All over but the sourgraping
As the Commission on Elections is proclaiming left and right winning candidates, some if not most of the losers are whining. They are complaining if being cheated. It’s nearly two weeks after the elections but in many places, the electoral body has yet to proclaim the winners. But this is not confined only to rural areas. Even in Muntinlupa, the Comelec hasn’t yet proclaimed the winners in the mayoral race as of presstime. And to think the area is within the coujntry’s capital.
But then, in many parts of the country, local elections are finally drawing to a close. Proclamations are delayed for three reasons: violence, poll frauds, and the refusal of certain candidates to accept defeat. In some cases, there are valid reasons for the protesting candidates to cry fraud and refuse to concede. But other losers simply want to make life miserable for their political rivals.
This refusal to accept defeat, often lasting long after the election season is over and the winner has assumed office, has been a major hindrance to effective governance. The delivery of basic services suffers when local executives are distracted by the extension of election battles.
By this time there are enough indications of where the vote has been rigged and the real winners have been robbed of their mandate, and which candidates simply can’t take defeat. The country has enough problems without sore losers derailing the proclamations of their rivals. Local officials have a term of only three years, and those whose victories are not tainted by cheating should be allowed to serve their constituents in peace.
If these losers do not have the grace to accept defeat, the Comelec and the courts can prevent them from creating trouble for the winners. This can be done by resolving pre-proclamation protests quickly and throwing out frivolous requests for temporary retraining orders. In every race, there is a winner and a loser. All candidates should accept this fact before entering an electoral contest.
The losers should take the example set by two candidates for the town council in Bontoc, Mountain Province who tossed a coin to determine the winner since they had a tie. This is legal under Comelec rules and the sore losers should be more sportsmanlike and accept defeat graciously unless they were indeed cheated.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Name of losing Ilocos bet found in assassin’s phone
Mayor’s killer a hired gun; cops cornering mastermind
BY MYDS SUPNAD, FREDDIE LAZARO AND JUN GUIANG
BACARRA, Ilocos Norte -- Investigators are looking into the possible involvement of a losing congressional candidate in the gunslaying of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte Mayor Philip Velasco and councilor Marcelo Andaya after his name and phone number appeared in the cellular phone seized from the slain gunman.
Initial reports said the name and phone number of Engineer Rey Nolan Sales was found among the entries in the cell phone of slain assassin Marlo Kabasag.
Sales lost to incumbent Rep. Roque Ablan who was reportedly being supported by Velasco.
Senior Supt. Marvin Bolabola, Ilocos regional chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said it would be premature to link Sales to the murder but confirmed Kabasag was a hired killer.
Kabasag, who stood at about five feet, four inches, had tattoos of the head of an eagle and face of Jesus Christ on both arms.
Kabasag yielded a Cal. 45 pistol and a cellular phone which authorities believe may hold the clues as to who masterminded the mayor’s killing.
Investigators were looking into three possible motives – personal, political or business-related.
Bolabola said they submitted the cellular phone to the CIDG’s Cyber Crime Division in Camp Crame to check and review all its entries.
He said there were other names found in the cellular phone who may be involved in the crime.
Bolabola added they have identified the owner of the Cal. 45 automatic pistol and the motorcycle used by Kabasag.
They were also checking calls Kabasag made on the mobile phone.
Kabasag was allegedly seen in the company of a political figure in Ilocos Norte before the assassination.
Kabasag slipped in unnoticed, approached Velasco and Andaya who were both watching an intermission number during the town’s fiesta celebration last Sunday, then shot them.
Three others, including provincial board member Shirley Ong-Sin and a nine-year-old boy were wounded in the shooting before Kabasag was shot by responding lawmen.
Kabasag was later identified by some witnesses through tattoos on his body
Police said witnesses claimed Kabasag was not a native of Bacarra.
Authorities have increased the reward to P150,000 for information that could lead to the arrest of the mastermind behind the assassination.
Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil, Ilocos regional police director, said P100,000 of the amount was pledged by the municipal government of Bacarra on top of the offer by the Philippine National Police of P50,000.
This, as the closest political rival of Velasco broke his silence on the killing, a report said.
Former provincial board member Pacifico “Pacing” Velasco, who lost in the mayoralty fight against Mayor Velasco, his nephew, spoke on local television and said that he would never resort to violence.
The former Sangguniang Panlalawigan member said he always used peaceful means in resolving differences with late Bacarra mayor. “I would not go to the extreme of eliminating him,” he said in a television interview.
He had earlier said he wanted to attend the wake of his slain nephew to pay his last respect but was later was hesitant to do so for safety reason.
Earlier, former SP member Velasco, also former mayor of Bacarra, had filed several charges against Mayor Velasco with the Ombudsman office in Manila .
Sales, meanwhile, assailed his detractors on the allegation that his cell phone number was listed in the mobile phone which was found in the body of the slain assassin.
“I am a businessman so anyone can have an access to my cell phone number,” Sales said
Regional police director Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil, bared a task force led by Senior Superintendents Pedro Austria and Felix Roman, of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Ilocos Norte police, respectively, is digging deeper into the killing to unmask the mastermind.
Re-elected Vice Mayor Nicomendes de la Cruz, now the acting mayor, led the passage of a resolution condemning the attack.
Velasco was seated beside Andaya and other local officials in the front row when the gunman shot the mayor at close range at about 11 p.m.
Velasco was hit in the neck and below the armpit, and Andaya in the abdomen. The two died while being treated at the Ilocos Norte Provincial Hospital in Laoag City .
Three others were hit by stray bullets. They were identified as Josefina Galapon, provincial board member Shirley Ongpin, and nine-year-old Ron-Ron Laguban.
Townsfolk and officials of Bacarra mourned the death of Velasco, and Andaya. Local officials and employees led by Vice Mayor dela Cruz draped the town hall with black clothes and lowered the national flag at half mast as an act of mourning.
The mourners also offered prayers and novenas at the century-old St. Andrew church for the two victims.
As of press time, no relative of the unidentified gunman had appeared to claim the body at a funeral parlor in Bacarra.
Bataoil said an informant positively identified the assassin’s body three days after the Bacarra killing.
Bataoil did not elaborate on the assassin’s background. “It may jeopardize the probe if we give details about him,” he said.
“Our next move is to know mastermind,” Bataoil said.
Earlier, Bataoil, had raised the reward to P150,000 to anyone who can provide information on the people involved in the killing of re-elected Mayor Velasco and Councilor Andaya of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
The cadaver of the gunman, who was shot and killed by Velasco’s security escorts while attempting to flee, was taken to a funeral parlor in the town.
Of the total amount of the reward, P100,000 came from the municipal government of Bacarra and P50,000 from the Philippine National Police.
Bataoil said the victims’ widows Ma. Conception Velasco and Eugenia Andaya have extended their gratitude to the police and President Gloria, Macapagal Arroyo for the immediate investigation of the murders.
“I personally visited the crime scene in Bacarra, the victims and the bereaved families. I relayed the condolences from the PNP chief, secretary of the DILG and President Arroyo,” he said.
Both the widows of the murdered town officials had also asked the PNP to leave “no stone unturned in their investigation and go after those who masterminded the killings.
Probers were looking into various theories in the killings.
Velasco, was about to start his third and final term as mayor when he was shot and killed together with Andaya.
BY MYDS SUPNAD, FREDDIE LAZARO AND JUN GUIANG
BACARRA, Ilocos Norte -- Investigators are looking into the possible involvement of a losing congressional candidate in the gunslaying of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte Mayor Philip Velasco and councilor Marcelo Andaya after his name and phone number appeared in the cellular phone seized from the slain gunman.
Initial reports said the name and phone number of Engineer Rey Nolan Sales was found among the entries in the cell phone of slain assassin Marlo Kabasag.
Sales lost to incumbent Rep. Roque Ablan who was reportedly being supported by Velasco.
Senior Supt. Marvin Bolabola, Ilocos regional chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said it would be premature to link Sales to the murder but confirmed Kabasag was a hired killer.
Kabasag, who stood at about five feet, four inches, had tattoos of the head of an eagle and face of Jesus Christ on both arms.
Kabasag yielded a Cal. 45 pistol and a cellular phone which authorities believe may hold the clues as to who masterminded the mayor’s killing.
Investigators were looking into three possible motives – personal, political or business-related.
Bolabola said they submitted the cellular phone to the CIDG’s Cyber Crime Division in Camp Crame to check and review all its entries.
He said there were other names found in the cellular phone who may be involved in the crime.
Bolabola added they have identified the owner of the Cal. 45 automatic pistol and the motorcycle used by Kabasag.
They were also checking calls Kabasag made on the mobile phone.
Kabasag was allegedly seen in the company of a political figure in Ilocos Norte before the assassination.
Kabasag slipped in unnoticed, approached Velasco and Andaya who were both watching an intermission number during the town’s fiesta celebration last Sunday, then shot them.
Three others, including provincial board member Shirley Ong-Sin and a nine-year-old boy were wounded in the shooting before Kabasag was shot by responding lawmen.
Kabasag was later identified by some witnesses through tattoos on his body
Police said witnesses claimed Kabasag was not a native of Bacarra.
Authorities have increased the reward to P150,000 for information that could lead to the arrest of the mastermind behind the assassination.
Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil, Ilocos regional police director, said P100,000 of the amount was pledged by the municipal government of Bacarra on top of the offer by the Philippine National Police of P50,000.
This, as the closest political rival of Velasco broke his silence on the killing, a report said.
Former provincial board member Pacifico “Pacing” Velasco, who lost in the mayoralty fight against Mayor Velasco, his nephew, spoke on local television and said that he would never resort to violence.
The former Sangguniang Panlalawigan member said he always used peaceful means in resolving differences with late Bacarra mayor. “I would not go to the extreme of eliminating him,” he said in a television interview.
He had earlier said he wanted to attend the wake of his slain nephew to pay his last respect but was later was hesitant to do so for safety reason.
Earlier, former SP member Velasco, also former mayor of Bacarra, had filed several charges against Mayor Velasco with the Ombudsman office in Manila .
Sales, meanwhile, assailed his detractors on the allegation that his cell phone number was listed in the mobile phone which was found in the body of the slain assassin.
“I am a businessman so anyone can have an access to my cell phone number,” Sales said
Regional police director Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil, bared a task force led by Senior Superintendents Pedro Austria and Felix Roman, of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Ilocos Norte police, respectively, is digging deeper into the killing to unmask the mastermind.
Re-elected Vice Mayor Nicomendes de la Cruz, now the acting mayor, led the passage of a resolution condemning the attack.
Velasco was seated beside Andaya and other local officials in the front row when the gunman shot the mayor at close range at about 11 p.m.
Velasco was hit in the neck and below the armpit, and Andaya in the abdomen. The two died while being treated at the Ilocos Norte Provincial Hospital in Laoag City .
Three others were hit by stray bullets. They were identified as Josefina Galapon, provincial board member Shirley Ongpin, and nine-year-old Ron-Ron Laguban.
Townsfolk and officials of Bacarra mourned the death of Velasco, and Andaya. Local officials and employees led by Vice Mayor dela Cruz draped the town hall with black clothes and lowered the national flag at half mast as an act of mourning.
The mourners also offered prayers and novenas at the century-old St. Andrew church for the two victims.
As of press time, no relative of the unidentified gunman had appeared to claim the body at a funeral parlor in Bacarra.
Bataoil said an informant positively identified the assassin’s body three days after the Bacarra killing.
Bataoil did not elaborate on the assassin’s background. “It may jeopardize the probe if we give details about him,” he said.
“Our next move is to know mastermind,” Bataoil said.
Earlier, Bataoil, had raised the reward to P150,000 to anyone who can provide information on the people involved in the killing of re-elected Mayor Velasco and Councilor Andaya of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
The cadaver of the gunman, who was shot and killed by Velasco’s security escorts while attempting to flee, was taken to a funeral parlor in the town.
Of the total amount of the reward, P100,000 came from the municipal government of Bacarra and P50,000 from the Philippine National Police.
Bataoil said the victims’ widows Ma. Conception Velasco and Eugenia Andaya have extended their gratitude to the police and President Gloria, Macapagal Arroyo for the immediate investigation of the murders.
“I personally visited the crime scene in Bacarra, the victims and the bereaved families. I relayed the condolences from the PNP chief, secretary of the DILG and President Arroyo,” he said.
Both the widows of the murdered town officials had also asked the PNP to leave “no stone unturned in their investigation and go after those who masterminded the killings.
Probers were looking into various theories in the killings.
Velasco, was about to start his third and final term as mayor when he was shot and killed together with Andaya.
Bontoc poll candidates break tie by tossing coin
BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Two candidates in this capital town broke a rare tie in last week’s elections by tossing a coin in a show of sportsmanship in a country where poll disputes are often settled with violence.
After a count of the May 14 ballots, local election officials discovered that Bryan Byrd Bellang and Benjamin Ngeteg had tied for the final of eight seats on the council in Bontoc, elections supervisor Mary Umaming told newsmen.
"I asked them if they wanted to break the tie by tossing a coin or drawing lots, somebody in the crowd wondered if I was cracking a joke,” Umaming said.
“I said those options were in the rules, and they agreed to flip a coin,” she said.
Bellang, who chose heads, won the toss, which was held on May 15 in the local town hall.
“The candidates then sealed the agreement with a handshake, and the crowd erupted with applause,” Umaming said. “Election ties in the Philippines are rare, and many are unaware of the two options for resolving them under official rules.”
Provincial election supervisor Dennis Dimalnat hailed the peaceful resolution of the tie in Bontoc as a refreshing example.
"I hope others would see the beauty of this kind of peaceful resolution,” he said.
The congressional and local elections last Monday were marred by widespread violence. Police initially reported that more than 130 people had been killed since January in election-related violence, but later lowered that toll to 41, saying they were investigating whether the other deaths were linked to the polls.
Bontoc is a resort town known for its mountainside rice terraces and the Chico River which flows alongside it.
After a count of the May 14 ballots, local election officials discovered that Bryan Byrd Bellang and Benjamin Ngeteg had tied for the final of eight seats on the council in Bontoc, elections supervisor Mary Umaming told newsmen.
"I asked them if they wanted to break the tie by tossing a coin or drawing lots, somebody in the crowd wondered if I was cracking a joke,” Umaming said.
“I said those options were in the rules, and they agreed to flip a coin,” she said.
Bellang, who chose heads, won the toss, which was held on May 15 in the local town hall.
“The candidates then sealed the agreement with a handshake, and the crowd erupted with applause,” Umaming said. “Election ties in the Philippines are rare, and many are unaware of the two options for resolving them under official rules.”
Provincial election supervisor Dennis Dimalnat hailed the peaceful resolution of the tie in Bontoc as a refreshing example.
"I hope others would see the beauty of this kind of peaceful resolution,” he said.
The congressional and local elections last Monday were marred by widespread violence. Police initially reported that more than 130 people had been killed since January in election-related violence, but later lowered that toll to 41, saying they were investigating whether the other deaths were linked to the polls.
Bontoc is a resort town known for its mountainside rice terraces and the Chico River which flows alongside it.
Ret. US serviceman returns to search for girlfriend, daughter
BY GEORGE TRILLO
CLARK FIELD, Pampanga – US Serviceman William Clark returned to the Philippines two years ago to search for his Filipina girlfriend and their daughter whom she left in 1965.
Now he’s back to continue the search, hoping this time, his former girlfriend Betty Rosales and their daughter Mildred, now 42 years old, would surface.
Clark, now 66 and a gymnasium owner in Fairview Pennsylvania , was stationed as a serviceman of the US Air Force at this former US Air Force Base from 1962 to 1965.
Early in 1963, he met Rosales who was then working as a cashier in a bar along the MacArthur highway in the Baligago Commercial district in Angeles City .
They fell in love, established their own bar called Coachman’s Inn, also in Baligago, and live together in a small home near the Abacan River in the same district.
In the first quarter of 1965, the US military assigned Clark to the Hollmon military base in New Mexico .
“I left Betty pregnant, but she had the bar to provide for her. Her sister and brother-in-law were with her to take care of the business,” Clark said.
It was the last time Clark saw Rosales. “A letter I got from another serviceman based at Clark informed me that she gave birth to a baby girl sometime in 1965 and that the baby was named Mildred after my mom,” he said.
Though Clark had left to Rosales his address in the US so that his communication with her would continue, he never received her letters.
“Somehow, my mother who received the letters was never able to turn over the letters to me before she died several years ago,” Clark said.
Without communication from Rosales, Clark married a Spanish-American in 1967. The couple had three children.
They were later divorced, and Clark again married a Korean national who bore him two more children. In July last year, they also divorced.
“So my eldest child is Mildred and she is my only child whom I have never seen,” Clark said.
“Now I want to make up for the time lost between me and Mildred,” he said, showing his passport which indicates that since he first came to Angeles City two years ago to look for her and her mother and he had been to the country four times.
“I have examined the birth registry in Angeles and Mabalacat town, but there is no Mildred born from May to July in 1965. I also checked baptismal records in churches in the towns but I found nothing,” he said.
Clark said he was not sure whether Rosales used his surname or hers for Mildred’s records.
CLARK FIELD, Pampanga – US Serviceman William Clark returned to the Philippines two years ago to search for his Filipina girlfriend and their daughter whom she left in 1965.
Now he’s back to continue the search, hoping this time, his former girlfriend Betty Rosales and their daughter Mildred, now 42 years old, would surface.
Clark, now 66 and a gymnasium owner in Fairview Pennsylvania , was stationed as a serviceman of the US Air Force at this former US Air Force Base from 1962 to 1965.
Early in 1963, he met Rosales who was then working as a cashier in a bar along the MacArthur highway in the Baligago Commercial district in Angeles City .
They fell in love, established their own bar called Coachman’s Inn, also in Baligago, and live together in a small home near the Abacan River in the same district.
In the first quarter of 1965, the US military assigned Clark to the Hollmon military base in New Mexico .
“I left Betty pregnant, but she had the bar to provide for her. Her sister and brother-in-law were with her to take care of the business,” Clark said.
It was the last time Clark saw Rosales. “A letter I got from another serviceman based at Clark informed me that she gave birth to a baby girl sometime in 1965 and that the baby was named Mildred after my mom,” he said.
Though Clark had left to Rosales his address in the US so that his communication with her would continue, he never received her letters.
“Somehow, my mother who received the letters was never able to turn over the letters to me before she died several years ago,” Clark said.
Without communication from Rosales, Clark married a Spanish-American in 1967. The couple had three children.
They were later divorced, and Clark again married a Korean national who bore him two more children. In July last year, they also divorced.
“So my eldest child is Mildred and she is my only child whom I have never seen,” Clark said.
“Now I want to make up for the time lost between me and Mildred,” he said, showing his passport which indicates that since he first came to Angeles City two years ago to look for her and her mother and he had been to the country four times.
“I have examined the birth registry in Angeles and Mabalacat town, but there is no Mildred born from May to July in 1965. I also checked baptismal records in churches in the towns but I found nothing,” he said.
Clark said he was not sure whether Rosales used his surname or hers for Mildred’s records.
Proclaim me, Padaca urges Comelec
BY JOAN CAPUNA
ILAGAN, Isabela -- Re-electionist Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca urged the Commission on Elections to direct it’s officials in the province to push through with her proclamation as winner, her lawyer said Thursday.
According to lawyer Liela de Lima, her client has been leading the gubernatorial race in Isabela against rival Benjamin Dy but has not been proclaimed until now.
De Lima said they were due to file the petition on Friday so that Comelec officials in Isabela would be compelled to declare Padaca the duly elected governor. Details however were not known as of presstime.
Padaca’s proclamation was suspended after Dy petitioned the Comelec to declare failure of elections in the towns of Echague, Ilagan and Tumauini.
Dy cited supposed errors and defects like missing thumb marks and defective seals in the election returns of these towns.
The ERs were set aside by the municipal board of canvassers, causing delays in the provincial canvassing – but only for the gubernatorial race.
De Lima said Padaca is leading Dy by more than 5,000 votes and that the figure does not include the votes cast in the three towms.
Had the ERs in the three towns been included, Padaca’s lead over Dy would even widen to 15,000 to 17,000 votes, she said.
De Lima said if there were questions on the ERs’ integrity, they should have not been canvassed and used as basis for the proclamation of winning candidates in other positions.
ILAGAN, Isabela -- Re-electionist Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca urged the Commission on Elections to direct it’s officials in the province to push through with her proclamation as winner, her lawyer said Thursday.
According to lawyer Liela de Lima, her client has been leading the gubernatorial race in Isabela against rival Benjamin Dy but has not been proclaimed until now.
De Lima said they were due to file the petition on Friday so that Comelec officials in Isabela would be compelled to declare Padaca the duly elected governor. Details however were not known as of presstime.
Padaca’s proclamation was suspended after Dy petitioned the Comelec to declare failure of elections in the towns of Echague, Ilagan and Tumauini.
Dy cited supposed errors and defects like missing thumb marks and defective seals in the election returns of these towns.
The ERs were set aside by the municipal board of canvassers, causing delays in the provincial canvassing – but only for the gubernatorial race.
De Lima said Padaca is leading Dy by more than 5,000 votes and that the figure does not include the votes cast in the three towms.
Had the ERs in the three towns been included, Padaca’s lead over Dy would even widen to 15,000 to 17,000 votes, she said.
De Lima said if there were questions on the ERs’ integrity, they should have not been canvassed and used as basis for the proclamation of winning candidates in other positions.
4 soldiers freed unhurt by NPA
BY DEXTER A. SEE
BOLINEY, Abra – A military officer and three other soldiers were released unhurt by New People’s Army rebels during a recent skirmish at the boundary of Manabo and Boliney, both towns in Abra.
This was confirmed by the NPA’s Agustin Begnalen command, which said the freed soldiers were treated well and accorded their full rights and privileges as prisoners of war.
Released from NPA custody were 2nd LT. Jeron Labrador Etrone, commanding officer of the Charlie company of the 41st Infantry Battalion, Sgt. Restino Agolowan Alabon, Sgt. Alexander Salvador Paulo, and Cpl. Benigno Soriano Jr.
The NPA stated it also gave back to the soldiers that seized two Cal. 45 pistols and personal belongings, including the two motorcycles they were riding when they were captured.
The released soldiers were supposed to reinforce government troops in a gun battle with the rebels in conflict-rocked Abra.
For the past several days, the NPA had launched successive offensives against the military.
In a statement, the NPA’s Agustin Begnalen command said the soldiers were released after the underground movement established they had no blood debts and records of human rights violation.
The turnover was reportedly witnessed by the barangay residents, and the soldiers signed a waiver that they were treated well and accorded the rights and privileges of prisoners of war.
The NPA said the soldiers were urged to resign from the Armed Forces of the Philippines .
If not, they were enjoined to uphold the comprehensive agreement on the respect of human rights and international humanitarian law signed by the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front in 1998.
The underground movement said the series of successful offensives, against government troops in Abra served as a continuing punitive action against the military and in response to the people’s clamor for retribution for alleged injustices inflicted by the military on them.
The 41st IB has a bloody record of torturing and killing civilians as human shields, the NPA statement said.
BOLINEY, Abra – A military officer and three other soldiers were released unhurt by New People’s Army rebels during a recent skirmish at the boundary of Manabo and Boliney, both towns in Abra.
This was confirmed by the NPA’s Agustin Begnalen command, which said the freed soldiers were treated well and accorded their full rights and privileges as prisoners of war.
Released from NPA custody were 2nd LT. Jeron Labrador Etrone, commanding officer of the Charlie company of the 41st Infantry Battalion, Sgt. Restino Agolowan Alabon, Sgt. Alexander Salvador Paulo, and Cpl. Benigno Soriano Jr.
The NPA stated it also gave back to the soldiers that seized two Cal. 45 pistols and personal belongings, including the two motorcycles they were riding when they were captured.
The released soldiers were supposed to reinforce government troops in a gun battle with the rebels in conflict-rocked Abra.
For the past several days, the NPA had launched successive offensives against the military.
In a statement, the NPA’s Agustin Begnalen command said the soldiers were released after the underground movement established they had no blood debts and records of human rights violation.
The turnover was reportedly witnessed by the barangay residents, and the soldiers signed a waiver that they were treated well and accorded the rights and privileges of prisoners of war.
The NPA said the soldiers were urged to resign from the Armed Forces of the Philippines .
If not, they were enjoined to uphold the comprehensive agreement on the respect of human rights and international humanitarian law signed by the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front in 1998.
The underground movement said the series of successful offensives, against government troops in Abra served as a continuing punitive action against the military and in response to the people’s clamor for retribution for alleged injustices inflicted by the military on them.
The 41st IB has a bloody record of torturing and killing civilians as human shields, the NPA statement said.
Arraignment for Campbell slay suspect set on May 29
BY JUAN B. DAIT JR.
LAGAWE, Ifugao – The arraignment of the confessed killer of US Peace Corps Volunteer Julia Campbell Duntugan who is at present under the custody of the provincial police at Camp Joaquin Dunuan here, the provincial police headquarters in this capital town was set on May 29.
A charge for murder was filed on May 22 by Ifugao Provincial Perosecutor Joseph Tumapang against Juan Donald B. Duntugan with the sala of Judge Esther P. Flor of the Regional Trial Court in the Justice Hall here.
Prosecutor Tumapang filed the murder charge after Duntugan failed to submit his answer or counter-affidavit against him by Ifugao Provincial Police Director Pedro Ganir.
Duntugan was given 10 days from May 2 to submit his answer to the complaint.
The failure of Duntugan to submit his answer to the complaint of the police prompted the provincial prosecutor to formally file the murder charge against him with the sala of Judge Flor who set the arraignment of Duntugan on May 29.
Prosecutor Tumapang said he will handle the prosecution of the case.
Asked why the charge against Duntugan was for murder, Prosecutor Tumapang said there were two justifying or aggravating circumstances attending the killing of Campbell .
Duntugan’s attack on Campbell was done treacherously, the persecutor said.
Also, the killing of the lady US Peace Corps volunteer was attended by viciousness and cruelty, Tumapang said.
This writer was shown at the Prosecutor’s office a video recording of the decomposing of badly battered body of Campbell sent by the PNP Crime Laboratory in Manila .
Campbell ’s jawbone was slit open, her face badly beaten and parts of her body battered.
Tumapang ruled out robbery and rape, saying that Campbell ’s personal belongings like her camera, sunglasses, and eyeglasses were found near her body.
Lawyer for Duntugan is Maribas Lubiton-Habawel of the Public Attorney’s Office.
Campbell disappeared last April 8 while hiking alone in Barangay Batad in the tourist town of Banawe .
Her body was found 10 days later in a shallow grave near a dry creek some 200 meters from Batad proper.
Duntugan went into hiding in Benguet and Baguio but he surrendered last April 27 in Camp 5, Barangay Asin in Baguio City .
He was brought to Camp Joaquin Dunuan here by his mother Jane and his uncle, PO3 Arnold Dalluyon.
LAGAWE, Ifugao – The arraignment of the confessed killer of US Peace Corps Volunteer Julia Campbell Duntugan who is at present under the custody of the provincial police at Camp Joaquin Dunuan here, the provincial police headquarters in this capital town was set on May 29.
A charge for murder was filed on May 22 by Ifugao Provincial Perosecutor Joseph Tumapang against Juan Donald B. Duntugan with the sala of Judge Esther P. Flor of the Regional Trial Court in the Justice Hall here.
Prosecutor Tumapang filed the murder charge after Duntugan failed to submit his answer or counter-affidavit against him by Ifugao Provincial Police Director Pedro Ganir.
Duntugan was given 10 days from May 2 to submit his answer to the complaint.
The failure of Duntugan to submit his answer to the complaint of the police prompted the provincial prosecutor to formally file the murder charge against him with the sala of Judge Flor who set the arraignment of Duntugan on May 29.
Prosecutor Tumapang said he will handle the prosecution of the case.
Asked why the charge against Duntugan was for murder, Prosecutor Tumapang said there were two justifying or aggravating circumstances attending the killing of Campbell .
Duntugan’s attack on Campbell was done treacherously, the persecutor said.
Also, the killing of the lady US Peace Corps volunteer was attended by viciousness and cruelty, Tumapang said.
This writer was shown at the Prosecutor’s office a video recording of the decomposing of badly battered body of Campbell sent by the PNP Crime Laboratory in Manila .
Campbell ’s jawbone was slit open, her face badly beaten and parts of her body battered.
Tumapang ruled out robbery and rape, saying that Campbell ’s personal belongings like her camera, sunglasses, and eyeglasses were found near her body.
Lawyer for Duntugan is Maribas Lubiton-Habawel of the Public Attorney’s Office.
Campbell disappeared last April 8 while hiking alone in Barangay Batad in the tourist town of Banawe .
Her body was found 10 days later in a shallow grave near a dry creek some 200 meters from Batad proper.
Duntugan went into hiding in Benguet and Baguio but he surrendered last April 27 in Camp 5, Barangay Asin in Baguio City .
He was brought to Camp Joaquin Dunuan here by his mother Jane and his uncle, PO3 Arnold Dalluyon.
Fake Red reb nabbed by police for extort
BY MAR SUPNAD
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Police arrested Tuesday a man who claimed to be a member of the New People’s Army in an entrapment after he tried to extort money from a top government official here.
Senior Supt. Isagani Nerez, provincial police director, reported to Chief Supt. Leopoldo N. Bataoil, Region 1 police director, that Noel Santos, 39, was caught in the act of extorting money from Provincial Engineer Divina de Leon.
The arresting team was led by Supt. Rolando Magno, head of the intelligence office the provincial police office.
Nerez said Santos tried to extort R180,000 in cash from De Leon in exchange for protection.
A check made by the police showed Santos was not a member of the NPA but was using the rebel movement’s name only to extort money form businessmen and government officials.
Santos reportedly claimed to be the spokesman of the CPP-NPA in Ilocos Region composed of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan.
Nerez said the suspect was a notorious member of an extortion group operating in the Ilocos, Central Luzon and Metro Manila.
Nerez said the alleged victims of Santos included a nun in Pampanga and engineer of DPWH in Pampanga.
Meanwhile, a plan of the CPP-NPA top build a camp at Sitio Lopez, Calomboyan, Mangatarem was thwarted after alert elements of the PNP and Army overran it.
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Police arrested Tuesday a man who claimed to be a member of the New People’s Army in an entrapment after he tried to extort money from a top government official here.
Senior Supt. Isagani Nerez, provincial police director, reported to Chief Supt. Leopoldo N. Bataoil, Region 1 police director, that Noel Santos, 39, was caught in the act of extorting money from Provincial Engineer Divina de Leon.
The arresting team was led by Supt. Rolando Magno, head of the intelligence office the provincial police office.
Nerez said Santos tried to extort R180,000 in cash from De Leon in exchange for protection.
A check made by the police showed Santos was not a member of the NPA but was using the rebel movement’s name only to extort money form businessmen and government officials.
Santos reportedly claimed to be the spokesman of the CPP-NPA in Ilocos Region composed of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan.
Nerez said the suspect was a notorious member of an extortion group operating in the Ilocos, Central Luzon and Metro Manila.
Nerez said the alleged victims of Santos included a nun in Pampanga and engineer of DPWH in Pampanga.
Meanwhile, a plan of the CPP-NPA top build a camp at Sitio Lopez, Calomboyan, Mangatarem was thwarted after alert elements of the PNP and Army overran it.
Baguio rep to conduct House investigation oncement cartel
BY DEXTER A. SEE
BAGUIO CITY – Local officials in this mountain resort city, who spearheaded the expose on the cement cartel in the country, denounced the Cement Manufacturers of the Philippines (CEMAP) for “trying to misinform the Filipino people in justifying the skyrocketing prices and poor quality of cement in the country.”
Re-elected Baguio City Rep. Mauricio G. Domogan said he will pursue the House investigation on the unreasonable and unjustified prices of cement in the market especially with the varying excuses being divulged by the manufacturers to justify the “rigged” cement prices.
Last March 7, the House committee on trade and industry, which conducted an investigation on the skyrocketing cement prices, uncovered the lack of first-class or Portland cement and the cement manufacturers were required to give an explanation but the investigation was held in abeyance due to the onset of the campaign period for the May 14, 2007 elections.
Recently, the CEMAP reasoned out that the major factor causing the high prices of cement is the expensive power cost that accounts for 25 percent of its production.
But councilor Daniel T. Farinas, chairman of the city council committee on market, trade and commerce, argued that such a petty excuse is not true since power cost is already incorporated in the P73.95 production cost per 40-kilogram bag of cement.
During the initial stages of the cement cartel expose, manufacturers have claimed that the major factors affecting the price of cement were the high peso-dollar exchange rate and fuel cost, coupled with the high bank interest rates on commercial loans.
Farinas disclosed that since September last year, the peso-dollar exchange rate had improved by almost 10 percent, the fuel cost has gone down by at least 5 percent and the bank interest rates on commercial loans are now down to almost 3 percent, thus, such economic indicators should not be used to justify the high cement prices.
On the purported P9 billion losses of the manufacturers which they want to recover, both officials explained that the Filipino people should not be made to suffer with the lapses in business decision-making.
In fact, the manufacturers were able to purchase six cement plants in the country to the tune of approximately P27 billion but Domogan and Farinas added that they could not comprehend why two plants, particularly those in Batangas and Bulacan, were shut down without justifiable reasons.
They exclaimed that the cement manufacturers are just asking for an undeserved sympathy by stating their P9 billion losses from 2002 to 2003 due to the dumping of imported cement and they also claim that they have enough supply to last for the next six years as to justify the high prices of cement products.
Assuming that there is a soft demand for cement, the officials revealed that this is only because the price of cement per ton is pegged at $72, the highest in the Asian region, and the law of supply and demand would show that there will be equilibrium when both the satisfaction of demand and supply are met.
Domogan said the cement manufacturers’ capability of providing cement for the next six years shows that there is no shortage of cement and hence, there is not need for the high prices. If there is adequate supply of cement for the next six years coupled with the construction boom that the Philippine government is presently implementing, then the prices of cement should decrease so that physical infrastructure projects which are of importance be implemented.
BAGUIO CITY – Local officials in this mountain resort city, who spearheaded the expose on the cement cartel in the country, denounced the Cement Manufacturers of the Philippines (CEMAP) for “trying to misinform the Filipino people in justifying the skyrocketing prices and poor quality of cement in the country.”
Re-elected Baguio City Rep. Mauricio G. Domogan said he will pursue the House investigation on the unreasonable and unjustified prices of cement in the market especially with the varying excuses being divulged by the manufacturers to justify the “rigged” cement prices.
Last March 7, the House committee on trade and industry, which conducted an investigation on the skyrocketing cement prices, uncovered the lack of first-class or Portland cement and the cement manufacturers were required to give an explanation but the investigation was held in abeyance due to the onset of the campaign period for the May 14, 2007 elections.
Recently, the CEMAP reasoned out that the major factor causing the high prices of cement is the expensive power cost that accounts for 25 percent of its production.
But councilor Daniel T. Farinas, chairman of the city council committee on market, trade and commerce, argued that such a petty excuse is not true since power cost is already incorporated in the P73.95 production cost per 40-kilogram bag of cement.
During the initial stages of the cement cartel expose, manufacturers have claimed that the major factors affecting the price of cement were the high peso-dollar exchange rate and fuel cost, coupled with the high bank interest rates on commercial loans.
Farinas disclosed that since September last year, the peso-dollar exchange rate had improved by almost 10 percent, the fuel cost has gone down by at least 5 percent and the bank interest rates on commercial loans are now down to almost 3 percent, thus, such economic indicators should not be used to justify the high cement prices.
On the purported P9 billion losses of the manufacturers which they want to recover, both officials explained that the Filipino people should not be made to suffer with the lapses in business decision-making.
In fact, the manufacturers were able to purchase six cement plants in the country to the tune of approximately P27 billion but Domogan and Farinas added that they could not comprehend why two plants, particularly those in Batangas and Bulacan, were shut down without justifiable reasons.
They exclaimed that the cement manufacturers are just asking for an undeserved sympathy by stating their P9 billion losses from 2002 to 2003 due to the dumping of imported cement and they also claim that they have enough supply to last for the next six years as to justify the high prices of cement products.
Assuming that there is a soft demand for cement, the officials revealed that this is only because the price of cement per ton is pegged at $72, the highest in the Asian region, and the law of supply and demand would show that there will be equilibrium when both the satisfaction of demand and supply are met.
Domogan said the cement manufacturers’ capability of providing cement for the next six years shows that there is no shortage of cement and hence, there is not need for the high prices. If there is adequate supply of cement for the next six years coupled with the construction boom that the Philippine government is presently implementing, then the prices of cement should decrease so that physical infrastructure projects which are of importance be implemented.
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Abra town poll officer vanished, Valera says
BY MAR T. SUPNAD
BANGUED, Abra – The municipal election officer of Manabo town has vanished after he was allegedly forced by four armed men to sign the certificate of votes with altered figures in favor of certain candidates.
Abra Gov. Vicente “Vicsyd” Valera, a congressional candidate in the lone district of Abra, told newsmen Henry Digit, Manabo election officer, has been in hiding since he was forced to allow the vote padding and shaving (dagdag-bawas) and to alter certificate of votes.
Senior Supt. Alex Pumecha, Abra police director, said he had no knowledge of the reported hiding of Digit.
Valera said his votes in Manabo and Bangued towns were shaved and padded with the collusion of some teachers and Comelec officers.
Valera appealed to various government agencies concerned to look into the “irregularities” in Abra polls.
In Bangued alone, Valera said he was cheated by at least 2,000 votes in what he described as an orchestrated and grand design to make him lose in this election.
He also accused a top police official of having to do with maneuvering of the counting of votes.
This, as violence continued to hound conflict-stricken Abra.
A man shot and killed his father inside their house in Bangued town at about 8: 15 p.m. on May 21.
Senior Supt. Alexander Pumecha, police director of Abra, identified the fatality as Carlito Mariano, 60, married, driver of the municipal government of Tineg.
Initial police investigation showed the elder Mariano and his son Elmer were inside their house at Zone III, Bangued, Abra, when a misunderstanding over an old family problem came about.
This reportedly prompted the younger Mariano to pull out his unlicensed Cal. 45 pistol and fired successively at his father.
Pumecha said the older Mariano suffered from multiple bullet wounds.
Physicians at the Abra Provincial Hospital declared him dead on arrival.
Elements of the scene of the crime operation team found several empty shells of Cal.45 bullets in the residence of the Mariano family. Pumecha ordered a hunt for the younger Mariano.
95 teachers needed for Mt Prov; Congress to create vital positions
BY GINA DIZON
BONTOC, Mountain Province – At least 95 teachers are needed in elementary and secondary schools in this 4rth class province this coming school year 2007-2008.
Superintendent Teresita Velasco of the provincial Department of Education said the need for teachers was forwarded to the central office of DepEd for action.
Based from basic education system needs in the previous school year 2006-2007 gathered from the planning unit of the district’s DEP-ED, additional teachers are needed in 12 secondary annex schools in all towns of the province and six elementary schools specially located in far flung Paracelis.
Velasco said the need for extension positions shall be created by Congress. Should there be created positions, these shall be filled up by November this year, she said.
Additional teachers are needed in the elementary schools of Catao, Danaal, Burayoc, Muliang, Anonat, and Gassilang in Paracelis and Pingad in Sabangan. These schools registered more than 45 pupils per grade.
DepEd officials said one teacher was needed per 45 students in one grade.
There are 23,418 elementary pupils registered in school year 2006-2007 in 190 primary schools served by 987 teachers in this district.
Caotit primary school in Bauko has the least number of 10 pupils enrolled in one grade. Anonat elementary school in Paracelis has the biggest number of enrollees with 81 pupils in one grade served by one teacher.
In secondary schools, Betwagan national high school surpassed the 1:45 teacher-student ratio with 196 enrollees having only 4 teachers. The least ratio is found in Panabungen Schools of Arts, Trade, and Home Economics in Besao with 130 pupils served by 11 teachers.
At least 438 teachers served 10,829 students enrolled in 32 high schools spread throughout the ten towns of the province.
Yet, the number of teachers is still wanting in secondary schools.
Velasco said computation for the need of teachers is based on the location of the school and not on the total number of enrollees.
Cabna Graal Beleo, provincial DepEd planning officer said high school annexes are in need of 89 teachers including annexes in Tocucan, Bontoc; Belwang, Sadanga; Data, Sabangan; Sta Isabel, Natonin; Tipunan, Leseb, Mayag, Tapapan, and Bansa in Bauko; Palitod and San Rafael in Paracelis; Am-am, Tadian; and Lias in Barlig.
Beleo said these annex high school employ volunteer teachers paid by parents and the community with a measly honorarium. They need to be employed as regular teachers, she said.
Gassilang elementary school in Paracelis also employs a volunteer teacher with her honorarium paid by parents and the community.
Theories on fall of Josons in Nueva Ecija now political fodder
BY LIAM ANACLETO
CABANATUAN CITY – The “fall from grace” of three-term Gov. Tomas N. Joson and his brother, Vice Gov. Mariano Cristino “Boyet” Joson, candidates for mayor of this city and governor of Nueva Ecija is now political fodder for pundits here.
The two Josons fell by the wayside due to the “crying need for change as the camp of 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Umali had kept on harping during the campaign period.
Nueva Ecija, since the time of the Joson patriarch (1959), former six-term Gov. Eduardo L. Joson – fondly called “Tatang” for his fatherly, wise words and vision – had been an “opposition province.”
Since 1959, the rule of the Josons had been continuous and interrupted until 1986 when “Tatang” was ousted in the aftermath of the EDSA “people power” revolution.
In 1988, the legendary Joson patriarch won another term. When he died, he was succeeded by Tomas III, and Eduardo Nonato. Since then, there had another 15-year winning run of the Josons that ended in the recent May 14 elections.
The only time the Josons had penetrated politics in this city was when Eduardo Joson III, also known as “Danding,” won as the city’s vice mayor in 1988.
The closest that family came close to sitting in the mayor’s office at city hall was when Danding challenged then Mayor Honorato Perez in the 1992 elections.
On Nov. 30 1990, Danding was killed in an ambush in Barfangay Canlibangbangan.
In fairness to the Josons, it may well be said that they have undertaken various projects, especially infrastructure, education through scholarships, and agriculture focusing on hybrid rice production and research on cash crops and high-value fruit trees.
But as the trends in vote preferences have shown not lonely in Nueva Ecija but also in other areas, there has been a prevalent anti-administration sentiment.
In Nueva Ecija alone, the “magic 12” senatorial list was dominated by nine-candidates and one Team Unity (TU) bet in the person of reelectionist Senator Edgardo Angara. This seems to indicate the “anti-administration mood” of the Nono Ecijano voters.
This enfolding phenomenon first surfaced in the province in the 2004 elections but, too bad, the Josons were committed to President Arroyo.
Aligning with the administration Laban party in 2004, Ms Arroyo suffered a spanking, no thanks to Fernando Poe Jr.
In the May 14, polls, the Josons junked its long-time alliance with the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) and sided with the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi), the President’s party. But all the “Queen’s men,” save Angara , suffered a drubbing.
And swept away as well were Governor Tommy and Vice Governor Boyet.
Many original Balane members who claimed membership since 1987 when it was founded were dismayed by the party-switching by the Josons.
They recalled that Gov. Tommy had, in 1988, coined the battle cry “Walang Iwanan,” referring to his alliance with ousted President Joseph Estrada.
The traditionalist “Tatang” followers said they were also hurt when brothers Tommy and Boyet junked the tie-up their father had formed with former Ambassador Eduardo with former Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco’s party in favor of KAMPI.
In the aftermath of the May 14 elections, there is clearly a need for the Josons to mend the political fences.
Left to do this are Edward Thomas, who won as vice governor, come-backing former governor Eduardo Nonato “Edno,” who emerged as Nueva Ecija’s 1st district representative; Eduardo Basilio Manuel Joson, who was reelected Mayor of Quezon town, the Josons’ hometown.
Another saving grace for the Josons: Three of the five city mayors and 20 of the 27 elected mayors belong to the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane) party, formed by the Josons in 1987.
Governor-elect Aurelio “Oyie” Umali was magnanimous in his victory in the recent elections, saying he was at the night time and at the right place when the changing of the guards had to take place.
Cabanatuan Mayor-elect Alvin Vergara, who bested Gov. Tommy in the city’s mayoral race, was prophetic.
He said it is God’s will,” referring to his victory in the polls.
171 persons nabbed, 153 guns seized in Ilocos PNP poll drive
BY FREDDIE LAZARO
VIGAN CITY – A total of 171 persons were arrested while 153 assorted firearms were seized in the Ilocos Region during the election period that started on Jan. 14 to date.
Regional police director Chief Supt. Leopoldo N. Bataoil bared this saying police filed 122 cases in court against the suspects.
He said statistics showed a total of 109 firearms were confiscated from gun-ban violators through police interventions, and 44 firearms were seized in raids authorized by search warrants.
But despite these, Bataoil said conduct of elections in the Ilocos was generally peaceful based on the monitoring by the Regional Election Monitoring Action Center of the Police Regional Office 1 based in San Fernando City , La Union.
“The REMAC scoreboard as of May 16, 2007 showed no occurrence of violence during the voting period on May 14 up to the counting of votes,” he said.
Bataoil said checkpoints were set up on the national highway and this will continue until the assumption of office by all winning candidates on July 1.
COA: Lot claimants can’t build structures in Baguio watershed
BY AILEEN P. REFUERZO
BAGUIO CITY – The Court of Appeals sustained the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples issuance of an injunction stopping the city government’s fencing of the Busol watershed but the court’s decision did not allow lot claimants to continue building structures within the watershed.
The was the clarification of city legal officer Melchor Carlos Rabanes to prevent misconception that the CA decision gave ancestral lot claimants who opposed the city’s plan to fence the area the imprimatur to construct structures or do activities that will destroy the watershed’s resources.
In a 16-page decision rendered last April 30,the CA junked the petition filed by the Baguio Regreening Movement represented by Councilor Erdolfo Balajadia, the office of the city architect and parks superintendent represented by then city architect Ignacio Estipona and the Busol Task Force headed by Moises Anipew assailing the NCIP injunction move but at the same time, it gave merit to the petitioners’ bid to protect the watershed from degradation.
“Indeed, allowing activities (that threaten or degrade the resources within the watershed) to continue without regard for environmental considerations would result in irreparable damage to the watershed and the ecosystem as a whole.
Unless and until viable measures or programs for the maintenance, preservation and development of the Busol Watershed are adopted, private respondents should be enjoined from constructing buildings and other improvements on the lands within the watershed.
Otherwise, the quality and quantity of the water supply of Baguio City , as well as the surrounding municipalities and the indigenous cultural communities or indigenous peoples, would be impaired,” the court noted.
The case stemmed from the city government’s plan to fence its side of the watershed to prevent intrusion from squatters.
However, lot claimants Elizabeth Mat-an, Judith Maranes, Helen Lubos, Magdalena Gumangan Que, spouses Alexander and Lucia Ampaguey and spouses Melanio and Carmen Panayo filed a petition before the NCIP for the issuance of a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to stop the fencing project which they claimed would deny them access to their residences, farmlands and water sources.
The NCIP subsequently granted the petition but the BRM, OCAPS and Busol task force claimed that the NCIP has no jurisdiction over the case since the petition deals on the government’s fencing project and not on the ancestral land application.
They further contended that Busol watershed is a government reservation and therefore excluded from the coverage of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997.
In its decision, the CA however struck down the petitioners’ arguments and affirmed that NCIP has jurisdiction over the case “since the petition involves the protection of private respondents’ rights to their ancestral domains.”
The court also maintained that Busol watershed is not exempt from the coverage of the IPRA.
However, it enjoined the private respondents from “introducing constructions and engaging in activities that degrade the resources therein.”
New Kalinga solon vows better infra development
BY DEXTER A SEE
TABUK, Kalinga – Retired Public Works Assistant Secretary and Kalinga congressman-elect Manuel S. Agyao assured his province mates of a revitalized infrastructure development that will translate to economic progress in the far flung communities of this lowland province of the Cordillera.
The provincial board of canvassers recently proclaimed Agyao as the winning candidate for the position of congressman in the province after he was able to garner 23,890 votes while his closest rival, James Bijarin, son-in-law of incumbent Kalinga Rep. Lawrence Wacnang, was able to garner 22,500 votes. Former regional director Macario Duguiang of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) in the Cordillera, who tired his luck for the congressional seat for the second time was able to get 20,300 votes.
The former ranking DPWH official disclosed that among his priorities would be the completion of the upgrading of the Tanuda-Barlig road and the on-going upgrading of the Bontoc-Tabuk-Tuguegarao roadline which will improve the accessibility of rural areas to the urban centers in the Cordillera and Region II.
At the same time, Agyao cited that the development of farm to market roads in the different barangays of the province would help improve the economic activities of the people which would translate to improved sources of income and livelihood.
He emphasized that infrastructure development goes hand in hand with economic development and the realization of both would be dependent on the political will of national and local leaders who are elected by the people to govern them for the next three years.
Agyao, who ran under the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (KAMPI) ticket of the Arroyo administration in the province, decided to enter the political scene to continue his service to the people of Kalinga after he retied as an Assistant Secretary of the DPWH last December.
Prior to entering politics, Agyao was considered to have rose from the ranks as he was the former assistant district engineer and district engineer of the Benguet Engineering district before he took over the post of assistant regional director of the DPWH-CAR in the middle 1990s.
He was then appointed as the regional director of the DPWH-CAR sometime in 1997 before being promoted as DPWH Assistant Secretary in 2002 where he stayed until his retirement.
Cancer-stricken kid wants to go to school
BY RAMON DACAWI
BAGUIO CITY -- Like normal kids his age, six-year old John Brix de Guzman will sign up early tomorrow morning when enrollment opens in the public schools. His mother Brenda says the boy really wants to be in the first grade at the Quezon Elementary School .
She knows – more than other mothers, that her boy - more than any normal kid, needs that assurance of being there – with his bag, pencil, eraser and notebooks when classes open on June 4.
"That's why his doctor set his confinement just after he's enrolled, " said Brenda, a 30-year old barbecue vendor who is due to deliver her third child next September.
From school, the kid will be wheeled into the pedia ward of the Baguio General Hospital for his next round of treatment. The five-day confinement should have began last Friday yet, but Brenda and husband Johnny couldn't buy the three vials of Leunase needed for his chemotherapy.
The sign of cancer - a lump on the shoulder - appeared last January. The next month, John Brix stayed 12 days in the hospital as doctors tried to pinpoint what’s wrong. A bone marrow biopsy pointed to ALL, or acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
ALL is cancer of the blood. It’s characterized by overproduction of malignant and immature white blood cells that, unlike normal ones, can’t fight infection. It’s acute because it develops fast.
John Brix, who’ll turn seven on July 18, spent summer on six weeks of intravenous systemic chemotherapy. It was the initial step in a three-year treatment schedule that includes taking in daily medicines his financially strapped parents can hardly sustain.
In-between attending class and learning to write his lengthy name, spell, add and subtract, he’ll submit to quarterly intrathecal chemo, the injection of anti-cancer drugs into the thin covering of the spinal cord or brain.
Last Thursday, his daily oral dose ran out. His mother, who had to stop skewering barbecues, went out again to scrounge for funds. His father, an eatery dishwasher, has been sidelined since last January due to bone injury caused by a bad fall.
Late in the afternoon, Brenda received P1,000, which will be good for a week’s dosage. The amount was half of a cash donation set aside by a young Baguio sportsman for another patient but advised its diversion for the boy’s needs.
Same day, Brenda called the hospital. She was told another mother with a four-year old girl also stricken with leukemia had just deposited three vials of Leunase for John Brix’s consolidation chemo tomorrow.
“She offered to lend the medicine which she purchased but may no longer need as her daughter’s prescription has been changed,” Brenda explained with relief. “We have to pay later as she’ll also need the cash for her child’s treatment.”
As this was being written Friday, Freddie de Guzman, a Baguio boy now working in Canada , called. He’ll be sending some amount end of the month to cover the cost of the chemo drug estimated at P8,400 and to replenish the P1,000.
De Guzman, an architect with three young daughters, has been reaching out to indigent patients here since April last year. He began with Linda Claire (not her real name), a widow with nine children who’s recuperating from breast cancer.
Recently, he sent P17,000. Ten thousand pesos will be for widow Grace Biogan who’s figuring out how to raise three kids. Her husband Elmer succumbed to lymphoma late last month.
“The remaining amount will be for Filbert Almoza,” he advised. He was referring to a 24-year old truck driver who from Camisong, Itogon, Benguet who’s been into twice-a-week dialysis since June last year for kidney failure.
An Ibaloi woman raising her young daughter in Kentucky likewise sent $200 for other patients. “My heart goes out to many who are ill at this time and have difficulty paying medical bills,” she wrote.
Like de Guzman, the lady donor has been regularly sending support since last year, at a time she was also undergoing remission for cancer.
The two Samaritans and Joel Aliping, another Baguio boy living in California , earlier teamed up for Elmer Biogan’s fight. Joel’s latest support helped pay the bills for Elmer’s burial.
Together with Guy Aliping, Joel’s brother in Australia , they are hopeful for another patient they supported – 40-year old Rose Ann Cordova of Outlook Drive Barangay. The mother of three young boys is now on remission from breast cancer.
Irwin Ilustre, another Baguio boy based in Canada, was here recently personally reaching out to other patients that included Pidiong Bandao, an 11-year old orphan going blind due to complications of diabetes.
A walk-in donor who requested anonymity, also entrusted P6,000 to bank executive Rolly de Guzman of RCBC. Part of the amount paid for the needs of Almoza and 16-year old heart patient Crisly Anayasan on their way to and from Manila for their check-ups.
Others who would like to help John Brix go to school may call up his mother’s cellphone number - 09108085009. Perhaps to ask if he’s ready with his school bag, Mongol, notebooks, writing pad and all that a first grader would need.
