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How Vulnerable Is Manila to Earthquakes? Two major fault lines are located near the city of Manila. First is the West Valley Fault, which experts believe could trigger a 7.2 magnitude earthquake once it moves. Second is the fault line in Manila Trench, which may cause 7.9 magnitude earthquake. By gwEn de la cruz
XACTLY 369 years ago, the city of Manila was destroyed by one of the strongest recorded earthquakes that ever hit Luzon. It was 8 in the evening of St. Andrew’s Feast Day when a strong tremor struck the city severely damaging buildings and completely destroying what was then the third renovation of Manila Cathedral. Aftershocks continued for about five days, causing more destruction. Around 600 Spaniards were reportedly killed from the said earthquake, according to various historical accounts. Home to around 1.6 million people, the Malacañang Palace, the Port of Manila and various historical sites, the City of Manila is highly vulnerable to earthquakes and other hazards. A 2013 study conducted by the Swiss Re, a provider of risk transfer insurance, consider Manila as the second riskiest city in the world, next to Tokyo. This is not only because of floods but also because of its vulnerability to earthquakes. Two major fault lines are located near the city of Manila. First is the West Valley Fault, which experts believe could trigger a 7.2 magnitude earthquake once it moves. Second is the fault line in Manila Trench, which may cause 7.9 magnitude earthquake. A 2004 study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Metropolitan Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS), indicated that an earthquake hitting Metro Manila could destroy 40% of the buildings in the metropolis and kill about 34,000. According to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) director Renato Solidum, movement in the West Valley Fault will cause the most severe damage. But even fault lines outside of the metropolis could affect the city. The last major earthquake that severely affected Manila was in August 1968. With a 7.3 magnitude and an epicenter in Casiguran, Aurora, it caused major damages to the city, resulted in the collapse of the Ruby Tower, and killed 270 people. The epicenter of the earthquake that
Map of the West Valley Fault Line destroyed the Manila Cathedral in 1645 was at Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija. If that fault line moves again, can it trigger the same disastrous effect in Manila as it did then? “There have been many earthquakes generated outside Manila but still severely affected Manila. Reason would be the soft sediments foundation of Manila which would amplify shaking,” Solidum told Rappler.
Are Manileños ready? “Our study would indicate that (if a major earthquake hits Metro Manila) Manila City will have the second highest number in terms of square meters for complete damage,” Solidum said. Complete damage could either mean buildings are still stand-
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Modern buildings in the country adopt new technology to withstand strong tremors. ing but completely ruined or they are totally leveled to the ground. Solidum explained that the only reason for Quezon City being the first is because they have bigger land and population. Solidum added that the city of Manila will also be second in terms of the number of casualties should a 7.2 magnitude earthquake strike. The city is preparing for the next big one. On July 2, 2014, Manila organized a city-wide drill as part of the Office of Civil Defense’s nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill.
According to city officials, 70% of the establishments all over the city participated in the drill that simulated 7.2 and 7.9 magnitude earthquakes. Drills are critical to test not only the city’s response capacity and the readiness of the residents but also existing communication lines between different government units and other groups that need to respond. Not everyone, however, took the Manila earthquake drill seriously. Instead of listening to the local responders, many participants took selfies of themselves during the drill. For preparedness, the importance of
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having an evacuation plan, and actually knowing where evacuation centers are located, are also important, stressed by Solidum. “People should know what to do before, during and after the earthquake. Part of the plan should be [knowing] how you respond, how you evacuate from the building and to an open area,” said Solidum. He said that buildings should be examined first before going out and that there should be a designated evacuation center so that help can easily be given. “The open area has to be a safer area,” Solidum stressed. “Shaking does not kill, collapsing buildings do,” Solidum explained.
Building standards Beyond the earthquake drills, making sure that buildings and houses are safe is critical to reducing potential casualties if a major earthquake hits the city, according to Solidum. In an earlier interview, Director Solidum said that the reason why a number of buildings collapsed during the 1968 Casiguran quake is because of poor design and construction, as no building code existed during that time. “There are more buildings to-
day than in 1645,” said Solidum. This could make the effects of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake today all the more damaging. Experience during the 1990 Luzon earthquake has shown that buildings built according to standards can withstand groundshaking during earthquakes. The Luzon quake, which happened over two decades ago, damaged many hotels, buildings and houses in Baguio, Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan and killed 2,412 people. But while many buildings were destroyed, Solidum pointed out that the Luzon quake also left a lot of buildings standing right next to those that collapsed. To a great extent, Solidum told Rappler during a briefing, the fact that many buildings withstood the 1990 Luzon quake could be attributed to the enforcement of the National Building Code, which was initially enacted in 1972, years after the Ruby tower collapsed. Unfortunately, people tend to skirt building code requirements to save on costs when building homes. Towards this end, Phivolcs and JICA earlier this year launched “How Safe is My House? Self-check
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Pupils take cover under the desks during an earthquake drill in a Manila school. for Earthquake Safety.” This is a 12point questionnaire homeowners can use to assess the earthquake readiness of their house. In areas like Manila where many structures were built before the building code was enacted, structures like old churches will have to be evaluated to see if they can withstand earthquakes, the Phivolcs director said. Solidum clarified however that not all buildings built after 1972 followed the Building Code. And even those that followed may not be updated because the law is constantly changed and improved. “If the buildings conform to
the newest standard, then that’s better. It’s more appropriate with new information,” Solidum said. He added, however, that buildings following the early versions of the building code are still fine. In 1977, then President Ferdinand Marcos revised the existing National Building Code of the Philippines to make provisions more updated and appropriate to the changing times. In 2013, Senator Chiz Escudero filed Senate Bill 430 that mandates nationwide inspection of buildings and imposition of stiff penalties to violators of the code. The bill is still pending at the Senate.
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No one can really predict when an earthquake will hit the region or even the city, for that matter. But with early preparations, not only by the government, but by the public and private sector as well, its effects could be minimized, according to experts. Over 70 participants gather for a workshop on how social media can help disaster managers gather and share information during times of crises The need to spread this critical message is one of the reasons why Rappler put up Project Agos, its platform for disaster management and climate adaptation. Project Agos is a collaborative platform that combines top-down government action with bottom-up civic engagement to help communities learn about climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. Project Agos aims to foster a community that shares best practices and works together towards achieving the zero casualty goal during disasters. The project harnesses online, mobile phone, and crowdsourcing technologies and social media to ensure that critical information flows to those who need it before, during, and after a disaster. (Rappler.com) n
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MAYWEATHER VS PACQUIAO
THE FIGHT IS ON! The showdown is a lock to be the richest in boxing history and will, barring a draw, settle the issue that has been debated for years: Who is the No. 1 fighter in boxing and who is the king of this era?
A
By dAn rafael • eSPN.com
T long last, pound-for-pound greats Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao will fight. Yes, the bout that looms as one of the most anticipated in boxing history is finally on. For more than five years sports fans have clamored for a summit meeting between the two best fighters in the world, and after various failed negotiations -- and a protracted and difficult effort to make the fight in recent months -- they will get it on May 2 to unify the fighters’ welterweight world titles at the MgM grand in las Vegas.
The showdown is a lock to be the richest in boxing history and will, barring a draw, settle the issue that has been debated for years: Who is the No. 1 fighter in boxing and who is the king of this era? Mayweather made the announcement on Feb. 20 on a social media platform called Shots, of which he is an investor. “I am glad my decision to meet with Manny and discuss making this fight happen
helped get the deal done,” Mayweather said, referring to a chance Jan. 27 meeting with Pacquiao at a Miami Heat game followed by a private discussion after the game. “Giving the fans what they want to see is always my main focus. This will be the biggest event in the history of the sport.” In addition to the future Hall of Famers finally hammering out a deal for their welterweight title unification
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talE oF tHE taPE Mayweather W-L-D KOs Height Reach Age
47-0-0 26 5’8” 72” 38
Pacquiao 57-5-2 38 5’6½” 67” 36
Mayweather has won world titles in five weight classes while becoming the highest-paid athlete in the world. bout -- one that will see Mayweather receive the lion’s share of a 60-40 money split in a fight that could gross around $400 million -- rival premium cable networks Showtime, which has Mayweather under contract, and HBO, which has a deal with Pacquiao, went through a brutal negotiation. The networks resultingly will come together to produce and distribute a joint pay-per-view telecast, which is expected to cost a record-high $89.95 (and probably $10 more for high definition). “I am very happy that Floyd Mayweather and I can give the fans the fight they have wanted for so many years,” Pacquiao said. “They have waited long enough and they deserve it. It is an honor to be part of this historic event. I dedicate this fight to all the fans who willed this fight to happen and, as always, to bring glory to the Philippines and my fellow Filipinos around the world.” The fight is expected to shatter every revenue record in boxing history, including the pay-per-
view buy record of 2.4 million generated by Mayweather’s 2007 junior middleweight championship fight against Oscar De La Hoya; the all-time pay-per-view revenue record of $150 million generated by Mayweather’s 2013 junior middleweight championship fight against Canelo Alvarez; and the all-time gate record of $20,003,150. It is only the second time Showtime and HBO have made such a deal. The first time was for the highly anticipated 2002 fight between then-heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, who was with HBO, and former champion Mike Tyson, who was with Showtime. For years, Mayweather and Pacquiao have been the two best fighters in the world, fighting in the same weight class but having not faced each other despite constant public demand. Both have been considered the pound-for-pound king at various times, with Mayweather having held that mythical position for the past few years with Pacquiao right behind him for most of that
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Pacquiao is the only boxer in history to win world titles in eight weight divisions.
period. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and living in Las Vegas, “Money” Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs), 38, has won world titles in five weight classes, mainly with his defensive brilliance and speed, while becoming the highest-paid athlete in the world. Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs), a 36-year-old southpaw known for his speed, power and aggressive style, became the only boxer in history to win world titles in eight weight divisions -- flyweight, junior featherweight, featherweight, junior lightweight, lightweight, junior welterweight, welterweight and junior middleweight -- while also generating hundreds of millions of dollars and being elected to congress in his native Philippines, where he is a national icon. n
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Binay Vs Duterte
in 2016? A former mayor whose governance has been marked by allegations of bigtime corruption versus a mayor whose been called out for alleged human rights violations against crime suspects. Tell me which sin most voters would consider worse.
By MiRiAM gRACE a. go
T’S been quite obvious, from the first federalism forum in butuan City graced by Rudy Duterte, that the mayor of Davao City is gauging whether a possible presidential bid would gain ground.
