Philippine Muslim Today by Philippine Muslim Today

REVGOV KEEPS COMING BACK LIKE A SONG

Homobono A. Adaza | A8

MP 100 Percent & Moral Governance Legitimize Mindanao as a “Land of Promise”

More risks in conduct of 2022 BARMM parliament polls

The Government’s Seemingly Reckless Decision: The Case Against the Sinovac Vaccine (1)

Julmunir I. Jannaral | A7

Ali G. Macabalang | A8

Yusuf Ashraf Tugung | A7

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Vol. I, No. 39 | March 12-18, 2021 (Rajab 28-Shaban 5, 1442) | 12 Pages | Online Issue

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2 guvs want BARMM polls held in 2022 PRRD‘s ‗urgent‘ bill certification still possible By ALI G. MACABALANG

QUANTUM TIME and the ISRA WA LMI‟RAJ

Ijtihad By MEHOL K. SADAIN

A3 MINDANAO

Maguindanao o Mariam Sangki Sangki--Mangudadatu and Sulu Go Sakur Tan

ought to provide an update on the brewing debate over calls for Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) term extension, stakeholderofficials disclosed that two governors in the new autonomous region have pressed for the conduct of a regional parliament election as scheduled in 2022.

Full Story on Page A2

Adiong demands popular consultation on proposed Marawi waste dump site project By ALI G. MACABALANG Residents of Marawi City‘s lakeshore community protesting a proposed P300-million garbage dump site in their village have found a strong ally in Lanao del Sur Governor

A9 NATION

Mamintal ―Bombit‖ Alonto Adiong Jr., who broke silence to intercede for propriety in the choice of project site.

Full Story on Page A3

A10 WORLD

A12 TOURISM

Senate OKs bill dividing Maguindanao; prompt bicameral meet urged

PTFoMS orders intensified manhunt vs suspect in broadcaster‟s slay

Myanmar committing crimes against humanity?

The Chinese Entrepreneurs of Bongao (Part V)

The Senate has approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to divide Maguindanao into two provinces– Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur, stirring elation among stakeholders including the proponents of the counterpart bill in the House of Representatives.

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to intensify its manhunt for fugitive Dante Encarnacion Tabusares, the primary suspect in the murder of broadcaster Eduardo Sanchez Dizon in Kidapawan City.

Myanmar junta‘s brutal response to peaceful protests likely meets the legal threshold for crimes against humanity after credible reports of the ―murder‖ of at least 70 people, a UN special investigator told the Human Rights Council Thursday.

Bongao Island: A once sleepy town but now a vibrant economic center of trade and commerce in the southern tip of the Philippines triggered by the early Chinese migrants.

The Community

Vol. I, No. 39 | March 12-18, 2021 (Rajab 28-Shaban 5, 1442)

2 guvs want BARMM polls held in 2022; PRRD’s ‘urgent’ bill certification still possible By Ali G. Macabalang

OTABATO CITY — Sought to provide an update on the brewing debate over calls for Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) term extension, stakeholder-officials disclosed that two governors in the new autonomous region have pressed for the conduct of a regional parliament election as scheduled in 2022. In separate interviews, Maguindanao Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu and Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. told the Philippine Muslim Today news that Governors Abdusakur Tan of Sulu and Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu of Maguindanao asserted the conduct of regional polls on time during an executive meeting presided over in Manila by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana among officials from the Bangsamoro region on Tuesday. At the meeting, they said, Gov. Tan assured that he and four other governors in the region will support the candidacy of interim Chief Minister Ahod ―Al Haj Murad‖ Ebrahim if he will run for a seat in the 80-parliament members come 2022 synchronized elections. Gov. Tan‘s stance at the meeting was not surprising because he has been consistent with his objection to extended BTA lifespan, according to Rep. Mangudadatu and Gov. Adiong. But the duo said they were appalled by the pronouncement at the meeting of Gov. Sangki-Mangudadatu because her Sangguniang Panlalawigan was the first provincial political body to have passed a resolution endorsing the call for an extended BTA term for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) governance to carry out fully its mandates under R.A. 11054 and state‘s peace accord with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2014. Except for TawiTawi Gov. Yshmael Sali, who reportedly rallies the term extension move, all governors in BARMM attend-

(Above images are online-generated file photos of Maguindanao Rep. Toto Mangudadatu and Lanao del Sur Gov. Bombit Adiong. ed the Tuesday meeting alongside regional top officials led by Chief Minister Ebrahim as well as lawmakers from the area of autonomy, Mangudadatu said. The Philippine Muslim Today news tried but failed to get words from Maguindanao Gov. SangkiMangudadatu as of press time, even as readers had earlier reported about BARMM officials led by ICM Ebrahim holding two meetings with the lady governor twice before Tuesday‘s executive conference. Rep. Mangudadatu said Sec. Lorenzana announced among meeting attendees about the need for them to come up with final positions by Friday, March 12 to be submitted for ―review‖ by legal authorities from the Justice Department and the Palace before submission to President Duterte for decision. President Duterte is under persuasion to certify as urgent the election-postponing bills for an extended BTA lifespan through a snowballing campaign for one million signatures by combined forces of supportive sectors and quarters. The nation-wide drive has reportedly mustered over 700,000 signatures as of press time. Gov. Adiong said the

so-called ―legal review‖ was prompted by assertions from some quarters that even if Congress shall have passed a bill postponing the 2022 regional polls and extending BTA term, there would still be need for a plebiscite because R.A. 11054 (Bangsamoro Organic Law) was subjected to ratified through referendum in 2019. He said Palace officials, possibly Sec. Lorenzana, would meet again with lawmakers, governors and BARMM leaders next week to inform them of the result of the ―review‖ by the executive department‘s legal bodies. Adiong said that as far as the BTA term ―extension issue‖ is concerned, the majority of constituent lawmakers and three of five provincial governors are supportive. He was referring to himself, Gov. Sali and Gov. Salliman, whose provincial board adopted about two weeks ago a resolution endorsing poll postponement and BTA term extension. Rep. Mangudadatu said he pleaded to fellow attendees in Tuesday‘s meeting to fully agree with the poll postponement because the absence of a BARMM electoral code defining the processes and mechanics of re-

gional polls is posing a legal challenge to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) come 2022 elections. Echoing an earlier view by BTA Parliament Member-lawyer Jose Lorena, Mangudadatu said the electoral code under deliberation by the BARMM cabinet for submission to parliament consideration will define specific traits of district and party accreditations different from existing Comelec standards. ―I explained (at Tuesday‘s meeting) that in the absence of a regional code, Congress will be compelled to define the election procedures (in a process) that will further prolong and complicate the debate,‖ Mangudadatu said. Mangudadatu said he has prodded ―everybody at the meeting‖ that things will be simplified if they all agree for one direction – parliament poll postponement and BTA term extension. ―The three-year BTA term (ending in 2022) is too short for the BARMM governance to fully accomplish its missions under the law,‖ the Muslim lawmaker said, pointing out that congress had tinkered with the election periods in the area of autonomy at least three times. BARMM | A3

BTA term extension proponents see PRRD‟s „urgent‟ push as Basilan‟s SP, ex-movie actor back bandwagon

OTABATO CITY — Backers of campaign for extended Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) term have expressed trust for Presidential certification of enabling bills as ―urgent,‖ even as Basilan through its Sangguniang Panlalawigan and former movie actor-turned-Muslim Bing Davao joined the bandwagon of supports. Bing, elder brother and son of veteran movie actors Ricky and Charlie Davao, respectively, has caught the public in surprise by announcing in a video shot at the panoramic Sultan Bolkiah Mosque here through which he revealed his reversion to Islam in recent years and now campaigning for robust autonomy for his Bangsamoro brethren. Speaking in Pilipino, Bing narrated how spoilage in cinematic fame led him to faithful Islamic life and opened his eyes in awe to the Bangsamoro Muslims‘ perseverance in struggling for selfdetermination that came to fruition with the establishment of autonomous governance in Mindanao. Bing appealed to his Filipino compatriots, particularly the national authorities to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) an extended transitional operation needed in building a stable peace and meaningful growth in southern Philippines. An e-copy of Bing‘s video reached the Philippine Muslim Today news on Saturday at a time Maguindanao second District Rep. Esmael ―Toto‖ Mangudadatu‘s office furnished the same media outfit a copy of Resolution No. 202135 adopted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Basilan ―supporting the proposed extension period‖ of the BTA, the interim ruling body of the autonomous region. The resolution, passed on March 4, described the possible extended term ―as an avenue for the effective fulfillment of the BTA‘s mandates, among others, in sustaining peace for its people.‖ Consensus Davao meeting offshoot The SP resolution passage less than a week after BARMM top officials led by Chief Minister Ahod ―Hadji Murad‖ Ebrahim met with Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman and Sulu Governor Sakur Tan in Davao City on Feb. 27 in what was publicized as a ―consensus‖ conference. Earlier, Rep. Hataman, a former governor of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), has filed a Congressional resolution seeking a ―mid-term‖ review over the two-year existence of the succeeding BARMM. But BARMM officials rejected the ―review‖ call, saying it could be a ―dilatory tactic‖ to sway away lawmakers‘ attention to existing bills postponing the 2022 regional polls and extending the BTA interim term. Gov. Tan, for his part, has publicized consistent opposition to the term extension, claiming the BARMM governance has not rendered substantial services to Sulu people. But Sulu Rep. Munir Arbison and the ―Save Sulu Movement‖ made separate endorsements for the BTA term extension. No officials, who attended the Davao meeting, would divulge what was agreed upon. BTA Parliament Member Rasul Enderes admitted at a virtual press briefing in Cagayan de Oro City Friday that he was present at the Davao meeting but he was ―not free‖ to talk about the agenda. Proponents‘ trust for Presidential certification At Friday‘s press briefing, all five panelistproponents for extension expressed unanimous confidence for President Duterte to certify ―urgent‖ the Congressional bill seeking to postpone the 2022 regional parliament elections, though in varying degrees. BTA TERM | A10

