Mindanao Daily News (December 17, 2022)

Piñol on journo’s cyber libel conviction: ‘a vital lesson on responsible journalism’

By BONG S. SARMIENTO

COTABATO CITY (MindaNews ) – Former agriculture secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol lauded Wednesday the conviction of Baguio City-based journalist Frank Cimatu in a cyber libel case he filed against the latter, saying “it is not just a legal victory and vindication for me but a very important lesson on responsible and accountable journalism.”

“Press freedom is not absolute,” Piñol, a former three-term governor of North Cotabato, said in a statement posted on his Facebook page.

“The purveyors of fake news who slander and shame people to the point of dishonoring them and destroying their lives must not be allowed to seek refuge behind a mantle called Press Freedom when called to account for the transgression they have committed,” he added.

In 2017, Cimatu posted on Facebook that Piñol allegedly amassed P21 million in a period of six months following the bird flu outbreak in Central Luzon.

“Agri Sec got rich by 21 M in 6 months. Bird Flu pa more,” posted Cimatu, an editor at Baguio Chronicle and a stringer of Rappler.

According to Piñol, Cimatu’s post was “not only malicious but also outright erroneous.”

Piñol, who ran but lost

Tourism receipts balloon to P130.6-B

country’s destinations would drive inbound travel soon. "Our goal is no longer to go back to pre-pandemic levels as far as international arrivals, but really to exceed it simply because of the quality of our destinations in the Philippines that far exceed many across the globe, and also because of the distinct warmth and hospitality of the Filipino people that is unique all over the world," Frasco said.

governments," she said. Through the newly launched Bisita Be My Guest campaign, the DOT aims to reintroduce the Philippines as a premiere tourist destination.

“Now as travel restrictions have eased, we look for -

ward to inviting our foreign friends and guests to visit our country and to offer a wide range of culturally rich experiences along with all types of outdoor recreational activities on water and on land,” Frasco said. (PNA)

MANILA – The country's tourist receipts have reached PHP130 billion while arrivals climbed to more than 2.39 million, the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported Thursday.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the easing of travel restrictions and health protocols had contributed to the high tourism revenues amounting to USD2.34 billion or PHP130.59 billion as

of October 31.

Foreign travelers, meanwhile, reached 2,397,919 as of Dec. 15, 2022, the top visitors of whom are from the United States with 447,278, followed by South Korea with 374,097, Australia with 118,228, Canada with 109,041, and the United Kingdom with 90,196.

"The projections of the Department of Tourism were that we would have arrivals

pegged at 1.7 million only by the end of this year. Because of the changes that have been instituted, as well as the direction of our president to prioritize tourism, we've seen that we now have visitor arrivals of close to 2.4 million, far exceeding projection," Frasco told reporters in an interview.

The figures are still far from pre-pandemic levels but the DOT has high hopes the

For 2023, the DOT targets to reach at least three million to four million tourist arrivals. "Of our international arrivals, a little over 75 percent are foreign arrivals. This means that the tourism industry, in terms of international arrivals, is well on its way. Our goal now is to further that growth by inviting our fellow Filipinos to help us in the task of increasing these tourist arrivals, having in mind the necessity for sustainable tourism in our destinations, which we're doing closely with our local

Former agriculture secretary Emmanuel Piñol. MindaNews file photo by GG BUENO

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco (PNA photo by Joey Razon)

CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Rolando "Klarex" Uy exchanges pleasantries with Barangay 21 Punong Barangay Gilda "Gigi" Go during the recent Christmas party of the Association of Barangay Councils. PB Go expresses her appreciation on Mayor Uy's assurance that the City's Chief Executive will give barangay chairmen a free hand on their respective projects. At left is ABC sectoral representative Yan Lam "Alam" Lim. CITY MAYOR'S OFFICE PHOTO

By Filane Mikee Cervantes

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday signed into law the PHP5.268-trillion national budget for 2023 that is geared towards achieving post-pandemic economic recovery.

Marcos signed the 2023 General Appropriations Act in a ceremony in Malacañan Palace, witnessed by congressional leaders including Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, as well as Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.

The Marcos administration's first spending measure is 4.9 percent higher or PHP244.4 billion more than this year's budget of PHP5.023 trillion and puts top priority on education, infrastructure development, health, agriculture, and social safety nets.

In his speech during the ceremonial signing, Marcos said its passage is essential because it will serve as a roadmap of what the government intends to do next year.

“And to see the rapidity of the passage is significant because it means that this budget, the roadmap that we have proposed from the Executive, is fully supported by our legislature. And that is very, very important indeed,” Marcos said. “Because it is what is

essentially or sometimes regarded as a long, difficult, long-drawn-out process... shown to still be able to express that kind of support, that kind of solidarity with the Executive."

He also noted that the signing into law of the General Appropriations Act is important because it will provide the government with a tool to transform the economy, as well as in carrying the needed structural changes toward realizing the administration's goals.

“It is always very important that the GAA has been put together in consonance with all of the plans of the Executive. And that kind of coordination and that kind of synergy that we

will gain from that is going to be an essential part of the way that we move forward,” Marcos said.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman earlier underscored that the 2023 budget was crafted in support of the administration’s 8-point Socioeconomic Agenda and the Medium Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF).

Anchored on the theme, “Agenda for Prosperity: Economic Transformation Towards Inclusivity and Sustainability,” the proposed budget seeks to address the immediate and pressing concerns of all Filipinos in the near- and medium-term.

“The administration’s

first full-year budget shall serve as a springboard for the economy’s full-speed recovery and meaningful structural reform,” Pangandaman said.

Speaker Martin Romualdez, in a statement, said the newly-signed law will help the administration implement its Agenda for Prosperity to sustain growth, generate economic activities and jobs, and increase the income for Filipinos.

“It is the most important and potent tool the President, his economic team and the entire government can use to accomplish the goals of the prosperity roadmap,” Romualdez said. He said the House of

Representatives and the Senate deliberated on and approved the President’s first full-year budget proposal “in record time.”

“As far as I can remember, the 2023 budget is one of the few spending bills signed into law in midDecember, way before the start of its implementation on New Year’s Day,” he added.

Meanwhile, Senate Committee on Finance Chairperson Sonny Angara said Congress worked hard to ensure the budget measure is signed within the year so that the delivery of public service would be uninterrupted.

"While there were disagreements on some issues during the bicameral conference committee meetings, both panels found common ground in the need to ensure that assistance is given to those who require it the most and to keep the momentum going in the country’s move towards economic recovery," Angara

EXTRA-JUDICIALSETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH UNILATERAL DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE OF A PORTION OF LAND

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

said.

"As stated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., this budget is anchored on an agenda for prosperity. We are no longer at a point where we are catching up and reacting to the developments just like the past two years. Now we can lay the foundation for the country to build on towards sustaining economic growth and providing more opportunities for our people," he added. (PNA)

SWORN DECLARATION OF ALL PROPERTIES OF ESTATE OF DOROTIO P. SAMUYA

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

This SWORN DECLARATION OF ALL THE PROPERTIES OF ESTATE OF DOROTIO P. SAMUYA , made and executed in the City of Malaybalay, Province of Bukidnon, Philippines, on this day of June 02, 2022, by and between:

1. SIMPLICIA M. SAMUYA , of legal age, Filipino citizen and a resident of Salawagan, Quezon, Bukidnon, Philippines;

2. EMMA P. SAMUYA, of legal age, Filipino citizen and a resident of Binitinan, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, Philippines;

3. ROMMEL M. SAMUYA , of legal age, Filipino citizen and a resident of Jaro, Ilo-ilo City, Philippines;

4. RENEBOY M. SAMUYA , of legal age, Filipino citizen and a resident of Barra Opol, Misamis Oriental, Philippines;

5. MARRISA P. SAMUYA, of legal age, Filipino citizen and a resident of Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines;

6. REJEN S. RODICOL , of legal age, Filipino citizen and a resident of Bugo, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines;

ORDER

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x Before this Court is a verified petition for correction of the erroneous birthdate from April 20,1994 to April 26, 1998 in the Certificate of Live Birth of NASPIAH ANTON ABDULHALIM under LCR Registry No. 2018-500 as entered in the records of the local civil registrar of Madamba, Lanao Del Sur, Lanao Del Sur, which reads in part:

1. Petitioner is legal age, Filipino, single and a resident of Madamba, Lanao del sur where she may be served with notices and other court processes;

2. Respondent City Civil Registrar of Madamba, Lanao del sur is the custodian of all records of birth in Madamba whose office is located at the Municipal Compound, Unayan Proper, Madamba, Lanao del sur where he may be served with summons and other court processes;

3. Respondent civil registrar general of the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) is impleaded as the central custodian of all records of birth in the country and may be served with notices, order and other court processes at the PSA, NSO Building, East Avenue, Diliman Quezon City;

4. Petitioner was born on April 26,1998 to spouses Abdulhalim Kairan Alawi and Emma Sangcopan Anton in Uyaan Proper, Madamba, lanao del Sur;

5. The fact of her birth was belatedly registered with respondent LCR in the year 2018 under certificate of live Birth (COLB) with registry no. 2018-500, attached as Annex “A”. However, the birth date was erroneously entered;

6. In the mentioned COLB, the date of birth was entered as April 20, 1994, however, the correct entry should have been April 26 ,1998;

7. The petitioner had been consistently using his birthdate April 26,1998 in all records and as proof thereof, the following are hereto attached and marked as;

8. Petitioner is left with no recourse but to seek judicial remedy for the correction of the erroneous birth date shown in her COLB pursuant to Rules of court;

9. This petitioner is filed without the slightest intention to defraud or prejudice the government or any private entity, its ultimate purpose being to correct the erroneous entry as appears in the public records of the civil registry and thus make it reflective of the petitioner’s correct birth date April 26, 1998 as appears in all her other official records.

Annex “B” Photocopy of Official Transcript of Records issued by Talisay City College, Poblacion, Talisay City Cebu;

Annex “C” Photo copy of NBI Clearance

Annex “D” Photo copy of Police Clearance

Annex “E” Photo copy of Tax Identification Number

Annex “F” Photocopy of Community Tax Certificate for the year 2022

Finding the aforesaid petition to be sufficient in form and substance, it is hereby ordered that the same be set for hearing before this court on January 12, 2023 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning;

Let copy of this order be published at the expense of the petitioner in a newspaper of general circulation in Lanao del Sur or Marawi City or Iligan City for three (3) consecutive weeks.

The Local Civil Registrar of the Municipality of Madamba, Lanao del Sur and the Civil Registrar General or any person or party who has an interest in the petition, may file his /her opposition thereto within fifteen (15) days from notice of this petition or from the last day of publication of this Order.

Further, let this order be posted for fifteen (15) days prior to the date of hearing in the bulletin board of the local civil registrar of the municipality of Madamba, Lanao del Sur and the Bulletin Board of this Court, also at the expenses of the petitioner.

The petitioner is directed to notify this Court of the publication of this order not later than three (3) days before January 12, 2023.

Furnish copies of this Order, together with the copies of the Petition to the Local Civil Registrar of Madamba, Lanao del Sur, the Hon. Solicitor General, Makati City, and the Hon. Civil Registrar General, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Santa Mesa, Manila.

SO ORDERED.

Marawi City, Philippines, October 3, 2022.

(SGD) SAMINA S. MACABANDO-USMAN Presiding Judge

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

This EXTRAJUDICIAL SEETLEMENT made end and entered into this September 12, 2022 day, in the City of Malaybalay, Province of Bukidnon, by and between: PERRY M. CALLEJO of legal age, Filipino, married and with the residence CMU, Musuan, Dologon, Maramag, Bukidnon, Philippines, referred as CO-HEIRS ; JOHNNY M. CALLEJO of legal age, Filipino, married and with the residence CMU, Musuan, Dologon, Maramag, Bukidnon, Philippines, referred as CO-HEIRS ; ROMEO M. CALLEJO , of legal age, Filipino, married and with the residence Lurugan, Valencia City, Bukidnon, Philippines, referred as CO-HEIRS ; JOSHUA C. PASAYLO , of legal age, Filipino, single and with the residence Poblacion, Valencia City, Bukidnon, Philippines, referred as CO-HEIRS ;

JASON C. PASAYLO , of legal age, Filipino, single and with the residence Poblacion, Valencia City, Bukidnon, Philippines, referred as CO-HEIRS ; TERENCE C. TALAMPAS , of legal age, Filipino, married and with the residence Poblacion Valencia City, Bukidnon, Philippines, referred as CO-HEIRS ; MICHELLE T. GARDUQUE, of legal age, Filipino, married and with the residence Sugod, Valencia City, Bukidnon, Philippines, referred as CO-HEIRS ;

CYNTHIA C. BLANES , of legal age, Filipino, widow and with the residence Bacoor, Cavite, Philippines, referred as CO-HEIRS ; GAY ROXANNE T. MILITAR , of legal age, Filipino, married and with the residence Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Philippines, referred as CO-HEIRS ; WITNESSETH, that:

WHEREAS , we are the sole heirs of the deceased REBECCA M. CALLEJO who died on December 12, 2019 at Bacoor, Cavite copy of his death certificate is hereto attached as Annex “A” ;

WHEREAS , REBECCA M. CALLEJO , died intestate, without Will or Testament, and without any outstanding debts in favor of any person or entity;

WHEREAS , REBECCA M. CALLEJO , who is absolute and registered owner of the following parcels of land:

ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. P-2859

A PARCEL PF LAND described as Lot 171, Pls-279, situated in the barrio of Bagontaas, Municipality of Valencia, Province of Bukidnon, Island of Mindanao. Containing an area of THIRTY-TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (32,564) sqm. more or less.”

NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the Provisions of Section 1, Rule 74 of the Revised Rules of Court of the Philippines, the parties hereto, do by these presents agree to an Extra-Judicial Settlement. Subject, however, to the liabilities imposed by Section 4, Rule 74 of the said Rules of Court, in favor of any other possible heirs. Creditors and other persons who might have been deprived of their lawful participation in the estate of the decedents for a period of two (2) years.