The idea of him seeking the highest post had been floated before that. Federalism is an advocacy that resonates with the two of the country’s three major island groups – the Visayas and Mindanao – home to 33.47 million registered voters as of 2013. The information caravan has reached Luzon, however, and it’s made clearer another aspect of a prospective Duterte campaign: it may threaten what most of us thought would be Vice President Jojo binay’s solid hold on the local government sector as a vote base. The patriarch of the political dynasty in the country’s small but richest city, versus the patri-
arch of a dynasty (if we consider the switching of posts between Duterte father and daughter a dynasty) in the country’s largest and certainly not poor city. The former mayor who is constrained to make controversial statements because he is vice president now, versus the toughtalking mayor who doesn’t lose anything if he says now that he’d put in place a revolutionary gov-
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ernment if, under his presidency, the reforms don’t materialize in 6 to 12 months. The former human rights lawyer, who is reputation-bound to say let’s uphold the rule of law, versus the local chief executive who strikes a chord with citizens even outside Davao with his very “practical” approach to addressing criminality. (Hands down favorite of late would be him instructing security personnel to shoot looters who would try to hijack a convoy of aide givers on their way to Leyte after Super Typhoon Yolanda.) A former mayor whose governance has been marked by allegations of bigtime corruption versus a mayor whose been called out for alleged human rights violations against crime suspects. Tell me which sin most voters would consider worse. Clearly, the Pimentels of Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) saw the potential – of Duterte’s bid, and of using Duterte’s bid to get back at Binay. (Editor’s note: Duterte on Feb. 21 dismissed talks that he will be the standard bearer of PDP-Laban in the 2016 elections. He said he is more open to run for the vicepresidency. “Kung alukin nila ako ng VP, eh di okey!” said Duterte, who was the keynote speaker in PDP-Laban’s 33rd anniversary in Intramuros, Manila, last Feb. 21. Duterte said he has not yet decided whether he will indeed run for president, saying running for the country’s top post is not appealing for him. “I’d like to talk to you about federalism but not presidency. I will say it again and again for the nth time, it doesn’t appeal to me at all. I just thank Gd for all these years, 30 years serving the poor. Para sa akin [after my term in 2016], wala na,” he said. One of PDP-Laban’s founders, former Sen. Nene Pimentel, earlier said Duterte is a good choice to become the political party’s 2016 standard bearer. “I like the idea of having someone from Mindanao, take a crack as at the presidency . . . kung ma-eendorso ng PDP-Laban, he will have a good chance,’’ Pimentel said.) It wouldn’t look contrived. Former Senator Nene Pimentel is the father of the current Local Government Code, which devolved a lot of powers to local governments – a good first step for any country contemplating a
Duterte says he is more open to run for the vice presidency. shift to federalism. Their family, like Duterte, is from Mindanao, and it is there where PDP-Laban is reportedly trying to regroup. Until the last election in 2013, Binay chaired PDP-Laban, the small party that helped form the United Nationalist Alliance that became the vehicle for his successful vice presidential bid in 2010. But he resigned after disagreements with Senator Koko Pimentel, who was offended when UNA adopted as senatorial candidate in 2013 Migz Zubiri, who had cheated him out of the senatorial polls in 2010. The younger Pimentel now chairs the party. Binay won on the idea of Makati being a successfully-run city by making the most of local autonomy, and promising to replicate it nationwide. With the spectre now of a Mindanaoan who has also run a city considerably well, voters may start to question how valid Binay’s campaign line was: of course, Makati could deliver services galore, the biggest companies in the country
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The Veep promises to replicate Makati’s success throughout the country.
pay their taxes there. In contrast, many of the provinces and cities, especially outside Luzon, have either progressed largely through local government efforts or have remained in poverty due to imperial Manila’s neglect – not through effortless, almost automatic, huge tax collections.
The tough-talking mayor of Davao City is the nemesis of criminals.
With them, a prospective candidate like Mayor Duterte can’t go wrong with floating the idea of a system that gives regional governments extensive freedom to keep and manage their own resources and run their own affairs. It will be simplistic to pit Luzon’s 29.27 million voter popula-
tion going for Binay against Mindanao’s 22.73 million going for Duterte. (And there’s the question of with whom the Visayas’ 10.74 million will side.) But then it also doesn’t work to rely on the history of Binay topping the polls in 20 Mindanao and Visayas provinces in 2010. He didn’t have a true blue Mindanaoan as rival at the time. In fact, at the kickoff of Duterte’s “listening tour” disguised as a series of federalism forums, he was joined by Vice Governor Manny Piñgol of North Cotabato, one of the provinces that delivered for Binay in 2010. Is Duterte worth watching? Yes. I’d like to think he’s not out to just increase his name recall for a senatorial run – he’s been uncomfortable with legislative work (he couldn’t wait for that single term as congressman to end, 1998-2001, while waiting for the term ban on the mayoral post to pass). At the very least, he may be positioning himself for a vice presidential bid – which was the path that Binay took going into 2010. Whether Duterte’s Mindanao (and Visayas) ties will translate to votes and prevail against Binay’s 2010 machinery of sister cities, APO fraternity, and the Boy Scouts is another story. We will see in the next several months. For now, the idea is undeniably a welcome tease. (Rappler.com) n
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Peace Is the Answer
By solitA collas-monsod
T HAS become a three-ring circus, these investigations of the Mamasapano Misencounter. To shift the attention to what are at least equally important matters, I dust off the Philippine Human Development Report (PHDR) 2005, titled “Peace, Human Security and Human Development in the Philippines,” and recommend that it be read by all concerned Filipinos, but most especially by our legislators, who seem to have taken their eyes off the ball, diverted by the thrill of the said three-ring circus. What it says still resonates. Even just the cover of PHDR 2005 is a sharp reminder to us: “It is a shadow play of fingers mimicking the images of guns. But the shadows also represent the finger-pointing among members of society based on prejudice, ignorance, and misrepresentation that often
Heavily armed MILF rebels.
Between 1970 and 1996, more than 100,000 were killed due to the Moro conflict, of whom 20 percent were noncombatants. In 1969-1976, during the fiercest fighting between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front, 60,000 were estimated killed, 54,000 wounded and 350,000 displaced.
Residents flee their war-torn community in Mindanao.
give rise to violence and armed conflict.” Isn’t that what we are being treated to right now? PHDR 2005 proceeds to tell us what armed conflict in the Philippines has cost us, and distinguishes between the NPA (New People’s Army) conflict and the Moro conflict. It provides a matrix of these costs, divided vertically into nonmonetary and economic costs, and horizontally into direct costs, implicit costs and spillover costs. For example, between 1970 and 1996, more than 100,000 were killed due to the Moro conflict, of whom 20 percent were noncombatants (this estimate is by Gen. E. Ermita). In 1969-1976, during the fiercest fighting be-
tween the government and the Moro National Liberation Front, 60,000 were estimated killed, 54,000 wounded and 350,000 displaced. PHDR 2005 continues: From the 1970s, as many as two million people may have experienced dislocation due to the Moro conflict. On a flow basis, around 1.4 million were displaced in 20002004. The largest movements in internally displaced persons occurred when the government launched major offensives. (This occurred during both the Estrada and the Arroyo regimes, although the largest one occurred during the Marcos years.—SCM) Furthermore, the toll among evacuees even in the relative “safety” of evacuation centers—disease, lack of food—cannot be ignored. Anywhere from one-fifth to one-third of major Moro ethnic groups now live in areas outside their ancestral homeland, some driven to virtual ghettoes where they are reduced to penury, and face discrimination and prejudice by the majority. And that’s “just” the nonmonetary costs. Now for the economic costs of the Moro conflict. Estimates of the eco-
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Blood-Soaked Town Cries for Peace M Muslim women rally for the passage of the proposed Bngsamore Basic Law. nomic cost, including foregone investment (in both the region and the country) amounted to larger than P10 billion annually in 1975-2002 (total: P370 billion). A better way of looking at it: These costs amounted to approximately 2.5 percent of the regional GDP of central and southwestern Mindanao, or about 0.5 percent of national GDP (which, at current prices, would mean roughly P60 billion) annually. If it is any comfort, the economic costs of conflict in other countries average about 11.3 percent of GDP per year (circa 2005). See what continued conflict would mean in terms of lives lost and displaced, and economic costs? National Economic and Development Authority Director General Arsy Balisacan, who was president of the Philippine Human Development Network at the time, wrote in his foreword to PHDR 2005: “…[T]he Moro conflict has been viewed as an exclusively ‘Mindanao issue’ but should be a pressing question of human development and human security that touches all Filipinos.” In other words, we are all affected. So let us not get distracted from the ultimate objective: peace. And if anyone says we have to make war to gain peace, my reply is that we tried that, too (with our major counteroffensives by Marcos and Estrada). It got us nowhere, at the tremendous costs we outlined above. And we are taking out our anger on the wrong people, methinks. Because since 2010 or 2011 there has been not one encounter between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. And the painful fact is that this Mamasapano Misencounter, may I venture to say, was not started by the MILF either. Even
the MILF’s reluctance to appear before the legislature was painted in the most uncomplimentary terms, as were most of its other statements. Painful. What is wrong with its wanting to finish its investigation so that it would have its facts straight before facing the Senate? Or what is wrong with saying that it remains a revolutionary organization until the peace agreement is implemented, at which event it would transform into a social one? Is that not what anyone would do? PHDR 2005 also puts some perspective on one of the most gruesome aspects of the Mamasapano Misencounter: the alleged killing of wounded police commandos by head shots at close range (ascribed, without any basis, to the MILF), and the alleged mutilation of the dead. These have enraged the public, and rightly so. These should be condemned, and the perpetrators should be brought to justice. But it should be remembered that similar atrocities have been committed against our Muslim brothers—the Jabidah massacre (anywhere from 28 to 64 Muslims killed by their Christian officers of the Philippine Army, none of whom was punished), the Ilaga’s (Christian vigilantes’) torture, mutilation and massacre of 70 people who were at a mosque, the shooting of a young evacuee couple (husband in the head, seven-months-pregnant wife in the belly). All equally enraging. The moral of the story is the same. Conflict creates its atrocities. Peace heals. Human security is the external condition for human development. Peace is the answer. Let’s keep to our quest for peace. Pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Now. (Philippine Daily Inquirer) n
AMASAPANO, Maguindanao—Unlike the rooms in Congress where the din of voices competing for attention drown the sound of reason, the town of Mamasapano in Maguindanao province is almost deathly quiet. On February 12, people peeked through their windows while others cautiously approached as a convoy of vehicles carrying members of foreign and local nongovernment organizations arrived. Wearing a purple hijab, 37-yearold farmer Bai Puti Kusain sat quietly as women community workers explained to her the rights she has as an internally displaced person. Kusain, a single mother of 10, owns and tills the cornfield where members of the 55th Special Action Company of the police Special Action Force were pinned down by Moro gunmen on Jan. 25. She vividly remembers the day. The sun was rising and she was preparing for work in the fields when gunfire erupted. “We are really clueless about what happened,” she said. “We just heard the gunshots on Sunday dawn (Jan. 25) and now our lives are in disarray,” Kusain said, talking in her native Maguindanaon. It’s been three weeks since more than 300 SAF commandos entered the town in a mission that now bears the infamy of being the deadliest ever by a police force that succeeded in getting its target, international terrorist Marwan, but failed miserably in protecting 44 commandos who were killed in the botched exit plan. While senators and congressmen, whom residents are not even aware existed, are squabbling about the bloodshed, families are apprehensive about their future. “I cannot even go back to our cornfield because we are afraid that explosives and unexploded munitions were left there and might kill us,” Kusain said. As a mother who single-handedly raises 10 children, she said every kernel of corn meant food on their table and baon for her children. “It is hard to be dependent on a small farm if you are a single mother to ten kids but now life is even harsher,” Kusain said. After blood was spilt on her cornfield, Kusain is now afraid that no one would again lend her money for farm inputs for the next cropping. To make it more painful, her cousin, Badrudin Langalan, was found tied and dead in the cornfield near the bodies of the SAF commandos. Langalan’s wife, Sarah, said her husband was not involved in the fighting and was only on his way to charge his mobile phone in the village center when the commandos allegedly seized and killed him. Sarah was reluctant to speak
Bai Puti Kusain, 37, mother of 10, inside her hut in the village of Tukalanipao in Mamasapano town.
