Philippine Muslim Today

Vol. II, No. 23 | Nov. 19-25, 2021 (Rabiul Akhir 13-19, 1443) | www.philmuslim.today

8 Pages / P20

The Metamorphosis of Lakas CMD

Ban on Subversive Books

Bongbong vis-a-vis Jabidah Massacre

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Duterte's greatest legacy is peace in Mindanao: Piñol

BARMM in Focus

EU vows to continue support to peace, recovery in BARMM

DAVAO CITY – Former Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chief Emmanuel Piñol said Wednesday night that the greatest legacy of President Rodrigo Duterte was turning the main lair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Camp Abubakar, in Maguindanao into a peaceful community.

DUTERTE | A2

SOLON | Page A3

MILG ready to inaugurate new police station in Lanao Sur SOLON | Page A3

Lanao Sur town erects Smart tower to boosts signal Former Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chief Emmanuel Piñol (chief) and President Rodrigo Duterte (PNA file photo)

SOLON | Page A2

Bangsamoro peace process has ‘come a long way’: Turkish envoy T

he Bangsamoro peace process in the Philippines has “come a long way,” Turkey’s ambassador to the Southeast Asian nation said.

“It is not easy to implement such a peace process. It takes hard work, time and it will continue for some more time,” Ambassador Ahmet Idem Akay told

Anadolu Agency.

He, however, added: “It is difficult to predict when the process is completed.”

Akay was in the southern Philippines’ autonomous region last week to oversee the start of the third

COVID-19

Defense chief positive again for Covid-19

M

ANILA – The chief of the Department of National Defense (DND) has tested positive again for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid19).

Full Story on Back Page

Ambassador Ahmet Idem Akay (Anadolu photo)

phase of decommissioning process of former combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Turkey has been chairing the Independent Decommissioning Board (IDB) since when it was estab-

5 children perished in Iligan landslide ILIGAN CITY, Philippines — Five children were killed by a landslide in a village here caused by intermittent rains that started Friday and continued over the weekend, authority said.

Continuous heavy down pour loosened the soil in parts of Purok 2, Sitio Sawsaw, Barangay Mandulog that caused the landslide past 5 a.m. Sunday and killed the 5 children, the youngest of whom aged 7 months and the eldest 8 years old.

Iligan police spokesman Major Zandrex Pamolong said rescuers used a backhoe to get to the buried house and managed to save the parents Shiela Mae Baroro, 26 and construction worker Jissie Barulan, 29, but did not reach the children in time.

Pamolong identified the children as CJ Barulan, 8; Kent, 6; Xian, 4; Trishamae, 3; and Shemabel, seven months old.

He confirmed the rescuers recovered the bodies of the victims and rushed them to the Iligan Sanitarium Hospital and Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial Hospital where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

Police Staff Sergeant Dionirel Cutanda said that when they arrived at the scene at around 6 a.m., they found the semiconcrete house of Barulan beside a hill buried under tons of sludge and debris.

“We used everything we can find to dig into the mud but only the parents were able to survive. The children did not,” Cutanda added .

MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

lished in 2014.

The ambassador said the third phase, which involves 14,000 former combatants, was delayed until Nov. 8 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

BANGSAMORO | A2

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Bangsamoro peace process has ‘come a long way’: Turkish envoy | from page A1 “It was a smooth beginning of the third phase of the decommissioning process but the main challenge has been the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.

The Turkish ambassador said the IDB aims to complete the third phase before the upcoming general elections in the Philippines set for May next year.

Akay lauded the cooperation between the Manila national government and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) led by the MILF. “There is close cooperation and coordination between the government of the Philippines and the MILF with all relevant mechanisms on both sides and also between them and the IDB. It is a very good collaboration,” he said.

Turkey is also involved in the Bangsamoro peace process through the Organization of Islamic Conference and the International Contact Group.

Besides, Turkey’s Humanitarian Relief Foundation, popularly known as the IHH, is part of the Third-Party Monitoring Team on the Bangsamoro peace process.

Akay said the IDB oversees the process that the MILF combatants and their weapons are “identified, registered and undergo a careful process.”

“It is a delicate task,” he added.

A total of 40,000 former combatants were agreed to be decommissioned in four phases.

“The first two phases have been completed while the third phase involves 14,000, and the same number will be decommissioned in the fourth phase,” the envoy added.

Long struggle until 2019 The MILF led the region’s struggle for autonomy since the mid-20th century, ultimately resulting in peace talks and the transitional government’s formation after a referendum on Jan. 21, 2019.

Before the Bangsamoro Transitional Authority (BTA) was founded in 2019 following the referendum, the MILF, led by Murad Ebrahim, had asked for a six-year transition period during peace negotiations with the Manila national government.

But negotiations resulted in a three-year transitional government under Ebrahim as chief minister until 2022.

The two sides agreed to allow the transitional government to take control of regional governance and run affairs until 2022, when elections were agreed to be held.

However, the elections have now been pushed back to 2025 under a popular law signed by the nation’s president, extending the transitional government’s term three more years.

The law, signed by Rodrigo Duterte last month after a parliamentary approval, moves the date of the BARMM parliamentary and regional elections to May 2025.

The majority-Muslim region’s first elections after an interim government was formed in February 2019 with Murad Ebrahim as chief minister had been scheduled for next year.

But public demand in the region, which gained autonomy in 2019, led to the elections being pushed back to 2025.

Bangsamoro is a region of nearly 5 million people who are ethnic Moros and mostly Muslims. It has five provinces and three cities, including a capital. (ANADOLU)

News

Vol. II, No. 23 | Nov. 19-25, 2021 (Rabiul Akhir 13-19, 1443)

Duterte's greatest legacy is peace In Mindanao: Piñol DAVAO CITY – Former Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chief Emmanuel Piñol said Wednesday night that the greatest legacy of President Rodrigo Duterte was turning the main lair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Camp Abubakar, in Maguindanao into a peaceful community.

He said that it was all because of the peace negotiation efforts of the Duterte administration.

“Today, things have changed and credit should go to President Duterte for personally handling the peace negotiations with the MILF. This is his greatest legacy to the people of Mindanao,” he said in a public post.

Piñol recounted that many considered his visit 10 years ago in Barangay Karim, Buldon, Maguindanao to be an outright suicide.

“For most of the years that I was the Governor of

Cotabato, I was considered enemy number one by the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) but I survived several assassination attempts,” he said.