Is the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT , under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. ASIS G. CUBILLAN , Notary Public per Doc No. 327 ; Page No. 67 ; Book No. LXXIII Series of 2022

MDN: Dec 10, 17 & 24, 2022

This Agreement made and entered by and between: LEOPOLDO B. LAUREL , of legal age, Filipino, widower, with residence and postal address at Sto. Niño, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, and the HEIRS OF ENCARNACION M. LAUREL, namely: VINCENT M. LAUREL and LICARTE M. LAUREL, all of legal ages, Filipinos, with residence and postal address at Sto. Niño, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, hereinafter referred to as the “HEIR-SELLERS”;

WITNESSETH THAT:

WHEREAS, LEOPOLDO B. LAUREL is the registered owner of a parcel of land situated in Sto. Niño, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. ET-6788 , containing an area of ONE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED NINETY-TWO (1,692) SQUARE METERS, and particularly described as follows:

Lot 580-B, Bsd-10-001296 (OLT) Leopoldo B. Laurel (Cornland)

A parcel of land (Lot 580-B, Bsd10-001296 (OLT), being a portion of Lot 580, Gss-549, situated in the barrio of Sto. Niño, Municipality of Manolo Fortich, Province of Bukidnon, Island of Mindanao. Containing an area of ONE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED NINETY-TWO (1,692) SQAURE METERS, more or less.

The above-described property is a conjugal property, thus also co-owned by LEOPOLDO B. LAUREL spouse, who died intestate on June 10, 2021;

THAT no personal properties are involved in this Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate and that to the best of our knowledge and information of the parties hereto the said deceased left no debts; WHEREAS, pursuant to Rule 74, Sec 1 of the Revised Rules of Court of the Philippines, and being with full capacity to contract, we do hereby adjudicate unto ourselves the parcel of land described above.

UNILATERAL DEED OF SALE

FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION of the amount of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (100,000.00) Philippine Currency, payment having been received to sellers’ satisfaction, the sellers’ do hereby SELL, TRANSFER, and CONVEY by way of ABSOLUTE SALE, unto the BUYERS, Spouses JERUEL A. BERMUDEZ and MAY JEE M. BERMUDEZ, likewise of legal ages, Filipinos, with residence and postal address at Sto. Niño, Bukidnon, a PORTION of ONE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTY-SEVEN (1,477) SQUARE METERS, designated as Lot 580-B-1, of the above-described property, free from liens and encumbrances.

Is the subject of EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH UNILATERAL DEED OF SALE OF A PORTION OF LAND, under the Notarial Registry of ATTY. FARRAH L. YONGCO-INIHAO, Notary Public per Doc No. 481; Page No. 97; Book No. LXXI; Series of 2022.

MDN: December 3, 10 & 17, 2022

7. RANDY M. SAMUYA , of legal age, Filipino citizen and a resident of Bugo, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines; WITNESSETH; THAT WHEREAS DOROTIO P. SAMUYA , a Filipino Citizen and a resident of Salawagan, Quezon, Bukidnon, Philippines, at the time of his death, died intestate at his residence on June 13, 2021, leaving eight (8) parcels of land, all registered in the name of DOROTIO P. SAMUYA , married to SIMPLICIA M. SUMAYA and more particularly described as follows: PARCEL-1 TCT No. T-71841 : containing an area of FIVE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED FOURTEEN (5,714) square meters more or less . A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 411-A-3, PSd-10-036036, being a portion of Lot 411A, PSd-10-000044) situated in the Barrio of Salawagan, Municipality of Quezon, Province of Bukidnon, Island of Mindanao.

PARCEL-2 TCT No. AT-15941: containing an area of SEVEN THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED (7,400) square meters more or less . A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot No. 256-E, Psd-10-037243(AR), being a portion of Lot No. 256, Pls-444, Quezon Public Land Subdivision) situated in the Barangay of Delapa, Municipality of Quezon, Province of Bukidnon, Island of Mindanao.

PARCEL-3 TCT No. AT-17157: containing an area of NINE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE (9,451) square meters more or less . A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 410-C, Psd10-037205(AR), being a portion of Lot No. 410, Pls-444, Quezon Public Land Subdivision), situated in the Barangay Salawagan, Municipality of Quezon, Province of Bukidnon, Island of Mindanao.

PARCEL-4 TCT No. AT-15947: containing an area of TEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE (10,523) square meters more or less . A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 631F, Psd-10-037228(AR), being a portion of Lot 631, Pls-444, Quezon Public Land Subdivision), situated in the Barrio of Manuto, Municipality of Quezon, Province of Bukidnon, Island of Mindanao.

PARCEL-5 OCT No. P-45979: containing an area of FOURTEEN THOUSNAD FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY-SIX (14,536) square meters more or less . A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 305-D, Csd-10-014242-D, Ident. To Lot No. 2320, Pls-444, situated at Barangay Delapa, Municipality of Quezon, Province of Bukidnon, Island of Mindanao.

PARCEL-6 OCT No. P-68445: containing an area of EIGTH HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE (865) square meters more or less . A PARCEL OF LAND, Lot 1059, Pls-444, situated at Barangay Salawagan, Quezon, Bukidnon.

PARCEL-7 Tax Declaration No. H-007072: containing an area of TWO THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED FIFTY-SEVEN (2,857) square meters more or less A PARCEL OF LAND, Lot No. 253(6), PLS-444, situated at Barangay Delapa, Municipality of Quezon, Province of Bukidnon, Island of Mindanao.

PARCEL-8 Tax Declaration No. H-007073: containing an area of TEN THOUSAND (10,000) square meters more or less . A PARCEL OF LAND, Lot No. 337(4), PLS-444, situated at Barangay Delapa, Municipality of Quezon, Province of Bukidnon, Island of Mindanao.

WHEREAS , SIMPLICIA M. SAMUYA, EMMA P. SAMUYA, ROMMEL M. SAMUYA, RENEBOY M. SAMUYA, MARRISA P. SAMUYA, REJEN S. RODICOL, and RANDY M. SAMUYA who are all of legal age, are the sole and only heirs of the decedent, they being the surviving wife and legitimate children.

WHEREAS , there are no known debts or obligations due against the estate of the said decedent; and

WHEREAS , the total landholdings of the late DOROTIO P. SAMUYA owned conjugally by SIMPLICIA M. SAMUYA are the only parcel of land stated in the paragraph hereof; That we hereby affirm that we have executed the foregoing instrument out of our own voluntary free will without force, intimidation or violence upon our person and have no claim or demand against each other.

Is the subject of SWORN DECLARATION OF ALL PROPERTIES OF ESTATE OF DOROTIO P. SAMUYA, under the Notarial Register of ATTY. WINCERBOGNE L. PESISANO, Notary Public per Doc No. 301 ; Page No. 62 ; Book No. LXVIII ; Series of 2022

MDN: Dec 10, 17 & 24, 2022

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signs the PHP5.268 trillion national budget for 2023. (Photo courtesy of the Office of Speaker Martin Romualdez)

Marcos secures P9.8-B investment pledges from Brussels trip

By Ma. Cristina Arayata

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday night announced that the Philippines has acquired PHP9.8 billion worth of investment pledges from European business executives after his threeday participation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-European Union (ASEAN-EU) Commemorative Summits in Brussels, Belgium.

Marcos and his delegation arrived at 6:58 p.m. at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

In his arrival speech, Marcos described his trip as “productive” and “successful” following plans of European companies to expand their businesses in the Philippines.

“I am also pleased to announce that European business confidence in the Philippines is high as evidenced by the expansion plans of European companies that we met in the sectors of fastmoving consumer goods, in shipbuilding, renewable energy and green metals. An estimated investment pledge of around PHP9.8 billion has been received,” he said.

He said he had “fruitful discussions” with ASEAN and EU member states’ leaders where they exchanged views on what is in store for ASEAN-EU cooperation, particularly on areas of mutual interest and concern such as connectivity, trade, digital transition, food security, climate change and geopolitics, among others.

“I was honored to deliver one of the opening remarks during the Commemorative Summit, in which I was proud to note the recent milestones in ASEAN-EU relations under the Philippines’ coordinatorship – the adoption of the ASEAN-EU Plan of Action for 2023 to 2027 and the successful conclusion of the first-ever Summit between ASEAN and EU Leaders,” he said.

During the 10th ASEANEU Business Summit, he also shared the Philippines’ perspective on deepening ASEAN-EU trade through efforts in sustainable development.

He, likewise, met with several business leaders from different European companies throughout the week.

“All of them committed to be a part of our develop-

ment and our economic growth, particularly in renewable energy, infrastructure, food security [and] climate change initiatives. With European technology and innovation with Filipino talent and ingenuity and industry, we will be working on addressing some of our key economic challenges,” he added.

Marcos said he met various leading shipowners all over Europe and got their commitment to helping the Philippines hurdle some of the challenges in our seafarers’ European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) accreditation through the creation of an advisory council composed of concerned government agencies, international and local shipowners and other stakeholders.

He also met with the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen where he got to explain the Philippines’ efforts to comply with EMSA standards.

“She [von der Leyen] made a promise that the Commission itself would provide technical help to us so that within the three months – we have a three-

See TRIP , page 10

Annex “E” Photocopy of PhilHealth Member’s Data Record (MDR)

Annex “F” Photocopy of NBI Clearance Annex “G” Photocopy of Police Clearance Annex “H” Photocopy of Passport Annex “I” Photocopy of Voter’s Certificate

PNP chief’s Christmas wish: Sustained crime rate drop

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. on Thursday said his only wish this coming Christmas is for the country’s crime rate to go down further during the Yuletide season.

“Siguro para sa sarili ko, matutuwa ako kung ang pagbaba ng krimen ngayong almost patapos ang taon ay tuluy-tuloy, kasi nakita naming tuluy-tuloy ang pagbaba ng krimen. Kaya ine-encourage ko ang aming kapulisan sa huling araw ng taon na ito, dapat maging masigasig pa sila sa pagtatrabaho nila, ibigay nila yung best nila because ito yung unang pasko na magse-celabrate tayo after the very critical na pandemya, na kung saan hindi tayo nakakalabas (For me, I will be happy if the decrease in crime will be sustained as we almost end the year, because we have seen a continuous decrease in crime. So, on the last few days of

Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT

this year, I am encouraging our police force to be more diligent in their work, to give their best, because this is the first Christmas that we will celebrate after the very critical period (pandemic) where we cannot go out),” Azurin said in a radio interview.

Azurin said data from the PNP showed there were 36,806 focus crimes from Jan. 1 to Dec. 9, which is lower compared to 37,881 cases in 2021 for the same period, or a decrease of 2.84 percent.

The focus crimes are murder, homicide, physical injury, robbery, theft, vehicle theft, motorcycle theft and rape. Theft in public places is among the most frequent crimes.

Visayas registered the biggest drop in crimes with 6 percent followed by Mindanao with three percent and Luzon, 1.24 percent.

According to the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management

(DIDM), the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) recorded the biggest crime rate drop among 17 other regions evaluated.

From January to December 9, 2022 PRO-7 reported 3,633 focus crimes, a significant drop of 10.65 percent, or 433 cases, from the previous year’s 4,066.

PRO-7 also recorded the largest quantity of illegal drugs confiscated from Jan. 1, 2022, to Nov. 30, 2022 among the 17 police regional offices, with a total estimated amount of PHP 866.16 million.

To sustain the decreasing crime rate, Azurin has ordered all police commanders to beef up police presence in areas of convergence.

“At the same time, they (police) need the help of the citizens to reduce crime, or eliminate crime, in their respective areas because everyone deserves to enjoy this Christmas season after the pandemic,” Azurin said. (PNA)

b) Voter’s Certification issued by Office of the Election Officer of Taguya, Lanao del Sur;

MATTER

BIRTH ABUNAIL MACACUNA MOTI under LCR Reg. No. 98-5748 AS TO THE SURNAME OF THE CHILD FROM MOTI TO ADILAO AND AS TO THE NAME OF THE FATHER OF THE CHILD FROM RAKIM BATAWI MOTI TO RAKIM BATAWI ADILAO AS ENTERED IN THE RECORDS OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF MARAWI CITY

ABUNAIL MACACUNA ADILAO, Petitioner, -versus-

LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF MARAWI CITY, LANAO DEL SUR And THE CIVIL

Annex “J” Photocopy of Tax Identification Number Annex “K” Photocopy of Driver’s License Annex “L” Photocopy of GSIS UMID Card Annex “M” Photocopy of DILG Identification Card Annex “N” Photocopy of Marriage Certificate with Registry

7. To prove that the name of his father was erroneously entered in said COLB, the photocopies of Certificates of Live Births of his three younger siblings namely Muslima Macacuna Adilao, Rahima Macacuna Adila, Raenoden Macacuna Adilao, which all reflectsthe name of their father as RAKIM BATAWI ADILAO and not RAKIM BATAWI MOTI , are hereby attached and marked as:

Annex “O” Photocopy of Certificate of Live Birth of Muslima Macacuna Adilao under Registry No. 2007-7610

Annex “P” Photocopy of Certificate of Live Birth of Rahima Macacuna Adilao under Registry No. 2007-7617

Annex Q” Photocopy of Certificate of Live Birth of Rahima Macacuna Adilao under Registry No. 2007-7612

8. In order to avoid confusion and to straighten the entries in his birth record, Petitioner filed the instant Petition in order to have The correct entries rectified and further reflect his correct: surname and the correct name of his father which should be entered as:

Surname of the Child : ABUNAIL MACACUNA ADILAO

Name of the Father of the Child : RAKIM BATAWI ADILAO

9. The erroneous entries in the COLB of the Petitioner cause confusion as to his identity, thus correction thereof is necessary;

REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF LANAO DEL SUR Twelfth (12th) Judicial Region Branch 8, Marwi City E-mail address: rtc1mrw008@judiciary.gov.ph / Contact Number: +63 909 820 5575