While lawmakers are squabbling about the bloodshed, families are anxious about their future.
more but her face and eyes clearly express her pain. At her parents’ house, where she currently stays with her daughters, Sarah said she knows opportunities are few for people like her who had finished only elementary school. Wiping perspiration off the face of her daughters, Sarah said her eldest got her father’s eyes and nose. But the child, Sarah said, is hurting. “She is mad. She does not like soldiers,” Sarah said explaining that her child is too young to distinguish SAF commandos from soldiers. Sarah also admitted that she is angry but does not know whom or where to direct her anger. Asked if she wants to ask help from the government, Sarah said she is not expecting any but finds it unfair for all the media mileage, financial help and even housing packages are given to the SAF commandos, which residents see as intruders in their small town. Days after the bloodshed, the Department of Social Welfare and Development opened a bank account to receive cash donations for families of the SAF commandos who were killed in action. There was no such effort for the families of civilians who were killed even if they are barely surviving below the poverty line. The local government gave her P25,000 but Sarah said she was confused and tried to reject it because she thought it was payment for her husband’s life. Justice is what
they need, Sarah said. In interviews with residents of members of the fact-finding mission, it is evident that many of the residents were hesitant to speak. In hushed tones, many residents commented that numerous groups and journalists came to the area and asked the same questions over and over again but attention shifts to bickering politicians. “Sharing our stories again and again is tiring and very depressing. But after we gave our narratives nothing happened. There was no public furor to help us regain normalcy. There was no uproar to bring attention to the MILF fighters and civilians who also died,” said a displaced resident. Ghadzali Jaafar, vice chair for political affairs of the MILF, agreed saying that several residents and Moro leaders in the town feel they are not citizens of the country and are being excluded as a result of politicians’ grandstanding. UK-based Oxfam commented that it was important for the investigation to progress but special attention be given to the communities and residents hurt by the conflict. At least 6,620 residents, mostly women and children from six villages, were directly affected by the Jan. 25 bloodshed. At least 13 schools suspended classes affecting hundreds of students. Lyca Sarenas, of the Oxfam Mindanao Programme, said like in other conflicts in the country, women and children are usually forgotten, exposing them to risks that include extreme poverty, hunger and diseases. Amid the confusion and high emotions, especially in social media, Sarenas said the bloodshed and its effect on women should convince more people that peace is the only sane solution. “The recent tragedy should compel us to be more unyielding in pursuing the path towards just and lasting peace,” Sarenas said. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
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Easily, the EscuderoEvangelista wedding could be the grandest matrimonial event of the year.
T MAy as well be the wedding of the year – the nuptials between showbiz princess Heart Evangelista and one-time presidential aspirant Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. Theirs is a love matched in heaven, witnessed and graced by movers and shakers in politics, business, media, and showbiz. Their union defied a Shakespearean tragedy. An earlier marriage in 1999 which produced a twin for him crumbled, and in 2012, that union was annulled. For her part, she has had her share of heartbreaks, compounded by overly protective parents. Like her past relationships, the parents were against her latest inamorata. After all, there’s a 15-16 year gap between them. She’s just 30; he’s turning 46 this year. Despite her age, her parents say their daughter is still immature and “thinks like a young girl.” Escudero, they believe, is just manipulating their daughter “into going against the family.” But Heart declared her emancipation and this time, listened to well, her heart. On February 15 this year, they exchanged “I dos” in the exclusive, private, members-only Balesin resort in Quezon province.
How Can a 2nd ‘Poorest’ Senator
Afford a Balesin Wedding?
Star-studded Like any ceremony befitting royalty, Evangelista and Escudero’s wedding was a marriage of politics and business, with the added glitter of showbiz. Easily, it could be the grandest matri-
Theirs is a love matched in heaven, witnessed and graced by movers and shakers in politics, business, media, and showbiz.
The lavish wedding of Senator Chiz Escudero and actress Heart Evangelista raises some questions about propriety. Already, tapping biggies in the corporate world as principal sponsors has raised the eyebrows of some purists who think that Escudero crossed the thin ethical line between public service and private interests.
monial event of the year. The principal sponsors say it all. Some of the high-profile corporate personalities were basically lifted from Forbes’ list of richest Filipinos, led by Hans Sy, scion of business tycoon Henry Sy of the SM group of companies. The A-list sponsors included Ramon Ang, president and CEO of San Miguel Corporation, Fernando Zobel of Ayala Corporation, Andrew Tan of Megaworld Corporation, Lance Gokongwei of Robinson’s Corporation, Cebu Pacific and JG Summit, and Bobby Ongpin of Alphaland. Property developer Jerry Acuzar of New San Jose Builders was also part of this elite list. From the media side, ABS-CBN head Gabby Lopez (who was represented by younger brother Ernie Lopez of ABS-CBN Publishing), Kapuso network head Felipe Gozon and GMA 7 executives Gilbert Duavit and Lilybeth Rasonable, and TV anchor Mel Tiangco also stood as principal sponsors. From politics, the principal sponsors included General Santos City Mayor Adelbert W. Antonino, former Rizal district Representative
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The bride in a Grace Kelly-inspired gown designed by Dubai-based fashion designer Ezra Santos. Gilberto Duavit, Isabela Governor Faustino Dy Jr, and Mayor Esther Hamor of Sorsogon. From the world of showbiz, Viva Entertainment chairman Vicente del Rosario, actress-director-scriptwriter Bibeth SiguionReyna, Susan Roces, and Jackie Lou Blanco joined in. And let’s not forget President Benigno Aquino III, who was tapped as the best man in absentia. Widely covered by the media, the wedding qualifies for a fairy tale. Photos posted on Instagram and other social media outlets showed a dreamy reception ambiance, with all the hallmarks of expensive elegance. The bride’s wedding gown was inspired by Grace Kelly, designed by Dubai-based fashion designer Ezra Santos. The groom’s suit was by renowned fashion designer Paul Cabral. A second gown, which Evangelista wore at the Manila reception for friends and colleagues who were not on the Balesin guest list, was designed by USbased Monique Lhuillier. Held at The Blue Leaf Filipinas in Parañaque, the second reception was attended by more than a thousand invitees, based on reports. By any measure, the EscuderoEvangelista nuptial was anything but simple. And this is where Escudero, the lawmaker, may have failed the standard.
Conflict of interest Already, tapping biggies in the corporate world as principal sponsors has raised the eyebrows of some purists who think that Escudero crossed the thin ethical line between public service and private interests. As senator, Escudero, who is a
member of the powerful Blue Ribbon committee, participates in Senate hearings and probes that range from public fund misuse to bad corporate practices of companies engaged in government contracts. For instance, in the Senate probe on the alleged hidden wealth of the Binay family, officials of Hilmarc’s Construction, which was behind several bigticket projects in Makati, were summoned to the hearings to explain the company’s side. A more recent case was Ongpin, who was summoned to explain the alleged anomalous joint venture agreement involving a property of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. At the very least, by naming them as wedding sponsors, Escudero would have to recuse himself from participating in any probe that may involve any of his principal sponsors. Escudero was seen at the Senate hearing on the Boy Scouts-Alphaland controversy on Wednesday, February 18, where Ongpin was among the resource persons, but he didn’t participate in it. He arrived in the afternoon – the hearing began late morning – but left quickly and did not ask any questions. The hearing was held just days after his wedding in Balesin where Ongpin was among the primary sponsors. The businessman also owns the resort. Escudero will also have to inhibit from any Senate probe involving competitors of his wedding sponsors to insulate himself from allegations of conflict of interest. Somehow, through this, he has defanged himself as a public servant doing public service for public good.
Code of conduct While Escudero’s public role and
The country’s biggest names in business stand as principal sponsors.