Many surprises sprung in Pampanga May 14 polls
BY GEORGE TRILLO
SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga – Lots of surprises characterized the elections in Pampanga, President Arroyo’s home province.
At the start of the campaign, Pampanga residents were surprised that local officials of Gov. Mark Lapid’s hometown of Porac abandoned him and vowed support for his rival, provincial board member Lilia “Baby” Pineda.
When suspended priest Fr. Ed Panlilio announced his bid to join the gubernatorial race, the local residents expressed surprise.
At the outset, many believed that the priest had no chance of defeating two traditional and financially capable political bigwigs.
They were, however, surprised in the end: Among Ed defeated the two powerful politicians.
Another unexpected happened in the town of Bacolor where reelectionist Mayor Buddy Dungca, known supporter of Pineda, ran unopposed.
In that town Pineda won by a margin of some 400 votes only.
Lapid and Pineda, both widely known as President’s Arroyo’s supporters, surprised many Kapampangans for opposing each other.
This could not have happened if Lapid had listened to majority of mayors who had said that he considers Pampanga Mayors League president Dennis Pineda, son of Lilia and mayor of Lubao, as his vice-gubernatorial candidate.
Lapid insisted on choosing Con Con Laus, a neophyte in politics, as his running mate.
This move “angered” many mayors who decided to abandon him and convince Lilia to run.
At least 17 mayors formed a coalition and asked Lilia to run. She was eventually defeated by Among Ed who had a margin of more than 1,000 votes only.
Impartial politics observers said it was surprising that Lapid and Pineda who reportedly spent millions of pesos were defeated by a suspended priest who did not even have his own candidates for vice governor, congressman, provincial board members and mayors.
Surprisingly, all sectors in the province from professional and business groups and ordinary people, including other priests, campaign and contributed whatever they can for the candidacy of Among Ed.
Another surprise came about when the camp of Pineda, although not actually herself, reportedly fielded a leader in Apalit who had lost confidence and influence in that town.
As a result, Lilia lost by some 2,000 votes there.
Mayor Boking Morales ran for his fifth term and won by some 800 votes in Mabalacat. The Supreme Court authorizes him to run for seven terms up to 2016.
“What’s more surprising in the case of Boking was that his third term could have been terminated in 2004 had his perennial opponent, Anthony Dee did not file a protest in court.
Although Dee won and was declared winner, the court decision did not work favorably for him,” said a supporter of Morales.
Instead, the court action was a blessing in disguise for Boking with an interregnum in his three terms.
As a result, Boking was authorized to run for reelection in 2004, which was legally recognized as his first term.
“Was it not surprising that repeated representations by concerned officials to establish special polling precincts in resettlement centers were not considered or given favorable action by the Comelec?” asked Congressman-elect Dong Gonzales (3rd District).
Thousands of registered voters of Bacolor who were displaced by the fury of Mt. Pinatubo are still living in these resettlement centers and have been encountering difficulty in commuting to their old precincts to vote in previous elections.
Many lost interest again to vote last election.
“Some more surprises are forth-coming reports that the think-tank of Among Ed was planning to convince him to designate chaplains in the police service as provincial police director and city and municipal chiefs of police,” a reelected mayor said.
These chaplains are graduates of seminary institutions and who do not have any actual formal police trainings.
The action of this plan by PNP chief Director General Oscar Calderon could be another surprise.
Lady bet makes it on 4th attempt
BY LIAM ANACLETO
CABIAO, Nueva Ecija – If at first you didn’t succeed, try again. And again and again. In her fourth attempt, Lakas CMD standard bearer Abunda Garcia finally made it to the mayorship of this town, ousting comebacking candidate Ireneo Manahan, of the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino-Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija.
It was sweet victory for “Sister Biding,” as she is fondly addressed by her townmates, especially since she also beat the Manahan’s relative, the incumbent mayor Gloria Congco, who with Manahan, ruled this agricultural community for 18 straight years.
Garcia’s husband, Joe, also made it to the line-up of eight municipal councilors. Garcia first tried her luck in politics in 1995.
Manahan beat her with a plurality of 1,500 votes. Her election protest of alleged massive election irregularities did not prosper.
In the 1998 and 2004 mayoralty races, she ran and lost on both counts to outgoing three-term mayor Gloria Crespo-Congco, a close kin of Mark Jimenez, who went by the name Maria Crespo when he was still a resident here.
Garcia also lost her 2004 election protest. This time around, riding on the battle-cry, “Subukan naman ninyo ako,” she came through, with 16,612 votes as against Manahan’s 14,393 votes, giving her an edge of 2,219 votes.
BY MAR T. SUPNAD
BANGUED, Abra – The municipal election officer of Manabo town has vanished after he was allegedly forced by four armed men to sign the certificate of votes with altered figures in favor of certain candidates.
Abra Gov. Vicente “Vicsyd” Valera, a congressional candidate in the lone district of Abra, told newsmen Henry Digit, Manabo election officer, has been in hiding since he was forced to allow the vote padding and shaving (dagdag-bawas) and to alter certificate of votes.
Senior Supt. Alex Pumecha, Abra police director, said he had no knowledge of the reported hiding of Digit.
Valera said his votes in Manabo and Bangued towns were shaved and padded with the collusion of some teachers and Comelec officers.
Valera appealed to various government agencies concerned to look into the “irregularities” in Abra polls.
In Bangued alone, Valera said he was cheated by at least 2,000 votes in what he described as an orchestrated and grand design to make him lose in this election.
He also accused a top police official of having to do with maneuvering of the counting of votes.
This, as violence continued to hound conflict-stricken Abra.
A man shot and killed his father inside their house in Bangued town at about 8: 15 p.m. on May 21.
Senior Supt. Alexander Pumecha, police director of Abra, identified the fatality as Carlito Mariano, 60, married, driver of the municipal government of Tineg.
Initial police investigation showed the elder Mariano and his son Elmer were inside their house at Zone III, Bangued, Abra, when a misunderstanding over an old family problem came about.
This reportedly prompted the younger Mariano to pull out his unlicensed Cal. 45 pistol and fired successively at his father.
Pumecha said the older Mariano suffered from multiple bullet wounds.
Physicians at the Abra Provincial Hospital declared him dead on arrival.
Elements of the scene of the crime operation team found several empty shells of Cal.45 bullets in the residence of the Mariano family. Pumecha ordered a hunt for the younger Mariano.
95 teachers needed for Mt Prov; Congress to create vital positions
BY GINA DIZON
BONTOC, Mountain Province – At least 95 teachers are needed in elementary and secondary schools in this 4rth class province this coming school year 2007-2008.
Superintendent Teresita Velasco of the provincial Department of Education said the need for teachers was forwarded to the central office of DepEd for action.
Based from basic education system needs in the previous school year 2006-2007 gathered from the planning unit of the district’s DEP-ED, additional teachers are needed in 12 secondary annex schools in all towns of the province and six elementary schools specially located in far flung Paracelis.
Velasco said the need for extension positions shall be created by Congress. Should there be created positions, these shall be filled up by November this year, she said.
Additional teachers are needed in the elementary schools of Catao, Danaal, Burayoc, Muliang, Anonat, and Gassilang in Paracelis and Pingad in Sabangan. These schools registered more than 45 pupils per grade.
DepEd officials said one teacher was needed per 45 students in one grade.
There are 23,418 elementary pupils registered in school year 2006-2007 in 190 primary schools served by 987 teachers in this district.
Caotit primary school in Bauko has the least number of 10 pupils enrolled in one grade. Anonat elementary school in Paracelis has the biggest number of enrollees with 81 pupils in one grade served by one teacher.
In secondary schools, Betwagan national high school surpassed the 1:45 teacher-student ratio with 196 enrollees having only 4 teachers. The least ratio is found in Panabungen Schools of Arts, Trade, and Home Economics in Besao with 130 pupils served by 11 teachers.
At least 438 teachers served 10,829 students enrolled in 32 high schools spread throughout the ten towns of the province.
Yet, the number of teachers is still wanting in secondary schools.
Velasco said computation for the need of teachers is based on the location of the school and not on the total number of enrollees.
Cabna Graal Beleo, provincial DepEd planning officer said high school annexes are in need of 89 teachers including annexes in Tocucan, Bontoc; Belwang, Sadanga; Data, Sabangan; Sta Isabel, Natonin; Tipunan, Leseb, Mayag, Tapapan, and Bansa in Bauko; Palitod and San Rafael in Paracelis; Am-am, Tadian; and Lias in Barlig.
Beleo said these annex high school employ volunteer teachers paid by parents and the community with a measly honorarium. They need to be employed as regular teachers, she said.
Gassilang elementary school in Paracelis also employs a volunteer teacher with her honorarium paid by parents and the community.
Theories on fall of Josons in Nueva Ecija now political fodder
BY LIAM ANACLETO
CABANATUAN CITY – The “fall from grace” of three-term Gov. Tomas N. Joson and his brother, Vice Gov. Mariano Cristino “Boyet” Joson, candidates for mayor of this city and governor of Nueva Ecija is now political fodder for pundits here.
The two Josons fell by the wayside due to the “crying need for change as the camp of 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Umali had kept on harping during the campaign period.
Nueva Ecija, since the time of the Joson patriarch (1959), former six-term Gov. Eduardo L. Joson – fondly called “Tatang” for his fatherly, wise words and vision – had been an “opposition province.”
Since 1959, the rule of the Josons had been continuous and interrupted until 1986 when “Tatang” was ousted in the aftermath of the EDSA “people power” revolution.
In 1988, the legendary Joson patriarch won another term. When he died, he was succeeded by Tomas III, and Eduardo Nonato. Since then, there had another 15-year winning run of the Josons that ended in the recent May 14 elections.
The only time the Josons had penetrated politics in this city was when Eduardo Joson III, also known as “Danding,” won as the city’s vice mayor in 1988.
The closest that family came close to sitting in the mayor’s office at city hall was when Danding challenged then Mayor Honorato Perez in the 1992 elections.
On Nov. 30 1990, Danding was killed in an ambush in Barfangay Canlibangbangan.
In fairness to the Josons, it may well be said that they have undertaken various projects, especially infrastructure, education through scholarships, and agriculture focusing on hybrid rice production and research on cash crops and high-value fruit trees.
But as the trends in vote preferences have shown not lonely in Nueva Ecija but also in other areas, there has been a prevalent anti-administration sentiment.
In Nueva Ecija alone, the “magic 12” senatorial list was dominated by nine-candidates and one Team Unity (TU) bet in the person of reelectionist Senator Edgardo Angara. This seems to indicate the “anti-administration mood” of the Nono Ecijano voters.
This enfolding phenomenon first surfaced in the province in the 2004 elections but, too bad, the Josons were committed to President Arroyo.
Aligning with the administration Laban party in 2004, Ms Arroyo suffered a spanking, no thanks to Fernando Poe Jr.
In the May 14, polls, the Josons junked its long-time alliance with the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) and sided with the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi), the President’s party. But all the “Queen’s men,” save Angara , suffered a drubbing.
And swept away as well were Governor Tommy and Vice Governor Boyet.
Many original Balane members who claimed membership since 1987 when it was founded were dismayed by the party-switching by the Josons.
They recalled that Gov. Tommy had, in 1988, coined the battle cry “Walang Iwanan,” referring to his alliance with ousted President Joseph Estrada.
The traditionalist “Tatang” followers said they were also hurt when brothers Tommy and Boyet junked the tie-up their father had formed with former Ambassador Eduardo with former Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco’s party in favor of KAMPI.
In the aftermath of the May 14 elections, there is clearly a need for the Josons to mend the political fences.
Left to do this are Edward Thomas, who won as vice governor, come-backing former governor Eduardo Nonato “Edno,” who emerged as Nueva Ecija’s 1st district representative; Eduardo Basilio Manuel Joson, who was reelected Mayor of Quezon town, the Josons’ hometown.
Another saving grace for the Josons: Three of the five city mayors and 20 of the 27 elected mayors belong to the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane) party, formed by the Josons in 1987.
Governor-elect Aurelio “Oyie” Umali was magnanimous in his victory in the recent elections, saying he was at the night time and at the right place when the changing of the guards had to take place.
Cabanatuan Mayor-elect Alvin Vergara, who bested Gov. Tommy in the city’s mayoral race, was prophetic.
He said it is God’s will,” referring to his victory in the polls.
171 persons nabbed, 153 guns seized in Ilocos PNP poll drive
BY FREDDIE LAZARO
VIGAN CITY – A total of 171 persons were arrested while 153 assorted firearms were seized in the Ilocos Region during the election period that started on Jan. 14 to date.
Regional police director Chief Supt. Leopoldo N. Bataoil bared this saying police filed 122 cases in court against the suspects.
He said statistics showed a total of 109 firearms were confiscated from gun-ban violators through police interventions, and 44 firearms were seized in raids authorized by search warrants.
But despite these, Bataoil said conduct of elections in the Ilocos was generally peaceful based on the monitoring by the Regional Election Monitoring Action Center of the Police Regional Office 1 based in San Fernando City , La Union.
“The REMAC scoreboard as of May 16, 2007 showed no occurrence of violence during the voting period on May 14 up to the counting of votes,” he said.
Bataoil said checkpoints were set up on the national highway and this will continue until the assumption of office by all winning candidates on July 1.
COA: Lot claimants can’t build structures in Baguio watershed
BY AILEEN P. REFUERZO
BAGUIO CITY – The Court of Appeals sustained the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples issuance of an injunction stopping the city government’s fencing of the Busol watershed but the court’s decision did not allow lot claimants to continue building structures within the watershed.
The was the clarification of city legal officer Melchor Carlos Rabanes to prevent misconception that the CA decision gave ancestral lot claimants who opposed the city’s plan to fence the area the imprimatur to construct structures or do activities that will destroy the watershed’s resources.
In a 16-page decision rendered last April 30,the CA junked the petition filed by the Baguio Regreening Movement represented by Councilor Erdolfo Balajadia, the office of the city architect and parks superintendent represented by then city architect Ignacio Estipona and the Busol Task Force headed by Moises Anipew assailing the NCIP injunction move but at the same time, it gave merit to the petitioners’ bid to protect the watershed from degradation.
“Indeed, allowing activities (that threaten or degrade the resources within the watershed) to continue without regard for environmental considerations would result in irreparable damage to the watershed and the ecosystem as a whole.
Unless and until viable measures or programs for the maintenance, preservation and development of the Busol Watershed are adopted, private respondents should be enjoined from constructing buildings and other improvements on the lands within the watershed.
Otherwise, the quality and quantity of the water supply of Baguio City , as well as the surrounding municipalities and the indigenous cultural communities or indigenous peoples, would be impaired,” the court noted.
The case stemmed from the city government’s plan to fence its side of the watershed to prevent intrusion from squatters.
However, lot claimants Elizabeth Mat-an, Judith Maranes, Helen Lubos, Magdalena Gumangan Que, spouses Alexander and Lucia Ampaguey and spouses Melanio and Carmen Panayo filed a petition before the NCIP for the issuance of a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to stop the fencing project which they claimed would deny them access to their residences, farmlands and water sources.
The NCIP subsequently granted the petition but the BRM, OCAPS and Busol task force claimed that the NCIP has no jurisdiction over the case since the petition deals on the government’s fencing project and not on the ancestral land application.
They further contended that Busol watershed is a government reservation and therefore excluded from the coverage of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997.
In its decision, the CA however struck down the petitioners’ arguments and affirmed that NCIP has jurisdiction over the case “since the petition involves the protection of private respondents’ rights to their ancestral domains.”
The court also maintained that Busol watershed is not exempt from the coverage of the IPRA.
However, it enjoined the private respondents from “introducing constructions and engaging in activities that degrade the resources therein.”
New Kalinga solon vows better infra development
BY DEXTER A SEE
TABUK, Kalinga – Retired Public Works Assistant Secretary and Kalinga congressman-elect Manuel S. Agyao assured his province mates of a revitalized infrastructure development that will translate to economic progress in the far flung communities of this lowland province of the Cordillera.
The provincial board of canvassers recently proclaimed Agyao as the winning candidate for the position of congressman in the province after he was able to garner 23,890 votes while his closest rival, James Bijarin, son-in-law of incumbent Kalinga Rep. Lawrence Wacnang, was able to garner 22,500 votes. Former regional director Macario Duguiang of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) in the Cordillera, who tired his luck for the congressional seat for the second time was able to get 20,300 votes.
The former ranking DPWH official disclosed that among his priorities would be the completion of the upgrading of the Tanuda-Barlig road and the on-going upgrading of the Bontoc-Tabuk-Tuguegarao roadline which will improve the accessibility of rural areas to the urban centers in the Cordillera and Region II.
At the same time, Agyao cited that the development of farm to market roads in the different barangays of the province would help improve the economic activities of the people which would translate to improved sources of income and livelihood.
He emphasized that infrastructure development goes hand in hand with economic development and the realization of both would be dependent on the political will of national and local leaders who are elected by the people to govern them for the next three years.
Agyao, who ran under the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (KAMPI) ticket of the Arroyo administration in the province, decided to enter the political scene to continue his service to the people of Kalinga after he retied as an Assistant Secretary of the DPWH last December.
Prior to entering politics, Agyao was considered to have rose from the ranks as he was the former assistant district engineer and district engineer of the Benguet Engineering district before he took over the post of assistant regional director of the DPWH-CAR in the middle 1990s.
He was then appointed as the regional director of the DPWH-CAR sometime in 1997 before being promoted as DPWH Assistant Secretary in 2002 where he stayed until his retirement.
Cancer-stricken kid wants to go to school
BY RAMON DACAWI
BAGUIO CITY -- Like normal kids his age, six-year old John Brix de Guzman will sign up early tomorrow morning when enrollment opens in the public schools. His mother Brenda says the boy really wants to be in the first grade at the Quezon Elementary School .
She knows – more than other mothers, that her boy - more than any normal kid, needs that assurance of being there – with his bag, pencil, eraser and notebooks when classes open on June 4.
"That's why his doctor set his confinement just after he's enrolled, " said Brenda, a 30-year old barbecue vendor who is due to deliver her third child next September.
From school, the kid will be wheeled into the pedia ward of the Baguio General Hospital for his next round of treatment. The five-day confinement should have began last Friday yet, but Brenda and husband Johnny couldn't buy the three vials of Leunase needed for his chemotherapy.
The sign of cancer - a lump on the shoulder - appeared last January. The next month, John Brix stayed 12 days in the hospital as doctors tried to pinpoint what’s wrong. A bone marrow biopsy pointed to ALL, or acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
ALL is cancer of the blood. It’s characterized by overproduction of malignant and immature white blood cells that, unlike normal ones, can’t fight infection. It’s acute because it develops fast.
John Brix, who’ll turn seven on July 18, spent summer on six weeks of intravenous systemic chemotherapy. It was the initial step in a three-year treatment schedule that includes taking in daily medicines his financially strapped parents can hardly sustain.
In-between attending class and learning to write his lengthy name, spell, add and subtract, he’ll submit to quarterly intrathecal chemo, the injection of anti-cancer drugs into the thin covering of the spinal cord or brain.
Last Thursday, his daily oral dose ran out. His mother, who had to stop skewering barbecues, went out again to scrounge for funds. His father, an eatery dishwasher, has been sidelined since last January due to bone injury caused by a bad fall.
Late in the afternoon, Brenda received P1,000, which will be good for a week’s dosage. The amount was half of a cash donation set aside by a young Baguio sportsman for another patient but advised its diversion for the boy’s needs.
Same day, Brenda called the hospital. She was told another mother with a four-year old girl also stricken with leukemia had just deposited three vials of Leunase for John Brix’s consolidation chemo tomorrow.
“She offered to lend the medicine which she purchased but may no longer need as her daughter’s prescription has been changed,” Brenda explained with relief. “We have to pay later as she’ll also need the cash for her child’s treatment.”
As this was being written Friday, Freddie de Guzman, a Baguio boy now working in Canada , called. He’ll be sending some amount end of the month to cover the cost of the chemo drug estimated at P8,400 and to replenish the P1,000.
De Guzman, an architect with three young daughters, has been reaching out to indigent patients here since April last year. He began with Linda Claire (not her real name), a widow with nine children who’s recuperating from breast cancer.
Recently, he sent P17,000. Ten thousand pesos will be for widow Grace Biogan who’s figuring out how to raise three kids. Her husband Elmer succumbed to lymphoma late last month.
“The remaining amount will be for Filbert Almoza,” he advised. He was referring to a 24-year old truck driver who from Camisong, Itogon, Benguet who’s been into twice-a-week dialysis since June last year for kidney failure.
An Ibaloi woman raising her young daughter in Kentucky likewise sent $200 for other patients. “My heart goes out to many who are ill at this time and have difficulty paying medical bills,” she wrote.
Like de Guzman, the lady donor has been regularly sending support since last year, at a time she was also undergoing remission for cancer.
The two Samaritans and Joel Aliping, another Baguio boy living in California , earlier teamed up for Elmer Biogan’s fight. Joel’s latest support helped pay the bills for Elmer’s burial.
Together with Guy Aliping, Joel’s brother in Australia , they are hopeful for another patient they supported – 40-year old Rose Ann Cordova of Outlook Drive Barangay. The mother of three young boys is now on remission from breast cancer.
Irwin Ilustre, another Baguio boy based in Canada, was here recently personally reaching out to other patients that included Pidiong Bandao, an 11-year old orphan going blind due to complications of diabetes.
A walk-in donor who requested anonymity, also entrusted P6,000 to bank executive Rolly de Guzman of RCBC. Part of the amount paid for the needs of Almoza and 16-year old heart patient Crisly Anayasan on their way to and from Manila for their check-ups.
Others who would like to help John Brix go to school may call up his mother’s cellphone number - 09108085009. Perhaps to ask if he’s ready with his school bag, Mongol, notebooks, writing pad and all that a first grader would need.
Many surprises sprung in Pampanga May 14 polls
BY GEORGE TRILLO
SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga – Lots of surprises characterized the elections in Pampanga, President Arroyo’s home province.
At the start of the campaign, Pampanga residents were surprised that local officials of Gov. Mark Lapid’s hometown of Porac abandoned him and vowed support for his rival, provincial board member Lilia “Baby” Pineda.
When suspended priest Fr. Ed Panlilio announced his bid to join the gubernatorial race, the local residents expressed surprise.
At the outset, many believed that the priest had no chance of defeating two traditional and financially capable political bigwigs.
They were, however, surprised in the end: Among Ed defeated the two powerful politicians.
Another unexpected happened in the town of Bacolor where reelectionist Mayor Buddy Dungca, known supporter of Pineda, ran unopposed.
In that town Pineda won by a margin of some 400 votes only.
Lapid and Pineda, both widely known as President’s Arroyo’s supporters, surprised many Kapampangans for opposing each other.
This could not have happened if Lapid had listened to majority of mayors who had said that he considers Pampanga Mayors League president Dennis Pineda, son of Lilia and mayor of Lubao, as his vice-gubernatorial candidate.
Lapid insisted on choosing Con Con Laus, a neophyte in politics, as his running mate.
This move “angered” many mayors who decided to abandon him and convince Lilia to run.
At least 17 mayors formed a coalition and asked Lilia to run. She was eventually defeated by Among Ed who had a margin of more than 1,000 votes only.
Impartial politics observers said it was surprising that Lapid and Pineda who reportedly spent millions of pesos were defeated by a suspended priest who did not even have his own candidates for vice governor, congressman, provincial board members and mayors.
Surprisingly, all sectors in the province from professional and business groups and ordinary people, including other priests, campaign and contributed whatever they can for the candidacy of Among Ed.
Another surprise came about when the camp of Pineda, although not actually herself, reportedly fielded a leader in Apalit who had lost confidence and influence in that town.
As a result, Lilia lost by some 2,000 votes there.
Mayor Boking Morales ran for his fifth term and won by some 800 votes in Mabalacat. The Supreme Court authorizes him to run for seven terms up to 2016.
“What’s more surprising in the case of Boking was that his third term could have been terminated in 2004 had his perennial opponent, Anthony Dee did not file a protest in court.
Although Dee won and was declared winner, the court decision did not work favorably for him,” said a supporter of Morales.
Instead, the court action was a blessing in disguise for Boking with an interregnum in his three terms.
As a result, Boking was authorized to run for reelection in 2004, which was legally recognized as his first term.
“Was it not surprising that repeated representations by concerned officials to establish special polling precincts in resettlement centers were not considered or given favorable action by the Comelec?” asked Congressman-elect Dong Gonzales (3rd District).
Thousands of registered voters of Bacolor who were displaced by the fury of Mt. Pinatubo are still living in these resettlement centers and have been encountering difficulty in commuting to their old precincts to vote in previous elections.
Many lost interest again to vote last election.
“Some more surprises are forth-coming reports that the think-tank of Among Ed was planning to convince him to designate chaplains in the police service as provincial police director and city and municipal chiefs of police,” a reelected mayor said.
These chaplains are graduates of seminary institutions and who do not have any actual formal police trainings.
The action of this plan by PNP chief Director General Oscar Calderon could be another surprise.
Lady bet makes it on 4th attempt
BY LIAM ANACLETO
CABIAO, Nueva Ecija – If at first you didn’t succeed, try again. And again and again. In her fourth attempt, Lakas CMD standard bearer Abunda Garcia finally made it to the mayorship of this town, ousting comebacking candidate Ireneo Manahan, of the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino-Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija.
It was sweet victory for “Sister Biding,” as she is fondly addressed by her townmates, especially since she also beat the Manahan’s relative, the incumbent mayor Gloria Congco, who with Manahan, ruled this agricultural community for 18 straight years.
Garcia’s husband, Joe, also made it to the line-up of eight municipal councilors. Garcia first tried her luck in politics in 1995.
Manahan beat her with a plurality of 1,500 votes. Her election protest of alleged massive election irregularities did not prosper.
In the 1998 and 2004 mayoralty races, she ran and lost on both counts to outgoing three-term mayor Gloria Crespo-Congco, a close kin of Mark Jimenez, who went by the name Maria Crespo when he was still a resident here.
Garcia also lost her 2004 election protest. This time around, riding on the battle-cry, “Subukan naman ninyo ako,” she came through, with 16,612 votes as against Manahan’s 14,393 votes, giving her an edge of 2,219 votes.
EDITORIAL
Exemplars of public service in the Cordillera
Efforts in the search for the “finest breed of public servants in the Cordillera” brought forth 65 nominations for this year’s honor awards program of officials and employees in the region.
Lorenzo Danipog, Cordillera regional director of the Civil Service Commission bared this saying this was in response to the “2007 search for outstanding public officials and employees.”
Regional government agencies have submitted nominations of their officials and employees for three award categories: Lingkod Bayan Award (35), Dangal ng Bayan Award (12) and Pagasa Award (18).
Last year, a total of 58 individual and group awardees from the Cordillera distinguished themselves as national exemplars in the annual search. From 1988 to 2006, 22 Cordillera officials and employees have been recognized as Lingkod Bayan awardees.
From 1990 to 2006, the region produced 26 Dangal ng Bayan awardees. The Cordillera ranked second nationwide, next only to National Capital Region for both categories while it shared the 5th slot with Region IV in the Pagasa Award category.
Ten Pagasa awardees came from the Cordillera in 1984-1985 and 1988-2006.
Recognition and conferment of awards to winners shall be during the month-long celebration of the anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service on September.
Lingkod Bayan awardees will receive a gold medallion, a plaque containing the citation and signature of the President of the Philippines and cash award of P100,000. The Dangal ng Bayan awardee shall receive a trophy designed and made by National Artist Napoleon V. Abueva and P100,000 cash reward. The Pagasa awardee, individual or group, shall receive a gold medallion, a plaque containing the citation and signature of the chairperson of the CSC and P50,000 cash reward.
Aside from regular incentives, additional incentives in the form of scholarship privileges in CSC partner schools may be given to individual awardees in the three award categories (Dangal ng Bayan, Lingkod Bayan and Pagasa Awards).
The Benguet State University became the latest addition to the list of CSC – Cordillera partner schools in this endeavor. On April 16, Dr. Rogelio D. Colting, BSU president and CSC’s Danipog signed a memorandum of agreement for the “BSU – CSC Study Grant” to enable HAP awardees to avail of the scholarship program at the University. Congratulations!
Efforts in the search for the “finest breed of public servants in the Cordillera” brought forth 65 nominations for this year’s honor awards program of officials and employees in the region.
Lorenzo Danipog, Cordillera regional director of the Civil Service Commission bared this saying this was in response to the “2007 search for outstanding public officials and employees.”
Regional government agencies have submitted nominations of their officials and employees for three award categories: Lingkod Bayan Award (35), Dangal ng Bayan Award (12) and Pagasa Award (18).
Last year, a total of 58 individual and group awardees from the Cordillera distinguished themselves as national exemplars in the annual search. From 1988 to 2006, 22 Cordillera officials and employees have been recognized as Lingkod Bayan awardees.
From 1990 to 2006, the region produced 26 Dangal ng Bayan awardees. The Cordillera ranked second nationwide, next only to National Capital Region for both categories while it shared the 5th slot with Region IV in the Pagasa Award category.
Ten Pagasa awardees came from the Cordillera in 1984-1985 and 1988-2006.
Recognition and conferment of awards to winners shall be during the month-long celebration of the anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service on September.
Lingkod Bayan awardees will receive a gold medallion, a plaque containing the citation and signature of the President of the Philippines and cash award of P100,000. The Dangal ng Bayan awardee shall receive a trophy designed and made by National Artist Napoleon V. Abueva and P100,000 cash reward. The Pagasa awardee, individual or group, shall receive a gold medallion, a plaque containing the citation and signature of the chairperson of the CSC and P50,000 cash reward.
Aside from regular incentives, additional incentives in the form of scholarship privileges in CSC partner schools may be given to individual awardees in the three award categories (Dangal ng Bayan, Lingkod Bayan and Pagasa Awards).
The Benguet State University became the latest addition to the list of CSC – Cordillera partner schools in this endeavor. On April 16, Dr. Rogelio D. Colting, BSU president and CSC’s Danipog signed a memorandum of agreement for the “BSU – CSC Study Grant” to enable HAP awardees to avail of the scholarship program at the University. Congratulations!
BEHIND THE SCENES
State and religion
Alfred P. Dizon
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz said while there is no constitutional violation in the case of a priest getting elected into public office, there is clearly an infraction of the Universal Church Law.
In his web log posted on May 23, Cruz wrote certain objective policy concerns “begging for attention and resolution.”
“They are basically about the significance and implications brought about by the recent fact of a priest (becoming) governor or a governor-priest-elect-or whatever,” he said.
***
Cruz said for the State, the Constitution forbids its adoption of an official religion for the Republic. He added for the Church, on the other hand, the universal Canon Law prohibits any cleric-deacon, priest and bishop from assuming any public office that partakes of the exercise of civil power.
“In the case of a priest taking over the exercise of the gubernatorial office or a province – or any higher or lower public officer for that matter – there is evidently no violation of the pertinent constitutional provision. But in the same case, there is clearly an infraction of the Universal Church Law,” he said
The prelate did not mention whom he was referring to. But Cruz’s statement came following the proclamation of Pampanga governor-elect Eddie Panlilio, who was suspended of his priestly duties after filing his certificate of candidacy.
***
Cruz also cited the question of precedence, saying “in the event that the priest and governor, at the same time, decide to resign for whatever reason or to quit politics at the end of his term, there would be no issue if during his incumbency or at the end thereof, the priest eventually decides to ask for a dispensation from his obligations arising from the reception of sacred order.”
But there is a problem if he wants to resume his priestly ministry and if his bishop actually accepts him back as a priest in full standing before the Church, Cruz said.
***
The separation of the church and the state had been a sticky question. But in the Philippine setting, maybe it is high time priests should have a more active role in governance provided they have the intelligence, education and training to dispense duties of the state.
Our system of government is seeping with corruption in all levels as revealed by many a watchdog. Maybe, there should be more priests in government agencies like the Commission on elections which people believe is ripe for an overhaul of its personnel and heads.
There should be more people in government like priests who are good examples of what a public servant should be. If the heads of agencies are not corrupt and are headed by men of integrity like priests, then their subalterns will follow. As a tagalong saying goes, “Ang mangga ay hindi namumunga ng bayabas.”
As cause-oriented groups say, if there are a lot of problems on how the government is being run, it is because some if not most heads of government are not doing their jobs right and are downright corrupt.
***
It is because of these that it is worth interesting to see how governor-elect Fr. Eddie Panlilio would run the affairs of Pampanga, the President’s home province and considered the jueteng capital of the country. If he would be able to stop the numbers game, that would be an accomplishment considering that it is illegal.
But as of this time, Panlilio announced he doesn’t only want jueteng, stopped but also the government-sanctioned small town lottery (STL) stopped in this province. The priest must be knowledgeable about the game since according to him, “STL is cover-up for jueteng, so if we have stop jueteng, STL has to go, too.”
Re-elected Vice Gov. Joseller “Yeller” Guiao, whose Kampi running mate Lilia Pineda lost in the gubernatorial race, vowed to support Panlilio’s call to wipe out the illegal numbers game.
***
Guiao, however, said the provincial board has approved the current STL operation in the province and if the STL permit has to be renewed under the new provincial administration, then it will have to be approved again by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, but the new governor can veto it.
According to Guiao, the vetoed STL proposal can again be approved and take into effect should three-fourths of the board members support it. He said he would seek alternative livelihood for jueteng workers as well as those involved in STL operations should the legal numbers game also be stopped.
Police authorities in Central Luzon , including Pampanga police director Senior Superintendent Keith Singian, have admitted that jueteng operators use STL as front for their activities.
***
Now Panlilio is saying he has heeded the advice of his supporters so now, he wears a bullet-proof vest and spends his nights in undisclosed places due to threats to his life even after the elections. His days of wearing a cassock are over – for now as he has to attend to more real life situations than be confined in the comforts of his church.
Singian said there was “no confirmation” that more threats hound Panlilio, so he advised him to “relax”. I don’t know what kind of police officer Singian is since seemingly, he takes security lightly.
“If anything happens to him (Panlilio), the suspect will be obvious,” Singian told newsmen but did not elaborate. At present, he said five policemen continue to provide security to the new governor.
Panlilio must now be realizing that preaching from the pulpit is different from confronting the harsh realities of life as a public official. People are saying how upright and dignified Panlilio is -- something we couldn’t say of other high priests in other religious denominations like the Anglicans who know how to sell and grab lands that are not theirs. Bato bato sa langit ang tamaan huwag magalit, magdasal na lang at magbago.Anyway to Panlilio – good luck Father – err Sir.
***
I got an email from the office of reelectionist Sen. Edgardo Angara saying, “Now that the election is over, let us all get to work, united as one body committed to the welfare of our country.”
This statement of Angra wouldn’t have landed in this column if not for the indefatigable Swanny Dicang who treated us along with Ramon Dacawi at a village beside a beach in La Union last week. I was kidding Manong Swanny, he is the Angara of the Cordillera if the latter is not around and he answered with a grunt. So for those who would like to win next elections, get the services of Manong Swanny who has the vigor of a 20-year old. Nothing beats experience as he would always say with a hearty laugh.
Anyway, in the email, Angara asked the nation “to exorcise the spirit of negativism so we can move forward, not hobbled by the animosity caused by politicking. National politicians should set an example of unity because the local leaders, taking the cue, will follow.”
The senator said this is important because the country is presented with opportunity in the next three years as all economic indicators are very favorable, and this should trigger an economic renaissance.
“The country must seize this opportunity to grow and prosper, meaning that politicians of all stripes must work together and present a hospitable climate to investors,” he said, adding “Let’s not miss this event because of political bickering.”
Angara said it is now, not later, that the leaders must secure the future because our population will hit the 100-million mark in three years and “we are becoming less and less competitive,” which is stopping progress, while “globalization rolls inexorably on. We got to arrest it (the decline) because we will never be able to survive the new globalized economy with millions of ill-trained, worst, maltrained population,” he said, calling for an upgrade in science and mathematics education.
Angara said that whatever the result of the election must be ennobling to all: “The losers must have the wisdom and fortitude to accept defeat and the winners must have the grace and humility to embrace victory so that we can put this election behind us and face the future with renewed devotion to the welfare of the people.”
Alfred P. Dizon
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz said while there is no constitutional violation in the case of a priest getting elected into public office, there is clearly an infraction of the Universal Church Law.
In his web log posted on May 23, Cruz wrote certain objective policy concerns “begging for attention and resolution.”
“They are basically about the significance and implications brought about by the recent fact of a priest (becoming) governor or a governor-priest-elect-or whatever,” he said.
***
Cruz said for the State, the Constitution forbids its adoption of an official religion for the Republic. He added for the Church, on the other hand, the universal Canon Law prohibits any cleric-deacon, priest and bishop from assuming any public office that partakes of the exercise of civil power.
“In the case of a priest taking over the exercise of the gubernatorial office or a province – or any higher or lower public officer for that matter – there is evidently no violation of the pertinent constitutional provision. But in the same case, there is clearly an infraction of the Universal Church Law,” he said
The prelate did not mention whom he was referring to. But Cruz’s statement came following the proclamation of Pampanga governor-elect Eddie Panlilio, who was suspended of his priestly duties after filing his certificate of candidacy.
***
Cruz also cited the question of precedence, saying “in the event that the priest and governor, at the same time, decide to resign for whatever reason or to quit politics at the end of his term, there would be no issue if during his incumbency or at the end thereof, the priest eventually decides to ask for a dispensation from his obligations arising from the reception of sacred order.”
But there is a problem if he wants to resume his priestly ministry and if his bishop actually accepts him back as a priest in full standing before the Church, Cruz said.
***
The separation of the church and the state had been a sticky question. But in the Philippine setting, maybe it is high time priests should have a more active role in governance provided they have the intelligence, education and training to dispense duties of the state.
Our system of government is seeping with corruption in all levels as revealed by many a watchdog. Maybe, there should be more priests in government agencies like the Commission on elections which people believe is ripe for an overhaul of its personnel and heads.
There should be more people in government like priests who are good examples of what a public servant should be. If the heads of agencies are not corrupt and are headed by men of integrity like priests, then their subalterns will follow. As a tagalong saying goes, “Ang mangga ay hindi namumunga ng bayabas.”
As cause-oriented groups say, if there are a lot of problems on how the government is being run, it is because some if not most heads of government are not doing their jobs right and are downright corrupt.
***
It is because of these that it is worth interesting to see how governor-elect Fr. Eddie Panlilio would run the affairs of Pampanga, the President’s home province and considered the jueteng capital of the country. If he would be able to stop the numbers game, that would be an accomplishment considering that it is illegal.
But as of this time, Panlilio announced he doesn’t only want jueteng, stopped but also the government-sanctioned small town lottery (STL) stopped in this province. The priest must be knowledgeable about the game since according to him, “STL is cover-up for jueteng, so if we have stop jueteng, STL has to go, too.”
Re-elected Vice Gov. Joseller “Yeller” Guiao, whose Kampi running mate Lilia Pineda lost in the gubernatorial race, vowed to support Panlilio’s call to wipe out the illegal numbers game.
***
Guiao, however, said the provincial board has approved the current STL operation in the province and if the STL permit has to be renewed under the new provincial administration, then it will have to be approved again by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, but the new governor can veto it.
According to Guiao, the vetoed STL proposal can again be approved and take into effect should three-fourths of the board members support it. He said he would seek alternative livelihood for jueteng workers as well as those involved in STL operations should the legal numbers game also be stopped.
Police authorities in Central Luzon , including Pampanga police director Senior Superintendent Keith Singian, have admitted that jueteng operators use STL as front for their activities.
***
Now Panlilio is saying he has heeded the advice of his supporters so now, he wears a bullet-proof vest and spends his nights in undisclosed places due to threats to his life even after the elections. His days of wearing a cassock are over – for now as he has to attend to more real life situations than be confined in the comforts of his church.
Singian said there was “no confirmation” that more threats hound Panlilio, so he advised him to “relax”. I don’t know what kind of police officer Singian is since seemingly, he takes security lightly.
“If anything happens to him (Panlilio), the suspect will be obvious,” Singian told newsmen but did not elaborate. At present, he said five policemen continue to provide security to the new governor.
Panlilio must now be realizing that preaching from the pulpit is different from confronting the harsh realities of life as a public official. People are saying how upright and dignified Panlilio is -- something we couldn’t say of other high priests in other religious denominations like the Anglicans who know how to sell and grab lands that are not theirs. Bato bato sa langit ang tamaan huwag magalit, magdasal na lang at magbago.Anyway to Panlilio – good luck Father – err Sir.
***
I got an email from the office of reelectionist Sen. Edgardo Angara saying, “Now that the election is over, let us all get to work, united as one body committed to the welfare of our country.”
This statement of Angra wouldn’t have landed in this column if not for the indefatigable Swanny Dicang who treated us along with Ramon Dacawi at a village beside a beach in La Union last week. I was kidding Manong Swanny, he is the Angara of the Cordillera if the latter is not around and he answered with a grunt. So for those who would like to win next elections, get the services of Manong Swanny who has the vigor of a 20-year old. Nothing beats experience as he would always say with a hearty laugh.
Anyway, in the email, Angara asked the nation “to exorcise the spirit of negativism so we can move forward, not hobbled by the animosity caused by politicking. National politicians should set an example of unity because the local leaders, taking the cue, will follow.”
The senator said this is important because the country is presented with opportunity in the next three years as all economic indicators are very favorable, and this should trigger an economic renaissance.
“The country must seize this opportunity to grow and prosper, meaning that politicians of all stripes must work together and present a hospitable climate to investors,” he said, adding “Let’s not miss this event because of political bickering.”
Angara said it is now, not later, that the leaders must secure the future because our population will hit the 100-million mark in three years and “we are becoming less and less competitive,” which is stopping progress, while “globalization rolls inexorably on. We got to arrest it (the decline) because we will never be able to survive the new globalized economy with millions of ill-trained, worst, maltrained population,” he said, calling for an upgrade in science and mathematics education.
Angara said that whatever the result of the election must be ennobling to all: “The losers must have the wisdom and fortitude to accept defeat and the winners must have the grace and humility to embrace victory so that we can put this election behind us and face the future with renewed devotion to the welfare of the people.”
THE MOUNTAINEER
Sympathy votes
Edison L. Baddal
In a mysterious turn of events, a kind of curious deviation was observed during the last elections. In the race for local positions in Cordillera, not a few family members who took the cudgels for their deceased kin clobbered their respective opponents convincingly.
The deaths, though, were not all due to electoral violence as some were due to natural causes. Interestingly, some of the winning candidates were widowed (or rendered a widower) in the course of the campaign while others became sort of nemesis for a brother’s violent death months prior to the campaign.
Either whether this is a new phenomenon or not in the political landscape of the country cannot be categorically concluded yet. Nevertheless, based from election results, chances are a novel paradigm is in the offing in the dynamics of Philippine elections. As an adage stressed, nothing is permanent except change and if this is any indication of more favorable changes to color the profile of future elections, then change through the ballot will finally become reality.
In Mt. Province at least two candidates who were deprived of their respective mates during the elections won in the positions they aspired for. Or, more specifically, the position that their deceased mate aspired to.
One such winner is Eufemia Lamen. A long time professor of the Mountain Province State Polytechnique College, she was thrust as a substitute candidate for board member of District I in place of her husband Binky after the latter was downed by a fatal stroke in a campaign sortie in the early days of the campaign.
Her hubby was then running for the position. Incidentally, she has never been a candidate herself for any political position before. But she always campaigned energetically for her husband in whatever political fray her husband dabbled in and this could be her first exposure to the rough and tumble of politics.
***
Many in the know contend that her indefatigable sorties in every corner of the province during electoral campaign contributed significantly to her hubby’s victories. This is aside from having the glitter of the magic name of “Lamen” appended to the name.
The husband is the namesake of that fightingest, outspoken and most revered politician hereabouts, Alfredo G. Lamen, Sr. For her staunch support, Alfredo G. Lam-en Jr., more known as “Binky”, won as vice-governor in 1988. When no governor was proclaimed in 1988, he was installed as acting governor from 1988-1991. He also served as board member for District I from 1998-2001. No less than the wife’s unstinting support was credited for both victories.
Last May 14, Femy as she’s fondly called, emerged number one from a horde of 14 aspirants for the four slots of board member for District I. Many are implying that the sympathy generated by the sudden demise of her hubby may have contributed a lot to the win. From all indications, this could be partly true although other factors could have also contributed.
Having once worked with her up close and personal, I dare say that some of her endearing traits as a person likewise contributed in no small measure to her victory. These traits, like her spunky mettle and profound savvy, certainly served her in good stead in the run-up to the elections.
Moreover, the hundreds of students that she mentored at MPSPC could have surely rallied to her side through their votes. Precisely, all the equations that factored in her victory only indicate that the win was no fluke although the pathos of sympathy certainly factored considerably in it.
In the same manner, councilor-elect Alexander Fakat of Tocucan, Bontoc became a widower in the course of the campaign. An obscure candidate but nonetheless carrying a well known name in the capital town, there is no doubt that the sympathy generated by the personal tragedy became his wellspring of votes.
Though it could be said that he could have won even without the tragedy despite a relatively humble background, the pathos due from the incident unmistakably redounded to his favor. It definitely upped his electoral chances. Thus, his lack of education and a humble background notwithstanding, he bested all his rivals to the post of councilor with a number one rank in the just concluded elections.
Elsewhere in other parts of the Cordilleras , sympathy and empathy won the day through poll victories for some candidates.
***
In Kalinga, for instance, the widow of Atty. Diasen is currently pacing the votes by a mile over Rep. Wacnang for the governorship. If the trend continues in her favor (she could have been proclaimed at this time of writing sans legal impediments), she would be the first electoral lass of the province. This would be an upset win as the latter has been lording it over the politics of Kalinga for two decades and hitherto undefeated.
Atty. Diasen, the incumbent vice-governor then, was slain at Tabuk, Kalinga in broad daylight allegedly by a young assailant. This transpired while the former was speaking at a campaign rally sometime in March while he was campaigning then for governor. Taking the bull by the horns, his aggrieved wife garnered empathy and sympathy borne out of the tragedy and galvanized support for the bereaved widow as evidenced by her preponderance of votes over her more seasoned opponent.
***
Same mold is developing in Abra where a spate of killings of elective leaders, widely believed to be politically motivated, virtually turned the province into a no man’s land in the last few years. The serialized killings started with the murder of Mayor Segundo in 2001, followed by the gunning down of Mayor Benwaren. Assassins were about to liquidate a lady mayor’s family but one got cold feet and spilled the beans to the authorities so that the odious plan was eventually abandoned.
The last straw that practically broke the camel’s back was the cold-blooded assassination of being trounced by his lady rival in the race for congressman. On the other hand, his wife has been soundly kayoed by her stalwart rival. The late Congressman Bersamin’s death ignited sympathy for the bereaved family through massive votes. In the same vein, Luna’s current preponderance of votes over those of Valera is also an expression of silent empathy over the killing and wounding of her supporters during the campaign period.
***
In February, 1986, Corazon Aquino faced Marcos in a snap poll. She was forced to run against Marcos on the crest of national indignation brought by the assassination of her husband on August 21, 1983. However, the formidable machinery of Marcos denied her the win by massive vote-padding. Eventually, his rump parliament, with utmost effrontery literally smashed Aquino’s bid by declaring Marcos the winner.
Prior to that brutal killing, a series of protests was held against Marcos as he was then commonly believed to have masterminded the killing being the political foe of Ninoy. The protests, an expression of empathy of the Filipino people to the Aquino family for the murder, became a daily occurrence in the thoroughfares of Metro Manila since 1983.
After Aquino was cheated of the victory, the protests worsened and literally engulfed the whole country until it culminated to EDSA I. This first people’s revolution forced Marcos to flee to Australia with family and sycophants in tow on February 25, 1986. This catapulted Cory Aquino to the presidency.
***
On its heels, in another part of the globe, another widow by the name of Violeta Chamorro, toppled the socialist Sandinista regime in Nicaragua sometime in 1990. She was widowed when her husband was among those caught in the maelstrom of a violent social upheaval after the Sandinista rebels came to power after toppling erstwhile Nicaraguan leader Antonio Somoza in 1979.
Styling herself as the personification of nemesis and democracy in the mold of Cory, she aptly used the cognomen of Violy. She ran and won against Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega in the elections in 1990 anchored on the sympathy and empathy of the majority of the Nicaraguans. Having championed then the ideals of democracy during the campaign she is credited for having restored democracy in Nicaragua after consolidating power.
Be that as it may, achieving power on the crest popular sympathy is entirely different when parlaying such power for the good of the greatest number. Election to a position is no picnic even as it is not meant for one to live in clover. Somehow, a comparatively easy victory demands huge responsibility. How to transform such popular trust and confidence into noteworthy public service requires a lot of hard work, perseverance, probity, mettle and reasonable competence. It does not come cheap much more as it involves public interest. In prosaic terms, those who gained from popular sympathy must be up to the task of their elective position, nothing more, nothing less.
Edison L. Baddal
In a mysterious turn of events, a kind of curious deviation was observed during the last elections. In the race for local positions in Cordillera, not a few family members who took the cudgels for their deceased kin clobbered their respective opponents convincingly.
The deaths, though, were not all due to electoral violence as some were due to natural causes. Interestingly, some of the winning candidates were widowed (or rendered a widower) in the course of the campaign while others became sort of nemesis for a brother’s violent death months prior to the campaign.
Either whether this is a new phenomenon or not in the political landscape of the country cannot be categorically concluded yet. Nevertheless, based from election results, chances are a novel paradigm is in the offing in the dynamics of Philippine elections. As an adage stressed, nothing is permanent except change and if this is any indication of more favorable changes to color the profile of future elections, then change through the ballot will finally become reality.
In Mt. Province at least two candidates who were deprived of their respective mates during the elections won in the positions they aspired for. Or, more specifically, the position that their deceased mate aspired to.
One such winner is Eufemia Lamen. A long time professor of the Mountain Province State Polytechnique College, she was thrust as a substitute candidate for board member of District I in place of her husband Binky after the latter was downed by a fatal stroke in a campaign sortie in the early days of the campaign.
Her hubby was then running for the position. Incidentally, she has never been a candidate herself for any political position before. But she always campaigned energetically for her husband in whatever political fray her husband dabbled in and this could be her first exposure to the rough and tumble of politics.
***
Many in the know contend that her indefatigable sorties in every corner of the province during electoral campaign contributed significantly to her hubby’s victories. This is aside from having the glitter of the magic name of “Lamen” appended to the name.
The husband is the namesake of that fightingest, outspoken and most revered politician hereabouts, Alfredo G. Lamen, Sr. For her staunch support, Alfredo G. Lam-en Jr., more known as “Binky”, won as vice-governor in 1988. When no governor was proclaimed in 1988, he was installed as acting governor from 1988-1991. He also served as board member for District I from 1998-2001. No less than the wife’s unstinting support was credited for both victories.
Last May 14, Femy as she’s fondly called, emerged number one from a horde of 14 aspirants for the four slots of board member for District I. Many are implying that the sympathy generated by the sudden demise of her hubby may have contributed a lot to the win. From all indications, this could be partly true although other factors could have also contributed.
Having once worked with her up close and personal, I dare say that some of her endearing traits as a person likewise contributed in no small measure to her victory. These traits, like her spunky mettle and profound savvy, certainly served her in good stead in the run-up to the elections.
Moreover, the hundreds of students that she mentored at MPSPC could have surely rallied to her side through their votes. Precisely, all the equations that factored in her victory only indicate that the win was no fluke although the pathos of sympathy certainly factored considerably in it.
In the same manner, councilor-elect Alexander Fakat of Tocucan, Bontoc became a widower in the course of the campaign. An obscure candidate but nonetheless carrying a well known name in the capital town, there is no doubt that the sympathy generated by the personal tragedy became his wellspring of votes.
Though it could be said that he could have won even without the tragedy despite a relatively humble background, the pathos due from the incident unmistakably redounded to his favor. It definitely upped his electoral chances. Thus, his lack of education and a humble background notwithstanding, he bested all his rivals to the post of councilor with a number one rank in the just concluded elections.
Elsewhere in other parts of the Cordilleras , sympathy and empathy won the day through poll victories for some candidates.
***
In Kalinga, for instance, the widow of Atty. Diasen is currently pacing the votes by a mile over Rep. Wacnang for the governorship. If the trend continues in her favor (she could have been proclaimed at this time of writing sans legal impediments), she would be the first electoral lass of the province. This would be an upset win as the latter has been lording it over the politics of Kalinga for two decades and hitherto undefeated.
Atty. Diasen, the incumbent vice-governor then, was slain at Tabuk, Kalinga in broad daylight allegedly by a young assailant. This transpired while the former was speaking at a campaign rally sometime in March while he was campaigning then for governor. Taking the bull by the horns, his aggrieved wife garnered empathy and sympathy borne out of the tragedy and galvanized support for the bereaved widow as evidenced by her preponderance of votes over her more seasoned opponent.
***
Same mold is developing in Abra where a spate of killings of elective leaders, widely believed to be politically motivated, virtually turned the province into a no man’s land in the last few years. The serialized killings started with the murder of Mayor Segundo in 2001, followed by the gunning down of Mayor Benwaren. Assassins were about to liquidate a lady mayor’s family but one got cold feet and spilled the beans to the authorities so that the odious plan was eventually abandoned.
The last straw that practically broke the camel’s back was the cold-blooded assassination of being trounced by his lady rival in the race for congressman. On the other hand, his wife has been soundly kayoed by her stalwart rival. The late Congressman Bersamin’s death ignited sympathy for the bereaved family through massive votes. In the same vein, Luna’s current preponderance of votes over those of Valera is also an expression of silent empathy over the killing and wounding of her supporters during the campaign period.
***
In February, 1986, Corazon Aquino faced Marcos in a snap poll. She was forced to run against Marcos on the crest of national indignation brought by the assassination of her husband on August 21, 1983. However, the formidable machinery of Marcos denied her the win by massive vote-padding. Eventually, his rump parliament, with utmost effrontery literally smashed Aquino’s bid by declaring Marcos the winner.