But during his most recent trip to the same area on November 17, he said it is now peaceful and ready for development.

“In my trip to Buldon today, I am joined by retired Marine Commandant Maj. Gen. Alvin Parreño and his wife, Anna, president of Support Our

Troops, Phils (SOTPh) Inc," he said.

Along with him are representatives of four major seed companies -Seedworks, East-West, Kaneko, and Condor/ Allied Botanicals, he said.

Piñol brought 1,000 giant bamboo planting materials, the first batch of 1,200 breeders of Manok Pinoy, 100 Abuyog Sweet Langka seedlings, and mulberry and trichantera planting materials.

“The interventions

were turned over to Brig.

Gen. Jonas Lumawag of the 1st Marine Brigade as a joint project with SOTPh,” he said.

The Marines, on the other hand, will distribute the planting materials and the chicken to the residents of Barangay Karim as part of their socio-civic assistance to the residents of the area.

The technical staff of the seed companies will also evaluate the suitability of the area for highvalue vegetable production.

“These efforts will serve as the Seeds of Peace in the former conflict area where hundreds of lives were lost in over 50 years of fighting,” Piñol added.

He said that it will be followed by a Vegetable Demo Farming and Derby, similar to what was done in Pagalungan, Maguindanao last week.

PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

MILG ready to inaugurate new police station in Lanao Sur MARAWI CITY – The new building of the municipal police station (MPS) of Marantao in Lanao del Sur has acquired a new building and is ready for inauguration.

Minister Naguib Sinarimbo for the Bangsamoro interior and local government said the new building is one of their Municipal Police Stations projects across the Bangsamoro region.

The building shows an ‘okir’ design to promote not only as a Bangsamoro arts heritage but also to boost the industry thereby giving employment to thousands of artisans.

Minister Sinarimbo said, “This is apart from the employment generated for thousands of masons, carpenters, engineers, and other skilled workers now in the many infrastructure projects of the Bangsamoro Government.”

“Despite the pandemic, we can still grow the economy of the region thru strategic initiatives,” he added.

A day earlier, on Nov. 14, Minister Sinarimbo and his team inspected one of their Barangay Hall projects located in Banubo, Sultan Kudarat.

“We are happy at the progress of its construction.

Panolong na lang ang kulang at pwede na e inagurate and turn over,” he said Sinarimbo said they also took the opportunity to

MUNICIPAL POLICE STATION: The newly completed municipal police station in Lanao del Sur town of Marantao, ready for inauguration. (FB photo) distribute relief assistance to their (MILF) combatants who have been rendering community service to this barangay. “This is our humble way of thanking them for all the services and sacrifices,” he said The minister congratulated Director Marvs Mokamad and Hydr Abbas for their job well done.

ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL

Lanao Sur town erects Smart tower to boosts signal MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – Something good is happening in Lanao del Sur’s municipality of Mulondo that will benefit the town’s constituents amid the fast-moving information and communication technology (ICT).

In a statement lately, Mulondo Mayor Nihara Macabando Panandigan said the SMART Telecommunications, in coordination with the Local Government

Unit of Mulondo (LGU-Mulondo) established the new Tower to provide better service to its users and the constituents of Mulondo.

Panandigan said the tower erected in Barangyay Dado Poblacion of the municipality will soon be operational to serve its population of 19,932 people acLANAO SUR | A3

News

Vol. II, No. 23 | Nov. 19-25, 2021 (Rabiul Akhir 13-19, 1443)

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EU vows to continue support to peace, recovery in BARMM C

BARMM helps Lanao farmers with P10-M worth of first solar powered irrigation system

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

C

OTABATO CITY -The European Union (EU) has pledged its continued support to the maintaining of peace and recovery in the Bangsamoro region as EU Ambassador Luc Véron visited Camp Abubakar in Barira, Maguindanao on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.

The EU ambassador visit to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) camp followed the successful launching of the Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) Programme.

Véron pledged the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) community their continued support to peace and recovery in the Bangsamoro region.

“EU will continue to support peace and recovery in BARMM to the best of ability and means […] we are currently working on three new actions to directly benefit the camp transformation through partnerships with UNDP, CHD, and IDEALS and their partners,” Véron said in his keynote message.

The visit was part of witnessing the Phase 3 decommissioning process for the 14,000 Moro Islamic Liberation FrontBangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (MILFBIAF) combatants.

The EU will support the peace process including support for the political track, normalization, and confidence building.

“Leaving no one behind” According to Véron, peace and development are “inextricably intertwined”, that is why a comprehensive approach is being sought to combine their technical and financial cooperation to support the most vulnerable BARMM communities, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals’ commitment of “leaving no one behind”.

Peace and economic development Véron also mentioned their support for economic development that focuses on capacity building for farmers’ organisations and cooperatives, delivering socio-economic rural services and infrastructures.

For peace, aside from

European Union Ambassador Luc Véron and Member of Parliament Alih O.Salik during their visit at Camp Abubakar in Barira, Maguindanao on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. Bangsamoro Informtion Office photo SUBATRA Programme, EU seeks to help in improving the democratic governance environment and capacity building through their Peace and Development in the BARMM (PD BARMM) Programme.

“We intend to support the work of OPAPP, BTA and partners on the ground in their efforts to ensure that decommissioning can be expedited, and camps can be transformed into peaceful and productive communities,” Véron said.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament Alih O. Salik said, “for almost 50 years, the Bangsamoro has been torn from war and conflict […] hope it will help them start and rebuild their economic situation, education, health, and other development interventions.”

The EU delegates will also be traveling to Lanao del Sur to discuss the Marawi reconstruction on Nov. 17-18.

Launching of SUBATRA Earlier, BARMM and the EU delegation to the Philippines launched the five-year P1.5-billion Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) Programme,last Monday, Nov. 15, 2021.

Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Pangalian Balindong said SUBATRA aims to help BARMM during the transition period in laying the foundation for lasting peace and development in the region by strengthening its institu-

tions’ democratic governance capacities.

The Bangsamoro transition period includes the passage of priority legislation and the establishment of a BARMM bureaucracy to ensure that basic services are delivered without delay.

Balindong also said SUBATRA supports the BARMM executive, parliament, judiciary, and civil society in strengthening its capacities to drive and coordinate key transitional policies, exercise lawmaking, and oversight functions, adjudicate litigations, improve access to justice, and contribute to a peaceful transition.