The Community

Adiong demands popular consultation on proposed Marawi waste dump site project COTABATO CITY — Residents of Marawi City‘s lakeshore community protesting a proposed P300-million garbage dump site in their village have found a strong ally in Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal ―Bombit‖ AlontoAdiong Jr., who broke silence to intercede for propriety in the choice of project site. Interviewed by phone Monday and Wednesday by the Philippine Muslim Today news, Gov. Adiong acknowledged the vitality of a safe dumpsite in Marawi City, admitting that Lanao del Sur has only two waste disposal management facilities located in Wao and Amai-Manabilang (formerly Bumbaran) towns. ―We really need a waste disposal facility such as the one proposed in Marawi, a component city of our province. But we have to ensure that the facility will be placed in a proper area and not risky to the health and wellbeing of residents,‖ Adiong said in the vernacular. Gov. Adiong said some leaders of the protesting residents of Barangay Sugod Proper, one of Marawi City‘s farming and fishing villages lying on the shore of Lake Lanao, met him over the weekend to complain of alleged railroading in the transfer of the P300-million proposed project site from Barangay Malimono to their village. The project has been programmed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as a component of the package of rehabilitation efforts for war-torn Marawi City. It was originally designed for Barangay Malimono in Marawi City where the DENR found a 31.7hectare project site with P60-million allocation to purchase the lot, it was learned. Earlier, City Mayor Majul Gandamra told the Philippine Muslim Today news that part of the P60-million was already paid out for the Malimono site. But he said government workers were prevented by residents to step on the site, and that a ―large portion‖ of such site was discovered to be part of nearby Kapai town, Lanao del Sur. Gandamra said the Malimono situation prompted the Sangguniang Panglungsod to pass a measure authorizing the transfer of the project site to Barangay Sugod Proper, where the city government found a 20-hectare for the project. A leader from Barangay Sugod had reportedly sold the lot to the city government, not knowing that his land would be used as a garbage dump site, protesting residents said in social media posts. The city SP resolution was received last Jan. 14 by the DENR Region 10 office. On Jan. 19, DENR Undersecretary Jim Sampulna, being the agency‘s focal person to Task Force Bangon Marawi (RFBM) rehab efforts, ―approved‖ the SP resolution-desired transfer of site to Barangay Sugod Proper, official data showed. On Feb. 22, according to the same DENR data showed, a ―contractor site assessment and survey in the new site.‖ But a similar protest has been raised by residents, who complained that pursuing such a project in the new site is also improper because it is higher in elevation over residential areas. Besides, protesters said, the site is not only adjacent to the shore of Lake Lanao and solid or liquid wastes from the operation of a proposed dump site will be detrimental to their fishing and farming activities, not to mention hazards on residents‘ health safety. Reports reaching the Philippine Muslim Today news said the government and DENR officials staged consultative meetings on Feb. 13 and March 8. Supplied photos of the latest meeting showed City Vice Mayor Anuar Rumoros, representatives of DENR‘s Environment Management Bureau (EMB) and leaders of protesting people in attendance. ADIONG | A11

Vol. I, No. 39 | March 12-18, 2021 (Rajab 28-Shaban 5, 1442)

Senate OKs bill dividing Maguindanao; prompt bicameral meet urged By Ali G. Macabalang

OTABATO CITY — The Senate has approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to divide Maguindanao into two provinces– Maguindanao del Norte and MaguindaWith 22 approval votes, no negative vote or abstention, senators passed on Tuesday House Bill No. 6413, sponsored by Senator Francisco Tolentino as chair of the Senate Committee on Local Government. Sen. Tolentino lauded his colleagues in passing the bill, saying it will hasten the political and socio-economic growth of the new provinces, and redound to more focused government services to communities therein. He said the province is blessed with rich and abundant natural resources but its size remains to be a challenge for the provincial government to provide basic services like public health care, education, and transportation to the most remote villages. Senator Bong Revilla, who co-sponsored the bill, shared the optimism, saying the approved division of Maguindanao was ―historic‖ as to bring about ―more responsive‖ and ―participative‖ governances in the two new provinces. The proposed provinces were named as Southern and Northern Maguindanao in the original bills harmonized and passed on June 1, 2020 by the House of Representatives on June 1, 2020 on authorship of Congressmen Esmael Mangudadatu and Ronnie Sinsuat Sr. of the province‘s second and first districts, respectively. The Senate made an omnibus amendment and renamed the two units as Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte. Senator Miguel

ABOVE: online-derived photo of Senator Francisco Tolentino presenting to plenary Zuburi, who pushed for the amendment, acknowledged the difficulty in managing a large province like Maguindanao with 36 towns and a population of 1,173,933 as of 2015. He cited Bukidnon, his home province, which he said entails for incumbent officials challenges to govern. The bill prescribes for Maguindanao del Norte to encompass Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, and Talitay. Datu Odin Sinsuat is named as its capital town or provincial seat. Maguindanao del Sur consists of Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Abdulla Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Montawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Gen. S. K. Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mamasapano, Mangudadatu, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Sharif Aguak, Sharif Saydona Musta-

BARMM | from Page A2

2 guvs want BARMM polls... Granting the BARMM interim governance three more years ―is nothing compared to the great impact of more stable peace with minimum armed atrocities nowadays

nao del Sur, stirring elation among stakeholders including the proponents of the counterpart bill in the House of Representatives.

in the Bangsamoro region,‖ Rep. Mangudadatu said, attributing the feat to the MILF‘s resort to forging cordiality with the government. Mangudadatu is author

fa, Sultan sa Barongis, Talayan, and South Upi. The bill retains the existing Buluan capital town as official provincial seat for Maguindanao del Sur. Rep. Mangudadatu, a former three-term governor of Maguindanao, watched Tuesdays‘ live streamed Senate session and immediately heralded the ―good news‖ to his constituents through social media platforms including Facebook. ―Alhamdulillah (praise be to God). We are very glad to announce to our countrymen in the Province of Maguindanao that the House Bill No. 6413 or the law that forms two provinces out of Maguindanao has been passed third and final reading of the Senate this afternoon,‖ Mangudadatu said in a Facebook post Tuesday evening. ―To Senator Francis ′ ′Tol′′ Tolentino and to all our senators, we in the province of Maguindanao are very grateful to you for listening to our request,‖ he said. Interviewed over the phone Wednesday morning by of one of four bills in the House of Representatives and two bills in the Senate that all seek to amend the BOL to postpone the 2022 parliament election and extend the BTA transitional operations. Asked anew for his categorical assessment of

the Philippine Muslim Today news, Mangudadatu said he has urged House Majority Floor Leader Martin Rolmualdez and his Senate counterpart to facilitate the conduct of a bicameral committee conference to come up a joint report on the bill and submit to the President for signing into law. Mangudadatu said he was hoping the joint meeting will happen this or next week. He added that once brought to Malacañang, the bill will automatically become a law after 30 days if it not signed by the President within the period. If the desired timeline took due course, the Commission on Elections will be able to hold a referendum for such law prior to the October 1-5, 2021 filing of candidacies for elective local and national posts in 2022, Mangudadatu said. He was also optimistic that registered voters in the proposed two provinces will be able to elect their separate sets of governors, vice governors, provincial board members, mayors and representatives to Congress in time with the 2022 synchronized elections. AGM the debate proceedings, Mangudadatu said he remained confident of the passage of a pollpostponing bill for Congress adjourns sine die on June 4 this year. He said the process will be swifter if the President certifies the measure ―urgent.‖ AGM

Across Mindanao

Vol. I, No. 39 | March 12-18, 2021 (Rajab 28-Shaban 5, 1442)

Zambo town acquires modern facility for dried fish mass production

WestMinCom Chief graces the chartering of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Zamboanga City

By Ali G. Macabalang

LUTANGA, Zamboanga Sibugay == Organized fish drying industry players here have acquired a modern facility to inThe Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), the principal assisting agency, turned over on Sunday, March 7 the enabling SteamPowered Fish Drying Facility, including a Vacuum-Packing Equipment, to the recipient group amid resounding applause by residents and town officials. The facility, which was earlier sought by fishing residents as a vital important intervention to improve their economic conditions, will not only maximize production of quality and clean dried fish but also add value to the fish catch in this island town, said MinDA Chairman Manny Piñol, who led the symbolic turnover rite here. This town, one of 26 rich fishing grounds piloted under the MinDA‘s Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Program (MInFAD), was visited months ago by Sec. Piñol in his regular ―Beauty and Bounty of Mindanao‖ visitations. The steam-powered fish drying facility can dry as much as 400 kilos per 6 hours, and operate at night or even during

rainy days because the main source of heat is a mini-boiler system designed and fabricated by a Mindanao inventor, Engr. Rudy Cane of Butuan City, Sec. Piñol said. He said the MinDA initiative has been rallied by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture by providing this town with six Fiberglass boats, three of which will be used to patrol waters surrounding the island to stop illegal fishing. Olutanga Mayor Arthur Ruste Sr. enthusiastically witnessed Sunday‘s turnover ceremony, during which fishing locals named four fish species fit for processing into dried fish – Danggit, Balo, Bangsi and squid, locally called Lomayagan. Piñol said the facility‘s products were assured of marketing in different supermarkets in Mindanao, including a chain of supermarkets in Cebu City, the Ultramart owned by General Santos City-based business couple, Nathaniel and Marivet Caballero.

crease in several folds their production in more quantity and quality levels, according to assisting authorities.