Prior to that brutal killing, a series of protests was held against Marcos as he was then commonly believed to have masterminded the killing being the political foe of Ninoy. The protests, an expression of empathy of the Filipino people to the Aquino family for the murder, became a daily occurrence in the thoroughfares of Metro Manila since 1983.
After Aquino was cheated of the victory, the protests worsened and literally engulfed the whole country until it culminated to EDSA I. This first people’s revolution forced Marcos to flee to Australia with family and sycophants in tow on February 25, 1986. This catapulted Cory Aquino to the presidency.
***
On its heels, in another part of the globe, another widow by the name of Violeta Chamorro, toppled the socialist Sandinista regime in Nicaragua sometime in 1990. She was widowed when her husband was among those caught in the maelstrom of a violent social upheaval after the Sandinista rebels came to power after toppling erstwhile Nicaraguan leader Antonio Somoza in 1979.
Styling herself as the personification of nemesis and democracy in the mold of Cory, she aptly used the cognomen of Violy. She ran and won against Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega in the elections in 1990 anchored on the sympathy and empathy of the majority of the Nicaraguans. Having championed then the ideals of democracy during the campaign she is credited for having restored democracy in Nicaragua after consolidating power.
Be that as it may, achieving power on the crest popular sympathy is entirely different when parlaying such power for the good of the greatest number. Election to a position is no picnic even as it is not meant for one to live in clover. Somehow, a comparatively easy victory demands huge responsibility. How to transform such popular trust and confidence into noteworthy public service requires a lot of hard work, perseverance, probity, mettle and reasonable competence. It does not come cheap much more as it involves public interest. In prosaic terms, those who gained from popular sympathy must be up to the task of their elective position, nothing more, nothing less.
BENCHWARMER
North and South views in Schumacher
Ramon S. Dacawi
With its advances in science and technology, the West, for long, has dismissed
indigenous knowledge, beliefs and systems as irrelevant. The western world view has been marked by a feeling of superiority, given its successes in economic well-being that are its mark of civilization.
The “ Old World ” took upon itself to label regions ofits conquest as “The New World” and, in our case, “TheThird World”. More recently, it tagged both as “The South”, a collective reference to underdeveloped, still to be developed or still developing countries, and itself as “The North”.
Paeng Gayaso, who works in advancing cooperatives, narrated how an Indian bristled when he heard a resource speaker use the terms in a forum both were attending. The fellow pointed out that India ’s civilization was flourishing long before Europe itself moved on from its barbaric and medieval stages.
The North’s domination of the South for its resource base meant the imposition of the former’s own systems, in the process destroying traditional and indigenous knowledge and systems. It was only recently that the so-called “civilized world” began to explore indigenous wisdom for its relevance in addressing environmental problems being whipped up by its advances in science and technology. The Old World is taking a closer look at these vanishing systems for their value in achieving “sustainable development”, that label world leaders dished out in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
The issue of domination was discussed by Deborah Bird Rose, an American-Australian anthropologist during a three-week course in March on “Indigenous Peoples and the Natural World” offered by Schumacher College in Devon, United Kingdom. Rose is a Senior Fellow at the Australian National University who has served as adviser in the adjudication of cases involving land rights of Australia ’s Aborigines.
Schumacher College , as it introduces itself, is an international center for ecological studies. It was established in 1991 by Satish Kumar, an Indian who, in his youth, set out on foot to deliver to the leaders of the nuclear world a message for peace. Schumacher was inspired by and named in honor of E.F. Schumacher, the renowned economist who wrote the classic book“Small is Beautiful”.
Schumacher called for “a nobler economics that is not afraid to discuss spirit and conscience, moral purpose and the meaning of life, an economics that aims to educate and elevate people”.
The College, established on a estate in the scenic English countryside, offers a masters degree in holistic science and short courses focusing on globalization, sustainability, alternative development models, ecological perspectives of psychology, spirituality and philosophy, ecological design and technology. Its approach is towards transformation of its students, many of whom emerge with a deeper sense of purpose and clearer direction in their work of trying to bring communities closer to what they should be.
“Schumacher College changes people’s lives. It is a place for reflection and engagement, for the heart and the head, for the individual and the community. Through learning, sharing and celebration it is empowerment in practice, and if for a moment an opportunity presents itself to become a “graduate” of this very different place of learning, then seize it.” – Jonathan Porritt.
The course on indigenous peoples gathered 21 students from Europe, North and South America and Asia , many of whom are development workers attached to non-government organizations involved in advancing the causes of indigenous peoples. Some seized the opportunity, perhaps to find meaning and direction.
Lectures, discussions, film showing, medications and field trips marked the three-week course. In-between, participants did household work, cooking, gardening and meditation.
“Why are we here?,” one student asked at the opening of an evening discussion by the fire. “We are here to celebrate life,” the venerable Kumar answered.
Schumacher College did not issue certificates of completion at the end of the course. The class didn’t mind and no one asked for the document. Given the transforming substance of the experience, they found no need for the paper form. (Next week: The Aboriginal view. e-mail:rdacawi@yahoo.com for comments).
Ramon S. Dacawi
With its advances in science and technology, the West, for long, has dismissed
indigenous knowledge, beliefs and systems as irrelevant. The western world view has been marked by a feeling of superiority, given its successes in economic well-being that are its mark of civilization.
The “ Old World ” took upon itself to label regions ofits conquest as “The New World” and, in our case, “TheThird World”. More recently, it tagged both as “The South”, a collective reference to underdeveloped, still to be developed or still developing countries, and itself as “The North”.
Paeng Gayaso, who works in advancing cooperatives, narrated how an Indian bristled when he heard a resource speaker use the terms in a forum both were attending. The fellow pointed out that India ’s civilization was flourishing long before Europe itself moved on from its barbaric and medieval stages.
The North’s domination of the South for its resource base meant the imposition of the former’s own systems, in the process destroying traditional and indigenous knowledge and systems. It was only recently that the so-called “civilized world” began to explore indigenous wisdom for its relevance in addressing environmental problems being whipped up by its advances in science and technology. The Old World is taking a closer look at these vanishing systems for their value in achieving “sustainable development”, that label world leaders dished out in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
The issue of domination was discussed by Deborah Bird Rose, an American-Australian anthropologist during a three-week course in March on “Indigenous Peoples and the Natural World” offered by Schumacher College in Devon, United Kingdom. Rose is a Senior Fellow at the Australian National University who has served as adviser in the adjudication of cases involving land rights of Australia ’s Aborigines.
Schumacher College , as it introduces itself, is an international center for ecological studies. It was established in 1991 by Satish Kumar, an Indian who, in his youth, set out on foot to deliver to the leaders of the nuclear world a message for peace. Schumacher was inspired by and named in honor of E.F. Schumacher, the renowned economist who wrote the classic book“Small is Beautiful”.
Schumacher called for “a nobler economics that is not afraid to discuss spirit and conscience, moral purpose and the meaning of life, an economics that aims to educate and elevate people”.
The College, established on a estate in the scenic English countryside, offers a masters degree in holistic science and short courses focusing on globalization, sustainability, alternative development models, ecological perspectives of psychology, spirituality and philosophy, ecological design and technology. Its approach is towards transformation of its students, many of whom emerge with a deeper sense of purpose and clearer direction in their work of trying to bring communities closer to what they should be.
“Schumacher College changes people’s lives. It is a place for reflection and engagement, for the heart and the head, for the individual and the community. Through learning, sharing and celebration it is empowerment in practice, and if for a moment an opportunity presents itself to become a “graduate” of this very different place of learning, then seize it.” – Jonathan Porritt.
The course on indigenous peoples gathered 21 students from Europe, North and South America and Asia , many of whom are development workers attached to non-government organizations involved in advancing the causes of indigenous peoples. Some seized the opportunity, perhaps to find meaning and direction.
Lectures, discussions, film showing, medications and field trips marked the three-week course. In-between, participants did household work, cooking, gardening and meditation.
“Why are we here?,” one student asked at the opening of an evening discussion by the fire. “We are here to celebrate life,” the venerable Kumar answered.
Schumacher College did not issue certificates of completion at the end of the course. The class didn’t mind and no one asked for the document. Given the transforming substance of the experience, they found no need for the paper form. (Next week: The Aboriginal view. e-mail:rdacawi@yahoo.com for comments).
CALIFORNIA DREAMING
The teacher
Benito ‘Jong’ Molintas
Reading the Filipino newspaper published in California reminded me of elections in the Philippines with all its danger and comedy. With the results of the May 14 election known and after winning candidates delivered their victory pieces, I believe only a few appreciated the worth of the teachers who did their job to ensure that the electoral process went on smoothly.
They are indeed heroes because of the sacrifices they have undergone especially against the goons of politicians who tried to steal ballot boxes. The goons toted guns but the teachers armed with their professional dignity stood up to them.
Their nobility in the communities is a testament that they are worthy to be called heroes. To my fellow educators, I personally salute your efforts and to serve our country and people. The last election has proven that you could be honorable men and women despite your low salary as budgeted by the politicians whom you protected their ballots during the elections.
It is a plea to officials that someday they will give their all-out support to education and to teachers. I say this because some consider learning especially in the countryside as one of their least priorities.
Yes, these types of officials were able to put up buildings, but the knowledge of some teachers remained stagnant due to factors like the following: insufficient reference materials, lack of training and exposure, selfishness of head teachers among others.
The problem of insufficient books is the biggest factor in the deterioration of education. A textbook is shared by two students that hinder the other to read ahead of the lesson.
Worst, some books are not updated or there is lack of materials to use for a particular subject.
Greediness of the echelons is a rampant practice of people who are in power.
If opportunities arise like seminars and activities outside the school where teachers can master a little bit of their field of specialty, the answer of the head teacher is “There are no finances for that.”
But if it is for the head’s seminar, it is a must and the per diems are readily given to her. I’m lucky I had good bosses like Pascual Sacgaca, now the a Department of Education Supervisor of Mountain Province and Marcelita Moises, the Principal of Sabangan National High School who were very open to their teachers when it came to training.
They focused on the growth of their teachers, students, and the school as a whole. I just don’t know how I can repay the goodness of these bosses – guys my bag of thanks though.
On the other hand, teachers who wanted to develop and mature as teachers have been hampered by their low salaries. How I wish too that students especially in the countryside of the Cordillera will experience the same thing as students experience in the US .
They are given a lot of opportunities for their physical and mental growth. They work working while studying and schools find jobs or give jobs and a lot of trainings to them. Teachers are not also hard up with their materials because of ready access to the internet.
Teaching in the Korea International School , books are primary resources of knowledge, but surfing the internet enriched my knowledge and made me abreast with more knowledge and techniques on teaching, more so that I am handling SAT subjects which we don’t have it in the Philippines .
SAT is a subject that prepares students for their examination in well-known universities in countries like the US and Canada .
Despite their handicaps, teachers in the Philippines can still have growth in teaching as long as there is cooperation and support from their peers and chiefs. In this case, they are motivated to do their best and impart knowledge or what they learned from their trainings. Exploring ideas from different levels and facets will surely enrich the thought of the learners. The educational system won’t deteriorate as a result.
Benito ‘Jong’ Molintas
Reading the Filipino newspaper published in California reminded me of elections in the Philippines with all its danger and comedy. With the results of the May 14 election known and after winning candidates delivered their victory pieces, I believe only a few appreciated the worth of the teachers who did their job to ensure that the electoral process went on smoothly.
They are indeed heroes because of the sacrifices they have undergone especially against the goons of politicians who tried to steal ballot boxes. The goons toted guns but the teachers armed with their professional dignity stood up to them.
Their nobility in the communities is a testament that they are worthy to be called heroes. To my fellow educators, I personally salute your efforts and to serve our country and people. The last election has proven that you could be honorable men and women despite your low salary as budgeted by the politicians whom you protected their ballots during the elections.
It is a plea to officials that someday they will give their all-out support to education and to teachers. I say this because some consider learning especially in the countryside as one of their least priorities.
Yes, these types of officials were able to put up buildings, but the knowledge of some teachers remained stagnant due to factors like the following: insufficient reference materials, lack of training and exposure, selfishness of head teachers among others.
The problem of insufficient books is the biggest factor in the deterioration of education. A textbook is shared by two students that hinder the other to read ahead of the lesson.
Worst, some books are not updated or there is lack of materials to use for a particular subject.
Greediness of the echelons is a rampant practice of people who are in power.
If opportunities arise like seminars and activities outside the school where teachers can master a little bit of their field of specialty, the answer of the head teacher is “There are no finances for that.”
But if it is for the head’s seminar, it is a must and the per diems are readily given to her. I’m lucky I had good bosses like Pascual Sacgaca, now the a Department of Education Supervisor of Mountain Province and Marcelita Moises, the Principal of Sabangan National High School who were very open to their teachers when it came to training.
They focused on the growth of their teachers, students, and the school as a whole. I just don’t know how I can repay the goodness of these bosses – guys my bag of thanks though.
On the other hand, teachers who wanted to develop and mature as teachers have been hampered by their low salaries. How I wish too that students especially in the countryside of the Cordillera will experience the same thing as students experience in the US .
They are given a lot of opportunities for their physical and mental growth. They work working while studying and schools find jobs or give jobs and a lot of trainings to them. Teachers are not also hard up with their materials because of ready access to the internet.
Teaching in the Korea International School , books are primary resources of knowledge, but surfing the internet enriched my knowledge and made me abreast with more knowledge and techniques on teaching, more so that I am handling SAT subjects which we don’t have it in the Philippines .
SAT is a subject that prepares students for their examination in well-known universities in countries like the US and Canada .
Despite their handicaps, teachers in the Philippines can still have growth in teaching as long as there is cooperation and support from their peers and chiefs. In this case, they are motivated to do their best and impart knowledge or what they learned from their trainings. Exploring ideas from different levels and facets will surely enrich the thought of the learners. The educational system won’t deteriorate as a result.
HAPPY WEEKEND
Election hang-ups
Gina Dizon
A friend narrated how he came across a man walking on the street alone and holding some polyetos. My friend offered him a ride and asked him who he was campaigning for. The man said he was campaigning for himself.
Surprised, my friend asked him if he walked in all the ten towns of the province to campaign for himself. The candidate said he didn’t have a car so he rode in public transport and campaigned to the passengers while in the bus or jeep. Good strategy. The candidate lost however by many votes.
While walking inside villages and personally getting in touch with people is a good strategy, it is not an effective way to get votes. Walking comes along with a proven track record and having many relatives.
Former board member Fr. Eduardo Solang hiked the trails and streets of the towns of Bauko, Tadian, Sabangan, Sagada to campaign for his candidacy during the May elections in 2001. He won. This was an exceptional and exemplary case.
The good reverend father gained a track record as a staunch human rights worker and indigenous peoples rights advocate through the years. He also served as a priest in Bauko and Tadian thus gaining votes from there. He traces his roots from Sagada and relatives of his wife from Tadian, which added up to more votes.
What was similar though in the above examples was that both candidates showed how it was not to spend too much money during elections in order to prevent eventual corruption.
I asked Padi Solang earlier how much he spent during the 2001 elections and he said at least P200,000. The money was used especially for food of supporters and people who visited his home.
I asked one board member candidate how much he spent during the previous elections and he said nearly half a million pesos which went to food, transportation and pollwatchers’ allowance. He won. He rarely walked, yet his winning came along with a proven track record and having many relatives and support from friends.
Here’s to this winning young board member to keep a pro-people record and steer away from corruption-related tendencies. I happened to talk to the wife of a former congressman-governor of Mountain Province and she said, her husband spent something like P200,000 which went to food and transportation all over the then undivided Mountain Provinces. That was in the 70’s when there was no vote buying then.
Today, the P200,000 is estimated to be nearly 1.5 million pesos. Yet, a candidate for congressman would need multi-millions in order to win. With a minimum of two poll watchers paid P1,500 each and deployed in 620 precincts in Mt. Province for example, nearly 2 million pesos is needed for this minimum number of poll watchers. This amount excludes the other assistors’ allowance; food and transportation of supporters, and campaign materials including publicity and possibly, money to buy votes.
What am I saying? One needs money in order to win. Where to get all the money? Either the candidate will mortgage or sell his house, borrow money from the bank or
from usurers, or do magic with public funds. Need I say more? Corruption stinks and this
topic is already emphasized too much. Let us dream of the day that the candidate during elections will:
Gina Dizon
A friend narrated how he came across a man walking on the street alone and holding some polyetos. My friend offered him a ride and asked him who he was campaigning for. The man said he was campaigning for himself.
Surprised, my friend asked him if he walked in all the ten towns of the province to campaign for himself. The candidate said he didn’t have a car so he rode in public transport and campaigned to the passengers while in the bus or jeep. Good strategy. The candidate lost however by many votes.
While walking inside villages and personally getting in touch with people is a good strategy, it is not an effective way to get votes. Walking comes along with a proven track record and having many relatives.
Former board member Fr. Eduardo Solang hiked the trails and streets of the towns of Bauko, Tadian, Sabangan, Sagada to campaign for his candidacy during the May elections in 2001. He won. This was an exceptional and exemplary case.
The good reverend father gained a track record as a staunch human rights worker and indigenous peoples rights advocate through the years. He also served as a priest in Bauko and Tadian thus gaining votes from there. He traces his roots from Sagada and relatives of his wife from Tadian, which added up to more votes.
What was similar though in the above examples was that both candidates showed how it was not to spend too much money during elections in order to prevent eventual corruption.
I asked Padi Solang earlier how much he spent during the 2001 elections and he said at least P200,000. The money was used especially for food of supporters and people who visited his home.
I asked one board member candidate how much he spent during the previous elections and he said nearly half a million pesos which went to food, transportation and pollwatchers’ allowance. He won. He rarely walked, yet his winning came along with a proven track record and having many relatives and support from friends.
Here’s to this winning young board member to keep a pro-people record and steer away from corruption-related tendencies. I happened to talk to the wife of a former congressman-governor of Mountain Province and she said, her husband spent something like P200,000 which went to food and transportation all over the then undivided Mountain Provinces. That was in the 70’s when there was no vote buying then.
Today, the P200,000 is estimated to be nearly 1.5 million pesos. Yet, a candidate for congressman would need multi-millions in order to win. With a minimum of two poll watchers paid P1,500 each and deployed in 620 precincts in Mt. Province for example, nearly 2 million pesos is needed for this minimum number of poll watchers. This amount excludes the other assistors’ allowance; food and transportation of supporters, and campaign materials including publicity and possibly, money to buy votes.
What am I saying? One needs money in order to win. Where to get all the money? Either the candidate will mortgage or sell his house, borrow money from the bank or
from usurers, or do magic with public funds. Need I say more? Corruption stinks and this
topic is already emphasized too much. Let us dream of the day that the candidate during elections will:
- File his candidacy based on a proven track record and his capacity to lead and serve his constituents, and not on the number of his relatives or the thickness of his money.
- Not buy votes or entice voters with money, insurance benefits, pigs or digicards.
- Not make elections a time to make money.
- Walk the talk.
- Other reasons which would do away with patronage politics and corruption.
Let us dream of the day when the electorate will:
- Not sell their votes. Vote based on the candidate’s proven track record and capacity to lead.
- Vote based on issues and not on the money or gifts he receives from the candidate.
- Avoid making the candidate corrupted.
A shot at the moon? These dreams are attainable. If Neil Armstrong was able to land on the moon, we human beings would be able to realize the above. It starts with believing, acting on the belief with participatory governance from elected public officials.
BULL's HIT
Abusive Baguio school and barangay officials
by Rudy Garcia
The Election is over but the game of politics is not. This is like an endless game with all those politicians as players. Some can be the winners now but losers tomorrow. Lucky were those who still emerged as winners for the nth times. But there can be no permanent victory or unlucky forever, no permanent political party, opponent or supporter.
In this game, the public is audience while the referee or the regulating body is the Commission on Elections. Some play fair and square and others play dirty. There are dirty tacticians and it is sad to note that, the Comelec seems reluctant in going after the violators.
Meanwhile, even the public seems to be silent on whatever they hear and see and prefer to look the other way around. This is politics, Pinoy style where candidates with the 3Gs (guns, goons and gold) rule.
In Baguio City the proclamation is over but there are still some who don’t want to concede and accept defeat. There are allegations of vote buying and intimidation but have yet to see these complaints filed formally with the Comelec, otherwise we can say that these people making the allegations are just sourgraping, period.
Nevertheless, we already have a new set of local government leaders who will be in charge of the city’s administration. I hope these new pilots or ship captains of the city will make good their promises and perform their platforms. We urge the citizens to cooperate and help the new leaders on our common visions and goals to make this beloved city a true character city and restore its good image and apt tag as the cleanest and greenest City.
If there are incompetent Professional Regulatory Commission executives, there are also incompetent administrators of public schools in Baguio . The ongoing enrollment in public elementary and high schools is making students and their parents hard up because of incompetence of some persons in charge.
These school leaders never learn lessons from the past. They still adapt the old method instead of new strategies to avoid old problems and inconveniences. Look at what is going on at the Pines City National High School along Palma St.
I bet, this is not the only school of this kind) and because of poor leadership you can see the long and crowded lines of students and parents outside and inside its premises morning and afternoon.
They should have anticipated the influx of students because of increasing 1st year high school enrollees and transferees from private schools. They don’t even have the proper information and dissemination. I bet if everyone was informed of what to wear, what to bring and minimum of money to bring for the enrollment, ID picture and so forth, people wouldn’t have been given such a hard time.
Can you imagine a student coming to school as early as 4 a. m. and made to line up and after several hours of waiting, prevented from going inside because he doesn’t have a uniform, didn’t have the prescribed haircut and enough money to pay this and that?
Don’t these intelligent people know the meaning of good leadership and compassion for the underprivileged? It’s no wonder the parents who came from these schools I happened to meet were fuming mad and I can’t blame them. I hope the Department of Education can do something on this matter of concern! Anu sey nyu diyan mga bosing sa Kagawaran ng Edukasyon? Hoy! gising!
***
There is a need for the Baguio City council to fast-track the approval of a measure made by councilor Elmer Datuin regulating all internet and computer shops in Baguio particularly on overnight promos.
Here, it will be prohibited for minors to play overnight in any internet cafe or computer shop without the approval and guidance of their qualified guardians. This is a welcome measure from the good councilor since there are noted computer or internet shops allowing minors to play overnight without any consent of guardians.
The operators of these businesses forgot their social responsibilities: they don’t care if the health, studies and behavior of these children are affected. Their priority is the good income they earn from this promo. Anyway, their days are numbered since once approved, we will be the first to ask the police and authorities concerned to enforce this immediately. Ano say niyo dito, kayo jan sa city council? Pakibilisan naman ang kilos para maaprubahan na itong magandang panukala ni councilor Datuin.
***
I would like again to call the attention of Lawrence Adube of the Baguio City Barangay Coordinationg Office to look and investigate the perverse actuations of the lupon Tagapamayapa including the Punong Barangay of Padre Zamora Barangay.
I happened to be one of the observers during a recent hearing of barangay cases at Padre Zamora. It was a disgust to witness this hearing as some officials like PB Gloria Basingan and a certain Kagawad Anos didn’t observe proper behavior and good manners.
Worst, they showed partisanship instead of being fair mediators. There was even an instance wherein Basingan nearly tore a pertinent document in front of the parties to show that the document was useless.
She asserted her belief that oral arguments weremore powerful, authentic and reliable than documents of proof! This intelligent PB and kagawad even threatened the other party while trying to invoke the other party to do drastic and illegal acts. There should be a court order or any court intervention so that these barangay officials would not court parties at odds from committing illegal acts.
The paying of filing fee for P100 per case is also an issue these barangay officials should explain. Is this legal or illegal and how about sending summons indicating the time, but the actual time when the litigation started was too late?
All parties arrived at 2 p.m. but the hearing only started at 4 p.m. I think the APT tag for the Lupong Tagapamayapa Barangay Padre Zamora should be Lupong Tagamamaya na. Be posted because I will be printing more about Barangay Padre Zamora and its officials.
Abangan!
***
Concerned residents of Camp 6 Tuba, Benguet called my attention regarding the rampant use of explosives particularly dynamites by pocket miners operating within the mountain slope near the Poblacion area. The residents cannot live and sleep peacefully because of the effects of explosives used by the pocket miners. They are now living in fear especially with the onset of the rainy season. They are afraid these activities would start massive landslides and will bury them alive.
Attention Barangay Captain of Camp 6 and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Please investigate this complaint and if possible, institute appropriate sanctions against these miners and persons behind this activity if they are operating illegally.
The fruit game machine or “colalong” I earlier exposed in this column found along Legarda Road , beside EJ’s Disco Bar is still on the upswing. More disturbing are those minors inside the bar smoking and drinking in the late hours at night.
Can’t our authorities do something to have this bar closed? Or the owner, a certain “Eugene” is really malakas? How about it Mayor Peter Rey Bautista and Councilor Galo Weygan? Pakibusisi niyo naman mga Sir, at kung puwede ipasara niyo na, please…
by Rudy Garcia
The Election is over but the game of politics is not. This is like an endless game with all those politicians as players. Some can be the winners now but losers tomorrow. Lucky were those who still emerged as winners for the nth times. But there can be no permanent victory or unlucky forever, no permanent political party, opponent or supporter.
In this game, the public is audience while the referee or the regulating body is the Commission on Elections. Some play fair and square and others play dirty. There are dirty tacticians and it is sad to note that, the Comelec seems reluctant in going after the violators.
Meanwhile, even the public seems to be silent on whatever they hear and see and prefer to look the other way around. This is politics, Pinoy style where candidates with the 3Gs (guns, goons and gold) rule.
In Baguio City the proclamation is over but there are still some who don’t want to concede and accept defeat. There are allegations of vote buying and intimidation but have yet to see these complaints filed formally with the Comelec, otherwise we can say that these people making the allegations are just sourgraping, period.
Nevertheless, we already have a new set of local government leaders who will be in charge of the city’s administration. I hope these new pilots or ship captains of the city will make good their promises and perform their platforms. We urge the citizens to cooperate and help the new leaders on our common visions and goals to make this beloved city a true character city and restore its good image and apt tag as the cleanest and greenest City.
If there are incompetent Professional Regulatory Commission executives, there are also incompetent administrators of public schools in Baguio . The ongoing enrollment in public elementary and high schools is making students and their parents hard up because of incompetence of some persons in charge.
These school leaders never learn lessons from the past. They still adapt the old method instead of new strategies to avoid old problems and inconveniences. Look at what is going on at the Pines City National High School along Palma St.
I bet, this is not the only school of this kind) and because of poor leadership you can see the long and crowded lines of students and parents outside and inside its premises morning and afternoon.
They should have anticipated the influx of students because of increasing 1st year high school enrollees and transferees from private schools. They don’t even have the proper information and dissemination. I bet if everyone was informed of what to wear, what to bring and minimum of money to bring for the enrollment, ID picture and so forth, people wouldn’t have been given such a hard time.
Can you imagine a student coming to school as early as 4 a. m. and made to line up and after several hours of waiting, prevented from going inside because he doesn’t have a uniform, didn’t have the prescribed haircut and enough money to pay this and that?
Don’t these intelligent people know the meaning of good leadership and compassion for the underprivileged? It’s no wonder the parents who came from these schools I happened to meet were fuming mad and I can’t blame them. I hope the Department of Education can do something on this matter of concern! Anu sey nyu diyan mga bosing sa Kagawaran ng Edukasyon? Hoy! gising!
***
There is a need for the Baguio City council to fast-track the approval of a measure made by councilor Elmer Datuin regulating all internet and computer shops in Baguio particularly on overnight promos.
Here, it will be prohibited for minors to play overnight in any internet cafe or computer shop without the approval and guidance of their qualified guardians. This is a welcome measure from the good councilor since there are noted computer or internet shops allowing minors to play overnight without any consent of guardians.
The operators of these businesses forgot their social responsibilities: they don’t care if the health, studies and behavior of these children are affected. Their priority is the good income they earn from this promo. Anyway, their days are numbered since once approved, we will be the first to ask the police and authorities concerned to enforce this immediately. Ano say niyo dito, kayo jan sa city council? Pakibilisan naman ang kilos para maaprubahan na itong magandang panukala ni councilor Datuin.
***
I would like again to call the attention of Lawrence Adube of the Baguio City Barangay Coordinationg Office to look and investigate the perverse actuations of the lupon Tagapamayapa including the Punong Barangay of Padre Zamora Barangay.
I happened to be one of the observers during a recent hearing of barangay cases at Padre Zamora. It was a disgust to witness this hearing as some officials like PB Gloria Basingan and a certain Kagawad Anos didn’t observe proper behavior and good manners.
Worst, they showed partisanship instead of being fair mediators. There was even an instance wherein Basingan nearly tore a pertinent document in front of the parties to show that the document was useless.
She asserted her belief that oral arguments weremore powerful, authentic and reliable than documents of proof! This intelligent PB and kagawad even threatened the other party while trying to invoke the other party to do drastic and illegal acts. There should be a court order or any court intervention so that these barangay officials would not court parties at odds from committing illegal acts.
The paying of filing fee for P100 per case is also an issue these barangay officials should explain. Is this legal or illegal and how about sending summons indicating the time, but the actual time when the litigation started was too late?
All parties arrived at 2 p.m. but the hearing only started at 4 p.m. I think the APT tag for the Lupong Tagapamayapa Barangay Padre Zamora should be Lupong Tagamamaya na. Be posted because I will be printing more about Barangay Padre Zamora and its officials.
Abangan!
***
Concerned residents of Camp 6 Tuba, Benguet called my attention regarding the rampant use of explosives particularly dynamites by pocket miners operating within the mountain slope near the Poblacion area. The residents cannot live and sleep peacefully because of the effects of explosives used by the pocket miners. They are now living in fear especially with the onset of the rainy season. They are afraid these activities would start massive landslides and will bury them alive.
Attention Barangay Captain of Camp 6 and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Please investigate this complaint and if possible, institute appropriate sanctions against these miners and persons behind this activity if they are operating illegally.
The fruit game machine or “colalong” I earlier exposed in this column found along Legarda Road , beside EJ’s Disco Bar is still on the upswing. More disturbing are those minors inside the bar smoking and drinking in the late hours at night.
Can’t our authorities do something to have this bar closed? Or the owner, a certain “Eugene” is really malakas? How about it Mayor Peter Rey Bautista and Councilor Galo Weygan? Pakibusisi niyo naman mga Sir, at kung puwede ipasara niyo na, please…
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Cordillera, Ilocos poll winners bared
Incumbents lead despite upsets, ballot snatching
BAGUIO CITY -- Election winners in the Cordillera were bared by the Commission on Elections and other poll quick count groups.
In Baguio City
The Comelec released official final results: Incumbent Rep. Mauricio Domogan won over councilor Jose “Jomol” Molintas garnering 47,477 votes to the latter’s 37,865 votes for the congressional seat.
For mayor, Reinaldo “Peter Rey” Bautista bested other candidates with 26,910 votes. Those who vied for the mayorship but lost were Leonardo Yangot with 17,647 votes; Braulio Yaranon, 16,148; Bernardo Vergara, 14,441, Elmo Nevada, 5,903 and Jun Labo with 3, 285 votes.
For vice mayor Daniel Farinas won with 21,709 votes. Those who vied for the position t were Faustino Olowan with 20,416 votes; Bobby Ortega, 18,738; Edilberto Tenefrancia, 15,029; Elmer Datuin, 8,989 and Mascarinas with 544 votes.
Those who made it as councilors were Rocky Balisong, 42,159; Betty Lourdes Tabanda, 39,675; Galo Weygan, 39,087; Pinky Rondez, 38,233, Nicasio Aliping Jr., 37,284; Antonio Tabora Jr., 34,799; Erdolfo Balajadia, 31,770; Vic Palaganas,30,224; Isabelo Cosalan Jr., 29,295, Richard Carino, 28,741, Fred Bagbagen, 26,465 and Elaine Sembrano with 25,773.
In Benguet
Re-electionist Rep. Samuel Dangwa will continue to serve the province after defeating his challenger, former congressman Ronald Cosalan while La Trinidad Mayor Nestor Fongwan emerged as the next provincial governor.
Based on official results released by the Commission on Elections last week, Dangwa garnered a total vote count of 66,710 against Cosalan’s 56,351 votes.
Fongwan got a total of 55,802 votes while incumbent governor Borromeo Melchor got 46,758 votes. Crescensio Pacalso remains as the Vice governor with 65,590 as against Wasing Sacla’s 50,211 votes.
For board members, re-electionists dominated the slate for the 10 –member body.
In District I, No. 1 to 3 slots were captured by reelectionists Juan Nazaro, Eddie Amuasen , Marciano Inso, while the No. 4 slot was taken by new comer Alfonso Fianza.
In District II, Kapangan Mayor Rogelio Leon topped the race for board members, followed by new comer Nelson Dangwa, reelectionist Apolinario Camsol, followed by Nardo Cayat, a new comer, Johnny Uy also a reelectionist and Florence Tingbaoen, also a new comer.
Winning candidates were proclaimed last Friday by the Provincial Board of Canvassers.
The winning mayors and Vice-mayors of Benguet are as follows: Atok, Concepcion Balao and Adam Bodong; Bakun, Marcelo Contada; Bokod, Mauricio Macay and Thomas Wales Jr.; Buguias, Felicio Bayacsan and Melchor Diclas;Kabayan, Faustino Aquisan and Rimando Aguitay; Kapangan, Roberto Canuto and Lauro Lorenzo; Kibungan, Benito Siadto and Susan Atayoc; Itogon, Mario Godio and Noel Ngolab; La Trinidad, Artemio Galwan and Samuel Esguerra; Mankayan, Manalo Galuten and Paterno Dacanay; Sablan, Bony Tacio and Julio Gayaman; Tuba, Florencio Bentrez and Valentino Carantes; Tublay, Ruben Paoad and Armando Lauro.
In Mountain Province
The province has another three years of political leadership with incumbent 30-year congressman Victor Dominguez who won over his nephew, mayor Jupiter Dominguez by 5,609 votes and his relative, Engr Arnulfo Pilando by 9,158 votes in the recent May 14 elections. All three candidates come from the municipality of Sabangan .
Based from records of the Commission on Elections, septuagenarian Victor Dominguez heavily scored in the towns of vote-rich Bauko, the capital town of Bontoc, Barlig and Natonin with total votes of 23,230.
Jupiter Dominguez gained the highest votes in the tourist of Sagada, Besao, and from his hometown in Sabangan with total votes of 17,621.
Pilando gained the highest votes in Paracelis with total votes of 14,072.
Congressional aspirant former governor Sario Malinias managed to get a sizable vote from his hometown in Bauko.
Mountain Province has total of 86,106 voters with 65,609 who cast their votes in the recent elections.
Other congressional aspirants are Independent candidates Efren Lingwa, Carlito Afadchay and Francisco Siblawan.
For the governorship, incumbent board member Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr nearly snatched votes from incumbent governor Maximo Dalog who won by 3,767 votes.
Both candidates come from the municipality of Bauko . Lacwasan edged close to Dalog with a small difference of 69 votes in Sagada, 366 in Besao, and 285 in Bontoc while gaining highest in his hometown in Bauko, Sabangan and Barlig. Dalog however led in Paracelis by 3089 votes.
Independent governatorial candidate Harry Dominguez edged close in Tadian where he hails from the other governatorial candidates.
For the vice-governorship, former mayor Louis Claver ran away with 35,209 votes over incumbent vice governor Dr Benjamin Dominguez who got 22,287 votes.
The lucky four board members of District 1 covering the towns of Bontoc, Sadanga, Barlig, Natonin and Paracelis are widow Eufemia Lamen who replaced her husband deceased Binky Lamen, incumbent board members Ezra Gomez from Bontoc and Luke Wanason from Paracelis, and Carino Tamang also from Paracelis.
Fifteen candidates ran for the board membership in District 1, Mountain Province
Winning board members of District 11 covering the towns of Besao, Sagada, Bauko, Tadian are government personnel retiree James Polilin from Besao, incumbent board member Marcial Lawilao from Sabangan, Salvador Dalang and incumbent councilor Randolph Awisan from Bauko.
Meantime, three incumbent mayors of this province retained their seats while four lost over their mayoral rivals.
Mayors Simon Lacwasan of Bauko, Cesar Rafael of Paracelis, and Constito Masweng of Tadian retained their positions.
In the eastern front, lawyer Ana Marie Bana-ag, daughter of Paracelis mayor Cesar Rafael won over incumbent mayor Patrick Banguingan of Natonin.
Incumbent vice mayor Magdalena Lupoyon won over incumbent mayor Crispin Fias-ilon for the mayorship in Barlig and six other candidates for the local executive position.
Incumbent mayor Bart Guzman of Besao lost to government personnel retiree Wellington Pooten.
In Sadanga, comebacking mayor Estanislao Fagto won over incumbent mayor Gabino Ganggangan and four other mayoral candidates.
In Sabangan, incumbent vice mayor Donato Danglose won over three other candidates for the mayoral position, while incumbent vice mayor Franklin Odsey also won as mayor in the capital town of Bontoc over comebacking candidate for mayor David Yawan. Engr Eduardo Latawan won as mayor in the tourist town of Sagada over incumbent councilor Dave Gulian.
Meantime, top 15 winning senators in this province are Loren Legarda (27,650 votes), Edgardo Angara (26,098), Panfilo Lacson (23,000), Prospero Pichay (22,136), Francis Joseph EScudero (20,530), Manuel Villar (20,282), Francis Pangilinan (20,188), Joker Arroyo (18,464), Luis Singson (17,633), Vincent Magsaysay (17,039), Benigno Aquino, (16,564), Gregorio Honasan (15,508), Michael Defensor (15,538), Aquilino Pimentel (15,236), and Antonio Trillanes( 14,978).
Meanwhile, reports from the Philippine National Police revealed five motor cycle- riding unidentified armed men forcibly snatched ballot boxes and election returns in two precints 37 and 37 B of sitio Katao of Buringal, Paracelis and sitio Paradi also of Buringal, Paracelis on election day.
In Apayao
Many incumbent candidates in the province won the last elections for being unopposed.
Department of Interior and Local Government provincial director Cresencio Calina said Elias Bulut Jr. remains the congressman of Apayao which has 54,761 registered voters. He garnered 31,731 votes.
His father, seasoned politician Elias Bulut Sr., also ran unopposed for governor while Hector Pascua, a former provincial board member, won over his three opponents as vice governor.
Some 29,909 voters cast their votes for Bulut Sr. for his second term as governor while Pascua got 17,018 votes.
In the town of Calanasan , its 6,542 registered voters allowed incumbent mayor Eleanor Bagtang and vice mayor Perfecto Marrero to finish their last terms.
Their hold to their positions was affirmed by the 3,731 and 3,876 votes they garnered, respectively.
No one of the 5,475 voters of Sta. Marcela also challenged incumbent Mayor Evelyn Martinez and Vice Mayor Domingo Siluran Jr. who garnered 3,828 and 3,689 votes, respectively.
Bienvenido Verzola Jr., with 4,930 votes, emerged as the new local chief executive of Luna replacing his wife Betty, who was the town’s chief of executive the last nine years.
Incumbent vice mayor Jovencio Bullawit, with 3,651 votes, retained his post. Luna has 9,131 registered voters.
Brothers Efren and Richard De San Jose of Flora won the seat for mayor and vice mayor with a total of 4,476 and 2771 votes, respectively.
Their votes were out of the 6,688 registered voters in the municipality.
Garnering a total of 3,563 and 4,160 votes, respectively, incumbent mayor Reynald Talimbatug and vice mayor Joseph Amid also remain as the people’s choice to lead the capital town of Kabugao which has 8,724 registered voters.
In Pudtol town with 5,634 voters, incumbent Mayor Batara Laoat and vice mayor Cleofil Collado who earned 1,805 and 2,358, respectively, also retained their post.
In Conner, incumbent Vice Gov. Paul Delwasen with 1,805 votes won over his lone opponent for the mayoralty seat. So is incumbent Vice Mayor Leonardo Dangoy with 4,564 votes.
“Hopefully, this kind of political patronage would further enhance the development of the entire province.” Calina said.
In Ifugao
Rep. Solomon Chungalao (Lakas-NUCD) won his third and last term as congressional district with convincing victory over his two rivals, John Wesley Dulawan and lawyer Placido Wachayna.
In the Namfrel Quick Count, Chungalao won in all the 11 municipalities of this province, including Kiangan, the hometown of Dulawan. He had an unofficial lead of some 20,000 votes over second placer Dulawan.
In the Namfrel unofficial tally also, the gubernatorial race showed former Gov. Teddy Baguilat ahead of incumbent Gov. Glenn Prudencio with a 2,200 vote margin. – With reports from Gina Dizon, Francis Martin and Mari Cruz
BAGUIO CITY -- Election winners in the Cordillera were bared by the Commission on Elections and other poll quick count groups.
In Baguio City
The Comelec released official final results: Incumbent Rep. Mauricio Domogan won over councilor Jose “Jomol” Molintas garnering 47,477 votes to the latter’s 37,865 votes for the congressional seat.
For mayor, Reinaldo “Peter Rey” Bautista bested other candidates with 26,910 votes. Those who vied for the mayorship but lost were Leonardo Yangot with 17,647 votes; Braulio Yaranon, 16,148; Bernardo Vergara, 14,441, Elmo Nevada, 5,903 and Jun Labo with 3, 285 votes.
For vice mayor Daniel Farinas won with 21,709 votes. Those who vied for the position t were Faustino Olowan with 20,416 votes; Bobby Ortega, 18,738; Edilberto Tenefrancia, 15,029; Elmer Datuin, 8,989 and Mascarinas with 544 votes.
Those who made it as councilors were Rocky Balisong, 42,159; Betty Lourdes Tabanda, 39,675; Galo Weygan, 39,087; Pinky Rondez, 38,233, Nicasio Aliping Jr., 37,284; Antonio Tabora Jr., 34,799; Erdolfo Balajadia, 31,770; Vic Palaganas,30,224; Isabelo Cosalan Jr., 29,295, Richard Carino, 28,741, Fred Bagbagen, 26,465 and Elaine Sembrano with 25,773.
In Benguet
Re-electionist Rep. Samuel Dangwa will continue to serve the province after defeating his challenger, former congressman Ronald Cosalan while La Trinidad Mayor Nestor Fongwan emerged as the next provincial governor.
Based on official results released by the Commission on Elections last week, Dangwa garnered a total vote count of 66,710 against Cosalan’s 56,351 votes.
Fongwan got a total of 55,802 votes while incumbent governor Borromeo Melchor got 46,758 votes. Crescensio Pacalso remains as the Vice governor with 65,590 as against Wasing Sacla’s 50,211 votes.
For board members, re-electionists dominated the slate for the 10 –member body.
In District I, No. 1 to 3 slots were captured by reelectionists Juan Nazaro, Eddie Amuasen , Marciano Inso, while the No. 4 slot was taken by new comer Alfonso Fianza.
In District II, Kapangan Mayor Rogelio Leon topped the race for board members, followed by new comer Nelson Dangwa, reelectionist Apolinario Camsol, followed by Nardo Cayat, a new comer, Johnny Uy also a reelectionist and Florence Tingbaoen, also a new comer.
Winning candidates were proclaimed last Friday by the Provincial Board of Canvassers.
The winning mayors and Vice-mayors of Benguet are as follows: Atok, Concepcion Balao and Adam Bodong; Bakun, Marcelo Contada; Bokod, Mauricio Macay and Thomas Wales Jr.; Buguias, Felicio Bayacsan and Melchor Diclas;Kabayan, Faustino Aquisan and Rimando Aguitay; Kapangan, Roberto Canuto and Lauro Lorenzo; Kibungan, Benito Siadto and Susan Atayoc; Itogon, Mario Godio and Noel Ngolab; La Trinidad, Artemio Galwan and Samuel Esguerra; Mankayan, Manalo Galuten and Paterno Dacanay; Sablan, Bony Tacio and Julio Gayaman; Tuba, Florencio Bentrez and Valentino Carantes; Tublay, Ruben Paoad and Armando Lauro.
In Mountain Province
The province has another three years of political leadership with incumbent 30-year congressman Victor Dominguez who won over his nephew, mayor Jupiter Dominguez by 5,609 votes and his relative, Engr Arnulfo Pilando by 9,158 votes in the recent May 14 elections. All three candidates come from the municipality of Sabangan .
Based from records of the Commission on Elections, septuagenarian Victor Dominguez heavily scored in the towns of vote-rich Bauko, the capital town of Bontoc, Barlig and Natonin with total votes of 23,230.
Jupiter Dominguez gained the highest votes in the tourist of Sagada, Besao, and from his hometown in Sabangan with total votes of 17,621.
Pilando gained the highest votes in Paracelis with total votes of 14,072.
Congressional aspirant former governor Sario Malinias managed to get a sizable vote from his hometown in Bauko.
Mountain Province has total of 86,106 voters with 65,609 who cast their votes in the recent elections.
Other congressional aspirants are Independent candidates Efren Lingwa, Carlito Afadchay and Francisco Siblawan.
For the governorship, incumbent board member Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr nearly snatched votes from incumbent governor Maximo Dalog who won by 3,767 votes.
Both candidates come from the municipality of Bauko . Lacwasan edged close to Dalog with a small difference of 69 votes in Sagada, 366 in Besao, and 285 in Bontoc while gaining highest in his hometown in Bauko, Sabangan and Barlig. Dalog however led in Paracelis by 3089 votes.
Independent governatorial candidate Harry Dominguez edged close in Tadian where he hails from the other governatorial candidates.
For the vice-governorship, former mayor Louis Claver ran away with 35,209 votes over incumbent vice governor Dr Benjamin Dominguez who got 22,287 votes.
The lucky four board members of District 1 covering the towns of Bontoc, Sadanga, Barlig, Natonin and Paracelis are widow Eufemia Lamen who replaced her husband deceased Binky Lamen, incumbent board members Ezra Gomez from Bontoc and Luke Wanason from Paracelis, and Carino Tamang also from Paracelis.
Fifteen candidates ran for the board membership in District 1, Mountain Province
Winning board members of District 11 covering the towns of Besao, Sagada, Bauko, Tadian are government personnel retiree James Polilin from Besao, incumbent board member Marcial Lawilao from Sabangan, Salvador Dalang and incumbent councilor Randolph Awisan from Bauko.
Meantime, three incumbent mayors of this province retained their seats while four lost over their mayoral rivals.
Mayors Simon Lacwasan of Bauko, Cesar Rafael of Paracelis, and Constito Masweng of Tadian retained their positions.
In the eastern front, lawyer Ana Marie Bana-ag, daughter of Paracelis mayor Cesar Rafael won over incumbent mayor Patrick Banguingan of Natonin.
Incumbent vice mayor Magdalena Lupoyon won over incumbent mayor Crispin Fias-ilon for the mayorship in Barlig and six other candidates for the local executive position.
Incumbent mayor Bart Guzman of Besao lost to government personnel retiree Wellington Pooten.
In Sadanga, comebacking mayor Estanislao Fagto won over incumbent mayor Gabino Ganggangan and four other mayoral candidates.
In Sabangan, incumbent vice mayor Donato Danglose won over three other candidates for the mayoral position, while incumbent vice mayor Franklin Odsey also won as mayor in the capital town of Bontoc over comebacking candidate for mayor David Yawan. Engr Eduardo Latawan won as mayor in the tourist town of Sagada over incumbent councilor Dave Gulian.
Meantime, top 15 winning senators in this province are Loren Legarda (27,650 votes), Edgardo Angara (26,098), Panfilo Lacson (23,000), Prospero Pichay (22,136), Francis Joseph EScudero (20,530), Manuel Villar (20,282), Francis Pangilinan (20,188), Joker Arroyo (18,464), Luis Singson (17,633), Vincent Magsaysay (17,039), Benigno Aquino, (16,564), Gregorio Honasan (15,508), Michael Defensor (15,538), Aquilino Pimentel (15,236), and Antonio Trillanes( 14,978).
Meanwhile, reports from the Philippine National Police revealed five motor cycle- riding unidentified armed men forcibly snatched ballot boxes and election returns in two precints 37 and 37 B of sitio Katao of Buringal, Paracelis and sitio Paradi also of Buringal, Paracelis on election day.
In Apayao
Many incumbent candidates in the province won the last elections for being unopposed.
Department of Interior and Local Government provincial director Cresencio Calina said Elias Bulut Jr. remains the congressman of Apayao which has 54,761 registered voters. He garnered 31,731 votes.
His father, seasoned politician Elias Bulut Sr., also ran unopposed for governor while Hector Pascua, a former provincial board member, won over his three opponents as vice governor.
Some 29,909 voters cast their votes for Bulut Sr. for his second term as governor while Pascua got 17,018 votes.
In the town of Calanasan , its 6,542 registered voters allowed incumbent mayor Eleanor Bagtang and vice mayor Perfecto Marrero to finish their last terms.
Their hold to their positions was affirmed by the 3,731 and 3,876 votes they garnered, respectively.
No one of the 5,475 voters of Sta. Marcela also challenged incumbent Mayor Evelyn Martinez and Vice Mayor Domingo Siluran Jr. who garnered 3,828 and 3,689 votes, respectively.
Bienvenido Verzola Jr., with 4,930 votes, emerged as the new local chief executive of Luna replacing his wife Betty, who was the town’s chief of executive the last nine years.
Incumbent vice mayor Jovencio Bullawit, with 3,651 votes, retained his post. Luna has 9,131 registered voters.
Brothers Efren and Richard De San Jose of Flora won the seat for mayor and vice mayor with a total of 4,476 and 2771 votes, respectively.
Their votes were out of the 6,688 registered voters in the municipality.
Garnering a total of 3,563 and 4,160 votes, respectively, incumbent mayor Reynald Talimbatug and vice mayor Joseph Amid also remain as the people’s choice to lead the capital town of Kabugao which has 8,724 registered voters.
In Pudtol town with 5,634 voters, incumbent Mayor Batara Laoat and vice mayor Cleofil Collado who earned 1,805 and 2,358, respectively, also retained their post.
In Conner, incumbent Vice Gov. Paul Delwasen with 1,805 votes won over his lone opponent for the mayoralty seat. So is incumbent Vice Mayor Leonardo Dangoy with 4,564 votes.
“Hopefully, this kind of political patronage would further enhance the development of the entire province.” Calina said.
In Ifugao
Rep. Solomon Chungalao (Lakas-NUCD) won his third and last term as congressional district with convincing victory over his two rivals, John Wesley Dulawan and lawyer Placido Wachayna.
In the Namfrel Quick Count, Chungalao won in all the 11 municipalities of this province, including Kiangan, the hometown of Dulawan. He had an unofficial lead of some 20,000 votes over second placer Dulawan.
In the Namfrel unofficial tally also, the gubernatorial race showed former Gov. Teddy Baguilat ahead of incumbent Gov. Glenn Prudencio with a 2,200 vote margin. – With reports from Gina Dizon, Francis Martin and Mari Cruz
Political dynasties dominate elections
VIGAN CITY -- Poll winners in the Ilocos Region for top posts in the May 14 elections were bared by the Commission on Elections and quick counts done by private groups.
The Commission on Elections proclaimed May 16 the winners in the election for governor, congressmen, vice governor, and members of the provincial board in Ilocos Sur.
Lawyer Joel Gines, Ilocos Sur provincial Comelec supervisor, proclaimed Deogracias Victor “DV” B. Savellano as the newly elected governor of Ilocos Sur.
Savellano beat his closest rival, Efren “Rambo” Rafanan, with a slim margin of votes.
Gines also proclaimed winner in the May 14 polls reelectionist second district Rep. Eric D. SIngson, and Ronald Singson as winner in the congressional race in the first district.
Incumbent Provincial Board Member Jeremias SIngson, brother of Team Unity senatorial bet Luis “Chavit” Singson, was proclaimed newly elected vice governor.
The newly elected members of the provincial board are Ismael Baterina, Azucena Purisima, Ronni Rapanut, Orlino Tesoro, and Gerardo Lahoz, first district; and Zuriel Zaragoza, Robert Tudayan, Rosario Geronilla, Jose Bonoan Jr. and Peter Manzano, second district of the province.
Outgoing Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit SIngson described the gubernatorial race as “tight contest.”
It was the first time this happened in the history of elections in the province.
In the final tally of votes prepared by the provincial board of canvassers, Savellano garnered 132,656 votes, compared to the 131,264 votes for Rafanan or a difference of 1,392 votes.
In Candon City , reelectionist Mayor Allen G. Singson was proclaimed by the Comelec as winner.
Incumbent City Vice Mayor Nestor Itchon ran unopposed.
In Vigan City , Eva Marie SIngson Medina, wife of incumbent Mayor Ferdinand C. Medina, also ran unopposed in the mayoralty contest.
Incumbent City Vice Mayor Fras Ranchez was also elected.
In Pangasinan
Dagupan City Kabalikat ng mga Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi) bet Amado Espino Jr. posted a margin of 38,343 votes over his closest rival, Lakas-CMD candidate Jamie Agbayani, wife of outgoing Gov. Victor Agbayani, in the gubernatorial contest.
In his bailiwick in Pangasinan’s second district where he served as two-term congressman, Espino drubbed Agbayani, garnering 88,413 vote as against his rival’s 41,954 votes.
It was only in the province’s first district where Agbayani kept a slim lead over Espino.
In the fourth, fifth and sixth districts, Espino posted a consistent lead of some 25 percent and a recorded total of 340,764 votes.
In San Carlos City, former Customs deputy commissioner and congressional candidate Gallant D. Soriano claimed on Wednesday victory in the elections for congressman in the third district of Pangasinan, but appealed to the Commission on Elections and the public of to remain vigilant and guard the results of last Monday’s elections.
“I thank the voters for giving me the mandate to become their new congressman,” Soriano said.
As of 9 a.m. on Wednesday, partial and unofficial tally of elections returns from the district’s five towns and one city by the Pangasinan Provincial Election Monitoring and Assistance Center based at the Provincial Capitol in Lingayen showed that Soriano garnered 23, 21, 054 votes: Rachel Arenas, 19, 952; and Bayambang Mayor Leocadio de Vera, 4, 821.
