted in the place and at the adjacent areas of the Plaza, which have yielded tremendous information about the pre-colonial trading port called Sugbu. These include the 1984 excavation conducted by the University of Michigan and the 2000 and 2006 excavations conducted by the national museum. Four centuries of human activity combined with the forces of nature and the elements have raised the site by an average of two meters from its original surface. Excavations at that dept have unearthed burial sites with earthen ware and ceramics from China, Thailand and Vietnam marking precolonial trading. In 1971, the excavations of the University of San Carlos inside Fort San Pedro yielded Ming Dynasty blue and white China as well as Thai ceramics dating back from the year 1368 and the 1500s multicultural trading, migrations, and upheavals. Only the age-old acacia trees dotting the area stand as silent witnesses to the many phases and events that once took place in this historical and cultural landmark of Cebu. The Plaza Independencia has been called by a number of names - in 1600 it was known a Plaza de Armas and served as a public square for military training and parade grounds. Later it was called Plaza Mayor when it was expanded to include the area near the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. Once, it was called Plaza Maria Cristina in honor of the then Queen Regent of Spain. When the Americans came, the name was changed to Plaza Libertad to commemorate the Liberty of
ARMM
our Filipino ancestors against the Spanish rule. With the turns of events in our country, it became known as Plaza Independencia, a tribute to Philippine independence. But like so many parts of the City, Plaza Independencia has not been spared by urban decay. For many years, more and more people heed a widely negative perception of the area sighting many concerns, safety and security especially. Today, however with the emerging concept of urban space rehabilitation, many old cities and areas in the world has been revitalized. The City Government’s efforts to rehabilitate Plaza Independencia is a response to the changing times, paving towards a more humane environment in the city. In 2007, Plaza Independencia was temporarily closed to the public because of the tunnel construction beneath it. The Grand Old Lady of all parks all over the Philippines became a haven for furtive activities at night. She had lost all her attractions becoming, instead, a place to be avoided even feared. In order to restore its old glory, the Cebu City government allocated a P20 million for its rehabilitation. This project started right after the completion of the tunnel on November 8, 2010. The century-old site has been refurbished with a modern design more attuned to the changing lifestyle of the Cebuanos and better equipped as a tourist destination. This was spearheaded by the Geety Construction and Realty Development Incorporated. The enhancements done in Plaza Independencia include the installation of new benches and lampposts; the restoration of the original fountain; addition of triangular concrete pavers thus making the Fort San Pedro the center of attraction upon entering the main gate of the Plaza; redesign of the walkways for better access, flexible use, safety and to highlight and direct attention towards Fort San Pedro; Architecturally significant landscaping to create more
green areas with carabao grass and additional palm trees among others; the rehabilitation of the Magsaysay and War Veteran monuments; and the re-structuring of the Plaza Kiosk and Legazpi Obelisks. Mayor Michael Rama has emphasized that this is one of the major projects of his administration. As such, no detail is to be left out especially the concern for safety there are plans of installing CCTV cameras to ensure the security of the public while they are in the vicinity. President Benigno Aquino III has said that “Plaza Independencia has witnessed important moments in our nation’s history, and through the years, has continued to play a part in our continuing struggle to assert and strengthen our national identity. What was once a mark of dominion is now a symbol of our country’s independence, a reminder of our long journey to freedom and of people’s unity and determination to realize our aspirations.” Plaza Independencia was re-opened to the public on May 8, 2011 which marked the beginning of another phase in Cebu’s history. It serves as a venue for exercise and other various fun and leisure activities. The restoration of this hallowed site is a timely undertaking that coincides with our efforts to usher in an era of transformation and renewal for the Filipino people. This will reinforce the vigor of Cebuanos and make active contributions in our drive to attain our collective goal of comprehensive growth and equitable progress. The City Government’s effort to enhance and preserve Plaza Independencia has bear fruits. It achieved recognition as the Best Public Park by the SunStar Publishing Incorporated 2013 Best of Cebu Awards. It is a concrete example of Mayor Rama’s aim for a People-Privately Driven Governance and more importantly Plaza Independencia reminds every Filipino of the most precious heritage – the country's Independence. (Greggy Jiggs P. Senados)
Southern Mindanao
Davao
Cebuanos urged to rally behind 'Mega Cebu'
T
he Mega Cebu Development and Coordinating Board has urged Cebuanos to resonate the "Mega Cebu" movement in their localities as it marks September as "Mega Cebu Month" for the second time this year with the theme, Engaging Change. Provincial Administrator Atty. Mark Tolentino said MCDCB addresses certain issues that go beyond political or social classification. “I think everybody has bought in to this idea which regardless of whether you’re in public or private sector or from what town or city that there are certain things that we all have work together,” he said. Tolentino also assured the active participation of all the 13 local government units covered by the Metro Cebu area, working towards the development of an urbanized Cebu. “If we have this vision and we want to dream big we can only do it if we look within ourselves and agree to work together. If we work together then we can
achieve big things. This is what planning for 2050 is all about,” he said. Cebu Business Club President Gordon Alan Joseph, also the MCDCB planning committee chairman, encouraged everyone to start the Mega Cebu movement by spreading its cause to everyone. “We can all make it happen but we need to do it. Someone has to take a step and we can all make the step forward,” he said. Roy Lotzof, MCDCB committee chairman on human resources, assets and partnership, said: “Even simple things like liking on Facebook (all about Cebu) and see what’s going on can make a difference.” Dominica Chua, chief operating officer of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., said Mega Cebu is not all about big projects. She said it is about the change of behavior that enhances the livability of an area. She specifically mentioned about self-discipline like road courtesy and proper disposal of garbage so as not to contribute to flood-
Western Mindanao
Cebu
ing.
Chua said that by doing these simple things they have actually contributed to the “Mega Cebu Vision 2050,” which is Wholesome, Advanced, Vibrant, Equitable, and Sustainable. She said the youth are actively involved in various activities as they are idealistic and the initiative of the Mega Cebu is actually intended for them. MCDCB has been created to answer common and pressing concerns in the Metro Cebu area like traffic and flooding, as well as crafting collective development plan for Cebu’s competitiveness. Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, MCDCB co-chairman, and Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy, are actively advocating the cause of the Mega Cebu. Rama said MCDCB is an anti-thesis to the highly politicized government system that is facing problems beyond political boundaries. (Xerxes Alkuino)
Manila