NOVEMBER JUNE 2015 - JULY - JANUARY 2016 ISSUE• 2016 VOLUME ISSUE• VOLUME 12, NUMBER 11, NUMBER 1 10 JUNE - JULY 2016 ISSUE• VOLUME 12, NUMBER 1
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LEADER’S GUIDE. The Student Council sparehead the first CTU Young Leader’s Camp which was participated by different organizations in the campus and extension campuses. The 3-day leadership event was inspired from the concept of Youth lead Camp which aim to provide leadership trainings and inform how to manage organizations which truly need by the student leaders. story on page 4 Photo by Bernard Joseph Sarsaba
NB Triumphs Again NEWS, PAGE 2
“Whom Who Deserves Standing Ovation”
The Throne Of Iron Fist
OPINION, PAGE 6
FEATURE, PAGE 10
PNP Revamp Angers City Mayor MARC ERIC COSEP
CEBU CITY— The recent reshuffle of police officers in Central Visayas did not sit well with Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña.
lords,” he said of policemen in the city who had been reassigned. “Look at the way they are cracking down on them (drug lords). There’s nobody left,” he said.
He not only abandoned the cash reward system for each dead crime suspect, but also announced he would stop giving allowances to new policemen who would be assigned to the city.
Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Philippine National Police chief, ordered a reshuffle of police officers in Central Visayas as part of the major revamp in the PNP.
Osmeña said that the Philippine National Police should be the ones to give allowances to policemen in the city.
Chief Supt. Noli Talino, director of the police regional office in Central Visayas, said the revamp will affect all police offices from the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame to police stations in the provinces.
“Let Manila take care of them,” he said. Osmeña said he could not believe reports linking policemen assigned to the city with retired Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, former police chief of Central Visayas, who was linked by President Duterte to drug traffickers. “Very clearly, these officers did not protect drug
“The PNP leadership is really serious about putting new set of officers to key positions to achieve our objectives,” he said. The reshuffle took place after Talino relieved all 67 members of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (Raidsoft) and the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG).
NEWS • 2
FEATURE • 9
While Talino said the transfer is part of the changes he wants to implement, he also expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of Raidsoft and RSOG members who had killed two prominent drug personalities a month before Mr. Duterte assumed office. PNP REVAMP PAGE 2
Benham Rise: Phil’s Newest Progress Hub
page 9
OPINION • 6
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NEWS
CTU Bags Honor SHEENA CONSUEGRA
With full enthusiasm against Drug Abuse, Cebu Technological University-Main Campus (CTU-MC) once again took the limelight in the National Convention on Drug Abuse Prevention and Education (DAPE) as the representatives of the school seized awards in the event held at Golden Prince Hotel Cebu last March 29-31, 2016.
BSIE 1-5, with all the skill of a talented artist won 1st place in the poster-making contest, while Lyka Isabel V. Tan, BSCE1-D, grabbed 2nd in slogan-making contest.
Participated by schools nationwide, the event was filled with immersing activities that aimed to involve college campus leaders in leveling-up their Anti-Illegal Drugs Campaign.
Furthermore, CTU-MC garnered another 1st in the DAPE Hymn competition represented by Donnrey Justin B. Tenchavez, Karl Raven Lee C. Inopia and Angelico John R. Rago, all BSGD 1-A students, in which they had presented their own up-beat, yet meaningful composition of the song entitled: “Drug is not the Answer.”
Dressed in a dashing tuxedo, Florence Troy W. Wasawas, BSIE 1-8, won as the Ambassador for the DAPE Campaign during the solidarity night portion of the program.
Aside from the numerous awards mentioned, CTU-MC was also given a Certificate of Recognition for having the biggest delegation who had participated in the event.
Meanwhile, Faith A. Rodriguez, BSME 1-2, draped in black sophistication placed 3rd in the Ambassadress category.
Moreover, the delegation not only gathered awards, for they also had gained knowledge about various topics regarding drug abuse, its prevention, and as young college leaders - the means on how to stop it.
On the other hand, Cristian D. Fernandez,
NB Triumphs Again The Nation Builder owned another comeback as they brought home another honor to the school, representing Cebu Technological University-Main Campus from the Nationwide Extramural Training held at Venus Parkview Hotel, Burnham Park, Baguio City, last April 28-30, 2016. Elnar O. Pagao (BSED-Sci) and Sheena Marie M. Consuegra (BSN) won 4th place in Filipino Sports Writing Category and 3rd place in English Sports Writing Category, respectively.
Pagao (news editor) and Consuegra (news staff) - are members of the publication’s Editorial Board SY: 2015-2016. The event, which was spearheaded by School Press Adviser’s Movement (SPAM) Inc., is a 3-day Training-Workshop on Photojournalism, Sports writing, Feature story writing, Copy reading & Headline writing, and Poetry out loud contest. Campus Journalists from elementary, secondary and tertiary levels, together with their
PNP REVAMP continued from page 1
Raidsoft and RSOG officers face accusations of a rubout in the killing of suspected drug lords Rowen “Yawa” Secretaria in Banacon Island in Bohol on May 28 and Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz in Las Piñas City, Metro Manila on June 17. Osmeña expressed objection to the reshuffle. He said he is not taking part in the drug war anymore. He said out of 10 most wanted drug suspects in the country, “we got nine.” “With the new police chief, let him find the last one,” he said, with a report by Ador S. Mayol, Inquirer Visayas. The Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) of the Philippine Government was present in such talks, and was able to provide adequate information and solutions to the dilemmas present nationwide.
respective school paper advisers that came from different institutions nationwide, participated the event wherein both students and advisers were trained and given seminars. Meanwhile, the seminar workshop regarding a writing technique called Purpose/Problems, Respondents, Approach, Opinion (PRAO) in feature writing was led by Mr. June Bautista Mijares, a language and literature teacher for 20 years and is currently the Vice President for Academic Affairs at the same time the Director for Accreditation of Aklan Catholic College. An outline for photography vs. photojournalism was the topic of Gerald Gloton, a production Coordinator of GMA News Special Assignments Team. Playing the Field of Sports Reporting and Sports Writing was headed by Ben G. Domingo Jr., who is the chairperson and the Technical Committee for Journalism of CHED. On the other hand, Socorro D. Vantomme, President of the National Secondary School paper Advisers Association, led the Copy reading and Headline writing seminar.