IN THE MATTER OF CORRECTION OF Spl. Proc. No. 2570-2022 THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF For: Correction of Entry ALFATTAH NOROL PACALNA UNDER LCR Registry No. 99-226 AS ENTERED IN THE RECORDS OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF TAGUYA, LANAO DEL SUR ALFATTAH NOROL PACALNA, Petitioner, -versus-

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF TUGAYA, LANAO DEL SUR, and THE CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY, GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM, MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO, CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, AND ALL PERSONS/ENTITLES WHO/WHICH MAY BE AFFECTED THEREBY, Respondents. x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x ORDER

Before this court is verified Petition for Correction of Erroneous Entries in the Certificate of Live Birth of ALFATTAH NOROL PACALNA under Registry No. 99-226, particularly the middle name from ABDULJABBAR to NOROL and the date of birth from June 10, 1989 to June 10, 1990 in the records of the Local Civil Registrar of Taguya, Lanao del Sur, which reads in part:

c) Member’s Profile issued by GSIS; d) PhilHealth ID; and e) TIN issued by Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Respectively marked as Annexes “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, and “E”, and made an integral part hereof;

9. In December 2020, petitioner intended to perform Hajj in 2021. As such, he secured all the documentary requirements set by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for the issuance of the Philippine passport;

10. In January 2021, petitioner secured a copy of his birth certificate from the PSA. However, he was surprised when he discovered that his name therein is ALFATTAH ABDULJABBAR PACALNA and not ALFATTAH NOROL PACALNA , and his date of birth is June 10, 1989 not June 10 1990 . In support thereof, attached is a photocopy of his Certificate of Live Birth under Registry No. 99-226 issued by PSA marked as Exhibit “G” and made an integral part hereof;

11. The truth of the matter is that ABDULJABBAR is the name adopted by petitioner’s father as the latter’s Haj name after he performed Hajj. It has been a tradition among Muslims and Maranaos that children adopt the first name of their father as their surname. As such, the entry in the birth certificate is alfattah abduljabbar pacalna to signify that Alfattah is the son of Abduljabbar Pacalna;

12. Petitioner has been reflecting the surname of his mother NOROL as his middle name and the surname of his father PACALNA as his surname in accordance with the Civil Code of the Philippines;

13. Petitioner believes that the correction of these entries in his Certificate of Live birth under Registry No. 99-226 falls within the ambit of Rule 108 of the Rules of court;

Before this Court is a verified Petition for Correction of the Entries in the Certificate of Live Birth (COLB) of ABUNIAL MACACUNA MOTI under LCR Registry No. 98-5748 as to the surname of the Child from MOTI to ADILAO and as to the name of the father of the child from RAKIM BATAWI MOTI to RAKIM BATAWI ADILAO as Entered in the Records of the Local Civil Registrar of Marawi City which reads in part.

1. Petitioner is legal age, Filipino, married and a resident of Panggao Saduc, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur where he may be served with notices and other court processes;

2. Respondent Civil Registrar of Marawi City, Lanao del Sur where he may be served with summons and other court processes;

3. Respondent Civil Registrar General of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is impleaded as the central custodian of all records of birth in the country and may be served with notices, order and other court processes at the PSA, NSO Building, East Avenue, Diliman Quezon City;

4. Petitioner was born on March 7, 1991 in Marawi City and duly recorded in the Local Civil Registry of Marawi City as evidenced by the Certificate of Live Birth with Registry No. 98-5248 herein attached as Annex “A”;

5. Recently, Petitioner secured an authenticated copy of his birth record from the Philippine Statistics Authority but to his dismay, it appears that there were errors in the entry of his record, particularly the following: Surname of the Child : ABUNAIL MACACUNA MOTI Name of the Father of the Child : RAKIM BATAWI MOTI

6. Petitioner has made himself known to the public for the past thrity-one (31) years and continues to do so as ABUNAIL MACACUNA ADILAO, as shown by the following attached documents and marked as:

Annex “B” Photocopy of Official Transcript of Records Issued by San Pedro College, Davao City Annex “C” Photocopy of Certificate of Candidacy Annex “D” Photocopy of Service Records

10. Petitioner is left with no recourse but to seek judicial remedy for the correction of the erroneous entries shown in his Certificate of Live Birth;

11. This petition is filed without the slightest intention to defraud or prejudice the government or any private entity; its ultimate purpose being to correct the erroneous entries as it appears in the public records of the civil Registry and thus make it reflective of the petitioner’s correct information as appears in all her other official records.

Finding the aforesaid Petition to be sufficient in form and substance, it is hereby ordered that the same be set for hearing before this Court on February 8, 2023 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning;

Let copy of this Order be PUBLISHED at the expense of the petitioner in a newspaper of general circulation in Lanao del Sur or Marawi City or Iligan City for three (3) consecutive weeks.

The Local Civil Registrar of Marawi City, Lanao del Sur and the Civil Registrar General, or any person or party who has an interest in the petition, may file his/her opposition thereto within fifteen (15) days from notice of this Petition or from the last day of publication of this Order.

Further, let this Order be posted for fifteen (15) days prior to the date of hearing in the Bulletin Board of the Local Civil Registrar of Marawi City, Lanao del Sur and the Bulletin Board of this Court, also at the expense of the petitioner.

The petitioner is directed to notify this Court of the publication of this Order not later than three (3) days before February 8, 2023

Furnish copy of this Order, together with the copy of the Petition to the Local Civil Registrar of Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, the Hon. Solicitor General, Makati City, and the Hon. Civil Registrar General, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Santa Mesa, Manila.

SO ORDERED. October 28, 2022, at Marawi City, Philippines.

(SGD) SAMINA S. MACABANDO-USMAN Presiding Judge

MDN: Dec 10, 17 & 24 2022

1. Petitioner is legal age, Filipino, married, Municipal Mayor (Local Chief Executive and a resident of Barangay Dilimbayan, Taguya, Lanao del Sur where he may be served with notices and other court processes;

2. Respondent Local Civil Registrar of Taguya, Lanao del Sur (LRC of Taguya) is the custodian of all records of birth in Taguya, Lanao del Sur, whose office is located at the Municipal Hall, Barangay Ingud Poblacion, Taguya, Lanao del Sur where he may be served with summons and other court processes;

3.

Respondent Civil Registrar General of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is impleaded as the central custodian of all records of birth in the country and may be served with notices, order and other court processes at the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), NSO Building, East Avenue, Diliman Quezon City;

4.

Respondent Ministry of Interior and Local Government Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MILGBARMM) is also impleaded as the agency with direct supervision over petitioner, being a Local Chief Executive of Taguya, Lanao del Sur. It may be served with notices, orders and other court processes at ORG Compound, Cotabato City;

5.

Respondent Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), a Social Insurance institution, is likewise impleaded because petitioner is a member thereof.it may be served with notices, order and other court processes at the GSIS Financial center, Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City;

6. Respondent Civil Service Commission (CSG) is similarly impleaded, being the central personnel agency of the Philippine Government, which keeps and maintain personnel records of all employees in the civil service and may be served with notices, orders and other court processes at the Civil Service Commission, constitute Hills, Batasang Pambansa Complex, Diliman 1126, Quezon City;

7. Petitioner was born on June 10, 1990 to spouses MANGAWAN BALINDONG LACALNA AND SALIMA NOROL ABDULJABBAR in Taguya, Lanao del Sur;

8. Petitioner has been consistently using his correct name ALFATTAH NOROL PACALNA and his date of birth June 10, 1990 in all his transactions with government and non-government offices. In support thereof, attached are photocopy of his: a) Employee ID issued by MILG-BARMM;

14. This petition is filed without the slightest intention to defraud or prejudice any person, the government or any private entity; its ultimate purpose being to correct the erroneous entries as appears in the public records of the Civil Registry and thus make it reflective of the petitioner’s correct information as appears in all his official records.

Finding the aforesaid Petition to be sufficient in form and substance, it is hereby ordered that the same be set for hearing before this Court on January 25, 2023 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning ;

Let copy of this Order be PUBLISHED at the expense of the petitioner in a newspaper of general circulation in Lanao del Sur or Marawi City or Iligan City for three (3) consecutive weeks.

The Local Civil Registrar of the Municipality of Taguya, Lanao del Sur and the Civil Registrar General, or any person or party who has an interest in the petition, may file his/her opposition thereto within fifteen (15) days from notice of this Petition or from the last day of publication of this Order.

Further let this Order be POSTED for fifteen (15) days prior to the date of hearing in the Bulletin Board of the Local Civil Registrar of the Municipality of Taguya, Lanao del Sur and the Bulletin Board of this Court, also at the expense of the petitioner.

The petitioner is directed to NOTIFY this Court of the publication of this Order not later than three (3) days before January 25, 2023.

Furnish copies of this Order, together with the copies of the Petition to the Local Civil Registrar of Taguya, Lanao del Sur, the Solicitor General, Makati City, and the Civil Registrar General, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Santa Mesa, Manila.

SO OREDERD.

Lanao del Sur, Philippines, November 23, 2022, in Marawi City.

(SGD) SAMINA S. MACABANDO-USMAN Presiding Judge

- 0912-848-4037

AL JACINTO - Z a MB oanga - 0917-710-3642

OSCAR LEDESMA - B ukidnon - 0905-692-5925

Novaliches: A former town that refused to die

I hope the readers of this column will forgive me for giving an unusually long glimpse this week at the checkered history of the former town of Novaliches, where I was born 83 years ago. This was taken from the plot for a book which I planned to write, but was not able to do.

A century and 19 years ago, the municipality of Novaliches was erased from the map of Rizal province and reduced to a barrio due to inadequate population brought about by the 18961898 revolution against Spain and the succeeding war against the Americans from 1898 to 1901.

According to the book "Ang Kasaysayan ng Novaliches" (The History of Novaliches) written by historians Dr. Emmanuel F. Calairo and his mother, former University of the Philippines-Los Baños Prof. Rosalina Franco-Calairo, Novaliches was created as a town of Bulacan province in September 1855. (Author's note: Dr. Emmanuel F. Calairo is now a commissioner of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines or NHCP).

Three years later (in 1858), it was transferred to the old province of Manila, where it stayed until the outbreak of two revolution-

Have my say

ary wars, first against Spain and then against the United States of America. Being one of the immediate gateways to Central and Northern Luzon, Novaliches suffered many casualties from both wars.

The book of Calairo said the forces of Gen. Arthur MacArthur burned parts of Novaliches when they conquered it while chasing Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in Central Luzon during the 1899 Filipino-American war.

When the Americans took over the Philippines after the capture of Aguinaldo in Palanan, Isabela on March 23, 1901, Rizal province was established in June of the same year by the Philippine Commission Act No. 137. Novaliches was included among the 32 towns of that infant province named after the country's foremost national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

In 1903, the Americans conducted the first census in the country and found that the municipality of Novaliches only had a population of 1,556 -- 818 male and 738 female. In accordance with the American regime's reorganization of local governments in the country as an economic measure, Novaliches was reduced to a barrio and annexed to

MY THOUGHTS ABOUT CHRISTMAS

“Christmas is all about love, family and children. It doesn't matter what we eat or what presents we get as long as the holidays are spent with loved ones.” What is this? “The best gift that one could wish for underneath the Christmas tree, is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”

The true meaning of Christmas is a phrase that began to appear in the mid19th century when a shift toward a more secular culture resulted in a national backlash. Christians began to see the secularization of the celebration day of the birth of Christ as the shift toward Santa Claus and gift exchanging replaced the celebration of the advent of Christ and giving to the poor and needy without expectation of receiving anything in return. The poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (1822) helped popularize the tradition of exchanging gifts, and seasonal Christmas shopping began to assume economic importance. Harriet Beecher Stowe criticizes the commercialization in her story "Christmas; or, the Good Fairy". And well, I

agree with him. An early expression of this sentiment using the phrase of "the true meaning" is found in The American Magazine, vol. 28 (1889): "to give up one's very self – to think only of others – how to bring the greatest happiness to others – that is the true meaning of Christmas."

The phrase is especially associated with Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (1843), in which an old miser named Ebeneezer Scrooge is taught the true meaning of Christmas by three ghostly visitors who review his past and foretell his future.

The topic was taken up by satirists such as Stan Freberg and Tom Lehrer during the 1950s and eventually by the influential TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas, first aired in 1965 and repeated every year since. In the special, Charlie Brown becomes stressed by the preparations and social expectations of holiday rather than becoming excited, much to his confusion. His best friend Linus van Pelt eventually clarifies the actual meaning of the holiday through reciting the Annunciation

the then town of Caloocan, Rizal on Oct. 12, 1903.

With that development, Novaliches became the biggest barrio in the Philippines at that time with an area of more than 10,000 hectares.

After the Philippines gained independence from the US in 1946, the people of Novaliches, who were beginning to increase again in number, started a series of movements for the restoration of their town. They petitioned then President Manuel A. Roxas in 1947 for this purpose.

Roxas did not succeed in doing it due to his early death in April 1948. What happened instead was that the former town was divided between Quezon City and Caloocan when the former was declared as the new capital city of the country

to the Shepherds near the end of the program. Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1957) also illustrates the topic, and was very influential in the form of an animated TV special produced in 1966. The phrase and the associated moral became used as a trope in numerous Christmas films since the 1960s.

The phrase found its way into the 2003 Urbi et Orbi address of Pope John Paul II, "The crib and the tree: precious symbols, which hand down in time the true meaning of Christmas!"

Christmas is a celebration, a time for giving and not simply a day we exchange gifts. The spirit of Christmas is in the 'togetherness', it's in the thought to which you put into thinking about others, it's a selfless time, where we forgive, take stock of what's important and become 'better' versions of ourselves.

Christmas is not about the Savior's infancy; it is about His deity. The humble birth of Jesus Christ was

ALLAN

RUFINO

VICENTE

RENE MICHAEL BAÑOS Vice President for Special Projects

DANTE SUDARIA, JR. Vice President for Digital ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA, PhD Vice president for FINANCE

Klaus Doring

Severino C. Samonte

Visayas

DPWH to contractors: Finish Cebu City road projects

By John Rey Saavedra

CEBU CITY – Contractors of road rehabilitation activities will get a letter instructing them to finish their projects within the time frame allotted under the contract, a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official here said on Thursday.