The reception venue at the members-only Balesin Island Resort in Popilio, Quezon. private decisions can be debated observe tradition of the groom upon, what’s clear under the Code shouldering much of the expense of Conduct and Ethical Standards or were they egalitarian in sharing for Public Officials and Employees the tab? How much of their peror RA 6713 is that public servants sonal money did they shell out? While not exactly filthy rich “and their families shall lead modest and simple lives appropriate to or dirt poor by an ordinary man’s their positions and income.” They standard, Escudero is not exactly are also supposed “to not indulge wallowing in wealth. in extravagant or ostentatious disSALNs play of wealth in any form.” In fact, only two years ago, As a rule, public officials are required to maintain “a standard of he was considered the “poorest” living within the public official and senator with a total declared net employee’s visible means of income worth of P4.017 million. From 2007 to 2011, when his as correctly disclosed in his income tax returns, annual statement of as- marriage to Christine Elizabeth sets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) Flores was not yet annulled, Escuand other documents relating to fi- dero’s net worth ranged between nancial and business interests and P7.4 million to P9.867 million. Between those years, his cash on connections.” Question is: was the wedding hand and in banks hovered beitself within Escudero’s “visible tween P1.2 million to P3.7 milmeans of income?” Does it mea- lion, with the rest of his net worth sure up to the modest and simple in real and personal properties. In 2012, after the couple’s split lifestyle invoked by the law? Did the newly-wed couple was made official, Escudero’s net
worth dipped from P9.867 million to P4.017 million, displacing Senator Antonio Trillanes IV who had been the perennial “poorest” senator. His cash on hand also went south with only P900,000. The sharp decrease in his net worth can be attributed to the court-ordered transfer of the former couple’s two residential condominiums to their two children. In his latest 2013 SALN declaration, Escudero’s net worth jumped to P8.243 million, on the strength of properties – 5 residential and one – he acquired by “succession.” (Escudero’s father, former Agriculture Secretary and Sorsogon First District Representative Salvador Escudero died in 2012). His cash on hand also rose to P3.183 million. Still, he remains the second “poorest” senator, behind Trillanes. No official figure has been given on how much was spent for the grand Escudero-Evangelista nuptial. Given that public officials have still until April 30 to file their 2014 SALNs, it would be interesting to find out how the lavish wedding was pulled off based on the senator’s net worth. Specifically, it will at least provide a glimpse of his liquidity status just before the wedding. Still, any SALN adjustment resulting from his new married status will only be reflected next year, in 2016, since the cut-off period for SALN declaration is December 31. This means Escudero’s 2015 SALN will have to wait until April 30, 2016. And in the space provided for spouse, he will now have a name to fill it. (Rappler.com) n
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By Colin marshall The Guardian HEN askEd for recommendations about their city, Manileños have the irksome habit of insisting that “There’s nothing to do in Manila,” or that “It’s just buildings,” and directing you instead to the nearest beach. But knowing that a city of Manila’s size and vitality is interesting by definition, if you press them, they will usually admit at least one thing: “Well, we do go to malls.” and do they ever: the malls of Metro Manila, 16 of them qualifying as “supermalls” – to say nothing of the various “community malls” and “lifestyle malls” – offer all of life’s necessities, and most of its pleasures. These cities unto themselves descend, in some sense, from Manila’s walled
Araneta Center in Cubao
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In Manila, Malls Aren’t Passe – They Are the City Itself
Greenbelt Mall in Makati
America has always had a big influence on the Philippines – but while malls in the US are closing, in Manila the shops, air conditioning and light-skinned models of its ‘supermalls’ are the very essence of urban living.
MARCH 1-15, 2015
colonial-era “city within the city” of Intramuros. But today’s largest malls offer not just the usual shops, eateries (usually including at least one branch of a chicken roaster named after the american country singer kenny Rogers), grocery stores and movie theatres, but bowling alleys, gyms, medical offices and even churches. More importantly, they offer air conditioning, which goes a long way to explaining their success in a city whose temperature seldom falls below 20°C. (Can it be a coincidence that Manila’s first enclosed shopping mall, 1932’s art deco Crystal arcade, was also the country’s first air-conditioned building?) In a sure acknowledgment of the malls’ importance to the city, some trains on Manila’s crowded rapid rail network, the city’s only truly public transit system, pull right into them. But you can get to a mall by a host of other highly inexpensive means as well, selecting, from amid the all-hours crush of cars and livestock-filled trucks, a taxi, a trike (local slang for small-engined motorcycle with a sheetmetal sidecar), a pedicab (like a +6
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In Manila, Malls Aren’t Passe – They Are... From page 19
trike, but bicycle-powered), or that most Philippine conveyance of all, the jeepney. Just as Manila’s malls have come to privately provide the city a great amount of quasi-public space, Manila’s jeepneys have come to privately provide it a great amount of quasi-public transit. Originally conversions of the American jeeps left behind after the Second World War but now built locally, these elongated vehicles, decked out with a pair of bench seats and a captivating variety of eye-catching colour schemes and religious, nationalistic or simply cartoonish murals, represent not just the Philippines’ distinctive brand of improvisational urbanism, but its equally distinctive way of repurposing things characteristically American. As a country formerly ruled by the US and where the only common language is English, the Philippines have an enduring and distinctively close relationship with American culture. The hustle and bustle of life here has long taken place against the incongruous sonic backdrop of American soft rock from the 1970s and 80s (much of it sung, impeccably, by Filipinos themselves). But apart from a half-implemented 1905 city plan by Daniel Burnham, contributor to the plans of Chicago and Washington DC, as well as green road signs in the style I know from back home in the US, they haven’t adhered very closely to the ways of American city-building, especially as regards shopping malls. Whereas I grew up thinking of malls as distant, suburban alternatives to the city, here in Manila they constitute a vital part of the city’s fabric, right there in its core. Usually staffed with a sometimes ludicrous abundance of security guards both inside and out (as each shop inside boasts what strikes the westerner as a forbidding phalanx of excessive employees), Manila’s malls offer other kinds of protection as well, though you don’t get the feeling, unlike in some other cities of Asia or South America, that their walls stand as the last defence against perceived menacingly desperate masses just outside. Still, the malls do contrast starkly in appearance and smell from much of the rest of Manila,
Market! Market! at Bonifacio Global City an urban environment considerably heavier on rusting corrugated steel, scruffy wandering animals and visible diesel fumes (though no less representative of the city for it). Experienced connoisseurs of Manila malls — most of which are built by the same deep-pocketed developers, Ayala Land, Robinsons Land or SM Prime Holdings, each struggling to outdo the last Greenbelt probably stands at a with how many conveniences, at- slightly different economic level tractions and decorative flourish- than one who frequents TriNoma, es it can cram on to the premises or Glorietta, or Market! Market! — know that each belongs to its But none of these places give the own class. impression of accepting only the A Filipino who frequents top stratum of Philippine society.
The malls seem instead to target Manila’s emerging, young, more or less middle class.
SM Mall of Asia
They seem instead to target Manila’s emerging, young, more or less middle class, an enticing demographic represented by, for instance, the many employees of foreign companies who have in recent decades outsourced certain operations to the Philippines, easing the economy’s dependence on remittances from overseas foreign workers (OFWs in the local parlance). This outsourced workforce even has a smaller, open-air mall devoted to them: the office park TechnoHub, a joint venture between Ayala Land and the University of the Philippines, at whose
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf crowds of call-centre employees can be seen chatting on their mobile phones and holding their cigarettes just so. Class-conscious visitors will notice other conspicuous signals in and around Metro Manila’s malls. Advertisements surround the construction sites for the new wave of condo towers now rising up in places like the financial centre Makati. “Superlative Metroliving” promises one in somewhat Filipinised English, alongside a picture of a cosmopolitan-looking couple, light of complexion and vacant of expression. These sorts of people, typical characters in Philippine movies and television shows, represent, in their paleness, fashionconsciousness and frequent usage of English rather than Tagalog or other native languages, the height of arrogance – but also the height of success. Such aspirational language and images may discomfit westerners, saddled with centuries of anxiety about skin colour. (One standard shock comes upon seeing the number and overtness of the Philippines’ advertisements for “skin-whitening” soap, available at all of these malls’ cosmetics dealers.) But the de facto public space of the malls of Manila offer the best vantage point from which to observe the more ambitious, more demanding and more internationally connected Philippines that is now on the rise, coming up by whatever means it can. That, perhaps, comes as more of a surprise than anything to westerners, particularly to an American such as myself, coming as we do from places where big, fully enclosed shopping centres, many of which have already undergone demolition, have become symbols of the increasingly passé, automobile-bound and fear-driven cold war era of urban planning. In the postwar years, Manila repurposed jeeps, those most utilitarian American vehicles, into an iconic, useful, and flamboyant form of transit. Today, in the same improvisational manner, it has repurposed malls, those most tired of all American structures, not by building them as a substitutes for the city, but by building them as the city itself. n
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Sexiest Celebrities of 2014
B
EING an object of desire is no easy feat. But these beauties really cruise through. Not only have they the body to die for, their face speak of beauty that is the deemed so alluring many think they come from out of this world. And attract over 13 million votes from Las Islas.
Ellen Ada
rna
urtis
Anne C
Ladies and gentlemen, the most coveted women in the archipelago by popularity as tabulated by the local edition of the global men’s magazine FHM in the year that was:
10: Jinri Park
(Birthday: April 24, 1988; age 26) Look at those long legs! Amazing! Jinri Park has been at it, and her love for the Philippines has produced p h e -
Jinri Park
nomenal results. One classic example is her FHM rise to from #79 to Top 10. Where she used to belong only to the Top 100, she has edged closer and closer to the Elite of the Elite. And no one is complaining, most especially not her beau, comedian and author Ramon Bautista, all it takes is a glance at her and you’d know she’s worth the attention – and more! Bloodline: Korean
9: Anne Curtis (Birthday: February
17, 1985; age 29) She may not be the best nightingale in town and her high notes may be wanting but there is no question Anne has become a sex symbol in Las Islas Filipinas like no other. You might ask, how does her current beau Erwan Heusaff survive her singing? But you certainly can cast no doubt on her irresistibility. Bloodline: Filipino Australian
8: Ellen Adarna (Birthday: April 2, 1988; age 26) Ellen Adarna, the It Girl, is one chocolate that would make every
Juan drool. Conquering hearts in the online department, she has captured the country’s attention in her daring roles in Moon of Desire. And judging from all her success, she definitely made her decision to stick it up with the showbiz worth it – instead of helping her family run their condo biz in Cebu. Thank Ellen for making a wise choice! Bloodline: Chinese-Spanish-Filipina
7: Alice Dixson (Birthday: July 28, 1969; age 45) For a woman who is in her mid-40s, Alice Dixson has redefined aging for every Juan. Topping even much younger candidates in this A-list. And if you were wondering if you read that sentence right, just take a look at her online presence, tap Google and voila! With her showing the way, there is no reason to say 40 is old, rather 40 is the new 20. Ravishing and most desired as she is! And yes, Alice is most certainly single, straight from a divorce. The question that remains now for all those bachelors out there is winning her heart. How do you win a former Miss International Philippines heart? Anybody dare to try?
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Angel Locsin
SolennHeusaff
6: SolennHeusaff (Birthday: July 20, 1985; age 29) For everything that she is: Filipina VJ, actress, TV host, model, singer, fashion designer, painter, professional make-up artist, you’d be surprised Solenn Heusaff is one hot babe you dare not miss. Fact is, she has graced the Top 10 a couple of times and many believe dislodging her from the list would take more than just wishful thinking. Given a body like hers, of course! Bloodline: Filipino-French 5: Cristine Reyes (Birthday: February 5, 1989; age 25) Whew! Wowowee! Look at all that chiseled body that resembles a Greek goddess of old! Except that this one is true blue Filipina. Ara Marie Cristine Reyes first made her public appearance in GMA-7’s reality TV show Starstruck but has since become a contract artist of rival ABS-CBN. And she has struck such a chord in every Juan’s heart, she has become a mainstay year in year out in the FHM Top 10 Sexiest. However, things might change in 2015 with her baby bump.