News Writer, Sheena Marie Consuegra (left) won 3rd place in News Writing competition English Category and News Editor, Elnar Pagao (right) won 4th place in News Writing - Filipino Category, together with Technical Adviser, Mr. Romeo Lanzaderas (center), on the 1st National Extramural Training held at Baguio City last May 2016. The said competition was participated by the different state colleges and universities in the Philippines. Contributed Photo
Furthermore, a Poetry Out Loud competition was conducted, wherein students and advisers alike, joined to express themselves and be heard. They were however, subcategorized according to elementary, secondary, tertiary and advisers’ level. SMC
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NEWS
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Philippines Wins Arbitration Case vs. China over South China Sea MARC ERIC COSEP
It has finally been decided that the Philippines has exclusive sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea (in the South China Sea) and that China’s “nine-dash line” is invalid, according to the United Nations (UN) Arbitral Tribunal. The Tribunal issued its Award on Tuesday (date here) after several months of hearings and submission of documents. China was absent throughout the proceedings, refusing to recognize the case. “The Tribunal concluded that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash line,” the statement released to the media said. “Having found that none of the features claimed by China was capable of generating an exclusive economic zone, the Tribunal found that it could—without delimiting a boundary— declare that certain sea areas are within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, because those areas are not overlapped by any possible entitlement of China,” it added. The Tribunal also said that China has violated Philippine sovereign rights. “Having found that certain areas are within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, the Tribunal found that China had violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone by (a) interfering with Philippine fishing and petroleum exploration, (b) constructing artificial islands and (c) failing to prevent Chinese fishermen from fishing in the zone,” the tribunal statement said. “The Tribunal concluded that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic
Rough Ride for New President Tough-talking Rodrigo Duterte warned of a “rough ride” after being sworn in as the 16th President of the Philippines last June 30, promising a relentless war on crime and corruption, but also to be a unifying leader. Mr. Duterte, 71, was elected in a landslide last May 2016 after a three-month campaign dominated by foul-mouthed threats to kill tens of thousands of criminals and tirades against the nation’s elite that cast him as an incendiary, antiestablishment hero.
image courtesy of google.com
rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash line,” “The Tribunal further held that Chinese law enforcement vessels had unlawfully created a serious risk of collision when they physically obstructed Philippine vessels,” it said. The Spratly Islands and its many reefs are being claimed by China under its “nine-dash line” claim that covers nearly the entire South China Sea including parts of the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). China insists it has “historic rights” in asserting its ownership of the region believed to be rich in natural gas resources and also a vital trade route for international cargo ships.
After taking his oath before Supreme Court Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes in Malacañang at noon of June 30, ending the term of Benigno Simeon Aquino III, Mr. Duterte indicated that there would indeed be some dark days during his six years in office. “These were battle cries articulated by me [on] behalf of the people hungry for genuine and meaningful change. But the change, if it is to be permanent and significant, must start with us and in us,” he said in a short speech, with his opening remarks focused on familiar themes about the need to instill discipline in a graft-ridden society.
Erosion of trust in gov’t
“Erosion of faith and trust in government— that is the real problem that confronts us,” he
Philippines filed its case in January 2013 following a tense standoff between Chinese and Philippines ships at Scarborough shoal in April 2012. Since the initiation of the arbitration case, China has conducted several massive reclamation projects to turn submerged reefs into artificial islands capable of hosting military structures and equipment. China’s reclamation activities have alarmed other Southeast Asian nations, particularly Vietnam, that also have competing claims in the South China Sea.
said. “I see the erosion of the people’s trust in our country’s leaders; the erosion of faith in our judicial system; the erosion of confidence in the capacity of our public servants to make the people’s lives better, safer and healthier.” He added: “Indeed ours is a problem that dampens the human spirit. But all is not lost.” No government can survive without the citizens’ support, he said, promising to listen to the people’s concerns and to restore their belief in their leaders. “It is the people from whom democratic governments draw strength and this administration is no exception. That is why we ROUGH RIDE PAGE 4
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NEWS
Tomorrow’s Council brands Students Leadership ELNAR O. PAGAO
Aiming to have effective and wellrounded student leaders, Supreme Student Government (SSG) of Cebu Technological University Main Campus in association with the Nation Builder, Official Student Publication, launches the 1st CTU Young Leaders Camp with the theme “Rebranding CTU leaders for Progressive Leadership,” last June 6 – 8, 2016. The objective of the camp was to inculcate significant topics that will enhance the skills in administration and leadership for the different student organizations to function effectively. Jam–packed activities were laid for the participants as the SSG incorporated various team building activities, leadership talks and organizational output---Productive Meetings and Minutes Writing, Setting-Up an Activity Plan, Program Management and Resource Mobilization, Budgeting and Liquidation and the Ideals of an Effective Student Leaders. SSG based their activity plan from the event in The Youth Trail Camp they had attended last April 2016 at Ilo–Ilo City hosted by the Youth Lead Philippines, a Youth Development
ROUGH RIDE continued from page 3
have to listen to the murmurings of the people, feel their pulse, supply their needs and fortify their faith and trust in us whom they elected to public office,” he said.