Balindong said the formal launch is a milestone for the interim government because it solidifies our partnership to expedite and strengthen the transition mechanism for the new Bangsamoro political entity.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Al Hajj Murad”

Ebrahim said SUBATRA helps BARMM provide regulatory standards while taking a facilitative and risk-proportionate approach in all levels of its new bureaucracy.

“SUBATRA helps boost the capacity of our regional government in crafting transitional policies and strengthening our Parliament’s ability to exercise its legislative, oversight, and representation functions during this transition period,” said Chief Minister Ebrahim.

The SUBATRA Programme is co-funded by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development. It started in July 2020 and will end in June 2025.

The United Nations Office for Project Services, the Bangsamoro Development Agency, and the Consortium of the Bangsamoro Civil Society are the implementing partners of the SUBATRA Programme. (JIJ)

Lanao Sur town… from Page A2 cording to the 2020 census of the Philippine Statistics Authority.

It is said the mayor has exerted her effort for the establishment of the tower for the welfare of her people, especially her relatives in the Nem Kadatu sa Mulondo.

Geographically, Mulondo is situated southeast of the province’ capital Marawi and is strategically located in the 1st District of Lanao del Sur. ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL

OTABATO CITY: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), through the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), turned over the first Solar Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) in Lanao dell Sur last Friday, October 29.

MAFAR Minister Mohammad S. Yacob said on Tuesday said the SPIS, which was funded under MAFAR-TFBM—amounting to P10,000,000.00, aimed to alleviate the problem of farmers on water shortage.

The project has solar panels and 20 Horse Power (HP) generation capacity, capable of accumulating 3.5 cubic meters of water per minute with 660-cubic meters that can supply water for 50-70 hectares of paddy fields along Barangays Cabasaran and Sumalindaw in the town of Butig, and Barangay Malalis in the town of Sultan Dumalundong.

MAFAR Minister Yacob said, "we are here in the most remote barangay of Butig despite the distance and difficulty of the road to show our sincerity to reach you and deliver quality service to the Bangsamoro people.”

1ST SOLAR POWERED IRRIGATION: The Solar Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) turned over by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), through the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), which will benefit the Maranao farmers in Lanao del Sur. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO "We hope that this project will succeed and become a model for uplifting the livelihood of farmers in Butig, Lanao del Sur, as well as in the whole Bangsamoro region", he added.

Water shortage is one of the main problems of the farmers in Barangay Cabasaran and its nearby areas for several years now.

Meanwhile, Dimnatang Pansar, municipal mayor of Butig, expressed his deep gratitude to MAFAR-TFBM for the project that grants a new lease of life in their communities.

"I hope that the municipality of Butig will be able to produce more rice and in the future, we will become one of the major producers of rice not only in Lanao del Sur but also in the entire Bangsamoro Region,” Pansar said.

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

ADDRESS: Consunji St. Poblacion, Iligan City, 9200 PH

TEL: 63 302 5565

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Vol. II, No. 23 | Nov. 19-25, 2021 (Rabiul Akhir 13-19, 1443)

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The Metamorphosis of Lakas CMD

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Front page of PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY previous issue.

T

he Lakas CMD or Lakas Christian – Muslim Democrats is a political party accredited to former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. It was under this party in coalition or partnership with KAMPI that she ran and won the presidency in this is a political party created out of the Lakas NUCD – UMDP or National Union of Christian Democrats jointly headed

by Senators Raul Manglapus and Manuel Manahan and the United Muslim Democrats of the Philippines founded by Ambassador Sanchez Ali, who was its first Chairman, Professor Ibrahim Mama-o, Mr. Jimmy Umag, Attorney, now Secretary Guiling Mamondiong, former Commissioner of Human Rights Nasser Marohomsalic, and this writer as its first Secretary-General.

History tells us that the NUCD – UMDP formalized their partnership during the convention held in Cebu in the year 2000 where a coalition agreement was forged and signed by the officials of the two political groups thus, officially coming into existence as the NUCD UMDP respecting their full and respective identities in due deference to each sociocultural background and orientation. By a stroke of political savvy and genius, then potential presidential candidate Department of National Defense Secretary Fidel V. Ramos conveyed a proposition to coalice his own political – party Lakas with the NUCD – UMDP which would serve as his political vehicle for the presidential election of 1992 and indeed it was and it had been that President Ramos ran and won the presidency under the political party.

After winning the elections of 1992 and upon assuming the presidency, a number of Muslim Democrats were awarded with positions in the government. UMDP Chairman Sanchez Ali was appointed Ambassador first to the Sultanate of Oman and later to the Arab Republic of Egypt. Gene Mamondiong was appointed Undersecretary in the Department of Transportation and Communication as head of Telop, Atty Nasser Marohomaslic as Commissioner of Human Rights and this writer as Board Member of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

The Lakas NUCD – UMDP continued to

exist and operate as a political party during the entire term of office of President Fidel V. Ramos. However, sometime in the year 2000, then Former Senator Manglapus hosted a meeting between Senior Officials of the UMDP and Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in his office at the College Assurance Plan Building at Ar-

The Outside View Judge Panambulan M. Mimbisa (ret) oceros Street, Makati City principally to discuss two (2) points, one the possible appointments of Ambassador Ali with the Office of the Vice President and this writer with the Department of Social Welfare and Development which the Vice President heads as its Secretary and the other issue is the possible re-organization of the Lakas NUCD – UMDP and floating the idea of accommodating KAMPI, the political party of the Vice President thus, precipitating the idea of a merged political party of Lakas – KAMPI CMD. For one reason or another, my and Ambassador Ali’s appointments did not materialize but the idea of re-organizing the Lakas NUCD – UMDP to Lakas CMD came began to roll into fruition and of course records bear that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo won the presidential elections in 2006 of under this new and re-organized political party.

The members of the UMDP or what is now simply known as the Muslim Democrats, under the re-organized Lakas CMD, welcome the affiliation of Mayor Inday Sara Duterte – Carpio to the party and her subsequent designation as its Chairman. You have our full and unflinching support Chairman and Mayor Inday Sara Duterte – Carpio. Your Muslim Democrats are not begging for grace, favor or kindness. We would like to simply ask that our contributions to the birth, evolution and status of prominence of our political party be acknowledged, recognized and counted. The founders and original members of the UMDP are both known to Presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and we are here, strong and vibrant and ready as always to carry our banner to victory. PMM

Opinion

T

here is no such thing as a subversive book or idea. There is only subversive action which is punishable by law – rebellion, subversion, insurrection, sedition, inciting to sedition or rebellion, coup d’etat, conspiracy to commit a coup. These are all in our criminal laws. But a subversive book or idea is never prohibited fy our Constitution and criminal laws. It cannot be prohibited by anyone in this country. He who orders the removal of subversive books in the library of state colleges and universities is chargeable with violation of with many provisions of our criminal laws. The head of CHED does not know what he is doing and what he is talking about.