Jennylyn Mercado her resume will make you all the more amazed as she is not only an accomplished actress under GMA, she can hold her own in the singing department even against the best of the industry. Her albums have produced several popular singles. Now, all these accomplishments only makes us wonder all the more why would anybody in his right mind would break up with her. Love moves in mysterious ways, most definitely.
habit of garnering accolades after accolades, awards after awards. With a morena beauty she has embodied everything a Pinoy man would dream of, perhaps to a fault. And she is certainly rid-
ing on the waves of her success, amusing us with her award-winning acting and making us beg her to give us more! Not that we would want hack her Apple account like JLo’s but we are cer-
tainly toying with the idea. And yes, with a body to die for she should forget Lucky Manzano for the moment. Now that would be a good idea, don’t you think?
2: Sam Pinto (Birthday: December 11, 1989; age 25) Although she started modelling at 10, Sam burst into the scene when she became part of the reality series Pinoy Big Brother. And her career enjoyed nothing but a steady rise, landing her modeling stints left and right and making her a household word in the process. Her beauty has captivated the hearts of many Pinoys on the small screen and the big screen and she held the title of FHM Sexiest consecutively from 2011 to 2012. Her votes totaled over 1.4 million, edged only by the reigning queen.
3: Angel Locsin (Birthday: April 23, 1985; age 29) Fresh from her scorching-hot, top-grossing teleserye Legal Wife, Angel has certainly made it a
4: Jennylyn Mercado (Birthday: May 15,
1987; age 27) What makes Jennylyn Mercado amazing is she still rocks that body even when she has given birth to a son already, by Ceasarian section at that? How is she able to maintain that figure is anybody’s guess. And looking at
Sam Pinto
Marian Rivera
1: Marian Rivera (Birthday: August 12, 1984; age 30) Hail the Queen! Garnering over 1.5 million votes of the total 13 million votes cast, Marian Rivera – now Mrs. Dingdong Dantes – has truly caught the hearts of Pinoys like no other. And if topping this A-list is already a feat for many, topping it for two consecutive years is nothing short of spectacular. But this Spanish mestiza not only has done that, she has doubled her votes of 890,490 from last year. Not bad for a 5’2” actress. And to top all that she has secured GMA’s topbilled hunk too, making every other woman all the more swimming in envy! Bloodline: Spanish-Filipino (TopTen.ph) n
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WILLIE WANTS TO LIVE SIMPLE LIFE CONTROVERSIAL TV host Willie Revillame said he will be selling his expensive car collection to augment his daily personal needs and also to help his needy neighbors. He also said that he want to have a normal life the moment he is back in spotlight. According to him, he feels empty while being away from showbiz, adding that he learned many things that gave him life lessons. Willie said in an interview that he was in the verge of giving up, but the visit of Pope Francis gave him hope and inspiration. “I had everything but in just
a blink of an eye, everything was gone”, he said referring to his wealth during the height of his popularity. He said that having expensive cars does not make any sense if you don’t have money to buy gas, pay taxes, and even vehicle registration fees. “This is how broke I am”, the actor continued. “I called all of my friends telling them to sell this and sell that because I don’t need these cars anymore and I need money”, Willie said with teary eyes. According to one report, he was selling his Ferrari 458 for
P25 million. The 54- year-old host-comedian said he is not asking for anything anymore aside from returning to spotlight so that he can help people. He was on top of his game while hosting the noontime show Wowowee on ABS-CBN from 2005 to 2010 but had a falling out with the network after he asked studio executives to choose between him and a showbiz reporter whose comment he did not like. He moved to rival TV5 until October 2013 when he last appeared on his program Wowowillie.
‘I regret and I blame myself for what happened.’
ROBIN, MARIEL MARK V-DAY IN BATTLEFIELD
Robin and Mariel celebrate a “different” Valentine’s Day.
Marriage of politics and showbiz
HEART, CHIZ TIE THE KNOT HEART Evangelista and Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero tied the knot in a Catholic wedding ceremony on Feb. 15 at the exclusive Balesin Island Club in Polilio, Quezon. Guests included family and friends of the couple from showbiz, politics and business. The happy occasion was marred by the absence of the bride’s parents who have earlier expressed disapproval of their 30-year-old daughter’s relationship with the 45-year-
old lawmaker from Sorsogon. Heart’s older sister Camille Ongpauco was the maid of honor, while the actress’s other siblings - Michelle and Lissa - were part of the secondary sponsors. President Aquino, the Best Man, was absent after the groom had asked him to skip the ceremony to spare him from criticism in the face of the raging controversy over the Mamasapano incident where 44 police commandos were killed in a battle with Muslim rebels. The President
was also unable to attend attended the Manila reception last Feb. 18. Among the principal sponsors were big names in business, including Ramon Ang, Roberto Ongpin, Andrew Tan, Hans Sy, Lance Gokongwei, and Fernando Zobel de Ayala. Heart’s closest friends from showbiz made up her list of bridesmaids, namely, Jennylyn Mercado, Lovi Poe, Alessandra de Rossi, Solenn Heussaff and Carla Abellana.
ROBIN Padilla and Mariel Rodriguez celebrated the day of hearts by visiting the strife-torn town of Mamasapano in Maguindanao province. In a post on her Instagram account, Mariel shared how they decided to spend their Valentine’s Day with the town’s residents three weeks after the bloody encounter between government forces and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) which killed 44 police commandos, 18 MILF troops and five civilians. Mariel recounted that Robin asked her on Feb. 13 if she wanted to celebrate a “different” Valentine’s Day. “Yesterday Robin asked me, ‘Game ka ba sa kakaibang valentines?’,without asking what it was i immediately said ‘game!’, later on i found out i was going to Mamasapano to visit the civilian casualties of the war honestly i was a bit scared that it might not be safe then i thought Robin would never put my life in danger so today we took an early flight to General Santos City and headed to Mamasapano,” the television host said. Mariel described the experience visiting Mamasapano as “priceless.” “I saw a lot of men holding long guns (terrified me to tell you the truth), i was a few meters away from the ‘battlefield’ and most of all i saw the smiles on the faces of the civilians who felt special that we visited them and chose to spend valentines day with them… that was priceless. i didnt get flowers for valentines but instead i got this experience for the soul.#RealHeartsDay,” she added. Robin, a Muslim convert, said that Valentine’s Day is meant to be celebrated for humanity. “Today is Love day, it does not mean only for couples, its for the whole of Humanity!!!! May the Big Finger of Peace sign be with you all,” the actor said. The couple also expressed their support for calling lasting peace in Mindanao.
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CELEBRITYFILES
TONI RENEWS CONTRACT WITH ABS-CBN
ON her 10th year as a Kapamilya talent, Toni Gonzaga on Feb. 23 inked a new three-year-contract with network ABS-CBN. Toni said she and ABS-CBN agreed to some adjustments as she is set to settle down this year with long-time boyfriend, director Paul Soriano. Asked if there will be a problem with her contract if ever she gets pregnant right after her wedding, Toni said: “Hindi naman siguro. Kaya siguro medyo natagalan ng pag-aayos nung contract kasi may kaunting adjustments but definitely it’s within the contract. Kung ano ang mangyayari sa akin in the future, may adjustments at flexible ‘yung contract for that.” Part of Toni’s new contract is hosting a new reality show, as well as the new season of Pinoy Big Brother in June. Toni also revealed that she will be doing a new series -- her first in almost a decade as her last teleserye was Crazy For You with Luis Manzano back in 2006. She said she will announce her wedding date after her movie with Coco Martin, adding that she has already picked her wedding gown.
Still on engagement high
SAM, JASMINE BREAK UP - REPORT
Jasmine and Sam: Those were the days
SAM Concepcion and Jasmine Curtis have split, a television report said. Citing various anonymous sources, the gossip show The Buzz reported last Feb. 22 that the cause of the split was Sam’s alleged lack of effort to establish friendship with Jasmine’s older sister Anne. The report said that the split was made official last January. The source said that Jasmine and Sam are civil with each other. Observers noted that the couple were not seen together last Valentine’s Day nor were messages or pho-
tos about them seen lately on social media, sparking speculations that the two have indeed split. The Buzz said that it tried to reach out to the concerned parties to confirm the breakup but they refused to comment on the issue. Previous reports shed light on the volatile relationship between Anne and Sam, as seen in a party last March where Anne allegedly shouted at Sam for being not “classy” enough. During the said confrontation, Anne accused Sam of allegedly fooling her sister.
BOY, KRIS TO HELP NORA WITH VOCAL SURGERY
KRIS Aquino and Boy Abunda have volunteered to help finance Nora Aunor’s vocal cord operation. The offer came after Nora related on the show The Buzz that she needed to have it done again. “Hindi ako nakakakanta. Ngayon, namamaos na naman ako kaya siguro kailangan ko na talaga magpa-opera sabi ng doctor sa Boston noong nagpunta ako,” Nora said. Nora, however, shared she’s having difficulty raising money needed for the procedure. To this, Boy replied, “Tutulungan kitang mag-ipon.
Mag-ipon tayo nang sabay . . . Tutulungan tayo ni Kris.” Kris agreed to pay for Nora’s airfare to Boston while Boy promised to shoulder the hospital fees. A seemingly overwhelmed Nora asked if the offer was for real and the two hosts readily replied in the affirmative. “Maraming bagay na kaming dalawa ang nagtutulungan talaga,” Boy said. Kris added, “Making you (Nora) happy will make Boy happy.” Boy is an avid fan of the original Superstar.
Will she regain her singing voice?
Neil proves the guys have it too
PINOY COP NAMED MISTER INTERNATIONAL 2014
THE police officer from Tondo, Manila, is the Philippines’ latest pageant titleholder. Neil Perez, also known as Mariano Perez Flormata Jr. of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Aviation and Security Group, was named Mister International 2014 in ceremonies held in Seoul, South Korea on Feb. 14. Perez bested 42 other contestants for the title. He is the ninth Mister International and first Filipino to win the title. Perez, in an interview with the press prior to the pageant, said he is dedicating his participation in Mister International to the 44 police officers who were slain in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. “Naawa ako sa pamilya ng mga kapwa pulis ko dahil alam kong umaasa silang babalik silang buhay at walang nangyaring masama sa kanila. Pero ito nga ang nangyari. Sana may managot sa pangyayaring ito,” Perez said.