Rule of law The President said his fight against crime would be “relentless and sustained,” as he called on human rights monitors and critics in Congress to respect the mandate the Filipino people have given him. But he also insisted he would work within the boundaries of the law. “As a lawyer and former prosecutor, I know the limits of the power and authority of the President. I know what is legal and what is not. My adherence to due process and rule of law is uncompromising,” he said. The first President from Mindanao sought to portray himself as a unifying figure.
Organization on Transformational Leadership. The said youth trail camp motivated them to host a leader’s camp for CTU-Main student leaders and mobilized the things they learned for the betterment of the student organizations in the campus. Prestigious and multi–awarded speakers from the Youth Lead Philippines shared their ideas and impressions on how to mold effective student leaders in different organizations in the campus. Chief Staffer Mr. Metodio B. Maraguinot Jr. founder of Youth Lead Philippines, and Chief Staffer, Mr. Marbert D. Remolador inspired the CTU student leaders to act as an agent of change and challenged the participants to serve the students with trust. Campers were randomly grouped in “Tribus” namely Tribu Wasawas, Gamas, Cutarras, Perez, Andales, Oberes, Ubas, Jimenez, Canales and Ramas. Challenged to work as one, tribus executed the set of disciplinary competitions successfully and created a meaningful camaraderie after the event. Solidarity dances, break of games, and outdoor challenges electrified the campers and
“I was elected to the presidency to serve the entire country. I was not elected to serve the interest of any person or any group or any one class,” Mr. Duterte said. “I serve everyone and not only one.” He said he adopted as his “article of faith” a line from a person whose name he could no longer recall: “I have no friends to serve, I have no enemies to harm.”
First order to Cabinet Towards that end, the President issued his first order to his Cabinet, directing the heads of departments to cut the red tape and poor service that has characterized the bureaucracy.
created a deep benevolent time in participating every activity done in the three-day camp. The event highlighted the launching of Student Participating Governance (SPG) led by the SSG President, Benjie Oberes wherein each accredited organization from the University is qualified to propose a project that will be subsidized by SSG funds. He advised the student officers to prepare their calendar of activities and budget plan for their programs. “TRUE, I trust your SSG this year. I know they can bring out the best in every organization. I never doubted their capacity, for I know they are very optimistic that they can do the camp; they truly have the discipline and [they]worked as a team,” said Speaker Remolador. Sleepless nights and exhausting days of preparation of the SSG Officers were all worth it after the outstanding comments of respect and appreciations were given by the participants after the camp. “It ends that we have learned a lot of things on how to be a good and effective leader. I am grateful to the SSG Officers and other officials behind it because they made a one of a kind activity that helps us to be a more effective individual,” said Rein Salaum of MS3. SSG believed that the 1st CTU Young Leaders Camp serves as a stepping stone to have an effective and versatile student leaders in the campus.
Dealings should also be transparent from start to finish, as he abhors secrecy, and those who dare defy him can say goodbye, he said. “Do them and we will work together. Do not do them, we will-- part sooner than later,” he said. To set the tone for his economic, financial and political policies, Mr. Duterte quoted Franklin Delano Roosevelt: “The test of government is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide for those who have little.”
‘Why am I here?’
They should reduce requirements and the processing time of all applications, and remove redundant requirements, he said.
Mr. Duterte ended his speech with impromptu remarks to convey his commitment to his new job, underscoring his penchant for deviating from tradition or protocol.
He also warned them against playing around with government contracts and projects that have already been approved and awaiting implementation. “Changing the rules when the game is [going on] is wrong,” he said.
“Why am I here?” he asked. “I am here because I love my country and I love the people of the Philippines. I am here, why? Because I am ready to start my work for the nation.”
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NEWS
Maverick Duterte Takes Office as New President MARC ERIC COSEP
MANILA, Philippines — Rodrigo Duterte was sworn in Thursday, June 30, as president of the Philippines, with many hoping his maverick style will energize the country but others fearing he could undercut one of Asia’s liveliest democracies amid his threats to kill criminals en masse. The 71-year-old former prosecutor and longtime mayor of southern Davao city won a resounding victory in May’s elections in his first foray into national politics. He has described himself as the country’s first leftist president and declared his foreign policy would not be dependent on the United States, a longtime treaty ally. Duterte, who begins a six-year term as president, captured attention with promises to cleanse the poor Southeast Asian nation of criminals and government crooks within six months — an audacious pledge that was welcomed by many crime-weary Filipinos but alarmed human rights watchdogs and the dominant Roman Catholic Church. Shortly after Duterte won the election, police launched an anti-drug crackdown under his name, leaving dozens of mostly poor drug-dealing suspects dead in gunfights or in mysterious circumstances. Vice President Leni Robredo, a human rights lawyer who comes from a rival political party, was sworn in earlier in a separate ceremony. Vice presidents are separately elected in the Philippines, and in a sign of Duterte’s go-it-alone style, he has not met her since the May 9 vote. In a country long ruled by wealthy political clans, Duterte rose from middle-class roots. He built a reputation on the campaign trail with profanity-laced speeches, sex jokes and curses that sideswiped even the widely revered pope and the United Nations.
separatist insurgency, where he said his central Philippine-based family migrated in search of better opportunities. His informal, down-to-earth demeanor and use of the local dialect and disclosures of his foibles has endeared him to the poor, which make up at least a quarter of the more than 100 million Filipinos. After his resounding victory, he promised to mellow down on the vulgarity and promised Filipinos will witness a “metamorphosis” once he gets settled in the seat of power. Days before his swearing in, however, Duterte was still threatening criminals with death if they wouldn’t reform. “If you destroy my country, I will kill you,” he said in a warning to criminals in a speech during the last flag-raising ceremony he presided as mayor in Davao city this week. Duterte’s unorthodox style has also sparked questions on how he would handle foreign relations. He has suggested he will keep the US at arm’s length and has shown readiness to mend frosty ties with China. Those potential shifts have raised the specter of another difficult phase in more than a century of a love-hate relationship between the Philippines and its former colonizer.