De Yusoph Rasuman, DPWH Cebu City district chief, said the agency does not tolerate delays in the completion of road proj -

ects, especially in highly urbanized cities where traffic congestion is a big concern.

He said the “instructional letter” will be sent to contractors whose road concreting, asphalting, or repair projects were pinpointed by the city government as the cause of traffic jams.

He cited a road project near the Cebu Provincial Capitol in Barangay Capitol Site that was delayed after the contractor reportedly experienced problems in mobilizing their equipment

and personnel but has been resolved after the father of the winning bidder pledged to finish the works.

Rasuman said the DPWH district office will intensify its deployment of site engineers and inspectors to oversee road projects to ensure their completion within the specified period as agreed in the contract.

“We understand though that there are problems along the way. But this should not be an excuse. We have to understand that the delay in

DepEd farm schools in Western Visayas get private sector support

By Perla Lena

completing (road) projects will mean a traffic (congestion) in the areas where the project is being undertaken,” he told the Philippine News Agency.

His statement came after Cebu City Traffic Management Coordinating Council chair Rico Rey Francis Holganza raised the issue on Wednesday and requested the DPWH-Central Visayas to put pressure on its contractors to finish road projects in the city.

Holganza said these road rehabilitation activities would add up to traffic jams during the Christmas holidays.

ILOILO

CITY

– Farm schools established by the Department of Education (DepEd) in its 21 divisions in Western Visayas have already caught the attention of a private entity that is committed to supporting the program.

DepEd 6 (Western Visayas) information officer Hernani Escullar Jr., in an interview on Thursday, said Antonio L. Tiu, the chief

executive officer and president of the agricultural firm AgriNurture, Inc. (ANI), has expressed willingness to support farm schools, although they have yet to be briefed of the complete details.

Tiu expressed his interest in the program after attending the “Interfacing of Farm School Champions” held at the Tiu Cho Teg- Ana Ros Foundation Integrated Farm School in Iloilo City

on Tuesday.

“The purpose was to share with our partner how the farm school work. Mr. Antonio Tiu is the first private entity who was willing to partner with our school,” he said.

During the visit, Tiu brought with him vegetable seeds that were distributed to various farm schools in the region.

“He was happy with the See FARM , page 10

The council will check next week the progress of road projects and report those that will still be left unfinished. (PNA)

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the late CONRADO GEROCHE JOVERO, SR. who died on October 30, 2004 at his residence at Prk. Bliss, Brgy. Poblacion, Polomolok, South Cotabato and ERLINDA NEQUINTO JOVER who died on November 20, 2019 at Howard Hubbard Memorial Hospital, Polomolok, South Cotabato, left “Unit/Lot No. 1, located at Bliss Site, Polomolok, South Cotabato”; is the subject of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate Under the Notarial Registry of Atty. JAVIER J. BAYAN, per Doc No: 207; Page No: 42; Book No: XXIX , Series of 2022. MDN: Dec 17, 24 & 31, 2022

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the late MANUEL S. SONCIO who died on October 19, 2001 at South Cotabato Provincial Hospital-Koronadal, South Cotabato left, House No. 33 and Lot, located at Bliss, Polomolok South Cotabato, is the subject of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate with Waiver of Rights, Under the Notarial Registry of Atty. LEMEREGIN SALVAÑA ALAO , per Doc No: 319; Page No: 65; Book No: 1 , Series of 2022.

MDN: Dec 17, 24 & 31, 2022

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the late DIOSDADO M. DELA TORRE, who died intestate on July 29, 2018, left a RESIDENTIAL UNIT NO. 44 erected at Bliss Site, Polomolok, South Cotabato is the subject of DEED OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE INTESTATE ESTATE OF THE LATE Diosdado M. Dela Torre with WAIVER OF RIGHTS, Under the Notarial Registry of Atty. LEO J. CORDOVA, per Doc No: 169; Page No: 34; Book No: CCCLVII , Series of 2022.

MDN: Dec 17, 24 & 31, 2022

ROAD PROJECTS. Culverts are shown in this Feb. 7, 2019 photo placed on St. John Paul II Ave. in Cebu City. The Cebu City District Engineering Office said road rehabilitation project contractors will receive a letter from them instructing them to stick to the completion period agreed in the contract, to avoid heavy traffic. (File photo by John Rey Saavedra)

Surigao Norte mining firms bag national environment awards

By Alexander Lopez

BUTUAN CITY – Two Surigao del Norte-based affiliates of Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC) have been awardees of the prestigious Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) for

this year.

In a statement Tuesday, NAC said Hinatuan Mining Corporation (HMC) in Taganaan town and Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC) in Claver town received the PMIEA at the 68th Annual National Mine Safety and

Environment Conference (MSEC) in Baguio City over the weekend.

Awarded in the name of the country's chief executive, the PMIEA is considered as the pinnacle of all industry awards in the field of environment and safety.

IN THE MATTER OF

PETITION

CANCELLATION OF

OF

BIRTH OF MIZZA GOLISAO DAVINES a.k.a MIZRAIM GOLISAO DAVINES IN THE OFFICE OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF HINATUAN UNDER REGISTRY NO. 2004- 00167 AD THE CORRECTION OF ENTRY OF CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH UNDER REGISTRY NO. 90-188, IN THE OFFICE OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF LINGIG, SURIGAO DEL SUR, SPECIFICALLY, ENTRY NO. 1 THEREOF PERTAINING TO PETITIONER’S NAME, FROM MIZZA TO MIZRAIM. MIZZA GOLISAO DAVINES a.k.a MIZRAIM GOLISAO DAVINES Petitioner, -versus- SPEC. PROC. NO. FC-07-H

THE OFFICE OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF HINATUAN, SURIGAO DEL SUR AND THE OFFICE OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF LINGIG, SURIGAO DEL SUR, AS WELL AS ALL OTHER PERSONS WHO HAVE OR CLAIM TO HAVE ANY INTEREST THAT WOULD BE AFFECTED THEREBY, Respondent. x------------------------------------------------/

ORDER

Petitioner MIZZA GOLISAO DAVINES a.k.a MIZRAIM GOLISAO DAVINES, through counsel filed a verified petition praying before this court, after due notice and hearing, issue an order:

1.) Directing the office of the Local Civil Registrar of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, to cause the cancellation of the Certificate of Live Birth of the petitioner under Registry No. 2004-00167:

2.) Directing the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Lingig Surigao del Sur to cause the correction of entry in Certificate of Live Birth under Registry No. 90-188 specifically petitioner’s name from MIZZA to MIZRAIM.

3.) Other reliefs are also prayed for

Finding the petition sufficient in form and substance, let its initial hearing be set on May 12, 2023 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning. All persons who may have ground/s to oppose the petition are ordered to appear and show cause why the petition should not be granted

Let this Order be published, at petitioner’s account once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao/ Surigao del Sur Province. Let copies of this Order, together with copies of the petition and its annexes, be furnished to: (a) the Local Civil Registrar of Lingig; (b) the Local Civil Registrar of Hinatuan; (b) the Solicitor General: and (c) the Provincial Prosecutor of Surigao del Sur Province.

SO ORDERED.

GIVEN IN CHAMBERS, this 7th day of November 2022 at Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, Philippines.

(SGD) KIM E. ORTIZ-LIQUIDO Presiding Judge MDN: Dec 17, 24 & 31 2022

“At NAC, we align profit with purpose amidst the challenges of climate change and these honors only demonstrate that caring for the environment goes hand in hand with good business performance,” said Jose Bayani Baylon, NAC chief sustainability officer and senior vice president for public affairs and communications.

TMC also won this year’s Best Mining Forest Award and the Most Improved Safety Performance under the Safest Mines Award.

Artemio Valeroso, TMC resident mine manager, said the company has persevered and worked hard to clinch the presidential award.

Meanwhile, Francis Arañes, HMC resident mine manager, said the award will

continue to remind the company to remain steadfast and focus on the goals of good business and responsible mining.

Two more NAC subsidiaries, the Cagdianao Mining Corp. (CMC) and Rio Tuba Nickel (RTN), also received recognitions.

CMC, which operates in Dinagat Islands, bagged the Platinum Achievement Awardee for Surface Mining Operation Category, while the RTN, which operates in Palawan, was named Platinum Awardee for its nickel operations and Titanium Awardee for its limestone project.

NAC also reported gaining more than PHP21 billion in gross revenues and PHP6.9 billion in attributable net income from January to Sep-

tember this year.

The MSEC is an annual event led by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, and the Philippine Society of Mining Engineers. (PNA)

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING & REGULATORY

NOTICE OF HEARING

APPLICANT(s)/ PETITIONER(s) request/s authority to Extend the Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate AIRCON TAXI SERVICE on the route: CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY TO ANY POINT IN REGION X and vice versa with the use of SIX (6) unit/s.

This application/petition shall be considered by this Board on January 11, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at this board on which date Applicant(s)/ Petitioner(s) shall formally submit his/her/their evidence.

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

The Applicant(s)/Petitioner(s) shall publish said notice at least TEN (10) DAYS prior to the date of hearing once in a newspaper of local circulation.

Party(s) opposed to the approval/granting of the application/petition must file his/her/their written opposition with supporting documents, unless this Board deems it necessary to require additional documentary evidence and/or his/her/ their oral testimony(s).

WITNESS, AMINODEN D. GURO , Regional Director, LTFRB-Region X, this 12th day of December 2022 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

ATTY. MOHAMAD FAHDEL S. PIMPING HEARING OFFICER MDN: Dec. 17, 2022

FOR ADS PLACEMENT CALL OR TEXT: 0917-712-1424 • 0947-893-5776 mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com

Editor: Allan Mediante

Republic of the Philippines Supreme Court 12th Judicial Region

REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Branch 21 Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte

NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE SPECIAL CIVIL ACTION NO. 21-82 PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff, FOR: EXPROPRIATION - versus -

HEIRS OF PANTALEON B. FERNANDEZ, namely: Rosendo E. Fernandez, Rosalie F. Escario, and Retchillo E. Fernandez, Defendants.

X - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -/ S U M M O N S

TO: HEIRS OF PANTALEON B. FERNANDEZ, namely: Rosendo E. Fernandez, 297 Ward II, Poblacion, Minglanilla, Cebu Rosalie F. Escario, and Retchillo E. Fernandez Minglanilla, Cebu

G R E E T I N G S:

You are required to enter your appearance in the above-entitled case within THIRTY DAYS (30) after the service of the summons upon you, exclusive of the day of such service, and to answer the complaint of the plaintiff which is hereto attached and herewith served upon you within the time fixed by the Rules of Court. If you fail to answer within aforesaid time, the hearing will proceed for the relief applied for in said complaint.

WITNESS the HON. ALBERTO P. QUINTO, Acting Presiding Regional Trial Judge of this Court this 28th day of November, 2022.

Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte. ATTY. BERNARDINO M. BERING Clerk of Court VI Republic of the Philippines Supreme Court 12th Judicial Region REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Branch 21 Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte

NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE SPECIAL CIVIL ACTION NO. 21-82 PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff, FOR: EXPROPRIATION - versus -

HEIRS OF PANTALEON B. FERNANDEZ, namely: Rosendo E. Fernandez, Rosalie F. Escario, and Retchillo E. Fernandez, Defendants.

X - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -/

COMPLAINT

(With Urgent Prayer for Issuance of Writ of Possession) Plaintiff, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), by counsel, respectfully state that:

1. That plaintiff is a private corporation created and existing under Philippine laws, with principal office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It may be served with notices and other court processes through its Right-of-Way Department (ROWD)-Mindanao Division, Maria Cristina, Iligan City, copy furnished the aforementioned principal office.

2. Pursuant to Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9511, plaintiff was granted a franchise to operate, manage and maintain, and in connection therewith, to engage in the business of conveying or transmitting electricity through a high-voltage back-bone system of interconnected transmission lines, substations and related facilities, systems operations, and other activities that are necessary to support the safe and reliable operation of a transmission system and to construct, install, finance, manage, improve, expand, operate, maintain, rehabilitate, repair and refurbish the present nationwide transmission system of the Republic of the Philippines.

3. Under Section 4 of the same law, plaintiff was granted the power of eminent domain, subject to the requirements of the Constitution and existing laws.

4. Plaintiff is engaged in the business of transmitting electric power from the generating plants of power producers to distributors. As such, plaintiff’s business is imbued with public interest.

5. To address the country’s growing power demand and ensure continuous, reliable and efficient power supply, there is a need to interconnect the three (3) major power grids of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao into a single national grid. Aside from sharing of systems reserve, the interconnection will also help optimize utilization of indigenous energy resources such as natural gas in Luzon, geothermal in the Visayas and hydro in Mindanao. Owning to this necessity, plaintiff must immediately construct the transmission lines that will transmit power to distributors of electricity not only in Mindanao but also in Luzon and Visayas. This undertaking is for the use and benefit of the public and part of it is known as the MINDANAO-VISAYAS INTERCONNECTION PROJECT (MVIP), integral part of which is the KAUSWAGAN-LALA 230kV TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT (Project).

6. The said MVIP of NGCP is the project certified by the Department of Energy (DOE) as an Energy Project of National Significance (EPNS) pursuant to R.A. 7638 of DOE Act of 1992, as amended, entitled to all the rights and privileges provided under Executive Order No. 30, series of 2017, as evidenced by DOE Certification dated 8 May 2018 issued by the Energy Investment Coordinating Council. Hence, the immediate completion and energization of the said project is critically important.

7. Defendants HEIRS OF PANTALEON B. FERNANDEZ, namely: Rosendo E. Fernandez, Rosalie F. Escario, and Retchillo E. Fernandez, are all of legal age, Filipinos. They may be served with notices, summons, and other processes of this Honorable Court, through Rosendo E. Fernandez at their respective addresses indicated below opposite their names, viz:

Moreover, they may be served through their Attorney-in-Fact, Rosendo E. Fernandez at his given address provided hereinabove.