I understand this CHED order had been issued “at the behest of the government’s antiinsurgency task force.”

Whoever they are, like the head of the CHED, they don’t know what they are doing and what they are talking about Why: The order to remove subversive books from the library of state colleges and universities is in violation of several provisions of the Constitution. First, Section 1, Article III of the Constitution states that – “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due of law nor shall any person be denied equal protection of the laws.”

When you remove socalled subversive books from the library, you deprive all persons, not just professors and students, access to these books which constitute life and liberty under this provision. Not only that - it means also deprivation of property of the state college or university as well as the author/s and publisher/s of the books. It also violates the equal protection clause of this provision of the Constitution as private universities and colleges are not included.

Section 4, Article III of the Constitution which provides no law shall be passed abridging the freedom of expression, among other, is also violated as it is the right of

the SUCs to have these books as an avenue of freedom of expression which encompasses academic freedom. The order of the CHED violates also other provisions of the Constitution, among them are - section 4, Article II which “recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation building;, section 3, paragraph 2 of Article XIV shall inculcate respect for human rights; and section 5, paragraph 2, Article XIV provides that “Academic freedom shall be enjoyed in all institutions of higher learning.”

Equally important is section 3, paragraph 1 of Article XIV of the Constitution which provides that – “All educational institutions shall include the study of the Constitution as part of the curricula.” It is apparent that the Head of the CHED and the interagency task force do not know the provisions of the Constitution we have cited. These individuals, before coming out with such ridiculous and unconstitutional, order should study the Constitution first. If they did, they would have saved themselves such embarrassment which could lead to criminal prosecution and administrative discipline.

Fear of ideas: Dictators, de jure or de facto, are always afraid of ideas.

Ideas are very powerful – they move mountains.

These dictators known as strong men in modern day lingo are so sensitive about contrary views.

Adolf Hitler who proclaimed his Third Reich would last a thousand years did not only ban books so they would not be read by his opponents or enemies and the children who could be future strong forces for resistance, burned books – thousands of them, from the Bible to the Quran, Plato to Aristotle, the best of the winners of the Nobel Prize in Literature which celebrate the inviolable character of the human person and the wonders of God’s creation.

Almost all dictators don’t read books because of their fear of ideas – always clinging to their ignorant and antediluvian as-

A5

Bongbong vis-a-vis Jabidah Massacre

BAN ON SUBVERSIVE BOOKS “Freedom to differ is not limited to things that do not matter much. That would be a mere shadow of freedom. The test of its substance is the right to differ as to things that touch the heart of the existing order.” – Late US SC Justice Robert Jackson.

Vol. II, No. 23 | Nov. 19-25, 2021 (Rabiul Akhir 13-19, 1443)

sumptions. There are even lawyers among the dictators or strongmen who pride themselves of being lawyers knowledgeable in the law, but their lack of knowledge of the fundamentals is not only appalling but horrendous.

Diliman Way

HOMOBONO A. ADAZA They especially don’t read poetry due to ignorance or lack of comprehension.

If they do understand poetry ands its myriad nuances, they won’t read it because they hate competitors. Why? They always assume that they are the sole lawgivers but as William Blake, one of the most famous poet I admire, has written – “Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.”

For how can anyone improve on this poetic legislation by Ralph Waldo Emerson in A Nation’s Strength: “Not gold but only man can make A people great and strong Men who for truth and honor sake Stand fast and suffer long Brave men who work while other Who dare while other’s shy They build a nation’s pillar’s deep And lift them to the sky.”

“No man is an island entire of itself Everyman is a piece of the continentsA past or the main If a clod be washed away from the sea Europe is a the less Just as a promontory were or a manor Of thine own friends were Everyman’s death diminishes me Because I am involved in mankind So never send to know for whom the bell tolls It tolls for thee.”

Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo: I render a royal salute to this man for defying the order of the Head of the CHED and hopefully educating him.

ADAZA | A12

I visited Davao City since November 15 and just went back to Manila on Thursday, November 18, 2021. There I conducted an street survey if Davao City as the hometown of Presidential aspirant Bong Go has the trend of Bong Go-Sara tandem.

One of the respondents told me that there is still Bongbong-Sara tandem even though it is Davao City already.

But Muslim Filipinos since it is pertaining to the Bongbong-Sara tandem among them are divided on the issue. Some Muslim Filipinos vowed to support the BBM where respondents are even concerned of the past wrongdoings of BBM’s father the late President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos. They have included the infamous Jabidah Massacre into the picture.

The infamous Jabidah massacre, also known as the Corregidor massacre, refers to an incident in which members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are said to have massacred a number of Moro recruits who were trying to conduct their covert training and known as “Operation Merdeka” to reclaim Sabah.

However, sources differ regarding the details, with the number of victims ranging from 14 to 68, and some sources asserting that the massacre is a myth and did not happen at all. It was even exposed by columnist Rigoberto ”Bobbi” Tiglao, the former Press Secretary of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who was writing for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and now with The Manila Times. However, many believe the massacre actually happened on March 18, 1968. In fact, the only survivor was Jibin Arula, whose father Apah Arula was my barber in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi during my college days in MSU-SCTO. While he was cutting my hair he was trying to relate to me how his son Jibin from Siasi, Sulu was able to survive the said massacre by swimming from Corregidor until reaching the sea around Cavite and was rescued and brought to former Gov. Delfin N. Montano, one of the fierce political enemies of President Marcos.

But according to Tig-

lao, the Jabidah massacre did not happen at all and it was merely a hoax despite of the existence of only survivor Jibin Arula.

The Jabidah Massacre is widely regarded as having been the catalyst behind the modern Moro insurgencies in the Southern Philippines particularly the founding of the then secessionist Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) by Chairman Nur Misuari.

Be that as it may, until now there is still a controversy behind the existence of Jabidah Massacre.

Chairman Misuari vowed to strongly support with his thousands of followers from the MNLF to vote for Bongbong Marcos.