The Chinese ambassador, on the other hand, has worked hard to repair damaged relations with Manila. He told Filipino diplomats Beijing would extend an invitation to the new president to visit China within the next six months, according to the Philippine diplomat who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity for lack of authority to discuss such topic with reporters. Duterte’s new diplomatic tack provides an opportunity for China to rebuild relations with the Philippines, which under Aquino brought its territorial disputes with Beijing to international arbitration — something China vehemently opposed. An arbitration tribunal in The Hague is scheduled to rule July 12 on the case, in which the Philippine government questioned the validity of China’s vast territorial claims. China has refused to join the arbitration. Duterte’s initial policy pronouncements point to potential problems for Washington. The longtime allies have worked together to counter China’s territorial advances in the South China Sea, including holding joint military exercises. The Philippines has one of the most underfunded militaries in Asia and its move to seek US help has dovetailed with Washington’s effort to reassert its presence in a region, where China has rapidly expanded its influence.
“I will be charting a course on its own and will not be dependent on the United States,” he said last month.
“Definitely if the Philippines backs away somewhat from supporting the US in the South China Sea, this would be a problem for the US,” said Malcolm Cook, a senior fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.
A senior Philippine diplomat said American and Australian officials are curious how the new president will handle relations with their governments, which have enjoyed strong ties with outgoing President Benigno Aquino III,
“China likes to present the US as a destabilizing outsider in the South China Sea and in Asia more generally,” he said. “The fewer Asian states that publicly counter this Chinese depiction, the more isolated the US.”
His brash style has been likened to that of presumptive US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, although he detests the comparison and says the American billionaire is a bigot and he’s not. Duterte is the first president to come from the country’s volatile south, homeland of minority Muslims and scene of a decades-long Muslim
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who bolstered security relations as a way to counter China’s assertiveness in disputed South China Sea territories.
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JUNE - JULY 2016 ISSUE• VOLUME 12, NUMBER 1
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OPINION
SPARKS EDITORIAL TEAM Academic Year 2016 - 2017
NIKKI NACARIO Editor-in-Chief ELNAR PAGAO LOUIE LORCA CHARL MARIE INOT CHRISTIAN ORELLANO Associate Editors-in-Chief WELLAH MARIE SANDOVAL SHEENA MARIE CONSUEGRA CHRISTIAN NEIL PACAÑA Circulation Managers CHARYMAR ESTRADA Copy Editor LLAHONA FAJARDO News Editor PAUL VINCENT ABAS Feature Editor ROBINSON IGOT JR. Literary Editor GLOMARK PAHIGNALO Chief Layout JUDE BALBEROS Chief Cartoonist BERNARD JOSEPH SARSABA Chief Photojournalist
EDITORIAL
“Whom Who Deserves Standing Ovation”
P
resident’s powerful speech that will push the urgency of change, for the benefits of the Filipinos, is a sure sign that he is serious in leading the nation. Thus, one thing is sure and as Duterte’s promised, “This will be a clean government.” Before the start of the State of the Nation Address, as what we have noticed in the previous SONA, the protesters were preparing on how to burn the current president’s effigy during the occasion. Duterte’s sincerity creates a portrait of peaceful demonstration to the militant groups outside the Batasang Pambansa. Indeed, change is happening that the tradition of marching in protest turns into vowing the nation in support to the new president. It’s a SONA not a runaway. Depart the old habits. Instead of the traditional long gowns and elegant barong tagalogs that once a fashion show of the
politicians and their wives, now guests are oblige to wear business attire. “Allow me a bit of informality. The three guys in the elevated part of the congress are from Mindanao.” Duterte proudly introduced the New Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III from Cagayan De Oro and the speaker of the 17TH Congress, Davao del Norte First District Representative Panataleon “Bebot” Alvarez. “All of us want peace, not the peace of the dead, but the peace of the living.” The president remains steadfast to his promise to hasten down drugs and criminality in the country. He promoted federalism in a way of having fair and just society. He also emphasized about the war in Mindanao, and how it turns out into bloody scuffles as one crowd acquires reprisal on the other in a never-ending round.
Disclaimer: Opinions appearing hereof are the views and opinions of the student-respondents whose names appear above or who chose to be anonymous. The Nation Builder did not influence, force, or dictate them, and will not take any responsibility with its content. For questions regarding the veracity of the opinions, please visit the NB Office.
RHEYGENN MARIE BERDIN LYKA ISABEL TAN News Writers CHRISTIAN PAUL CASAS SHERRA MAE SILVANO MARK JENIELLE BANDAS Feature Writers DARYL JOY MERENCILLO ARNE JOSEPHUS MORALES Layout Artists ANGELO AMAR GAVIN BRYLLE KEMPIS RABBI IGOT Cartoonists BENEDICTO CASQUITE JR. JAMES KENNETH CARO SHAIRA KATE MAGUILA KHENJA TANUS Photojournalists MR. ROMEO LANZADERAS MR. ROMEO MONTECILLO Technical Advisers
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OPINION
All Set to Bang The Nation CHANGE IS inevitably coming! Hopefully, it will be as refined as everyone expects in the coming days ahead as the president-elect Rodrigo Roa Duterte, backed by the police force, has seemingly taken amendment on how the campaign against illegal drugs has been fulfilled, so as modified by the authorities.
DOWN-THE-LINE LOUIE LORCA
With his firm thought, regardless of the critics, I perceive that the change that everyone wants to see in the country would be justified forthwith.