In Laoag City
Ilocos Norte gubernatorial candidate Michael Keon, cousin of Governor Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., was leading his rival, former Congressman Rodolfo Farinas, in the poll count.
Unofficial PPCRV quick count partial results of May 15 showed Keon garnered 32,063 vote, while Farinas got 17, 493.
Bongbong, unopposed congressional bet in the province’s second district, had 10,521 votes, and unopposed reelectionist Vice Gov. Windell Chua got 39,134.
Congressional bet in the first district Reynolan Sales went ahead with slim margin of 153,463 votes over reelectionist Rep. Roque Ablan Jr. who had 15,131.
Also leading candidates were Bongbong’s two others cousins reelectionist provincial board members Mariano Marcos II and Angelo Barba.
In the mayoralty race, reelectionist Laoag Mayor Michael Farinas posted a big lead of 9,626 votes over former Police General Rowland Albano’s 3,492.
In La Union
The Ortegas dominated the polls getting the congressional and gubernatorial posts and most of the provincial board seats including the mayorship of San Fernando City .
In Tarlac
TARLAC CITY – Victor Yap has widened his lead in the gubernatorial race in Tarlac with more than 19,715 votes compared to the votes garnered by Jose “Peping” Cojuangco.
Yap dominated the 2nd district, while Cojuangco continued to gain votes in the first district. The young Yap also garnered the most number of votes in the 3rd district comprising the towns of Bamban, Capas, Concepcion and La Paz .
The partial and unofficial results left Cojuangco with very little chance to gain the lead.
In the congressional race in the second district, Tarlac Gov. Jose “Aliping” Yap had gained ground with 16,150 votes. His closest rivalo is former board member Dr. Mina Tabamo.
Congressional Gilbert Teodoro’s wife and former model Nikki Teodoro ran virtually unopposed in the 1st district in the congressional derby with 91,004 votes. – With reports from Freddie Lazaro, Orly Guirao, Jerry Padilla and George Trillo
The Commission on Elections proclaimed May 16 the winners in the election for governor, congressmen, vice governor, and members of the provincial board in Ilocos Sur.
Lawyer Joel Gines, Ilocos Sur provincial Comelec supervisor, proclaimed Deogracias Victor “DV” B. Savellano as the newly elected governor of Ilocos Sur.
Savellano beat his closest rival, Efren “Rambo” Rafanan, with a slim margin of votes.
Gines also proclaimed winner in the May 14 polls reelectionist second district Rep. Eric D. SIngson, and Ronald Singson as winner in the congressional race in the first district.
Incumbent Provincial Board Member Jeremias SIngson, brother of Team Unity senatorial bet Luis “Chavit” Singson, was proclaimed newly elected vice governor.
The newly elected members of the provincial board are Ismael Baterina, Azucena Purisima, Ronni Rapanut, Orlino Tesoro, and Gerardo Lahoz, first district; and Zuriel Zaragoza, Robert Tudayan, Rosario Geronilla, Jose Bonoan Jr. and Peter Manzano, second district of the province.
Outgoing Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit SIngson described the gubernatorial race as “tight contest.”
It was the first time this happened in the history of elections in the province.
In the final tally of votes prepared by the provincial board of canvassers, Savellano garnered 132,656 votes, compared to the 131,264 votes for Rafanan or a difference of 1,392 votes.
In Candon City , reelectionist Mayor Allen G. Singson was proclaimed by the Comelec as winner.
Incumbent City Vice Mayor Nestor Itchon ran unopposed.
In Vigan City , Eva Marie SIngson Medina, wife of incumbent Mayor Ferdinand C. Medina, also ran unopposed in the mayoralty contest.
Incumbent City Vice Mayor Fras Ranchez was also elected.
In Pangasinan
Dagupan City Kabalikat ng mga Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi) bet Amado Espino Jr. posted a margin of 38,343 votes over his closest rival, Lakas-CMD candidate Jamie Agbayani, wife of outgoing Gov. Victor Agbayani, in the gubernatorial contest.
In his bailiwick in Pangasinan’s second district where he served as two-term congressman, Espino drubbed Agbayani, garnering 88,413 vote as against his rival’s 41,954 votes.
It was only in the province’s first district where Agbayani kept a slim lead over Espino.
In the fourth, fifth and sixth districts, Espino posted a consistent lead of some 25 percent and a recorded total of 340,764 votes.
In San Carlos City, former Customs deputy commissioner and congressional candidate Gallant D. Soriano claimed on Wednesday victory in the elections for congressman in the third district of Pangasinan, but appealed to the Commission on Elections and the public of to remain vigilant and guard the results of last Monday’s elections.
“I thank the voters for giving me the mandate to become their new congressman,” Soriano said.
As of 9 a.m. on Wednesday, partial and unofficial tally of elections returns from the district’s five towns and one city by the Pangasinan Provincial Election Monitoring and Assistance Center based at the Provincial Capitol in Lingayen showed that Soriano garnered 23, 21, 054 votes: Rachel Arenas, 19, 952; and Bayambang Mayor Leocadio de Vera, 4, 821.
In Laoag City
Ilocos Norte gubernatorial candidate Michael Keon, cousin of Governor Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., was leading his rival, former Congressman Rodolfo Farinas, in the poll count.
Unofficial PPCRV quick count partial results of May 15 showed Keon garnered 32,063 vote, while Farinas got 17, 493.
Bongbong, unopposed congressional bet in the province’s second district, had 10,521 votes, and unopposed reelectionist Vice Gov. Windell Chua got 39,134.
Congressional bet in the first district Reynolan Sales went ahead with slim margin of 153,463 votes over reelectionist Rep. Roque Ablan Jr. who had 15,131.
Also leading candidates were Bongbong’s two others cousins reelectionist provincial board members Mariano Marcos II and Angelo Barba.
In the mayoralty race, reelectionist Laoag Mayor Michael Farinas posted a big lead of 9,626 votes over former Police General Rowland Albano’s 3,492.
In La Union
The Ortegas dominated the polls getting the congressional and gubernatorial posts and most of the provincial board seats including the mayorship of San Fernando City .
In Tarlac
TARLAC CITY – Victor Yap has widened his lead in the gubernatorial race in Tarlac with more than 19,715 votes compared to the votes garnered by Jose “Peping” Cojuangco.
Yap dominated the 2nd district, while Cojuangco continued to gain votes in the first district. The young Yap also garnered the most number of votes in the 3rd district comprising the towns of Bamban, Capas, Concepcion and La Paz .
The partial and unofficial results left Cojuangco with very little chance to gain the lead.
In the congressional race in the second district, Tarlac Gov. Jose “Aliping” Yap had gained ground with 16,150 votes. His closest rivalo is former board member Dr. Mina Tabamo.
Congressional Gilbert Teodoro’s wife and former model Nikki Teodoro ran virtually unopposed in the 1st district in the congressional derby with 91,004 votes. – With reports from Freddie Lazaro, Orly Guirao, Jerry Padilla and George Trillo
Murder raps filed vs Campbell killer
BY JOAN CAPUNA
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Murder charges were formally filed yesterday against the self-confessed killer of an American Peace Corps volunteer whose remains were found in a gully in the village of Batad in Banaue, Ifugao, last month.
Assistant provincial prosecutor Marvin Ngayawan said Ifugao provincial prosecutor Joseph Tumapang formally filed the murder charges against 25-year-old Juan Duntugan, the self-confessed killer of 40-year-old US peace Corps Volunteer Julia Campbell, just before noon at the sala of Judge Esther Piscoso-Flor of the Regional Trial Court-Branch No. 34 in Banaue,”Ifugao.
The filing of the murder case before the court came 10 days after the Ifugao police filed information for murder – or homicide with robbery – before the Ifugao prosecutors; office against Duntugan, who surrendered to the police on April 27.
Earlier, some police experts and many residents here opined that Duntugan was only guilty of robbery with homicide, because the killing was not premeditated.
However, a source from the Ifugao prosecutor’s office indicated another possible reason for the filing of murder raps.
Before the case was filed, DOJ officials in Ifugao admitted to receiving pressure from the US Peace Corps and the United States Embassy in Manila for them to file the murder charges against Duntugan.
US Embassy officials in Manila refused to confirm or deny these allegations but said they respected the judicial process, and expressed satisfaction over the investigation that had been conducted by the local authorities.
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Murder charges were formally filed yesterday against the self-confessed killer of an American Peace Corps volunteer whose remains were found in a gully in the village of Batad in Banaue, Ifugao, last month.
Assistant provincial prosecutor Marvin Ngayawan said Ifugao provincial prosecutor Joseph Tumapang formally filed the murder charges against 25-year-old Juan Duntugan, the self-confessed killer of 40-year-old US peace Corps Volunteer Julia Campbell, just before noon at the sala of Judge Esther Piscoso-Flor of the Regional Trial Court-Branch No. 34 in Banaue,”Ifugao.
The filing of the murder case before the court came 10 days after the Ifugao police filed information for murder – or homicide with robbery – before the Ifugao prosecutors; office against Duntugan, who surrendered to the police on April 27.
Earlier, some police experts and many residents here opined that Duntugan was only guilty of robbery with homicide, because the killing was not premeditated.
However, a source from the Ifugao prosecutor’s office indicated another possible reason for the filing of murder raps.
Before the case was filed, DOJ officials in Ifugao admitted to receiving pressure from the US Peace Corps and the United States Embassy in Manila for them to file the murder charges against Duntugan.
US Embassy officials in Manila refused to confirm or deny these allegations but said they respected the judicial process, and expressed satisfaction over the investigation that had been conducted by the local authorities.
Joson clan’s charm loses luster in N. Ecija politics
BY LIAM ANACLETO
CABANATUAN CITY – The much touted Joson charm has lost its luster as the reluctant heir apparent of incumbent Cabanatuan Mayor Julius Cesar ”Jay” Vergara dealt the knockout blow on his rival, incumbent Nueva Ecija Gov. Tomas N. Joson III, in the mayoralty contest in this city.
In the gubernatorial race, Joson’s younger brother, incumbent Vice Gov. Mariano Joson, suffered a similar fate, losing to his rival, Rep. Aurelio Umali.
As of May 15, Umali garnered 49,184 votes, while Joson got 22,184.
Partial unofficial results obtained from the office of the city mayor’s “Operation Quick Count” at 12:17 p.m. on May 15 showed 68 percent or 583 of the 868 precincts in the city had been tabulated. There are 169,00 registered voters in the city.
As this developed, reporters covering the election said the Namfrel and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting were not able to conduct immediately their Operation Quick Count.
Unofficial election results showed Alvin Vergara garnered 36,329 votes, while Joson got 28,450 votes or a difference of 7,879 votes.
Umali’s wife, Czarina Umali, tallied 30,720 votes, while her closest rival, Voltaire Chua, got 21,940 votes.
In the city’s vice mayoralty contest, Marius “jolly” Abesamis Garcia had 30,517 votes; Ramon “Suka” Garcia, 25,765; and Col. Reynaldo Garcia, 11,354.
In the vice-gubernatorial race, broadcast journalist Jose Taruc received 34,500 votes, while Edward Thomas Joson, the governor’s eldest son, had 34,297 votes.
The alliance of the Umalis and the Vergaras under the Lakas-CMD banner was believed responsible for the toppling of the Josons who, for the past five decades, have lorded it over under the banner of the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane).
The Josons had aligned with the administration party, Kabalikat ng Malakanyang Pilipino-Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija.
Elsewhere in the province, comebacking former governor Eduardo Nonato Joson was leading in the congressional race in the first district over former two-term congressman and presidential assistant Renato Diaz.
In the second district, outgoing three-term Rep. Eleuterio Violago’s son, Joseph, was leading against former two-term congressman, Simeon Garcia Jr.
In the fourth district, re-electionist Rep. Rodolfo Antonino led over Gay Padiernos and former two-term congresswoman Julita Villareal.
On the municipal level, the candidates leading their rivals in their areas were Abundia Garcia (Cabiao), reelectionist Mayor Sonia Lorenzo (San Isidro), Arvin Salonga (San Antonio), Froilan Nagano (San Leonardo), Otep Angeles (Sta. Rosa), and Beth Gamilla (Bongabon).
Meanwhile, Comelec provi9ncial election supervisor Emmanuel Ignacio urged NAMFREL to proceed with its own canvass of the votes cast and to finish it as soon.
“We have to proceed with and finish the canvassing as soon as possible to take the heat off from us,” he said.
CABANATUAN CITY – The much touted Joson charm has lost its luster as the reluctant heir apparent of incumbent Cabanatuan Mayor Julius Cesar ”Jay” Vergara dealt the knockout blow on his rival, incumbent Nueva Ecija Gov. Tomas N. Joson III, in the mayoralty contest in this city.
In the gubernatorial race, Joson’s younger brother, incumbent Vice Gov. Mariano Joson, suffered a similar fate, losing to his rival, Rep. Aurelio Umali.
As of May 15, Umali garnered 49,184 votes, while Joson got 22,184.
Partial unofficial results obtained from the office of the city mayor’s “Operation Quick Count” at 12:17 p.m. on May 15 showed 68 percent or 583 of the 868 precincts in the city had been tabulated. There are 169,00 registered voters in the city.
As this developed, reporters covering the election said the Namfrel and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting were not able to conduct immediately their Operation Quick Count.
Unofficial election results showed Alvin Vergara garnered 36,329 votes, while Joson got 28,450 votes or a difference of 7,879 votes.
Umali’s wife, Czarina Umali, tallied 30,720 votes, while her closest rival, Voltaire Chua, got 21,940 votes.
In the city’s vice mayoralty contest, Marius “jolly” Abesamis Garcia had 30,517 votes; Ramon “Suka” Garcia, 25,765; and Col. Reynaldo Garcia, 11,354.
In the vice-gubernatorial race, broadcast journalist Jose Taruc received 34,500 votes, while Edward Thomas Joson, the governor’s eldest son, had 34,297 votes.
The alliance of the Umalis and the Vergaras under the Lakas-CMD banner was believed responsible for the toppling of the Josons who, for the past five decades, have lorded it over under the banner of the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane).
The Josons had aligned with the administration party, Kabalikat ng Malakanyang Pilipino-Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija.
Elsewhere in the province, comebacking former governor Eduardo Nonato Joson was leading in the congressional race in the first district over former two-term congressman and presidential assistant Renato Diaz.
In the second district, outgoing three-term Rep. Eleuterio Violago’s son, Joseph, was leading against former two-term congressman, Simeon Garcia Jr.
In the fourth district, re-electionist Rep. Rodolfo Antonino led over Gay Padiernos and former two-term congresswoman Julita Villareal.
On the municipal level, the candidates leading their rivals in their areas were Abundia Garcia (Cabiao), reelectionist Mayor Sonia Lorenzo (San Isidro), Arvin Salonga (San Antonio), Froilan Nagano (San Leonardo), Otep Angeles (Sta. Rosa), and Beth Gamilla (Bongabon).
Meanwhile, Comelec provi9ncial election supervisor Emmanuel Ignacio urged NAMFREL to proceed with its own canvass of the votes cast and to finish it as soon.
“We have to proceed with and finish the canvassing as soon as possible to take the heat off from us,” he said.
8 troopers killed in Mt Prov, Abra ambushes
BY FREDDIE LAZARO, JERRY PADILLA AND DEXTER SEE
CAMP DANGWA, Benguet – New People’s Army guerillas have stepped up attacks against government forces in the Cordillera the latest, an ambush wherein seven soldiers, including a lieutenant and one CAFGU member, were killed and four others were seriously wounded in an encounter between government troops and fully armed New People’s Army rebels here in Barangay Bao-yan, Boliney town morning on May 16.
Also last week, a government trooper was also killed and 17 others were wounded when they were ambushed by NPA rebels in Samoki, Bontoc, Mountain Province .
In the Boliney incident, soldiers of the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion based in Lagangilang, Abra were securing the road from Manabo to Boliney for the transport of ballot boxes when landmines exploded.
Col. Loreto G. Rirao, commander of the Army’s 503rd Brigade based in Barangay7 Sulvec, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, identified the slain soldiers as 2nd Lieutenant Mark Evan Onrubia, Sgt. Edmunt T. Soriano, Cpl. Antonio H. Gestiada, Private First Class (PFC) Peter D. Gumbal, PFC Harvey M. Bumangit, PFC Reynante G. Barcena, PFC Bobster D. Banatao and CAFGU member Florentino Palkiw.
Rirao identified the two wounded soldiers and two wounded CAFGUs as corporals Esteban A. Langcay and Dante Estrada, and Jushua Bay-ed and Pablito Colis, respectively.
“The soldiers were sent to the areas to secure the transport of ballot boxes from Boliney and neighboring towns,” Rirao said.
Reports said the ensuing fierce firefight lasted for more than an hour.
The 40 NPA rebels attacked the 11-man platoon led by Onrubia to snatch the ballots from Barangay Bauayan in Boliney, Abra before they could be delivered to the municipal hall for canvassing, army officials said.
“The NPAs were conducting a road blockade intended to snatch the ballots in order to favor an unidentified candidate who allegedly paid large sums to the NPA as his permit-to-win fees but the troops managed to prevent them,” said LT. Col. Ernesto Torres Jr., Army spokesman and chief of public affairs.
The soldiers were reportedly ordered by Lt. Col Raul Bautista, Army 41st Infantry Battalion commander, to clear the highway from Manabo to Boliney of any armed threat.
Army reinforcement later caught up with some of the retreating NPA rebels, sparking another clash, but there was no immediate report of new casualties, Torres said.
Two helicopter gunships were on standby to help pursue the guerrillas, he added.
Senior Insp. Dennis Agno, a Regional Police Mobile Group commander in Luba town, said troops and policemen engaged the NPA attackers in a running gunbattle, and that fighting into the night.
Agno said 100 NPA rebels had attacked Onrubia and his men, not 40 as the Army had reported.
Agno said he and other police officers had passed near the scene of the first clash while escorting Commission on Elections personnel to another town and heard gunshots erupting everywhere.
“We heard volleys of gunfire in that area, and we were told by villagers at least seven soldiers died in the fighting,” he said.
Agno said they did not stop to help the soldiers because there already were Army reinforcements in the area, and he could not abandon the Comelec personnel.
Security forces had been warned of possible communist NPA attacks in Abra intended to disrupt the elections.
Army and police forces had been sent to Abra, which has been the scene of deadly clashes linked to intense electoral rivalries.
The NPA in the Cordillera and Ilocos regions had threatened to attack soldiers to frustrate an alleged military plan to rig the election results in favor of pro-administration candidates.
In the Bontoc incident wherein a government trooper was killed and 17 others were wounded, the ambush was staged while the government troopers were on their way back to their base from an operation in nearby Barlig town.
A policeman, who led a team that responded to the ambush, was also shot in the arm in a later attack, said Chief Supt. Raul S. Gonzales, director of the Police Regional Office in the Cordillera.
He identified the lone fatality as Private Vince Ezperanzate of the Army’s 54th Infantry Battalion.
Wounded were 2Lt. Eduardo Sia-ed, 2 Lt. Ruron Zambrano, S/Sgt. Simplicio Premero, S/Sgt. Ernesto Pico, Sgt. Gaudencio Felsi, PFC Iraneo Iglesia, PFC Edwin Felismino, PFC Domingo Pascual, and Privates Clemente Binlingan, Jose Polido Jr. and Manuel Calaquian and Corporals Leonardo de Guzman, Alberto Gamotea and Rolando Tesalonia, all of 54th IB.
Two teams of the 1611th provincial police mobile group responded to the attack. PO2 Robinson Gonzales was shot when the armed men attack anew.
The NPA’s Leonardo Pacsi Command said “a four-vehicle convoy of the notorious 54th Infantry Battalion was ambushed in Sukit, Samoki, Bontoc.”
Ka Magno Udyaw, LPC spokesman said the NPA Red fighters staged the ambush along the Bontoc-Paracelis Road at around 11 a.m. and safely retreated at 12:30 p.m. without any casualties. Udyaw said they let two vehicles of Philippine National Police pass before attacking the two following vehicles full of army soldiers.
Udyaw said the 50-man army troop came from a five-day massive military operation in the eastern towns of Mountain Province . “The operation was conducted in the guise of providing armed security for bagmen of politicians out on a vote-buying spree and distributing cash and goods in the area. The soldiers also went around threatening civilians with fictitious search and arrest warrants. They arbitrarily accused anyone who took their fancy as an NPA sympathizer.”
The LPC spokesman said among the crimes of the 54th IB against the people are as follows: “On August 5, 2003, a unit of the 54 th IB led by 2Lt. Sia-ed murdered Etfew Chadyaas, a farmer from Belwang, Sadanga. They falsely accused him as an NPA Red fighter and commander. On March 20-23, 2006 a combined unit of the 54th IB and 53rd Recon Coy burned three makeshift shacks of small scale miners at Chakep creek, Mainit. In July 2006, the same unit murdered Michael Uyad, a student from Gueday, Besao when chanced upon during its military operations.
Last November 2006, the same unit forcibly opened and ransacked granaries and houses in Saclit, Sadanga without warrants. And on November 18-20, 2006, combat troops of the 54 th IB on military operations stole plants and ransacked makeshift shacks of kaingin farmers at Patang, Tonglayan, Natonin. The periodic massive military operations of the 54th IB always disrupted the masses' socio-economic activities and committed numerous human rights violations.”
CAMP DANGWA, Benguet – New People’s Army guerillas have stepped up attacks against government forces in the Cordillera the latest, an ambush wherein seven soldiers, including a lieutenant and one CAFGU member, were killed and four others were seriously wounded in an encounter between government troops and fully armed New People’s Army rebels here in Barangay Bao-yan, Boliney town morning on May 16.
Also last week, a government trooper was also killed and 17 others were wounded when they were ambushed by NPA rebels in Samoki, Bontoc, Mountain Province .
In the Boliney incident, soldiers of the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion based in Lagangilang, Abra were securing the road from Manabo to Boliney for the transport of ballot boxes when landmines exploded.
Col. Loreto G. Rirao, commander of the Army’s 503rd Brigade based in Barangay7 Sulvec, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, identified the slain soldiers as 2nd Lieutenant Mark Evan Onrubia, Sgt. Edmunt T. Soriano, Cpl. Antonio H. Gestiada, Private First Class (PFC) Peter D. Gumbal, PFC Harvey M. Bumangit, PFC Reynante G. Barcena, PFC Bobster D. Banatao and CAFGU member Florentino Palkiw.
Rirao identified the two wounded soldiers and two wounded CAFGUs as corporals Esteban A. Langcay and Dante Estrada, and Jushua Bay-ed and Pablito Colis, respectively.
“The soldiers were sent to the areas to secure the transport of ballot boxes from Boliney and neighboring towns,” Rirao said.
Reports said the ensuing fierce firefight lasted for more than an hour.
The 40 NPA rebels attacked the 11-man platoon led by Onrubia to snatch the ballots from Barangay Bauayan in Boliney, Abra before they could be delivered to the municipal hall for canvassing, army officials said.
“The NPAs were conducting a road blockade intended to snatch the ballots in order to favor an unidentified candidate who allegedly paid large sums to the NPA as his permit-to-win fees but the troops managed to prevent them,” said LT. Col. Ernesto Torres Jr., Army spokesman and chief of public affairs.
The soldiers were reportedly ordered by Lt. Col Raul Bautista, Army 41st Infantry Battalion commander, to clear the highway from Manabo to Boliney of any armed threat.
Army reinforcement later caught up with some of the retreating NPA rebels, sparking another clash, but there was no immediate report of new casualties, Torres said.
Two helicopter gunships were on standby to help pursue the guerrillas, he added.
Senior Insp. Dennis Agno, a Regional Police Mobile Group commander in Luba town, said troops and policemen engaged the NPA attackers in a running gunbattle, and that fighting into the night.
Agno said 100 NPA rebels had attacked Onrubia and his men, not 40 as the Army had reported.
Agno said he and other police officers had passed near the scene of the first clash while escorting Commission on Elections personnel to another town and heard gunshots erupting everywhere.
“We heard volleys of gunfire in that area, and we were told by villagers at least seven soldiers died in the fighting,” he said.
Agno said they did not stop to help the soldiers because there already were Army reinforcements in the area, and he could not abandon the Comelec personnel.
Security forces had been warned of possible communist NPA attacks in Abra intended to disrupt the elections.
Army and police forces had been sent to Abra, which has been the scene of deadly clashes linked to intense electoral rivalries.
The NPA in the Cordillera and Ilocos regions had threatened to attack soldiers to frustrate an alleged military plan to rig the election results in favor of pro-administration candidates.
In the Bontoc incident wherein a government trooper was killed and 17 others were wounded, the ambush was staged while the government troopers were on their way back to their base from an operation in nearby Barlig town.
A policeman, who led a team that responded to the ambush, was also shot in the arm in a later attack, said Chief Supt. Raul S. Gonzales, director of the Police Regional Office in the Cordillera.
He identified the lone fatality as Private Vince Ezperanzate of the Army’s 54th Infantry Battalion.
Wounded were 2Lt. Eduardo Sia-ed, 2 Lt. Ruron Zambrano, S/Sgt. Simplicio Premero, S/Sgt. Ernesto Pico, Sgt. Gaudencio Felsi, PFC Iraneo Iglesia, PFC Edwin Felismino, PFC Domingo Pascual, and Privates Clemente Binlingan, Jose Polido Jr. and Manuel Calaquian and Corporals Leonardo de Guzman, Alberto Gamotea and Rolando Tesalonia, all of 54th IB.
Two teams of the 1611th provincial police mobile group responded to the attack. PO2 Robinson Gonzales was shot when the armed men attack anew.
The NPA’s Leonardo Pacsi Command said “a four-vehicle convoy of the notorious 54th Infantry Battalion was ambushed in Sukit, Samoki, Bontoc.”
Ka Magno Udyaw, LPC spokesman said the NPA Red fighters staged the ambush along the Bontoc-Paracelis Road at around 11 a.m. and safely retreated at 12:30 p.m. without any casualties. Udyaw said they let two vehicles of Philippine National Police pass before attacking the two following vehicles full of army soldiers.
Udyaw said the 50-man army troop came from a five-day massive military operation in the eastern towns of Mountain Province . “The operation was conducted in the guise of providing armed security for bagmen of politicians out on a vote-buying spree and distributing cash and goods in the area. The soldiers also went around threatening civilians with fictitious search and arrest warrants. They arbitrarily accused anyone who took their fancy as an NPA sympathizer.”
The LPC spokesman said among the crimes of the 54th IB against the people are as follows: “On August 5, 2003, a unit of the 54 th IB led by 2Lt. Sia-ed murdered Etfew Chadyaas, a farmer from Belwang, Sadanga. They falsely accused him as an NPA Red fighter and commander. On March 20-23, 2006 a combined unit of the 54th IB and 53rd Recon Coy burned three makeshift shacks of small scale miners at Chakep creek, Mainit. In July 2006, the same unit murdered Michael Uyad, a student from Gueday, Besao when chanced upon during its military operations.
Last November 2006, the same unit forcibly opened and ransacked granaries and houses in Saclit, Sadanga without warrants. And on November 18-20, 2006, combat troops of the 54 th IB on military operations stole plants and ransacked makeshift shacks of kaingin farmers at Patang, Tonglayan, Natonin. The periodic massive military operations of the 54th IB always disrupted the masses' socio-economic activities and committed numerous human rights violations.”
Mayor’s wife shot, gunman killed; ballots snatched
BANGUED, Abra – One person was killed and the wife of a mayor was wounded in Tineg town noon on May 17, police said.
Senior Supt. Alexander Pumecha, director of the Abra provincial police office, identified the wounded victim as Brenda Crisologo, wife of Tineg Mayor Edwin Crisologo, while the suspected gunman, who was later shot to death by responding police operatives, was identified as Totoy Buyao, said to be a poll watcher.
Police investigation showed the gunman suddenly entered the Holy Spirit High School Compound where the canvassing of votes for Tineg town was being conducted.
He immediately aimed his Cal. 45 pistol at the crowd in the canvassing center and fired, hitting Ms Crisologo.
In Dolores town, counting of votes was temporarily suspended in the Heart of Mary High School here after a ballot box was snatched from a polling center by a group of armed men early morning on May 15.
Regional police director Chief Supt. Raul Gonzales, said the snatching was perpetrated after successive gunshots were heard near the school followed by a sudden power interruption that caused panic and disruption of vote counting for barangays Cardona, Kimmalaba and Mudiit.
Police immediately secured the school compound. But during the inventory of ballots boxes, it was discovered that one box, containing uncounted votes from precinct 25-A of barangay Mudiit, was missing.
The Abra Electric Cooperative said the power failure was caused by unidentified perpetrators who fire upon the power transformer causing irreparable damage.
The armed men reportedly fled on board two motorcycles and an owner-type jeep.
Agreco management said it would replace the damaged transformer by daybreak while the Commission on Elections suspended counting of votes, adding it would resume the tally after power is restored.
Senior Supt. Alexander Pumecha, director of the Abra provincial police office, identified the wounded victim as Brenda Crisologo, wife of Tineg Mayor Edwin Crisologo, while the suspected gunman, who was later shot to death by responding police operatives, was identified as Totoy Buyao, said to be a poll watcher.
Police investigation showed the gunman suddenly entered the Holy Spirit High School Compound where the canvassing of votes for Tineg town was being conducted.
He immediately aimed his Cal. 45 pistol at the crowd in the canvassing center and fired, hitting Ms Crisologo.
In Dolores town, counting of votes was temporarily suspended in the Heart of Mary High School here after a ballot box was snatched from a polling center by a group of armed men early morning on May 15.
Regional police director Chief Supt. Raul Gonzales, said the snatching was perpetrated after successive gunshots were heard near the school followed by a sudden power interruption that caused panic and disruption of vote counting for barangays Cardona, Kimmalaba and Mudiit.
Police immediately secured the school compound. But during the inventory of ballots boxes, it was discovered that one box, containing uncounted votes from precinct 25-A of barangay Mudiit, was missing.
The Abra Electric Cooperative said the power failure was caused by unidentified perpetrators who fire upon the power transformer causing irreparable damage.
The armed men reportedly fled on board two motorcycles and an owner-type jeep.
Agreco management said it would replace the damaged transformer by daybreak while the Commission on Elections suspended counting of votes, adding it would resume the tally after power is restored.
Fake COMELEC memo confuses Kalinga folks
TABUK, Kalinga – A Commission on Elections “memorandum” telling Provincial Election Supervisor Ricardo Lampac that Comelec Resolution No. 7911 approving the substitution of slain gubernatorial candidate Rommel Diasen by his wife Floydelia was found to be fake.
Copies of the memorandum dated May 12, 2007 were being distributed by children at polling places here when the polling started.
When shown a copy, Lampac and lawyer Julius Torres of the Special Task Force Kalinga which is tasked to implement the declaration placing Kalinga under Comelec control, said they could not tell right away if it was authentic.
This prompted them to call the main Comelec office in Manila and Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos to determine if it was genuine.
It was only at about 1:10 p.m. when Lampac found out from the Comelec office in Manila that it did not issue such memorandum.
The supposed memorandum declared that Resolution No. 7911 was fake and that “Resolution 7905 issued by the Commission on 10 May 2007 denies in due course the certificate of candidacy of Floydelia Diasen for having been filed out of time, stands and should be given full force and effect.”
Lampac said he will ask the assistance of the policemen to arrest those involved in the dissemination of the fake memorandum.
Copies of the memorandum dated May 12, 2007 were being distributed by children at polling places here when the polling started.
When shown a copy, Lampac and lawyer Julius Torres of the Special Task Force Kalinga which is tasked to implement the declaration placing Kalinga under Comelec control, said they could not tell right away if it was authentic.
This prompted them to call the main Comelec office in Manila and Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos to determine if it was genuine.
It was only at about 1:10 p.m. when Lampac found out from the Comelec office in Manila that it did not issue such memorandum.
The supposed memorandum declared that Resolution No. 7911 was fake and that “Resolution 7905 issued by the Commission on 10 May 2007 denies in due course the certificate of candidacy of Floydelia Diasen for having been filed out of time, stands and should be given full force and effect.”
Lampac said he will ask the assistance of the policemen to arrest those involved in the dissemination of the fake memorandum.
MORE NEWS
2 hurt in Ecija bets’ followers noon gunfight
BY LIAM ANACLETO
JAEN, Nueva, Ecija – Followers of two opposing political camps clashed here over alleged charges of “vote buying” that triggered a gunfight that left two persons wounded.
Two high-powered firearms and P600,000 allegedly intended to be used for vote buying were confiscated as a result.
Shooting occurred 1 p.m. on May 14 in the farmhouse of the 4th district candidate for representative, Gay Padiernos, in Barangay Lambakin here.
Injured and treated in a hospital were Benedicto Quisoy y Yuarata, 34, married, of Barangay Langla, and his companion, Emiliano Gajasan y Isidro, 25, married, of Barangay Malaiba, both of this town.
The police said Quisoy was a driver of 4th district reelectionist Rep. Rodolfo W. Antonino, who is running under the banner of the Kampi-Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija coalition.
Quisoy suffered bullet wound in the left leg, while Gajasan suffered fractured a right knee. They were confined in the Good Samaritan Hospital in Cabanatuan City .
Meanwhile, officer-in-charge of the Nueva Ecija police officer, Senior Supt. Alfredo Caballes, ordered an investigation of the incident, saying no government security agent is involved in the incident.
Police report said Quisoy and his companion passed by the compound of Padiernos’s farmhouse where there were several persons milling around.
Troops kill NPAs in P’sinan firefight
BY MYDS SUPNAD
MANGATAREM, Pangasinan — Government forces frustrated the attempt of New People’s Army rebels to set up camp in a remote village here, leaving a still undetermined number of rebels killed and wounded in a firefight early Thursday.
Provincial police director Senior Superintendent Isagani Nerez said residents earlier reported some 30 NPA rebels were spotted setting up camp in sitio Lopez, Barangay Calombuyan Sur.
A combined raiding team of police and Army units later surprised the rebels, leaving a number of them killed and wounded, Nerez said.
The rebels were able to escape, dragging the bodies of their killed comrades and their wounded, according to Army Lieutenants Ali Sumangil and Victor Kitong who led the troops from the 7th Infantry Battalion.
They said the rebels fled the bloodied site, leaving behind an M-16 rifle, grenade launchers, ammunition and a bag of propaganda materials.
In a related development on elections in the Cordillera, regional police based in Camp Dangwa , Benguet said NPA rebels have upped their activities recruiting members of their group in campaign sites.
But while there were some incidents of ballot snatching, there were no persons killed while they were casting their votes.
Police said there were 13 validated cases of election related violent incidents which solely happened in Abra resulting to the death of 2 persons namely: Eddie Tadeo, Gil borreta, and wounding of 10 others.
Other killings were attributed to cases of criminality not election-related.
Comelec ruling ousting N. Vizcaya governor not final
BY JOAN CAPUNA
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – President Arroyo’s election lawyer said here a recent Commission on Elections resolution unseating Gov. Luisa Lloren-Cuaresma is not yet final and executory.
This, as Cuaresma, who is seeking a second term under the opposition Nacionalista Party-backed Abante Nueva Vizcaya, declared she is still the legitimate governor of the province, and that no vacancy exists as far as the governorship is concerned despite a ruling issued by the Comelec en banc on May 10.
Cuaresma’s lead counsel, lawyer Romulo Macalintal, who is also President Arroyo’s election lawyer, said the poll’s body resolution is not implementable in a period of 30 days or on June 9.
This would give Cuaresma’s lawyer enough time to file a motion questioning the poll body’s decision on Certiorari.
“The en-banc majority resolution has been rendered moot and academic with only one day left before the elections. Thus, Governor Cuaresma’s proclamation can no longer be altered because the resolution can become final and executory only after 30 days,” he said.
Macalintal’s argument was shared by former regional trial court executive Judge Jose Rosales, now dean of the College of Law of the Catholic Church-run Saint Mary’s University here, who said the en-banc resolution is not yet final and executory, as such, Cuaresma remains governor of the province until the Supreme Court says otherwise.
Likewise, lawyer Catherine Allas, provincial election officer, said the resolution can still be appealed by filing a motion for certiorari with the High Court.
“I want to say it again, I won clean during the last elections and I intend to finish my term until June 30because I know that with my proven track record, I will be starting a new term on July 1,” said Cuaresma.
She made the statement in an apparent move to clear confusion among residents on who is the governor of the province following last Thursday’s issuance of the 14-page resolution by the poll body which upheld the first division resolution nullifying her proclamation as elected governor in the 2004 elections.
The Comelec resolution also declared the governorship post vacant because her declared rival, former board member Leonardo Perez Jr., died early this year.
“I know that the people will vindicate me in this election. We will finish our term until June 30, so we can start a new term on July 1,” said the lady governor.
Macalintal said Comelec Commissioner Florentino Tuason’s dissenting opinion on the resolution would fortify Cuaresma’s hold on the governorship when he will file a motion to contest the Comelec en banc resolution before the Supreme Court.
In his dissenting opinion, Tuason said: “When the records containing the contested ballots were forwarded, meticulous examination of all the records and appreciation of the ballots were done just to unearth the truth and determine the real choice of the voters in Nueva Vizcaya, such a tedious process yielded a different result from that of the First Division. My examination confirmed the results as declared by the Provincial Board of Canvassers of Nueva Vizcaya that (Cuaresma) hurdled the plurality of votes and thus the duly elected governor.”
Cayetano ‘unwanted’ in P’sinan town; gets zero
BY JENNELYN MONDEJAR
STO. TOMAS, Pangasinan – Every election time, this quiet town and its voters become instant celebrities as the media’s attention is focused on them for giving zero votes to “unwanted” candidates.
Data gathered by newsmen at press time showed Genuine Opposition senatorial candidate Alan Peter Cayetano got zero votes here.
Cayetano, who has hurled accusations against First Gentlemen Miguel Arroyo and the First Family, seemed to have failed in wooing even a single voter here, according to re-elected Mayor Vivien Villar.
Earlier this year, Mr. Arroyo had a shouting match with Cayetano in an expulsion case which the First Gentleman had filed against the Taguig-Pateros congressman for his alleged false claims on the multimillion-dollar German bank accounts which the Arroyos supposedly had.
Villar said, “That’s the result, we cannot do anything. The people here don’t like him.”
Villar and her entire slate – councilor Dick Villar, her running mate, and the eight candidates for councilor – were all unopposed. That’s another record in Pangasinan politics, possible only in this town.
Villar said they campaigned vigorously for 12-0 for the administration’s Team Unity. But the official and complete results were: Edgardo Angara (3,580 votes), Manny Villar (3,539), Loren Legarda (3,466), Francis Escudero (3,415), Vicente Sotto III (3,334), Joker Arroyo (3,257), Ralph Recto (3,058), Miguel Zubiri (2,949), Michael Defensor (2,897), Panfilo Lacson (2,864), Francis Pangilinan (2,460), and Prospero Pichay (2,317).
Angara, Sotto, Arroyo, Recto, Zubiri, Defensor, and Pichay belong to Team Unity, and Villar, Legarda, Escudero, and Lacson, the Genuine Opposition. Pangilinan ran as an independent.
In the 2004 presidential elections, the rivals of President Arroyo also got zero votes in this town.
When Corazon Aquino also ran for president, she got zero votes here.
Villar’s husband, Undersecretary for Local Governance Antonio Villar Jr., said the local poll results elated him.
“I dedicate that to my good friend, First Gentleman Mike Arroyo,” said Villar, who had served as Sto. Tomas mayor for more than 20 years, always running unopposed, except in just one election.
His wife, who has also been running consistently unopposed, got 5,172 votes, while her vice mayor garnered 5,146. Each of their councilor bets got nearly 5,000 votes.
Cebu Pacific offers P1 seats for travelers
Cebu Pacific, the country’s low fare leader and leading domestic carrier, offers P1 one-way seats for all of its domestic destinations.
The seat sale will run from May 17 to 22, or until seats are sold out and is good for travel from July 15 to December 15, 2007.
CEB has allocated more than 40,000 seats for this P1 seat sale. The P1 one-way fare is exclusive of applicable taxes and surcharges.
“We’ve been getting a very warm response to our ongoing regional seat sale and we feel that we should also invigorate domestic travel for this period. We hope that many will take advantage of the very low fare offering and travel no matter what the season may be,” Candice Iyog, VP for marketing and product announced.
Iyog added the best way to purchase sale tickets is thru CEB’s website (cebupacificair.com) where passengers can view the travel dates, flight schedules, and fare options available on each flight.
“We encourage the public to act fast and purchase their seats early because seats will surely sell-out fast,” Iyog emphasized.
Now in its 12th year, CEB operates the most domestic destinations, flights and routes and has the youngest fleet in the Philippines at just one year.
CEB operates 14 brand new Airbus aircraft to its 20 domestic and soon to be 8 regional destinations with the addition of Taipei beginning June 13, 2007.
Failure of elections mulled in remote Mt Province town
PARACELIS, Mountain Province -- A failure of elections may be declared in a village here after an unidentified group grabbed all election paraphernalia in one precinct.
In Baguio City , Commission on Elections Regional Director Armando Velasco said the final decision would come from the Comelec central office.
At noon on May 15, an unidentified group reportedly snatched all election paraphernalia from precinct 33A in barangay Buringal, Paracelis. “It is not only the ballots that were snatched but all the election paraphernalia.”
The area has 237 registered voters. If the figure would affect the results, Velasco said special elections would be held simultaneous with the national conduct of special elections in other places.
Aside from Mt. Province , two incidents of ballot snatching were also reported in the towns of Dolores and Tineg in Abra.
According to regional police director Chief Supt. Raul Gonzales, this has not affected the counting of votes since the ballot boxes were returned.
Meanwhile, Benito Tumamao, regional director of the Department of Education, said teachers who served as board of election inspectors, have properly manned the election despite their minimal number.
Around 10,000 teachers were deployed on May 14 in varies precincts. The ideal number of BEIs serving should have been 15,000
Tumamao said the DepEd also tapped the services of Civil Service employees in the election.
2 wounded cops cited after encounter with armed group
CAMP DANGWA, Benguet - Two cops based at the Abra provincial police office who were wounded in action during an encounter with a private armed group in Lagayan, Abra on May 13 were decorated in simple rites here on May 16.
Chief Supt. Raul Gonzales, regional police director said PO1 Lauro Gracia Robino and JPO1 Edgar Alcantara Bolante were among those ambushed by a still undetermined number of armed men while transporting ballot boxes and other election paraphernalia to several polling centers from Poblacion, Lagayan, around 6 p.m. that day.
Both were conferred the PNP Wounded Personnel Medal or Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting and cash incentives at the Regional Health Service Office.
It was earlier reported the two policemen along with Margie Labanen, a board of election inspector assigned to the Colago Elementary School; Candida Sulian, a BEI assigned to the Baybayatin Elementary School; and Ronabel Alinday, a National Movement for Free Elections volunteer; were ambushed on board a public utility jeepney bearing license plate number AYG-340 while transporting ballot boxes from Poblacion, Lagayan to different polling precincts.
This resulted to the wounding of all five victims.
Pursuit was conducted by a reinforcement team composed of the 1601st Provincial Police Mobile Group of Abra, the PNJP Special Action Force and the 41st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, while a team from the San Juan Municipal Police Station established a blocking position at Quidaoen, San Juan , Abra.
All injured persons were evacuated later to the Abra Provincial Hospital in Bangued for medical treatment.
Obet brod, 5 others jailed for illegal guns
SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – A brother of Bulacan gubernatorial candidate Roberto “Obet” Pagdanganan and five companions including two policemen, who were caught with firearms night on May 13 were moved from the police headquarters in Malolos City to the provincial jail on Tuesday.
Supt. Feliza Manaig, Bulacan police information officer said Hermenegildo Pagdanganan, 50, barangay chief of Sto. Nino, Calumpit town, and the five others were charged with violation of the Omnibus Election Code.
Pagdanganan’s group was on board two pick-up trucks and had reportedly confronted a barangay chairman whom Pagdanganan had hit with the butt of a rifle.
Due to this, the group was held at a checkpoint, yielding a baby Armalite, a 9-mm pistol, two 12-gauge shotguns, three .45 caliber pistols, and assorted bullets.
Mining investors coming in trickles to Philippines
BY DEXTER A. SEE
BAGUIO CITY – Mining investments in the country have been coming only in trickles since the passage of the controversial Mining Act of 1994 that was initially thought to make a difference in reducing mass poverty in rural communities.
This was disclosed in a study commissioned by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry to determine the readiness of the country’s mining industry in absorbing trade liberalization.
The report concluded that the "ghost of irresponsible mining" continues to haunt one of the most competitive segments of the economy, citing man-made tragedies caused by negligent operators, like Marcopper, whose solid and liquid wastes wreaked havoc in the communities that hosted them.
The Philippine Export News and Features stated the gold curse seem to have haunted the country since the most of the people remained dirt poor even when the mining boom was at its height in the 1980s when gold hit an all-time high price of 0 per ounce.
The PNF noted the study stated the country remains one of the richest in the world not only with precious metal reserves like gold, silver, nickel and copper but also with non-metallic raw materials such as silica for glass manufacturing and limestone for cement making.
However, only a few gold, copper and nickel mines have started actual mining operations since the collapse of the industries when all companies, except Philex and Lepanto mines, closed shop.
The study also stated that locally produced cement is costlier in the country than anywhere in the Asian region due to a cartel that fixes high prices while only some glass factories are in place. These include Asahi.
Keeping the Baguio convention Center in city’s hands in peril
by Isagani S. Liporada
BAGUIO CITY – It made city officials skip a beat in chorus late last year and gave sleepless nights to a handful of employees who consider Baguio Convention Center a throttlehold.
Worst, it placed the city’s capacity to honor the sanctity of a contract it entered into with its creditor in the spotlight.
The city now owes P117,689,841.40 in amortizations due to the Government Service Insurance System as of Jan. 5. And May 11, the D-day of the GSIS final demand to vacate the Baguio Convention Center , has already come and gone.
To date, not a single centavo moved a bit nor an ingenious plan approved if only to firm up the city’s stake over BCC.
These, while the Bases Conversion Development Authority plays the role of an apathetic debtor vis-Ã -vis the city’s Camp John Hay lease shares that could easily have covered the entire Baguio debt to GSIS.
Realizing time may soon run out, acting mayor Reinaldo Bautista, Jr. in a May 15 letter to the Sangguniang Panlungsod once again pleaded approval of “the only option” to salvage BCC - extend P35M in partial payment to GSIS as a show of ‘goodwill’.”
Bautista said, “We are now in the evening of our present terms, I humbly ask, even for the only remaining time we have as members of the 2004 body of elected officials, to do this one last act of uniting to save our stake over BCC.”
Bautista revealed he agreed to an earlier observation by some SP members that compel BCDA should be compelled to honor their end of the bargain a propos their signed January 23, 2004 chore to remit the city’s annual 25-percent share in the CJH lease payments to GSIS for the next 7-years.
However, he emphasized that the sanctity of the February 18, 2003 BCC buy contract between the city and GSIS “takes precedence and should be given respect to safeguard the city’s good name.”
He averred, “I agree [with councilor Edilberto Tenefrancia’s observation] that advancing P35M as ‘goodwill’ money may change the complexion of the contract we forged with BCDA vis-Ã -vis advancing amortizations to GSIS.I too, welcome the President’s guarantee that she is on our side with regards to the purchase issue.”
“However, I am not prepared – and I do believe that you share my thoughts on this – to take subterfuge using Her Excellency’s guarantee if only to dodge the reality of losing the BCC to GSIS just because we cannot honor an earlier agreement.”
He challenged the councilmen, “Will we allow our terms to end with the thought that we could have done something about it?”
“Are we willing to cart the issue in an ejectment case that might drag like the present market development impasse, which debilitates development and use of our physical assets to the chagrin of our electorate?”
Admitting P35-million from the city’s coffers may translate into other projects, he assured the SP, “this will just be for the meantime as we shall exert all efforts to compel BCDA to pay and thereafter, reimburse our coffers with what it owes us.”
In his last ditch effort to convince his co-“end-termers” he justified the move: “the money we shall advance will translate in something beyond the value of money – that is, having high moral ground.”
“We answered for our own obligations… In turn, it puts us in a leverage to demand BCDA to pay what it owes our city in exchange for the development of John Hay,” he explained.
GSIS Housing and Real Property Development Group Officer-in-Charge Dionisio Ebdane, Jr. in his April 10 letter to Bautista said, “GSIS is serving you this final notice to vacate BCC within 30-day.
“As you failed to comply with our notices, thus, this termination of our purchase agreement,” Ebdane added. The deadline was May 11, 2007.
Gun-for-hire suspect nabbed by NBI agents
BY LIAM ANACLETO
CABANATUAN CITY – A suspected member of a dreaded guns-for-hire syndicate allegedly undertaking assassination of politicians was arrested recently by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation here.
Agent-in-charge of the NBI Cabanatuan District Office Pedro Roque Jr. identified the suspected gun-for-hire member as Francis Dayag, 21, of Aliaga, Nueva Ecija, reportedly a former member of the New People’s Army.
Roque said the syndicate is operating in the 27 towns and five cities of Nueva Ecija and eights towns of Aurora .
He added this resulted to a series of election-related violent incidents. The violence prompted the Comelec to place Nueva Ecija under its control.
Dayag’s group allegedly carried out ambuscades in northern Nueva Ecija. Roque said Dayag is a remnant of the dreaded Magdawag group, a local counterpart of the Sparrow Unit, the urban liquidation squad of the NPA.
Dayag was arrested in Barangay Umangan. Aliaga by a team of NBI agents composed of Alex Rivera, Edgardo Cucio and Arnaldo Fineza.
The suspect’s presence in the place was tipped to the NBI by a “balikbayan.”
Tribes give ‘prior consent’ to geothermal exploration
BY DEXTER A. SEE
TABUK, Kalinga – This province has the potentials to become the geothermal capital of Luzon as indicated by bullishness of investors over the province’s geothermal energy sources.
This developed after residents of five ancestral domains in Kalinga, particularly in Pasil and Tinglayan towns, gave their fee, prior and informed consent (FPIC) to the joint venture proposal for a geothermal exploration by the Aragon Power and Energy Corp. and Guidance Management Corp.
Officials of the National Commission on Indigenous People’s NCIP in the Cordillera said that their office in Kalinga had already complied with the needed processes.
The result of the FPIC showed that five communities, particularly the indigenous peoples of Balatoc, Guinaang, and Colayo of Pasil and the Sumadel and Bangad of Tinglayan, gave their consent to the proposal for geothermal exploration.
However, it was not clear if the given consent is only for exploration and if the proponents have applied for another FPIC for development and operation – that is if the exploration yields positive results.
It was learned that the proponents applied for eight areas for geothermal exploration, but Tulgao and TInglayan rejected the proposal, and the Dananao tribe in Pasil was still undecided on it.
With the consent given by the five communities to the geothermal exploration, the NCIP provincial office in Kalinga has forwarded its report to the NCIP regional office for endorsement to the NCIP central office for the issuance of the certificate of pre-condition to the proponents of the project.
The proponents would then present the certificate to the Department of Energy (DoE) for its action on the application.
The same process will be done in the case of Tulgao which rejected the proposal, but the NCIP will issue the certificate of precondition if an when the President finally appoints a fourth batch of commissioners of NCIP.
A certificate of precondition has to be deliberated on by the NCIP en banc, but at present only one commissioner has been appointed.
Geothermal plants are not only environmentally-friendly but are also advantageous in enhancing the economy because it is reliable sources of power, it was learned.
The country’s geothermal output is equivalent to at least 92 million barrels of fuel a year which means savings of at least P5 billion that would have been used to pay for oil exports.
Apart from this benefit, the local government units hosting the geothermal projects would be getting 40 percent share from the national wealth tax. The national government gets 60 percent of the tax.
Renowned artists set pottery workshop in Benguet town
BY MAURICE MALANES
BAGUIO CITY – Renowned foreign and local artists will facilitate a pottery workshop focusing on monkeys as theme in the upland town of Kibungan in Benguet as part of a series of activities leading towards World Environment Day on June 5, announced a local environmental group.
The May 22-23 pottery workshop for children aims to generate from participants some 100 monkey masks. "By focusing on the faces of monkeys, the workshop seeks to help enable the children of Kibungan understand nature values, appreciate indigenous materials, and to view
nature through art because monkeys used to teem in Kibungan before its forests were gone," said Mariko Banasan of the Cordillera Green Network, which is organizing the activity.
The 100 masks will be featured in a month-long exhibit dubbed "Where Have All the Monkeys Gone?" starting World Environment Day on June 5, 2007 at the Victor Oteyza Community Art Space (VOCAS), Top Floor, La Azotea Building, Session Road, Baguio City.
The workshop in Kibungan and the exhibit at VOCAS seek "to bring into our attention the monkeys, whose extinction indicates how we have failed to protect and preserve our forests and environment," said Banasan.
Facilitating the workshop are artists Midori Hirota (Japanese), Nurdian Ichsan (Indonesian), Kawayan Thor de Guia (Filipino), and Reynaldo A. Pellos, A US Peace Corps volunteer based in Kibungan.
All dabbling in ceramics among other fields of art, the artists also advocate for the protection of the environment and of the planet as a whole.
Donors support People’s Watch in pursuit of clean Baguio polls
BAGUIO CITY – Several donors supported People’s Watch the last elections “in pursuit of clean, credible and honest elections.”
Maureen Loste, a People's Watch convenor of the Regional Ecumenical Council in the Cordillera said several individuals and groups pitched in to support the volunteers of the People's Watch, a broad multi-sectoral alliance of non-government organizations and concerned citizens.
“Without their material and financial support, the endeavor would not have been as successful,” Loste said, adding financial requirements of putting up an independent electoral watchdog were tremendous.