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HERE’S SomEtHing about the Philippines. named originally for a crown prince of the Spanish empire, Las islas Filipinas has become a magnet of sorts. in fact, a little look in history will tell us: mighty nations fell prey to her beauty and powers of seduction. Eventually driven to possessing her islands and subjugating her people. the Spanish conquistadors coddled her for over 300 years. then the Japanese dressed her up at the height of WWii. And of course, our Big Brother, the only superpower nation in the world: the Americans, put her on the map. Yet, today Philippines stands tall, proud as Pacquiao – its most well-known boxer. As thousands and thousands of men and women – from just about every race the Blue Planet has to offer– long for a piece of heaven in this socalled “Pearl of the orient”. Herewith are 10 of the reasons why the Philippines has become an expat’s paradise on Earth.
1. The People Like a world-class hotel, Filipinos are the best concierge any expat can get. With its brand of hospitality, foreign visitors are treated with respect and kindness that’s going to give every hotelier a run for its money. giving the extra mile in showing directions and giving a place to stay when necessary, for instance. truly, Filipinos are the friendliest, warmest people on Earth. You can see it every day in how neighbors interact and meet each other. For the most part, you can go places without feeling like you’re a walking wallet. So hospitable indeed that many of expats who have taken fancy in marrying Filipinas have found them to be the best in the world: from cooking to taking care of business (humping and bumping). As they say: Heaven on Earth is when you have an American salary and a Filipina wife.
2. Endless Supply of Paradise Beaches if you think Philippines is the
other name of paradise on Earth, you could never have been so right. With all the beautiful beaches to choose from, you’d be lucky to spend all the days of a year to grace them all. And it’s no surprise. to date, unless mother nature decides to do an unscheduled redesign, the Philippines has one of longest beachlines in the world – beating even China and Brazil. For the beach-crazed fanatic, the list is endless: Boracay, El nido, Puerto galera, Panglao island just to name a few. World-class.
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Top 10 Reasons Expats Choose the Philippines World-renowned. Fine-grained. White-sand beaches. go surfing, scuba, sky diving. Certainly, it’s more fun in the Philippines!
3. Nature and Its Amazing Flora and Fauna Combine the forests of the Amazon and the deserts of Africa, that’s how diverse the flora and fauna the Philippines may offer. ok, that was a pitch. Still, lions, giraffes, anaconda may not have made the islands home but the place is crawling with species you’d only come face to face if you visit the country. Classic examples: (1) the biggest, most venomous snake on Earth, King Cobra (2) monkey about the size of a thumb, tarsier (3) the biggest eagle in the world (length-wise) Philippine Eagle. Add in the mix: 200 mam-
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an adventure of a lifetime and beyond. And yes, World Heritage Sites to blow your mind away. Classic example: The Tubbataha Reef Natural Park. Your list never runs out of new places of adventure to conquer and POI (Points of Interest) to make your journey complete, whether you’re an adventurous backpacker, an ardent scuba enthusiast or an avid camera buff.
mal species, 600 bird species, 300 reptiles and amphibian and a whopping 400 coral species and you’ve got yourself a whopping big bucket-list to explore. Whether, your cup of tea is underwater or inland, you’re going to find a feast of animals that’s going to satisfy your eyes and the best of your cameras. If only you have all the time.
4. All-Year-Round Fiestas and Celebrations Filipinos are such a gregarious people fiestas and celebration litter the whole year. Thanks to the influx of Catholicism, every town down to every barangay, down to every sitio have etched itself a day in the calendar to celebrate. Now, that’s a lot with 42,000 barangays in the whole country. And that’s not including the big celebrations yet where thousands of people troop every year. Classic examples are: Sinulog, Dinagyang, Panagbenga.
5. Best Tropical Weather For days when the sun seems to live forever visit the Philippines from November to May. Then, you can spend time plying the beaches, getting your best tan and drinking all the booze you can get. And if you want enjoy the rain – and doing all things you want under it – the rainy season from June to October should be your best shot. With an average yearly temperature of 26.6°C, Philippines is going to cater to your greatest tropical obsession all-year round.
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10. Best Christmas
6. No Language Barrier In the running as the BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) capital of the world, you won’t have a hard time getting your message across as a foreign visitor. Filipinos enjoy a high literacy rate and -thanks to Uncle Sam – most speak the universal language of commerce, English, with ease. Certainly to your advantage, when you’re out looking for the love of your life.
7. Choice of Cheap Alcohol and Sumptuous Dishes For starters, tropical Philippines offer fruits galore found only in this side of the planet – from ba-
nanas and rambutans to chicos and jackfruits. And yes, you can have your stomach’s fill without losing a shirt or two with all the food and drinks galore that’s on the cheap– from pinakbet and dinuguan to Tanduay and Emperador Light. Never mind the bread, enjoy rice and make sure you whip the cocktail and food combination that’s just right for you. Yes, dive into a feast of new delight. With hundreds of dialects nationwide and a diverse culture, you’d find a thousand and one ways to cook beef, pork or chicken meat, for instance. All the more reason to explore.
8. Enjoy a Soothing Massage, Relax and Rejuvenate From Swedish to Shiatsu to all the other varieties of massage, you’re going to have your hands full as almost every major city in the country is offering a slew of these soothing services. Make sure you have ample time to relax and rejuvenate.
9. Never-ending Adventure Spots To boot, Philippines is home to over 37 volcanoes, including the world’s smallest volcano – Taal. Add to the mix underground caves, calm lakes and beautiful waterfalls and you’re looking at
Yes, I have to save the best for last. And it’s got to be Christmas. If you want to be happy don’t just listen to that Pharell Williams song, be with happy people. Welcome to the longest, happiest, most glorious celebration in the world: Christmas in the Philippines. Just see the streets and houses transform with all the lights and décor from September to December. With Christmas, Philippines becomes one magic land, with people giving gifts and children going around singing songs of hope and joy. This is the time of year so enviable thinking of it alone makes most overseas Filipino workers want to go back home. For all the right reasons it’s no wonder, many expats have made Philippines their permanent home of choice. Imagine how much more joy and adventure you’d get when you multiply all of the above reasons 7,107 times. That’s Philippines to the power of 7,107 islands! (TopTen.ph) n
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Apuao Grande Island, the most famous of Mercedes’ seven islands, is located 10 kilometers northeast of Daet and a 45-minute boat ride from Mercedes.
By sHiEnA m. Barrameda
AGA CITY -Magical may not be the right word to describe the seven wonders surrounded by white sand scattered just off the coast of Mercedes town in Camarines Norte, but it sure comes close to it. Located at the east of Camarines Norte, the Mercedes Group of Islands is a wonderland of white sand with a surprising abundance of pine trees and protected fish and coral sanctuaries, just a one-hour boat ride away from the mainland. It is now being touted by locals and its municipal government as the next big attraction in Northern Bicol, Coleen Ibasco, Mercedes Tourism Officer, said. The islands of Caringo, Canimog, Apuao Grande, Apuao Pequeña, Canton, Quinapaguian and Malasugui are offered as an
Magic of Mercedes’ 7-
Island Paradise
The Canton Island is called “The Rock” because of its massive rock formations, caves and craggy shores. adventure package that would include excursions to its white-sand beaches, mountain hiking and trekking, boating and kayaking and snorkeling, she added.
Although it has not yet attracted enough publicity, Mercedes’ seven-island paradise is a favorite of backpackers, campers and tourists who seek to experi-
Although it has not yet attracted enough publicity, Mercedes’ seven-island paradise is a favorite of backpackers, campers and tourists who seek to experience a different travel adventure apart from beachcombing and indulging in extreme sports like kite-surfing that Camarines Norte has in store in Bagasbas Beach and Calaguas Island.
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PHILIPPINESthe BEAUTIFUL ence a different travel adventure apart from beachcombing and indulging in extreme sports like kite-surfing that Camarines Norte has in store in Bagasbas Beach and Calaguas Island. Ibasco said the Mercedes Tourism Office is working with other local government units (LGUs) in the Bicol region to promote the potentials of the Mercedes Group of Islands. In Naga City, Alec Francis Santos, head of the Naga Arts Culture and Tourism Office, said united LGUs under Naga Excursions (Naga X) are planning on creating a tour package that would involve a trip to the Mercedes islands.
Big Four The main attractions of the Mercedes tour are the four largest islands of Caringo, Canimog, Apuao Grande and Apuao Pequeña, Ibasco said. Only two of the islands, Caringo and Apuao Grande, are inhabited by residents. Despite the rising influx of visitors, the LGUs and residents themselves were able to preserve the islands’ diverse ecosystem, lush mini forests and pine tree groves, Ibasco said. If you take the route from Mercedes Port, your tour will start with Canimog Island. The route via Palms Farm Resort in Cayucyucan starts at Caringo. Canimog, the largest among the seven islands, is shaped like a crocodile, thus, the nickname “Crocodile Island.” It has a bat sanctuary and a lush green forest of pine trees and fruit-bearing trees that are home to teeming wildlife. On top of its highest peak is a lighthouse built in 1927 with a 104-step stone staircase leading to it from the white sand and pebble beach below. The lighthouse was operated by locals since June 26, 1927, until the early 90s, to guide fishermen entering the craggy Mercedes coastline. It used to run on petrol but now operates on solar power. On the opposite side of the island is a 500-meter white beach. No other manmade structure has been put up there except for the lighthouse. In Caringo, some 288 households, or about 1,000 residents, maintain the pristine state of the white-sand beaches that surround the island, Caringo village captain Fernando Navales said.
Children enjoy the fine sand and calm waters of the seven wonders of the Mercedes Group of Islands. Mercedes is adored by backpackers, campers and tourists who are looking for a more daring travel adventure.
Canimog, the largest among the seven islands, is shaped like a crocodile, thus, the nickname “Crocodile Island.”
Fish, coral sanctuary It is the only other island where visitors can avail of homestay accommodations, apart from Apuao Grande, he said. A 17.17-hectare fish and coral sanctuary, one of the four fish and coral sanctuaries hugging the Mercedes islands and coastline, is guarded by a group of women who have banded together under the association Samahan ng mga Kababaihan sa Caringo. One of the women fish sanctuary guardians, Susan Aseron, won for herself and her group the second place in the Outstanding Rural Women of the Philippines competition held in 2012 for their work in keeping the sanctuary safe from illegal fishermen since 2007. The women also make delicious jelly (gulaman) made from seaweeds they culture themselves, Na-
vales said. Despite being a healthy delicacy, they do not sell it in the market or mass-produce it since it is purely for home consumption. Ibasco said they plan to incorporate the making of gulaman from wild seaweed a part of the Mercedes islands experience in a culinary tour that they are developing with the women of neighboring island Apuao Grande. The oldest house in Mercedes, built in 1920, is in Caringo. It is known as “Dakulang Harong,” or “big house,” and is owned by the heirs of Fortunato and Eufemia Ibasco.