Though he has yet to take on the post on June 30, his assurance to the Filipino people to subdue drugs and criminality and to reinstate law and command seemed to be on the accurate path. This after the number of killed drug addicts has gone tough, including the death of one of Cebu’s biggest alleged drug dealers, Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz who was shot dead in Brgy. Almansa, Las Pinas City. With his promise to bring peace and order in the country within six months, I cannot help but hang on to the critics, shaking their heads, screaming Duterte cannot even quickly sort it out as he vowed. Comic as it is to consider but the point that his blunt statements and proclamations have stimulated a segment in the government, whose merely command is associated with the notion of the president, I’m confident this would drive as swiftly as what people want on the other side. Though many people were in doubt about Duterte’s campaign, I discern there were also a lot of people
For most of the citizen, Duterte’s administration is off to a rational outset, with the public seeing how determined the government is, in achieving its main purpose. Duterte pointed out major programs that the government needs actions: The DENR is directed to review all permits granted to mining logging and other environmentally sensitive activities. However, the military is directed to intensify its support role against anti-illegal logging and anti-illegal mining activities. As for driver’s licenses, its effectiveness will be extended from the current 3 year period to 5 years. Processing time in issuing permits and licenses shall be reduced. There will be implementation of structural mitigation measures to address the perennial flooding. The governments will accelerate infrastructure spending by improving national roads
who were certain, especially the police officers who have already buckled up their vigor in supporting the president’s anti-criminality campaign in the past weeks, which then brought forth the captures of topmost drug personalities in various places. I could justly recognize that the police would play a dynamic part in the upcoming months to stamp out criminality in the country. With Duterte’s candid-to-blimey statement about peace, surely the nation would nurture as freely as anyone anticipates without the immersion of the unlawful drug activities. The president’s war against illegal drugs, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer Group’s Kill List, has certainly stained a trace of 72 bodies, killed as from June 30 to July 7. And just recently, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) detained about P8 million worth of illegal drugs in the first five months of the year and surged to P3.025 million in the month of May alone. Correspondingly, several drug personalities in Negros Occidental have recently surrendered to authorities – 53 in Kabankalan City and 45 in La Carlota City. As for them, they will discontinue engrossing in illegal drug activities and will help authorities fight the drug concern in their particular places. Knowing the
and bridges and implementing Mindanao Logistics Infrastructure Network. And WIFI access shall be provided at no charge in selected public areas. They plan to increase the number of treatment and rehabilitation facilities in all regions of the country. And also passport validity will be extended to 10 years. They shall intensify our war against human traffickers and illegal recruiters that prey our migrant workers. The government has also strengthened the implementation of the Magna Carta for women. A mandatory financial education for all migrant families and their communities shall be pursued. They will expand the alternative learning system programs. The government will also provide universal health insurance for all Filipinos. And Duterte have directed the Department of Social Welfare
fact that their days have already been numbered, this must be a warning to those criminals, who were tangled in such banned actions. I suppose today’s presidency is actually partaking a boundless start as Chief Inspector Mark Darroca, head of Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (PAIDSOTG), testified that the recovery of illegal drugs last May was the highest up to now this year, though the month of May was not a top season of drugs. With Duterte in office, I’m certain there would be a lot of operations and arrests by authorities in the forthcoming days. “I have seen how illegal drugs destroy individual and ruin family relationships. I have seen how criminality – by means of foul – snatch the innocent and the unsuspecting the years and years of accumulated service. Look at this from that perspective and tell me that I am wrong,” Duterte said. With his firm thought, regardless of the critics, I perceive that the change that everyone wants to see in the country would be justified forthwith. Similarly, with the trust of the Filipinos behind him, I know that Duterte’s presidency will gradually change the standpoint of the country in which the past administrations haven’t fulfilled.
and Development (DSWD) to provide rice subsidies to the poorest Filipinos every month. He also signed an executive order adopting the long pending freedom of information bill, marking his determination about radical change. Nevertheless, there will be no demolition of squatter areas without relocation plans and the government has issued Certificates of Ancestral Domain Titles to Lumad communities. This longest SONA which was lasted an hour and 32 minutes creates’ a big impact to all the Filipinos all over the world as the president tackled the most important national issues and legislative proposals. The president’s speech really touched the heart of every Filipino. He pictured out the road map for the whole six years and I guess it will be a challenging road trip to the Filipinos as change starts to refuel.
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OPINION
The New Great Wall of China: Built Never chance to be treated the same way? Why do they underestimate a country’s capability to reclaim their property, when in fact they have all the power over that territory? Well, the Sleeping Giant doesn’t know what the Pearl of the Orient Seas has to give.
PAPER TALKS CHARL MARIE L. INOT
China has to know that their vast domain and tyranny from the West Philippine Sea has come to its end WE, FILIPINOS have great regards to limitations and boundaries. We have the ethics on how to respect one’s ownership and stand behind our limits. But why do people with high respect to boundaries never have the
Philippines’ win over maritime arbitration case versus China led to a more complicated situation as China refused to neither acknowledge the tribunal nor abide by its ruling, insisting that any resolution should be through bilateral negotiations with other claimants. China hasn’t really accepted their defeat after all their violations of Philippines’ sovereign rights in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). China’s interfering with the Philippine fishing and petroleum exploration, construction of artificial islands and failure to prevent Chinese fishermen from fishing in the region, concluded their lapses to the Philippines’ sovereign rights. It is known that Filipino fisher folks have been encountering harassment from the Chinese coast guards
and some of them destroyed their fishing vessels as they tried to fish in the troubled waters of the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). We can’t blame how desperate these fishermen are to fish in the disputed area with their primitive fishing vessels just to feed their families.