Donors provided the group with office supplies, food, communication and transportation facilities, aside from their actual participation in voter's education, poll and canvass watch, legal assistance, monitoring fraud and soliciting logistics, according to Loste.
People's Watch also thanked members of the Baguio-based tri-media for lending their support in the Media Watch during the elections.
Among the donors People’s Watch acknowledged were Annabelle Estepa's Soroptimist International of Pines City, who supplied meals and snacks for at least 50 persons on May 14; Mikasan's German and Liza Ilagan; Rico's Mineral Water; Brgy. Capt. Aida Monteclaro; John Nassr of Pizza Volante; Globe Tele-communications for 25- P300 prepaid cards; Atty. Raul Molintas for free use of a car with gasoline on May 14 and 15;
For cash donations, People's Watch cited Ellen Lao; Jose-Casusi;Dr. Mark Ventura; Kidlat Tahimik; Carlos Anton of Sizzling Plate; Eng. Tom Panis of REALEZA Development. Corporation.;Dr. Rogelio Bay -an; Baguio Travel Co.'s Ms. Nieves Blanco; Jeremy & Rosalie Javellonar; Atty. Wilbert Tan; . Unique Printing Press; Benguet Electric Corporation; Des Cereno; Jerrylyn San Jose ; David and Jeng Roxas; and the Baguio City First United Methodist Church .
Truck runs over man in Urdaneta City
URDANETA CITY, Pangasinan – A man was not able to cast his vote on May 14 because he met an accident while sitting at a road shoulder along McArthur Highway , Zone 3, Barangay Nancamaliran West, this city.
Urdaneta police identified the victim as Cesar Baroga, 39, married, tricycle driver, resident of Nancamaliran West.
Police said the victim died instantly due to severe injuries in different parts of the body when he was run over an Elf truck bearing plate number ZCV-235 and driven by Ruel Cammayo y Cuddal 38, married, businessman, of Barangay Dirita, Iba, Zambales.
Investigations showed the Isuzu Elf truck was speeding on the highway when the accident took place.
The truck hit the victim when it reportedly veered from the road. – Jennelyn Mondejar
Ecija farmers earning more from hybrid rice
BY MARVYN BENANING
STO. DOMINGO, Nueva Ecija -- Members of the Bagong Buhay Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Barangay Mabini here are earning more from their farms because they shifted to high-yielding hybrid rice varieties.
As a model hybrid-rice cluster, more than 200 hectares of rice fields owned by members of the cooperative were planted to hybrid rice in this year’s dry cropping season.
The farmers have harvested an average yield of 180 cavans of palay per hectare (cav/ha) at 56 kilograms per cavan (kg/cav).
Jojo Garcia, chairman of the cluster, said he got an average yield of 200 cav/ha in his 12-hectare farm. He said that the highest yield in the cluseter as 246 cav/ha, while the lowest was 173 cav/ha, a figure that is still higher than what they would usually get from ordinary or inbred rice varieties.
One member of the cluster, Mabini Barangay Captain Sebastian Garcia, harvested 205 cavans of 56 kg/cav, equivalent to 11.5 metric tons per hectare (mt/ha).
If Garcia sells his fresh produce at P10.30/kg, he would get a gross income of P118,244. deducting the hybrid-rice cost of production of P45,000/ha, he would enjoy a net income of P73,244. farmers who grow ordinary rice usually net P15,000-P25,000 per hectare only.
“When I was planting inbred rice varieties, I got a net income of only P10,000-P15,000 per hectare. But when I used hybrid rice in my seven-hectare farm, I got a net income of P50,000-P60,000 per hectare because I harvested 195 cavans per hectare. I now live with my family in a beautiful house, and bought a hand tractor, an owner-type jeep and a van from my hybrid rice earnings. Tody, I know for sure that hybrid rice really puts a smile in the face of an ordinary farmer like me,” cooperative member Jose Rigo said.
With farmers forming clusters at least 100 hectares, they get a consolidated and coordinated assistance from one another and from the government through the Department of Agriculture-Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (DAGMA) rice program.
DA provides them adequate irrigation, post-harvest facilities, farm-to-farm market roads, credit, and marketing assistance,
“The main advantage of the clustering approach is the convergence of all the production support services to the farmers. This contributed to the attainment of enhanced productivity by the farmers and ensuring profitability which is the main objective of the DA,” said Dr. Frisco Malabanan, DA-GMA rice program national coordinator.
The 52-member Bagong Buhay Multi-Purpose Cooperative was registered with the Cooperative Development Authority on 13 December 2005.
BY LIAM ANACLETO
JAEN, Nueva, Ecija – Followers of two opposing political camps clashed here over alleged charges of “vote buying” that triggered a gunfight that left two persons wounded.
Two high-powered firearms and P600,000 allegedly intended to be used for vote buying were confiscated as a result.
Shooting occurred 1 p.m. on May 14 in the farmhouse of the 4th district candidate for representative, Gay Padiernos, in Barangay Lambakin here.
Injured and treated in a hospital were Benedicto Quisoy y Yuarata, 34, married, of Barangay Langla, and his companion, Emiliano Gajasan y Isidro, 25, married, of Barangay Malaiba, both of this town.
The police said Quisoy was a driver of 4th district reelectionist Rep. Rodolfo W. Antonino, who is running under the banner of the Kampi-Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija coalition.
Quisoy suffered bullet wound in the left leg, while Gajasan suffered fractured a right knee. They were confined in the Good Samaritan Hospital in Cabanatuan City .
Meanwhile, officer-in-charge of the Nueva Ecija police officer, Senior Supt. Alfredo Caballes, ordered an investigation of the incident, saying no government security agent is involved in the incident.
Police report said Quisoy and his companion passed by the compound of Padiernos’s farmhouse where there were several persons milling around.
Troops kill NPAs in P’sinan firefight
BY MYDS SUPNAD
MANGATAREM, Pangasinan — Government forces frustrated the attempt of New People’s Army rebels to set up camp in a remote village here, leaving a still undetermined number of rebels killed and wounded in a firefight early Thursday.
Provincial police director Senior Superintendent Isagani Nerez said residents earlier reported some 30 NPA rebels were spotted setting up camp in sitio Lopez, Barangay Calombuyan Sur.
A combined raiding team of police and Army units later surprised the rebels, leaving a number of them killed and wounded, Nerez said.
The rebels were able to escape, dragging the bodies of their killed comrades and their wounded, according to Army Lieutenants Ali Sumangil and Victor Kitong who led the troops from the 7th Infantry Battalion.
They said the rebels fled the bloodied site, leaving behind an M-16 rifle, grenade launchers, ammunition and a bag of propaganda materials.
In a related development on elections in the Cordillera, regional police based in Camp Dangwa , Benguet said NPA rebels have upped their activities recruiting members of their group in campaign sites.
But while there were some incidents of ballot snatching, there were no persons killed while they were casting their votes.
Police said there were 13 validated cases of election related violent incidents which solely happened in Abra resulting to the death of 2 persons namely: Eddie Tadeo, Gil borreta, and wounding of 10 others.
Other killings were attributed to cases of criminality not election-related.
Comelec ruling ousting N. Vizcaya governor not final
BY JOAN CAPUNA
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – President Arroyo’s election lawyer said here a recent Commission on Elections resolution unseating Gov. Luisa Lloren-Cuaresma is not yet final and executory.
This, as Cuaresma, who is seeking a second term under the opposition Nacionalista Party-backed Abante Nueva Vizcaya, declared she is still the legitimate governor of the province, and that no vacancy exists as far as the governorship is concerned despite a ruling issued by the Comelec en banc on May 10.
Cuaresma’s lead counsel, lawyer Romulo Macalintal, who is also President Arroyo’s election lawyer, said the poll’s body resolution is not implementable in a period of 30 days or on June 9.
This would give Cuaresma’s lawyer enough time to file a motion questioning the poll body’s decision on Certiorari.
“The en-banc majority resolution has been rendered moot and academic with only one day left before the elections. Thus, Governor Cuaresma’s proclamation can no longer be altered because the resolution can become final and executory only after 30 days,” he said.
Macalintal’s argument was shared by former regional trial court executive Judge Jose Rosales, now dean of the College of Law of the Catholic Church-run Saint Mary’s University here, who said the en-banc resolution is not yet final and executory, as such, Cuaresma remains governor of the province until the Supreme Court says otherwise.
Likewise, lawyer Catherine Allas, provincial election officer, said the resolution can still be appealed by filing a motion for certiorari with the High Court.
“I want to say it again, I won clean during the last elections and I intend to finish my term until June 30because I know that with my proven track record, I will be starting a new term on July 1,” said Cuaresma.
She made the statement in an apparent move to clear confusion among residents on who is the governor of the province following last Thursday’s issuance of the 14-page resolution by the poll body which upheld the first division resolution nullifying her proclamation as elected governor in the 2004 elections.
The Comelec resolution also declared the governorship post vacant because her declared rival, former board member Leonardo Perez Jr., died early this year.
“I know that the people will vindicate me in this election. We will finish our term until June 30, so we can start a new term on July 1,” said the lady governor.
Macalintal said Comelec Commissioner Florentino Tuason’s dissenting opinion on the resolution would fortify Cuaresma’s hold on the governorship when he will file a motion to contest the Comelec en banc resolution before the Supreme Court.
In his dissenting opinion, Tuason said: “When the records containing the contested ballots were forwarded, meticulous examination of all the records and appreciation of the ballots were done just to unearth the truth and determine the real choice of the voters in Nueva Vizcaya, such a tedious process yielded a different result from that of the First Division. My examination confirmed the results as declared by the Provincial Board of Canvassers of Nueva Vizcaya that (Cuaresma) hurdled the plurality of votes and thus the duly elected governor.”
Cayetano ‘unwanted’ in P’sinan town; gets zero
BY JENNELYN MONDEJAR
STO. TOMAS, Pangasinan – Every election time, this quiet town and its voters become instant celebrities as the media’s attention is focused on them for giving zero votes to “unwanted” candidates.
Data gathered by newsmen at press time showed Genuine Opposition senatorial candidate Alan Peter Cayetano got zero votes here.
Cayetano, who has hurled accusations against First Gentlemen Miguel Arroyo and the First Family, seemed to have failed in wooing even a single voter here, according to re-elected Mayor Vivien Villar.
Earlier this year, Mr. Arroyo had a shouting match with Cayetano in an expulsion case which the First Gentleman had filed against the Taguig-Pateros congressman for his alleged false claims on the multimillion-dollar German bank accounts which the Arroyos supposedly had.
Villar said, “That’s the result, we cannot do anything. The people here don’t like him.”
Villar and her entire slate – councilor Dick Villar, her running mate, and the eight candidates for councilor – were all unopposed. That’s another record in Pangasinan politics, possible only in this town.
Villar said they campaigned vigorously for 12-0 for the administration’s Team Unity. But the official and complete results were: Edgardo Angara (3,580 votes), Manny Villar (3,539), Loren Legarda (3,466), Francis Escudero (3,415), Vicente Sotto III (3,334), Joker Arroyo (3,257), Ralph Recto (3,058), Miguel Zubiri (2,949), Michael Defensor (2,897), Panfilo Lacson (2,864), Francis Pangilinan (2,460), and Prospero Pichay (2,317).
Angara, Sotto, Arroyo, Recto, Zubiri, Defensor, and Pichay belong to Team Unity, and Villar, Legarda, Escudero, and Lacson, the Genuine Opposition. Pangilinan ran as an independent.
In the 2004 presidential elections, the rivals of President Arroyo also got zero votes in this town.
When Corazon Aquino also ran for president, she got zero votes here.
Villar’s husband, Undersecretary for Local Governance Antonio Villar Jr., said the local poll results elated him.
“I dedicate that to my good friend, First Gentleman Mike Arroyo,” said Villar, who had served as Sto. Tomas mayor for more than 20 years, always running unopposed, except in just one election.
His wife, who has also been running consistently unopposed, got 5,172 votes, while her vice mayor garnered 5,146. Each of their councilor bets got nearly 5,000 votes.
Cebu Pacific offers P1 seats for travelers
Cebu Pacific, the country’s low fare leader and leading domestic carrier, offers P1 one-way seats for all of its domestic destinations.
The seat sale will run from May 17 to 22, or until seats are sold out and is good for travel from July 15 to December 15, 2007.
CEB has allocated more than 40,000 seats for this P1 seat sale. The P1 one-way fare is exclusive of applicable taxes and surcharges.
“We’ve been getting a very warm response to our ongoing regional seat sale and we feel that we should also invigorate domestic travel for this period. We hope that many will take advantage of the very low fare offering and travel no matter what the season may be,” Candice Iyog, VP for marketing and product announced.
Iyog added the best way to purchase sale tickets is thru CEB’s website (cebupacificair.com) where passengers can view the travel dates, flight schedules, and fare options available on each flight.
“We encourage the public to act fast and purchase their seats early because seats will surely sell-out fast,” Iyog emphasized.
Now in its 12th year, CEB operates the most domestic destinations, flights and routes and has the youngest fleet in the Philippines at just one year.
CEB operates 14 brand new Airbus aircraft to its 20 domestic and soon to be 8 regional destinations with the addition of Taipei beginning June 13, 2007.
Failure of elections mulled in remote Mt Province town
PARACELIS, Mountain Province -- A failure of elections may be declared in a village here after an unidentified group grabbed all election paraphernalia in one precinct.
In Baguio City , Commission on Elections Regional Director Armando Velasco said the final decision would come from the Comelec central office.
At noon on May 15, an unidentified group reportedly snatched all election paraphernalia from precinct 33A in barangay Buringal, Paracelis. “It is not only the ballots that were snatched but all the election paraphernalia.”
The area has 237 registered voters. If the figure would affect the results, Velasco said special elections would be held simultaneous with the national conduct of special elections in other places.
Aside from Mt. Province , two incidents of ballot snatching were also reported in the towns of Dolores and Tineg in Abra.
According to regional police director Chief Supt. Raul Gonzales, this has not affected the counting of votes since the ballot boxes were returned.
Meanwhile, Benito Tumamao, regional director of the Department of Education, said teachers who served as board of election inspectors, have properly manned the election despite their minimal number.
Around 10,000 teachers were deployed on May 14 in varies precincts. The ideal number of BEIs serving should have been 15,000
Tumamao said the DepEd also tapped the services of Civil Service employees in the election.
2 wounded cops cited after encounter with armed group
CAMP DANGWA, Benguet - Two cops based at the Abra provincial police office who were wounded in action during an encounter with a private armed group in Lagayan, Abra on May 13 were decorated in simple rites here on May 16.
Chief Supt. Raul Gonzales, regional police director said PO1 Lauro Gracia Robino and JPO1 Edgar Alcantara Bolante were among those ambushed by a still undetermined number of armed men while transporting ballot boxes and other election paraphernalia to several polling centers from Poblacion, Lagayan, around 6 p.m. that day.
Both were conferred the PNP Wounded Personnel Medal or Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting and cash incentives at the Regional Health Service Office.
It was earlier reported the two policemen along with Margie Labanen, a board of election inspector assigned to the Colago Elementary School; Candida Sulian, a BEI assigned to the Baybayatin Elementary School; and Ronabel Alinday, a National Movement for Free Elections volunteer; were ambushed on board a public utility jeepney bearing license plate number AYG-340 while transporting ballot boxes from Poblacion, Lagayan to different polling precincts.
This resulted to the wounding of all five victims.
Pursuit was conducted by a reinforcement team composed of the 1601st Provincial Police Mobile Group of Abra, the PNJP Special Action Force and the 41st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, while a team from the San Juan Municipal Police Station established a blocking position at Quidaoen, San Juan , Abra.
All injured persons were evacuated later to the Abra Provincial Hospital in Bangued for medical treatment.
Obet brod, 5 others jailed for illegal guns
SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – A brother of Bulacan gubernatorial candidate Roberto “Obet” Pagdanganan and five companions including two policemen, who were caught with firearms night on May 13 were moved from the police headquarters in Malolos City to the provincial jail on Tuesday.
Supt. Feliza Manaig, Bulacan police information officer said Hermenegildo Pagdanganan, 50, barangay chief of Sto. Nino, Calumpit town, and the five others were charged with violation of the Omnibus Election Code.
Pagdanganan’s group was on board two pick-up trucks and had reportedly confronted a barangay chairman whom Pagdanganan had hit with the butt of a rifle.
Due to this, the group was held at a checkpoint, yielding a baby Armalite, a 9-mm pistol, two 12-gauge shotguns, three .45 caliber pistols, and assorted bullets.
Mining investors coming in trickles to Philippines
BY DEXTER A. SEE
BAGUIO CITY – Mining investments in the country have been coming only in trickles since the passage of the controversial Mining Act of 1994 that was initially thought to make a difference in reducing mass poverty in rural communities.
This was disclosed in a study commissioned by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry to determine the readiness of the country’s mining industry in absorbing trade liberalization.
The report concluded that the "ghost of irresponsible mining" continues to haunt one of the most competitive segments of the economy, citing man-made tragedies caused by negligent operators, like Marcopper, whose solid and liquid wastes wreaked havoc in the communities that hosted them.
The Philippine Export News and Features stated the gold curse seem to have haunted the country since the most of the people remained dirt poor even when the mining boom was at its height in the 1980s when gold hit an all-time high price of 0 per ounce.
The PNF noted the study stated the country remains one of the richest in the world not only with precious metal reserves like gold, silver, nickel and copper but also with non-metallic raw materials such as silica for glass manufacturing and limestone for cement making.
However, only a few gold, copper and nickel mines have started actual mining operations since the collapse of the industries when all companies, except Philex and Lepanto mines, closed shop.
The study also stated that locally produced cement is costlier in the country than anywhere in the Asian region due to a cartel that fixes high prices while only some glass factories are in place. These include Asahi.
Keeping the Baguio convention Center in city’s hands in peril
by Isagani S. Liporada
BAGUIO CITY – It made city officials skip a beat in chorus late last year and gave sleepless nights to a handful of employees who consider Baguio Convention Center a throttlehold.
Worst, it placed the city’s capacity to honor the sanctity of a contract it entered into with its creditor in the spotlight.
The city now owes P117,689,841.40 in amortizations due to the Government Service Insurance System as of Jan. 5. And May 11, the D-day of the GSIS final demand to vacate the Baguio Convention Center , has already come and gone.
To date, not a single centavo moved a bit nor an ingenious plan approved if only to firm up the city’s stake over BCC.
These, while the Bases Conversion Development Authority plays the role of an apathetic debtor vis-Ã -vis the city’s Camp John Hay lease shares that could easily have covered the entire Baguio debt to GSIS.
Realizing time may soon run out, acting mayor Reinaldo Bautista, Jr. in a May 15 letter to the Sangguniang Panlungsod once again pleaded approval of “the only option” to salvage BCC - extend P35M in partial payment to GSIS as a show of ‘goodwill’.”
Bautista said, “We are now in the evening of our present terms, I humbly ask, even for the only remaining time we have as members of the 2004 body of elected officials, to do this one last act of uniting to save our stake over BCC.”
Bautista revealed he agreed to an earlier observation by some SP members that compel BCDA should be compelled to honor their end of the bargain a propos their signed January 23, 2004 chore to remit the city’s annual 25-percent share in the CJH lease payments to GSIS for the next 7-years.
However, he emphasized that the sanctity of the February 18, 2003 BCC buy contract between the city and GSIS “takes precedence and should be given respect to safeguard the city’s good name.”
He averred, “I agree [with councilor Edilberto Tenefrancia’s observation] that advancing P35M as ‘goodwill’ money may change the complexion of the contract we forged with BCDA vis-Ã -vis advancing amortizations to GSIS.I too, welcome the President’s guarantee that she is on our side with regards to the purchase issue.”
“However, I am not prepared – and I do believe that you share my thoughts on this – to take subterfuge using Her Excellency’s guarantee if only to dodge the reality of losing the BCC to GSIS just because we cannot honor an earlier agreement.”
He challenged the councilmen, “Will we allow our terms to end with the thought that we could have done something about it?”
“Are we willing to cart the issue in an ejectment case that might drag like the present market development impasse, which debilitates development and use of our physical assets to the chagrin of our electorate?”
Admitting P35-million from the city’s coffers may translate into other projects, he assured the SP, “this will just be for the meantime as we shall exert all efforts to compel BCDA to pay and thereafter, reimburse our coffers with what it owes us.”
In his last ditch effort to convince his co-“end-termers” he justified the move: “the money we shall advance will translate in something beyond the value of money – that is, having high moral ground.”
“We answered for our own obligations… In turn, it puts us in a leverage to demand BCDA to pay what it owes our city in exchange for the development of John Hay,” he explained.
GSIS Housing and Real Property Development Group Officer-in-Charge Dionisio Ebdane, Jr. in his April 10 letter to Bautista said, “GSIS is serving you this final notice to vacate BCC within 30-day.
“As you failed to comply with our notices, thus, this termination of our purchase agreement,” Ebdane added. The deadline was May 11, 2007.
Gun-for-hire suspect nabbed by NBI agents
BY LIAM ANACLETO
CABANATUAN CITY – A suspected member of a dreaded guns-for-hire syndicate allegedly undertaking assassination of politicians was arrested recently by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation here.
Agent-in-charge of the NBI Cabanatuan District Office Pedro Roque Jr. identified the suspected gun-for-hire member as Francis Dayag, 21, of Aliaga, Nueva Ecija, reportedly a former member of the New People’s Army.
Roque said the syndicate is operating in the 27 towns and five cities of Nueva Ecija and eights towns of Aurora .
He added this resulted to a series of election-related violent incidents. The violence prompted the Comelec to place Nueva Ecija under its control.
Dayag’s group allegedly carried out ambuscades in northern Nueva Ecija. Roque said Dayag is a remnant of the dreaded Magdawag group, a local counterpart of the Sparrow Unit, the urban liquidation squad of the NPA.
Dayag was arrested in Barangay Umangan. Aliaga by a team of NBI agents composed of Alex Rivera, Edgardo Cucio and Arnaldo Fineza.
The suspect’s presence in the place was tipped to the NBI by a “balikbayan.”
Tribes give ‘prior consent’ to geothermal exploration
BY DEXTER A. SEE
TABUK, Kalinga – This province has the potentials to become the geothermal capital of Luzon as indicated by bullishness of investors over the province’s geothermal energy sources.
This developed after residents of five ancestral domains in Kalinga, particularly in Pasil and Tinglayan towns, gave their fee, prior and informed consent (FPIC) to the joint venture proposal for a geothermal exploration by the Aragon Power and Energy Corp. and Guidance Management Corp.
Officials of the National Commission on Indigenous People’s NCIP in the Cordillera said that their office in Kalinga had already complied with the needed processes.
The result of the FPIC showed that five communities, particularly the indigenous peoples of Balatoc, Guinaang, and Colayo of Pasil and the Sumadel and Bangad of Tinglayan, gave their consent to the proposal for geothermal exploration.
However, it was not clear if the given consent is only for exploration and if the proponents have applied for another FPIC for development and operation – that is if the exploration yields positive results.
It was learned that the proponents applied for eight areas for geothermal exploration, but Tulgao and TInglayan rejected the proposal, and the Dananao tribe in Pasil was still undecided on it.
With the consent given by the five communities to the geothermal exploration, the NCIP provincial office in Kalinga has forwarded its report to the NCIP regional office for endorsement to the NCIP central office for the issuance of the certificate of pre-condition to the proponents of the project.
The proponents would then present the certificate to the Department of Energy (DoE) for its action on the application.
The same process will be done in the case of Tulgao which rejected the proposal, but the NCIP will issue the certificate of precondition if an when the President finally appoints a fourth batch of commissioners of NCIP.
A certificate of precondition has to be deliberated on by the NCIP en banc, but at present only one commissioner has been appointed.
Geothermal plants are not only environmentally-friendly but are also advantageous in enhancing the economy because it is reliable sources of power, it was learned.
The country’s geothermal output is equivalent to at least 92 million barrels of fuel a year which means savings of at least P5 billion that would have been used to pay for oil exports.
Apart from this benefit, the local government units hosting the geothermal projects would be getting 40 percent share from the national wealth tax. The national government gets 60 percent of the tax.
Renowned artists set pottery workshop in Benguet town
BY MAURICE MALANES
BAGUIO CITY – Renowned foreign and local artists will facilitate a pottery workshop focusing on monkeys as theme in the upland town of Kibungan in Benguet as part of a series of activities leading towards World Environment Day on June 5, announced a local environmental group.
The May 22-23 pottery workshop for children aims to generate from participants some 100 monkey masks. "By focusing on the faces of monkeys, the workshop seeks to help enable the children of Kibungan understand nature values, appreciate indigenous materials, and to view
nature through art because monkeys used to teem in Kibungan before its forests were gone," said Mariko Banasan of the Cordillera Green Network, which is organizing the activity.
The 100 masks will be featured in a month-long exhibit dubbed "Where Have All the Monkeys Gone?" starting World Environment Day on June 5, 2007 at the Victor Oteyza Community Art Space (VOCAS), Top Floor, La Azotea Building, Session Road, Baguio City.
The workshop in Kibungan and the exhibit at VOCAS seek "to bring into our attention the monkeys, whose extinction indicates how we have failed to protect and preserve our forests and environment," said Banasan.
Facilitating the workshop are artists Midori Hirota (Japanese), Nurdian Ichsan (Indonesian), Kawayan Thor de Guia (Filipino), and Reynaldo A. Pellos, A US Peace Corps volunteer based in Kibungan.
All dabbling in ceramics among other fields of art, the artists also advocate for the protection of the environment and of the planet as a whole.
Donors support People’s Watch in pursuit of clean Baguio polls
BAGUIO CITY – Several donors supported People’s Watch the last elections “in pursuit of clean, credible and honest elections.”
Maureen Loste, a People's Watch convenor of the Regional Ecumenical Council in the Cordillera said several individuals and groups pitched in to support the volunteers of the People's Watch, a broad multi-sectoral alliance of non-government organizations and concerned citizens.
“Without their material and financial support, the endeavor would not have been as successful,” Loste said, adding financial requirements of putting up an independent electoral watchdog were tremendous.
Donors provided the group with office supplies, food, communication and transportation facilities, aside from their actual participation in voter's education, poll and canvass watch, legal assistance, monitoring fraud and soliciting logistics, according to Loste.
People's Watch also thanked members of the Baguio-based tri-media for lending their support in the Media Watch during the elections.
Among the donors People’s Watch acknowledged were Annabelle Estepa's Soroptimist International of Pines City, who supplied meals and snacks for at least 50 persons on May 14; Mikasan's German and Liza Ilagan; Rico's Mineral Water; Brgy. Capt. Aida Monteclaro; John Nassr of Pizza Volante; Globe Tele-communications for 25- P300 prepaid cards; Atty. Raul Molintas for free use of a car with gasoline on May 14 and 15;
For cash donations, People's Watch cited Ellen Lao; Jose-Casusi;Dr. Mark Ventura; Kidlat Tahimik; Carlos Anton of Sizzling Plate; Eng. Tom Panis of REALEZA Development. Corporation.;Dr. Rogelio Bay -an; Baguio Travel Co.'s Ms. Nieves Blanco; Jeremy & Rosalie Javellonar; Atty. Wilbert Tan; . Unique Printing Press; Benguet Electric Corporation; Des Cereno; Jerrylyn San Jose ; David and Jeng Roxas; and the Baguio City First United Methodist Church .
Truck runs over man in Urdaneta City
URDANETA CITY, Pangasinan – A man was not able to cast his vote on May 14 because he met an accident while sitting at a road shoulder along McArthur Highway , Zone 3, Barangay Nancamaliran West, this city.
Urdaneta police identified the victim as Cesar Baroga, 39, married, tricycle driver, resident of Nancamaliran West.
Police said the victim died instantly due to severe injuries in different parts of the body when he was run over an Elf truck bearing plate number ZCV-235 and driven by Ruel Cammayo y Cuddal 38, married, businessman, of Barangay Dirita, Iba, Zambales.
Investigations showed the Isuzu Elf truck was speeding on the highway when the accident took place.
The truck hit the victim when it reportedly veered from the road. – Jennelyn Mondejar
Ecija farmers earning more from hybrid rice
BY MARVYN BENANING
STO. DOMINGO, Nueva Ecija -- Members of the Bagong Buhay Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Barangay Mabini here are earning more from their farms because they shifted to high-yielding hybrid rice varieties.
As a model hybrid-rice cluster, more than 200 hectares of rice fields owned by members of the cooperative were planted to hybrid rice in this year’s dry cropping season.
The farmers have harvested an average yield of 180 cavans of palay per hectare (cav/ha) at 56 kilograms per cavan (kg/cav).
Jojo Garcia, chairman of the cluster, said he got an average yield of 200 cav/ha in his 12-hectare farm. He said that the highest yield in the cluseter as 246 cav/ha, while the lowest was 173 cav/ha, a figure that is still higher than what they would usually get from ordinary or inbred rice varieties.
One member of the cluster, Mabini Barangay Captain Sebastian Garcia, harvested 205 cavans of 56 kg/cav, equivalent to 11.5 metric tons per hectare (mt/ha).
If Garcia sells his fresh produce at P10.30/kg, he would get a gross income of P118,244. deducting the hybrid-rice cost of production of P45,000/ha, he would enjoy a net income of P73,244. farmers who grow ordinary rice usually net P15,000-P25,000 per hectare only.
“When I was planting inbred rice varieties, I got a net income of only P10,000-P15,000 per hectare. But when I used hybrid rice in my seven-hectare farm, I got a net income of P50,000-P60,000 per hectare because I harvested 195 cavans per hectare. I now live with my family in a beautiful house, and bought a hand tractor, an owner-type jeep and a van from my hybrid rice earnings. Tody, I know for sure that hybrid rice really puts a smile in the face of an ordinary farmer like me,” cooperative member Jose Rigo said.
With farmers forming clusters at least 100 hectares, they get a consolidated and coordinated assistance from one another and from the government through the Department of Agriculture-Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (DAGMA) rice program.
DA provides them adequate irrigation, post-harvest facilities, farm-to-farm market roads, credit, and marketing assistance,
“The main advantage of the clustering approach is the convergence of all the production support services to the farmers. This contributed to the attainment of enhanced productivity by the farmers and ensuring profitability which is the main objective of the DA,” said Dr. Frisco Malabanan, DA-GMA rice program national coordinator.
The 52-member Bagong Buhay Multi-Purpose Cooperative was registered with the Cooperative Development Authority on 13 December 2005.
LETTERS
A call to the people of Sabangan, Mountain Province :
Election fever has ended and the next congressman was already determined. Glancing over the election results per municipality, it is so frustrating to see that of all the municipalities, Congressman Victor Dominguez did not make it in Sabangan where he should have excelled.
This is to consider the fact that Sabangan is his own homeplace and most of his programs implemented focused in this said area. It is such a shame that most people in Sabangan, as reflected in the election results do not appreciate the good accomplishments the congressman extended to them. May the people of Sabangan who did not support him during the election be bothered by their conscience and that they open their minds and support his next administration.
From: Victor Dominguez Youth Brigade
-------------------------------------------
An Answer to the ‘Call to the people of Sabangan’
Yes! Election fever has ended and everything should go back to normal.
First, lest the letter writer of the Victor Domingez Youth Brigade do not know, we must be reminded that we are living in a democratic country where we are privileged to have the freedom and the right to vote the candidate of our own choice. There is no shame in exercising this freedom… this right.
Second, please allow us to tell you that conscience is what guided the cotes of the e-Sabangan that is why the election result turned out as it is should be. Also, the Victor Dominguez Brigade is in no position lecture us about conscience for it is only God who knows who has a clear conscience. You may not be aware, but you are one of the reasons why majority of e-Sabangan turned their backs.
Third, the e-Sabangans do not deny that the Congressman has done so many projects for Sabangan. We appreciate that very much but that is his job as a public official to serve the people who empowered him for almost 30 years. Those projects should not restrict us to the extent of limiting the choices we opt to make. It is God who will bless him for a work well done.
May the Congressman and his family take the election result of Sabangan constructively and positively. This is a “good message” that the e-Sabangan would like to convey. May the election result and the events that happened during the campaign give us time to reflect and become better people.
May this serve as a guide for the implementation of his program, so when he decides to “retire” he can say before God and the people, “I have done my ‘best’ for the people of Sabangan and the whole of Mountain Province .” If not, he might have won the battle on earth but he did not win the war.
Lastly, the Congressman did not “excel” in Sabangan where he should have “excelled” because Sabangan is not for sale. God Bless and God Speed.
Concerned Sabangan voters
Election fever has ended and the next congressman was already determined. Glancing over the election results per municipality, it is so frustrating to see that of all the municipalities, Congressman Victor Dominguez did not make it in Sabangan where he should have excelled.
This is to consider the fact that Sabangan is his own homeplace and most of his programs implemented focused in this said area. It is such a shame that most people in Sabangan, as reflected in the election results do not appreciate the good accomplishments the congressman extended to them. May the people of Sabangan who did not support him during the election be bothered by their conscience and that they open their minds and support his next administration.
From: Victor Dominguez Youth Brigade
-------------------------------------------
An Answer to the ‘Call to the people of Sabangan’
Yes! Election fever has ended and everything should go back to normal.
First, lest the letter writer of the Victor Domingez Youth Brigade do not know, we must be reminded that we are living in a democratic country where we are privileged to have the freedom and the right to vote the candidate of our own choice. There is no shame in exercising this freedom… this right.
Second, please allow us to tell you that conscience is what guided the cotes of the e-Sabangan that is why the election result turned out as it is should be. Also, the Victor Dominguez Brigade is in no position lecture us about conscience for it is only God who knows who has a clear conscience. You may not be aware, but you are one of the reasons why majority of e-Sabangan turned their backs.
Third, the e-Sabangans do not deny that the Congressman has done so many projects for Sabangan. We appreciate that very much but that is his job as a public official to serve the people who empowered him for almost 30 years. Those projects should not restrict us to the extent of limiting the choices we opt to make. It is God who will bless him for a work well done.
May the Congressman and his family take the election result of Sabangan constructively and positively. This is a “good message” that the e-Sabangan would like to convey. May the election result and the events that happened during the campaign give us time to reflect and become better people.
May this serve as a guide for the implementation of his program, so when he decides to “retire” he can say before God and the people, “I have done my ‘best’ for the people of Sabangan and the whole of Mountain Province .” If not, he might have won the battle on earth but he did not win the war.
Lastly, the Congressman did not “excel” in Sabangan where he should have “excelled” because Sabangan is not for sale. God Bless and God Speed.
Concerned Sabangan voters
EDITORIAL
After elections, what now?
“Now that the election is over let us have unity and strive for economic progress,” is the favorite line of many a politician or government bureaucrat nowadays. No beef with that but after every election, we are back to our old, bad ways. It is back to work with all the wheeling and dealing. Would we have change after this election? Definitely yes, but for good or bad, that is the question our lawmakers would have to answer.
Where this country would go from here would be determined by the officials we have elected to office and the ones in Malacanang. And unless the people at the top would mend their corrupt ways, expect their subalterns in the rural areas to follow suit except for the few, rare and honest ones.
After this election, maybe one of our elected bigwigs would float again discussions on amending the constitution. Another would propose a parliamentary setup. Another would oppose it while another would say all are missing the point. This is the type of situation we are in now. We elect politicians to argue, rule over us and get our tax money while the economy is neglected.
We have three more years before another election is held and this time, to change the president. In between this time, we will have to know the immediate concerns and platforms of the politicians we have elected to office and other executive officials. They should be able to deliver their promises. Three years is too short a time and once these officials should sit down in office, they should spell out their immediate programs and announce it to the people.
Since they had a lot of promises during the campaign season, they should be able to implement the doables immediately. Those who will make good on their promises would have better chances come 2010 than those who do nothing but have an eye for people’s money. This blighted country is considered the most corrupt and “sick man of Asia ” and unless the people we have elected to their part, we would just be another Banana Republic, no thanks to our purported “servants of the people.”
“Now that the election is over let us have unity and strive for economic progress,” is the favorite line of many a politician or government bureaucrat nowadays. No beef with that but after every election, we are back to our old, bad ways. It is back to work with all the wheeling and dealing. Would we have change after this election? Definitely yes, but for good or bad, that is the question our lawmakers would have to answer.
Where this country would go from here would be determined by the officials we have elected to office and the ones in Malacanang. And unless the people at the top would mend their corrupt ways, expect their subalterns in the rural areas to follow suit except for the few, rare and honest ones.
After this election, maybe one of our elected bigwigs would float again discussions on amending the constitution. Another would propose a parliamentary setup. Another would oppose it while another would say all are missing the point. This is the type of situation we are in now. We elect politicians to argue, rule over us and get our tax money while the economy is neglected.
We have three more years before another election is held and this time, to change the president. In between this time, we will have to know the immediate concerns and platforms of the politicians we have elected to office and other executive officials. They should be able to deliver their promises. Three years is too short a time and once these officials should sit down in office, they should spell out their immediate programs and announce it to the people.
Since they had a lot of promises during the campaign season, they should be able to implement the doables immediately. Those who will make good on their promises would have better chances come 2010 than those who do nothing but have an eye for people’s money. This blighted country is considered the most corrupt and “sick man of Asia ” and unless the people we have elected to their part, we would just be another Banana Republic, no thanks to our purported “servants of the people.”
BEHIND THE SCENES
Campaign season starts after election
byALfred P. Dizon
This one's over but the next election is 156 Sundays away which means that when the counting has stopped, the campaign for the next one begins.
Actually, the official start of the presidential derby is 130 Sundays from now, as the convention of a party to choose its standard bearer is allowed six months before the May 2010 elections.
Unofficially, the race to 2010 begins on the morning after the elections. Considering the excitement over who is winning and who won in the national and local levels, it’s still too early to tell who will run for the presidency and the vice presidency in 2010. But you can discern from the body language of the aspirants in the weeks to come.
It is not only those who would like to replace President Arroyo as head of state who would kneel at the starting line, but all those who think they are the best man there is for their localities, never mind if they only know how to box or sing an off pitch song.
***
The motivation to win is strong for those who really want to win (not those who run to gain money from opponents or party coffers) thus the precept that reelection campaign begins on the day of one’s election applies to all.
We are now in the era of perpetual campaigning. This is because there are 1,000 days between elections. We are captive of an imperfect political system that requires constant campaigning. Ask any of your favorite politicians and he would agree.
The theory of perpetual campaign may not be applicable to all elective officials if they do their mandate and start exercising it. If a politician does his job well, the people will reward him with another mandate, unless of course one is as talented as Garci and one could be as bad as the big bad wolf and still win despite public disapproval.
***
This leaves me wondering if Garci intentionally doctored the votes in running as congressman so he would lose and show the world that he is an honest man and not capable of cheating votes by the millions. Did he finally see the light of day and came to realize that there is such a thing as karma?
Now another "political contest" is expected in Congress after the elections and the competition for speakership of the House and the presidency of the Senate would heat up. This is 'Level 2' of the legislative elections. There will be jockeying for the coveted posts. Plum posts in local legislative councils will also be up for grabs so it would be no surprise if even those who call themselves “clean” would make horse deals with their peers to get positions.
***
Sen. Ralph Recto is now saying "politics will not take a back seat if Charter change will be put on the front burner of the agenda of the 14th Congress. The things to do is fix the economy, focus on economic measures, pass the budget and fix kinks in the electoral system so the problems that visit us every elections since the Commonwealth days will be gone the next time around."
He is saying we must automate elections and the work to modernize elections so ballot tallies will not be written in blood must go on non-stop. Sensible because there are 156 Sundays left when precincts open again. But would politics be off the minds of some of our powerful officials? Maybe my dog Mukat could answer that since it is a simple question.
***
In the next elections, maybe opposition figures who are sure of getting elected would push for poll computerization. But for the comedians even in the opposition who are not sure of getting the will of the people. That is another story. You may ask Garci who among those in the opposition asked for favors from him when he was still Comelec commissioner. The word speaks plainly for itself.
Computerization is mind-boggling for some politicians and they would rather do it the hard and tested way of getting votes like a little convincing with a few pesos. Any dyed-in-the- wool politician, whether administration or opposition wouldn’t want to alter the status quo and initiate true to goodness electoral reforms like automation if jurassic means ensure his victory.
***
One thing more, it is almost an impossibility to reform the Commission on Elections and take out the lapdogs and magicians who have the expertise of making money disappear inside their pockets and votes into thin air.
You see, how in the world could the Comelec have come up with so many errors in the voters’ lists depriving thousands of people of their right to suffrage? This is outrageous considering that the Comelec practically does nothing for two and a half years before the next election comes around. What have they been doing all those time?
Taxpayers pay them to do nothing and when the campaign season starts, some of its officials come up with a bag of tricks to fleece some candidates of their money -- which have time and again, been suspected of having been taken out from national coffers made fat for the taking by again – people’s money.
***
Maybe it is high time people who were disenfranchised of their votes should file a class suit against the Comelec for depriving them the right to vote. It is a source of amazement how Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos and some of his subalterns interpret the law like coming up with the perfect timing to ensure that Alan Peter Cayetano doesn’t have a Chinaman’s chance of joining the Senate.
Like Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales, Abalos is the sort of man who never fails to get people talking against him. Either these two are masochists who have a perverted sense of satisfaction for being flayed or they still have a lot of things in their minds to entertain the people who have grown tired of the almost daily killings of activists, lawyers, judges and media persons.
***
You see, we need people like Gonzales and Abalos to make us happy. After all, we belong to the multitude who are paying for their salaries. We deserve to be entertained by our money. But then again, with the Comelec’s efforts to make this election “clean and credible,” the electoral body has again stepped on the shoes of an aghast media by ordering the Fourth Estate to stop “quick counts.”
With one swift statement, the Comelec has again shown its contempt for the media by trying to muscle it. According to Abalos, the Comelec didn’t authorize ABS-CBN and GMA7 to conduct “quick counts.” To put more teeth to his statements, Abalos said the Comelec would file charges against the television giants if they don’t stop counting. This country is becoming more dangerous – one could be hauled to court for brushing up on one’s arithmetic by counting votes.
After the Comelec had been flayed for its “genius” in counting votes (allegedly for the favored ones,) the electoral body doesn’t want the media now to perfect their math through exercises like quick counts. Now, the Comelec is perceived as an entity which is blocking the Fourth Estate in doing its job by informing the people of what is happening to their votes.
Media entities are now complaining the Comelec is acting as complainant, lawyer and judge. Where in the world can you find that? Only in da pilipins.
byALfred P. Dizon
This one's over but the next election is 156 Sundays away which means that when the counting has stopped, the campaign for the next one begins.
Actually, the official start of the presidential derby is 130 Sundays from now, as the convention of a party to choose its standard bearer is allowed six months before the May 2010 elections.
Unofficially, the race to 2010 begins on the morning after the elections. Considering the excitement over who is winning and who won in the national and local levels, it’s still too early to tell who will run for the presidency and the vice presidency in 2010. But you can discern from the body language of the aspirants in the weeks to come.
It is not only those who would like to replace President Arroyo as head of state who would kneel at the starting line, but all those who think they are the best man there is for their localities, never mind if they only know how to box or sing an off pitch song.
***
The motivation to win is strong for those who really want to win (not those who run to gain money from opponents or party coffers) thus the precept that reelection campaign begins on the day of one’s election applies to all.
We are now in the era of perpetual campaigning. This is because there are 1,000 days between elections. We are captive of an imperfect political system that requires constant campaigning. Ask any of your favorite politicians and he would agree.
The theory of perpetual campaign may not be applicable to all elective officials if they do their mandate and start exercising it. If a politician does his job well, the people will reward him with another mandate, unless of course one is as talented as Garci and one could be as bad as the big bad wolf and still win despite public disapproval.
***
This leaves me wondering if Garci intentionally doctored the votes in running as congressman so he would lose and show the world that he is an honest man and not capable of cheating votes by the millions. Did he finally see the light of day and came to realize that there is such a thing as karma?
Now another "political contest" is expected in Congress after the elections and the competition for speakership of the House and the presidency of the Senate would heat up. This is 'Level 2' of the legislative elections. There will be jockeying for the coveted posts. Plum posts in local legislative councils will also be up for grabs so it would be no surprise if even those who call themselves “clean” would make horse deals with their peers to get positions.
***
Sen. Ralph Recto is now saying "politics will not take a back seat if Charter change will be put on the front burner of the agenda of the 14th Congress. The things to do is fix the economy, focus on economic measures, pass the budget and fix kinks in the electoral system so the problems that visit us every elections since the Commonwealth days will be gone the next time around."
He is saying we must automate elections and the work to modernize elections so ballot tallies will not be written in blood must go on non-stop. Sensible because there are 156 Sundays left when precincts open again. But would politics be off the minds of some of our powerful officials? Maybe my dog Mukat could answer that since it is a simple question.
***
In the next elections, maybe opposition figures who are sure of getting elected would push for poll computerization. But for the comedians even in the opposition who are not sure of getting the will of the people. That is another story. You may ask Garci who among those in the opposition asked for favors from him when he was still Comelec commissioner. The word speaks plainly for itself.
Computerization is mind-boggling for some politicians and they would rather do it the hard and tested way of getting votes like a little convincing with a few pesos. Any dyed-in-the- wool politician, whether administration or opposition wouldn’t want to alter the status quo and initiate true to goodness electoral reforms like automation if jurassic means ensure his victory.
***
One thing more, it is almost an impossibility to reform the Commission on Elections and take out the lapdogs and magicians who have the expertise of making money disappear inside their pockets and votes into thin air.
You see, how in the world could the Comelec have come up with so many errors in the voters’ lists depriving thousands of people of their right to suffrage? This is outrageous considering that the Comelec practically does nothing for two and a half years before the next election comes around. What have they been doing all those time?
Taxpayers pay them to do nothing and when the campaign season starts, some of its officials come up with a bag of tricks to fleece some candidates of their money -- which have time and again, been suspected of having been taken out from national coffers made fat for the taking by again – people’s money.
***
Maybe it is high time people who were disenfranchised of their votes should file a class suit against the Comelec for depriving them the right to vote. It is a source of amazement how Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos and some of his subalterns interpret the law like coming up with the perfect timing to ensure that Alan Peter Cayetano doesn’t have a Chinaman’s chance of joining the Senate.
Like Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales, Abalos is the sort of man who never fails to get people talking against him. Either these two are masochists who have a perverted sense of satisfaction for being flayed or they still have a lot of things in their minds to entertain the people who have grown tired of the almost daily killings of activists, lawyers, judges and media persons.
***
You see, we need people like Gonzales and Abalos to make us happy. After all, we belong to the multitude who are paying for their salaries. We deserve to be entertained by our money. But then again, with the Comelec’s efforts to make this election “clean and credible,” the electoral body has again stepped on the shoes of an aghast media by ordering the Fourth Estate to stop “quick counts.”
With one swift statement, the Comelec has again shown its contempt for the media by trying to muscle it. According to Abalos, the Comelec didn’t authorize ABS-CBN and GMA7 to conduct “quick counts.” To put more teeth to his statements, Abalos said the Comelec would file charges against the television giants if they don’t stop counting. This country is becoming more dangerous – one could be hauled to court for brushing up on one’s arithmetic by counting votes.
After the Comelec had been flayed for its “genius” in counting votes (allegedly for the favored ones,) the electoral body doesn’t want the media now to perfect their math through exercises like quick counts. Now, the Comelec is perceived as an entity which is blocking the Fourth Estate in doing its job by informing the people of what is happening to their votes.
Media entities are now complaining the Comelec is acting as complainant, lawyer and judge. Where in the world can you find that? Only in da pilipins.
BENCHWARMER
Keep those “polyetos”
by Ramon Dacawi
Some of the platforms I’ve read from the “polyetos” from the recent polls were similar to what I had read in previous elections. The promises they contained were no different from the recent past, as the issues remain the same: greater focus on environmental conservation, heightened sports and youth programs, promotion of tourism, social housing, livelihood generation, peace and order, and so forth.
Some of the credentials were impressive: civic and community leader, sportsman, pro-poor, pro-youth, pro-elderly, pro-people, tested public servant, environmentalist, planner and whatever. Some were quite wanting, not grounded, reflective of discrepancy and disunity between theory and practice.
Self-proclamations based on a one-shot involvement in sports doesn’t help a kid become another world boxing champ. Obviously, in the same token, a fighter’s heart and popularity doesn’t necessarily make him fit for political service. Pronouncements of what one thinks of himself do not make a tree grow. In a similar vein, having a gadget to measure the rate of pollution doesn’t mean we can reduce smog within our urban midst.
So I voted for those who consistently walked the talk, whether they were, are still in or still out of the city council. Some in my personal list made it, like re-electionist Erdolfo Balajadia, a dyed-in-the wool environmental worker who took over the leadership of the Baguio Regreening Movement when Bishop Ernesto Salgado, the pioneer chair, was reassigned to the Diocese in Laoag.
Some didn’t, like lawyer Ronaldo Perez who quietly but effectively served us as citysecretary for years. If it’s any blessing, I failed to join that winner-take-all betting on who could predict the 12 incoming honorables in the city council. I would have lost.
Winners or losers, I’m hopeful most of those carried in my ballot would pursue their platforms, be it in their elective, civic or personal capacity. Their track records in and out of government are enough reason for this optimism. They’ve been doing development programs long before they were drafted to the party or independent slates. Elected or not, they’ll still implement community projects within their givens.
That’s why I voted for punong barangay Edita Ibarra of Middle Quezon Hill. She’s out of the Magic 12 as I write this. Still, she’s one good reason for that poll ruling that candidates need not resign their present elective posts. She’ll go back to serving her community which, under her leadership, prides of having the city’s best multi-purpose center and barangay clinic. She can resume guiding the barangay in developing its nature park, maintaining peace and strengthening its sense of community. For one, one need not be elected city, municipal orprovincial legislator to help push quality legislation.
The late secretary to the mayor and newsman Willie Cacdac failed in his try for thesanggunian, yet he drafted some of the substantial resolutions and ordinances. The late feature writer Freddie Mayo also did bring his own legislative agenda by having a councilor sponsor measures he fashioned out for the community’s good.
Both helped shape policy directions the city should take by molding some of the best speeches that did justice to then mayor Luis Lardizabal’s brilliance in oratory and administration, in form and substance.
One need not be elected to be able to tend to a growing tree or support a promising kid develop his or her potentials in wushu. Dr. Julie Camdas-Cabato never sought a city council seat yet she remains one of Baguio ’s top environmental guideposts, aside from being a respected medical practitioner.
Neither did Dr. Charles Cheng run in politics just so he and other dyed-in-the-wool sportsmen could discover and help Michael Calpito and Eden Banta become national marathon champions.
Good governance, whatever that means, is not limited to those in government. Governance is not government, as process is distinguished from structure.
Governance, as we are told, is the sharing of power, resources, authority, responsibility and duty among those in government and out of it, to jointly address problems and issues that would bring community closer to what it should be.
In fact, getting elected can be limiting, or reason to be limited. Over the years, some of those who had served in some city, provincial and municipal councils found themselves limited in their work. They would file resolutions and ordinances that tended to duplicate laws and statutes already existing.
Reminded of this by their peers, they would find their proposals reduced to letters reminding those in the executive to implement particular laws previously passed.
Others would go beyond legislation, dipping their hands into executive functions and derailing plans and programs that department heads had prepared and which the sanggunian itself had previously approved.
Winners or losers, some eventually forgot their platforms. That’s why we need to keep those “polyetos”, not for the best photographic smiles, but to help us to gauge performance based on what the wannabes promised to do. That would make easier the citizen’s task of choosing who should be in or out three years from now. (e-mail: rdacawi@yahoo.com for comments)
by Ramon Dacawi
Some of the platforms I’ve read from the “polyetos” from the recent polls were similar to what I had read in previous elections. The promises they contained were no different from the recent past, as the issues remain the same: greater focus on environmental conservation, heightened sports and youth programs, promotion of tourism, social housing, livelihood generation, peace and order, and so forth.
Some of the credentials were impressive: civic and community leader, sportsman, pro-poor, pro-youth, pro-elderly, pro-people, tested public servant, environmentalist, planner and whatever. Some were quite wanting, not grounded, reflective of discrepancy and disunity between theory and practice.
Self-proclamations based on a one-shot involvement in sports doesn’t help a kid become another world boxing champ. Obviously, in the same token, a fighter’s heart and popularity doesn’t necessarily make him fit for political service. Pronouncements of what one thinks of himself do not make a tree grow. In a similar vein, having a gadget to measure the rate of pollution doesn’t mean we can reduce smog within our urban midst.
So I voted for those who consistently walked the talk, whether they were, are still in or still out of the city council. Some in my personal list made it, like re-electionist Erdolfo Balajadia, a dyed-in-the wool environmental worker who took over the leadership of the Baguio Regreening Movement when Bishop Ernesto Salgado, the pioneer chair, was reassigned to the Diocese in Laoag.
Some didn’t, like lawyer Ronaldo Perez who quietly but effectively served us as citysecretary for years. If it’s any blessing, I failed to join that winner-take-all betting on who could predict the 12 incoming honorables in the city council. I would have lost.
Winners or losers, I’m hopeful most of those carried in my ballot would pursue their platforms, be it in their elective, civic or personal capacity. Their track records in and out of government are enough reason for this optimism. They’ve been doing development programs long before they were drafted to the party or independent slates. Elected or not, they’ll still implement community projects within their givens.
That’s why I voted for punong barangay Edita Ibarra of Middle Quezon Hill. She’s out of the Magic 12 as I write this. Still, she’s one good reason for that poll ruling that candidates need not resign their present elective posts. She’ll go back to serving her community which, under her leadership, prides of having the city’s best multi-purpose center and barangay clinic. She can resume guiding the barangay in developing its nature park, maintaining peace and strengthening its sense of community. For one, one need not be elected city, municipal orprovincial legislator to help push quality legislation.
The late secretary to the mayor and newsman Willie Cacdac failed in his try for thesanggunian, yet he drafted some of the substantial resolutions and ordinances. The late feature writer Freddie Mayo also did bring his own legislative agenda by having a councilor sponsor measures he fashioned out for the community’s good.