Dr. Anshari Ali Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., commanding general of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom). (Contributed Photo)

Sec. Manny F. Piñol looking at an array of dried fish along the roadside of Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay months ago. The facility will initially accommodate raw fish catches from the neighboring two towns of Mabuhay and Talusan in Zamboanga Sibugay to maximize production on a cohesive approach, he said. Piñol urged local officials to ―unite and avail of the loaning programs of both the Development Bank of the Philippines and the Land Bank of the Philippines to acquire modern fishing boats to support the program.‖ The facility‘s turnover ―came six months after I visited Olutanga on Sept. 1, 2020 during which I discovered the vast potentials of the town and the whole island in fisheries and

aquaculture production,‖ the MinDA chief recalled. Olutanga is the first fishing town of Mindanao to receive processing facilities pipelined under MinDA‘s ―Fish Centers Initiative,‖ he said. Twenty five other Mindanao fishing communities are programmed to receive facilities like ice-makers, blast freezers, cold storage, and processing equipment to enable fisherfolk to add value to their catch, he added. The program is one of the projects to be funded by the European Union Grant Fund for the MINPAD RISE program. AGM

Firm, communities plant 1 million trees together for environmental protection in Mindanao provinces TAMPAKAN, South Cotabato — A mining outfit that has not even started extracting copper since its inception in 1995 has since planted more than a million trees around the sites where it is to operate. Documents obtained by Philippine Muslim Today (PMT) from local officials in Tampakan, South Cotabato; in Malungon, Sarangani; in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur; and in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat indicated that the Sagittarius Mines, Inc., or SMI, had hit as early as 2017 its target of planting a million trees in the four towns. While the SMI has not even mined for copper and gold yet in upland areas in the four towns through its ―Tampakan Project,‖ it has spent in recent years P200 million for environment-protection, infrastructure, education and livelihood projects for indigenous Blaan and non-Blaan settler communities. Key Blaan tribal leaders, among them Bae Dalena Samling of the community council in Barangay Danlag in Tampakan, confirmed to PMT that the SMI had, along with community-based partners, planted in the past 15 years no fewer than a million fo rest and fruit tree seedlings in the hinterlands where it plans to operate. Samling and other officials of the Blaan tribal

councils and leaders of settler Cebuano and Ilonggo communities in Tampakan, Malungon, Kiblawan and Columbio towns have been vocal in expressing favor for the planned operation of SMI. The National Commission on Indigenous People permitted in September 2020, on behalf of the Blaan communities in the four towns, the SMI‘s planned extraction of copper and gold in their tribal domains in the context of self-determination based on the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, or the Republic Act 8371. The SMI, as of July 2017, already planted 1.1 million trees in the four towns through its ―Mele to kayu,‖ or Let us plant trees project, according to reports obtained from field personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 12. Updates on SMI‘s tree-planting project are reported periodically to the mayors and the municipal planning and development coordinators of LGUs in the copper-rich municipalities, according to the DENR. SMI officials said the Mele to kayu project complements the National Greening Program of the DENR. Municipal officials said the SMI has a nursery that can produce 500,000 forest and orchard tree seedlings every 12 months. Local officials told the the Media that the mining firm and its community partners have reforested 463 hectares of contiguous lands in the copper-rich Tampakan, Malungon, Kiblawan and Columbio towns in recent years. JIJ

AMP NAVARRO, Calarian, Zamboanga City: The Commanding General of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) has graced the Chartering of Western Mindanao Region XII of the Fraternal Order of Eagles held at the Madrid Grand Ballroom, Palacio del Sur, Governor Camins Avenue, this city on Tuesday afternoon, March 9. Highlights of the activity were the reading of the Charter Grant in favor of the newly-organized charter, the Western Mindanao Region XII, and the oath-taking of the 2021 Regional Officers. In his remarks, Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., WestMinCom commander said, ―Your endeavors and significant contributions to the people are manifestations of your sense of belongingness, brotherhood, and service for the people towards our common goal of nation-building.‖ He also urged the members to continue their efforts in imparting the organization‘s ideals to other people. ―The services we provide to those in need, how little they may be, will always be significant supplements to the effects we want to achieve,‖ Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. added. The Fraternal Order of Eagles is a socio-civic organization with a guiding principle of service through strong brotherhood and fraternal ties among members as the keystone to humanitarian service. It was established pursuant to the Constitution and By-Laws adopted at Quezon City on July 7, 1979. JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

Mayor Isko, too, mourns demise of Lanao’s princess COTABATO CITY — Manila City Mayor Francisco ―Isko Moreno‖ Damagoso has joined fellow Filipinos, Muslims and Christians alike, in mourning the demise of Princess Tarhata AlontoLucman, describing her passing away as ―great loss‖ to peace and unity-building local governments. ―As the whole Bangsamoro mourn the great loss of late Princess Tarhata Alonto-Lucman, the first female governor of Lanao del Sur, an active negotiator and remarkable woman, I join you in your prayers and expression of sincere condolences as we honor her memory,‖ the young popular mayor said in a video message. A common friend furnished the Philippine Muslim Today news an e-copy of the video footage, through which Mayor Isko conveyed his sympathy to bereaved relatives, friends and supporters of the late former governor in the Islamic world, citing his turf being once upon a time ruled by Muslim rajas. ―Nakikiramay ako, sampu ng aking pamilya at ang lungsod ng Maynila na (pinamahalaan) 500 years ago ruled by Muslim leaders,‖ said mayor, whose name is consistently mentioned among personalities of presidential qualities. He said the demise of the 94-year old exgovernor was God‘s will, even as he Islamic adage: ― Verily we belong to Allah, verily to Him do we return (Inna Lillah wa inna ilaihi raajioun). ―May her legacy inspire this generation and the future to come,‖ Mayor Isko said, referring to the exploits of the late princess in fostering mutual respect among peoples of varied tribes and faiths. ALI G. MAABALANG

News

Vol. I, No. 39 | March 12-18, 2021 (Rajab 28-Shaban 5, 1442)

Lack of BARMM electoral code is another factor justifying BTA term extension drive – Mangudatatu

BARMM health workers start getting injected as vials reach PH

By ALI G. MACABALANG

OTABATO CITY — Lack of mandated electoral code in the new autonomous region is another pressing factor that necessitates a Congressional move to postpone the Rep. Mangudadatu, a principal author of one of six electionpostponing bills in Congress, was interviewed Monday, March 8 over the phone by the Philippine Muslim Today news to which he mentioned the new twist in snowballing calls for BTA term extension. Presidential push Mangudadatu has renewed confidence that the House of Representatives and the Senate will pass a synchronized bill postponing the 2022 polls for regional parliament members and extending the BTA term from that year to 2025. But because Congress has only 24 session days left before adjourning sine die on June 4, President Duterte‘s push via ―urgent‖ certification of the bill can make the great difference in hastening the passage of the enabling measure, he said. Also on Monday, four more civil society groups said they will stage a caravan of least 3,000-vehicle caravan in the two Lanao provinces on March 13 to help convince President Duterte into certifying any of the electionpostponing bills as ―urgent‖ measure to foster his commitment for robust autonomy in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The caravan, organized by the Ranaw Confederation for Peace (RCP), One Bangsamoro Movement (1 Bangsa), Moro Ako, and the Coalition of Moro Youth Movement (CMYM), will cruise the Marawi City- Iligan CitySultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del NorterMalabang-GanassiMasiu, Lanao del Sur highway and back to Marawi City to bolster the national signature campaign for a Presidential certification, event fellow facilitator

2022 regional parliament election and extend the lifespan of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), According to Maguindanao Rep. Esmael ―Toto‖ Mangudadatu.

Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal “Bombit” Alonto-Adiong alongside Provincial Health Officer Dr. Allen Minalang announced their receipt on Friday of their turf’s 972 vaccines-share from BARMM distribution. (Photo supplied)

A photo of Maguindanao First District Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu culled from his recorded live TV interview over PTV-4 by broadcaster Cesar Soriano on March 8. Nurhalim Carim said. 1 million signatures The Mindanao People‘s Caucus, a member-player of the ―Insider Mediators‖ for BTA term extension, announced that as of last Friday, March 5 690,177 signatures have already been mustered, and that the manifestation will be handed to the President once it reached one million, MPC chairlawyer Mary Ann Arnado said. Muslim, Christian and indigenous people leaders including Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, Governors Nancy Catamco of North Cotabato and Bombit Adiong of Lanao del Sur, and the provincial boards of Maguindanao and Basilan, and the Save Sulu Movement have conveyed separate manifestos of support for extension of BTA term from 2022 to 2025. Viable remedy to confusion Rep. Mangudadatu said the campaign for President Duterte‘s ―urgent push‖ for the enactment of a law delaying the BARMM parliament members‘ election to 2025, adding that such will be the best solution to a foreseen confusion in the 2022 elections. By confusion, he was referring to a recent assertion from BTA parliament lawyermembers that pending the adoption of a re-

gional electoral code in BARMM, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will not be able to administer polls for regional legislators. Under R.A. 11054, BARMM is mandated to have its own electoral code defining the processes and mechanisms for the election of 80 regular parliament members, BTA Parliament member-lawyer Jose Lorena pointed out in a webinar on March 5. Due to the pandemic, the BTA has been able to enact only the BARRM‘s administrative and civil service codes, with the drafts of ordinances on electoral process, revenue, education and other basic laws still under deliberations in the regional cabinet before reaching the interim parliament, it was learned. Lorena said the regional elections in BARMM are distinct from the Comelec existing standards on party accreditation and legislative district subdivisions and field offices. ―Where will the candidates for parliament (seats) file their certificates of candidacies?‖ Lorena asked, hinting that the Comelec main office or its field outfits in the region would not be in proper jurisdiction to receive such documents. Congressional clarification Rep. Mangudadatu

said he will take up in Congress the issue about absence of BARMM electoral law as an added factor justifying a postponement in the first election of regular parliament members in 2022. Before confusion takes its toll on stakeholders come filing of local and national candidacies on October 1-5, national lawmakers should be able to thresh out this foreseen issue, the former three-term governor-turncongressman said. There are two bills in the Senate and five similar measures in the House of Representatives pushing for amendment of R.A. 11054 (Bangsamoro Organic Law) to postpone the 2022 regional polls in order to extend the BTA term. A fifth House bill authored by Lanao Norte Rep. Khalid Dimaporo wants the BTA lifespan extended to 2028 but pushes for the conduct of the 2022 polls on schedule. The two Senate bills were introduced by Senators Koko Pimentel and Richard Gordon after House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, Maguindanao Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu, Majority Leader Martin Romualdez and House Deputy Speaker Isidro Ungab filed similar bills in the lower legislative chamber to postpone the 2022 polls and extend the lifespan of the BTA lifespan. AGM