Eighty percent of the fisher folk’s production was lost due to China’s incursions. China has been a great rival of our country in reclaiming the territory that we always had. It is just too much to see how hard it was for our countrymen to loss their means of living because of the disputes in the sea they are looking up to as source. Many of the fisher folks in the coastline of Zambales had loss their livelihood because of the continuous harassment in the Panatag Shoal. Why do we need to settle for less? Why are we the ones to adjust regarding this issue? We have the valuable ruling in our favor, we should never stop from letting them know that we own that territory and we had too much of their oppression. We need to fight for our rights! The verdict of the Arbitral Tribunal had given
Skills That We Lack to Master turned into a concrete realization that we are already living a real world – genuine emotions, tangible materials and definite life. However, in our incumbent generation, do the real world live in us? Or have we created another utopia of desires and wants?
CONVICTION ROBINSON IGOT JR.
CHANGE should come not only to the governance of society but to the governance of ourselves “WHAT IS life in the real world?” It let me ponder for a moment, bringing past memoirs alive that
Today, we are in a stage where the intervention of globalization is injecting technology to each one of us. Many people are happy, eased, and pleased to do things within their reach. Things move quickly in the real world that we need to move more quickly for if not, we will be left behind. So we keep on producing, consuming, and wasting resources to provide maximum satisfaction of human wants. We have incurred destruction to our own lands and we cannot deny that it is apparent in our two eyes. Bald mountains which caused landslides and clogged riverways which resulted to flash floods
are some indications on how we morphed the real world into something uncontrollable. We have already acquired the knowledge of creating breakthroughs and in order to control it, we should master appropriate skills for the conservation of the real world. I will portray a very good example reflecting to the scenario where every CTUnian can relate. In the flood hazard map of Metro Cebu, CTU lies in the moderate flood hazard prone where couple of hours in raining causes flood already. It has a tremendous effect to us because it hinders the means of transportation, health and safety. Although, we can prevent it by cleaning the riverways, enlarging the drainage systems and creating large scale water storage facilities, we became ignorant to the fast modernization happening to us. We lack the skills of obtaining proper mindset towards these concerns. The skills of learning practical philosophy that everything
the Philippines the rightful ruling of the Islands and we don’t need to sacrifice what we have obtained from this. Our fishermen still need security after all the rights we have acclaimed from The Hague because of China’s inconsideration and avariciousness. They will never have the chance to wall up the territory that we always deserve. I guess the Philippines needs to help China recuperate from their loss. But China has to know that their vast domain and tyranny from the West Philippine Sea has come to its end. Filipinos deserve what serves them best. The issue of the disputes in the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea favored the Filipinos, and all the fisher folks need to do is just wait. Wait until China accepts its defeat that should be given years ago. China must have been too desperate in claiming islands just to build their Great Wall’s extension. Surely they can build it anywhere, but never on our territory, not even on the edge of our slip and never on our property line. Still, a toast of victory for our country, the Philippines!
made has consequences. We lack the feeling of gratitude and recognition of taking ideals with purpose. Aside from this, we also lack the character to discipline ourselves in abiding simple regulations from our government. Mankind has practiced less tolerance towards following the law of nature which is do good and eliminate evil. This is how we exemplify ourselves, saying that we have lived the real world, yet without just to nature. Change should come not only to the governance of society but to the governance of ourselves: mindset and character. We already developed the knowledge beyond these skills, yet we only lack persistence to master it. Now, and take your time in deciding things right that might come in your life but never waste time because it will make a big difference to the future. In the end, it will be just about the matter of time between taking actions now or never.
JUNE - JULY 2015 ISSUE• VOLUME 11, NUMBER 1
FEATURE
9
Benham Rise:
Philippines’ Newest Progress Hub BY MARK JENIELLE BANDAS
image courtesy of Rappler.com
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abloids and news around are babbling about the ongoing tensions regarding the Spratlys. But there’s another territory that we should start tackling about, a territory that has situations quite far from the Spratlys. It’s time for us to meet the Philippines’ newest territory, the Benham Rise. Okay, the chances here of knowledge about Benham Rise range from little to no idea at all. But fret not. We’ve got a pack of good explanations coming up shortly. So, what exactly is Benham Rise? And what good will it brings the country? Benham Rise, or Benham Plateau (yes, by the word itself, it’s a huge landform), is a massive undersea region located underwater. Why was it called as a “plateau” even if it was submerged? It’s because this underwater plateau has a higher sea elevation than the place around. Another reason is that this place was once a bunch of underwater volcanoes that erupted millions of years ago, thereby resulting in its seemingly flat upper surface. Now, where exactly is this located and how big is this? This place has a total area that is the same of the country’s biggest island, Luzon. And, the trip is not that long either. It is located approximately 250 kilometers east of the coast of Isabela, making it the exact opposite of Spratly Islands. So let’s get to its historical background. During the pre-Spanish colonization, this place was already known by local fishermen of the eastern waters as a nice spot for fishing and was called “Kalipung-awan” (meaning loneliness in an isolated place) by the Bicolanos. Little
to no information was provided until the time of the American Occupation. It was then rediscovered by American surveyors and was named as Benham Rise, after the US Navy Officer Admiral Andrew Ellicot Kennedy Benham. From then on, it was studied by small groups of researchers, providing more and more information about it. Originally, despite its proximity to the country, it was not included in the territory of the Philippines. Following the tragic 1990 Luzon Earthquake, scientists revised their fault models, thereby making Benham Rise as a legitimate area to be claimed since its fault lies within the Philippine Fault. After that, the Philippine government filed a partial area claim on the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (UNCLCS), alongside with Kalayaan Group of Islands (or Spratlys). Unlike Spratlys, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) officially approved the claim on April 2012. Quite a story, right? So, what are the possible reasons that made the Philippines own Benham? Aside from the location, it is also due to the fact that no one aside our country made efforts in claiming Benham Rise, which is the exact opposite of Spratly Islands. Japan and Korea showed interest on it, but did not try to file a claim. Now, what lies beyond the waters of Benham Rise? Aside from the rich marine life that dwells in there, it is also speculated that there are vast
deposits of minerals and pockets of natural gas lying underneath its surface. Should it be proven true, then this may be an excellent substitute for the Malampaya Gas project, since the project is expected to last a few years more before its reserves run out. And this would mean great news for our consumers, because if we have our own gas deposits underneath which will flourish, then gas prices are surely to drop. This is just yet the beginning, how much more can we expect? The expectations were really promising enough, but how does it reflect to our economy and to us, consumers? The answer is, a lot. We may only see a little of its contribution but its rewards are surely huge enough. Gas prices drop, investors will be attracted to our country, job openings would increase, and more supplies can be produced and imported. Thanks to more workforces, our economy will spike up. Now this is what we call instant change, but for it to happen, we still have to fully discover what lies beyond Benham Rise, and acquire the needed equipment available. We also have to consider how long will the nonrenewable supplies last, and how much we can make the most out of it. As we can see, there’s another place that we can still utilize minus the disputes between neighbouring countries - a territory that opens doors towards progression; a territory that gives us hope to spike up our economy; a territory that is entirely pure Filipino land; a territory that will soon rise up to its expectations; and a territory that we call the Benham Rise.