Both helped shape policy directions the city should take by molding some of the best speeches that did justice to then mayor Luis Lardizabal’s brilliance in oratory and administration, in form and substance.
One need not be elected to be able to tend to a growing tree or support a promising kid develop his or her potentials in wushu. Dr. Julie Camdas-Cabato never sought a city council seat yet she remains one of Baguio ’s top environmental guideposts, aside from being a respected medical practitioner.
Neither did Dr. Charles Cheng run in politics just so he and other dyed-in-the-wool sportsmen could discover and help Michael Calpito and Eden Banta become national marathon champions.
Good governance, whatever that means, is not limited to those in government. Governance is not government, as process is distinguished from structure.
Governance, as we are told, is the sharing of power, resources, authority, responsibility and duty among those in government and out of it, to jointly address problems and issues that would bring community closer to what it should be.
In fact, getting elected can be limiting, or reason to be limited. Over the years, some of those who had served in some city, provincial and municipal councils found themselves limited in their work. They would file resolutions and ordinances that tended to duplicate laws and statutes already existing.
Reminded of this by their peers, they would find their proposals reduced to letters reminding those in the executive to implement particular laws previously passed.
Others would go beyond legislation, dipping their hands into executive functions and derailing plans and programs that department heads had prepared and which the sanggunian itself had previously approved.
Winners or losers, some eventually forgot their platforms. That’s why we need to keep those “polyetos”, not for the best photographic smiles, but to help us to gauge performance based on what the wannabes promised to do. That would make easier the citizen’s task of choosing who should be in or out three years from now. (e-mail: rdacawi@yahoo.com for comments)
LETTERS FROM THE AGNO
What is a Philippine election?
by March L.Fianza
This week’s article contains questions with answers that was sent via e-mail by my friend Rene Aguinaldo, a retired engineer who is now based in Canada . His article was slightly edited with a few additions. We urge our readers to please have the freedom to edit the same, add more data that they know of and e-mail the article to others including me.
It all begins when the country's brightest, most highly qualified inhabitants, the young dynamic professionals, citizens who have the potential to make good leaders, gettogether and examine the country's problems, the state of politics and the long-term national prospects.
What happens next? They decide to emigrate. And after that? Another group of bright people get together. What do they do? They also emigrate and so on and so forth. What does any of this have to do with a Philippine election? When talented, smart and highly qualified potential leaders leave the country all the time, who are you left with? Retired basketball players? Toilet comedians? Actors and actresses? Spoiled vicious rich kids? Ageing and debauched hermaphrodites? Boxing Champs? You're now ready to hold a Philippine election.
How important are elected officials to the Philippines ? Nobody's been able to figure out an answer to that one. What's at stake in a Philippine election? Prizes and surprises! Jueteng money in millions in cash! Dream houses! The vacations of your choice! Fun for the entire family! That's from the politician's point of view
How many positions are waiting to be filled in the coming elections? About 17,000 public offices and a still undetermined number of graves. So it's like lotto? Sort of, except that when you lose you could lose your life. Who are qualified to run?Anyone at all! Generally, any person of any citizenship who's alive, of a certain age, good and bad character and able to summon a mob huge enough to intimidate the Supreme Court.
What kind of candidates has the most chances of winning? Artists who have the confidence of the people. You mean a con artist? Don't you? You said it, we didn't. Who are qualified to vote? Those willing to be bussed around and go a hard day's work visiting a lot of precincts during election day.
Talk about parties in the Philippines . Everybody loves going to parties in the Philippines .No, political parties. Oh!. Well, in the past there used to be only two parties, the Liberalistas and the Nacionalistas. Now there are more than a dozen, but they still all fall under two main parties: the Sosyalites and the Opportunistas. What's the difference between the two parties? Sosyalites love parties. Opportunistas will join any.
Explain what a presidential election is all about. Did you hear the one about the murderer, the thief, the incompetent, the idiot and the cheater? No, is that a joke?That's the presidential election. You're a cynical bastard, aren't you? No, no, no, I’m not running for office.
Why are there so many international observers who come to a Philippine election?They're fascinated by all the strange phenomena which accompany it. What are you talking about? Miracles are a dime a dozen during elections here. Vicious criminals suddenly become saintly leaders. Voters fly. The dead cast their ballots. Morons become national leaders. Voting results are reported even in areas where no voting occurred.
Why is the Church so closely involved in elections? They're also interested in studying the miracles. Also, priests are needed to administer the last sacraments to all the people who were killed. Philippine elections sound like they're really violent and bloody. Oh, not really! Only more than a hundred die on the average.
Why that's only a teensy fraction of the population! And the police say that the election is “generally peaceful.” After all, most victims belong to the opposition. Finally, everything blows over after election day, so the country can bet back to its usual kidnapping, wholesale graft, hostage taking and coup attempts.
How clean are Philippine elections? Let’s put it this way: if Philippine elections were your house, you wouldn't want to live in it. What are guns, goons and gold? These are the three traditional important elements of a successful election. There's a new one: film credits.
How can you tell an election outcome is suspicious? Power failures in very specific rooms where the counting is taking place. Numbers that start losing zeroes as the days go by. Ballot boxes are dosed with gasoline and burned including the teachers who help in the elections. Schools where the voting takes place are burned, too.
Can't the candidates, out of the goodness of their hearts, put a stop tocrooked elections? You really ARE from another planet, aren't you? – marchfianza777@yahoo.com
by March L.Fianza
This week’s article contains questions with answers that was sent via e-mail by my friend Rene Aguinaldo, a retired engineer who is now based in Canada . His article was slightly edited with a few additions. We urge our readers to please have the freedom to edit the same, add more data that they know of and e-mail the article to others including me.
It all begins when the country's brightest, most highly qualified inhabitants, the young dynamic professionals, citizens who have the potential to make good leaders, gettogether and examine the country's problems, the state of politics and the long-term national prospects.
What happens next? They decide to emigrate. And after that? Another group of bright people get together. What do they do? They also emigrate and so on and so forth. What does any of this have to do with a Philippine election? When talented, smart and highly qualified potential leaders leave the country all the time, who are you left with? Retired basketball players? Toilet comedians? Actors and actresses? Spoiled vicious rich kids? Ageing and debauched hermaphrodites? Boxing Champs? You're now ready to hold a Philippine election.
How important are elected officials to the Philippines ? Nobody's been able to figure out an answer to that one. What's at stake in a Philippine election? Prizes and surprises! Jueteng money in millions in cash! Dream houses! The vacations of your choice! Fun for the entire family! That's from the politician's point of view
How many positions are waiting to be filled in the coming elections? About 17,000 public offices and a still undetermined number of graves. So it's like lotto? Sort of, except that when you lose you could lose your life. Who are qualified to run?Anyone at all! Generally, any person of any citizenship who's alive, of a certain age, good and bad character and able to summon a mob huge enough to intimidate the Supreme Court.
What kind of candidates has the most chances of winning? Artists who have the confidence of the people. You mean a con artist? Don't you? You said it, we didn't. Who are qualified to vote? Those willing to be bussed around and go a hard day's work visiting a lot of precincts during election day.
Talk about parties in the Philippines . Everybody loves going to parties in the Philippines .No, political parties. Oh!. Well, in the past there used to be only two parties, the Liberalistas and the Nacionalistas. Now there are more than a dozen, but they still all fall under two main parties: the Sosyalites and the Opportunistas. What's the difference between the two parties? Sosyalites love parties. Opportunistas will join any.
Explain what a presidential election is all about. Did you hear the one about the murderer, the thief, the incompetent, the idiot and the cheater? No, is that a joke?That's the presidential election. You're a cynical bastard, aren't you? No, no, no, I’m not running for office.
Why are there so many international observers who come to a Philippine election?They're fascinated by all the strange phenomena which accompany it. What are you talking about? Miracles are a dime a dozen during elections here. Vicious criminals suddenly become saintly leaders. Voters fly. The dead cast their ballots. Morons become national leaders. Voting results are reported even in areas where no voting occurred.
Why is the Church so closely involved in elections? They're also interested in studying the miracles. Also, priests are needed to administer the last sacraments to all the people who were killed. Philippine elections sound like they're really violent and bloody. Oh, not really! Only more than a hundred die on the average.
Why that's only a teensy fraction of the population! And the police say that the election is “generally peaceful.” After all, most victims belong to the opposition. Finally, everything blows over after election day, so the country can bet back to its usual kidnapping, wholesale graft, hostage taking and coup attempts.
How clean are Philippine elections? Let’s put it this way: if Philippine elections were your house, you wouldn't want to live in it. What are guns, goons and gold? These are the three traditional important elements of a successful election. There's a new one: film credits.
How can you tell an election outcome is suspicious? Power failures in very specific rooms where the counting is taking place. Numbers that start losing zeroes as the days go by. Ballot boxes are dosed with gasoline and burned including the teachers who help in the elections. Schools where the voting takes place are burned, too.
Can't the candidates, out of the goodness of their hearts, put a stop tocrooked elections? You really ARE from another planet, aren't you? – marchfianza777@yahoo.com
THE MOUNTAINEER
A time for peace
by Edison Baddal
Election time has come and gone. Save for the senatorial bets in some places where elections were nullified or declared a failure, winners for various local positions which were contested to, could have been proclaimed by now.
In Mountain Province , winners for provincial positions were proclaimed without much fanfare two nights after election day including the district representative handily won by incumbent Rep. Victor Dominguez over three major rivals. Those in the municipal level were also proclaimed.
This goes without saying that at this juncture, the guns should have been literally silenced. The saber-rattling for the whole duration of the 45-day campaign characterized by a slew of muckraking, black propagandas and vicious recriminations drained much of the energies of contending rivals, let alone their caboodle of loyal supporters and hangers-on.
On the extreme, election-related violence snuffed out a few lives of partisans in various corners of the Cordillera. Somehow, this marred hope for peaceful and orderly elections and sullied the integrity of the electoral process though none such incident befell Mt. Province even during the feverish stage of the campaign period.
At worst, the destruction of life and property is the vicious aspect of the elections though it is no better than discrediting the personhood of one’s nemesis. Needles to say, on the spiritual and moral spectrum, not to mention the dictates of election laws and constitutional provisions, there is only room for dispassionate rules of fair play in an election.
As things stand now, not a few egos were busted by smear campaigns that flew thick and thin during the campaign. Against Rep. Dominguez, the main point of target by his opponents was the demolition of the Anglican chapel in Poblacion, Sabangan.
This was done sometime in 2006 to give way to the construction of a public sports gymnasium. The brazen act drew a lot of firestorm from the Episcopalian community then. Several campaign leaflets were floated impugning and discrediting him for impudence done to a house of worship. The diatribe and disparaging propaganda almost painted him as some sort of a devil’s advocate with a malevolent mind and tendency towards megalomania.
No less than the aggrieved Anglican clergy in the Episcopalian strongholds of Sagada and Besao lent their strident voices in the crescendo of the opposition. To all and sundry, it was a malfeasance through and through as consequent court decisions will bear out. The burning question then was: Was the demolition of the Anglican Chapel under his bold initiative enough ground to dislodge Vic Dominguez from his seemingly impregnable perch?
On the other hand, for the incumbent governor, the charge of misfeasance in the implementation of projects was rehashed during the campaign though not as loud. The main focus of the contention for the gubernatorial positions was the feasibility of the controversial proposal of Lacwasan to allocate P100,000 for each barangay.
He propounded this during the past year in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan which eventually threw rough patch in the relations between the provincial board and the governor. It is also factionalized the board. He failed to get the nod of the majority of the board members into the catchy election campaign slogan: “Barangay Muna.”
Dalog stuck to his prestigious “Prestige” campaign. The catchy acronym is written concretization of his platform that carried him during the previous elections. He subtly parlayed the tangible accomplishments that he initiated under the multi-prolonged program in his current term into a massive pile of votes over his worthiest opponent.
At this point, the failure to defeat incumbents Dalog and Dominguez after several nasty charges were hurled against them is downright surprising and awe-inspiring. The muckraking grew worse as the campaign approached the finish line.
They moved and spoke on the defensive for most of the campaign period. Anyhow, such is the downside of the incumbency. In the case of the incumbent congressman, most of his campaign sorties were spent on oral defense before the bar of public opinion.
Consequently, their ultimate victories proved one thing. Their worthy opponents are not yet fit to hold a candle against them. Nonetheless, this is not absolution by the people for whatever malfeasances they may have indulged themselves in. It is more a case of having the privilege of exercising the right to choose the less harmless alternative of the lesser evil.
Without much bustle then on how things came to be in the last elections, one truism that qualifies elections is that its result can never be clearly predictable. Anyone can win in an election, especially if one has the power to persuade, accompanied by adequacy of resources and an admirable personal resume. But the dynamics and dialects of elections is another story altogether.
Now that the smoke of battle has cleared, it is about time that the weary warriors should set aside their weaponry. For the losers, though they may have burned their boats by casting their lot into political ring, all is not lost. They still have the upcoming three years to prepare for another attempt. For the victors, it’s offering peace for their wounded opponents in their defeat. It’s hard to accept defeat after an arduous fight but non-acceptence will make it harder.
The bible says, there is a time for everything. As the time for war has concluded with the victors of the elections proclaimed, it is time to bury the hatchet.
by Edison Baddal
Election time has come and gone. Save for the senatorial bets in some places where elections were nullified or declared a failure, winners for various local positions which were contested to, could have been proclaimed by now.
In Mountain Province , winners for provincial positions were proclaimed without much fanfare two nights after election day including the district representative handily won by incumbent Rep. Victor Dominguez over three major rivals. Those in the municipal level were also proclaimed.
This goes without saying that at this juncture, the guns should have been literally silenced. The saber-rattling for the whole duration of the 45-day campaign characterized by a slew of muckraking, black propagandas and vicious recriminations drained much of the energies of contending rivals, let alone their caboodle of loyal supporters and hangers-on.
On the extreme, election-related violence snuffed out a few lives of partisans in various corners of the Cordillera. Somehow, this marred hope for peaceful and orderly elections and sullied the integrity of the electoral process though none such incident befell Mt. Province even during the feverish stage of the campaign period.
At worst, the destruction of life and property is the vicious aspect of the elections though it is no better than discrediting the personhood of one’s nemesis. Needles to say, on the spiritual and moral spectrum, not to mention the dictates of election laws and constitutional provisions, there is only room for dispassionate rules of fair play in an election.
As things stand now, not a few egos were busted by smear campaigns that flew thick and thin during the campaign. Against Rep. Dominguez, the main point of target by his opponents was the demolition of the Anglican chapel in Poblacion, Sabangan.
This was done sometime in 2006 to give way to the construction of a public sports gymnasium. The brazen act drew a lot of firestorm from the Episcopalian community then. Several campaign leaflets were floated impugning and discrediting him for impudence done to a house of worship. The diatribe and disparaging propaganda almost painted him as some sort of a devil’s advocate with a malevolent mind and tendency towards megalomania.
No less than the aggrieved Anglican clergy in the Episcopalian strongholds of Sagada and Besao lent their strident voices in the crescendo of the opposition. To all and sundry, it was a malfeasance through and through as consequent court decisions will bear out. The burning question then was: Was the demolition of the Anglican Chapel under his bold initiative enough ground to dislodge Vic Dominguez from his seemingly impregnable perch?
On the other hand, for the incumbent governor, the charge of misfeasance in the implementation of projects was rehashed during the campaign though not as loud. The main focus of the contention for the gubernatorial positions was the feasibility of the controversial proposal of Lacwasan to allocate P100,000 for each barangay.
He propounded this during the past year in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan which eventually threw rough patch in the relations between the provincial board and the governor. It is also factionalized the board. He failed to get the nod of the majority of the board members into the catchy election campaign slogan: “Barangay Muna.”
Dalog stuck to his prestigious “Prestige” campaign. The catchy acronym is written concretization of his platform that carried him during the previous elections. He subtly parlayed the tangible accomplishments that he initiated under the multi-prolonged program in his current term into a massive pile of votes over his worthiest opponent.
At this point, the failure to defeat incumbents Dalog and Dominguez after several nasty charges were hurled against them is downright surprising and awe-inspiring. The muckraking grew worse as the campaign approached the finish line.
They moved and spoke on the defensive for most of the campaign period. Anyhow, such is the downside of the incumbency. In the case of the incumbent congressman, most of his campaign sorties were spent on oral defense before the bar of public opinion.
Consequently, their ultimate victories proved one thing. Their worthy opponents are not yet fit to hold a candle against them. Nonetheless, this is not absolution by the people for whatever malfeasances they may have indulged themselves in. It is more a case of having the privilege of exercising the right to choose the less harmless alternative of the lesser evil.
Without much bustle then on how things came to be in the last elections, one truism that qualifies elections is that its result can never be clearly predictable. Anyone can win in an election, especially if one has the power to persuade, accompanied by adequacy of resources and an admirable personal resume. But the dynamics and dialects of elections is another story altogether.
Now that the smoke of battle has cleared, it is about time that the weary warriors should set aside their weaponry. For the losers, though they may have burned their boats by casting their lot into political ring, all is not lost. They still have the upcoming three years to prepare for another attempt. For the victors, it’s offering peace for their wounded opponents in their defeat. It’s hard to accept defeat after an arduous fight but non-acceptence will make it harder.
The bible says, there is a time for everything. As the time for war has concluded with the victors of the elections proclaimed, it is time to bury the hatchet.
HAPPY WEEKEND
Vote buying and mental slavery
by Gina Dizon
SAGADA, Mountain Province -- Once again, the Philippines has exercised its popular version of what elections mean -- cheating and violence. The recent display of elections, Philippine style, is another round of a stinking electoral exercise practiced in the previous 2004 elections where the electoral fraud reportedly perpetrated by top officials of this country has not reached satisfactory decision in court.
Here in culture-rich and peaceful Mountain Province where there are no reported cases of murder and violence during elections, accounts and stories of vote-buying however have been heard to have reportedly been done throughout the province.
Talks of 500 to 1500 peso bills are rife over the grapevine to have been given to the electorate and even directly reported to this writer to have been distributed per household.
Not only is there reported direct vote-buying which is an illegal act, but also reports of indirect vote buying perpetrated through the giving of pigs during reunions and other family or community celebrations.
A local tourist here in this tourist town was surprised to know vote-buying happened here knowing that cases of vote-buying were filed with the Commission on Elections. She thought it was only in her hometown in Sorsogon and other poverty stricken places that vote- buying happens.
Sagada, while it is a tourist town is still an agricultural community just like other town or province of this agricultural country. Only a few households derive their income from tourism with a few families operating inns and restaurants, and others serving as tourist guides. The rest of the majority of the populace are farmers while some of the very few are employed in government and in private businesses.
Like the rest of the poverty-stricken Filipinos, Sagada populace are also hit with the effects of poverty such that a 500 peso bill freely given by a supporter of a political candidate or given by the candidate himself is already a blessing enough to buy a half cavan of rice or a 1,500 bill enough to buy a cavan of rice and a kilo of sugar.
To complicate matters, the acceptance of the money comes along with the psychological effect of voting for the one who gives the money, otherwise, it would be a curse not to. With a people who have strong cultural, if not superstitious beliefs of receiving a favor and giving back a favor in return, people become enslaved to this system of conscionable vote selling.
That is why, the advise of some politicians for the electorate not to vote for the one who gives the money does not work especially in this 4th class province. Chances are, the one who gives the money or a cow or a pig always wins and the one who presents a very good platform without giving money, will not win.
Calls for new politics, consultative governance, and democratic participation espoused by losing former congressional aspirants in the province including lawyers Anthony Wooden and David Daoas in the 2004 elections, and engineers Arnold Pilando and Jupiter Dominguez in the recent elections remain to be ideal platforms of good governance which have not taken off the ground.
Even implementation of the Local Government Code involving non-government agencies and participation of constituents in the making of barangay municipal and provincial development plans have not been fully implemented since the law’s passage in 1991.
The assertive involvement of the electorate in making a better community is still to be felt. While the law is there for people to participate in decision making for their own betterment and active involvement, governance has been left in the hands of the ones whom they have elected into office.
Either the electorate is apathetic due to utter helplessness or ignorance, or they have simply considered involvement in decision making the least of their priorities in life. This “stinking political system” says Sagada native Rose Capuyan, will continue with a people enslaved and helpless.
This feeling of helplessness and chosen slavery perpetuates when money or a gift is received from a traditional politician who in turn is voted by the recipient in return during elections.
by Gina Dizon
SAGADA, Mountain Province -- Once again, the Philippines has exercised its popular version of what elections mean -- cheating and violence. The recent display of elections, Philippine style, is another round of a stinking electoral exercise practiced in the previous 2004 elections where the electoral fraud reportedly perpetrated by top officials of this country has not reached satisfactory decision in court.
Here in culture-rich and peaceful Mountain Province where there are no reported cases of murder and violence during elections, accounts and stories of vote-buying however have been heard to have reportedly been done throughout the province.
Talks of 500 to 1500 peso bills are rife over the grapevine to have been given to the electorate and even directly reported to this writer to have been distributed per household.
Not only is there reported direct vote-buying which is an illegal act, but also reports of indirect vote buying perpetrated through the giving of pigs during reunions and other family or community celebrations.
A local tourist here in this tourist town was surprised to know vote-buying happened here knowing that cases of vote-buying were filed with the Commission on Elections. She thought it was only in her hometown in Sorsogon and other poverty stricken places that vote- buying happens.
Sagada, while it is a tourist town is still an agricultural community just like other town or province of this agricultural country. Only a few households derive their income from tourism with a few families operating inns and restaurants, and others serving as tourist guides. The rest of the majority of the populace are farmers while some of the very few are employed in government and in private businesses.
Like the rest of the poverty-stricken Filipinos, Sagada populace are also hit with the effects of poverty such that a 500 peso bill freely given by a supporter of a political candidate or given by the candidate himself is already a blessing enough to buy a half cavan of rice or a 1,500 bill enough to buy a cavan of rice and a kilo of sugar.
To complicate matters, the acceptance of the money comes along with the psychological effect of voting for the one who gives the money, otherwise, it would be a curse not to. With a people who have strong cultural, if not superstitious beliefs of receiving a favor and giving back a favor in return, people become enslaved to this system of conscionable vote selling.
That is why, the advise of some politicians for the electorate not to vote for the one who gives the money does not work especially in this 4th class province. Chances are, the one who gives the money or a cow or a pig always wins and the one who presents a very good platform without giving money, will not win.
Calls for new politics, consultative governance, and democratic participation espoused by losing former congressional aspirants in the province including lawyers Anthony Wooden and David Daoas in the 2004 elections, and engineers Arnold Pilando and Jupiter Dominguez in the recent elections remain to be ideal platforms of good governance which have not taken off the ground.
Even implementation of the Local Government Code involving non-government agencies and participation of constituents in the making of barangay municipal and provincial development plans have not been fully implemented since the law’s passage in 1991.
The assertive involvement of the electorate in making a better community is still to be felt. While the law is there for people to participate in decision making for their own betterment and active involvement, governance has been left in the hands of the ones whom they have elected into office.
Either the electorate is apathetic due to utter helplessness or ignorance, or they have simply considered involvement in decision making the least of their priorities in life. This “stinking political system” says Sagada native Rose Capuyan, will continue with a people enslaved and helpless.
This feeling of helplessness and chosen slavery perpetuates when money or a gift is received from a traditional politician who in turn is voted by the recipient in return during elections.
CALIFORNIA DREAMING
Mother's Day
by Benito ‘Jong’ Molintas Jr.
She is the most kind, understanding, forgiving, and supportive figure individual. She is always around to listen to our problems. Although, known to be physically weak, she valued much. She is our mom.
May 11 was Mother’s Day. I hope that with our hectic schedules in getting ahead in life, we are reminded often of the value of our mothers.
It is our mothers who carried us in the womb for months and cradled us until we could walk. But did we greet them last Mother’s Day? Did we realize that even if we were grown up – they experienced hardship when they were raising us as babies? I am certain some of us have shouted at them and ignored their pieces of advice, listened instead to our peers and joined them in imbibing illegal drugs and liquor.
It is painful to be in their shoes and hopefully for the younger generation, they would honor their mothers and give them the due respect they deserve. Their kindness and understanding have often been abused by selfish and self-centered children.
Let us give our parents their due. Let us show respect, love, and care when they are incapable of doing so. It hurts to be abused. Right after my mom retired at the Justice Hall of Bontoc, I became depressed when this former officemate had an altercation with her uttering cuss words like “bullshit.”
This prodded me to curse the lady. It wouldn’t have mattered if my mom made a mistake against her but she didn’t. Good if the person who uttered the expletives was known to be clean and honest. My mom was known to be a religious person and didn’t know how to hurt people.
Anyway, these types of people will soon have to deal with their karma.
It is revolting when one’s mom is the object of injustice committed by people in positions of power by they a clerk, stenographer, or somebody higher who they think they are the judges of their subalterns.
Let me share this to people who feel this way, particularly those who improved their lives despite persecution that through the help of the Lord we attained something, be it a position or wealth. We must be thankful to Him for his great deeds.
Mother’s Day, is a challenge to people who have done something wrong to others that we should remember that we have our children and other people could do something bad to them. This is also a thought for mothers to leave a legacy for the younger generation who would in turn become mothers in the future.
It would be painful on the part of a mother to see her children being abused and experiencing the bad things she had to pass though. Thus, to the mothers -- act as mothers so that your children would learn how to give respect, love and care not only to their immediate family but to others.
by Benito ‘Jong’ Molintas Jr.
She is the most kind, understanding, forgiving, and supportive figure individual. She is always around to listen to our problems. Although, known to be physically weak, she valued much. She is our mom.
May 11 was Mother’s Day. I hope that with our hectic schedules in getting ahead in life, we are reminded often of the value of our mothers.
It is our mothers who carried us in the womb for months and cradled us until we could walk. But did we greet them last Mother’s Day? Did we realize that even if we were grown up – they experienced hardship when they were raising us as babies? I am certain some of us have shouted at them and ignored their pieces of advice, listened instead to our peers and joined them in imbibing illegal drugs and liquor.
It is painful to be in their shoes and hopefully for the younger generation, they would honor their mothers and give them the due respect they deserve. Their kindness and understanding have often been abused by selfish and self-centered children.
Let us give our parents their due. Let us show respect, love, and care when they are incapable of doing so. It hurts to be abused. Right after my mom retired at the Justice Hall of Bontoc, I became depressed when this former officemate had an altercation with her uttering cuss words like “bullshit.”
This prodded me to curse the lady. It wouldn’t have mattered if my mom made a mistake against her but she didn’t. Good if the person who uttered the expletives was known to be clean and honest. My mom was known to be a religious person and didn’t know how to hurt people.
Anyway, these types of people will soon have to deal with their karma.
It is revolting when one’s mom is the object of injustice committed by people in positions of power by they a clerk, stenographer, or somebody higher who they think they are the judges of their subalterns.
Let me share this to people who feel this way, particularly those who improved their lives despite persecution that through the help of the Lord we attained something, be it a position or wealth. We must be thankful to Him for his great deeds.
Mother’s Day, is a challenge to people who have done something wrong to others that we should remember that we have our children and other people could do something bad to them. This is also a thought for mothers to leave a legacy for the younger generation who would in turn become mothers in the future.
It would be painful on the part of a mother to see her children being abused and experiencing the bad things she had to pass though. Thus, to the mothers -- act as mothers so that your children would learn how to give respect, love and care not only to their immediate family but to others.
BULL's HIT
Bingo protection money/
Edgardo Bilog’s legacy
by Rudy Garcia
This writer received on May 12 a letter by Ms Agudo Lang, operator of a bingo amusement center at Hilltop, Baguio city. She was the bingo operator my detractors accused me of approaching and demanding protection money.
I was a little bit relieved upon reading the context of the letter as Agudo wanted to clear my name and show proof that those text messages sent by the unidentified and unreliable sources were but foolish hoaxes done by desperate and cowardly enemies of mine.
This is quite embarrassing for some colleagues in media who were deceived by this dirty tactic since they didn’t check the facts and source of the issue. Some even took this opportunity to pin me down, and now, look whose talking, none other than the bingo operator is saying these accusations were false and “puro kasinunglingan.” Sino ngayon ang nakakahiya?
I just hope these unscrupulous people will not intimidate or harass Agudo to make her shut her mouth. Nonetheless, I am grateful and appreciate this courageous action of . Agudo.
She may hove done this a little late (since the damage has been done) but it is better late than never. If I happened to be candidate last May 14, surely I would have yelled in protest, for how could you imaging a candidate being accused, tried and judged by public opinion through out the campaign period all because of false text messages? Nonetheless the truth has et me free.
***
Now that the election is over, I expect that normal activities for each and everyone will be back to normal. Government services should now satisfactory be delivered to the people since the election season has made most government offices lazy or personnel were doing something else like campaigning. These public servants should satisfactorily do their work now as they are getting their salaries from hard-earned people’s money.
Enough of these political differences, bickerings, sour grapings, and useless accusations affecting our economic growth. Enough is enough! Let’s unite and move forward for a better future not only for us but for the next generations. Let’s keep going!
For those candidates, pray hard that you will make it to the finish line, and once you are there, don’t forget to look back and fulfill your visions, goals and promises. Don’t forget sportsmanship. For those who are far behind and can’t make it, accept defeat and you can have your fair share someday. To the would be winners election, my warm congratulations and may God bless and guide you always.
***
If he wins, will the Commission on Elections proclaim him or not? Who will take his seat afterwards? These are the questions the Comelec will have to answer in relation to the death of manong Edgardo Bilog, a candidate for councilor of Baguio .
His unexpected death early morning of May 15, just when the canvassing of votes at the Baguio convention center started several hours earlier is now causing confusion and alarm to some quarters. His party mates at KAMPI are now in close coordination with his immediate family to come up with appropriate plans, if ever he wins this election.
It is sad to hear of some reports that that some candidates especially those who are cliff hanging to the 12th, 13th and lower slots are taking this as opportunity for them to be counted and make it to the magic 12.
Who was this candidate who immediately filed a petition before the Comelec disregarding the traditional respect for the dead? Surely, the Comelec will be doing research before they can resolve this.
They have to be careful, prudent and reasonable, otherwise, if their resolutions will not be convincing, expect protests and petitions. Maybe the legal department of the Comelec can conduct research on past Supreme Court rulings if there are any that can help them resolve this matter easier with less time and effort. How about going to judge Tabora and research there, ladies and gentlemen? When this would be resolved, this would be manong Ed’s legacy to jurisprudence.
In the meantime, let’s just wait for the Comelec to act on the issue. Let’s pray for the soul of manong Ed Bilog who is the “real” winner now that he is in the eternal gardens of the Almighty.
Who knows he might be celebrating his victory with our departed loved ones. To manong Ed, goodbye my dear friend, may you find peace in your new found home of eternity. And to his family, my condolence.
Edgardo Bilog’s legacy
by Rudy Garcia
This writer received on May 12 a letter by Ms Agudo Lang, operator of a bingo amusement center at Hilltop, Baguio city. She was the bingo operator my detractors accused me of approaching and demanding protection money.
I was a little bit relieved upon reading the context of the letter as Agudo wanted to clear my name and show proof that those text messages sent by the unidentified and unreliable sources were but foolish hoaxes done by desperate and cowardly enemies of mine.
This is quite embarrassing for some colleagues in media who were deceived by this dirty tactic since they didn’t check the facts and source of the issue. Some even took this opportunity to pin me down, and now, look whose talking, none other than the bingo operator is saying these accusations were false and “puro kasinunglingan.” Sino ngayon ang nakakahiya?
I just hope these unscrupulous people will not intimidate or harass Agudo to make her shut her mouth. Nonetheless, I am grateful and appreciate this courageous action of . Agudo.
She may hove done this a little late (since the damage has been done) but it is better late than never. If I happened to be candidate last May 14, surely I would have yelled in protest, for how could you imaging a candidate being accused, tried and judged by public opinion through out the campaign period all because of false text messages? Nonetheless the truth has et me free.
***
Now that the election is over, I expect that normal activities for each and everyone will be back to normal. Government services should now satisfactory be delivered to the people since the election season has made most government offices lazy or personnel were doing something else like campaigning. These public servants should satisfactorily do their work now as they are getting their salaries from hard-earned people’s money.
Enough of these political differences, bickerings, sour grapings, and useless accusations affecting our economic growth. Enough is enough! Let’s unite and move forward for a better future not only for us but for the next generations. Let’s keep going!
For those candidates, pray hard that you will make it to the finish line, and once you are there, don’t forget to look back and fulfill your visions, goals and promises. Don’t forget sportsmanship. For those who are far behind and can’t make it, accept defeat and you can have your fair share someday. To the would be winners election, my warm congratulations and may God bless and guide you always.
***
If he wins, will the Commission on Elections proclaim him or not? Who will take his seat afterwards? These are the questions the Comelec will have to answer in relation to the death of manong Edgardo Bilog, a candidate for councilor of Baguio .
His unexpected death early morning of May 15, just when the canvassing of votes at the Baguio convention center started several hours earlier is now causing confusion and alarm to some quarters. His party mates at KAMPI are now in close coordination with his immediate family to come up with appropriate plans, if ever he wins this election.
It is sad to hear of some reports that that some candidates especially those who are cliff hanging to the 12th, 13th and lower slots are taking this as opportunity for them to be counted and make it to the magic 12.
Who was this candidate who immediately filed a petition before the Comelec disregarding the traditional respect for the dead? Surely, the Comelec will be doing research before they can resolve this.
They have to be careful, prudent and reasonable, otherwise, if their resolutions will not be convincing, expect protests and petitions. Maybe the legal department of the Comelec can conduct research on past Supreme Court rulings if there are any that can help them resolve this matter easier with less time and effort. How about going to judge Tabora and research there, ladies and gentlemen? When this would be resolved, this would be manong Ed’s legacy to jurisprudence.
In the meantime, let’s just wait for the Comelec to act on the issue. Let’s pray for the soul of manong Ed Bilog who is the “real” winner now that he is in the eternal gardens of the Almighty.
Who knows he might be celebrating his victory with our departed loved ones. To manong Ed, goodbye my dear friend, may you find peace in your new found home of eternity. And to his family, my condolence.
BUSINESS BITS
Busineses under 25K
Lisette Malabanan
Ovic Etruiste formulated her own shampoo to save on expenses. She bought chemicals and mixed them on plastic containers, and last year she decided to act on a nine-year-old dream: to formulate a dishwashing detergent that she could sell to friends and neighbors. “For as a little as P5,000, I was able to buy all the ingredients including the bottles,” says Etruiste, chemical engineer and mother of five.
Her husband was in charge of washing the dishes at home, so the job of testing the formulations fell on him. “When he tested my first formulation, he said it needed some more foaming but the grease-cutting was great,” says Etruiste, who came up with 40 200-milliliter bottles the she sold initially at P39 each. The response to her detergent was so good that her friends urged her to go into business full time. “I decided to call my product Hands On because it got the dishes clean but was tender on the hands,” she says. “I hope to sell the detergent by the gallon later so it comes out cheaper for costumers and more profitable for me.”
Today, Etruiste makes about P15,000 a month from her detergent, but her small budget limits her production. “Whatever I make goes back to the business,” she says. “It will take time for the business to take off with my limited capital, but it’s all worth it.”
***
Instead of working for the family business, Benedict Qua decided to start his own last year, spending P20,000 initially to sell 500 pieces of pre-paid Internet cars with a face value of P100 at P55 each. He managed to consign 150 cards, but the shops that bought them demanded a refund later when the Internet service provider closed shop. “I learned my lesson the hard way, and that is to always check the background of the company selling the cards,” he says.
Undeterred, Qua withdrew P15,000 from his savings account and bought pre-paid cards from ISPs with good track record: ISP Bonanza, Surf Maxx, E-volve, and Ragnarok and other game cards. He chose Internet cards because of the high margins they offered: P30 to P45 compared with the P5 to P10 he would make from each pre-paid cell phone cards. Plus, “You would only buy a limited number of cell phone pre-paid cards if you were going to start with a budget of P20,000,” he says.
Qua sold his cards to friends, and later gained a network of stalls and stores in Sta. Mesa where he lived. He saved on transport costs when the pre-paid card dealers started delivering his order on account of his prompt payments. “I now make P25,000 to P30,000 a month from his business,” he says. “I hope to have my own stall soon where I can sell the cards and probably go into e-loading as well.”
***
Carry Go craved melon juice or sago and gulaman after each round of badminton or soccer with friends. That got him thinking about bottling fruit juices, so in 2003 he started experimenting with melon juice, and eventually he came up with a formulation that kept the juice fresh for up to 10 days after spending about P20,000. “My friends were my taste testers, and they really liked what I came up with,” he says. “It was also around that time when I asked my friend GM Hernandez to help me out with marketing.”
Next, Go formulated three other flavors – sago at gulaman, water melon and coconut lychee – before adding mango, dalandan, pineapple, and kalamansi. He called his products Tropical, with suggested retail prices of P35 to P45 a bottle. “When I got into this business, I looked into my network of friends and saw which among them I could tap,” he says. “I found out that I knew someone who did bottles and I was able to get them on terms.” He also needed ice-filled Styrofoam boxes to transport his juices, and again, he found someone among his friends to supply him with Styrofoam on terms.
Still, Go had difficulty looking for someone who could supply him with fruits year-round, and when he found one, he found it hard landing his first customer – Trellis restaurant in Quezon City. Later, he added Westin Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.’s casinos, VIP lounges, and badminton courts to his list of clients, allowing him to post P100,000 in monthly sales.
“We’re now looking into supplying supermarkets, but what will depend on a lot of things because of our products’ short shelf life,” he says.
Lisette Malabanan
Ovic Etruiste formulated her own shampoo to save on expenses. She bought chemicals and mixed them on plastic containers, and last year she decided to act on a nine-year-old dream: to formulate a dishwashing detergent that she could sell to friends and neighbors. “For as a little as P5,000, I was able to buy all the ingredients including the bottles,” says Etruiste, chemical engineer and mother of five.
Her husband was in charge of washing the dishes at home, so the job of testing the formulations fell on him. “When he tested my first formulation, he said it needed some more foaming but the grease-cutting was great,” says Etruiste, who came up with 40 200-milliliter bottles the she sold initially at P39 each. The response to her detergent was so good that her friends urged her to go into business full time. “I decided to call my product Hands On because it got the dishes clean but was tender on the hands,” she says. “I hope to sell the detergent by the gallon later so it comes out cheaper for costumers and more profitable for me.”
Today, Etruiste makes about P15,000 a month from her detergent, but her small budget limits her production. “Whatever I make goes back to the business,” she says. “It will take time for the business to take off with my limited capital, but it’s all worth it.”
***
Instead of working for the family business, Benedict Qua decided to start his own last year, spending P20,000 initially to sell 500 pieces of pre-paid Internet cars with a face value of P100 at P55 each. He managed to consign 150 cards, but the shops that bought them demanded a refund later when the Internet service provider closed shop. “I learned my lesson the hard way, and that is to always check the background of the company selling the cards,” he says.
Undeterred, Qua withdrew P15,000 from his savings account and bought pre-paid cards from ISPs with good track record: ISP Bonanza, Surf Maxx, E-volve, and Ragnarok and other game cards. He chose Internet cards because of the high margins they offered: P30 to P45 compared with the P5 to P10 he would make from each pre-paid cell phone cards. Plus, “You would only buy a limited number of cell phone pre-paid cards if you were going to start with a budget of P20,000,” he says.
Qua sold his cards to friends, and later gained a network of stalls and stores in Sta. Mesa where he lived. He saved on transport costs when the pre-paid card dealers started delivering his order on account of his prompt payments. “I now make P25,000 to P30,000 a month from his business,” he says. “I hope to have my own stall soon where I can sell the cards and probably go into e-loading as well.”
***
Carry Go craved melon juice or sago and gulaman after each round of badminton or soccer with friends. That got him thinking about bottling fruit juices, so in 2003 he started experimenting with melon juice, and eventually he came up with a formulation that kept the juice fresh for up to 10 days after spending about P20,000. “My friends were my taste testers, and they really liked what I came up with,” he says. “It was also around that time when I asked my friend GM Hernandez to help me out with marketing.”
Next, Go formulated three other flavors – sago at gulaman, water melon and coconut lychee – before adding mango, dalandan, pineapple, and kalamansi. He called his products Tropical, with suggested retail prices of P35 to P45 a bottle. “When I got into this business, I looked into my network of friends and saw which among them I could tap,” he says. “I found out that I knew someone who did bottles and I was able to get them on terms.” He also needed ice-filled Styrofoam boxes to transport his juices, and again, he found someone among his friends to supply him with Styrofoam on terms.
Still, Go had difficulty looking for someone who could supply him with fruits year-round, and when he found one, he found it hard landing his first customer – Trellis restaurant in Quezon City. Later, he added Westin Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.’s casinos, VIP lounges, and badminton courts to his list of clients, allowing him to post P100,000 in monthly sales.
“We’re now looking into supplying supermarkets, but what will depend on a lot of things because of our products’ short shelf life,” he says.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Huge sums of money being distributed to North Luzon voters
BAGUIO CITY – Large amounts of money were being distributed by supporters of candidates to voters vying for office in Northern Luzon at press time which religious and cause-oriented groups denounced.
Sources in Northern Luzon provinces said money was being doled out in regions 1, 2, 3 and Cordillera with different tactics on convincing voters – veiled threats to offers of government positions, livelihood and contract projects.
In Dagupan City , House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. warned his rival, Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin Lim, to stop the malicious attacks against him or else he will expose what he calls as “shameful” conditions that Lim had demanded to withdraw his challenge to the incumbent congressman.
“All the attacks of Lim against him are false, no one believes him,” said De Venecia who is seeking reelection for Pangasinan’s fourth district congressional seat against Lim.
De Venecia De Venecia had filed a disqualification case against Lim for “massive vote buying.”
Lim had also accused De Venecia of resorting to vote buying after the Speaker distributed Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats membership cards with corresponding insurance benefits.
The complaint of Lim, however, was not accepted by the Commission on elections Law Department of lack of sufficient evidence.
Lim’s lawyer Francisco Baraan III said de Venecia had distributed accident insurance cards to supporters -- a form of vote-buying.
In Baguio , religious groups expressed alarm about “enormous sums of money” being distributed by some political parties in a bid to recruit supporters or influence voters to vote for their candidates.
“We fear that if they are spending so much money, there is the probability that they would resort to manipulating the votes or the results of the voting,” said a statement of the religious groups.
The groups said their members discovered the distribution of money when they started recruiting volunteers for efforts to safeguard the ballots and help ensure clean and honest elections.
It was learned the groups failed to recruit the desired number of volunteers because the prospective volunteers had already been recruited by some political parties that offered “1,000 or more per day, per volunteer.”
If the politicians can spend that much, what would prevent them from manipulating the results of the elections, the groups said.
They also said that part of a volunteer’s job is to provide an updated list of voters and the volunteers will be trained in ascertaining how many eligible voters are there at a certain precinct so that any excess would be immediately looked into.
At the same time, the religious groups renewed their call for responsible voting and called on voters in the city to vote for candidates who are God-fearing, competent, and discerning.
“Let us vote for candidates who are tested, who display good judgment, whose lives are testimonies of their belief, and who have no record of graft and corruption,” the groups stated in the guidelines released to parishioners.
They said a good candidate should be a man or woman of God should be pro-democracy and pro-country, should be pro-poor and pro-people, and should be a person of integrity and transparency.
In other parts of the Cordillera region, multi-sect oral and religious groups have also called on the voters in their respective areas to use their conscience and firm judgment in choosing the leaders who would govern them in the next three years. – By Jennelyn Mondejar, Dexter A. See, Armand Tamaray, Jerry Padilla and Joan Capuna
Sources in Northern Luzon provinces said money was being doled out in regions 1, 2, 3 and Cordillera with different tactics on convincing voters – veiled threats to offers of government positions, livelihood and contract projects.
In Dagupan City , House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. warned his rival, Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin Lim, to stop the malicious attacks against him or else he will expose what he calls as “shameful” conditions that Lim had demanded to withdraw his challenge to the incumbent congressman.
“All the attacks of Lim against him are false, no one believes him,” said De Venecia who is seeking reelection for Pangasinan’s fourth district congressional seat against Lim.
De Venecia De Venecia had filed a disqualification case against Lim for “massive vote buying.”
Lim had also accused De Venecia of resorting to vote buying after the Speaker distributed Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats membership cards with corresponding insurance benefits.
The complaint of Lim, however, was not accepted by the Commission on elections Law Department of lack of sufficient evidence.
Lim’s lawyer Francisco Baraan III said de Venecia had distributed accident insurance cards to supporters -- a form of vote-buying.
In Baguio , religious groups expressed alarm about “enormous sums of money” being distributed by some political parties in a bid to recruit supporters or influence voters to vote for their candidates.
“We fear that if they are spending so much money, there is the probability that they would resort to manipulating the votes or the results of the voting,” said a statement of the religious groups.
The groups said their members discovered the distribution of money when they started recruiting volunteers for efforts to safeguard the ballots and help ensure clean and honest elections.
It was learned the groups failed to recruit the desired number of volunteers because the prospective volunteers had already been recruited by some political parties that offered “1,000 or more per day, per volunteer.”
If the politicians can spend that much, what would prevent them from manipulating the results of the elections, the groups said.
They also said that part of a volunteer’s job is to provide an updated list of voters and the volunteers will be trained in ascertaining how many eligible voters are there at a certain precinct so that any excess would be immediately looked into.
At the same time, the religious groups renewed their call for responsible voting and called on voters in the city to vote for candidates who are God-fearing, competent, and discerning.
“Let us vote for candidates who are tested, who display good judgment, whose lives are testimonies of their belief, and who have no record of graft and corruption,” the groups stated in the guidelines released to parishioners.
They said a good candidate should be a man or woman of God should be pro-democracy and pro-country, should be pro-poor and pro-people, and should be a person of integrity and transparency.
In other parts of the Cordillera region, multi-sect oral and religious groups have also called on the voters in their respective areas to use their conscience and firm judgment in choosing the leaders who would govern them in the next three years. – By Jennelyn Mondejar, Dexter A. See, Armand Tamaray, Jerry Padilla and Joan Capuna
Lawmaker, 21 others face murder raps for shootout
GAPAN CITY, Nueva Ecija -- Re-electionist Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Antonino and 21 others, among them two police officers, have been charged with two counts of murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder before the Nueva Ecija Prosecutor’s Office
Also charged were Police Insp. Paul Gamilo, SPO2 Herminigildo Eduardo and 19 unidentified people.
In separate complaints, former Mauor Antonio Prospero Esquivel and his son, Lawrence Anthony Esquivel said they were driving home from a caucus in Barangay Pakul on April 26 when Antonio suddenly appeared at the front left side of the vehicle and shouted at several armed men with him to shoot.
"What happened was a premeditated ambush intended to murder me and my two sons,” Esquivel said.
The attack had the elements of murder, he added.
Killed in the attack were Rufino Galang, who is running for councilor in Jaen , and SPO2 Roberto Ferrer, one of Esquivel’s bodyguards.
Wounded were Esquivel’s sons, Lawrence Anthony and Mark Anthony, Senior Police Officer 1 Noli Rey Perez, Senior Police Officer 2 Elmer Bautista, and driver Edmundo Villeso, Rommel Reyes and Conrado Reyes.
The Esquivel brother suffered grazing wounds in the head, with Mark Anthony sustaining additional wounds in the arm and chest.
Esquivel is running for mayor of Jaen with Lawrence Anthony as his vice mayor.
Following the killing in Nueva Ecija, Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Calderon relieved Senior Supt. Allen Bantolo as police commander of the province.
However, Bantolo told local newsmen his relief was “only temporary,” and that he might re-assume his post after May 20.
“If the order would be followed,” he said. “In the meantime, we are out of the picture.”
Bantolo was relieved 10 days after Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos placed Nueva Ecija under its control following a meeting at the provincial police headquarters.
Bantolo had opposed placing the province under Comelec control.
Bantolo, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Task Fore Maverick commander, replaced Senior Supt. Alex Paul Monteagudo as Nueva Ecija police commander on Jan. 15.
A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1983, Bantolo who hails from Antique, is known for his crime-busting exploits.
He was credited for the neutralization of the dreaded Benny Velasco Group (BVG) kidnap gang.
Nine members of the gang were killed in a shootout with task force agents last July 29.
The task force also busted the Bulawin Gang, a robbery-holdup band in an encounter in Pasig City last Aug. 3.
Two gang members – a Navyman and an Armyman – were killed while five others were captured.
Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Calderon said Wednesday the reshuffling of police chiefs in different town and cities would continue into election day.
Speaking at a forum in Cabanatuan City , Calderon said placing a certain town or province under the control of the Comelec and a reshuffle would dispel perception that the PNP was engaged in partisan politics.
“It was appropriate to reshuffle police chiefs in Nueva Ecija because it has been placed under Comelec control following the series of bloody clashes between rival politicians,” he said.
Emmanuel Ignacio, Nueva Ecija election supervisor, said the reshuffle was made after an assessment of the peace and order condition, particularly in the fourth district, which includes the town of Jaen .
Senior Inspector Angel Bondoc was moved from Aliaga to Gabaldon; Insp. Antonio Esteban from Nampicuan to Talugtog; Senior Insp. Pablo Cruz from Gabaldon to Genera Tinio; Supt. Marlon Bingcang from Gapan City to San Jose City.
Also charged were Police Insp. Paul Gamilo, SPO2 Herminigildo Eduardo and 19 unidentified people.
In separate complaints, former Mauor Antonio Prospero Esquivel and his son, Lawrence Anthony Esquivel said they were driving home from a caucus in Barangay Pakul on April 26 when Antonio suddenly appeared at the front left side of the vehicle and shouted at several armed men with him to shoot.
"What happened was a premeditated ambush intended to murder me and my two sons,” Esquivel said.
The attack had the elements of murder, he added.
Killed in the attack were Rufino Galang, who is running for councilor in Jaen , and SPO2 Roberto Ferrer, one of Esquivel’s bodyguards.
Wounded were Esquivel’s sons, Lawrence Anthony and Mark Anthony, Senior Police Officer 1 Noli Rey Perez, Senior Police Officer 2 Elmer Bautista, and driver Edmundo Villeso, Rommel Reyes and Conrado Reyes.
The Esquivel brother suffered grazing wounds in the head, with Mark Anthony sustaining additional wounds in the arm and chest.
Esquivel is running for mayor of Jaen with Lawrence Anthony as his vice mayor.
Following the killing in Nueva Ecija, Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Calderon relieved Senior Supt. Allen Bantolo as police commander of the province.
However, Bantolo told local newsmen his relief was “only temporary,” and that he might re-assume his post after May 20.
“If the order would be followed,” he said. “In the meantime, we are out of the picture.”
Bantolo was relieved 10 days after Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos placed Nueva Ecija under its control following a meeting at the provincial police headquarters.
Bantolo had opposed placing the province under Comelec control.
Bantolo, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Task Fore Maverick commander, replaced Senior Supt. Alex Paul Monteagudo as Nueva Ecija police commander on Jan. 15.
A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1983, Bantolo who hails from Antique, is known for his crime-busting exploits.
He was credited for the neutralization of the dreaded Benny Velasco Group (BVG) kidnap gang.
Nine members of the gang were killed in a shootout with task force agents last July 29.
The task force also busted the Bulawin Gang, a robbery-holdup band in an encounter in Pasig City last Aug. 3.
Two gang members – a Navyman and an Armyman – were killed while five others were captured.
Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Calderon said Wednesday the reshuffling of police chiefs in different town and cities would continue into election day.
Speaking at a forum in Cabanatuan City , Calderon said placing a certain town or province under the control of the Comelec and a reshuffle would dispel perception that the PNP was engaged in partisan politics.
“It was appropriate to reshuffle police chiefs in Nueva Ecija because it has been placed under Comelec control following the series of bloody clashes between rival politicians,” he said.
Emmanuel Ignacio, Nueva Ecija election supervisor, said the reshuffle was made after an assessment of the peace and order condition, particularly in the fourth district, which includes the town of Jaen .
Senior Inspector Angel Bondoc was moved from Aliaga to Gabaldon; Insp. Antonio Esteban from Nampicuan to Talugtog; Senior Insp. Pablo Cruz from Gabaldon to Genera Tinio; Supt. Marlon Bingcang from Gapan City to San Jose City.
US pressing DOJ to file murder raps vs suspect in Julia Campbell slay
BY JOAN CAPUNA
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – The US government and the US Peace Corps are pressuring the Department of Justice through the Ifugao prosecutor’s office to file murder charges against the self-confessed killer of Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell.
A source from the Ifugao prosecutor’s office, who requested anonymity for fear of possible repercussions, said Peace Corps officials and the American embassy in Manila have been pressuring them to file murder charges against 25-year-old Juan Duntugan, the suspected killer of the 40-year-old Peace Corps volunteer.
The DOJ here, however, declared the matter should be studied very carefully first before a case is filed against Duntugan.
“It is very difficult to go against the wishes of the American government, since they tend to act with pressure on matters concerning their nationals,” the source said. “Aside from this is the fact that this incident is a high profile case which the Americans are very interested in.”
The source also claimed the Americans area pressuring Duntugan to admit that he had a companion during the incident. “The Americans apparently don’t believe that Duntugan could have done the crime alone.”
The US embassy, however, has not commented on reports that it and the Peace Corps are pressuring the DOJ to upgrade the charges against Duntugan.
“The Philippine National Police and Philippine authorities are handling the case and the embassy is coordinating with them as appropriate,” US Embassy Press Attache Mathew Lussenhop said.
A number of experts who took part in the investigation were of the opinion that, based on the facts at hand, Duntugan had committed at most robbery with homicide.
A soldier who participated in the search for Campbell ’s body, meanwhile, said he did not believe Duntugan’s statement that he accidentally killed Campbell : “It’s more probable that Duntugan killed Campbell after she resisted his efforts to rob her.”