COTABATO CITY — Long awaited supplies of Coronavirus-shielding vaccines have started reaching in the country, prompting national authorities to share parts of the stuffs for immediate use by frontline health workers in the different regions to include the Bangsamoro autonomous area. The Bangsamoro autonomous region‘s Health Ministry announced on Thursday its receipt of 4,200 vaccines here, and its dispatch of proportionate vials to frontline workers in the component provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. From the initial tranche of 4, 200 vials of Sinovac, each of BARMM‘s 2,100 health workers would receive 2 shots at four-week per injection, according to Dr. Ameril Usman, regional OIC-health minister, who volunteered to take the first injection. Of the Sinovac vials received, Maguindanao shared 1,400 pieces, 972 in Lanao Sur, 278 in Basilan, 1,032 in Sulu, and 518 for Tawi-Tawi, Usman said, clarifying that health workers here have been supplied from Region 12. On Friday, Lanao del Sur Gov. Bombit AlontoAdiong and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Allen Minalang staged at the capitol complex in Marawi City a symbolic receipt of their turf‘s share of 972 vials. Report reaching the Philippine Muslim Today news said Dr. Minalang administered the administration of the first of two injection shots among his provincial office frontline workers. Lanao del Sur‘s health workers in five district hospitals will start taking the first shots on March 8, beginning with the frontline personnel at Dr. Montaner Hospital in Malabang town, provincial information officer Jennie Tamano said. The Bangsamoro autonomous region‘s initial share was part of the 600,000 Sinovac vaccines shipped in on Feb. 28 by the Chinese government and ceremonially received by national officials led by President Duterte at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. The Philippines is the last to receive Coronavirus vaccines in Southeast Asia, though Palace officials have said more vial supplies would be arriving in tranches from China and other donor nations. ―There is light at the end of the tunnel. That is light at the end of the tunnel,‖ Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said, referring to the country‘s long wait that initially ended with China‘s preliminary donation. In a statement furnished with the Philippine Muslim Today news on Friday, the American embassy announced the arrival in Metro Manila on Thursday of 487,200 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines donated by the U.S. government initially for the Philippines through the COVAX Advance Market Commitment. The COVAX Advance Market Commitment is a global initiative to support equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, through which the ―United States already has donated Php97.2 billion ($2 billion) by far the largest contribution‖ across the globe, the embassy statement said. ―The United States is proud to be the largest contributor to COVAX, and we welcome the successful arrival of the first tranche of AstraZeneca vaccines in the Philippines. As we fight the pandemic together, the United States government will continue to support the Philippines‘ vaccination and COVID-19 mitigation efforts,‖ said U.S. Embassy Chargé d‘Affaires John Law. ALI G. MACABALANG

Editorial

Vol. I, No. 39 | March 12-18, 2021 (Rajab 28-Shaban 5, 1442)

Philippine Muslim Today Inc.

Ijtihad

DATU YUSOPH B. MAMA Chairman, Board of Directors MASIDING NOOR YAHYA President/CEO

MEHOL K. SADAIN

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Vice President for Internal Affairs ALI G. MACABALANG Vice President for External Affairs ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL Treasurer MACOD D. RASCAL Secretary CASAN C. CANA Auditor

PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY MASIDING NOOR YAHYA Editor-In-Chief and Publisher JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Managing Editor Bureau Chief for National Capital Region ALI G. MACABALANG News Editor Bureau Chief for Bangsamoro & Central Mindanao Regions ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL Bureau Chief for Northern Mindanao Region JOHNNY R. LEE Bureau Chief for Western Mindanao Region PHIL MUSLIM Layout Artist FATIMA ORTIL-JANNARAL Advertising Sales Director for NCR NUR-ALI A. MACABALANG Correspondent COLUMNISTS | WRITERS: ATTY. HOMOBONO A. ADAZA ATTY. BAYAN G. BALT BENJ BANGAHAN, M.D., FPCP, FPCCP ATTY. JUAN PONCE ENRILE JOHNNY R. LEE, Ph.D ATTY. NASSER A. MAROHOMSALIC FILEMON G. ROMERO, Ph.D ATTY. MEHOL K. SADAIN DR. ABDUL HANNAN M. TAGO DISCLAIMER: Opinion of the writer expressed herein is not necessarily the opinion of Philippine Muslim Today nor of its management. TEMPORARY BUSINESS OFFICE:

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Front page of PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY previous issue.

QUANTUM TIME and the ISRA WA L-MI’RAJ

quantum leap or a quantum jump is simply defined as a great development or advance in something. For instance, you can describe the present computer encoding desktop and laptop as a quantum leap from the typewriter, or the smartphone from the dialtype telephone of the 70s and earlier. In science it points to a sudden and abrupt huge transition from one discrete energy state to another, like when an electron becomes highly energized and jumps to another level. In recent years, some meditative spiritual teachers have entertained the idea of an accelerated and elevated divine experience and began calling this a spiritual quantum leap, leading to a change in one‘s spiritual perspective and predisposition. Going now to the concept of time, which is the fourth dimension of space, the first three being length, width and depth, it is said that scientists, since the time of Einstein have theorized that time can be broken into slices known as time quanta which is defined as the period of time a process is allowed to run. According to an article by Richard John Anthony, the size of a time quantum can be selected when a particular process is allowed to run on a preemptive scheduler. He illustrates this with the way a movie works. The typical number of frames per second in a normal movie timeline is said to be 24 frames or more per second. When this is flashed before our eyes, we see the frames as a continuous naturally moving image. Anything less or more, will bring about irregular movements, either lazily slow or erratically fast. There are many quantum implications of this process, but the point we are interested in, is that the length of the quanta can be pre-determined to achieve the desired time and space interweaving, which can slow down or hasten time, or set time quanta one after another. Going beyond the Newtonian absolute time concept, Einstein discovered that in relativity, time being an integral part of the fabric of the universe, cannot exist apart from the universe, but if the speed of light is invariable and absolute in the universe, then both space and time must co-exist as flexible and relative variables. As a result of Einstein‘s Theory of Relativity, space and time have merged into four-dimensional space-time, expanding from the earlier three-dimensional space. Modern physicists no longer regard time as ―passing‖ or ―flowing‖ and merely a sequence of events. They realized that past and present are ―simply there‖, laid out as part of a four-dimensional space-time continuum, some of which we have already visited, and some not yet. All of time (past, present and future) are constantly in existence even if we are not able to witness them. [Excerpted and paraphrased from Quantum Time – Exactly What is Time? www.exactlywhatistime.com ] The statements above are simply mind-boggling, and even as modern science and erudite scientists try to explain them, questions still haunt the limited intellect of man. This brings us therefore to the experience of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) commemorated by the Muslims this 11th day of March: the Isra wa l-Mi’raj or the journey of the Prophet from the Masjid AlHaraam in Mecca to the Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, and his ascension to the Seventh Heaven, both of which defy our ordinary concepts of time and space, and precedes by more than a thousand years, the abovementioned quantum discoveries in modern times. The Noble Qur‘an mentions the Isra or journey from Mecca to Jerusalem in Surah 17, Verse 1, when ALLAH says: “Glory to Him who took His servant for a journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque whose precincts We blessed, in order that We might show him some of Our Signs, for He is the One who Hears and Sees (all things).” The narrations in the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) state that after the Angel Gabriel opened the Prophet‘s breast and cleansed his heart with water from the zamzam well, Gabriel mounted the Prophet on the Buraq which brought him from Mecca to the Mosque Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. After visiting different places and leading all the Prophets in prayer, the Prophet was taken by Angel Gabriel to the First Heaven up to the Seventh Heaven until he came to the farthest point in the Seventh Heaven, the Lote Tree or the Sidratu l-Muntaha, where he is said to have met God (or seen His Signs). The Prophet‘s meeting with ALLAH at the end of his Mi‘raj is alluded in Surah An-Najm, Verses 13 to 18, as follows: “For indeed he saw him at a second descent, near the Lote Tree of the utmost boundary, near the Garden of Abode. Behold the Lote Tree was shrouded with what shrouds it. His sight never swerved nor did it go wrong! For truly did he see, of the Signs of his Lord, the Greatest!” Although, the earlier verses (Verses 5-12) of Surah Najm seem to indicate a meeting of the Prophet with Gabriel to receive ALLAH‘s revelations, which may not have been during the Mi’raj, the verses quoted above specifically mention the Lote Tree twice and punctuate it with seeing ―the Signs‖ of ALLAH, hence, closely resembling the Mi’raj experience of the Prophet. When the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) returned that same night, the skeptics naturally doubted his experience, and suspected that he was merely dreaming. For how could a man travel thousands of miles then go up to heaven, and return in a matter of hours? However, the Prophet correctly pointed out to them that in his Isra, he saw a caravan approaching Mecca, and true enough a caravan later arrived in Mecca. This extraordinary experience of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) defied the Quraish‘s ordinary notion of space and time, as the modern concept of quantum space and time also defy our usual and normal understanding of space and time. But unlike the past, when the Isra wa l-Mi’raj of the Prophet appeared like crazed hallucination to his detractors, today‘s new discoveries on quantum space and time present a scientifically plausible explanation to the Night Journey of the Prophet of Islam. [More on this in the next column]

Opinion

BY YUSUF ASHRAF “JOEY”PAMARAN TUGUNG

ut of the 219 countries and territories, to date Philippines ranked number 30 in terms of coronavirus confirmed cases (594,412) and deaths (12,516). In Southeast Asia, after Indonesia, Philip pines has the secondhighest tally of infections and deaths. Twelve months away from the pandemic, obviously our country has been failing in mitigating the rising spre ad of the coronavirus. Among others, this is what you get when the county‘s COVID19 Inter-Agency Task Force is being led and managed by retired military officers, bureaucrats and civil servants; and not by leading experts in public health, virology, immunology, epidemiology and the academe (on statistical models and data analytics). Moreover, when politicians have been politicizin g the public health emergency crisis as a PR or publicity stunt (for political gain) instead of dealing the COVID-19 as a science to understand and to educate

the public. As a result of the IATF‘s mediocrity and the local government official‘s ineptitude, it is not surprising why the Philippines has ende d up as the last among the Southeast Asian countries to have access to the vaccines. By its own admission – not having the financial resources to purchase the vaccines, and desperate to inoculate its people so it can bring the weakening economy back to its feet, the Duterte administration even went to the extent of embarrassingly proposed trading our nurses, like chattels or commodities, with the United Kingdom and Germany in exchange for vaccines. In addition, in a sign of desperation, the president said last December that he would proceed to abrogate a key security pact with the United States (that allows large numbers of American troops to conduct war exercises in the Philippines) if Washington could not provide at least 20 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine. When both gambit failed, o ur country fell prey into the ―vaccine diplomacy‖ of China who has been peddling in the international community its coronavirus