JUNE - JULY 2016 ISSUE• VOLUME 12, NUMBER 1
10
FEATURE
THE THRONE OF IRON FIST BY PAUL VINCENT ABAS
image courtesy of Rappler.com
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hange has come. After the dust has settled and the temperamental race towards presidency has ended, one had become predominant and now is the time to claim his throne and preside a new era.
To inflame his motive to serve for the nation and to crank up a jumpstart to his upcoming six years of political voyage, Rodrigo Roa Duterte took oath as the 16th President of the Philippines on June 30, 2016. He took his first step to the portal at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañang Palace in Manila. After clustering a total of 16,601,997 votes on far-flung places all over the Philippines, it seems that the image of the newly elected president, Rodrigo Duterte has no longer been obscure. We have known him well from his forthright manner of speaking and his expletive talks. Every time we huddle about him, we can immediately conjure an image of an imaginary miniature of a punisher, an iron hand, and lots of more in its accordance. Nevertheless, instead of counting it as one of the reasons to pull him down, it only opened up his aerials and mobilized him to soar even higher towards the pinnacle. As the 30th of June approaches, the figure that Filipino’s perceived about him has been
gradually looming. Who would be Duterte as a president? We’re just starting to get a sketch. The historic affair was opened with a departure honors and a 21 gun-salute for outgoing president Benigno Aquino III. Aquino came back as a civilian after leaving Malacañang at 11am. After Duterte’s entrance in the Rizal Hall, Lupang Hinirang, the Philippine National Anthem was made harmony, followed by an interfaith prayer, and the official campaign song of Duterte, “Para sa Tunay na Pagbabago”, sung by Freddie Aguilar. The joint resolution by both houses to congratulate Duterte and Robredo for their victory in this year’s election was read by Senate President Franklin Drilon. At noon, Duterte’s inaugural speech was delivered in mixed English, Filipino, and Cebuano. There, he vowed for the next six years to restore the people’s trust and confidence in the government. “No leader, however strong, can succeed at anything of national importance or significance unless he has the support and cooperation of the people he is tasked to lead and sworn to serve.” This was one of Duterte’s first few lines to open up his speech. He said that the campaign against drugs and criminality would be relentless and sustained within the bounds of the law. He promised to secure peace agreements with the Moro separatists and the New People’s Army, in accordance with the constitutional and legal reforms. He vowed to eliminate red tape in government agencies
by instructing his incoming cabinet members and agency heads to reduce requirements and processing time of applications. Thereafter, President Duterte led the mass oath-taking ceremony of his newly appointed cabinet members right after his speech. This was then followed by the first full military honors for Duterte. The inaugural ceremony was aired for the first time on Facebook live. This was done to cater to those who had no access to radios and televisions, as well as to the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW’s). Sequent crimes have been inducing shambles all over the Philippines. From the alarming outbreak of rape cases to the sudden escalation of drug-related crimes, Duterte thinks that further toleration of these affairs might only lead the country to endless dirges. To give these a fatal blow, he is ready to do vicious actions and vigilant killings to drug and criminal syndicates just to end up this country’s biggest headache. Chief among his platforms is to cut all the roots of criminalities within 3 to 6 months. Everyone has been expecting all of these troubles to have a blitz as we shift into Duterte’s political regime. Yet, there is still no certainty that all of Duterte’s trothed promises will come into reality. What’s apparent is that the process of change has already been palpable. Will Duterte’s administration pull us from the brink of crime and injustice? Or will it only lead us to a much weighty disease? Let’s see.