The Ifugao provincial police have information for a possible murder or homicide case against Duntugan pending before the provincial prosecutor’s office.
Provincial police director Senior Supt. Pedro Ganir said it is now up to the DOJ to determine the case it will file against Duntugan.
DOJ Assistant Chief Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon said “It is premature to say anything, as the DOJ proper has yet to receive the filed information. It is premature to be making any requests at this time.”
Fadullon said that while charges have been filed against Duntugan, the information on these charges has yet to be received by the DOJ head office in Manila .
The Ifugao prosecutor’s office has until next week to formally file charges against Duntugan.
Ifugao deputy prosecutor Marvin Ngayawan said they are still studying the information submitted by the Ifugao police regarding the Campbell killing to determine whether to file murder charges of robbery with homicide.
Under the revised penal code, homicide is a bailable offense while murder is non-bailable.
The Ifugao prosecutor’s office has until next week to file a case against Duntugan.
Meanwhile, some Ifugao residents said they doubt that Duntugan killed Campbell on purpose and said he may have only had robbery in mind at the time.
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – The US government and the US Peace Corps are pressuring the Department of Justice through the Ifugao prosecutor’s office to file murder charges against the self-confessed killer of Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell.
A source from the Ifugao prosecutor’s office, who requested anonymity for fear of possible repercussions, said Peace Corps officials and the American embassy in Manila have been pressuring them to file murder charges against 25-year-old Juan Duntugan, the suspected killer of the 40-year-old Peace Corps volunteer.
The DOJ here, however, declared the matter should be studied very carefully first before a case is filed against Duntugan.
“It is very difficult to go against the wishes of the American government, since they tend to act with pressure on matters concerning their nationals,” the source said. “Aside from this is the fact that this incident is a high profile case which the Americans are very interested in.”
The source also claimed the Americans area pressuring Duntugan to admit that he had a companion during the incident. “The Americans apparently don’t believe that Duntugan could have done the crime alone.”
The US embassy, however, has not commented on reports that it and the Peace Corps are pressuring the DOJ to upgrade the charges against Duntugan.
“The Philippine National Police and Philippine authorities are handling the case and the embassy is coordinating with them as appropriate,” US Embassy Press Attache Mathew Lussenhop said.
A number of experts who took part in the investigation were of the opinion that, based on the facts at hand, Duntugan had committed at most robbery with homicide.
A soldier who participated in the search for Campbell ’s body, meanwhile, said he did not believe Duntugan’s statement that he accidentally killed Campbell : “It’s more probable that Duntugan killed Campbell after she resisted his efforts to rob her.”
The Ifugao provincial police have information for a possible murder or homicide case against Duntugan pending before the provincial prosecutor’s office.
Provincial police director Senior Supt. Pedro Ganir said it is now up to the DOJ to determine the case it will file against Duntugan.
DOJ Assistant Chief Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon said “It is premature to say anything, as the DOJ proper has yet to receive the filed information. It is premature to be making any requests at this time.”
Fadullon said that while charges have been filed against Duntugan, the information on these charges has yet to be received by the DOJ head office in Manila .
The Ifugao prosecutor’s office has until next week to formally file charges against Duntugan.
Ifugao deputy prosecutor Marvin Ngayawan said they are still studying the information submitted by the Ifugao police regarding the Campbell killing to determine whether to file murder charges of robbery with homicide.
Under the revised penal code, homicide is a bailable offense while murder is non-bailable.
The Ifugao prosecutor’s office has until next week to file a case against Duntugan.
Meanwhile, some Ifugao residents said they doubt that Duntugan killed Campbell on purpose and said he may have only had robbery in mind at the time.
Strange Abra politics: Mayor vs wife, pa vs son, mother vs son
BY MAR T. SUPNAD
BANGUED, Abra – Strange things are happening in Abra politics
In Penarubia town, this province, incumbent Mayor Antonio Domes-ag is being challenged by his wife, Lovelyn Domes-ag, in the fight for the mayoralty post.
Penarubia is a poor, small town with some 8,000 voters. But this is not the first time that the Domes-ag couple fought for the mayorship.
In 2004, election, the two also fought each other, and Antonio won by a margin of 224 votes over his wife and a third mayoralty candidate, Wilmer Panabang, a former police colonel. Lovelyn landed third in that election.
Sources said the Domes-ag couple parted ways because of too much involvement in politics.
Lovelyn is now courting Panabang’s support for her in her fight against her estrange husband.
In Boliney town, Abra, Pacita Balao-as and his son Ronald Balao-as are also fighting each other for the mayoralty post.
The same situation is happening in Daguioman town, Abra where incumbent Mayor Sally Co Kue is pitted against his son, Manuel Co Kue.
In San Isidro , a mountainous, neglected town locate near the boundary of Abra and Ilocos Sur, Ernesto Pacsa, Sr. is likewise being challenged in the polls by his son and namesake Ernesto Pacsa Jr.
Both of them carry their own name in the polls, and the only difference is the “Sr.” and “Jr.”
Observers said the Commission on Elections will have a hard time in proclaiming the winner because of the confusion that is expected to arise.
The losing candidate is expected to file a protest because of the high probability of “stray votes.”
In Lacub town, Abra Leo Barona, a former Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army member, is similarly fighting his brother, Cesar, for the mayoralty post.
In troubled La Paz town whose mayor, Marc Israel Bernos, was assassinated in full view of the public a few years ago, Joseph Bernos is being challenged by his nephew Domingo Bernos for the mayoralty post.
In San Juan , lawyer Marco Bautista is being challenged by his son-in-law, Dr. Nonito Barbero.
BANGUED, Abra – Strange things are happening in Abra politics
In Penarubia town, this province, incumbent Mayor Antonio Domes-ag is being challenged by his wife, Lovelyn Domes-ag, in the fight for the mayoralty post.
Penarubia is a poor, small town with some 8,000 voters. But this is not the first time that the Domes-ag couple fought for the mayorship.
In 2004, election, the two also fought each other, and Antonio won by a margin of 224 votes over his wife and a third mayoralty candidate, Wilmer Panabang, a former police colonel. Lovelyn landed third in that election.
Sources said the Domes-ag couple parted ways because of too much involvement in politics.
Lovelyn is now courting Panabang’s support for her in her fight against her estrange husband.
In Boliney town, Abra, Pacita Balao-as and his son Ronald Balao-as are also fighting each other for the mayoralty post.
The same situation is happening in Daguioman town, Abra where incumbent Mayor Sally Co Kue is pitted against his son, Manuel Co Kue.
In San Isidro , a mountainous, neglected town locate near the boundary of Abra and Ilocos Sur, Ernesto Pacsa, Sr. is likewise being challenged in the polls by his son and namesake Ernesto Pacsa Jr.
Both of them carry their own name in the polls, and the only difference is the “Sr.” and “Jr.”
Observers said the Commission on Elections will have a hard time in proclaiming the winner because of the confusion that is expected to arise.
The losing candidate is expected to file a protest because of the high probability of “stray votes.”
In Lacub town, Abra Leo Barona, a former Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army member, is similarly fighting his brother, Cesar, for the mayoralty post.
In troubled La Paz town whose mayor, Marc Israel Bernos, was assassinated in full view of the public a few years ago, Joseph Bernos is being challenged by his nephew Domingo Bernos for the mayoralty post.
In San Juan , lawyer Marco Bautista is being challenged by his son-in-law, Dr. Nonito Barbero.
Ex-bocap slain by masked men
BY FREDDIE LAZARO
CANDON CITY – A former barangay captain was killed when he was gunned down by an unidentified man in Barangay San Nicolas here evening on May 6.
The victim was having a drinking session with four companions when the killer, wearing a mask shot him from behind.
The caliber of the firearm used was having not immediately determined. Chief Insp. Benigno Rigno, Candon City ’s deputy chief of police, identified the victim as Cesar Bunson y Valentino, 46, unemployed, former barangay captain of San Pedro, Candon City . The shooting happened at about 7 p.m.
CANDON CITY – A former barangay captain was killed when he was gunned down by an unidentified man in Barangay San Nicolas here evening on May 6.
The victim was having a drinking session with four companions when the killer, wearing a mask shot him from behind.
The caliber of the firearm used was having not immediately determined. Chief Insp. Benigno Rigno, Candon City ’s deputy chief of police, identified the victim as Cesar Bunson y Valentino, 46, unemployed, former barangay captain of San Pedro, Candon City . The shooting happened at about 7 p.m.
Hail, tornado destroy P40 M crops in Apayao
PUDTOL, Apayao – Hailstones and a tornado simultaneously hit Apayao Province recently, damaging properties and farm crops valued at P40 million.
The towns of Pudtol, Luna, Santa Marcela, and Flora, all in Apayao, suffered damage estimated at 80 percent of harvestable palay, 90 percent of corn in soft dough stage, and 20 percent of high-value commercial crops, including vegetables and bananas.
Regional agriculture officials, who conducted an inspection in the affected areas, assured the farmers that the Dept. of Agriculture will assist them in recovering from by the calamity.
The barangays that reported damages were Alem and Swan in Pudtol, Bagutong and Malubibit in Flora, Marcela and San Juan in Santa Marcela, and Lappa, Poblacion and Tumog in Luna.
The provincial agriculture office reported that there were 196 farmers who suffered damages in Flora, 70 farmers in Marcela.
In a related development, the Programang Agrikultura Para sa Masa (Gulayan Program) recorded minimal losses in backyard vegetable crops. -- Dexter See
The towns of Pudtol, Luna, Santa Marcela, and Flora, all in Apayao, suffered damage estimated at 80 percent of harvestable palay, 90 percent of corn in soft dough stage, and 20 percent of high-value commercial crops, including vegetables and bananas.
Regional agriculture officials, who conducted an inspection in the affected areas, assured the farmers that the Dept. of Agriculture will assist them in recovering from by the calamity.
The barangays that reported damages were Alem and Swan in Pudtol, Bagutong and Malubibit in Flora, Marcela and San Juan in Santa Marcela, and Lappa, Poblacion and Tumog in Luna.
The provincial agriculture office reported that there were 196 farmers who suffered damages in Flora, 70 farmers in Marcela.
In a related development, the Programang Agrikultura Para sa Masa (Gulayan Program) recorded minimal losses in backyard vegetable crops. -- Dexter See
Mt Ugo now one of country's tourism draws
BY LIZA DIASE
ITOGON, Benguet – The annual Mt. Ugo summer climb here in Barangay Tinongdan has drawn 149 mountaineering enthusiasts, the highest in years, highlighting the mountain’s tourist-drawing potential.
The scheduled kick-off date, Friday the 13th has defied the notion that this is an unfortunate day.
The Mt. Ugo Summer climb is a tourism promotional activity of Tinongdan supported by the municipal government, provincial government and the regional Department of Tourism.
This year’s climb has recorded the biggest number of participants compared to the previous years with a remarkable 48% increase from last year’s 101 participants.
During the 2nd climb in 2004, there were 118 participants, however, there was a great dip in 2005 when there were only 45 joining individuals because of the meningocccemia scare that plagued the region.
This year’s event was joined by 18 participating groups. Most came from came from Manila while the others came from Laguna, Batangas, Cavite , Tarlac, and the Cordillera.
There were also participants who came from Albay and Negros Occidental.
The evening socials at Camp 2 in Sitio Lusod, Tinongdan was memorable to the treckers. A cow was butchered while the people played indigenous musical instruments (gangsa, solibao, tiktik).
The Municipal Tourism Action Officer and Punong Barangay of Tinongdan Norberto I. Pacio facilitated the evening activity.
The YAPAK (Young Achievers promoting eco-Adventure and Kindness) group celebrated their first anniversary in this climb. Other groups that celebrated their founding anniversary during this climb were Sual power Station Mountaineering Club and the Pilipinas Sierra, Inc.
On the morning of Sunday, the third and final day, Holy mass was celebrated at the campsite officiated by Rev. Fr. Mario Tambic, Parish priest of Poblacion, was also a participant of the climb.
Mayor Mario W. Godio thanked participants for supporting the activity and assured them the local government will continue to support ecotourism programs and projects in the municipality that will enhance livelihood opportunities of the people of the locality.
Awards were given to deserving groups and individuals. Awardees were: Pilipinas Siera, Inc. –Most organized Group; YAPAK – Jolliest Group; Rosendo Competente – Earliest Ragistrant; Adventure Trekkers (ADTREK) – Early Bird Awardee; Philippine Nature and Outdoor Explorers (PHINOE) – Biggest Participating group; Bianca Marie Benin – Youngest participant (10 yrs old); Mario Arceno – Most Senior Participant (57 years old); Hermilyn Ann Basungit – Darling of the climb; Rev.Fr. Mario Tambic – Star of the climb; Jorge Stephen Delos Santos , Jovito Balinoyos , Ferdinand Bautista, & Edna Dela Carsada – Loyalty Awardees for having participated 3 consecutive climbs including this 5’th Climb.
The 4th Mt. Ugo Summer Climb in April 7-9,2006 bagged the Nature and Sports Tourism Award from the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines .
This national award was an inspiration for the organizers to make the succeeding climb better and a proof that local stakeholders can truly manage their tourism resources and potentials.The award was given last October 6,2006 at Koronadal City, South during the 7’th ATOP National Convention.
ITOGON, Benguet – The annual Mt. Ugo summer climb here in Barangay Tinongdan has drawn 149 mountaineering enthusiasts, the highest in years, highlighting the mountain’s tourist-drawing potential.
The scheduled kick-off date, Friday the 13th has defied the notion that this is an unfortunate day.
The Mt. Ugo Summer climb is a tourism promotional activity of Tinongdan supported by the municipal government, provincial government and the regional Department of Tourism.
This year’s climb has recorded the biggest number of participants compared to the previous years with a remarkable 48% increase from last year’s 101 participants.
During the 2nd climb in 2004, there were 118 participants, however, there was a great dip in 2005 when there were only 45 joining individuals because of the meningocccemia scare that plagued the region.
This year’s event was joined by 18 participating groups. Most came from came from Manila while the others came from Laguna, Batangas, Cavite , Tarlac, and the Cordillera.
There were also participants who came from Albay and Negros Occidental.
The evening socials at Camp 2 in Sitio Lusod, Tinongdan was memorable to the treckers. A cow was butchered while the people played indigenous musical instruments (gangsa, solibao, tiktik).
The Municipal Tourism Action Officer and Punong Barangay of Tinongdan Norberto I. Pacio facilitated the evening activity.
The YAPAK (Young Achievers promoting eco-Adventure and Kindness) group celebrated their first anniversary in this climb. Other groups that celebrated their founding anniversary during this climb were Sual power Station Mountaineering Club and the Pilipinas Sierra, Inc.
On the morning of Sunday, the third and final day, Holy mass was celebrated at the campsite officiated by Rev. Fr. Mario Tambic, Parish priest of Poblacion, was also a participant of the climb.
Mayor Mario W. Godio thanked participants for supporting the activity and assured them the local government will continue to support ecotourism programs and projects in the municipality that will enhance livelihood opportunities of the people of the locality.
Awards were given to deserving groups and individuals. Awardees were: Pilipinas Siera, Inc. –Most organized Group; YAPAK – Jolliest Group; Rosendo Competente – Earliest Ragistrant; Adventure Trekkers (ADTREK) – Early Bird Awardee; Philippine Nature and Outdoor Explorers (PHINOE) – Biggest Participating group; Bianca Marie Benin – Youngest participant (10 yrs old); Mario Arceno – Most Senior Participant (57 years old); Hermilyn Ann Basungit – Darling of the climb; Rev.Fr. Mario Tambic – Star of the climb; Jorge Stephen Delos Santos , Jovito Balinoyos , Ferdinand Bautista, & Edna Dela Carsada – Loyalty Awardees for having participated 3 consecutive climbs including this 5’th Climb.
The 4th Mt. Ugo Summer Climb in April 7-9,2006 bagged the Nature and Sports Tourism Award from the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines .
This national award was an inspiration for the organizers to make the succeeding climb better and a proof that local stakeholders can truly manage their tourism resources and potentials.The award was given last October 6,2006 at Koronadal City, South during the 7’th ATOP National Convention.
EDITORIAL
Making a difference with one vote
It is one of the ironies that this country is considered the most democratic in Asia but the also the most corrupt. The corruption extends to electoral exercises characterized by guns, goons and gold. These are the three ingredients necessary for politicians to win in most parts of the country.
If one can’t buy votes, one can terrorize people. It is usually the constituents in the countryside who are most prone to the three Gs. They have no choice in some if not most cases. They have to get bribes from politicians or risk being branded as supporting the “other side.” If one is
identified with another politician, one could get killed.
This is what constituents have to live with and the undesirable politicians and other government officials are exploiting them more. This country has a lot of laws covering elections ranging from stopping corruption to media airtime. Problem, those who are in power or those running for elective positions are often the ones who flout the law.
A politician who can get away with a lot of electoral violations is even held in high esteem for being a shrewd man who knows how to feed his family albeit through illegal means. Gone are the days when politicians were looked up to as upright “servants of the people.”
There are many politicians whose main objective is to perpetuate themselves in power and get more taxpayers’ money for selfish ends. But there are also the sensitive and caring ones who are in public office because they sincerely want to make the lives of this country’s constituents better.
Come May 14, go out and vote for deserving aspirants to public office. Your one vote could spell the difference in making this country a better place to live in.
It is one of the ironies that this country is considered the most democratic in Asia but the also the most corrupt. The corruption extends to electoral exercises characterized by guns, goons and gold. These are the three ingredients necessary for politicians to win in most parts of the country.
If one can’t buy votes, one can terrorize people. It is usually the constituents in the countryside who are most prone to the three Gs. They have no choice in some if not most cases. They have to get bribes from politicians or risk being branded as supporting the “other side.” If one is
identified with another politician, one could get killed.
This is what constituents have to live with and the undesirable politicians and other government officials are exploiting them more. This country has a lot of laws covering elections ranging from stopping corruption to media airtime. Problem, those who are in power or those running for elective positions are often the ones who flout the law.
A politician who can get away with a lot of electoral violations is even held in high esteem for being a shrewd man who knows how to feed his family albeit through illegal means. Gone are the days when politicians were looked up to as upright “servants of the people.”
There are many politicians whose main objective is to perpetuate themselves in power and get more taxpayers’ money for selfish ends. But there are also the sensitive and caring ones who are in public office because they sincerely want to make the lives of this country’s constituents better.
Come May 14, go out and vote for deserving aspirants to public office. Your one vote could spell the difference in making this country a better place to live in.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Military ‘ordered’ to cheat in Ilocos and Cordillera regions
The military in the Ilocos and Cordillera regions are gearing up for massive electoral fraud. Inside sources from sympathetic and conscienticized junior military officers, particularly members of the Tirad Pass Brigade, have revealed information to us that they have been ordered to exert all efforts to prevent progressive party lists and candidates from winning, and to ensure victory for Team Unity and pro-military candidates in the region.
This comes as no surprise, as Lt. Antonio Trillanes had earlier exposed similar information. His comrades informed him that AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon had ordered ground troops to cheat for the 12 administration senatorial bets. ABS-CBN TV Patrol also exposed military forces in Camarines Sur openly campaigning for congressional candidate Dato Arroyo, son of Gloria Arroyo, and destroying posters of his political rival.
A military officer was thus forced to admit on national television that his men were actively campaigning against progressive party lists such as Bayan Muna, because these were communist fronts anyway.
Army soldiers and CAFGUs in Davao Oriental also admitted to the media that they were instructed to vote for pro-administration candidates and party-list groups. Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz reported that teachers in Pangasinan were offered from P50,000 to P100,000 to undertake dagdag-bawas. The AFP has been actively campaigning for Bantay party list group whose nominee is Maj. Jovito "Berdugo" Palparan.
Malacañang has funded pro-administration party list groups. Opposition parties and candidates are harassed, including Trillanes, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, Jonjon Villanueva, and even former President Cory Aquino.
These are not isolated incidents. There is an obvious pattern of national conspiracy to ensure that Arroyo loyalists remain in power and rivals are cheated. From north to south, in far-flung barrios where there is little monitoring and even in vote-rich areas such as urban poor communities in Metro Manila, the military has been deliberately deployed and ordered to commit electoral fraud in favor of the Arroyo clique and against all anti-Arroyo forces, in the guise of "voter's education" and "peace-keeping".
Even now, the military in the Ilocos and Cordillera are preparing to use all sorts of dirty tricks to disenfrachise the people of their right to suffrage. This includes ballot substitution, ballot box switching, flying voters, harassment and intimidation of progressive candidates and party list groups, destruction of campaign posters of anti-Arroyo candidates, and others.
The AFP generals' standard reply is simply to deny any charges of fraud through the mass media because in the end, they go scot free and will even be rewarded, just as Esperon was promoted Chief of Staff for ensuring Arroyo's victory through dagdag-bawas.
The military's involvement in partisan politics is totally contemptible. These so-called guardians of law and order are violating the law with impunity. Gloria Arroyo cannot escape responsibility or pretend ignorance regarding this.
There is yet hope, however, with the growing disenchantment among conscienticized, honorable, and incorruptible military officers, especially the younger ones, who can no longer stomach the Arroyo regime's depravity.
The more that Arroyo and her generals lust for power, the farther will they drive the people towards the path of revolution. The revolutionary movement and the New People's Army will exhaust all means to frustrate the Arroyo regime's nefarious schemes at every step of the way.
The Chadli Molintas Command calls on all enlightened junior officers of the AFP and PNP to further expose and oppose the rotten plot of the Arroyo regime to rig the coming elections.
Martin Montana Spokesperson
Chadli Molintas Command
The military in the Ilocos and Cordillera regions are gearing up for massive electoral fraud. Inside sources from sympathetic and conscienticized junior military officers, particularly members of the Tirad Pass Brigade, have revealed information to us that they have been ordered to exert all efforts to prevent progressive party lists and candidates from winning, and to ensure victory for Team Unity and pro-military candidates in the region.
This comes as no surprise, as Lt. Antonio Trillanes had earlier exposed similar information. His comrades informed him that AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon had ordered ground troops to cheat for the 12 administration senatorial bets. ABS-CBN TV Patrol also exposed military forces in Camarines Sur openly campaigning for congressional candidate Dato Arroyo, son of Gloria Arroyo, and destroying posters of his political rival.
A military officer was thus forced to admit on national television that his men were actively campaigning against progressive party lists such as Bayan Muna, because these were communist fronts anyway.
Army soldiers and CAFGUs in Davao Oriental also admitted to the media that they were instructed to vote for pro-administration candidates and party-list groups. Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz reported that teachers in Pangasinan were offered from P50,000 to P100,000 to undertake dagdag-bawas. The AFP has been actively campaigning for Bantay party list group whose nominee is Maj. Jovito "Berdugo" Palparan.
Malacañang has funded pro-administration party list groups. Opposition parties and candidates are harassed, including Trillanes, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, Jonjon Villanueva, and even former President Cory Aquino.
These are not isolated incidents. There is an obvious pattern of national conspiracy to ensure that Arroyo loyalists remain in power and rivals are cheated. From north to south, in far-flung barrios where there is little monitoring and even in vote-rich areas such as urban poor communities in Metro Manila, the military has been deliberately deployed and ordered to commit electoral fraud in favor of the Arroyo clique and against all anti-Arroyo forces, in the guise of "voter's education" and "peace-keeping".
Even now, the military in the Ilocos and Cordillera are preparing to use all sorts of dirty tricks to disenfrachise the people of their right to suffrage. This includes ballot substitution, ballot box switching, flying voters, harassment and intimidation of progressive candidates and party list groups, destruction of campaign posters of anti-Arroyo candidates, and others.
The AFP generals' standard reply is simply to deny any charges of fraud through the mass media because in the end, they go scot free and will even be rewarded, just as Esperon was promoted Chief of Staff for ensuring Arroyo's victory through dagdag-bawas.
The military's involvement in partisan politics is totally contemptible. These so-called guardians of law and order are violating the law with impunity. Gloria Arroyo cannot escape responsibility or pretend ignorance regarding this.
There is yet hope, however, with the growing disenchantment among conscienticized, honorable, and incorruptible military officers, especially the younger ones, who can no longer stomach the Arroyo regime's depravity.
The more that Arroyo and her generals lust for power, the farther will they drive the people towards the path of revolution. The revolutionary movement and the New People's Army will exhaust all means to frustrate the Arroyo regime's nefarious schemes at every step of the way.
The Chadli Molintas Command calls on all enlightened junior officers of the AFP and PNP to further expose and oppose the rotten plot of the Arroyo regime to rig the coming elections.
Martin Montana Spokesperson
Chadli Molintas Command
MORE NEWS
Abra mayor nabbed after his farmhouse yields guns
PENARRUBIA, Abra -- An incumbent mayor of Abra was arrested for illegal possession of several unlicensed, high powered firearms seized in his farmhouse last Wednesday afternoon.
Mayor Antonino Domes-ag of Penarrubia town was found in possession of an AK 47 with serial number (SN) U4052; tow 12-gauge shotguns (Armscor) SN 1061633 and SN 1061633; a caliber .22 rifle (Squires Bingham) with SN 173960; a caliber .38 revolver (Squires Bingham) with SN 826433, and several magazines and live ammunition.
The mayor was taken to the Abra Provincial Hospital after his blood pressure shot up.
Domes-ag’s bodyguard Ferdinand Fernandez was also arrested in the mayor’s house where he sought refuge after shooting and wounding a farmer, Wilfredo Pacano.
Police said said the raid on Domes-ag’s house in Barangay Lusuac, Penarrubia at around 5 p.m last Wednesday was conducted by joint elements of Task Force Abra, Regional Intelligence Division-Cordillera, RIO-14 and the 160st Provincial Mobile Group led by the Chief Inspector Melvin Napiloy.
Initial investigation showed that prior to the incident, PNP troops were on their way to Lusuac, Penarrubia to respond to an alleged shooting incident involving Fernandez and Pacano.
When the suspect noticed the responding policemen approaching, Fernandez run inside the farmhouse of Domes-ag, prompting the policemen to run after him.
The lawmen eventually concerned Fernandez in the farmhouse, where they discovered the firearms and ammunitions placed on top of two beds.
Domes-ag who was present at that time, failed to show pertinent documents for the firearms, thus prompting the policemen to arrest him and Fernandez and seize the firearms and ammunition.
Fernandez suffered an injury on his right hand caused by sharp wood when he stumbled while trying to evade arrest.
Napiloy said Domes-ag and the confiscated items were brought to the Abra Police headquarters, while Fernandez was rushed to the Abra Provincial Hospital for medical treatment.
Police said Domes-ag would be charged for violating the gun ban, while Fernandez will face attempted murder.
Mayor’s political leader shot dead in Gapan City
BY LIAM ANACLETO
GAPAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – A political leader of reelectionist Mayor Ernesto Natividad was shot dead in broad daylight here by two motorcycle-riding gunmen, making him the seventh election-violence victim in Nueva Ecija.
Supt. Marlong Bingcang identified the victim as Manuel Tolentino, 58, known ally of the mayor.
Tolentino was driving his green Suzuki Vitara along the highway in barangay Bayanihan, this city when the two motorcycle-riding assassins drove close to his vehicle and pumped bullets at him.
The shooting occurred exactly one week after the Jaen shooting that left two men dead and at least 17 other injured.
Natividad, running under the banner of the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija, has condemned the killing of his ally even as he took potshots at the police for its inability to dismantle his opponent’s private army.”
He said his other rival, former mayor Arthour Velayo, could not have done it because he had no motive for doing the heinous act.
Sagada candidates vow to spur dev’t if elected
BY GINA DIZON
SAGADA, Mountain Province - Nineteen aspiring municipal officials of this town entered into a covenant with the people represented by seven institutions from the government and the private sector.
In their agreement read during the Candidates’ Forum last May 7, the candidates including two candidates for mayor, two for vice mayor and 15 municipal councilors vowed to conduct the May 14 elections in the spirit of goodwill and friendly rivalry, follow election laws, uphold the rights of voters to vote freely, and refrain from coercive and corrupt means like vote buying.
Once elected into office, the candidates also vowed to support the strict implementation of laws and rules against the commission graft and corruption and institute prosecution of those liable for graft and corruption practices.
They will work for economic development by promoting resource allocation and sustainable livelihood programs for poverty alleviation, promote peoples’ participation, and help prevent further environmental degradation.
The candidates entered into agreement with the COMELEC through Election Officer Lamberto LLopis and the PNP through the Chief of Police Antolino Sari Yagyagan.
Other parties to the agreement include Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Parish Pastoral Council or Responsible Voting ( PPCRV), Local Government Unit (LGU), Sagada Environmental Guides Association (SEGA) and the Episcopal Church.
The covenant signing was also sponsored by the municipal office of UNFPA (United Nations Fund for Population Activities).
Mayor seeking 4th term says 1st term is counted
BY GEORGE TRILLO
SAN LUIS, Pampanga – The mayor of San Luis, Pampanga, who is currently serving his third consecutive term for the mayoralty post, has again filed his candidacy for a fourth term, claiming the arithmetic is faulty and did not apply to his case.
Mayor Jayson “Dr. J” Sagum said he is still eligible for another term because the first term he served between 1988 and 2001 did not count as one full term.
But his main rival for the mayoralty post of San Luis in the May 14 elections, Elsa P. Manliclic, is disputing Sagum’s arithmetic.
Manliclic, refusing to be intimidated by the political connections in the province of her opponent, has filed a case now pending before the Commission on Elections.
“The continued refusal of Mayor Sagum to budge from his post, although he is long considered by his townmates as a graduating mayor, indicates disregard of the rule of law,” Manliclic said.
But Sagum argued his first term was incomplete because he was prevented from assuming the town’s mayoralty post when his protagonist was declared winner.
He eventually won in a subsequent protest case and served as mayor for the remaining period of the unexpired term.
He said he is banking on the deduction of his first term as basis for him to run again in the elections.
Manliclic said it would stretch the meaning of the applicable law and violate the spirit and letter of the 1987 Constitution if one would believe in Sagum’s argument.
She pointed to jurisprudence on the matter, a Supreme Court decision in the case of the Borja Jr. vs. Comelec and Capco in which Constitutional Convention delegate Joaquin Bernas was quoted as saying, “If one is elected representative to serve the unexpired term of another, that unexpired term, no matter how short, will be considered on term for the purpose of computing the number of successive terms allowed.”
Manliclic said despite established and erudite jurisprudence on the precise definition of the term of office, the powers-that-be behind mayor Sagum’s candidacy for a fourth term are riding roughshod over the law and Constitution.
She also said that she received death threats and her followers cited instances during which strangers suspiciously checked her activities.
Reaching out to indigent patients; donors show way
BY RAMON DACAWI
BAGUIO CITY -- For a young Ibaloi couple, Tuesdays and Fridays seem to come faster each time, their afternoons longer and heavier than the rest of the week. Days in-between fleet away in a blur, and before they know it, it’s Tuesday or Friday again.
Filbert and Lorena Almoza, who are trying to raise their child in Camisong, Itogon, Benguet, have been feeling that way for months now. It’s because they can’t figure out how long they can cope. Tuesdays and Fridays are also the most expensive.
Filbert, a 24-year old truck driver, was diagnosed for end-stage kidney failure in June last year. Since then, he has been on twice-a-week dialysis, attached to blood-cleansing tubes over four hours Tuesday and Friday afternoons.
Lorena, now 25, shudders over the thought that Kathleen, their eight-month old daughter, could grow up without ever knowing her father. The baby was born early last September, some three months after her father suddenly started throwing up blood.
Filbert, who used to earn P5000 a month, needs P2,800 per dialysis session, excluding the costs for blood transfusions and handling other complications. Financially and emotionally drained, he is surviving almost on empty, if not for Samaritans out there.
Early last week, Lorena sought help in thanking them. She provided a list, explaining some declined full identification: “ Ponstar Tire Supply – P500, Feb. 26; Atty. Rodrigo Kito – P1,000, Feb. 27; Mr. Joseph – P3,000, Feb. 27; Ma’am Amy – P500, Feb. 28; Ma’am Laura F. – P3,000, March 13; Mr. Erwin Ilustre – P1,500, Apr. 10”.
An Ibaloi mother raising her own young daughter in Kentucky also understands. She sent $200 dollars which the local drawee bank converted to P9,354.22 for Filbert’s dialysis.
As in past remittances for other indigent patients, she said it was in gratitude over her having overcome cancer, in memory of an elder sister who didn’t and in keeping with her late father’s public service legacy to the people of Benguet.
Dialysis would have to be lifetime. Lorena wanted to explore the probability of a kidney transplant – with her as organ donor. So she had the amount from Kentucky in trust until last Monday when she advanced Filbert’s dialysis a day early. He had to be fit for travel to and initial work-up at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City .
They traveled at night with Emilia Anayasan and her ailing 16-year old son Crisly. The boy was due for his check-up at the Philippine Heart Center, near the NKTI.
Emilia, a seamstress and mother of three, has been trying for years now to arrange a charity surgery for her eldest.
Crisly was born with a serious heart defect termed as “VSA (tricuspid valve atesia) complicated by MGA VSA w/out PS”. He has survived and is and is on his second attempt to finish sixth grade at the Quezon Hill Elementary School .
Emilia recalled how Crisly’s classmates had to carry him home one time after he had an attack. Breathing can be difficult sometimes, with his lips and nails turning blue as if he had just munched a bowl of berries, something normal boys do.
Given the patients’ conditions, acting mayor Reinaldo Bautista dispatched a vehicle for the round trip. Volunteer Peewee Agustin offered to drive, as he had done before for other patients and therefore familiar with the route. Somebody with a heart shouldered the cost of meals and other needs along the way. The anonymous Samaritan earlier handed over P6,000 to banker Rolly de Guzman, vice president of RCBC, saying that it be spent for seriously ill and indigent patients.
After taking the long queue with other patients and potential organ donors, Filbert and Lorena were told she couldn’t be a donor. It has to be a blood kin of Filbert to ensure high tissue compatibility and prevent organ rejection after implantation.
Lorena had offered herself when she couldn’t find a potential donor among Filbert’s blood relatives. The kin believe doing so would harm their own health.
After many queues, things aren’t also looking up for Crisly. “Awan kano doctor nga akin kaya ag-opera kaso ni Crisly isu nga uray every six months ti follow up na,” his mother said when they arrived home.
Agustin said she was told surgery would be done when a specialist from the United States arrives for an outreach mission.
Filbert was back Friday at the dialysis room of the Baguio General Hospital . The routine will go on until support runs out or until a blood kin sees his potential as kidney donor.
It’s back to maintenance medication, too, for Crisly. People who feel donor fatigue shouldn’t get into their way can call up Lorena’s cellphone number (09103572198). While they can, before she decides – as she almost did - to sell it to cope with another fast-coming Tuesday and Friday.
Others can ring up Mrs. Anayasan’s number: 09197421723.
JDV to rival: Stop attacks or be open to shame expose
BY JENNELYN MONDEJAR
DAGUPAN CITY – House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. warned his rival, Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin Lim, to stop malicious attacks against him or else he will expose what he calls “shameful” conditions that Lim had demanded to withdraw his challenge to the incumbent congressman.
“All the attacks of Lim against him are false, no one believes him,” said De Venecia who is seeking reelection for Pangasinan’s fourth district congressional seat against Lim.
A visibly irked De Venecia said he “feels like vomiting” with Lim’s ploy against him.
But De Venecia refused to reveal Lim’s demands and insisted that he prefer to promote “politics of performance, of forgiveness and reconciliation,” unlike his rival.
De Venecia said that if Lim continue to spread lies against him, he might be forced to reveal his “Shameful” demands.
“What he (Lim) demanded (in exchange for withdrawing his candidacy for congressman) are bad. Not worthy of a public official. We never had somebody like that in Pangasinan,” De Venecia said.
Pressed by the media to expose these, De Venecia only cited one particular demand of Lim so he will not run against De Venecia, was for the Speaker to assure that Lim’s son, Brian will run unopposed for Dagupan Mayor.
De Venecia said he rejected the proposal because Brian Lim had never held an elective position.
This arrangement is “insulting” to the leaders of the city, De Venecia added.
He said if Lim doesn’t stop in his demolition job against him, he will ask guidance from the Lord whether he will tell the people about these demands or not.
De Venecia had filed a disqualification case against Lim for massive vote buying.
Lim had also accused De Venecia of resorting to vote buying after the Speaker distributed Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats membership cards with corresponding insurance benefits.
The complaint of Lim, however, was not accepted by the Commission on elections Law Department of Lack of sufficient evidence.
Lim’s lawyer Francisco Baraan III said de Venecia had distributed accident insurance cards to supporters which is a form of vote-buying.
PENARRUBIA, Abra -- An incumbent mayor of Abra was arrested for illegal possession of several unlicensed, high powered firearms seized in his farmhouse last Wednesday afternoon.
Mayor Antonino Domes-ag of Penarrubia town was found in possession of an AK 47 with serial number (SN) U4052; tow 12-gauge shotguns (Armscor) SN 1061633 and SN 1061633; a caliber .22 rifle (Squires Bingham) with SN 173960; a caliber .38 revolver (Squires Bingham) with SN 826433, and several magazines and live ammunition.
The mayor was taken to the Abra Provincial Hospital after his blood pressure shot up.
Domes-ag’s bodyguard Ferdinand Fernandez was also arrested in the mayor’s house where he sought refuge after shooting and wounding a farmer, Wilfredo Pacano.
Police said said the raid on Domes-ag’s house in Barangay Lusuac, Penarrubia at around 5 p.m last Wednesday was conducted by joint elements of Task Force Abra, Regional Intelligence Division-Cordillera, RIO-14 and the 160st Provincial Mobile Group led by the Chief Inspector Melvin Napiloy.
Initial investigation showed that prior to the incident, PNP troops were on their way to Lusuac, Penarrubia to respond to an alleged shooting incident involving Fernandez and Pacano.
When the suspect noticed the responding policemen approaching, Fernandez run inside the farmhouse of Domes-ag, prompting the policemen to run after him.
The lawmen eventually concerned Fernandez in the farmhouse, where they discovered the firearms and ammunitions placed on top of two beds.
Domes-ag who was present at that time, failed to show pertinent documents for the firearms, thus prompting the policemen to arrest him and Fernandez and seize the firearms and ammunition.
Fernandez suffered an injury on his right hand caused by sharp wood when he stumbled while trying to evade arrest.
Napiloy said Domes-ag and the confiscated items were brought to the Abra Police headquarters, while Fernandez was rushed to the Abra Provincial Hospital for medical treatment.
Police said Domes-ag would be charged for violating the gun ban, while Fernandez will face attempted murder.
Mayor’s political leader shot dead in Gapan City
BY LIAM ANACLETO
GAPAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – A political leader of reelectionist Mayor Ernesto Natividad was shot dead in broad daylight here by two motorcycle-riding gunmen, making him the seventh election-violence victim in Nueva Ecija.
Supt. Marlong Bingcang identified the victim as Manuel Tolentino, 58, known ally of the mayor.
Tolentino was driving his green Suzuki Vitara along the highway in barangay Bayanihan, this city when the two motorcycle-riding assassins drove close to his vehicle and pumped bullets at him.
The shooting occurred exactly one week after the Jaen shooting that left two men dead and at least 17 other injured.
Natividad, running under the banner of the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija, has condemned the killing of his ally even as he took potshots at the police for its inability to dismantle his opponent’s private army.”
He said his other rival, former mayor Arthour Velayo, could not have done it because he had no motive for doing the heinous act.
Sagada candidates vow to spur dev’t if elected
BY GINA DIZON
SAGADA, Mountain Province - Nineteen aspiring municipal officials of this town entered into a covenant with the people represented by seven institutions from the government and the private sector.
In their agreement read during the Candidates’ Forum last May 7, the candidates including two candidates for mayor, two for vice mayor and 15 municipal councilors vowed to conduct the May 14 elections in the spirit of goodwill and friendly rivalry, follow election laws, uphold the rights of voters to vote freely, and refrain from coercive and corrupt means like vote buying.
Once elected into office, the candidates also vowed to support the strict implementation of laws and rules against the commission graft and corruption and institute prosecution of those liable for graft and corruption practices.
They will work for economic development by promoting resource allocation and sustainable livelihood programs for poverty alleviation, promote peoples’ participation, and help prevent further environmental degradation.
The candidates entered into agreement with the COMELEC through Election Officer Lamberto LLopis and the PNP through the Chief of Police Antolino Sari Yagyagan.
Other parties to the agreement include Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Parish Pastoral Council or Responsible Voting ( PPCRV), Local Government Unit (LGU), Sagada Environmental Guides Association (SEGA) and the Episcopal Church.
The covenant signing was also sponsored by the municipal office of UNFPA (United Nations Fund for Population Activities).
Mayor seeking 4th term says 1st term is counted
BY GEORGE TRILLO
SAN LUIS, Pampanga – The mayor of San Luis, Pampanga, who is currently serving his third consecutive term for the mayoralty post, has again filed his candidacy for a fourth term, claiming the arithmetic is faulty and did not apply to his case.
Mayor Jayson “Dr. J” Sagum said he is still eligible for another term because the first term he served between 1988 and 2001 did not count as one full term.
But his main rival for the mayoralty post of San Luis in the May 14 elections, Elsa P. Manliclic, is disputing Sagum’s arithmetic.
Manliclic, refusing to be intimidated by the political connections in the province of her opponent, has filed a case now pending before the Commission on Elections.
“The continued refusal of Mayor Sagum to budge from his post, although he is long considered by his townmates as a graduating mayor, indicates disregard of the rule of law,” Manliclic said.
But Sagum argued his first term was incomplete because he was prevented from assuming the town’s mayoralty post when his protagonist was declared winner.
He eventually won in a subsequent protest case and served as mayor for the remaining period of the unexpired term.
He said he is banking on the deduction of his first term as basis for him to run again in the elections.
Manliclic said it would stretch the meaning of the applicable law and violate the spirit and letter of the 1987 Constitution if one would believe in Sagum’s argument.
She pointed to jurisprudence on the matter, a Supreme Court decision in the case of the Borja Jr. vs. Comelec and Capco in which Constitutional Convention delegate Joaquin Bernas was quoted as saying, “If one is elected representative to serve the unexpired term of another, that unexpired term, no matter how short, will be considered on term for the purpose of computing the number of successive terms allowed.”
Manliclic said despite established and erudite jurisprudence on the precise definition of the term of office, the powers-that-be behind mayor Sagum’s candidacy for a fourth term are riding roughshod over the law and Constitution.
She also said that she received death threats and her followers cited instances during which strangers suspiciously checked her activities.
Reaching out to indigent patients; donors show way
BY RAMON DACAWI
BAGUIO CITY -- For a young Ibaloi couple, Tuesdays and Fridays seem to come faster each time, their afternoons longer and heavier than the rest of the week. Days in-between fleet away in a blur, and before they know it, it’s Tuesday or Friday again.
Filbert and Lorena Almoza, who are trying to raise their child in Camisong, Itogon, Benguet, have been feeling that way for months now. It’s because they can’t figure out how long they can cope. Tuesdays and Fridays are also the most expensive.
Filbert, a 24-year old truck driver, was diagnosed for end-stage kidney failure in June last year. Since then, he has been on twice-a-week dialysis, attached to blood-cleansing tubes over four hours Tuesday and Friday afternoons.
Lorena, now 25, shudders over the thought that Kathleen, their eight-month old daughter, could grow up without ever knowing her father. The baby was born early last September, some three months after her father suddenly started throwing up blood.
Filbert, who used to earn P5000 a month, needs P2,800 per dialysis session, excluding the costs for blood transfusions and handling other complications. Financially and emotionally drained, he is surviving almost on empty, if not for Samaritans out there.
Early last week, Lorena sought help in thanking them. She provided a list, explaining some declined full identification: “ Ponstar Tire Supply – P500, Feb. 26; Atty. Rodrigo Kito – P1,000, Feb. 27; Mr. Joseph – P3,000, Feb. 27; Ma’am Amy – P500, Feb. 28; Ma’am Laura F. – P3,000, March 13; Mr. Erwin Ilustre – P1,500, Apr. 10”.
An Ibaloi mother raising her own young daughter in Kentucky also understands. She sent $200 dollars which the local drawee bank converted to P9,354.22 for Filbert’s dialysis.
As in past remittances for other indigent patients, she said it was in gratitude over her having overcome cancer, in memory of an elder sister who didn’t and in keeping with her late father’s public service legacy to the people of Benguet.
Dialysis would have to be lifetime. Lorena wanted to explore the probability of a kidney transplant – with her as organ donor. So she had the amount from Kentucky in trust until last Monday when she advanced Filbert’s dialysis a day early. He had to be fit for travel to and initial work-up at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City .
They traveled at night with Emilia Anayasan and her ailing 16-year old son Crisly. The boy was due for his check-up at the Philippine Heart Center, near the NKTI.
Emilia, a seamstress and mother of three, has been trying for years now to arrange a charity surgery for her eldest.
Crisly was born with a serious heart defect termed as “VSA (tricuspid valve atesia) complicated by MGA VSA w/out PS”. He has survived and is and is on his second attempt to finish sixth grade at the Quezon Hill Elementary School .
Emilia recalled how Crisly’s classmates had to carry him home one time after he had an attack. Breathing can be difficult sometimes, with his lips and nails turning blue as if he had just munched a bowl of berries, something normal boys do.
Given the patients’ conditions, acting mayor Reinaldo Bautista dispatched a vehicle for the round trip. Volunteer Peewee Agustin offered to drive, as he had done before for other patients and therefore familiar with the route. Somebody with a heart shouldered the cost of meals and other needs along the way. The anonymous Samaritan earlier handed over P6,000 to banker Rolly de Guzman, vice president of RCBC, saying that it be spent for seriously ill and indigent patients.
After taking the long queue with other patients and potential organ donors, Filbert and Lorena were told she couldn’t be a donor. It has to be a blood kin of Filbert to ensure high tissue compatibility and prevent organ rejection after implantation.
Lorena had offered herself when she couldn’t find a potential donor among Filbert’s blood relatives. The kin believe doing so would harm their own health.
After many queues, things aren’t also looking up for Crisly. “Awan kano doctor nga akin kaya ag-opera kaso ni Crisly isu nga uray every six months ti follow up na,” his mother said when they arrived home.
Agustin said she was told surgery would be done when a specialist from the United States arrives for an outreach mission.
Filbert was back Friday at the dialysis room of the Baguio General Hospital . The routine will go on until support runs out or until a blood kin sees his potential as kidney donor.
It’s back to maintenance medication, too, for Crisly. People who feel donor fatigue shouldn’t get into their way can call up Lorena’s cellphone number (09103572198). While they can, before she decides – as she almost did - to sell it to cope with another fast-coming Tuesday and Friday.
Others can ring up Mrs. Anayasan’s number: 09197421723.
JDV to rival: Stop attacks or be open to shame expose
BY JENNELYN MONDEJAR
DAGUPAN CITY – House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. warned his rival, Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin Lim, to stop malicious attacks against him or else he will expose what he calls “shameful” conditions that Lim had demanded to withdraw his challenge to the incumbent congressman.
“All the attacks of Lim against him are false, no one believes him,” said De Venecia who is seeking reelection for Pangasinan’s fourth district congressional seat against Lim.
A visibly irked De Venecia said he “feels like vomiting” with Lim’s ploy against him.
But De Venecia refused to reveal Lim’s demands and insisted that he prefer to promote “politics of performance, of forgiveness and reconciliation,” unlike his rival.
De Venecia said that if Lim continue to spread lies against him, he might be forced to reveal his “Shameful” demands.
“What he (Lim) demanded (in exchange for withdrawing his candidacy for congressman) are bad. Not worthy of a public official. We never had somebody like that in Pangasinan,” De Venecia said.
Pressed by the media to expose these, De Venecia only cited one particular demand of Lim so he will not run against De Venecia, was for the Speaker to assure that Lim’s son, Brian will run unopposed for Dagupan Mayor.
De Venecia said he rejected the proposal because Brian Lim had never held an elective position.
This arrangement is “insulting” to the leaders of the city, De Venecia added.
He said if Lim doesn’t stop in his demolition job against him, he will ask guidance from the Lord whether he will tell the people about these demands or not.
De Venecia had filed a disqualification case against Lim for massive vote buying.
Lim had also accused De Venecia of resorting to vote buying after the Speaker distributed Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats membership cards with corresponding insurance benefits.
The complaint of Lim, however, was not accepted by the Commission on elections Law Department of Lack of sufficient evidence.
Lim’s lawyer Francisco Baraan III said de Venecia had distributed accident insurance cards to supporters which is a form of vote-buying.
BENCHWARMER
The courage of mothers
Ramon S. Dacawi
The date for Mother’s Day varies each year, but it always falls on the second Sunday of May. Four years ago this second Sunday, Noney Padilla-Marzan passed on.
She had accepted the inevitable and even prepared for it. She had written a “going away” list: coffin sealed, short wake with no shuffling of cards or serving liquor. No eulogies after the funeral mass. Cremation, with the casket going to whoever needed it, and the ashes scattered on a mountain she had climbed when she was already stricken with cancer.
She even wrote her own obituary, indicating May as the month of passing but leaving blank the date. She had readied cash for the funeral expenses and told husband Conrad against shouldering the costs.
“She’s my wife and I hope she’d forgive me for not keeping her wish on this one,” Conrad told me later. “We had lived happily together with or without money and helping give her a decent burial is the least I could do for her.”
She never bore him a child but she was mother to several at the children’s cancer ward. In comforting them, shouldering their treatment, easing the pain of grieving parents, Noney forgot her own therapy. She founded Minda’s Buddies, a cancer support group in honor of a friend who had earlier succumbed to the big C.
She pleaded to folk musicians against staging a benefit concert for her therapy.They staged it anyway, if only to ease the discomfort of being unable to help her who, for years, stood by her husband in numerous musicals for other patients.
When she knew she’d eventually go, she advised Conrad to love and marry again. To “give direction to your life”, she said. “She’s asking for you Manong,” Conrad texted me a daybefore Mother’s Day. “She’s asking for you, manong. Please come as she’s about to go.”
Noney was too weak to open her eyes, much less to speak. She tried but couldn’t write a dedication to a charcoal face of a woman she had drawn and wanted for my present. At the wake, I needed to drink to brace myself from the impact of all these substance of courage, love and caring.
When he heard, Alfred Dizon, the courageous publisher of The Northern Philippine Times, grabbed an eared bottle of brandy and rushed to the Baguio Memorial Chapels. Conrad and I met him on the hallway, led him to an unoccupied, unlit chapel where we steeled ourselves and kept Noney’s wish keeping alcohol away from the wake.
Noney was like Lorie Ramos, then a 43-year old widow with a 10-year old son. When she read about Noney’s plight, she asked Conrad to drop by at her rented house and pick up her support to Noney’s fight.
“I know how painful it is for Noney,” she told Conrad after handing him her donation. “I, too, am now into my second bout with cancer.” Noney and Lorie took on a friendship that blossomed until the end. Lorie dropped by one time to say goodbye, her voice reduced to a whisper by her affliction.
“I have accepted it and I’ll have to bring down my son so he can start bonding with my sister in Quezon City where he’ll grow up in when I’m no longer around.” She kept in touch with Noney who told me Lorie wanted to talk to me. I couldn’t get myself to ringing her up and never
heard from her again.
***
On this Mother’s Day, 35-year old Grace Biogan, should be out there washing clothes for neighbors. She has three young kids to raise alone, a mortgaged house to redeem and more
debts to settle.
She hardly earned any since November the other year. That was when his husband Elmer was diagnosed for lymphoma, a form of cancer. She used her time looking for support. With response from Samaritans the likes of that solo parent in Kentucky and Freddie de Guzmanin Canada , Elmer completed eight chemo sessions and looked on the way to being healed.
It wasn’t meant to be. Elmer passed away last April 26 at 38. A P5,000 support that Baguio boy Joel Aliping meant for Elmer’s fight helped pay for the burial costs. In accordance with tribal customs, Elmer was buried the following day.
In accordance with tribal practice, the widow has to keep herself in the house for a month before she could get out to do laundry. – email: rdacawi@yahoo.com for comments.
Ramon S. Dacawi
The date for Mother’s Day varies each year, but it always falls on the second Sunday of May. Four years ago this second Sunday, Noney Padilla-Marzan passed on.
She had accepted the inevitable and even prepared for it. She had written a “going away” list: coffin sealed, short wake with no shuffling of cards or serving liquor. No eulogies after the funeral mass. Cremation, with the casket going to whoever needed it, and the ashes scattered on a mountain she had climbed when she was already stricken with cancer.
She even wrote her own obituary, indicating May as the month of passing but leaving blank the date. She had readied cash for the funeral expenses and told husband Conrad against shouldering the costs.
“She’s my wife and I hope she’d forgive me for not keeping her wish on this one,” Conrad told me later. “We had lived happily together with or without money and helping give her a decent burial is the least I could do for her.”
She never bore him a child but she was mother to several at the children’s cancer ward. In comforting them, shouldering their treatment, easing the pain of grieving parents, Noney forgot her own therapy. She founded Minda’s Buddies, a cancer support group in honor of a friend who had earlier succumbed to the big C.
She pleaded to folk musicians against staging a benefit concert for her therapy.They staged it anyway, if only to ease the discomfort of being unable to help her who, for years, stood by her husband in numerous musicals for other patients.
When she knew she’d eventually go, she advised Conrad to love and marry again. To “give direction to your life”, she said. “She’s asking for you Manong,” Conrad texted me a daybefore Mother’s Day. “She’s asking for you, manong. Please come as she’s about to go.”
Noney was too weak to open her eyes, much less to speak. She tried but couldn’t write a dedication to a charcoal face of a woman she had drawn and wanted for my present. At the wake, I needed to drink to brace myself from the impact of all these substance of courage, love and caring.
When he heard, Alfred Dizon, the courageous publisher of The Northern Philippine Times, grabbed an eared bottle of brandy and rushed to the Baguio Memorial Chapels. Conrad and I met him on the hallway, led him to an unoccupied, unlit chapel where we steeled ourselves and kept Noney’s wish keeping alcohol away from the wake.