8. The property subject of this complaint is a parcel of land, identified as Lot No. 893-C, CSD-10-000474, situated in Brgy. Sta. Cruz Upper, Lala, Lanao del Norte registered and in the name of the late Pantaleon B. Fernandez per Original Certificate of Title (OCT) No. P-5,973 and Tax Declaration No. H-2300160 (08).

9. The total area sought to be expropriated consists of 8,021 square meters, as shown on the attached Sketch Plan and Narrative Technical Description, and particularly described as follows:

REGISTERED/DECLARED OWNER Pantaleon B. Fernandez

LOT NO. 893-C, CSD-10-000474

OCT NO. P-5,973

TD No. H-2300160 (08)

TOTAL AREA 20,000 sq.m.

CLASSIFICATION Agricultural

AFFECTED AREA-EASEMENT OF RIGHT-OF-WAY 7,580 sq.m.

AFFECTED AREA-TOWER SITE 441 sq. m.

BIR ZONAL VALUE Php50.00/sq.m.

BIR ZONAL VALUE OF AFFECTED AREA- EASEMENT OF RIGHT-OF-WAY Php379,000.00

BIR ZONAL VALUE OF AFFECTED AREA (TOWER SITE) Php22,050.00 COST

Php401,050.00

Machine copies of the BIR Zonal Valuation applicable to the subject property, Reports on the Counts of Improvements/Quit Claim with Acknowledgment Receipt as proof of affected improvements, are attached and made as integral parts of this complaint.

10. A careful scrutiny of Original Certificate of Title No. P-5,973 shows that it was issued by virtue of a free patent pursuant to Commonwealth Act (CA) No. 141. As annotated in the said title, the subject property is subject to a conditions and public easements and servitudes recognized and prescribed by law especially those mentioned in Sections 109, 110, 111, 112, 113 and 114 of Commonwealth Act. No. 141, as amended.

11. Sections 111 and 112 (as amended by P.D. 1361) of C.A. 141 provide: “Sec. 111 – All persons receiving title to lands under the provision of this Act shall hold such lands subject to the provisions hereof and to the same public servitudes as exists upon lands owned by private persons xxx.

“Sec.112. Said land shall further be subject to a right-of-way not exceeding sixty (60) meters in width for public highways, railroads, irrigation ditches, aqueducts, telegraph and telephone lines, airport runways, xxx and similar works as the Government or any public or quasi-public service or enterprise xxx may reasonably require for carrying on their business, with damages for the improvements only.

“Government officials charged with the prosecution of these projects or their representatives are authorized to take immediate possession of the portion of the property subject of lien as soon as the need arises and after due notice to the owners. xxx”

12. Such legal easement has been consistently recognized and applied by the Supreme Court in a long line of cases, where it ruled that a landowner whose property is subject to the legal easement imposed by Section 112 of C.A. 141 is not entitled to compensation for the portion thereof covered by the 60-meter easement of right-of-way, except only for the value of the existing improvements that will be affected.

13. Considering that plaintiff is a private corporation performing a public service, it is a quasi-public service, it is a quasi-public entity entitled to enforce such easement of right-of-way of up to 60 meters in width on the subject property without cost, except for the improvements that will be damaged by the project.

14. As shown in the aforementioned said sketch plan, plaintiff’s project merely imposes a forty (50) meter wide easement of right-of-way over the subject property, which is well within the sixty 60-meters wide easement reserved under Section 112 od C.A. 141.

15. To enable plaintiff to construct and maintain the Project, it is both necessary and urgent to enforce an easement of right-of-way pursuant to Section 112 of C.A. 141 and/or acquire the portion of the subject property, to ensure stability and reliability of the power supply in Mindanao and other regions of the country.

16. Plaintiff negotiated with defendants informing them of its intention to take immediate possession of Lot No. 893-C, CSD-10-000474 for the implementation of its project. Plaintiff likewise offered defendants the value of the improvements to be affected by its project but waived their rights over the improvements. However, with respect to the subject property, no agreement was reached between the parties. Hence, plaintiff has no other recourse but to file the instant complaint.

17. Section 13 of R.A. 11361 provides that Rules 67 of the Revised Rules of Civil Procedure governs plaintiff’s expropriation cases. Under Section 2 of Rule 67 of the Revised Rules of Civil Procedure, plaintiff may already enter and possess the portions of the subject properties during the pendency of the expropriation case.

18. Section 2 of Rule 67 of the Revised Rules of Civil Procedure states that: “Section 2. Entry of plaintiff upon depositing value with authorized government depositary. – Upon the filing of the complaint or at any time thereafter and after due notice to the defendant, the plaintiff shall have the right to take or enter upon the possession of the real property involved if he deposits with the authorized government depositary an amount equivalent to the assessed value of the property for purposes of taxation to be held by such bank subject to the orders of the court. Such deposit shall be in money, unless in lieu thereof the court authorizes the deposit of a certificate of deposit of a government bank of the Republic of the Philippines payable on demand to the authorized government depositary.”

19. In compliance with the notice requirement, plaintiff notified defendants through a Letter Offer of its intention to file an expropriation case if the possession over the subject property cannot be timely secured and/or issues regarding compensation for the subject property cannot be resolved except through judicial intervention. Plaintiff further, serves, simultaneous with the filing of the instant Complaint, a Notice to Take Possession (Annex “B”) upon the defendants.

20. To comply with the deposit requirement, plaintiff, notwithstanding that R.A. 10752 does not specifically apply to it, shall deposit with the Honorable Court the total amount of FOUR HUNDRED ONE THOUSAND FIFTY PESOS (Php401,050.00), equivalent to 100% BIR Zonal Value of the total affected area of the subject property. Such total amount to be deposited by plaintiff includes the 100% BIR Zonal Value of the Affected Area-Easement of Right-of-way amounting to Php379,000.00, which defendants are not entitled to receive by virtue of Section 112 of CA 141, but plaintiff is willing to deposit only for purposes of issuance of writ of possession. 21. Notwithstanding that R.A. 10752 does not specifically apply to plaintiff, it shall deposit the said amount with this Honorable Court consistent with the purpose of the said law and OCA Circular No. 113-2019 to simplify the deposit requirement in expropriation cases for the benefit of the defendants and in the interest of immediate implementation of projects intended to benefit the public.

22. Upon deposit of the provisional amount, plaintiff would have fully complied with the requirements for the issuance of a writ of possession as mandated by law. In a long line of cases and OCA Circular No. 113-2019, once the above requirements are complied with it, it becomes the ministerial duty of the trial court to issue the writ of possession in favor of the plaintiff, without need of any further hearing. Thus, as cited in the said OCA Circular:

“Municipality of Cordova v. Pathfinder Development Corporation cases emphasizes the mandatory issuance of the writ of possession upon the receipt of the required deposit. “No hearing is actually required for the issuance of writ of possession, which is actually required for the issuance of a writ of possession, which demands only two (2) requirements: (a) the sufficiency in form and substance of the complaint; and (b) the required provisional deposit xxx Upon compliance with these requirements, the petitioner in an expropriation case is entitled to a writ of possession as a matter of right and the issuance of the writ becomes ministerial.”

23. However, since the subject property is covered by Section 112 of C.A. 141 and defendants are not entitled to compensation for the Affected Area-Easement of Right-of-way, the provisional deposit representing the 100% BIR Zonal Value of the said affected area amounting to THREE HUNDRED SEVENTY-NINE THOUSAND PESOS (Php379,000.00) should remain in custodia legis until this case is resolved with finality.

24. Moreover, it must be emphasized that an expropriation proceeding is an action quasi in rem, wherein the fact that the owner of the property is made a party is not essentially indispensable insofar as it concerns the immediate taking of possession of the property and the preliminary determination of its value, including the amount to be deposited.

25. Action quasi in rem names a person as defendant, but its object is to subject that person’s interest in a property to a corresponding lien or obligation. In a proceeding quasi in rem, jurisdiction over the person of the defendant is not a prerequisite to confer jurisdiction on the court, provided that the latter has jurisdiction over the res. 26. The purpose of summons in actions quasi in rem is not the acquisition of jurisdiction over the defendant but mainly to satisfy the constitutional requirement of due process. Since the issuance of writ of possession is ex-parte, ministerial, and non-litigious in nature, the issuance thereof, even prior to the service of summons, will not violate defendants’ right to due process as the same can be done even without defendants’ participation. Besides, the issuance of a writ of possession does not prevent defendants from raising objections to and defenses against the expropriation of his property.

27. Plaintiff intends to present three (3) witnesses, namely: (a) Engr. Licinio B. Capili, (b) Engr. Nolito L. Notar, and (c) Windsor C. Abaga, Sr., to establish, among others, NGCP’s authority to exercise the power of eminent domain, the propriety of its exercise in this case, and the bases for the determination of the just compensation. Copies of their Judicial Affidavits (with attached Exhibits “A” to “O”) are attached as Annexes C, D, and E and made an integral part hereof. Plaintiff intends to present additional witness if necessary.

PRAYER

WHEREFORE, premises considered, plaintiff most respectfully prays of this Honorable Court to:

1. ISSUE a Writ of possession in plaintiff’s favor; authorizing plaintiff to enter and take possession of the properties subject of this complaint that will be affected by the construction and implementation of the Project, consisting a total area of 8,021 square meters, more or less, as described in paragraphs 8 and 9 hereof; order all defendants to vacate the portion of the subject property; directing the Philippine National Police (PNP) to assist plaintiff in the implementation of the said writ of possession so that project construction can immediately commence even during the pendency of the case; direct the Registry of Deeds for the Province of Lanao

del Norte to enter the Writ of Possession in the Primary Entry Book and annotate the same in the Registration Book pursuant to Section 69 of Presidential Decree No. 1529;

2. ISSUE an Order of Expropriation declaring the existence of a legal easement imposed by Sec 112 of CA No 141 over Lot No. 839-C, CSD-10-000474 and confirming plaintiff’s lawful right to enforce such easement of right-of-way, to take possession of and to occupy the 8,021-square meter portion of defendants’ property as specified in paragraph 8 and 9 hereof;

3. ISSUE a Judgment declaring and confirming plaintiff’s lawful right to enforce an easement of right-of-way, take possession of and occupy the 7,580-meter Affected Area-Easement of Right-of-way of defendants’ Lot No. 839-C. CSD-10-000474 as specified in paragraphs 8 and 9 hereof, for the construction and implementation of the Project, at no cost, except for the value of the improvements affected by plaintiff’s project; FURTHER, after the determination of just compensation of the 441-square meter Affected Area-Tower Site of defendants’ Lot No. 839-C, CSD-10-000474 to authorize the payment thereof by plaintiff to defendants after deducting the capital gains and documentary stamp taxes for the transfer of the said 9-square meter Affected Area-Tower Site, in the name of plaintiff, all other outstanding realty taxes and dues under the Local Government Code, which plaintiff shall remit to the Government; FURTHER, declaring plaintiff as the lawful owner of the said 441-square meter Affected Area-Tower Site, as described in paragraph 9 hereof;

4. DIRECT the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte to return the amount of Php379,000.00 deposited by plaintiff once the Honorable Court confirms that defendants are not entitled to compensation for the 7,580-square meter Affected-Easement of Right-of-way, as specified in paragraphs 8 and 9 hereof, pursuant to Section 112 of the Commonwealth Act. No. 141 and applicable jurisprudence;

5. DIRECT:

a) The Registry of Deeds for the Province of Lanao del Norte to register and annotate the Order of Expropriation and Judgment on the OCT No. P-5,973 or any certificate of title that may hereafter be issued covering the portion of the property subject of this case pursuant to Section 85 of Presidential Decree No. 1529; and b) The Municipal Assessor of Lala and/or Provincial Assessor of Lanao del Norte to cancel TD No. H-2300160 (08) and to issue a new and separate tax declaration in the name of plaintiff covering the portion of the subject property sought to be expropriated herein.

Plaintiff prays for other relief as just and equitable under the premises.

Iligan City for Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, 11 January, 2021.

NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES Power Center, Quezon Avenue cor. BIR Road Diliman, Quezon City

By:

LUIS MANUEL U. BUGAYONG

PTR NO. 0599223-01/04/2021-Quezon City

IBP Lifetime No. 010191/Rizal Chapter MCLE Compliance No. VI-0012003 Roll of Attorneys No. 38022

GORDON S. MONTOJO

PTR NO. 0599215-01/04/2021-Quezon City

IBP Lifetime No. 010193/Quezon City MCLE Compliance No. VI-0012024

Roll of Attorneys No. 44910

JULES BOY R. VALDEZ

PTR NO. 0599221-01/04/2021-Quezon City IBP Lifetime No. 012616/Quezon City MCLE Compliance No. VI-0012045

Roll of Attorneys No. 63350

RIGHT-OF-WAY DEPARTMENT – MINDANAO DIVISION

NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES Maria Cristina, Iligan City

By: SGD. KERTH JOSSEF M. ABLANQUE

PTR NO. 9890045-01/06/2020-Iligan City IBP Lifetime No. 012019/Quezon City MCLE Compliance No. VI-0011641 Roll of Attorneys No. 60170

SGD. JUNELLA G. LIMPANGOG-ABARQUEZ

PTR NO. 9890044-01/06/21-Iligan City IBP No. 128123/01/04/21-Iligan City MCLE Compliance No. VI-0022527 Roll of Attorneys No. 58980

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

VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION

I, GILBERT S. POLLOSO, of legal age, under oath, state that:

1. I am the Regional Manager of Right-of-Way Division, national Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP);

2. I am authorized to sign the Verification and Certification of Non-Forum Shopping in the expropriation cases for and on behalf of NGCP with respect to the projects and areas under my supervision pursuant to the authority granted by the NGCP Board of Directors, as evidenced by a Secretary’s Certificate, attached as Annex “A-Verification.”