Batanes to Tawi-Tawi JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

e have finally reached the 39th Issue of Philippine Muslim Today after the Editor-inChief and myself conceptualized of creating a Digital Online News with the inclusive week of June 19 to June 25, 2020 that represented the maiden issue of this e-paper. Be that as it may, in our almost 10 months of circulation as a Digital Online we have met so many Ups & Downs. But mostly down but this has not deterred us nor became a hindrance that we should fold up or fold down. On the contrary, we continue until now to provide free and legit information every Friday morning to our thousands of readers nationwide and in some parts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, USA

and even from Malaysia. We have Bureau Chief with gratis emolument in at least 4 Regions at NCR News Bureau based in Metro Manila; BARMM & Central Mindanao Regions based in Cotabato City; Northern Mindanao News Bureau based in Iligan City; and Western Mindanao News Bureau based in Zamboanga City. Not only that as of now while we understand the needs of our Columnists we still lack the financial capability to provide them even just for their Internet expenses. With this we are so much thankful to our remaining Columnists that perhaps due to their passion and love of writing they are still with us through thick and thin. There is no need for me to identify

Vol. I, No. 39 | March 12-18, 2021 (Rajab 28-Shaban 5, 1442)

The Government’s Seemingly Reckless Decision: The Case Against the Sinovac Vaccine (1) vaccinesi.e., Sinovac, CanSino and Sinopharm. Vaccine hungry and with no money to buy the liquid gold to inoculate at least 75% of its 108 million people, which is the average threshold to establish a ―herd immunity‖, the Philippines has welcomed with open arms China‘s donation of the two-shot Sinovac vaccines despite its spotty data as to its safety and efficacy. Hence, on February 28, 2021, our country received its first batch of 600,000 doses of Sinovac Biotech‘sCOVID19 vaccine, called CoronaVac, and it is expecting the additional delivery of 1 million more doses this month and 25 million doses due to be delivered in batches this year. China‘s donation is a tiny fraction of at least 148 million doses the government has been negotiating to secure from Western and Asian companies to vaccinate about 70 million Filipinos for free in a massive campaign funded by foreign and domestic loans. For a moment, let‘s set aside the potential national security issues in the quid quo pro that is expected out of such arrangements. Understand in the world of geopolitics nothing comes free, especially when

one is dealing with China whose global hegemonic intentions and trajectory has been obvious. In these pandemic times, China and Russia (its vaccine is called Gamaleya Sputnik V) are using the vaccines that they have developed and produced in order to reconfigure the balance of power in the Indo Pacific, Southeast Asia, and even, in the Middle East, Latin America and South Africa regions. China possesses something countries desperately need and will seek to paint the vaccinesprovision as an ―act of charity,‖ when in reality it is not. And it will make it very, very tricky for recipient governments to say no to China for anything in the future. In contrast to Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson and Oxford AstraZeneca, the problem with the People‘s Republic of China is that it is sharing and marketing their vaccines in vaccine-hungry countries without providing transparent, peer reviewed scientific evidence of its clinical trial data, including its research supporting their own vaccination programs in their country. In the interest of the health and safety of the Filipino people, it

is absolute necessary for China to stop hiding its vaccine data. Data transparency, including design of clinical trials, trial populations, safety and efficacy considerations, is very crucial for a population where a sizeable portion are hesitant and critical of vaccines, especially the antivaxxers whose minds have been influenced and shaped by the vaccine disinformation they have been getting in the social media. To make matters worse, our own government has undercut the vital role of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in thescientific and regulatory oversight of vaccines, and in this instance the Sinovac vaccine, before it could proceed to issue an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Understand in a pandemic, one of the agency‘s highest priorities is ensuring the quality, safety and effectiveness of the vaccines, which is essential to engendering the public‘s trust in vaccines. Let‘s take a closer look at the Sinovac vaccine. The Beijing-based biopharmaceutical company Sinovac is behind the CoronaVac, an inactivated vaccine. It works by using killed viral particles to TUGUNG | A10

MP 100 Percent & Moral Governance Legitimize Mindanao as a “Land of Promise” who they are but if you read every issue of this free epaper you will know these Columnists where the management of Philippine Muslim Today cannot quantity the Quantum Admirations for these Columnists. Considering that our main hub is based in Mindanao and touted as the ―Land of Promise,‖ the Philippine Muslim Today has received also several promises from ―Promising Officials‖ from the Bangsamoro Region. Now since it is in time of Pandemic there are English and Non -English words became so common in terms of usage like the words virtual, lockdown, face mask, face shield, contact tracing, asymptomatic, and ―ayuda,‖ a Spanish term from the word ―ayudar,‖ which means to help.

Hence, of all these pandemic terms I will be hypocrite if I will say that I don‘t like ―Ayuda‖ when one ―promising government official‖ in the Bangsamoro Region or in this ―Land of Promise‖ promised me of giving ―Ayuda‖ to this e-paper in a legitimate manner meaning not a mere dole out but by exchange of ―goods & services.‖ It is now the middle of March 2021 when he assured me last January 15 that the ―Ayuda‖ is coming for the PMT with 100% Assurance. Hence, without further delay I broke the good news to one of my colleagues who is a hardened and seasoned Journalist that at one time we have worked together in a popular national daily or a mainstream media. When I relayed to him the

good news he was so skeptical with what he heard from the said ―Promising Yet A Credible Government Official (PYACGO).‖ This is what he told me in reaction to the PYACGO, ―Words made in not face-toface sometimes falter. you can see me asking blunt question to any of the 3 big wigs in BARMM anent their Ayuda, Brod. If physical is not possible, a virtual one is an option.‖ ―Now you know,‖ borrowing the line of the Honorable Senator Manny Pacquiao. At least I came to know that I am indeed in Mindanao, the ―Legitimate Land of Promise.‖ For your comments or suggestions please send your email to: munir1845media@gmail. com

Opinion

Diliman Way HOMOBONO A. ADAZA Fifth, without vision, there is no blue print. Without blue print, they have nothing. They cannot even be compared to a combo. The group can‘t play music, they are discordant. When you have a revolutionary government, you play like a symphony orchestra with an Arturo Toscanini or a Zubin Mehta. Or even in an ordinary orchestra, it must have an Andre Kostelanetz, Henry Mancini, Lawrence Welk, Glenn Miller or Harry James leading it. The REVGOV group that held a rally is million light years away from any of these. Sixth, they claim to represent the people with a crowd of more than a thousand. Are they kidding? They are misrepresenting the people. They have no one but themselves and

a band of Duterte cultists who are threatened by the eminent lose of power in 2022. They claim they have secured five million two hundred thousand (5,200,000) signatures endorsing their petition for President Duterte to head their declared revolutionary government. Improbable! Assuming they have secured those numbers, what happened to the 16 million votes Duterte got in the 2016 election? So the petition or President Duterte is not that popular anymore with the people despite the surveys of SWITEK WEATHER SIPSIP and FALSO ASIASWITEKO? Seventh, it has no timeline and that unravels their suspicious intentions. A revolutionary government other than the other funda-

ALI G. MACABALANG

s of 6:20a.m. Thursday, at least 1,008,056 signatures have been mustered in the nationwide online signature drive aimed at persuading President Duterte into certifying one of six bills in Congress (two in the Senate and four in the House) as urgent. All such bills have common purpose – postponing the 2022 election for the 80 regular members of the new autonomous region and extending the lifespan of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to 2025. The incumbent members of BTA, an interim ruling body of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), are all appointees of the President for a threeyear term ending upon the election and qualification in 2022 of their successors. Their

interim Chief Minister is Ahod ―Hadji Murad‖ Ebrahim, chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that forged with the government two major peace deals - the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB) in 2013 and the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB) in 2014. Both FAB and CAB are parts of the basis of Congress to enact in July 2018 Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) or R.A. 11054, which was ratified in January 2019. The edict‘s ratification paved the way for the creation of the BARMM and the abolition of the 29-year old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The BOL mandates two main thrusts normalization track and political track. The first track calls for decommissioning of the

REVGOV KEEPS COMING BACK LIKE A SONG (2)

mental requirements must have a definite timeline. Why? A revolutionary governments means – the government is the law and the leader is the lawgiver. In common language – it is a dictatorship. If you have no timeline, it means Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his band – now and forever. .Other than the Duterte fanatics, is anyone for it? And then, they vanished into the night as fast as they came – with their errors, frustrated with their love for President Duterte and the federal system unreciprocated. Salient observations: There was nonobservance of protocols like – social distancing and no gathering of crowds. There was police presence – but no arrests were made unlike when it is

Punchline

Vol. I, No. 39 | March 12-18, 2021 (Rajab 28-Shaban 5, 1442)

an anti-Duterte crowd. What does this mean? This is a case of selective justice like in the bad old President Pnoy‘s days. This is not surprising as Digong and Noynoy are Siamese twin in so far as wanton violations of the Constitution and the law. Why should the police make arrests? They have been fattened by Duterte in terms of high salaries and privileges, not being criminally liable when in obedience to his orders and for high ranking officers of the PNP appointed to high civilian positions or running for senators despite lack of qualifications? Its scratch my back and I‘ll scratch yours – a very effective formula among Filipinos and well used by President Duterte. Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bu-

reau of Investigation (NBI), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have not said anything about this assault against the Constitution and our existing laws. Are they in conspiracy with these rebels? Neither has President Duterte nor the Senate and House of Representative leadership said anything. Are they also in on a conspiracy or are they the ones orchestrating the conspiracy against the Constitution, our people and our laws? The country and the people need answers. Otherwise, if these institutions and these personalities continue to be silent they are deemed to have admitted their participation by silence. More questions: Silence and inaction by authorities are disturbing. Is this declaration

of a revolutionary government with the consent of President Duterte, as these rally crowd claims? This question is raised as these people obviously violated the Constitution and our laws. Yet, why is there no investigation and prosecution? Are these questions rhetorical? Is the rally – a Duterte a trial balloon? Is Duterte trying to feel the pulse of the people? Why does Duterte not ask the SWITEK WEATHER SISPSIP and FALSO ASIATICO to conduct a survey before he heads a revolutionary government as demanded by those who had a rally in Mendiola? Is the Duterte government determined to install a revolutionary government – to prevent President Duterte from being arrested and prosecuted by the InternaADAZA | A11