Misuari claimed that Bongbong Marcos is his Vice-President during the 2016 National Elections emphasizing that while it is true that the father, the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos was his No. 1 enemy when he was still waging war as the chairman of the MNLF secessionist movement. He added that the fault of the father cannot be also the fault of the son. “The fault of the father cannot be inherited by the son,” the MNLF chairman stressed.

In the same manner, former Basilan Gov. Abdulghani “Gerry” Salapuddin said as a devout Muslim as well as former MNLF rebel commander operating in the hinterland of Basilan, there is no truth that Bongbong Marcos is antiMuslim.

Salapuddin said “Islam is a perfect way of life and politics is an institution for good governance. Both are victims of its undesirable and unscrupulous practitioners,” according to the politician from Basilan who at one time became also the Deputy Speaker for Mindanao in the House of Representatives.

He said he could not understand why some people focused on the declaration of Martial Law and this Jabidah massacre that happened many years back when in fact it is Bongbong Marcos who is the candidate for President. Is it correct and appropriate that he is made to answer for what his late father did?

Until now “Commander Gerry” as he is popularly known in the MNLF told this columnist that he admired former President Marcos who asked him in Malacañang what the government can offer to him after he agreed to talk

Batanes to Tawi-Tawi

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL peace when he returned to the fold of the law. But all he said to the late strongman was no other demand except his “24/7 accessibility to the Office of the President in Malacañang.”

Salapuddin explained that Bongbong has nothing to do with the declaration of Martial Law in 1972 nor of the Jabidah Massacre in 1968 when he was still a young boy and he was not a president nor a policy maker.

In a nutshell to remember the Jabidah massacre, it has by and large had planted the seeds of the Bangsamoro struggle for self-determination.

The lives of the Bangsamoro have gone a long way; perhaps, more comfortable than how it was decades ago; all thanks to the struggle and sacrifices of the Moro Mujahideens.

The long history of blood, sweat, and tears can be traced as far as the early days of imperial conquest. But one catalyst would go on to reshape the archipelago forever – the devastating story of the Jabidah Massacre.

Thus on March 18, 1968 – exactly 50 years ago today – at least 23 Muslim trainees were accordingly shot to death on Corregidor. Jabidah Massacre became the Philippine government's clandestine operation to invade Sabah, whose sovereignty and proprietary rights until now belonged to the Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo (Sabah).

For your Comments/ Suggestions, please send an email to: julmunir1845@gmail.co m

A6

PH Round-Up

SC names Villanueva OIC court administrator MANILA – The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday designated an officerin-charge (OIC) court administrator following the appointment of Jose Midas Marquez as new associate justice of the high tribunal.

In a memorandum order, the high court designated Deputy Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva as OIC “pending the appointment of a regular Court Administrator.”

Villanueva “shall exercise the functions and perform the duties of the head of office…until the appointment of regular Court Administrator or until further orders, whichever comes first,” the order added.

Meanwhile, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) congratulated Marquez on his appointment to the SC. “His appointment to the high court is in acknowledgment of his longstanding service to the Supreme Court,” IBP national president and Board

of Governors chairman Burt M. Estrada said.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte appointed Marquez as the 192nd associate justice of the high court, replacing retired Justice Edgardo L. Delos Santos.

The appointment brings to 12 justices appointed to the high tribunal with three Associate Justices Benjamin Caguioa, Marvic Leonen and Estela Perlas-Bernabe the remaining appointees of past administrations.

Marquez’s appointment also brings to six, the number of Ateneo Law School alumni in the high court including Chief

Justice Alexander Gesmundo. Three of the justices are from the University of the Philippines and one alumnus each from the Ateneo de Davao, the University of Santo Tomas, and the University of the East.

Marquez, 55, will be the second youngest member of the court next to Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando who is six months younger.

Before Marquez, Duterte appointed Court of Appeals associate justice Japar Dimaampao to the Supreme Court, the second Muslim to hold the office, last September.

Notably during his stint as court administrator, Marquez stood beside embattled Chief Justice Renato Corona when he was ousted during impeachment proceedings during the Aquino administration.

Marquez also supervised the court’s handling of the case of the Maguindanao massacre case which involved charges arising from the killing of 58 individuals.

According to the Constitution, for a person to be appointed to the Supreme Court, he must be a natural born citizen of the Philippines, at least 40 years old and must have been a judge or engaged in the practice of law for at least 15 years or more.

An additional constitutional requirement, though less precise in nature, is that a judge “must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.”

Benjamin Pulta/PNA

More petition seeking to disqualify Marcos filed MANILA – Another petition seeking to disqualify former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. from running for president in the May 2022 polls was filed before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday.

The petitioners, including labor leader Saturnino Cunanan Ocampo, claimed Marcos should not be allowed to run since he was convicted for tax evasion.

of the National Internal Revenue Code (“NIRC”),” the petition said.

“Relevantly, Section 253(c) of the NIRC specifically provides that if the person convicted of a crime penalized by the NIRC is a public officer or employee, the maximum penalty for the offense shall be imposed and, in addition, he shall be dismissed from the public service and perpetually disqualified from

Former Senator and Presidential Aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (File) “Respondent convicted candidate Marcos Jr. was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Sections 45 and 50

WANTED REPORTERS

holding any public office, to vote and to participate in any election,” it added.

The petition claimed Marcos has made false

representations in his certificate of candidacy (COC).

“Further, as can be indisputably gleaned from his certificate of candidacy for the position of President of our ravaged motherland, respondent convicted candidate Marcos, Jr. made false material representations in his certificate of candidacy, particularly in part 22 of the certificate of candidacy when he unqualifiedly stated that he has allegedly not been found liable for an offense which carries with it the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold public office, which has become final and executory,” it said.

“This material misrepresentation is more than sufficient ground for the Honorable Commission to cancel respondent convicted candidate Marcos, Jr.’s certificate of candidacy, or to deny due course to the same. or, in the alternative, disqualify the respondent convicted candidate Mar-

cos, Jr.’s from holding public office,” the petition added.

Other petitioners include Bonifacio Parabuac Ilagan, Maria Carolina Pagaduan Araullo, Trinidad Gerlita Repuno, Joanna Kintanar Cariño, Elisa Tita Perez Lubi, Liza Largoza Maza, Danilo Mallari dela Fuente, Carmencita Mendoza Florentino, Doroteo Cubacub Andaya Jr., Erlinda Nable Senturias Sr., Arabella Cammagay Sr., Cherry M. Ibardolaza CSSJB Sr., Susan Santos Esmile SFIC, Homar Rubert Roca Distajo, Polynne Espineda Dira, James Carwyn Candila and Jonas Angelo Lopena Abadilla.