Marine ecosystem The presence of a healthy marine ecosystem gives the seas around the Mercedes islands its turquoise and teal color that remains the same regardless of how deep the water is.
In Apuao Grande, home 1,000 residents, crabs, fish and livestock are sources of livelihood in the quiet cove that connects the island to Apuao Pequeña. Pine trees line some 40 hectares of silky white-sand beaches on the part of the island away from the Pacific Ocean perfect for camping and bonfires. In Apuao Pequeña, a mini-rain forest covers a mountain that is the refuge of fruit bats and wild boar. Pine trees provide cover to the entrance to the forest. An hour of hiking to the top of the mountain ends at a stone bench, right in the middle of the island. The Canton Island is called “The Rock” because of its massive rock formations, caves and craggy shores. It is a favorite of visitors who love spelunking and outdoor rock climbing. Quinapaguian Island, on the other hand, is a tiny uninhabited island surrounded by white-sand beaches. It is also perfect for camping as well as swimming and hiking. Malasugui is the smallest among the Mercedes Group of Islands and is situated at the middle of the six others. Most of the trees that grow on its flat surface are pine trees that end on its white-sand shores. From Malasugui, you can view the entire island cluster and the mainland of Mercedes.
Tour package A complete tour package to the Mercedes islands was launched in April 2014. Ibasco said they plan to make it a one-
of-a-kind experience that would involve a culinary tour, with the tourists learning how to harvest and cook seaweed to make gulaman and other delicacies, along with the usual hiking, trekking, camping and swimming in the islands. Navales said they are in the process of identifying houses in Caringo which could be used for homestay visits for those who want to stay the night. The package costs around P3,000-P3,500, to include boat rental and a tour guide’s fee for a one-day island hopping trip for a group of 10 . A 2-day/1-night tour for 10, with the inclusion of meals and homestay, is priced at P1,500 per head.
Getting there With Naga City as the starting point, one can take a two-hour van ride or an 87-kilometer journey to Daeyt, Camarines Norte and then an 8.4-km journey by jeepney or car to Mercedes. There are two points from where to start island-hopping: One is via the Mercedes Port and the other is from the beach at Palms Farm Resort in Cayucyucan, Mercedes. The journey to the island by boat can span from 45 minutes to an hour on both routes, depending on the condition of the waves. The waves are rougher during the route via Mercedes Port because it is directly facing the Pacific Ocean. Boat rentals can be arranged with the tourism office of Mercedes, travel agencies and tour operators accredited by the Department of Tourism Office in the Bicol region. The Doña Mercedes motorized boat that is regularly used by the Tourism Office of Mercedes for tours can accommodate a maximum of 15 people. (Philippine Daily Inquirer) n
SUDOKU ANSWER FROM PAGE 12
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AQUINO FED WITH WRONG INFO ON ‘EXODUS’ P
RESIDENT Benigno Aquino III was misled into believing early on Jan. 25 that the Special Action Force (SAF) commandos were already being extricated from Mamasapano and that the military was providing mechanized and artillery support, a source told the Philippine Daily Inquirer. The source, who had knowledge of the SAF operation, said Mr. Aquino told congressmen in a meeting at Malacañang on Feb. 23 what information he received and when, and what he did after receiving the information. According to the source, Mr. Aquino also said that early in the morning of Jan. 25, he received a text from the then suspended chief of the Philippine National Police, Director general Alan Purisima, saying that the artillery and mechanized support was already under way. The source told the Inquirer that the information was followed by a text from Director getulio Napeñas, the SAF commander, which was forwarded by Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, saying the commandos were already being extricated from Mamasapano. The two messages deluded Mr. Aquino into thinking that the operation was already “winding down,” the source said. President Aquino, the source said, also issued very clear instructions to Napeñas to coordinate “Oplan Exodus” with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Oplan Exodus was the SAF operation to get Jemaah Islamiyah bomb expert Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” and his Filipino lieutenant, Basit Usman. The source said Mr. Aquino also instructed Purisima to inform Deputy Director general Leonardo Espina, the PNP officer in charge, about the operation. The instructions were to coordinate way ahead of the mission, according to the source. It wasn’t clear why both Napeñas
and Purisima didn’t follow Mr. Aquino’s orders. On Jan. 9, Napeñas briefed the President on Oplan Exodus at Bahay Pangarap in Malacañang in the presence of Purisima and the PNP Intelligence group director, Senior Supt. Fernando Mendez, the source said. “In the Jan. 9 meeting, [the President] instructed Napeñas to coordinate with the AFP and Napeñas said yes,” the source said. The instruction was to coordinate at the highest level for the necessary mobilization of military support, the source said. gen. gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., chief of staff of the AFP, has said that the military was informed only after the operation had been launched. Napeñas has said that coordination with the military was “time on target,” or when the assault force was already in place, his reason being that coordinated operations with the military in the past had been compromised. At the Senate’s Feb. 9 hearing, Napeñas blamed the military for not providing artillery support, which he said could have saved many of the 44 SAF commandos who were killed in the clash with BIFF and MILF guerrillas. But top military officials justified their decision, asserting that an attack against the MILF would have escalated into a war to the detriment of the peace process. n
AFP CHIEF: TROOPS’ MORALE AFFECTED BY MAMASAPANO ARMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff gregorio Pio Catapang is seeking an “independent and higher body” to probe the Mamasapano incident. Speaking before senators on Feb. 23, Catapang noted a panel of AFP and Philippine National Police (PNP) officials will determine the operational gaps, coordination issues, responsibilities, and liabilities arising from the Mamasapano incident. He noted that the morale of soldiers has been affected by the Mamasapano incident in the wake of allegations that the Armed Forces dilly-dallied in helping the Special Action Force (SAF) troopers, leading to the death of 44 combatants. “Labis na naaapektuhan ang morale ng ating kasundaluhan. Sa aking pag-iikot sa mga units, ito ang kanilang tinatanong at sinasabi: Bakit tayo nasisisi? Di po ba’t tinulungan natin silang sagipin? Ano ang ginawang aksyon ng SAF na mahigit 300 na
AFP chief Gen. Catapang di napasabak?” Catapang said. A board of inquiry, composed of officials from the police, is currently investigating the incident. The Senate held closed-door hearings on Feb. 24 to avoid exposing verbal clashes between the police and the military on the Mamasapano incident. “It’s better because it’s very difficult, mahirap kasi kung magsasagupaan sila sa open hearing,” said Senator grace Poe, explaining the
executive session between members of the police and military testifying on the bloody incident. Poe said there were discussions that could not be made public, like heated exchanges between members of the PNP and the AFP, as it could further erode the morale of soldiers and policemen. Also, she noted that police or military strategies and tactics could be exposed in an open hearing. She stressed that the executive sessions were not meant to hide the truth but for security reasons. Catapang sought an executive session with the senators, noting his ground commanders are willing to explain the strategies they incorporated during the operation. He said his ground commanders will answer the allegations of sacked PNP-SAF chief getulio Napeñas in an executive session sans revealing the “capabilities, strengths, weaknesses” of the AFP. n
Resigned PNP chief Alan Purisima faces the Senate.
PURISIMA: I’M RESPONSIBLE BUT . . . IT EMERgED on Fb. 24 that resigned Philippine National Police Director general Alan Purisima was the “overall commander” of “Oplan Exodus” and he took responsibility for it at the conclusion of the Senate inquiry into the Jan. 25 massacre of 44 Special Action Force commandos. But even if Purisima acknowledged he called the shots on the botched Mamasapano operation, he also said he delegated the authority of the police project to the SAF commander, Director getulio Napeñas, including coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Napeñas, however, did not allow Purisima to get away with this and turned the tables on him. The fifth and final hearing of the joint Senate committees investigating the Mamasapano incident highlighted unexpectedly what appeared to be a rift now between Napeñas and Purisima. Replies to questions by Sen. Loren Legarda revealed that Purisima was in fact the “overall commander” of Oplan Exodus that targeted Malaysian bomb expert Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” and his Filipino aide, Basit Usman. “Your honor, responsibility and accountability rest on me because I have delegated authority to the director of the SAF but the planning, direction and execution was delegated to the SAF director,” Purisima said, referring to Napeñas. Defense Secretary Voltaire gazmin agreed that the head of the operations was indeed Purisima. Interior Secretary Mar Roxas likewise said Purisima was responsible but also named Napeñas as equally accountable. When Legarda asked Napeñas, pointing out that Purisima had delegated the authority to him, the sacked SAF commander took respon-
sibility for it as ground commander of the operations. “I am the one responsible for carrying out the operation plan,” Napeñas said. But he took exception to Purisima’s statement that he had delegated authority to him for the operations. Napeñas said Oplan Exodus “emanated” from the intelligence packet given to him by Purisima when the PNP chief called him for a meeting on a Sunday night in November last year. He also reiterated that Purisima told him to keep Roxas and gazmin out of the loop in the meantime and that he would take care of coordinating with AFP chief gen. gregorio Catapang Jr. “Without this statement (from Purisima), I would immediately go directly to the OIC PNP who has that line to coordinate directly with the chief AFP,” Napeñas said. Concluding the four-hour hearing, Sen. grace Poe, chair of the joint Senate investigative committees, said she would come up with a report that would, among others, contain findings of those who could be held culpable and liable for the operational lapses. “Our goal is to be fair and our goal is to bring justice,” Poe said. During the closing of the Senate inquiry, Poe said the five hearings focused on the “undeniable lapses in the conduct of operations leading to the 44 deaths of the PNP SAF.” “It appears that the operations were poorly planned from the very start. To make matters worse, there was an undeniable breakdown in both leadership command and control in the PNP. Information on the Oplan Exodus was withheld from the secretary of the interior and local government and the officer in charge of the PNP,” Poe said. n
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News Roundup
MILF WON’T GIVE UP MEN
Members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
COTABATO CITY—The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has rejected calls to surrender its fighters involved in the Jan. 25 clash in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao province, in which 44 elite police commandos were killed. MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said the ceasefire agreement his group signed with the government stated that the MILF would be the one to impose disciplinary action on its members involved in any violation of the truce. “We will follow what
we have agreed with them in the ceasefire mechanism,” Iqbal told the Inquirer in a telephone interview. At the same time, the Department of Justice (DOJ) admitted that its hands are tied at the moment and it would have to wait for all investigations into the incident to be finished. During the fourth hearing by the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs on the Mamasapano encounter, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said the government has asked for full accountability from the MILF side but until such time that specific names are presented by the DOJ,
it would be difficult to make any demands. “We will wait for the DOJ to say who should be surrendered. Before that, we don’t know who to demand for,” Deles said. “It is in principle a very strong demand for accountability but with regard to surrendering, that will need to have specific names and specific crimes,” she said. Government peace panel head Miriam Coronel-Ferrer pointed out that there are other groups involved in the clash and to be fair, the demands made by the government should apply not only to the MILF but to the other groups as well. “Right now nothing is clear. It is not yet clear what the accusations
against them are exactly,” Ferrer said in an interview with reporters after the hearing. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said that from a strictly legal standpoint, there is a proper time to demand the surrender of all those involved in the clash. “We have to find out first exactly what happened, who are involved, identify them precisely. When the proper time comes there would be appropriate processes, legal processes like the issuance of subpoena. So we have no coercive power at this point to demand the surrender. We need to know who was involved,” De Lima said. On Feb. 22, Iqbal said even returning the firearms of the slain Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF) commandos was difficult for the MILF. “It’s hard to convince them (MILF members) because what happened there was a legitimate encounter and we also lost men,” he said. n
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News Roundup
DOJ WARNS AGAINST ‘ILLEGAL POWER GRAB’ JUSTICE Secretary Leila de Lima called the National Transformation Council (NTC), a loose grouping of disgruntled Arroyo allies, whose acts already constitute conspiracy or proposal to commit rebellion against the government. In a statement, de Lima vowed that the government “will not relent in applying the full force of the law against them in order to protect the people and the State from an unconstitutional and illegal power grab.” She said the NTC has been using a “strategic policy” to instigate a military-backed uprising among Filipinos by exploiting the Mamasapano incident. “This is a false hope, since certain actions already implemented by the group, from organizing foras and conferences of supporters and sympathizers, can already be contemplated as conspiracies relating to sedition, rebellion or coup d’ etat,” she said. The NTC, composed of bishops and other individuals, calls itself an “ecumenical and interfaith collective” that professes to “work for the
Peping Cojuangco common good of Philippine society through rapid and comprehensive systems change.” They have long been calling for the resignation of President Benigno Aquino III. The NTC, whose members include bishops and several former government officials, had been aggressively pushing this call lately amid the government’s supposed failure to act on the Mamasapano incident. Former Tarlac Rep. Peping Cojuangco supposedly called for a “transition government” to replace the
Aquino administration. Cojuangco is Aquino’s uncle. De Lima also noted another member of the NTC, former Defense Secretary and National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, has been calling for a change in the regime through people power. She said this was a doublespeak, considering the NTC’s declaration that a junta will be relevant if backed by the military. “A junta by any other sanitized name is still illegal and unconstitutional. By calling for people power and military support to force the President’s ‘resignation’ in order to pave the way for a junta, the NTC and its
mushrooming allied alphabet soup organizations of discredited government officials consisting of charged plunderers, grafters, and tax evaders, or of those under investigation for such crimes, may have just crossed the line of legitimate dissent,” de Lima said. She warned that conspiracy or proposal to commit rebellion or coup d’etat and even sedition is already punishable under the Revised Penal Code. De Lima, however, is confident that any power grab, whether civilianor religious-led, will not succeed, as she believes the military will not support an “extra-constitutional instal-
Jinggoy and Bong: For richer or poorer . . .