3. I have caused the preparation of the foregoing Complaint. I have read the same and attest that the allegations therein are true and correct based on my personal knowledge or based on authentic documents. It is not filed to harass, cause unnecessary delay, or needlessly increase the cost of litigation. The factual allegations therein have evidentiary support or, if specifically so identified, will likewise have evidentiary support after a reasonable opportunity for discovery;

4. I further attest that NGCP has not commenced any action or filed claim involving the same issues in any court, tribunal or quasi-judicial agency and, to the best of my knowledge, no such other action or claim is pending therein. If I should thereafter learn that the same or similar action or claim has been filed or is pending, I shall report that fact to this Court within five (5) calendar days therefrom.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my signature this 11th day of January, 2021 here at Iligan City, Philippines.

GILBERT S. POLLOSO Affiant

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO, before me this 11th day of January, 2021, affiant exhibited to me his Unified Multi-Purpose ID No. CRN-0111-01350836-2, as his competent proof of identity.

ATTY. EDDIE BOUY B. PALAD NOTARY PUBLIC

Until December 31, 2022 Serial No.21-300 / Roll No. 65117 IBP No. 136720-12/23/20 PASIG CITY PTR No. 9891105A(1/04/2021) ILIGAN CITY

MCLE Compliance VI-0000313 Valid Until April 14, 2022 TIN 947-356-357

Sabayle St., Iligan City

DOC. No. 343 Page No. 69 Book No. VI Series of 2021.

Mindanao

CDO seeks enhanced climate change action plan

By Nef Luczon CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

– The city government has moved to enhance the Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP) for integration into the city’s climate disaster risk management.

During the 11th-year commemoration of Severe Tropical Storm Sendong (Washi) on Friday, Mayor Rolando Uy reaffirmed the commitment of the city government to make the

area resilient to natural disasters, especially with the onset of climate change impacts.

"We should not forget the pain and destruction Sendong brought us. We need to continue and strive on how our people safe from disasters," he said.

Uy said building a resilient city is a "very difficult challenge" as it includes rehabilitating forests outside its boundaries.

He said the city government's LCCAP will also be aligned with climate change protocols, even as he vowed to "cooperate and contribute to the commitments of the Philippine government to international agreements on climate change."

“As a city that is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, we need to do more for the safety of Kagay-anons (residents) and contribute more to

national efforts at climate change adaptation and mitigation,” he said.

Remembering the tragedy brought by Sendong here, Uy said the lives lost in the storm can only be honored if the local government maintains a clear-cut plan with the help of different sectors in the community.

In mid-December of 2011, Sendong poured heavy rains for two days in the city's vast watersheds,

Challenges remain in reproductive health education: Group

By Nef Luczon

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

– A non-government organization here has expressed renewed interest in working to educate the youth about the Reproductive Health (RH) Law, as the city government vowed to address teenage pregnancies through the Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health

(AYSRH) program.

In a statement Friday, Roots of Health executive director Amina Evangelista-Swanepoel noted that 10 years since the passage of Republic Act (RA) 10354, or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, teenage pregnancy remains a national concern of their

Republic of the Philippines

OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

Province of South Cotabato Municipality of Polomolok

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

organization.

"Pre-test and post-test activities during our sexuality education sessions for high school students in Palawan reveal continued low levels of knowledge among young people about sexual and reproductive health," Evangelista-Swanepoel said.

Based on the sex education sessions conducted by

PRA Form No. 10. 1 (LCRO)

Date: December 13, 2022

In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), Notice is hereby serve to the public that Herman, Jr. E. Fillalan has filed with this Office, a petition for correction of the child’s date of birth from “26 April 1963” to “6 April 1963” and child’s first name from HERMAN to HERMAN JR . in the Certificate of Live Birth of HERMAN EVANGILIO PELLALAN born at PONTEVEDRA, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL and whose parents are Premitiva Delmita Evangilio and Herman Española Pellalan .

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than December 23, 2022,

(SGD) JANE F. BARRIENTOS Municipal Civil Registrar

MDN: Dec 17 & 24, 2022

Building school culture

By GILJUN T. PENULIAR Principal I

SCHOOL leaders, however swamped with their daily acts of heroism, have challenging and important problems to solve: bullying, teacher turnover, improving student performance, cultural and socio-economic differences to name a few. The list goes on and the challenge never ends. But it all starts with a positive school culture.

School specialists have found that a positive school culture helps take care of a considerable measure of those issues. A positive school culture fundamentally changes the way different components of a successful school work together to create change.

Researchers find that it diminishes tardiness, suspensions, and behavioral issues in the classroom. A positive culture promotes scholarly accomplishment, an inspiration to learn, and mental achievement.

Best of all, better school culture helps scholastic achievement flourish as a core foundation

of security and safety in the minds of your students.

Creating a positive school atmosphere is very difficult to do, as any administrator will tell you. Individuals have psyches of their own, and you can’t make them feel accomplished and motivated externally – or just by telling them that you value them.

They have to truly feel like they are part of something great – a school that yearns for success. A school that promotes positive action and rejects poor behaviors. It takes diligence, persistence and incredible determination to build a culture. But the strength of a culture is very hard to break. Just as its hard to break out of a bad culture, a good culture stands strong. The work you put into building a positive culture now will reap benefits for you and your community for years to come. Let’s begin with some concrete actions you can take to build a better culture!

which stretches up to the slopes of Mount Kitanglad and Kalatungan in Bukidnon province.

The flash floods left at

least 674 people dead and displaced some 230,000 residents, and damaging over PHP2 billion in properties. (PNA)

PH, Indonesia to enhance border control with more sea patrols

By Che Palicte

DAVAO CITY – The Philippine Border Committee (PHBC) and Indonesian Border Committee (IDBC) are eyeing for more sea patrols in the south next year to boost border control.

the group, she said at least 70 percent of the students believed that "jumping up and down" after sex is an effective way to avoid pregnancy; around 80 percent believed that withdrawal is an effective method of pregnancy prevention.

"We also found out that many young people’s first See HEALTH , page 11

Republic of the Philippines CITY CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

IF South Wing Administrative Bldg. City Hall, Capistrano-Hayes Sts Cagayan de Oro City

Email Address: civilregistrycagayandeoro@yahoo.com & ccrcdo@gmail.com Cell No. 0906-82882219/0906-828-8187

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A No. 9048, a NOTICE is hereby served to the public that CATHERINE LACUAREN LEGASPINO has filed with this Office a petition for change of first name from “ELIZABETH” to “CATHERINE”; in the Certificate of Live Birth of ELIZABETH LACUARIN LEGASPINO who was born on FEBRUARY 01, 1986 in STA.ISABEL, STA. JOSEFA, AGUSAN DEL SUR and whose parents are EFREN L. LEGASPINO and SUSANA L LACUARIN.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than DECEMBER 25,2022

(SGD) EVANGELINE C. TAPANGAN City Civil Registrar

The move forms part of the 12-point agenda being proposed by both governments, according to Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol, the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) commander, and Rear Admiral Dr. TSNB Hutabarat MMS, commander of the Indonesian Navy's 2nd Fleet Command and IDBC chairperson, in a joint statement Friday.

This came about as the PHBC and IDBC concluded on Dec. 14 the Coordinated Patrol Philippines-Indonesia (CORPAT PHIL-INDO) activity here.

enhance interoperability and secure the maritime borders of both countries against piracy, illegal crossing, and other criminal activities.

Almerol underscored the importance for the Philippines and Indonesia to adopt new strategies that will boost the coordinated patrol's effectiveness.

This year, the series of CORPAT exercises began on March 28-30, followed by the 2nd Leg on July 05-11 with an opening ceremony in Manado City, Indonesia; the 3rd Leg in the last week of October, and the 4th Leg from Dec. 11-16 with the closing ceremony here.

MDN: Dec 17 & 24, 2022

DepEd, Division of Iligan City Schools conducts Orientation Seminar and Amateur Radio Class Examination

By Elsa S. Dechos

Iligan City Schools Division Office, in collaboration with National Telecommunication Commission conducted an orientation seminar for amateur radio class examination. In its quest to establish an effective and efficient communication linkage through VHF Radio, by way of reaching hinterland schools.

The program is initiated by Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Roy Angelo E. Gazo and Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Shambaeh A. Usman, with the support of the local government unit who purchased the VHF Radio unit for all school heads.

The training is anchored on the compliance National Telecommunication Commission Memorandum Circular

No. 6-7 series 1997, Orientation Seminar for Amateur Radio Class Examination.

An applicant for the class “C” or “D” amateur radio examinations must first attend an orientation seminar conducted by a duly recognized Radio Club or a “Class A” amateur license holder who shall issue the corresponding endorsement before allowed to take the examination.

A standard seminar curriculum is formulated by the Amateur Radio Consultative Panel and approved by the commission. There are 52 personnel compose of Public Schools District Supervisors and School Heads in the different schools of the Division of Iligan city attended the training seminar, who eventually take the examination on the following day.

"Expect that we will increase the frequency of conducting patrols to once a month to do our part, especially in cases of shipwreck due to calamities and typhoons, and to address the concerns of our fishermen who are in those areas," said Almerol, who is also the PHBC chairperson.

CORPAT PHIL-INDO is a joint patrol between the Indonesian Navy and the Philippine Navy, to

The 4th Leg's Sea Phase, held on Dec. 1113, was joined by the BRP Artemio Ricarte PS-37 from the Philippine Navy and KRI HUI634 from the Indonesian Navy, completing several maritime security patrols and exercises with a total steaming time of 47 hours and 51 minutes covering 515.2 nautical miles.

Some of the CORPAT's significant accomplishments this year include the repatriation of 14 Filipinos from Indonesia back to their families on July 11 and the return of seven Filipino fishermen

statement in Davao City Friday (Dec. 16, 2022). Both officials emphasized the need for more sea border patrols in 2023

coun -

BORDER TIES. Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol (sitting left), commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) and chairperson of the Philippine Border Committee, and Rear Admiral Dr. TSNB Hutabarat MMS (sitting right), head of the Indonesian Navy's 2nd Fleet Command and Indonesian Border Committee (IDBC), issue a joint

to enhance security in the maritime borders of both

tries. (PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)

Republic of the Philippines

REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF LANAO DEL NORTE 12th Judicial Region BRANCH 07 Tubod, Lanao del Norte

NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION

SPL. CIVIL ACTION NO. 092-07-2021 OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff, - for –- versus –

ILUMINADA GENOBATEN-ESPINAS, Defendants.

x - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - /

TO:

Expropriation

“SEC. 2. Entry of plaintiff upon depositing value with authorized government depositary. – Upon the filing of the complaint or at any time thereafter and after due notice to the defendant, the plaintiff shall have the right to take or enter upon the possession of the real property involved if he deposits with the authorized government depositary an amount equivalent to the assessed value of the property for purposes of taxation to be held by such bank subject to the orders of the court. Such deposit shall be in money, unless in lieu thereof the court authorizes the deposit of a certificate of deposit of a government bank of the Republic of the Philippines payable on demand to the authorized government depositary.” [Emphasis supplied]

14. In compliance with the notice requirement, plaintiff hereby serves, simultaneous with the filing of the instant Complaint, a Notice to Take Possession (attached as Annex “A”) upon the defendant.

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION

ILUMINADA GENOBATEN-ESPINAS Brgy. Kulasihan, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte

G R E E T I N G S!

WHEREAS, on August 23, 2022, the Court issued an order granting the plaintiff’s Motion to Serve Summons by Publication, which reads as follows:

“In today’s hearing, plaintiff through its counsel, Atty. Patrisse Bea Prospero, is in Court who reminded this Court of the plaintiff’s Amended Motion for Leave of Court to Effect Summons by Way of Publication, plaintiff is availing and invoking the appropriate provision of Section 17, Rule 14 of the Revised Rules of Court, the Extra Territorial Service. Finding the said Motion with Leave of Court to Effect Summons by Publication and the Amended Motion for Leave of Court to Effect Summons by Way of Publication to be proper, the same is hereby granted. Let Summons by Way of Publication be served to defendant Iluminada Genobaten-Espinas of this case.

XXX SO ORDERED.”

WHEREAS, Complaint reads:

C O M P L A I N T (With Urgent Prayer for Issuance of Writ of Possession)

Plaintiff, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), by counsel, respectfully states that:

1. Plaintiff is a private corporation created and existing under Philippine laws, -with principal office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It may be served with notices and other court processes through its Right-of-Way Department (ROWD) – Mindanao Division, Maria Cristina, Iligan City, copy furnished the afore-mentioned principal office.

2. Pursuant to Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9511, plaintiff was granted a franchise to operate, manage and maintain, and in connection therewith, to engage in the business of conveying or transmitting electricity through a high-voltage back-bone system of interconnected transmission lines, substations and related facilities, systems operations, and other activities that are necessary to support the safe and reliable operation of a transmission system and to construct, install, finance, manage, improve, expand, operate, maintain, rehabilitate, repair and refurbish the present nationwide transmission system of the Republic of the Philippines.

3. Under Section 4 of the same law, plaintiff was granted the power of eminent domain, subject to the requirements of the Constitution and existing laws.

4. Plaintiff is engaged in the business of transmitting electric power from the generating plants of power producers to distributors. As such, plaintiff’s business is imbued with public interest.

5. To address the country’s growing power demand and ensure continuous, reliable and efficient power supply, there is a need to interconnect the three (3) major power grids of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao into a single national grid. Aside from the sharing of systems reserve, the interconnection will also help optimize utilization of indigenous energy resources such as natural gas in Luzon, geothermal in the Visayas and hydro in Mindanao. Owing to this necessity, plaintiff must immediately construct the transmission lines that will transmit power to distributors of electricity not only in Mindanao but also in Luzon and Visayas. This undertaking is for the use and benefit of the public and part of it is known as the MINDANAO-VISAYAS INTERCONNECTION PROJECT (MVIP), integral part of which is the KOLAMBUGAN-LALA 20kV TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT (Project).