JUNE - JULY 2016 ISSUE• VOLUME 12, NUMBER 1
FEATURE
M
aria Leonor Gerona Robredo, known as “Leni Robredo”, took her oath as the 14th Vice President of the Philippines without joint inauguration of President Rodrigo Duterte last Thursday, July 30, 2016 in Quezon City Reception House – the new office of the Vice President. She is the wife of late Jesse Robredo – former DILG Secretary and Naga City Mayor who died on a plane crash accident. She is also a former Congresswoman of the 3rd district of Camarines Sur. Her inaugural rite was simple and reflected to what President Duterte called for simplicity. She was sworn in by the chairmen of the poorest barangay of the second district of her province, and of the Quezon City where her new office is situated. She had chosen the barangay chieftains: Ronaldo Coner of the Brgy. Punta Tarawal, Camarines Sur, and Regina Celeste San Miguel of Mariana, Quezon City to administer her oath taking to highlight her anti-poverty advocacy. “But this journey is not just about us. This is a chance to bring those at the fringes of society to prosperity – in a bigger, more powerful way,” an excerpt from the speech of Robredo during her inauguration. It accentuates her advocacy in helping to uplift marginalized people by focusing her efforts and resources on the grassroots. Also, she focuses to reach the farthest and smallest barangays to let people feel that the office of Vice President is open for everyone who seek help. She expressed her gratitude for the support and trust of the people from the very beginning, as she was persuaded through the clamor of the public - ran as a Congresswoman last 2013
and won, and up ran again as the Vice President together with the chosen successor of former President Benigno Aquino III who was the former DILG Secretary Mar Roxas. Furthermore, she emphasized that she is not going to waste the chance given to her. She accepted the chance to serve with humility, gratitude, and a commitment to excellence, which would then lift her advocacy to higher levels. In addition, she will not allow anything to derail her goals even at the cost of personal interest, because for her, loyalty must be on those she sworn to serve. This has been the manner by which she has served, and it will remain that way for the rest of her life. Moreover, she stated that the doors of the Vice President are always open. Hers will be a listening office. She seeks to unite the government and the private sectors in a partnership for change. She gives importance to collaboration, which is for her, is today’s most important and powerful resource. Then, she believes that in our world today, our most important work is to do the things that we can do together. She even recalled the story of her journey. When she started, very few believed that she had a chance to win. But, because of the contributions of each single individual – like each one of those people who sacrificed so much to get her where she is now and believed when nobody believed – she made it to the top. According to her, the impossible can be possible when we stand for what we believed in, and when we are ready to sacrifice our own personal interests. She is inviting those people who have passion of helping the poor, for fixing systems of the poor,
RIDE THE BUS
by Christian Paul Casas | graphics by Daryl Joy Merencillo
11 and for unlocking barriers that perpetuate the status quo in the poorest areas of the country. She then highlighted the importance of unity. Despite the different advocacies of one another, the only thing that pulls everyone closer is the dream: every Filipino will live a dignified, prosperous life. In every bus trip that she took, whenever she travelled from her district (Naga City) to Manila and back and forth, she is awoken by the reality of life in the Philippines. She is called not only to serve the left behind Filipinos, but also to become the mother of everyone who needs love, care, and understanding. Today, Vice President Leni Robredo is on her way to lift her advocacies into higher level after taking her oath as the 14th Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines.
JUNE JUNE -- JULY JULY 2016 2016 ISSUE• ISSUE• VOLUME VOLUME 12, 12, NUMBER NUMBER 11
12
FEATURE by
Sherra Mae Silvano | Pacaña Photo by Christian Neil
ummer is over. Here comes another season in which we need to get prepared for – the rainy season. As expected, the Philippines will be experiencing a phenomenon called La Niña by this month up to the last.
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An upshot to this, those flood-prone areas, including the parameters of the Cebu Technological University – Main Campus, were on their seasonal drowning activity. La Niña is defined as an irregular recurring upwelling of unusual cold water to the ocean surface along the western coast of South America that occurs following El Niño and that disrupts typical regional and global weather patterns especially in a manner opposite to that of El Niño. Experiencing this phenomenon, the scenario of Cebu’s busy streets will be replaced by swamps with stranded vehicles, floating trashes and dead rats. In this case, citizens including students may have a hard time in commuting and in going to their destination. No jeepneys or motorcycles to ride on. Last July 1, it was late in the afternoon when the clouds began to gloom. Heavy rain started to fall which immediately caused drainages at the M. J. Cuenco gate to clog. CTUnians had a hard time on crossing the streets to and from the campus. Without any option, night students had crossed the knee-deep flood just to attend class without the assurance if there will be any.
That afternoon, the flood-prone streets were filled with black water contaminated with dirt, diapers, rotten fruits, dead rats, animal shits, bacteria and many other bio and non-bio materials. Almost all the entire routes of Cebu were disrupted. Vehicles, motorcycles, taxis, jeepneys and even those who were just walking were halt in the middle of the flooded street. That was a dreadful moment. It took almost an overnight of heavy rain fall and everybody was stranded. Overflowing water from the esteros is a serious problem for all of us. As this problem continues, there would be a lot of possible diseases that can be acquired. One of this is the Leptospirosis which came from the urine of rats and such dirt waste that could enter on our open wounds, and may cause death.
Drainage System At this rate, the city is undeniably on a critical state. There are many establishments constructed all over the city (either hit on a floodprone area or not). Before planning to build a city, drainage must be planned first in order to obtain the free flow of water during rainy days. But in our city’s case, it is, however, on the other way around. It is important to construct an appropriate drainage system all
over the area in order to assure the continuous freeflow of heavy water during the rainy season. Drainage systems can be of good help in preparing ourselves, and our place as well, when La Niña comes.
Improper Dumping of Waste A common problem by most is the improper disposal of waste. The flood which depends on the volume of rainwater is unpredictable. Though there are many technological apparatuses which measure how heavy rain could be, we could still not know whether there would be the occurrence of flood. Wastes (thrown from anywhere else) could block the passageway of water. As water is blocked, the amount of water on a certain place would increase, causing esteros to over flow and would then cause flood - more and more flood. If these factors may not be aided, problems during rainy days will continuously repeat. It is not solely the government’s problem but also the citizens because we are all contributors to this problem. As La Niña continues, there is no other way to solve these undying problems but to act on them before anything else might develop. As the saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure.”