Earlier, a petition was also filed asking the Comelec to cancel Marcos’ COC on the same issue.

The Comelec has set to November 26 the preconference of the first petition.

PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

Philippine Muslim Today is in need of field reporters who will report on developments affecting Muslim communities.

Fluency in oral and written English and Filipino languages is a must.

Send application to: muslimtoday2020@gmail.com

Vol. II, No. 23 | Nov. 19-25, 2021 (Rabiul Akhir 13-19, 1443)

SPDA eyes supplying Halal feeds to Arab Gulf region

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

SPDA Administrator Abdulghani Salapuddin. (PIA Photo) AMAI MANABILANG, Lanao del Sur – The Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) is eyeing to supply Halal feeds to the Arab Gulf region through the newly launched AgroIndustrial Development Program (AIDP) for the municipalities of Wao and Amai Manabilang.

SPDA Administrator Abdulghani Salapuddin said the country can generate so much in terms of foreign currency and employment if it can supply the Arab region with Halal feeds.

“Just imagine the Arab Gulf region, they have all the animals but they do not have grasses to feed the animals. They have to buy it from foreign countries like Brazil, Indonesia, and even Australia,” he said noting the country’s potential to supply such feeds.

Salapuddin emphasized that the shipment period from the said foreign countries would take more than 100 days but it

would only take 90 days from the Philippines via the Cagayan de Oro seaport.

As such, the SPDA will venture into another project with Asia Pacific Precision Agriculture Group (ASPAC AG) to make corn silage that will be used as Halal feeds for animals in the Arab region starting with Saudi Arabia.

ASPAC-AG is an American company that undertakes modern, mechanized, precision agriculture technology.

SPDA partnered with the company for the cultivation of corn and soybeans in Amai Manabilang under the AIDP. As SPDA’s commitment to the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act or AFMA, the AIDP was launched Tuesday, November 16, in Amai Manabilang to support the food selfsufficiency program of the government and boost the country’s economy. (PIA Lanao del Sur)

Comelec junks 126 partylist applicants MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has denied 126 groups bidding to register as party-list for the 2022 national and local elections.

Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon on Wednesday said, “126 applicants for Party List registration were denied by @Comelec.”

In her tweeter accounts, Guanzon said 100 of the denied party-list applicants filed a motion for reconsideration.

The Comelec has to resolve the matter by early next month in time for the printing of the ballots, she added. “@COMELEC must finish by December 6. Final date for ballot preparation is December 15,” she said.

During the filing period from Oct. 1 to 8, a total of 270 party-list groups filed their Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance to participate in the party-list system of representation.

On October 25, Comelec released the names of 53 new party-list groups that have been granted registration.

The Comelec has now 171 registered party-list groups, including the 118 existing organizations, for the May 9 elections.

MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

Legal Notices

OBITUARY MACACUNA RACMAN YUSOPH, 61 The immediate family of MACACUNA RACMAN YUSOPH of 0293 Bayaba-Damag, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, expresses their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to their relatives, friends and all those who condoled with them at the time of their bereavement and sorrow for the loss of their loved one MACACUNA RACMAN YUSOPH who passed away on September 23, 2021, at Amai Pakpak Medical Center, Brgy.

Datu Saber, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, at the age of 61.

The death certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar of Marawi City, Lanao del Sur as furnished to the Philippine Muslim Today, revealed that the Immediate Cause of his death was Acute Respiratory Failure Type IV, the antecedent cause is Septic Shoch, and the Underlying Cause is Critical Pneumonia, Confirmed Covid 19.

As a Muslim practitioner whose religion is Islam, the decease’ remains was buried in accordance with Islamic Rites at a Muslim cemetery in Ganassi, Lanao del Sur.

PMT: Nov. 19-25, 2021; Nov. 26-Dec.2, 2021; Dec. 3-9, 2021.

Sara Duterte resigns from… from page A5 Nemenzo, though he is an academician not a lawyer, knows what he is talking about and what he is doing. The head man of CHED should know not to mess with the University of the Philippines. It is the fountain of learning in this country that promotes and preserves the tradition of excellence in all fields of human endeavor; honors, protects, promotes and preserves the aristocracy of the mind; and creates and trains excellent community and national leaders.

By the way, I know Fidel when he was still a boy at the UP Diliman campus. He comes from a family of scholars who helped build UP what it is today. His paternal grandfather, Francisco Nemezo, Sr. was UP Executive Vice-President. His paternal grandmother was Head of the UP Library. His father, Francisco “Dodong” Nemenzo, Jr., was an illustrious President of the University of the Philippines. And now, consistent with the tradition of excellence, the aristocracy of the mind and as excellent community leader, Fidel Nemenzo is a UP Chancellor in Diliman. His mother, Princess Ronquillo is not only an intellectual beauty but a scholar by any standard. I do not know of anybody now who more than deserves being UP Chancellor but also as President of UP or Secretary of Education than Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo.

Fundamentals: Any noted lawyer or scholar should know the fundamentals of freedom in a democracy. The French philosopher, Voltaire, is often quoted to have written and said, “I may not believe in what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” The American legal scholars – a President and Justices of the American Supreme Court have sanctified the essence of freedom in a democracy which has become a part of the wisdom of our civilization.

Thomas Jefferson, before he became President of the United States of America, wrote the germinal ideas of what is known as the American Declaration of Independence.

What now: There are three options to get out of this despicable situation. First, the CHED should withdraw this unconstitutional, illegal and criminal order. Second, if CHED does not withdraw the order, UP lawyers together with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and PHILCONSA should file criminal charges against the one who issued the illegal order together with the members of the antiinsurgency task force in whose behest the order was issued, with the Office of the Ombudsman, praying also for suspension of the officials involved. Third, have the concerned public officials attend a month long daily seminar on the Constitution with specific emphasis on human rights and academic freedom.

The best solution would be the dismissal of the concerned public officials with perpetual; disqualification from holding public office. But under the Duterte administration which has the habit of wantonly violating the Constitution – it is like barking at the moon.

I can go on and on discussing this subject but as Robert Frost has written in Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening “The woods are lovely dark and deep But I have promises to keep And miles to go before I sleep And miles to go before I sleep.”