DFA CLEARS U.S. OF INVOLVEMENT IN MAMASAPANO DESPITE the reported sighting of a drone over Mamasapano as government security forces clashed with Moro rebels on Jan. 25, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said the United States was not involved in the counterterrorism operation that left 44 elite police commandos dead. At a Senate hearing, Foreign Undersecretary Evan Garcia also said all counterterrorism exercises in the country required the approval and consent of the Philippines through the Philippine-US Security Engagement Board (SEB). Del Rosario told reporters said he looked into reports of US involvement in the Special Action Force (SAF) operation to take down Jemaah Islamiyah bomb expert Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” and the Malaysian-born terrorist’s Filipino deputy, Basit Usman. The reports said the United States trained the SAF commandos, provided surveillance assistance, and financed the operation. “The bottom line is the planning of the operation is 100-percent Filipino, the execution is also 100-percent Filipino. So no US participation,” Del Rosario said. He did not say, however, how he verified the reports or whether the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had information from the ground. Del Rosario reiterated an earlier statement that the DFA saw no problem with other countries helping the Philippines in the fight against terrorism, which he described as a “scourge.” He said the fight against terrorism was a “cooperative effort” among nations and assistance to the Philippines was welcome as long as it did not violate the Constitution. Garcia said the SEB was set up to provide a mechanism for liaison and consultation on nontraditional security concerns, such as terrorism, transnational crimes, maritime security and disasters. These are undertaken under the Visiting Forces Agreement, said Garcia, foreign undersecretary for policy. Garcia said Del Rosario spoke with US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg on the matter. “And we have confirmed that there is no US involvement in the operation,” he said in response to a question from Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the committee on public order, the lead investigative panel. “The operation, as far as we can determine, was Filipino planned and implemented.”
SANDIGANBAYAN FREEZES P183-M JINGGOY ASSETS
THE Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has ordered the freezing of detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s assets worth P183.7 million, which is equivalent to the amount of the commissions he allegedly received from the pork barrel fund scam. Assistant Ombudsman Asryman Rafanan said that a writ of preliminary attachment or garnishment is needed to ensure that the prosecution panel will not be going after an empty bag. Garnishment seeks to make sure that the assets believed to be unlawfully acquired will not disappear and
can be recovered if the prosecution wins its case. On Feb. 5, the Sandiganbayan First Division also issued a freeze order against the assets of detained Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. amounting to P224.5 million. Revilla is also facing plunder charges for allegedly misusing and having commissions from his pork barrel fund allocations from 2007 to 2009. Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile is likewise facing plunder charges for his alleged involvement in the scam. But he is under hospital arrest at the Philippine
lation of a junta led by GMA bishops and ex-officials.” She also called the strategy “pathetic gutter politics” used by “disgraced pathological personalities to crawl their way back to national relevance, at the expense of the people’s effort to come to terms with the complex issue of peace in Mindanao in their search for justice for the SAF44.” She said these personalities are using the nation’s grief to “pervert a national catharsis, serving only their own thirst and craving for absolute power by imposing upon this nation a tyranny of religious and political hasbeens.” n
National Police (PNP) General Hospital because of his age and serious medical concerns. State prosecutors are also pushing for the transfer of Revilla from the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. Prosecutors said Revilla is being accorded special privileges because he was seen visiting Enrile at the PNP General Hospital on the occasion of the latter’s 91st birthday last Valentine’s Day. Revilla belied reports that he sneaked out of the PNP Custodial Center to visit Enrile. He explained that he was rushed to the PNP General Hospital around 3 p.m. last Feb. 14 for immediate attention on his medical condition, causing his blood pressure shoot up. “It is not true that I was at the hospital to visit Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile. I did not go to his room as I did not even know where that was,” he added. But Director Joefferson Toribio of the Office of the Special Prosecutor submitted to the Sandiganbayan First Division the evidence of Revilla’s “unauthorized” visit, which violates the rules and the orders of the antigraft court that the accused cannot be moved without permission. “We were wondering why we received pictures showing him (Revilla) and his son at Enrile’s room last Feb. 14,” Toribio said in Filipino. The prosecutor stressed that even the police officers tasked to look over Revilla should be made to explain. n
PEMBERTON REFUSES TO ENTER PLEA US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton refused to enter a plea in the murder charges the government filed in connection with the death of transgender woman Jennifer Laude. In his arraignment on Feb. 23, the Olongapo Regional Trial Court entered a ‘’not guilty’’ plea on behalf of Pemberton. Prosecutors earlier found the qualifying circumstances of ‘’treachery, abuse of superior strength, and cruelty” in the manner of killing Laude. Private prosecutor Harry Roque
called for an immediate start to the trial, noting the Laudes will not settle the case in exchange for money. ‘’Malinaw ang paninindigan ng pamilyang Laude. Ang kailangan nila at ng sambayanang Pilipino ay katarungan,’’ he said. Virgie Suarez, another private prosecutor, said Pemberton did not enter a plea in the hope that the Supreme Court will side with him. The Department of Justice earlier junked the appeal of Pemberton to overturn the murder raps. The next
that his camp could do is bring the case to the high court. The marathon trial is expected to begin in March because the court has only one year to resolve the case, under a 1998 pact between the Philippines and the United States that sets out the rules for the treatment of erring servicemen. Pemberton’s arraignment in December was postponed after his lawyers appealed to the justice department against the decision to indict him, but that appeal was thrown out. n
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TIME TO MOVE ON, SAYS DRILON PRESIDENT President Aquino has nothing more to say and it is now time to move on, said Senate President Franklin Drilon. The liability for the Jan. 25 Mamasapano massacre of 44 Special Action Force commandos lies with resigned Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima, Drilon said. “I don’t think there is anything more to explain. It is clear that the President gave specific instructions, which if followed, maybe this unfortunate incident would not have happened, and particularly on the coordination,” Drilon told reporters. He noted that even if Purisima was suspended, it was clear that he was giving the orders regarding “Oplan Exodus,” the police operation to arrest Malaysian bomb expert Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan,” bypassing Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, named officer in charge after the PNP chief was suspended in December on corruption charges. “He really violated the President’s order to tell General Espina about the mission, to coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and he admitted that,”
The flat cornfields of Mamasapano town in Maguindanao province, where 44 commandos of the PNP Special Action Force were pinned down and killed on Jan. 25 in clashes with Moro rebels, as seen from a hovering drone.
UP TO 800 MILF FIGHTERS FOUGHT SAF MEN – PNP in the incident, along with 18 rebels and five civilians. Magalong said that when fighting broke out at about 7 a.m. of January 25, MILF residents of Tukanalipao and surrounding areas rushed to the area and joined the fighting. In his testimony before the Senate, then SAF commander Director Getulio Napeñas said he insisted that the military fire artillery support for the embattled commandos, apparently owing to the superior number of opposing forces. Combined forces of the MILF and the outlaw Bangsamoro Islamic Free-
dom Fighters (BIFF) had reportedly surrounded two groups of SAF members. Napeñas insisted that his men might not have suffered so many casualties had the military fired heavy guns at the rebels. But the military said it did not have the needed information to fire their howitzers at the attackers. “We hope we can talk directly to an MILF field commander so we can also get their side,” Magalong said. He said based on the initial findings, about 700 to 800 MILF members were involved in the firefight. n
Drilon said. He said he thought the Senate inquiry defused tensions arising from the Mamasapano debacle. “All questions that have to be asked have probably been asked, and all were answered. In our report, we will evaluate all of these,” he said. Drilon also said that with the hearing concluded, the resumption of the hearings on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law by the Senate committee headed by Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would be the logical next step. He said Marcos could take into account information gathered from the hearings. n
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