More risks in conduct of 2022 BARMM parliament polls

MILF‘s 40,000 combatants and their firearms, and the provision of P1-million socio-economic aid package for each decommissioned member in a grand design to transform the combatants into peaceful and productive civilian life. The second track calls for enactment of codes meant to build a robust autonomous parliament government. The interim BARMM bureaucracy was formally installed by President Duterte on March 29, 2019 but it initially began operating with heads of infant ministries (backed by workforces inherited momentarily from defunct ARMM) in July of same year. Henceforth, BARMM ministries spent time transitioning from phasing out ARMM positions to creating new administrative structures and

recruiting new personnel in processes still continuing to date. As the BARMM governance started receiving initial tranches of block grant and regular national subsidies, the social movements-restraining Coronavirus pandemic struck all corners of the world. The national government was forced to divert resources, including likely funds intended for aids for the decommissioning of MILF forces, to address spread of the viral pandemic. BARMM normal functions have also slowed down, just as other state entities experienced. Last November, independent nongovernment entities assisting the Mindanao peace process have discovered the lack of ample time for the BTA to deliver its mandates, and recommended a three-year extension in its term. BARMM big wigs agreed with the suggestion and

launched campaign for the purpose. The campaign redounded to the filing of six enabling bills in Congress. The bills have just started undergoing committee hearings. Stakeholders are apprehensive that tie is too tight for the legislature pass an enabling law because it has, as of press time, 20 or less session days left before it goes on June 4 adjournment sine die. Top BARMM officials led by ICM Ebrahim, lawmakers and governors from the autonomous region were convened in Manila last Tuesday by the Palace represented by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. The governors of Sulu and Maguindanao asserted for the conduct of the 2022 polls as scheduled, while other meeting attendees batted on the contrary, Maguindanao Rep. Esmael ―Toto‖ Mangudadatu, author of

a bill postponing the polls, said. Sec. Lorenzana, according to Mangudadatu, listened to the conflicting views and took note of them for ―review‖ by the legal luminaries of of the Justice Department and the Palace. He reportedly announced the conduct next week of a similar round of meeting to convey the ―review‖ result. Meantime, Rep. Mangudadatu and BTA Parliament Memberlawyer Jose Lorenzana have been asserting that the conduct of the 2022 polls, if not postponed, would bring about and complex situation. They said the BTA has yet to enact an electoral code defining mechanics of party accreditation and legislative district zoning – something different from the national or Commission on Election standards. MACABALANG | A11

News PTFoMS orders intensified manhunt vs suspect in broadcaster‟s slay

Vol. I, No. 39 | March 12-18, 2021 (Rajab 28-Shaban 5, 1442)

PHL, Indonesia, UNFPA boost Muslim youth’s reproductive health learning As POPCOM launches Islamic values-based module for gender, health education

roponents and stakeholders on adolescents‘ sexual reproductive health (SRH) in the Philippines and Indonesia are advancing the knowledge of Muslim youth on the subject

MALACANANG PALACE, Manila — The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to intensify its manhunt for fugitive Dante Encarnacion Tabusares, the primary suspect in the murder of broadcaster Eduardo Sanchez Dizon in Kidapawan City. PTFoMS Executive Director, Joel Sy Egco, ordered the creation of Special Tracker Teams to hasten the capture of Tabusares along with coaccused Junell Poten pursuant to the Operational Guidelines of the Malacanang-based Task Force. Egco sent a memorandum to PBGen Michael John F Dubria, Regional Director of Police Regional Office (PRO) 12, The directive was made after the PNP PRO 12 met with Task Force officials in a virtual meeting to discuss the latest updates on the media killing cases in the region. It should be recalled that Tabusares, a.k.a. Bong Encarnacion, has reportedly joined the terrorist group Communist Party of the Philippines – New People‘s Army (CPP-NPA) in Arakan, North Cotabato in a desperate attempt to evade arrest. According to Egco in a statement sent to the Philippine Muslim Today, said, ―It is no surprise that Tabusares had sought sanctuary with the communist terrorist group. The NPA today is nothing more than a band of criminals and murderers. Tabusares will fit perfectly with the NPA.‖ Egco said the fugitive from justice even mocked law enforcement agencies by making public statements in social media, an indication that he could still be enjoying the protection of some unscrupulous people. Tabusares allegedly masterminded the killing of Dizon who was critical of the KAPA Community Ministry International‘s investment scheme prior to his death. Tabusares was the local coordinator of KAPA at the time. ―He may cower behind his protectors but he will not evade justice for long. It is my solemn pledge to the family and colleagues of Ed Dizon that Tabusares will be brought to justice to answer for this heinous crime,‖ Egco added. South Cotabato Provincial Director PCol Henry Villar and and Kidapawan City Chief of Police PLt Col Ramel Homilla vowed to double their efforts to capture the suspects with the cooperation and assistance of other member agencies of the Task Force during their meeting with Egco. Earlier, Judge Henelinda Molina-Diaz of Kidapawan Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 61 ordered the arrest of Tabusares under Criminal Case no. 5281-2019 for the murder of Dizon, together with Poten and Sotelo Jacolbe, Jr. Jacolbe has voluntarily surrendered to the authorities. In a related development, the Task Force also asked the Supreme Court on the status of the motion to change venue as requested by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) allegedly on behalf of Dizon‘s kin. This request has the effect of unduly delaying the court proceedings against the suspects. PTFOMS | A10

After three years of preparation, consultations and field testing, the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM), along with Indonesia‘s Ministry of the State Secretariat and the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)—all working under the South-South and Triangular Cooperation on population, family planning, adolescent reproductive health and gender mainstreaming—jointly released the module on February 24, 2021. The five-sectioned compendium aims to educate Muslim adolescents on critical information in the areas of anatomy and physiology, gender and development, health and nutrition, social relationships, as well as human relations and spiritual responsibilities, in the context of Islamic values and principles. Developed as a response to the fourth provision in the fatwa on ―Model Family in Islam‖ first presented in November 2015, POPCOM‘s offices in Region 12 and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) gradually disseminated the teachings of the module while in the process of its development, in partnership with civil service organizations, as well as Muslim religious groups and leaders at the grassroots level. It is also considered part of the initial rollout of the comprehensive sexuality education, or CSE, in the said regions. During the launch, POPCOM XII‘s Regional Director Engr. Edwin Mateo Quijano outlined the three major aims of

the module. These are to (1) educate Muslim adolescents on Islamic values-based information pertaining to gender, SRH and total well-being; (2) empower them to discern in making right decisions beneficial to their wellbeing; and (3) protect them from demands and challenges of daily living. He said its core messages are intended for learners in elementary to high school under the Madrasah Education Program. Undersecretary for Population and Development Juan Antonio Perez III, MD, MPH believes the introduction of the CGHEY module is very timely, given the challenges brought about by the pandemic: ―In the midst of the health crisis, POPCOM‘s partners and stakeholders continue to move forward by finding better ways of reaching out to our young people by providing relevant information and services.‖ Perez anticipates that the learning module will provide young people in BARMM and Region 12 with useful information and skills in their daily lives. These, he said, are for Muslim youth to focus on endeavors that will enrich their knowledge and

with the recent launch of the Comprehensive Gender and Health Education for Youth (CGHEY) Module.

prepare them for responsible adulthood as upright individuals living by Islamic values, while avoiding engaging in activities and practices that will endanger their health and well-being. Grand Mufti Abuhuraira Udasan of Bangsamoro‘s Darul Ifta also underscored the importance of conveying correct knowledge to the region‘s youth in accordance with Islamic principles, as they will impart such to the next generation. ‗Meaningful impact:‘ For POPCOM‘s Deputy Executive Director Lolito Tacardon, the significance of the CGHEY module is reinforced in the face of the increase in the number of teenage pregnancies across the country— especially among very young adolescents, or VYAs—which is further aggravated by the pandemic‘s spread. ―It is vital that we ensure the steady flow of accurate gender- and culturally-sensitive information needed to empower young Muslims, enabling them to make informed choices and sound decisions,‖ the POPCOM official said. ―The module will create a meaningful impact for BARMM‘s youth to be healthy,

responsible and productive citizens of their generation.‖ Citing the Philippine Statistics Authority and the 2017 National Demographic Health Survey, Region 12 and BARMM have two of the highest total fertility levels in Mindanao at 3.4 and 3.1, respectively. Both exhibited elevated fertility levels compared to other regions, and rank higher than the national norm of 2.7. Given this scenario, and the introduction in the regions of the CGHEY module as an intervention, Perez assured BARMM of POPCOM‘s unwavering support through its collaboration with the government of Indonesia and the UNFPA. ―With Muslim boys and girls‘ acquired knowledge and necessary life skills, it is our fervent wish that they would be able to make responsible choices for themselves in their everyday lives, act as keepers and role models to their fellow young people, integrate their faith and cherished values in their way of life, amplify their learnings, and be the harbingers of creative pathways,‖ expressed POPCOM‘s executive director. PR

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World Round-Up

Vol. I, No. 39 | March 12-18, 2021 (Rajab 28-Shaban 5, 1442)