(HAA)

Vol. II, No. 23 | Nov. 19-25, 2021 (Rabiul Akhir 13-19, 1443)

DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS AND QUITCLAIM This Extra-Judicial Settlement of Estate among heirs, made and entered into by and between: 1. JOHAINA Y. MANGORSI, of legal age, Filipina, widowed and a permanent resident of LANGCAF, Biaba Damag, Marawi City; and 2. JEHAN Y. YUSOPH, minor, being born in November 23, 2003 and also a permanent resident of LANGCAF, Biaba Damag, Marawi City, represented and assisted by her mother Johaina Y. Mangorsi WITNESSETH: THAT WHEREAS, the above-named parties are the only compulsory and legal heirs of the late MACACUNA RACMAN YUSOPH who died intestate on September 23, 2021 at APMC, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur being the widowed wife and orphan child of said decedent; WHEREAS, at the time of his death, decedent left certain sum of money representing his retirement pay which was contained in his GSIS UMID card bearing CRN 006-0000-9931-6, all in his account name, more particularly described as follows: MACACUNA RACMAN YUSOPH - Account No. 4162 9801 1155 8168 WHEREAS, there are no known debts or obligations due against the estate of decedent; and WHEREAS, it is to the best interest of parties thereto to divide, partition and adjudicate unto themselves the entire estate of the decedent extra-judicially, adjudicating, as they do hereby adjudicate the same to and among themselves extra-judicially in a manner hereinafter set forth: NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and, invoking the provisions of Rule 74, Section 1 of the Rules of Court, the parties hereto do, by the presents, agree to divide and partition the entire estate above -described, adjudicating as they do adjudicate the same to and between themselves in pro-indiviso EQUAL SHARES. WAIVER OF RIGHTS AND QUITCLAIM I, JEHAN Y. YUSOPH, with personal circumstances above-described, DO HEREBY CONVEY, WAIVE AND QUITCLAIM all my share, claim, interest and participation in the above-described sums of money in favor of my mother JOHAINA Y. MANGORSI, of legal age, Filipina, widowed and a resident of LANGCAF, Biaba Damag, Marawi City.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, parties have hereunto set their hand and affix their signatures this ___day of October 2021 in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, Philippines.

(Sgd) JEHAN Y. YUSOPH Affiant minor daughter Assisted/represented by (Sgd) JOHAINA Y. MANGORSI Mother ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The immediate family of PAULI BANI GANDA, also known as NURHAIFA/NORHAIFA of Brgy. Cadayonan II, SPDA, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, expresses their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to their relatives, friends and all those who condoled with them at the time of their bereavement and sorrow for the loss of their loved one PAULI BANI GANDA who passed away on June 19, 2021, at Kialilidan, Binidayan, Lanao del Sur, at the age of 75.

The death certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar Marawi City, Lanao del Sur as furnished to the Philippine Muslim Today, revealed that the Immediate Cause of her death was Cardio Respiratory Arrest, and the antecedent cause Cancer of the Lungs.

As a Muslim practitioner whose religion is Islam, the decease’ remains was buried in accordance with Islamic Rites at a Macbara Muslim cemetery in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. PMT: Nov. 5-11, 2021; Nov. 12-18, 2021; Nov. 19-25, 2021.

DEED OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT AMONG LEGAL HIERS WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: WE, POTRE NORHARA B. GANDA and SITTIE RAHANA JHAN GANDA, all of legal age, married and a resident of MSU, Marawi City, after having been sworn to an oath in accordance with law, depose and sand declare as follows: 1. That we are the only legitimate children and heirs of the deceased PAULI B. GANDA who died on June 19, 2021 at Cadayonan, MSU, Marawi City.

2. That said deceased died intestate without any last will or testament and without any outstanding debts at the time of her death.

3. That our late mother as above mentioned left to us her savings Account with the UnionBank, Iligan City, under S.A. No. 109576936297 with an outstanding balance of P81,347.89.

4. That in order to withdraw from the said account of our late mother, I, POTRE NORHARA B. GANDA hereby WAIVED my rights over the said account in favor of my sister/co-heir SITTIE RAHANA JHAN GANDA who may withdraw the outstanding balance from our late mother UnionBank Account; and 5. That we are executing this DEED in order to attest to the truth and correctness of the above mentioned facts and to support the withdrawal of my sister SITTIE RAHANA JHAN GANDA from the UnionBank Account of our late mother PAULI B. GANDA and for any other legal purposes.

IN WHEREOF, we have hereunto set my hand this 28th day of October, 2021 at Marawi City, Philippine.

Republic of the Philippines) Marawi City )s.s.

Province of Lanao del Sur ) x---------------------------------------/ BEFORE ME, a Notary Public this Oct 13, 2021 in the City of Marawi and Lanao del Sur, personally appeared the following persons, presenting to me competent evidence of their identity, the following: ID PRESENTED

OBITUARY PAULI BANI GANDA, 75

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

NAMES JOHAINA Y. MANGORSI JEHAN Y. YUSOPH

A7

Valid until

Known to me and to me known to be the same persons who executed the foregoing instrument and they acknowledged to me that the same is there free and voluntary, act and deed.

This instrument consists of two (3) signed by the parties and their witnesses at the left-hand margins.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affix my notarial seal on the day, year and place and place first above-written.

(SGD) ATTY. CAIRODING P. MARUHOM Notary Public Until December 31, 2021 Roll No. 35712-1/27/89 PTR No. 7550308b; 11/19/19; Marawi City IBP No. 095377; 11/21/2019 MOLE Compliance No. VI-0028691 VALID UNTIL 4/14/2022 DOC. NO. 457; PAGE NO. 93; BOOK NO. XXIV; SERIES OF 2021.

PMT: Nov. 19-25, 2021; Nov. 26-Dec. 2, 2021; Dec. 3-9, 2021.

(SGD) POTRE NORHARA B. GANDA (Affiant/daughter)

(SGD) SITTIE RAHANA JHAN GANDA (Affiant/daughter)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BEFORE ME, a Notary Public, for and in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, personally appeared POTRE NORHARA B. GANDA and SITTIE RAHANA JHAN GANDA with Passport No. P1193308A issued by DFA, Cag. De Oro City, known to me to be the same person who executed the foregoing instrument and she acknowl;eded to me that the same is her free act and deed.

WITNESS MY HAND AND SEAL this 28th day of October 2021 art Marawi City, Philippines.