6. The said MVIP of NGCP is the first project certified by the Department of Energy (DOE) as an Energy Project of National Significance (EPNS) pursuant to R.A. 7638 of DOE Act of 1992, as amended, entitled to all the rights and privileges provided under Executive Order No. 30, series of 2017, as evidenced by the Certification dated 8 May 2018 issued by the Energy Investment Coordinating Council. It is targeted to be energized by December 2020.

7. Defendant ILUMINADA GENOBATEN-ESPINAS, is of legal age, Filipino and with last known address at Brgy. Kulasihan, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte where she may be served with summons and other processes of this Honorable Court. However, if necessary, plaintiff undertakes to cause service of summons to her by publication pursuant to Sections 16 and 17 of the Rules of Court, since her whereabouts and/or exact address cannot be determined despite diligent inquiry.

8. Plaintiff intends to expropriate portion of a parcel of land identified as Lot No. 4, PSU-12-000277, situated in Brgy. Kulalsihan, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte. The said property is declared in the name of Iluminada Genobaten per Tax Declaration No. H-070019 (07), respectively. It is more particularly described below together with the affected area sought to be expropriated consisting of 1,110 square meters, as shown in the attached Sketch Plan and Technical Descriptions, to wit:

Declared Owners Iluminada Genobaten Lot No. 4, PSU-12-000277

Tax Declaration No. H-070019 (07)

Total Area 35,779 sqm.

Classification of Land Agricultural Affected Area 1,110 sqm.

BIR Zonal Value Php45.00

BIR Zonal Value of Property Php49,950.00

Cost of Improvements Php60,000.00

Total Php109,950

Machine copies of the BIR Zonal Valuation applicable to the subject property, Report on the Counts of Improvement, are attached and made integral parts of this complaint.

9. To enable plaintiff to construct and maintain the Project, it is both necessary and urgent to acquire, upon payment of just compensation, the portion of the defendants’ property, to ensure stability and reliability of the power supply in Mindanao and other regions of the country.

10. Plaintiff negotiated with defendant through her nephew, Alcion Genobaten Dayao for the acquisition of the affected portion of the subject property and to pay the cost of improvements therein that may be damaged by the construction of the transmission line project. However, no agreement was reached between the parties.

11. Considering the urgent need for plaintiff to enter the subject property to implement and commence the necessary construction activities therein for its Project, plaintiff has no other recourse but to file the instant complaint.

12. Section 13 of R.A. 11361, provides that Rule 67 of the Revised Rules of Civil Procedure governs plaintiff’s expropriation cases. Under Section 2 of Rule 67 of the Revised Rules of Civil Procedure, plaintiff may already enter and possess the portion of the subject property during the pendency of the expropriation case.

13. Section 2 of Rule 67 of the Revised Rules of Civil Procedure states that:

15. To comply with the deposit requirement, plaintiff, notwithstanding that R.A. 10752 does not specifically apply to it, shall deposit with the Honorable Court an amount equivalent to the 100% of the BIR zonal value of the land sought to be expropriated plus the cost of the affected improvements, in the total amount of ONE HUNDRED NINE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED FIFTY PESOS (Php109,950.00) consistent with the purpose of the said law and OCA Circular No. 113-2019 to simplify the deposit requirement in expropriation cases for the benefit of the defendant and in the interest of immediate implementation of projects intended to benefit the public.

16. Upon deposit of the provisional amount, plaintiff would have fully complied with the requirements for the issuance of a writ of possession as mandated by law.

17. In a long line of cases and pursuant to OCA Circular No. 113-2019, once the above requirements are complied with it, it becomes the ministerial duty of the trial court to issue the writ of possession in favor of the plaintiff, without need of any further hearing. Therefore, the Honorable Court can already immediately issue to the plaintiff an order to take possession of the property and start the implementation of the project.

`18. Plaintiff intends to present three (3) witnesses, namely: a) Engr. Herminigildo D. Itoc, b) Engr. Nolito L. Notar, and c) Michael E. Encarnado, to establish, among others, NGCP’s authority to exercise the power of eminent domain, the propriety of its exercise in this case, and the bases for the determination of the just compensation. Copies of their Judicial Affidavits (with attached Exhibits “A” to “J”) are attached as Annexes B, C, and D and made an integral part hereof. Plaintiff intends to present additional witnesses if necessary.

P R A Y E R

WHEREFORE, premises considered, plaintiff most respectfully prays of this Honorable Court to:

1. ISSUE a Writ of Possession in plaintiff’s favor; authorizing plaintiff to enter and take possession of the property subject of this complaint that will be affected by the construction and implementation of the Project, consisting of 1,110 square meters, more or less, as described in paragraph 8 hereof; demolish the affected structures standing therein; order defendant to vacate the same; direct the Philippine National Police (PNP) to assist plaintiff in the implementation of the said writ of possession so that project construction can immediately commence even during the pendency of the case and/or for the conduct of the counting of affected improvements, if necessary;

2. ISSUE an Order of Expropriation declaring that plaintiff has a lawful right to take possession and acquire the affected portion of the property specified in paragraph 8 hereof;

3. After the determination of just compensation, to authorize the payment thereof by plaintiff to the defendant after deducting the capital gains and documentary stamp taxes for the transfer of the affected portion of Lot No. 4, PSU-12-000277, in the name of plaintiff, all other outstanding taxes under the National Internal Revenue Code, and all outstanding realty taxes and dues under the Local Government Code, which plaintiff shall remit to the Government;

4. ISSUE a judgment after determination of just compensation, declaring plaintiff as the lawful owner of the affected portion of Lot No. 4, PSU-12-000277 consisting of a total area of 1,110 square meters, more or less, described in paragraph 8 hereof;

5. DIRECT the Municipal Assessor of Kolambugan and/or Provincial Assessor of Lanao del Norte to cancel Tax Declaration No. H-070019 (07) and/or issue new and separate tax declaration covering the portion of the subject property sought to be expropriated herein.

Plaintiff prays for other relief as just and equitable under the premises.

Iligan City for Tubod, Lanao del Norte. 13 November, 2020.

NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES

Power Center, Quezon Avenue cor. BIR Road Diliman, Quezon City

By:

LUIS MANUEL U. BUGAYONG

PTR No. 0599223 – 01/04/2021 – Quezon City

IBP Lifetime No. 010191/Rizal Chapter MCLE Compliance No. VI-0012003 Roll of Attorneys No. 38002

GORDON S. MONTOJO

PTR No. 0599215 – 01/04/2021 – Quezon City

IBP Lifetime No. 010193/Quezon City MCLE Compliance No. VI-0012024 Roll of Attorneys No. 44910

JULES BOY R. VALDEZ

PTR No. 0599221 – 01/04/2021 - Quezon City

IBP Lifetime No. 012616/Quezon City MCLE Compliance No. VI-0012045 Roll of Attorney’s No. 63350

RIGHT-OF-WAY DEPARTMENT – MINDANAO DIVISION

NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES Maria Cristina, Iligan City

By:

(SGD) KERTH JOSSEF M. ABLANQUE

PTR No. 9890045 – 01/06/2021 – Iligan City

IBP Lifetime No. 012019 MCLE Compliance No. VI-0011641

Roll of Attorneys No. 60170

(SGD) JUNELLA G. LIMPANGOG-ABARQUEZ

PTR No. 9890044 – 01/06/2021 – Iligan City

IBP No. 128123 – 01/04/21 – Iligan City

MCLE Compliance No. V-0022527

Roll of Attorneys No. 58980

NOW THEREFORE , the abovementioned Defendant is hereby summoned and required to file with the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Branch 07, Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Philippines, her ANSWER to the above-quoted complaint within sixty (60) days from publication of the summons and to serve copy of the said answer upon plaintiff’s counsel at his given address indicated in the complaint. Defendant are further reminded of the provision in the IBP-OCA Memorandum on Policy Guidelines dated March 12, 2002 to observe restraint in filing a Motion to Dismiss and instead allege the grounds thereof as defenses in the Answer.

Tubod, Lanao del Norte, December 15, 2022.

from page 1

in the May senatorial elections, said the P21 million increase in his assets was declared in his tax returns, which was among the fiveyear financial records he was required to submit prior to his confirmation by the Commission on Appointment as agriculture secretary.

The P21 million increase in his net worth, Piñol said, did not represent money but the value of “biological assets” he accumulated over the years through farming.

Biological assets refer to clonal farm materials and the breeding materials of the Manok Pinoy free-range chicken that he developed, he added.

“Hindi pera ang P21 million kundi halaga ng pananim at Manok Pinoy breeders na naparami ko at inilagay sa (Income) Tax Returns kasi nangutang ako ng P10 million sa Land Bank (of the Philippines) and this was before I was appointed as agriculture secretary,” he said.

Various media groups and fellow journalists came to the defense of Cimatu, who was sentenced to suffer a minimum jail term of six months and one day to a maximum of five years, five months and 11 days.

He was also ordered to pay 300,000 to Piñol as moral damages.

In a 19-page decision, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 93 Presiding Judge Evangeline CabochanSantos found Cimatu “guilty beyond reasonable doubt” of cyber libel charges under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 filed by Piñol.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said it was saddened by the ruling of the local court for convicting Cimatu, noting it sees no malice in the newsman’s September 24, 2017 Facebook post.

“With due respect to the local court’s decision, NUJP maintains that the right to free expression and press freedom is paramount especially when exercised in relation to public officials,” it said.

A powerful politician such as Piñol crying foul over a Facebook post of a community journalist is ironic in a supposed democratic country, the NUJP said.

Cimatu’s case is proof of how government officials use libel as a weapon to harass and intimidate journalists, the group said.

NUJP reiterated its position that libel laws should be decriminalized, saying “these are not compatible with the Bill of Rights stated in the Philippine Constitution and with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, of which the Philippines is a state party.”

Piñol claimed that he “truly understands the meaning of ‘free expression’ and ‘press freedom’ because

I spent more than half of my life as a journalist and I am a lifetime member of the National Press Club of the Philippines.”

“The NUJP must also realize that ‘in a supposed democratic country’ the exercise of our rights is not absolute and that we are accountable for any transgression on and violation of the rights of others,” he added.

In a separate Facebook post, Piñol said that press freedom does not give journalists license to slander, dishonor and destroy people.

“Criminalizing libel ensures accountability,” he added.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) expressed grave concern over Cimatu’s conviction.

“The cyber-libel conviction of journalist Frank Cimatu is extremely concerning and highlights the precariousness of freedom of expression in the Philippines,” Carlos Conde, HRW Philippines senior researcher, said in a statement.

The verdict came just a few days after civil society activist Sarah Dekdeken of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance was convicted of the same offense.

These rulings underscore the need to decriminalize both libel and cyber-libel and make these matters of civil, not criminal, law, Conde said.

“Criminal libel is an assault on democracy and freedom of expression. No one should spend a single day in jail for simply expressing an opinion or reporting the news,” he said.

Cimatu is reportedly planning to appeal the lower court’s decision.

Baguio-based media groups Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters’ Club and the Kordilyera Media-Citizen Council said it “found the court’s decision unfortunate, but we consider it a temporary setback in our continuing fight to defend press freedom.”

“Cimatu’s conviction over a Facebook post does not only adversely impact on journalists, but also on the public who air critical views on issues affecting society,” they said. “No citizen of the free world should be threatened from expressing their views; more so if these are done pursuant to their roles as watchdog of the government.”

“As we push for responsible reportage, we will continue upholding press freedom and every citizen’s right to freedom of expression, which are the cornerstone of a democratic governance,” they said.

The Baguio Writers Group (BWG) condemned the use of cyberlibel law against Cimatu, who is also a poet and essayist. Cimatu previously served as BWG president.

“(This case) does not stand in isolation but is part of an ever-increasing trend

to intimidate and constrict the space afforded to free public expression and association that can currently be seen across a number of domains in the nation. It should be a matter of great concern for all people that value free expression of ideas or that support the important role of writers, literary artists, and journalists in society,” BWG said in a statement. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)

Trip...

your winters are not suitable for Filipinos that's why you're like this),” he said.

In a chance interview with reporters, the President admitted that he used to handle the cold weather just fine.

“Dati ang tibay ko sa lamig eh. Ewan ko ano nangyari sa akin (I used to do fine in the cold. I don’t know what happened to me),” he said.

0917-712-1424 • 0947-893-5776

E-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com

Eighth (1987-1992) Congress.

The measure was refiled in 1992 with slight amendments by Aquino's successor, Cong. Dante V. Liban. It was this bill that became R. A. 8535 or the 1998 Novaliches Cityhood law but lost in a plebiscite in 1999 because voters of the entire Quezon City were allowed to vote instead of the separating Novaliches barangays only.

the 21st century, along with the Diocese of Paranaque in 2002. The Dioceses of Cubao, Pasig and Kalookan followed in 2003.

month deadline – within the three months that we will be able to remedy all of the deficiencies that EMSA has been pointing out and hopefully we finally solve this problem,” he said.

Earlier, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said top European leaders expressed admiration for Marcos’ dedication to attending all meetings despite catching a cold.

from page 3 Town... from page 4

The Philippine delegation, he said, also organized a business roundtable that served as an important catalyst for the renewed relations between the Philippines and the EU business communities.

“I was joined by the economic managers and other Cabinet members where I announced our recent game-changing laws that aim to transform our business environment significantly in favor of investors and support for inward foreign direct investments,” he said.

Marcos said he was granted an audience with the King of Belgium, who fondly recalled his visit to the Philippines many years ago.

He also invited the King to visit the Philippines again.

He held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the European Council, the European Commission, Estonia, Sweden, Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Spain, with whom he identified many possible areas of further development and future partnerships.

He also met with fellow Filipinos living in Belgium and nearby European countries like Italy, Poland and Germany.

“It was a very fulfilling event as I was able to personally thank them for their support. I was also able to hear their concerns and update them on the priorities of this administration,” he said.

Cold

Meanwhile, Marcos said a “downside” of his Brussels trip was dealing with colds while delivering speeches and attending meetings.