UN: Myanmar likely committing crimes against humanity UN special rapporteur calls for multilateral sanctions, arms embargo on Myanmar junta GENEVA — Myanmar junta‘s brutal response to peaceful protests likely meets the legal threshold for crimes against humanity after credible reports of the ―murder‖ of at least 70 people, a UN special investigator told the Human Rights Council Thursday. ―The people of Myanmar need not only words of support but supportive action,‖ said Tom Andrews, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, saying there is video evidence to back his report. ―They need the help of the international community, now.‖ Security forces in Myanmar have unleashed disproportionate violence to clamp down on anti-coup protesters which started just after Feb. 1 when the country's de facto leader Aung Suu Kyyi was ousted and detained by the military

junta in a coup. ―With the UN Security Council seemingly unwilling to invoke its Chapter VII authority,‖ with regards to threats to peace, Andrews said, UN member states must rally together to take action against the junta. He said the junta is ―a murderous illegal regime‖ and that the ―crimes against the Rohingya people continue‖ pointing to ―higher-level command and control.‖ ―Today, I am therefore urging that as many member states as possible commit to taking strong, decisive, and coordinated action as a coalition of nations -- an Emergency Coalition for the People of Myanmar,‖ he said. Andrews called for the imposition of multilateral sanctions on the junta and on the military-owned Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise, whose revenues from natural gas projects are set to reach $1 billion

this year. He said they could also impose an international arms embargo on Myanmar because ―the people of Myanmar are desperate.‖ Andrews stressed that a growing body of reporting indicates that ―the junta‘s security forces are committing acts of murder, imprisonment, persecution and other crimes as part of a coordinated campaign, directed against a civilian population.‖ ANADOLU

TUGUNG| from Page A7

The Government‘s Seemingly Reckless Decision... expose the body‘s immune system to the virus. One Chinese study published in the scientific journal, The Lancelet, only has information from the first and second phase trials of CoronaVac in China. There were only 144 participants in the phase one trial and 600 in the phase two trial (US FDA minimum requirement is 3,000). In its phase three trials, no data was provided except it said that it conducted in various countries, such as, in Turkey and Indonesia and that the vaccine was 91.25% and 65.3 % effective respectively. Researchers in Brazil initially said it was 78% effective in their clinical trials, but in January 2021 they revised that figure to 50.4%. Indeed, there is a clear discrepancy in their results. But even before the phase three clinical trial results, just like Russia‘s Sputnik V, the Sinovac vaccine was given the green light to be administered to its people in China and in other countries last June, or three months after the pandemic, which was disconcertingly way too fast! Certainly, it is unconventional, or highly irregular, to roll out and ramp up a vaccine programme before any significant data about the Phase 3 clinical trials for the inoculation had been made public or without first going through the last stage trials. Like night and day, in contrast Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna rolled out their vaccines after 9 months of robust scientific data in its 3 phases of clinical trials, which were conducted globally with more than 40,000 participants of different ages, race and ethnicity. On the other hand, Johnson and Johnson (maker of the Jannsen COVID-19 Vaccine) had their EUA approved by FDA 11 months after its global trial, which trial included the UK, South African and Brazil emerging variants. TO BE CONTINUED

BTA TERM | from Page A2

BTA term extension proponents see PRRD‘s ‗urgent‘ push… Asked to provide a 1 to 10 trust scale, Mindanao People‘s Caucus (MPC) leader May Ann Arnado gave perfect 10; BTA Parliament Members Omar Yassr Sema, 8; Jose Lorena, 6; Enderes, 5; and Insider Mediators (IM) member Archie Buaya‘s vote was not clearly stated. The press briefing was organized by the IM, a civil society group backing the extension

call, to call on the Senate and the House of Representatives to fast track the deliberation of six enabling bills – two authored by Senators Richard Gordon and Koko Pimentel and fourmus introduced by Reps. Esmael Mangudadatu, Loren Legarda, Martin Romualdez and Isidro Ungab. Arnado, Lorena and Sema, all lawyers, ex-

plained vital reasons why Congress should approve the call for extension promptly, pointing out that the legislature has only 24 session days left before the adjournment sine die on June 4. President Duterte‘s urgent certification has been sought in a nationwide online campaign, which has gathered as of Friday a total of 690,177 signatures.

Asked individually by the Philippine Muslim Today news, the panelists explained that a failure in the call for BTA term extension bring complication not only in the mandated normalization track of R.A. 11054 (Bangsamoro Organic Law), but also in the political aspect. MP Lorena said it would not be possible for the Commission on Election to undertake

the 2022 regional parliament members‘ first election in 2020 without the BTA having passed an electoral code for the autonomous region. The Comelec has set October 1-5 as the period for filing of certificates of candidacy for local, regional and national bets. But Lorena asked: ―Where will the candidates for parliament members file candida-

cies? He said the electoral code, which was said to be under deliberation by the BARMM cabinet for submission to BTA, would define the rules on party and district representations of parliament members. The existing Congressional districts are different from regional parliament districts, so with variation between party systems in national polls and regional election, Lorena said. ALI G. MACABALANG

PTFOMS | from Page A9

PTFoMS orders intensified manhunt vs suspect in broadcaster‘s slay ―We expected trial to begin last July 2020 but we were surprised that these groups meddled with case. They made the widow of Mr. Dizon believe that the Task Force was aware of such request. This undue and uncalled for request has adversely affected the case and caused delays. They are not parties to the case. Not even involved

in any investigation,‖ bewailed the Palace official. Dizon, a former town councilor of Makilala, North Cotabato, was a blocktime host of the local Brigada News when he was murdered on July 10, 2019. He was driving his car on his way home to Makilala at past 10 p.m.when motorcycle ―riding-intandem‖ gunmen shot

and killed him on the spot. With a dedicated mandate to resolve media killings in the country, Egco also announced the 50th case of media killing that resulted in a guilty verdict with the conviction of accused Leonardo Banaag, Jr. for the murder of radio broadcaster Jovelito Agustin. This brings to 67 the total

number of media killers that were convicted by the courts, the Palace official said. Egco pointed out that from one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, the Philippines‘ status has greatly improved ever since Duterte assumed the presidency in 2016. In 2018, media watchdog Reporters Without Borders

(Reporters Sans Frontieres or RSF) for the first time has delisted the Philippines in its list of top most dangerous countries for journalists in the world. More recently, Egco said that the country was declared as the ―biggest mover‖ by the Committee to Protect Journalists‘ (CPJ) in its annual Global Impunity Index (GII) released last

October 28, 2020. The Philippines is also not included in CPJ‘s list of ―World‘s Worst Places to Be a Journalist‖ or ―10 Most Censored Countries‖. Egco pointed out that the campaign to end impunity against journalists will be another of Duterte‘s legacies to the Filipino people. JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

News

Vol. I, No. 39 | March 12-18, 2021 (Rajab 28-Shaban 5, 1442)

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Sec. Piñol also pays respect to late Lanao’s princess By Ali G. Macabalang

OTABATO CITY — Veteran journalistturned politico-bureaucrat Emmanuel ―Manny‖ Piñol has also aired words of sympathy over the recent demise of Lanao del Sur‘s first female governor. ―The Mindanao Development Authority expresses its deepest condolences to the family of the late Princess Tarhata Alonto-Lucman,‖ Secretary Piñol said in a messenger message Friday night through the Philippine Muslim Today news. Sec. Piñol is the incumbent chairman of the agency, known for short as MinDA. He assumed the agency leadership in August 2019 a few weeks after he resigned as Agriculture secretary. He is the immediate successor in MinDA of Datu Abul Khayr Alonto, who passed away weeks earlier. The predecessor was a nephew of the late princess. ―The agency acknowledges her contributions as a leader to the province of Lanao del Sur,‖ said Sec. Piñol, who has piloted some of his administration‘s vital programs in the Maranao-dominated province in collaboration with incumbent Gov. Mamintal ―Bombit‖ Alonto-Adiong Jr., a grandnephew of the late princess. Sec. Pinol is the latest among key Christian leaders to have conveyed sympathy and honored the memory of former Governor Alonto-Lucman, who passed away on Feb. 26 at the age of 94. A day earlier, Manila Mayor Francisco ―Isko Moreno‖ Damagoso, with whom Sec. Piñol has engaged in another vital MinDA venture late last year, spent an episode of his regular live stream video talks to pay tribute to ―Babu Tata,‖ the deceased Maranao princess. ―As the whole Bangsamoro mourn the great loss of late Princess Tarhata Alonto-Lucman, the first female governor of Lanao del Sur, an active negotiator and remarkable woman, I join you in your prayers and expression of sincere condolenc-

Photo shows Sec. Manny Piñol in the company of Lanao Sur Gov. Bimbit Adiong, es as we honor her memory,‖ the young popular mayor said in a video message. A common friend furnished the Philippine Muslim Today news an e -copy of the video footage, through which Mayor Isko conveyed his sympathy to bereaved relatives, friends and supporters of the late former governor in the Islamic world, citing his turf being once upon a time ruled by Muslim rajas. ―Nakikiramay ako,

sampu ng aking pamilya at ang lungsod ng Maynila na (pinamahalaan) 500 years ago ruled by Muslim leaders,‖ said mayor, whose name is consistently mentioned among personalities of presidential qualities. He said the demise of the 94-year old exgovernor was God‘s will, even as he Islamic adage: ― Verily we belong to Allah, verily to Him do we return (Inna Lillah wa inna ilaihi raajioun).

―May her legacy inspire this generation and the future to come,‖ Mayor Isko said, referring to the exploits of the late princess in fostering mutual respect among peoples of varied tribes and faiths. Earlier, the Senate also passed a resolution introduced by Senator Richard ―Dick‖ Gordon and instantly coauthored by all incumbent female senators, to honor the passing away of Princess Tarhata and pay tribute to her ex-

ploits in public governance. The reigning leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) sent a delegation to Marawi City to personally convey its sympathy and condolences to the bereaved family of the former governor, who was more popular as ―Babo Tata‖ to friends and supprters. MILF‘s Armed Forces Chief of Staff and BARMM Executive Secretary Abdulraof ―Sammy Al-Mansoor‖ Macacua led the delegation accompanied by Regional Local Government Naguib Sinaribo, a nephew-in-law of the deceased. The MILF-BARMM delegation was received by family members of the late princess led by son former Regional Vice Governor Haroun Al-Rashid AlontoLucman and grandnephew Lanao Sur Governor Bombit Alonto-Adiong. AGM

ADIONG | from Page A3

Adiong demands popular consultation on proposed... In a supplied video footage, an EMB representative admitted that the project site is ―10meter higher‖ than lands with residential areas. The March 8 meeting winded up without a consensus among people in attendance, even as protesters said the city government and DENR would call for another conference to strike an agreement, which described as ―impossible‖ for the

same hazard-prone spot. Acid test between DENR and MENRE Protesters said they saw an ―acid test‖ as to which of the DENR or the Bangsamoro region‘s Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE) has the jurisdiction over the issue. Parts of DENR functions have been devolved to the Bangsamoro government a few weeks upon its in-

auguration by the President on March 29, 2019. As far as protecting the watersheds and ecology of Lake Lanao, excluding the hydro power-generating facet of the water body, is now under the jurisdiction of the autonomous government‘s MENRE. The national government has also included the Bangsamoro government as memberentity of the TFBM as of 2020 -a fact deemed by protesters as a factor

making DENR Usec. Sampulna‘s approval of the site transfer ―improper.‖ The Philippine Muslim Today news tried but failed to words from MENRE Minister Abdulraof Macacua and Usec. Sampulna. Head-on collision Gov. Adiong said all succeeding consultative meetings should be attended by policydetermining officials like Minister Macacua, Sanmpulna and Mayor

ADAZA| from Page A8 Duterte band of you know what could be here, now and forever? Of course, the Duterte government will not answer these because the people do not mean anything to it.