(SGD) ATTY. CAIRODING P. MARUHOM Notary Public Until December 31, 2021 Roll No. 35712-4/27/89 PTR No. 7550308b; 11/19/19; Marawi City IBP No. 095377; 11/21/2019 MOLE Compliance No. VI-0026691 DOC. NO. 21; PAGE NO. 6; BOOK NO. XXV; SERIES OF 2021.

PMT: Nov. 5-11, 2021; Nov. 12-18, 2021; Nov. 19-25, 2021.

ERRATUM: The PMT publication in its Obituary Section on Nov. 5-11, 2021 on the death of PAULI BANI GANDA should have been “...who passed away on June 19, 2021, at Brgy.

Cadayonan, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, at the age of 75,” instead of, “...who passed away on June 19, 2021, at Kialilidan, Binidayan, Lanao del Sur.” Our apology.—Editors

A8

Tourism News

Camiguin, Boracay scrap swab test for fully vaxxed guests MANILA – Camiguin and two other destinations are scrapping the swab test requirement for fully vaccinated visitors, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Saturday.

In a statement, the agency said Camiguin will start accepting vaccination cards in lieu of a negative reverse transcrip-polymerase chain reaction test result starting Monday, November 15, while Boracay and Guimaras will implement a similar policy the next day.

As of Saturday, DOT said the following destinations have waived the swab test requirement for fully inoculated guests: – Tarlac – Pampanga – Nueva Ecija – Batangas – Oriental Mindoro – Masbate – Camarines Norte – Iloilo – Negros Occidental – Bohol – Southern Leyte – Zamboanga del Sur – Zamboanga Sibugay

Camiguin Island (Photo courtesy of Camiguin Tourism Facebook) – Misamis Oriental – Bulacan – Cebu Province – San Vicente, Palawan – Naga City, Camarines Sur – Baguio City, Benguet – Cebu City and Mandaue City – Clark Freeport Zone – Subic Bay Freeport Zone – Dingalan, Aurora – Maasin City, Leyte – Ormoc City, Leyte – Calbayog City, Samar – Mati, Davao Oriental The growing list of domestic destinations easing their entry protocols is an “indication that

the country’s tourism industry is slowly getting back on its feet.” the DOT said.

“With the lifting of the testing requirements for fully vaccinated visitors to these destinations, travel has become more affordable and accessible for domestic tourists, especially with the coming holiday season,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

She advised tourists to continue observing the minimum health and safety protocols when traveling.

“As we expect more

tourists going to Boracay Island, and other destinations that have eased travel requirements for fully vaccinated individuals in the coming weeks, we continue to remind travelers to observe minimum health and safety protocols when visiting the spots,” she said.

She likewise reminded tourism businesses, workers, and other stakeholders not to be complacent in order to prevent Covid19 cases from increasing and sustain the industry’s recovery.

“Seeing how the reopening of tourism all over the country is helping Filipinos return to their jobs, we cannot afford a new surge of Covid-19 infections and a return to the restrictions imposed by a stricter quarantine,” she said. “Let us do our individual parts to ensure that there will be no outbreaks in our destinations.”

(PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY)

Lanao Sur town erects Smart tower to boosts signal MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – Something good is happening in Lanao del Sur’s municipality of Mulondo that will benefit the town’s constituents amid the fast-moving information and communication technology (ICT).

In a statement lately, Mulondo Mayor Nihara Macabando Panandigan said the SMART Telecommunications, in coordination with the Local Government Unit of Mulondo (LGU-Mulondo) established the new Tower to provide better service to its users and the constituents of Mulondo.

Panandigan said the tower erected in Barangyay Dado Poblacion of the municipality will soon be operational to serve its population of 19,932 people according to the 2020 census of the Philippine Statistics Authority.

It is said the mayor has exerted her effort for the establishment of the tower for the welfare of her people, especially her relatives in the Nem Kadatu sa Mulondo.

Geographically, Mulondo is situated southeast of the province’ capital Marawi and is strategically located in the 1st District of Lanao del Sur. ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL

Vol. II, No. 23 | Nov. 19-25, 2021 (Rabiul Akhir 13-19, 1443)

SUN DRIED TOMATO PASTA BANGSAMORO HALAL DISH With Maria Fhebie Ortil

A

ssalamu Alaykum! Thanks Allah It’s Friday (TAIF) or Jumaa Mubarak to one and all.

The Philippine Muslim Today Bangsamoro Halal Cuisine is now under Vol. 2, No. 23 Digital Online Edition November 19-25, 2021 (Rabi AlAkhar 14-20, 1443) (Blessed Friday Morning).

Nevertheless this culinary columnist would like to discuss with you an easy homemade sun dried tomato pasta with spaghetti, olive oil, garlic and loads of sun dried tomatoes.

This pasta is so delicious and takes only 15 minutes to make! Listed below are the main ingredients that can be easily be bought in the market or in grocery.

Most of all an easy to follow instructions are narrated below in order to prepare a good and delicious Sun Dried Tomato Pasta.

INGREDIENTS 8 oz. (226 g) spaghetti 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (preferred) or olive oil 1 tablespoon sun dried tomato oil 3 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, cut into pieces 1/3 cup chicken broth salt, to taste 3 dashes ground black pepper Chives or chopped Italian Parsley, for garnishing, optional Shaved Parmesan cheese INSTRUCTIONS Cook the spaghetti in salted water and according to the package instructions until al dente.

Drain and set aside.

Heat up a skillet and add the olive oil and sun dried tomato oil. Saute the garlic until aromatic, then add the sun dried tomatoes. Stir a few times before adding the spaghetti.

Add the chicken broth, salt and pepper. Stir to combine well.

Dish out, garnish with chopped chives or Italian parsley. Shave some Parmesan cheese on top of the pasta before serving.

(MFO)

Basilan’s Isabela City placed under Alert 3 ISABELA CITY — The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has placed the City of Isabela de Basilan under ALERT LEVEL 3 from November 14-30, 2021. This designation is in response to our increasing COVID-19 case count, with total bed and

intensive care unit utilization rates in our hospitals in the similar trajectory.

Establishments shall be allowed to operate at 30% indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals only and 50% outdoor venue capacity.

The following are not allowed: • face-to-face clas-

•

•

•

ses contact sports unless conducted in a bubble-type set-up funfairs and kid amusement industries venues with live voice or wind instrument performers and audiences

such as concerts and karaoke bars • cockfighting and other gaming establishments gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household.

(PMT)

SUN DRIED TOMATO PASTA