“Ang naging downside lang ay nakakahiya ‘yung Presidente ninyo dahil noong nagsasalita ako papiyak-piyak ako na ano ganoon. Pero naintindihan naman daw nila. Sabi ko na lang sorry na lang dahil ‘yung mga winter ninyo hindi bagay sa Pilipino ‘yan kaya kako nagkaganito (The only downside was that your President was embarrassing because when I spoke I would sound squeaky. But they said they understand. I just said I'm sorry because

“Lahat po ng mga meeting niya with the businessmen, pinuntahan niya ho kahit ho wala na siyang boses, talagang pinilit niya ho mabigay ‘yung mensahe niya. Sabi niya (All of his meetings with the businessmen, he went even though he no longer had a voice, he really insisted on giving his message. He said), the messages have to come from me as the President of the Philippines, inviting the investors,” he said. (PNA)

In spite of the 46,800 “yes” votes for the cityhood, the proponents still turned out losers. It was worth mentioning that the Commission on Elections proclaimed the results although there were at least 100 ballot boxes “missing” at the time, saying their contents, granting that they were “yes” votes, were still inadequate to change the outcome of the plebiscite.

For the record, those affirmative votes were the biggest ever given by voters in any of the plebiscites for over 140 cities of the country at present.

The cityhood bills of most of these cities were ratified by yes” votes ranging from 11,000 to 18,000. This was because they did not experience the problem of Novaliches. Being existing towns, they just changed status to cityhood, a move supported by all their local officials – from mayor, vice mayor, congressmen and councilors.

"The Diocese of Novaliches was decreed by the Vatican to encompass the whole area circumscribed in the present Civil Statute of the city known as Caloocan City-North and of a part of Quezon City that lies to the north of the road called Tandang Sora. Such a canonical jurisdiction was not defined arbitrarily. This was actually a by-product of the changes in the area the locality of Novaliches belongs to.

"With a combined geographical population of 2.6 million, the Diocesan thrust to serve the marginalized and help them attain decent lives through pastoral services that range from feeding programs to scholarships, youth formation, and family planning has grown to include legal assistance and care for the elderly, vulnerable adults, persons with disabilities, and even persons in need of spiritual liberation.

in place of Manila under Republic Act 333 in July 1948.

In the 1960s, the people of Novaliches again persevered in their town restoration movement, but also without success. This took place during the terms of former Rizal first district Congressmen Rufino D. Antonio and Edgardo U. Ilarde, who became a senator later.

In 1970, then Rizal Rep. Neptali A. Gonzales filed House Bill 2052 seeking to revive Novaliches as a town of Rizal province. It was at that time when I got involved in the movement as a staff member of the former Philippine News Service or PNS.

That bill was passed by the House of Representatives but was frozen in the Senate due to strong opposition by Quezon City and Caloocan officials.

Midway during the 19721981 martial law period, the Novaleños asked then President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. in September 1976 to issue a presidential decree renaming Novaliches as Imelda City after then First Lady Imelda R. Marcos. But fate again interfered and prevented it from happening.

With the revival of Congress under the 1987 Constitution, several bills creating Novaliches as a separate local government unit were filed in succession in the House. One of these proposed laws was passed eventually by Congress in 1998 and signed as Republic Act 8535 by then President Fidel V. Ramos.

The original bill was authored in 1987 by former Quezon City second district Rep. Antonio A. Aquino. It was approved by the House and transmitted immediately to the Senate. However, the Upper Chamber did not have the time to calendar it for discussion as its transmittal came on the eve of the adjournment of the

The case of Novaliches is very much different: It seeks separation from Quezon City although with a very much reduced territory comprising just 15 barangays from Quezon City’s vast and very populous former second congressional district. The district was eventually divided by Congress into three congressional districts in 2013 due to its big population representing half of QC’s estimated three million people.

The 15 barangays envisioned to comprise Novaliches City are on the northernmost and westernmost fringes of Quezon City, bordering with Valenzuela City and North Caloocan City. Their average distance from the QC Hall is 16 kilometers.

Meanwhile, in the span of 50 years since 1970, the former town experienced a tremendous growth both in terms of economic status and population surpassing the million mark. Its former rice fields and forests were transformed into housing areas, factories and various business establishments such as shopping malls, banks, big drug stores, transport hubs and many others.

What is more, although the Novaliches cityhood aspiration was defeated in the 1999 plebiscite, the Vatican in 2002 found it was time to create Noval

iches as a separate diocese in the National Capital Region or Metropolitan Manila. Then Pope John Paul II issued a Vatican decree that established the Roman Catholic Diocese of Novaliches.

According to the Novaliches Cathedral website, "the Diocese of Novaliches is a Church for the new millennium. The Mother Church of Novaliches is the CathedralShrine and Parish of the Good Shepherd (Novaliches Cathedral) in Fairview, Quezon City.

"It was one of the two dioceses established in the country at the beginning of

"The Diocese has, in fact, become the seat of the Parish Renewal Experience (PREX) in the Philippines and is most responsive to programs cascaded by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)."

Since its creation, the Diocese of Novaliches already has three bishops in succession. The first was Bishop Teodoro C. Bacani Jr. (2002-2003), followed by Bishop Antonio R. Tobias (2003-2019) and Bishop Roberto O. Gaa (2019 to present).

Farm... from page 5

farm school and is willing to help,” Escullar added.

DepEd has 26 farm schools, situated in its 21 school divisions, exceeding what was mandated by Republic Act 10618 (Rural Farm Schools Act) to at least have a farm school per province with more than 3,000 enrollees in Grades 7 and 8.

Escullar said during the gathering, Tiu Cho Teg- Ana Ros Foundation Integrated Farm School Grade 7 learner Rico Hope Misare shared that he learned how nature is being valued and for it to become an instrument in making the world a better place to live.

Christine Gunay, a mother of a Grade 8 learner, said she was delighted because the farm school has helped her child to veer away from playing with gadgets.

“With the farm school, the priorities of the learner changed. Instead of gadgets, the learner has already focused on gardening and has become active in school,” Escullar said.

He said DepEd-6 Director Ramir Uytico would like to stress that farm schools, as part of the K to 12 curriculum, emphasize agricultural productivity.

It also gives learners the capability to cultivate the small piece of land that they have and produce their food. (PNA)

from page 4

never intended to conceal the reality that God was being born into the world.

But the modern world's version of Christmas does just that. And consequently for the greater part of humanity, Christmas has no legitimate meaning at all.

I don't suppose anyone can ever fathom what it means for God to be born in a manger. How does one explain the Almighty stooping to become a tiny infant? Our minds cannot begin to understand what was involved in God's becoming man.

Nor can anyone explain how God could become a baby. Yet He did. Without forsaking His divine nature or diminishing His deity, He was born into our world as a tiny infant.

He was fully human, with all the needs and emotions that are common to us all. Yet He was also fully God--all wise and all powerful.

For nearly 2,000 years, debate has been raging about who Jesus really is. Cults and skeptics have offered various explanations. They'll say He is one of many gods, a created being, a high angel, a good teacher, a prophet, and so on. The common thread of all such theories is that they make Jesus less than God. But the biblical evidence is overwhelming that this child in the manger was the incarnation of God.

One passage in particular, written by the apostle Paul, captures the essence of Jesus' divine nature and underscores the truths that make Christmas truly wonderful.

In the busyness and chaos of presents, tinsel and trees, it can sometimes be tricky to take a moment to appreciate what the true meaning of Christmas is. Of course Christmas will mean different things to different people. For some, it is a break or holiday, for others Christmas has deep religious significance and there is of course, no right or wrong. For

some Christmas means togetherness, for others loneliness.

While the giving of gifts is a beautiful tradition, due to the increased commercialisation and focus on gift-giving over recent decades, Christmas in many cases, has been reduced to getting what you want, or the expense of the gift. In addition to gift-giving, Christmas can be a wonderful occasion to connect to the “true spirit” of Christmas. It can be about communion, togetherness, forgiveness, a new start and the magic of remembering what is really important: Christmas is celebrated by billions of people all over the world as a religious and cultural ceremony. In the Christian religion, the true meaning of Christmas is to remember the birth of Christ. It is also a reminder that our true nature is one of peace and harmony and to practice goodwill to all men, not only at Christmas but throughout the entire year. Christmas signifies to many that we are all connected, and even if we are not physically with someone, we are not

R.A. Form No. 10.1 (MCRO)

alone. We are in fact, all part of one big family, the family of humanity, with all its imperfections and great beauty.

Christmas often inspires us to be charitable, wanting to reach out and be involved with the community, lending a helping hand wherever we can. In Sydney Australia, a few weeks before Christmas, it is impossible to volunteer at any charity to help with Christmas lunch, as all places are oversubscribed with volunteers. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this Christmas spirit flowed onto the rest of the year too?

When it comes to giving gifts, it is wonderful to make someone else happy while giving you the added benefit of being happy, as you share their joy. Another way to give, is to give people your full attention by being fully “there” or present for them. You listen to them with compassion and empathy while seeing the best in them. The gift of love and support is one of the most generous gifts you can give.

The true meaning of Christmas can be the

Republic of the Philippines Province of Davao del Sur Municipality of Santa Cruz OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION

In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that ROWEN C. LIM has filed with this Office, a petition for correction of entry in the child’s sex from “ FEMALE” to “MALE ” and petition for change of first name from “ ROWENA” to “ROWEN ” in the Certificate of Live Birth of ROWENA CONCEPCION LIM at Idong, Santa Cruz, Davao and whose parents are PEDRO LIM and EZPERANZA CONCEPCION.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than 9th day of January 2023.

MDN: Dec 17 & 24, 2022

R.A.Form No.101(LCRO)

(SGD) MARIO M. TIZON Municipal Civil Registrar

Republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registery Office Province of Camiguin Municipality of Sagay

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A.No.9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that ISIDRO Vicente BAANG has filed with this Office a petition for Change of First Name from “SAGRADO” to “ISIDRO” and to correct the child middle name and mother last name from “ VECINTE ” to “ VICENTE ” in the Certificate of Live Birth, born on January 2, 1959 at Sagay, Camiguin, Subprov.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than December 30,2022.

Sgd. Engr. Jaime Mabolo Municipal Civil Registrar

gathering together with the people you love. This could be your immediate family, extended family, friends or with complete strangers.

The true meaning of Christmas can extend to your global family. It can be inviting someone who is lonely, an elderly neighbour, someone who is homeless or a refugee over for lunch or Christmas dinner. Sharing love and joy and connecting with our fellow human beings no matter who they are, is what the true spirit of Christmas is all about.

Underlying family tensions can be brought to the surface at Christmas when people are overtired and stressed from Christmas preparations. Alcohol thrown into the mix often does not help. What is meant to be a glorious, peaceful and loving day, can turn into a hotbed of emotions. Ideally, any tensions can be worked through and possibly bring people

R.A.10172/R.A.9048(Form No.LCRO)

closer together. Forewarned is forearmed, so to avoid those tensions at the Christmas table see How to Get Along During the Holiday Season.

Christmas can be a time to reflect upon your learnings and look at ways to do things differently going forward. It can be a time to be proud of all that you have done and to make a commitment to do more of the things that are working for you and that you love to do. Life is to be enjoyed.

Control...

from page 8

to the country on Nov. 22 after they were rescued by a Japanese vessel when their boat capsized near the Philippines-Indonesia border.

"The coordinated patrol exercise needs to adopt, together with our counterparts, a new strategy on enhancing the interoperability between our forces and make the same more responsive and effective operationally for

Republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registery Office Province of Camiguin Municipality of Catarman

N O T I C E T O T H E P U B L I C

In compliance with the publication requirements and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No.2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No.1 Series of 2012 ( IRR on R.A. No.10172 ) Notice is hereby served to the public that ALDINE D.SIXTO has filed with this Office, a petition for Correction of entry in Sex from “ FEMALE” to “MALE ” in the Certificate of Live Birth of ALDINE ROLLEN DAGANGON, he was born on October 20, 2002 at Compol, Catarman, Camiguin and whose parents are ALFREDO MALINGIN SIXTO and GERALDINE ROLLEN DAGANGON.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file her written opposition with this Office not later than December 30.2022.

Sgd. LUDIVINA T.LIBAGO Signature over printed name of C/MCR MDN: Dec 17 & 24, 2022

a safer and more secure maritime environment," Almerol said.

Meanwhile, Hutabarat expressed his gratitude to all the members of the Philippines-Indonesia Border Committees for their cooperation and professionalism that made the CORPAT PHIL-INDO successful.

"We hope this cooperation becomes stronger and develops a necessary means of our security and friendship for years to come," he said. (PNA)

Health...

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sexual encounter was not planned and that many girls entered sexual relationships earlier than they wanted because of pressure or force from their partners," she said.

Swanepoel said the idea that sexual relationships should be built on the consent and willingness of both parties is new to many young people, adding that the old idea of male conquest often goes along with a refusal to use condoms or other forms of contraception.

The Roots of Health also called for more public investments in RH programs at the national and local levels and better integration of age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education in public and private schools.

Meanwhile, Mayor Rolando Uy said the local government recognizes the importance of implementing social development programs related to AYSRH.

"Working together with the whole bureaucracy will enable us to address soonest the problem of increasing teen pregnancy," he said.

Data from the City Health Office (CHO) showed that the city recorded 30 childbirths from mothers aged 10 to 14 years old last year.

WHEREFORE, finding this petition to be sufficient in form and substance, set the initial hearing of this case on December 30, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at which time, date and place. Any interested party may appear and show why the petition should not be granted. Let copy of this Order be published in newspaper of General Circulation in the City of Iligan once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at the expense of the petitioners.

SO ORDERED.

Iligan City, Philippines, this 5th of December, 2022.

MDN: Dec 10, 17 & 24, 2022

(SGD) HON. OSOP M. ALI Presiding Judge

There were also 1,070 childbirths labored by mothers aged 15 to 19-years-old.

MDN: Dec 17 & 24, 2022

The same CHO data, however, tallied a 40 percent decrease in teenage pregnancies in 2021 with 1,782 childbirths, as compared to 2019 which had 2,945. (PNA)