MACABALANG | from Page A8

More risks in conduct... Mangudatatu said if Congress will not grant an extension, it must legislative a special law defining the conduct of the election particularly

for the parliamentary setup in BARMM. Where will the parliament candidates file certificates of candidacy? Under what party are

Proper site and pronouncement for consideration of residents‘ protest put him in collision against the city mayor. Gandamra and Adiong were political allies in the 2019 elections. The governor‘s appeared to be equally firm for the welfare of the people of the protesting village, a home place of his late father – former Governor and Congressman Mamintal Adiong Sr. ALI G. MACABALANG up to this day. Whether it is the original version of Dinah Shore or that of Ella Fitzgerald, I love listening to it, humming it or singing it because many beautiful things in my life ―keep coming back like a song.‖ HAA

retain his reign as CM? The use of even a single cent from the regular funds is a form of corruption. Pilfering 1 centavo is no different from stealing a billion pesos in the context of

Why the title and the quotes: Revolutionary government is a recurrent theme of the disgruntled, dispossessed, dreamers and visionaries in an oppressive and unjust society. JFK has

caught the ball by the horns – that explains the quotation. The Irving Berlin song dramatizes the recurrence of the idea just like a lost love. The idea of a revolutionary government has

been haunting since my days of youth at UP – it is an undying dream. The Irving Berlin song haunts me since my youthful days at the Misamis Oriental High School at Cagayan de Oro City. I find the song enchanting, haunting, obsessive and worth remembering

they going to seek electoral mandate? These were questions MP Lorenzana and Rep. Mangudadatu asked. But, in an unlikely failure in the call for extension, the MILF nominee-candidates will

be forced run under the official party - United Bangsamoro Justice Party to slug it out with candidates from other quarters, most likely fielded by incumbent governors, congressmen and mayors in BARMM.

The question is: Are we certain that the regular funds and block grant for BARMM‘s vital projects will be spared from being used to ensure the victory of the MILF nominees including Ebrahim, who has to

REVGOV KEEPS COMING BACK LIKE A SONG tional Criminal Court (ICC) which many claim to be imminent, to prevent President Duterte from being prosecuted and convicted by local courts and spend the rest of his life in jail and so the

Gandamra, who could promptly provide decisive remarks on the spot. Mayor Gandamra earlier said the city government ―will not allow‖ project-impeding protest from residents, explaining that the proposed waste disposal management project would be built with ―new modern technology‖ that will ensure no hazards accruing to residential communities. But Gov. Adiong‘s perceived impropriety of the Baragay Sugod

MACABALANG | A12

Tourism

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Vol. I, No. 39 | March 12-18, 2021 (Rajab 28-Shaban 5, 1442)

The Chinese Entrepreneurs of Bongao (Part V) By JOHNNY R. LEE, Ph.D

GARLIC BUTTER CHICKEN TENDERS "Bangsamoro Halal Dish" WITH MARIA FHEBIE ORTIL

Bongao Island: A once sleepy town but now a vibrant economic center of trade & commerce in the Southern tip of the Philippines triggered by the early Chinese migrants.

he early Chinese migrants in Bongao inherited the dynamism of their ancestors from China - who are prudent, enterprising and more oriented to trade and commerce as compared to the natives of the place. The strategic location of Bongao as a porttown created economic opportunities to start-up a business enterprise for a dozen or so Chinese families bringing with them the pioneering spirit and values that they were noted for. Since they speak the same language and knew each other from where they came from they began to build a modest two-storey house made of wooden materials with galvanized iron roofs. The ground floor was readied for selling merchandise goods and the top floor A variety of a rare and exotic marine products called ‘Bat’ or sea cucumber is a Chias sleeping quarters. nese favorite trading commodity export item. A kilo an cost up to $3,000 in the world The migrants stayed market. close to each other oc- tion, the enterprising and fermented) coming se agri-products were used cupying a portion of lots Chinese families opened from the islands and to be shipped directly to Jolo and Zamboanga City. with dirt narrow roads in - up a business venture nearby fishing villages But since Bongao provides has created a huge finanbetween them. What like bakery, ice-making the buying stations, they cial benefits and rewards started as a little ‗sari- and cold products like for the local fishermen/ rather sell it here (to Chisari store‘ catering to the ice-drop and ice can- sellers but more so to the nese buyers) to minimize transportation costs and sparse households in dies. Others went into Chinese merchants/ the advantages to buy opening coffee shops the vicinity has expandbuyers stationed in goods and household ed into specialized mer- and small eateries. Bongao. Other marine needs on their way back However, the most organisms like commerchandise like selling home within the day. clothing materials, dry significant business ven- cial seashells, mother-of Counting on the intures that created wealth pearls, trochas, giant creasing inflows of customgoods, household supfor the Chinese pioneers plies and grocery items, was when they started clams, sea cucumber, ers from within and the turtle and turtle shells external communities, kitchen wares and etc. constructing a ‗bodega‘ or were in abundance which some Chinese entrepreIn other words, the little warehouse that lines up were in high demand and neurs diversified their busi‗business district‘ be- with what is now called the commanding much higher nesses. They explored came a ‗one-stop shop‘ Chinese Pier of today. entertainment services like prices in the market. TheThe rich marine rethat attracted shoppers se marine products were bars and cinemas (movie sources specifically the from neighboring villagshipped to Zamboanga houses). Others invested fishes and fishery prodes. By word of mouth it ucts that abound the four City. From there it is be- in lending services like pawn shops and money spreads to nearby corners of the entire Tawi ing repacked and sold to changing. Except for other provinces in Mindaneighboring islands. -Tawi coastal and municithe (four) movie houses nao. Other Chinese fami- pal waters has brought which ‗closed shop‘ due to Aside from the marine lies who later followed tremendous impact to the products, other Chinese the entries of digital techbegan to build houses business development of businessmen were en- nologies like ‗betamax‘ and along the coastal area Bongao in particular and gaged in copra buying - a televisions, all other services remained stable and just a few meters away the Tawi-Tawi people in ‗come-ons‘ for the agriculgeneral. The huge inflow tural sector of the island have increased in numfrom where the original and large volumes of ma- inhabitants that traditionally bers. ‗business center‘ was (To be continued on rine fishes of different grow coconuts in large located. In this new loca- forms (fresh, salted, dried hectares in their area. The-

MACABALANG | from Page A11

More risks in conduct... morality and legality. What happens now to the touted "moral governance?" In a nutshell, the moral and legal option for state

authorities is to grant the extension call. In my case as journalist, whether there is going to be BARMM

election or otherwise, life is the same. Poll activities, in fact, are called in ordinary media people's circle as "harvest time" since candidates will be greasing their campaign with propagandas tapping

journalists. (Reactions/comments and suggestions to this column should be addressed to: alimac.bulletin@gmail.co m.

hicken tenders with garlic butter is one of the best chicken tender recipes. Made with garlic, butter and spices on skillet. Juicy and easy chicken dinner made in 15 mins! CHICKEN TENDER RECIPES Chicken breasts especially chicken tenders are the tenderest portion of the chicken breast. What is a chicken tender? They are the long strips of meat attached to the underside of chicken breasts. PREP TIME: 5 minutes COOK TIME:10 minutes TOTAL TIME:15 minutes INGREDIENTS: 1 lb. (0.4 kg) chicken tenders 1 teaspoon smoked paprika or ground spice 3 dashes cayenne powder 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature 3 - 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon bottled Italian seasoning (Simply Organic or McCormick brand) salt, to taste 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon chopped parsley lemon wedges INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Season the chicken tenders with smoked paprika and cayenne pepper. Set aside. Uncooked Chicken Tenders 2. Heat up a cast-iron skillet (preferred) on high heat and add 3 tablespoons of butter. As soon as the butter melts and starts to sizzle, add the chicken tenders. Cook uninterrupted for 1 -2 minutes, then turn over and start cooking the other side. 3. Push the chicken tenders to the side of the skillet. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter follow by the minced garlic on the empty space on the skillet. Add the Italian seasoning on top of the chicken tenders and stir to combine well with the chicken and garlic. 4. Add salt and lemon juice and continue to cook the chicken tenders until they are slightly charred on the both sides. Add the chopped parsley, stir to combine well. Turn off the heat and serve immediately with lemon wedges. Squeeze the lemon juice on top before serving. GARLIC BUTTER CHICKEN TENDERS Every chicken has two tenders. They are often detached from chicken breasts and sold separately as tenderloins. They are commonly used for making chicken strips, chicken fingers or chicken fillets, breaded and deep-fried or baked in the oven. HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN TENDERS? This is one of the best breast tender recipes, made in a skillet with spices, garlic butter, salt, lemon juice and herb. This is much better if deep-fried, skillet cooking produces juicy and amazing results especially in a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet for this recipe. The perfect heat to cook tenders is high heat. This is an easy chicken tenders recipe and perfect for lunch or dinner. DO NOT overcook because the texture will turn dry and tough. COOK’S TIPS To make your chicken juicy and tender, follow the tips below: Use a cast-iron skillet because it heats up evenly and retains the heat well. Cook the tenders on high heat so they are seared to brown on the outside while retaining the juice inside.