Noney was like Lorie Ramos, then a 43-year old widow with a 10-year old son. When she read about Noney’s plight, she asked Conrad to drop by at her rented house and pick up her support to Noney’s fight.
“I know how painful it is for Noney,” she told Conrad after handing him her donation. “I, too, am now into my second bout with cancer.” Noney and Lorie took on a friendship that blossomed until the end. Lorie dropped by one time to say goodbye, her voice reduced to a whisper by her affliction.
“I have accepted it and I’ll have to bring down my son so he can start bonding with my sister in Quezon City where he’ll grow up in when I’m no longer around.” She kept in touch with Noney who told me Lorie wanted to talk to me. I couldn’t get myself to ringing her up and never
heard from her again.
***
On this Mother’s Day, 35-year old Grace Biogan, should be out there washing clothes for neighbors. She has three young kids to raise alone, a mortgaged house to redeem and more
debts to settle.
She hardly earned any since November the other year. That was when his husband Elmer was diagnosed for lymphoma, a form of cancer. She used her time looking for support. With response from Samaritans the likes of that solo parent in Kentucky and Freddie de Guzmanin Canada , Elmer completed eight chemo sessions and looked on the way to being healed.
It wasn’t meant to be. Elmer passed away last April 26 at 38. A P5,000 support that Baguio boy Joel Aliping meant for Elmer’s fight helped pay for the burial costs. In accordance with tribal customs, Elmer was buried the following day.
In accordance with tribal practice, the widow has to keep herself in the house for a month before she could get out to do laundry. – email: rdacawi@yahoo.com for comments.
LETTERS FROM THE AGNO
Change all or change most?
March L. Fianza
Many feel the need for a fresh and new set of elected public officials. This may be blamed on several cases involving the present crop of officials that up to now, remain unsolved. Good that our officials are making moves toward the resolution of these cases, as long as all those involved are treated equally. Apparently, more cases are being pursued against persons who are against the powers that be. And if ever any finger is lifted against an ally, it is selective.
Nationwide, the list of anomalies is longer than one's imagination can allow. Most of the cases involving public officials are violations of the graft and corruption law. But there are also instances where even incorruptible public officials who fight for the right are slapped with suspension orders.
In Baguio , Mayor Braulio Yaranon's suspension is one of the few cases. His suspension is looked upon by his supporters as too much of a “punishment” for doing nothing wrong and for fighting for what is right. Effectively, his suspension launched the clamor to vote for a new set of
councilors that will change all public officials who were fence-sitters during the time when the city was fighting against pay-parking, tree-cutting and construction of a new flyover, squatting, expanded titles, cha-cha, Uniwide scam, etc.
Certainly, Yaranon's suspension is a vote getter for himself and congressional bet Jose "Joemol" Molintas who may yet become the biggest “upset” for one. Together with the duo, my neighbors, again I say "my neighbors" in New Lucban want their new set of councilors to be Rene Cortes, Poppo Cosalan, Jack Carino, Richard Carino, Richard Zarate, Nick Parado, Fred Bagbagen, Erding Balajadia, Nick Aliping and Michael Fianza.
But the set of councilors for the neighborhood in New Lucban is a mix-up of new names and come-backing councilors. Notice that there are two Carinos and two Richards running for the council. And so we advise their voters to write the full names "Jack Carino" or "Richard Carino" to avoid stray votes.
In Benguet, the "change all" attitude of voters is interpreted differently. The "change all" clamor is greatly attributed to the lackadaisical attitude of our officials from the congressman down to the last councilor in respective municipalities. However, the zero-enthusiasm or half-hearted public service our constituents in Benguet are experiencing may not be in the character of all.
Of course, politics is politics and elections are a way for people to renew the mandate of officials or change them. Their reasons for doing so are only known to the voter. Choice is personal, but then it is best to base one's choice on issues. Some voters say the Provincial Capitol must not be treated as a "retirement village." Indeed, many retiring teachers, policemen, appointed officials etc., run for public office in the province only to show half-hearted service once elected.
Not to single out retirees, even the lawyers give lukewarm service as their shadows appear in the session hall only during their session. Most of their time are spent for their private clients or their teaching units in some schools. Others use their provincial seats to launch their future candidacy for mayor in their respective towns.
If such is the case all the time, it will not be long before we will experience a weakening of the executive and legislative branches as institutions in the provincial level. The capitol now merely becomes the Rest & Recreation venue for our scheming politicians. It is therefore the time to change, not all, but most.
For some sectors of Benguet voters, it is not a surprise that their choice of politicians is based on issues because relationship with candidates is indeed their remotest consideration. For some groups that trace their roots to Mountain Province , Kalinga, Ifugao and the lowlands, they ask themselves the question, "Why vote for Dangwa or Cosalan?"
It is not that Dangwa is old and feeble when many saw him go around in his campaigns with the assistance of an "alalay" as that hits the good man personally. Age should not be the issue but it is a factor that affects public service. Our migrant brothers who are now permanent Benguet residents believe that Dangwa needs his long-overdue rest and see stronger representation in the person of come-backing Ronald Cosalan.
They also believe that all people who have chosen Benguet as their home, whether they are migrants or natural-born, should do away with patronage, parochial and clannish politics. They seem to believe in Cosalan's "one people-one Benguet" advocacy.
Our migrant brothers have seen how Benguet grew in the past many decades. They know history as they are part of it. They know of many other contentious issues that need looking into, aside from the scars that they still bear from a losing transportation business enterprise they helped capitalize.
Our migrant brothers are not farmers but they sympathize with the plight of the Benguet vegetable producer. They say our local executives have done their job in fighting vegetable importation that has affected their farmer-constituents. They know that the problem has been there for many years but that there was no dynamic and persuasive act in congress to compel the vegetable importers to stop. They say Benguet needs Cosalan to fight for the farmers.
Now, if our migrant brothers consider the issues more seriously and use these to gauge the capability of gubernatorial candidates Melchor, Tabanda and Fongwan, and congressional bets Dangwa and Cosalan -- why can't we as natural-born I-benguets? marchfianza777@yahoo.com
March L. Fianza
Many feel the need for a fresh and new set of elected public officials. This may be blamed on several cases involving the present crop of officials that up to now, remain unsolved. Good that our officials are making moves toward the resolution of these cases, as long as all those involved are treated equally. Apparently, more cases are being pursued against persons who are against the powers that be. And if ever any finger is lifted against an ally, it is selective.
Nationwide, the list of anomalies is longer than one's imagination can allow. Most of the cases involving public officials are violations of the graft and corruption law. But there are also instances where even incorruptible public officials who fight for the right are slapped with suspension orders.
In Baguio , Mayor Braulio Yaranon's suspension is one of the few cases. His suspension is looked upon by his supporters as too much of a “punishment” for doing nothing wrong and for fighting for what is right. Effectively, his suspension launched the clamor to vote for a new set of
councilors that will change all public officials who were fence-sitters during the time when the city was fighting against pay-parking, tree-cutting and construction of a new flyover, squatting, expanded titles, cha-cha, Uniwide scam, etc.
Certainly, Yaranon's suspension is a vote getter for himself and congressional bet Jose "Joemol" Molintas who may yet become the biggest “upset” for one. Together with the duo, my neighbors, again I say "my neighbors" in New Lucban want their new set of councilors to be Rene Cortes, Poppo Cosalan, Jack Carino, Richard Carino, Richard Zarate, Nick Parado, Fred Bagbagen, Erding Balajadia, Nick Aliping and Michael Fianza.
But the set of councilors for the neighborhood in New Lucban is a mix-up of new names and come-backing councilors. Notice that there are two Carinos and two Richards running for the council. And so we advise their voters to write the full names "Jack Carino" or "Richard Carino" to avoid stray votes.
In Benguet, the "change all" attitude of voters is interpreted differently. The "change all" clamor is greatly attributed to the lackadaisical attitude of our officials from the congressman down to the last councilor in respective municipalities. However, the zero-enthusiasm or half-hearted public service our constituents in Benguet are experiencing may not be in the character of all.
Of course, politics is politics and elections are a way for people to renew the mandate of officials or change them. Their reasons for doing so are only known to the voter. Choice is personal, but then it is best to base one's choice on issues. Some voters say the Provincial Capitol must not be treated as a "retirement village." Indeed, many retiring teachers, policemen, appointed officials etc., run for public office in the province only to show half-hearted service once elected.
Not to single out retirees, even the lawyers give lukewarm service as their shadows appear in the session hall only during their session. Most of their time are spent for their private clients or their teaching units in some schools. Others use their provincial seats to launch their future candidacy for mayor in their respective towns.
If such is the case all the time, it will not be long before we will experience a weakening of the executive and legislative branches as institutions in the provincial level. The capitol now merely becomes the Rest & Recreation venue for our scheming politicians. It is therefore the time to change, not all, but most.
For some sectors of Benguet voters, it is not a surprise that their choice of politicians is based on issues because relationship with candidates is indeed their remotest consideration. For some groups that trace their roots to Mountain Province , Kalinga, Ifugao and the lowlands, they ask themselves the question, "Why vote for Dangwa or Cosalan?"
It is not that Dangwa is old and feeble when many saw him go around in his campaigns with the assistance of an "alalay" as that hits the good man personally. Age should not be the issue but it is a factor that affects public service. Our migrant brothers who are now permanent Benguet residents believe that Dangwa needs his long-overdue rest and see stronger representation in the person of come-backing Ronald Cosalan.
They also believe that all people who have chosen Benguet as their home, whether they are migrants or natural-born, should do away with patronage, parochial and clannish politics. They seem to believe in Cosalan's "one people-one Benguet" advocacy.
Our migrant brothers have seen how Benguet grew in the past many decades. They know history as they are part of it. They know of many other contentious issues that need looking into, aside from the scars that they still bear from a losing transportation business enterprise they helped capitalize.
Our migrant brothers are not farmers but they sympathize with the plight of the Benguet vegetable producer. They say our local executives have done their job in fighting vegetable importation that has affected their farmer-constituents. They know that the problem has been there for many years but that there was no dynamic and persuasive act in congress to compel the vegetable importers to stop. They say Benguet needs Cosalan to fight for the farmers.
Now, if our migrant brothers consider the issues more seriously and use these to gauge the capability of gubernatorial candidates Melchor, Tabanda and Fongwan, and congressional bets Dangwa and Cosalan -- why can't we as natural-born I-benguets? marchfianza777@yahoo.com
PASSING LANES
Here comes the rain
Jorge S. Pawid
The rains are here. This week’s rains are a blessing for those who feel the summer heat. It has been raining during the past week’s afternoon in Baguio City and Benguet province. It is now officially rainy season. A reason for some to be happy while for a few, to crow about.
Umbrellas were seen to be selling briskly in city sidewalks and department stores. Raincoats too, suddenly became an item in demand. Some people were observed to have bought new sets of rainwear for their children to protect them from the rain and sickness these coming months.
For Ciano, our neighborhood historian, the rains are a very welcome respite from the rising summer temperatures however, a bane for the strawberry growers. Strawberry quality has now deteriorated and according to him, they have now started segregating planting materials for
the next crop.
Ciano says that farmers, in general, always welcome the rains. The rains mean water for a new crop. Water for their almost dried up irrigation systems. Water to cool and refresh the soil and more importantly, water to feed seedlings with needed nutrients.
For the outdoor-loving people, rains dampen their activities. We advise them to think of other worthwhile things to do now that the rainy season has reached our doorsteps. Get used to it. There are also many things we can enjoy doing during the rains.
For the less privileged who used to have water in their homes on a rationed basis, they are now smiling and have brought out their pails and buckets to fill with rainwater. At least they could use this for their laundry and toilets.
The foresters are happy too. They have less to worry about brush fires. The new tree saplings have a better chance of survival. Am now reminded that it is also time to plant tree seedlings with not worry of having to water the plants.
At the neighborhood store and favorite watering hole, Ciano blurted that for lovers, the rains
have brought along more chances for romantic moments. More time to be intimate, more time to sit and chat together, more time to be together and many other things sweethearts do.
Of course we understand the predicament of our brothers and sisters whose livelihood bring them better income without the rains; the peddlers in the streets, sidewalk vendors, construction workers and the like. Adjustments and remedies are in store to be done.
Remember that rains are one of God’s best gifts to humanity. It brings us life.
Let us welcome the rains. It brings us more harm than good. Water is life. Let us just hope that we will have less typhoons and storms this season. We are witness to the wrath of nature and how many a times it caused the loss of several lives resulting in the grief of some.
The rains remind us to be more careful. It reminds us to be more prepared for any eventualities it brings.
Meanwhile, let us brace ourselves for the worst and while still early, let us see to these preparations. Let’s make sure our homes and premises are safe from these accidents and tragedies we do not want to happen.
Before going home after our session with Ciano, he reminded each of us to bring out those rubber boots, umbrellas, waterproof jackets, raincoats and parkas and all rainwear we kept stored after last year’s rains.
He said he did not want to know or see any of us getting sick just because we forgot to protect ourselves from the rain. Thanks Ciano. In like manner, we extend that advise to our readers. Thank Ciano too for that reminder.
Jorge S. Pawid
The rains are here. This week’s rains are a blessing for those who feel the summer heat. It has been raining during the past week’s afternoon in Baguio City and Benguet province. It is now officially rainy season. A reason for some to be happy while for a few, to crow about.
Umbrellas were seen to be selling briskly in city sidewalks and department stores. Raincoats too, suddenly became an item in demand. Some people were observed to have bought new sets of rainwear for their children to protect them from the rain and sickness these coming months.
For Ciano, our neighborhood historian, the rains are a very welcome respite from the rising summer temperatures however, a bane for the strawberry growers. Strawberry quality has now deteriorated and according to him, they have now started segregating planting materials for
the next crop.
Ciano says that farmers, in general, always welcome the rains. The rains mean water for a new crop. Water for their almost dried up irrigation systems. Water to cool and refresh the soil and more importantly, water to feed seedlings with needed nutrients.
For the outdoor-loving people, rains dampen their activities. We advise them to think of other worthwhile things to do now that the rainy season has reached our doorsteps. Get used to it. There are also many things we can enjoy doing during the rains.
For the less privileged who used to have water in their homes on a rationed basis, they are now smiling and have brought out their pails and buckets to fill with rainwater. At least they could use this for their laundry and toilets.
The foresters are happy too. They have less to worry about brush fires. The new tree saplings have a better chance of survival. Am now reminded that it is also time to plant tree seedlings with not worry of having to water the plants.
At the neighborhood store and favorite watering hole, Ciano blurted that for lovers, the rains
have brought along more chances for romantic moments. More time to be intimate, more time to sit and chat together, more time to be together and many other things sweethearts do.
Of course we understand the predicament of our brothers and sisters whose livelihood bring them better income without the rains; the peddlers in the streets, sidewalk vendors, construction workers and the like. Adjustments and remedies are in store to be done.
Remember that rains are one of God’s best gifts to humanity. It brings us life.
Let us welcome the rains. It brings us more harm than good. Water is life. Let us just hope that we will have less typhoons and storms this season. We are witness to the wrath of nature and how many a times it caused the loss of several lives resulting in the grief of some.
The rains remind us to be more careful. It reminds us to be more prepared for any eventualities it brings.
Meanwhile, let us brace ourselves for the worst and while still early, let us see to these preparations. Let’s make sure our homes and premises are safe from these accidents and tragedies we do not want to happen.
Before going home after our session with Ciano, he reminded each of us to bring out those rubber boots, umbrellas, waterproof jackets, raincoats and parkas and all rainwear we kept stored after last year’s rains.
He said he did not want to know or see any of us getting sick just because we forgot to protect ourselves from the rain. Thanks Ciano. In like manner, we extend that advise to our readers. Thank Ciano too for that reminder.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
HAPPY WEEKEND
The Anglican Angle
Gina Dizon
The demolition of the Anglican church in Sabangan by contractors of the multipurpose gym funded from the pork barrel funds of incumbent Rep. Victor Dominguez has created a situation wherein differing supporters of Mt Province congressional candidates used the issue to propel candidacies of their respective candidates.
Based from campaign sorties, incumbent mayor of Sabangan and candidate for congressman Jupiter Dominguez’ supporters are supporting the mayor for having been at their side during the chaotic times of the church’s demolition in 2006, among other reasons. On the other hand, the candidate congressman’s rivals and their supporters claim the opposite.
Let the events that transpired be given credit to whom these are due. Where the mayor’s support was felt by people who claim it to be so, then let it be. Where Jupiter Dominguez’ rivals says the opposite, the burden is on them to prove it so.
With the issuance of the Anglican Diocesan Convention resolution which forwards a strong political position against Victor Dominguez, this has apparently invited comment from the solon’s supporters as well as those who capitalized on the issue and attacked church leaders for indulging in “hate campaign and partisan propaganda”.
While differing supporters and their candidates have their own political gimmicks and strategies to further their popularity basing their conclusions on the events that transpired from the church’s demolition, what currently stands is the solon’s denial of the church’s existence and consequent denial of a congregation who gather to express their religious faith and beliefs.
Victor Dominguez has repeatedly denied the existence of the Anglican church in Sabangan with claims that the lot where the church stands is owned by the Poblacion of Sabangan.
While it is a legal controversy of who owns the lot where the church building stands, whether it is the Poblacion of Sabangan or the Anglican church, the solon has blinded his eyes to the congregation of St Peter’s church who regularly conduct their church services at the very building which was demolished.
This is every evident on some 50 Anglican families who go to church every Sunday and who have been baptized Anglicans in the wooden one-story building, since the Anglican church was established in 1958 up to the moment. This is very evident also on the assignments of the many Anglican priests who have served in St Peter’s church year in and year out.
Bishop Renato Abibico of the Anglican diocese of northern Luzon, and who hails from Sabangan, himself says that he was a regular worshipper of the demolished church building which was then referred to as “pwestoan” in 1965.
The very act of denying the existence of St Peter’s church is denying the existence of the very people who have lived and continued to live in Sabangan. It is denying the existence of the very people who may have voted for the solon in the past 30 years of his term as solon of this 5th class province. It is denying the very principles of the divine law apart from State law, which makes up policies of the government where he sits as congressman.
Thus, the solon’s pronouncements were seen as having violated the very fundamental, human, universal, and constitutional rights to worship and religion which basically composes our essence as human beings. This notwithstanding, let the Anglicans separately pursue with reason their individual choices of candidates this coming May 14 elections as part of their right to suffrage
Gina Dizon
The demolition of the Anglican church in Sabangan by contractors of the multipurpose gym funded from the pork barrel funds of incumbent Rep. Victor Dominguez has created a situation wherein differing supporters of Mt Province congressional candidates used the issue to propel candidacies of their respective candidates.
Based from campaign sorties, incumbent mayor of Sabangan and candidate for congressman Jupiter Dominguez’ supporters are supporting the mayor for having been at their side during the chaotic times of the church’s demolition in 2006, among other reasons. On the other hand, the candidate congressman’s rivals and their supporters claim the opposite.
Let the events that transpired be given credit to whom these are due. Where the mayor’s support was felt by people who claim it to be so, then let it be. Where Jupiter Dominguez’ rivals says the opposite, the burden is on them to prove it so.
With the issuance of the Anglican Diocesan Convention resolution which forwards a strong political position against Victor Dominguez, this has apparently invited comment from the solon’s supporters as well as those who capitalized on the issue and attacked church leaders for indulging in “hate campaign and partisan propaganda”.
While differing supporters and their candidates have their own political gimmicks and strategies to further their popularity basing their conclusions on the events that transpired from the church’s demolition, what currently stands is the solon’s denial of the church’s existence and consequent denial of a congregation who gather to express their religious faith and beliefs.
Victor Dominguez has repeatedly denied the existence of the Anglican church in Sabangan with claims that the lot where the church stands is owned by the Poblacion of Sabangan.
While it is a legal controversy of who owns the lot where the church building stands, whether it is the Poblacion of Sabangan or the Anglican church, the solon has blinded his eyes to the congregation of St Peter’s church who regularly conduct their church services at the very building which was demolished.
This is every evident on some 50 Anglican families who go to church every Sunday and who have been baptized Anglicans in the wooden one-story building, since the Anglican church was established in 1958 up to the moment. This is very evident also on the assignments of the many Anglican priests who have served in St Peter’s church year in and year out.
Bishop Renato Abibico of the Anglican diocese of northern Luzon, and who hails from Sabangan, himself says that he was a regular worshipper of the demolished church building which was then referred to as “pwestoan” in 1965.
The very act of denying the existence of St Peter’s church is denying the existence of the very people who have lived and continued to live in Sabangan. It is denying the existence of the very people who may have voted for the solon in the past 30 years of his term as solon of this 5th class province. It is denying the very principles of the divine law apart from State law, which makes up policies of the government where he sits as congressman.
Thus, the solon’s pronouncements were seen as having violated the very fundamental, human, universal, and constitutional rights to worship and religion which basically composes our essence as human beings. This notwithstanding, let the Anglicans separately pursue with reason their individual choices of candidates this coming May 14 elections as part of their right to suffrage
CALIFORNIA DREAMING
A talk with an American on Philippine elections
Benito"Jong" Molintas
Just a few minutes when I started making this column, I was reminiscing my high school days at Saint Vincent’s School in Bontoc, Mountain Province . Those were the days that at my age, tried to explore skills and dreams that I wanted to that time and the future.
Later, I tried my oratorical skills when I studied at the St. Louis University in Baguio City . I joined the Supreme Student Council, Kasama, among others trying my hand in student politics.
I experienced and was molded in the art and science of campaigning. It was enjoyable standing in front of voters, convincing them with a little eloquence on how to be leader. I say this as a dare to the young to become future leaders by trying first the political life in their schools.
You can be effective leaders without resorting to cheating. Everything that you think you can do, you must be positive about it for yourself and for the benefit of others.” Everything we can do now, we must do it for we shall never pass this way again,” to quote a song.
I don’t really understand why, why our nation, the Philippines , is suffering from rub-outs, shoot-outs, kidnappings, killings and many violent acts particularly during the political season. It is near election day.
We should not allow ourselves to be used by politicians or big capitalist companies through illegal means or unhealthy “democratic processes.” Let us show that we can do our task as voter or campaigner for a person whom we believe to stand for our locality, our municipality, province or our country.
Let us learn from past campaign periods by not selling our reputation just for politics. We are trying to build a good future for the succeeding generation thus we should not campaign only for our own personal and vested interests but for majority of the people.
It is hurting when politicians promise a lot but don’t fulfill these and instead become the lawbreakers.
I am sure that our political system is weak; we are being besieged left and right by evil. My American friend was also of this sentiment when we were sitting together discussing elections in the Philippines .
“Your politics in the Philippines is blatantly a dirty one,” he said. “It is no longer a way to exhibit and discuss platforms, but to kill the opponent. Those in power dictate what they want which are usually only beneficial for their own selves. That is one reason why the Philippines is virtually becoming a wasteland.”
Recalling US history, he said the country’s democracy has evolved that cheating in elections is virtually non-existent. I hope that someday, we will experience how it is to vote without fear that our vote would be misused.
Benito"Jong" Molintas
Just a few minutes when I started making this column, I was reminiscing my high school days at Saint Vincent’s School in Bontoc, Mountain Province . Those were the days that at my age, tried to explore skills and dreams that I wanted to that time and the future.
Later, I tried my oratorical skills when I studied at the St. Louis University in Baguio City . I joined the Supreme Student Council, Kasama, among others trying my hand in student politics.
I experienced and was molded in the art and science of campaigning. It was enjoyable standing in front of voters, convincing them with a little eloquence on how to be leader. I say this as a dare to the young to become future leaders by trying first the political life in their schools.
You can be effective leaders without resorting to cheating. Everything that you think you can do, you must be positive about it for yourself and for the benefit of others.” Everything we can do now, we must do it for we shall never pass this way again,” to quote a song.
I don’t really understand why, why our nation, the Philippines , is suffering from rub-outs, shoot-outs, kidnappings, killings and many violent acts particularly during the political season. It is near election day.
We should not allow ourselves to be used by politicians or big capitalist companies through illegal means or unhealthy “democratic processes.” Let us show that we can do our task as voter or campaigner for a person whom we believe to stand for our locality, our municipality, province or our country.
Let us learn from past campaign periods by not selling our reputation just for politics. We are trying to build a good future for the succeeding generation thus we should not campaign only for our own personal and vested interests but for majority of the people.
It is hurting when politicians promise a lot but don’t fulfill these and instead become the lawbreakers.
I am sure that our political system is weak; we are being besieged left and right by evil. My American friend was also of this sentiment when we were sitting together discussing elections in the Philippines .
“Your politics in the Philippines is blatantly a dirty one,” he said. “It is no longer a way to exhibit and discuss platforms, but to kill the opponent. Those in power dictate what they want which are usually only beneficial for their own selves. That is one reason why the Philippines is virtually becoming a wasteland.”
Recalling US history, he said the country’s democracy has evolved that cheating in elections is virtually non-existent. I hope that someday, we will experience how it is to vote without fear that our vote would be misused.
BULL’S HIT
A demolition tactic/
Incompetent PRC execs
Rudy Garcia
Is it a joke or not? For the nth time, there seems to be another demolition tactic against this writer. Well, as expected, this is the price I have to pay for exposing irregularities, anomalies, abuses, illegal activities and other unwanted activities affecting services to the people.
Of course I cannot please people who may have been hit by my writing but I bet, these people are really guilty so, they developed hatred and became my silent enemies ready to attack me anytime though any means.
Worst, some colleagues in media whom I guess are getting grease money from these underground activities have become partners of these unsavory characters who are trying to destroy me as a straight forward and courageous media man, modesty aside.
The recent text messages sent to several media men in Baguio City accusing a bodybuilder who is a media man and said to be demanding protection money from a bingo operator in Hilltop, Baguio were a dirty joke, a hoax.
It was deceptive and meant to harass and destroy my very person. True, the text messages did not name the subject but the fact that it reached one of the publishers and the OIC (not this paper) where my column is printed is below the belt. These text messages said I was some sort of a dirty media man. These were false information.
What irked me more was when I read the true or false section of a Baguio newspaper, issue of May 6, which read “A muscled media man approached a bingo operator and demanded protection money claiming he was representing all media organizations in Baguio .”
Well, well, well, this is not true. These hypocrites know how to hit below the belt those who are not on the take but are only doing their job of reporting illegal activities in the city. It is a wonder why these so-called mediamen cannot do this to their own kind who are known as AC – DC or attack and collect or destroy and collect media men.
Ha! Ha! Ha! Funny, but to these media detractors of mine, next time, please make sure you hit it right. Anyway, I need not explain but as a straightforward person I want to set the record straight.
The husband of the bingo operator in hilltop is my distant relative from Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija. Being their relative, I often visit them in Hilltop considering that I live only a few meters away. I even introduce my daughter and son as their nephew and niece.
However, there is a wall that divides us as relatives and my responsibility as a media practitioner. Nothing personal. The fact that I even made my surveillance beforehand on their kind of business is one proof. And good, I found no gambling not even pusoy, otherwise they will be among those I could be exposing in my column. I did not intervene in their operation nor helped them in the facilitation of their permits and clearances.
They are operating legally. So, what’s the protection money they are saving? And for me extorting my own relatives is unbelievable and funny. Nakakatawa. I don’t need to beg since we still eat three times a day and my family lives a decent life. My family owns a family enterprise called the “Mothers Restaurant and catering business” in the city of Baguio so if I want, I could just sell my rights as part owner and not the other way around prostituting my profession.
Hindi barya, barya lang. This is not to brag but you can ask any Baguio folk who knows our family. Now, whoever is behind this dirty truck, I’m sure, is desperate, crazy and a coward hiding his identity under a woman’s skirt making his cell phone a deadly weapon of mass disinformation.
This “pikon” from those underworld characters and their protectors, I happened to expose in my columns. And to my colleagues in media, I hope you are not the bobo or tanga types deceived by this kind of dirty trick. Why not go after those illegal activities and not those people who are going after them.
Finally, I would like to challenge all the concerned especially my detractors and accusers that we go personally to the bingo operator to know the real truth so that this issue will put to rest. once and for all.
***
The pitiful sight of applicants for the board exam at the local Professional Regulation Commission in Baguio only shows how incompetent the local PRC officials are. Instead of letting the applicants line up for several days before letting them get their application forms, those in charge should have applied a numbering scheme system to avoid inconvenience on the part of the applicants.
Imagine these poor applicants especially those from the far provinces sleeping and eating at the line just so, they will not be out from their lines? And how about their body necessities? How I wish these people from PRC local office in Baguio would exercise more prudence and concern in administering their functions. Hoy Gising!
Incompetent PRC execs
Rudy Garcia
Is it a joke or not? For the nth time, there seems to be another demolition tactic against this writer. Well, as expected, this is the price I have to pay for exposing irregularities, anomalies, abuses, illegal activities and other unwanted activities affecting services to the people.
Of course I cannot please people who may have been hit by my writing but I bet, these people are really guilty so, they developed hatred and became my silent enemies ready to attack me anytime though any means.
Worst, some colleagues in media whom I guess are getting grease money from these underground activities have become partners of these unsavory characters who are trying to destroy me as a straight forward and courageous media man, modesty aside.
The recent text messages sent to several media men in Baguio City accusing a bodybuilder who is a media man and said to be demanding protection money from a bingo operator in Hilltop, Baguio were a dirty joke, a hoax.
It was deceptive and meant to harass and destroy my very person. True, the text messages did not name the subject but the fact that it reached one of the publishers and the OIC (not this paper) where my column is printed is below the belt. These text messages said I was some sort of a dirty media man. These were false information.
What irked me more was when I read the true or false section of a Baguio newspaper, issue of May 6, which read “A muscled media man approached a bingo operator and demanded protection money claiming he was representing all media organizations in Baguio .”
Well, well, well, this is not true. These hypocrites know how to hit below the belt those who are not on the take but are only doing their job of reporting illegal activities in the city. It is a wonder why these so-called mediamen cannot do this to their own kind who are known as AC – DC or attack and collect or destroy and collect media men.
Ha! Ha! Ha! Funny, but to these media detractors of mine, next time, please make sure you hit it right. Anyway, I need not explain but as a straightforward person I want to set the record straight.
The husband of the bingo operator in hilltop is my distant relative from Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija. Being their relative, I often visit them in Hilltop considering that I live only a few meters away. I even introduce my daughter and son as their nephew and niece.
However, there is a wall that divides us as relatives and my responsibility as a media practitioner. Nothing personal. The fact that I even made my surveillance beforehand on their kind of business is one proof. And good, I found no gambling not even pusoy, otherwise they will be among those I could be exposing in my column. I did not intervene in their operation nor helped them in the facilitation of their permits and clearances.
They are operating legally. So, what’s the protection money they are saving? And for me extorting my own relatives is unbelievable and funny. Nakakatawa. I don’t need to beg since we still eat three times a day and my family lives a decent life. My family owns a family enterprise called the “Mothers Restaurant and catering business” in the city of Baguio so if I want, I could just sell my rights as part owner and not the other way around prostituting my profession.
Hindi barya, barya lang. This is not to brag but you can ask any Baguio folk who knows our family. Now, whoever is behind this dirty truck, I’m sure, is desperate, crazy and a coward hiding his identity under a woman’s skirt making his cell phone a deadly weapon of mass disinformation.
This “pikon” from those underworld characters and their protectors, I happened to expose in my columns. And to my colleagues in media, I hope you are not the bobo or tanga types deceived by this kind of dirty trick. Why not go after those illegal activities and not those people who are going after them.
Finally, I would like to challenge all the concerned especially my detractors and accusers that we go personally to the bingo operator to know the real truth so that this issue will put to rest. once and for all.
***
The pitiful sight of applicants for the board exam at the local Professional Regulation Commission in Baguio only shows how incompetent the local PRC officials are. Instead of letting the applicants line up for several days before letting them get their application forms, those in charge should have applied a numbering scheme system to avoid inconvenience on the part of the applicants.
Imagine these poor applicants especially those from the far provinces sleeping and eating at the line just so, they will not be out from their lines? And how about their body necessities? How I wish these people from PRC local office in Baguio would exercise more prudence and concern in administering their functions. Hoy Gising!
G-SPAT
Earth Day everyday
Grace Bandoy
The world celebrated Earth Day last month, a once-a-year special event to commemorate the importance of preserving mother earth and all its glory. I think it’s too bad that we only get to think of doing that once in every year. Shouldn’t we all be thinking of protecting our natural environment everyday? We should, especially now that modernization is rapidly taking over our natural lands, air and waters.
How can we not think of protecting the very core of our very own existence? We cannot live without clean water, clean air and without land from which all the other living beings on earth stand on. Nothing on earth can live without these three and yet majority of us totally disregard the importance of them. We are so engrossed with our own selfish material lives that we forget the things that are most important – cliché – but it’s true.
Earth Day should be everyday. And let us not depend on concerned authorities to do the saving of Mother Earth. Let’s celebrate Earth Day each and single day in the smallest ways we can.
Segregate your garbage, if possible do not use a lot of plastics and Styrofoam materials, plant trees and vegetation in your homes, conserve water, teach your kids to love mother nature so they can grow up to be our future environmentalists and allow them to bask outdoors so they can appreciate our natural wonders more, and well, you can try and support the people who are protectors of our environment.
There are things we can do, a lot actually. Let’s recognize that having a clean environment will keep us living for a longer time and it will do good for the generations to come too.
Especially in Baguio where our natural environment is fast disappearing, let us not let them disappear totally. Let’s do something now before it’s too late for our city and for us.
* *
The result of this election is crucial for the re- making or further breaking of Baguio . It is make or break. It’s no secret, I mean it’s here for all of us to see, that Baguio is changing for the worse and definitely not for the better.
If you think that overpopulation, more crimes, gross air pollution, more malls is for the better, then you must be some shitty person and you don’t give shit about Baguio and you don’t love this city at all.
Right now, Baguio is all about preservation and not further development. Just what the hell will it take for us to realize that?! Please wake up Baguio people and save the city now!
Grace Bandoy
The world celebrated Earth Day last month, a once-a-year special event to commemorate the importance of preserving mother earth and all its glory. I think it’s too bad that we only get to think of doing that once in every year. Shouldn’t we all be thinking of protecting our natural environment everyday? We should, especially now that modernization is rapidly taking over our natural lands, air and waters.
How can we not think of protecting the very core of our very own existence? We cannot live without clean water, clean air and without land from which all the other living beings on earth stand on. Nothing on earth can live without these three and yet majority of us totally disregard the importance of them. We are so engrossed with our own selfish material lives that we forget the things that are most important – cliché – but it’s true.
Earth Day should be everyday. And let us not depend on concerned authorities to do the saving of Mother Earth. Let’s celebrate Earth Day each and single day in the smallest ways we can.
Segregate your garbage, if possible do not use a lot of plastics and Styrofoam materials, plant trees and vegetation in your homes, conserve water, teach your kids to love mother nature so they can grow up to be our future environmentalists and allow them to bask outdoors so they can appreciate our natural wonders more, and well, you can try and support the people who are protectors of our environment.
There are things we can do, a lot actually. Let’s recognize that having a clean environment will keep us living for a longer time and it will do good for the generations to come too.
Especially in Baguio where our natural environment is fast disappearing, let us not let them disappear totally. Let’s do something now before it’s too late for our city and for us.
* *
The result of this election is crucial for the re- making or further breaking of Baguio . It is make or break. It’s no secret, I mean it’s here for all of us to see, that Baguio is changing for the worse and definitely not for the better.
If you think that overpopulation, more crimes, gross air pollution, more malls is for the better, then you must be some shitty person and you don’t give shit about Baguio and you don’t love this city at all.
Right now, Baguio is all about preservation and not further development. Just what the hell will it take for us to realize that?! Please wake up Baguio people and save the city now!
BUSINESS BITS
Bottom-line coach
Henry Ong
Choosing the right accountant is important because shoddy accounting work is costly, painful, and inconvenient. Retaining incompetent accountants increases your risks of being penalized heavily for late, incomplete tax return and in having to replace one in the middle of a business cycle. A replacement accountant would not only have to reconstruct accounting backlogs, but would also have to be given time to get familiar with the business.
A competent accountant doesn’t simply count beans to prepare and file tax returns, keep accounting books, and generate financial statements he should also analyze, interpret, and concert the information into useful business intelligence.
This makes him a business adviser, who helps the business succeed by showing the business owner how to achieve the company’s financial goals. He should also give his two cents; worth of specific business concerns such as internal controls, costing, inventory strategy, pricing, and even marketing. An accountant that can point only to historical financial performance is a poor choice. He should be able to give sound business advised based on it.
A good accountant is also a responsible tax planner who regularly advises you on latest tax regulations and recommends ways on how to bring down tax obligations legally. He should be able to support and defend you in tax audits and investigations.
In small enterprises, a good accountant understands that the owner’s personal finances are usually connected with the business finances. Thus, he must advice you on personal finance matters such as cash flow planning and budgeting. Specific advice may be on a housing loan that could lower monthly amortization at reasonable interest rates.
To get the most suitable accountant for your business, look for someone with an extensive experience in your specific industry. For instance, if you’re in the grocery business, find one who knows the retail industry; if you’re in restaurant business get one who knows the food and beverage market. This way, the adjustment is minimal if not altogether non-existent. Get referrals from friends and associate – people who can be trusted to know and give you what you need.
Outsourcing your accounting activity to a third-party provider is also an option. You may choose a freelance accountant, whose rate may be cheaper and whose service may be provided more directly. The downside is the possibility that his work would suffer once his clientele increases over time.
You may work with an accounting firm, whose rate may be higher but whose approach would be more professional. Many business owners prefer to work with smaller accounting firms because they are more likely to deal with the principal or the partner. Huge conglomerates with international operations and investors usually choose one of the Big Four in accounting.
In any case, however you choose your accountant, just remember to choose well.
Henry Ong
Choosing the right accountant is important because shoddy accounting work is costly, painful, and inconvenient. Retaining incompetent accountants increases your risks of being penalized heavily for late, incomplete tax return and in having to replace one in the middle of a business cycle. A replacement accountant would not only have to reconstruct accounting backlogs, but would also have to be given time to get familiar with the business.
A competent accountant doesn’t simply count beans to prepare and file tax returns, keep accounting books, and generate financial statements he should also analyze, interpret, and concert the information into useful business intelligence.
This makes him a business adviser, who helps the business succeed by showing the business owner how to achieve the company’s financial goals. He should also give his two cents; worth of specific business concerns such as internal controls, costing, inventory strategy, pricing, and even marketing. An accountant that can point only to historical financial performance is a poor choice. He should be able to give sound business advised based on it.
A good accountant is also a responsible tax planner who regularly advises you on latest tax regulations and recommends ways on how to bring down tax obligations legally. He should be able to support and defend you in tax audits and investigations.
In small enterprises, a good accountant understands that the owner’s personal finances are usually connected with the business finances. Thus, he must advice you on personal finance matters such as cash flow planning and budgeting. Specific advice may be on a housing loan that could lower monthly amortization at reasonable interest rates.
To get the most suitable accountant for your business, look for someone with an extensive experience in your specific industry. For instance, if you’re in the grocery business, find one who knows the retail industry; if you’re in restaurant business get one who knows the food and beverage market. This way, the adjustment is minimal if not altogether non-existent. Get referrals from friends and associate – people who can be trusted to know and give you what you need.
Outsourcing your accounting activity to a third-party provider is also an option. You may choose a freelance accountant, whose rate may be cheaper and whose service may be provided more directly. The downside is the possibility that his work would suffer once his clientele increases over time.
You may work with an accounting firm, whose rate may be higher but whose approach would be more professional. Many business owners prefer to work with smaller accounting firms because they are more likely to deal with the principal or the partner. Huge conglomerates with international operations and investors usually choose one of the Big Four in accounting.
In any case, however you choose your accountant, just remember to choose well.
STRAIGHT FROM THE BIG CITY
Winning globalization locally
Ike Seneres
Globalization is an economic war that should be fought on two fronts, one locally, and the other internationally. As we know it already, we are not winning the war in the international front, because of the weakness of our products, and because of the lack of a cohesive program that would promote our products and services more aggressively. When sales are down, companies would blame either the product or the marketing for the failure, but in the case of our export sales, it seems that both are to blame.
**
Normally we should say that we should stop while we are ahead, but knowing that we are not ahead, we should instead say that we should try to move ahead in the global game where we can do something right away within our means, and right now, that seems to be the local front. Complex as globalization may be, it could actually be explained using simple mathematics, given the fact that if we could not increase our export sales yet, we should at least decrease our import costs.
**
Food and energy are two of our biggest national costs, and simple logic would tell us that if we could just produce more of these resources locally, we would have won a major battle in the global economic war. Believe it or not, the key to winning this battle could be integrated farming, using an approach that would produce both food and energy at the same time. I am not saying that we should now pin our hopes on agriculture; all I am saying is that we should try to win and be productive where we can, while we are still posturing to become more competitive in the industrial and service sectors.
**
Corn, soy, sugar cane, coconut, cassava and even the lowly sweet potato are just some of the crops that could give us food and energy at the same time. In this short list, corn and soy have the most productivity potential and have the most multiplier effects, because these are used as feed ingredients, very critical resource that are in turn used to produce other food products such as pork, poultry, beef and fish. It is really just a matter of supply and demand, because if there is a surplus in these two commodities, we could just turn them into energy sources as well, knowing that alcohol is already a proven source of fuel.
**
Despite what the government says, there is actually a big shortage of yellow corn, with or without a heat wave. If indeed there is a surplus of yellow corn, there would be no need to import it, and our local feeds would then be made mostly of local inputs. And if there is really a surplus, we should know right away, because the prices of meat and fish products would immediately drop as well. Reducing the price of food items is actually a direct way of reducing poverty, because if more people could afford to buy food, more people would fall below the poverty threshold.
**
Hands down, we could say that our local meat and fish products are not globally competitive, also because of simple mathematics, given the fact that our farm production inputs right now are too high, thus making our sales margins too low. It is for this reason why imported meat and fish products are winning the global game right here in our home market, coming in either as duty paid or smuggled merchandize. Given this reality, there is no other way to change the equation but to lower the inputs, and this is now possible by shifting to organic farming, an alternative that is now economically viable, thanks to some homegrown technologies.
**
Organic farming and integrated farming are two separate agricultural approaches, but these two could actually be combined to maximize their joint strengths. It is actually possible to go into integrated farming without going organic, but tests now show that it is also possible to completely shift to integrated farming systems a 100%, with better yields compared to using chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides.
**
Starting this month, we are going to offer free seminars about integrated farming systems at our Guadalupe office. The topics will include urban agriculture, piggery, poultry, fish farming and feeds making, among others. We are going to teach people how to grow their own feed ingredients and mix them on their own, so that they could lower their farm input costs. We are going to teach them also how to make their own organic fertilizers. Of course, we are going to encourage people to grow corn and soy for human consumption, for feed ingredients and for energy conversion.
**
Tune in to "Gulong ng Kabuhayan" on DZXL (558 KHZ) Mon to Fri 6 to 6:45 PM. Join the InterCharity Network. We assist you in looking for a job, starting a small business or getting a scholarship. Email ike@kaiking.net or text us at 09175684855.Unit 324, Guadalupe Commercial Complex, Makati .
Ike Seneres
Globalization is an economic war that should be fought on two fronts, one locally, and the other internationally. As we know it already, we are not winning the war in the international front, because of the weakness of our products, and because of the lack of a cohesive program that would promote our products and services more aggressively. When sales are down, companies would blame either the product or the marketing for the failure, but in the case of our export sales, it seems that both are to blame.
**
Normally we should say that we should stop while we are ahead, but knowing that we are not ahead, we should instead say that we should try to move ahead in the global game where we can do something right away within our means, and right now, that seems to be the local front. Complex as globalization may be, it could actually be explained using simple mathematics, given the fact that if we could not increase our export sales yet, we should at least decrease our import costs.
**
Food and energy are two of our biggest national costs, and simple logic would tell us that if we could just produce more of these resources locally, we would have won a major battle in the global economic war. Believe it or not, the key to winning this battle could be integrated farming, using an approach that would produce both food and energy at the same time. I am not saying that we should now pin our hopes on agriculture; all I am saying is that we should try to win and be productive where we can, while we are still posturing to become more competitive in the industrial and service sectors.
**
Corn, soy, sugar cane, coconut, cassava and even the lowly sweet potato are just some of the crops that could give us food and energy at the same time. In this short list, corn and soy have the most productivity potential and have the most multiplier effects, because these are used as feed ingredients, very critical resource that are in turn used to produce other food products such as pork, poultry, beef and fish. It is really just a matter of supply and demand, because if there is a surplus in these two commodities, we could just turn them into energy sources as well, knowing that alcohol is already a proven source of fuel.
**
Despite what the government says, there is actually a big shortage of yellow corn, with or without a heat wave. If indeed there is a surplus of yellow corn, there would be no need to import it, and our local feeds would then be made mostly of local inputs. And if there is really a surplus, we should know right away, because the prices of meat and fish products would immediately drop as well. Reducing the price of food items is actually a direct way of reducing poverty, because if more people could afford to buy food, more people would fall below the poverty threshold.
**
Hands down, we could say that our local meat and fish products are not globally competitive, also because of simple mathematics, given the fact that our farm production inputs right now are too high, thus making our sales margins too low. It is for this reason why imported meat and fish products are winning the global game right here in our home market, coming in either as duty paid or smuggled merchandize. Given this reality, there is no other way to change the equation but to lower the inputs, and this is now possible by shifting to organic farming, an alternative that is now economically viable, thanks to some homegrown technologies.
**
Organic farming and integrated farming are two separate agricultural approaches, but these two could actually be combined to maximize their joint strengths. It is actually possible to go into integrated farming without going organic, but tests now show that it is also possible to completely shift to integrated farming systems a 100%, with better yields compared to using chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides.
**
Starting this month, we are going to offer free seminars about integrated farming systems at our Guadalupe office. The topics will include urban agriculture, piggery, poultry, fish farming and feeds making, among others. We are going to teach people how to grow their own feed ingredients and mix them on their own, so that they could lower their farm input costs. We are going to teach them also how to make their own organic fertilizers. Of course, we are going to encourage people to grow corn and soy for human consumption, for feed ingredients and for energy conversion.
**
Tune in to "Gulong ng Kabuhayan" on DZXL (558 KHZ) Mon to Fri 6 to 6:45 PM. Join the InterCharity Network. We assist you in looking for a job, starting a small business or getting a scholarship. Email ike@kaiking.net or text us at 09175684855.Unit 324, Guadalupe Commercial Complex, Makati .
BEHIND THE SCENES
A portent of things to come
By Edison Baddal
Guest columnist
On several instances on the runoff to the May 14 elections, Metro Manila Development Agency workers were shown on television dismantling posters of candidates in Metro Manila on several fronts. These were torn down because they were not posted in common poster areas and other places allowed in Section 23 of Comelec resolution No. 7767.
Accordingly, posters and streamers should not be displayed in thoroughfares, sidewalks overpasses, bridges and other public structures. In direct contravention, countless campaign paraphernalia were posted on those very prohibited places aside from those posted on electric wires, electric posts or tied on trees.
Showing reckless contempt, those displayed on thoroughfares were tied across buildings on both ends like buntings during fiestas. To rub salt to the wound, supporters of the candidates put up again another set of posters in the same places which were cleared the night before. The unambiguous prohibition in the issuance notwithstanding, the violation is inconceivable. If anything, it is an unconscionable mockery of the resolution.
What was unthinkable is that one suspect was every caught by the police to the chagrin of the Commission on Elections boss. In Section 23 (b) of the resolution, it provides: “Members of the Philippine National Police and other law enforcers agencies called upon by the election officer or other officials of the Comelec shall apprehend the violators caught in flagrante delicto, and file the appropriate charges against them.”
The failure of the PNP to apprehend even one of the violators could spawn many malicious speculations such as either their palms were greased or they just looked the other way while avid supporters engaged in the illegal act. What’s worse might be the plausibility of the illegal act committed right under their noses.
Or it might be the plausibility of the illegal act committed right under their noses. Or it might be that their hands were simply full of more significant electoral matters to attend to than keeping watch on illegal posted campaign materials. Ironically, candidates could not have been aware of this prohibition as they have been surely admonished by Comelec personnel and staff in pre-election orientations conducted nationwide in violating this provision much less their responsibility in observing the spirit and letter of the resolution which for all intents and purposes is law itself. This is so as they embody the implementing rules and regulations of RA 9006, the Fair Elections Act of 2000.
But as they say, “familiarity definitely spawns contempt.” The candidates know too well that like most laws in the country, either local or national, they are more honored in the breach than in obedience.
The crux of the matter is that while the legislatures and bureaucrats like those in the Comelec are claiming they are implementing the laws and, effective implementation leaves much to be desired by those charged. Even promulgators of the law and who may have even helped in crafting the latter are themselves among the violators. At other times, shrewdness being itself a national virtue, at worst loopholes in the wordings of the law, are always cited by those with intent to skirt the law like the violation of the aforementioned resolution by the candidates.
Election campaign as a contest for winning votes through sights and sounds is by itself a given and this was prudently remedied by the resolution. Under Sec. 22 of same resolution, the Comelec allows all candidates equal opportunities to use the tri-media (press, radio and TV) “to make known their qualifications … within the limits set forth in the Omnibus Election Code, RA No. 9006, and these rules.”
All things being equal, each candidate then has a chance to air his/her platforms and qualifications through tri-media complemented by the posting of campaign materials. For the latter, the candidates have the common poster areas, to be installed at their expense, identified by local Comelec officers, as their posting places, Section 24 of Res. 7767 provides that common poster areas “could be erected in public places like plazas, markets, barangay centers for each area that have 5,000 registered voters and one additional common poster area for every increment of 5,000 registered voters.”
This is aside from the privilege granted under Sec. 23 (b) that “private places homes, private lots, compounds, private vehicles could be utilized as posting places by candidates on condition the owner consents. Most probably, the reason why the Comelec prohibits the posting of campaign materials outside the common poster areas is for aesthetic considerations. This is because it is not uncommon for bridges, public parks, streets, electric posts and other public places to be defaced and uglified by campaign materials in all forms and sizes every election period.
A cynical observation is that plain avarice for power is one valid reason that materials. This is aside form the cavalier attitude towards the provision of Re. 7767. This is plain enough especially in the case of the moneyed candidates who have enough disposable funds to splurge on an expensive and high-profile campaign. They want to ensure their victory by methods fair or foul by saturating every nook and cranny of their coverage. As in previous electoral exercises, the poor candidates with limited resources are always at the losing end due to shenanigans by well-off candidates.
In Mountain Province , local candidates displayed more respect to the provisions of resolution. But most of those who did are candidates for legislative positions. They parlayed such favorable regard by posting their campaign materials in private homes and private vehicles even as they maximized the Comelec-identified common poster areas in strategic corners.
Some still bucked the prohibition by posting outside common poster areas but they are the exception rather than the rule. Conversely, the posters of the candidates for senators, congressman and governors are the ones dotting public places outside the common poster areas. Their posters are splashed on slope protection walls, suspended on trees and electric wires and glued on electric posts.
In some towns herein, non-government organization volunteers managed to tear down campaign materials posted outside common poster areas like in Sadanga and Bauko towns. In Bontoc, their campaign posters outside of the common poster areas were obliged to. By now, campaign materials in the thoroughfare of the capital town could only be found in common poster areas, perimeter fences, windows and walls of private homes.
With the display of brash insolence towards the dictates of the resolution by some candidates, one nagging question that begs to be categorically answered is this: What kind of leadership do we expect to have under such kind of candidates? The conclusion that could emanate from such hypothetical question: In more ways than one, the brand of leadership will more likely hew to one devoid in integrity and other positive virtues. It is not farfetched to deduce such conclusion as the act of not obeying a simple rule smacks of not so noble intention in seeking public office.
What better way to base this judgment than the expression that “Good leaders who displayed obedience to simple rules are bound to enforce the law to its spirit and letter being primarily the foremost respecter of such law or rules. On the contrary, those not complying to simple rule while courting votes have the implication that they are wont to circumvent laws to achieve selfish ends.
In this crucial juncture in our history in which the nation is still licking her wounds as the perennially sick man of Asia, basket case of Asia and recently the most corrupt nation in Asia , it is but proper that candidates with the right attitude, coupled with the right does of intelligence, should be elected to office. It is not hard to discern the character lurking behind the blabbering speaker haranguing the crowd or that urbane, backslapping campaigner wearing a perpetual smile (or is it a smirk?) on his lips. Among the giveaways to the hidden motive is by the way a candidate regards simple rules of dos and don’ts in the campaign.
If memory serves me right, before RA 9006 (upon which Comelec resolution 7767 was based)
came into being, there was also a resolution from the Comelec promulgated in 1995 which forbade the posting of campaign materials outside of common poster areas.
Among the many candidates for senator only one among those who constituted the eventual winners’ circle followed the rule. All the rest should have been disqualified but the Comelec sort of ignored the violation done by the rest as one person cannot complete the required number to make a quorum.
Simply put, a candidate’s regard for simple rules is a portent to the kind of leader he will become. It is a truism in politics that persistent violators of rules will mostly likely end up circumventing all laws of the land just to get a slice of the political cake. Such kind of candidates will turn out to be leaders who will have their pie and eat it too. If the latter type currently wooing the voters will win, then the Philippines will be back to square one as far as development and progress are concerned.
By Edison Baddal
Guest columnist
On several instances on the runoff to the May 14 elections, Metro Manila Development Agency workers were shown on television dismantling posters of candidates in Metro Manila on several fronts. These were torn down because they were not posted in common poster areas and other places allowed in Section 23 of Comelec resolution No. 7767.
Accordingly, posters and streamers should not be displayed in thoroughfares, sidewalks overpasses, bridges and other public structures. In direct contravention, countless campaign paraphernalia were posted on those very prohibited places aside from those posted on electric wires, electric posts or tied on trees.
Showing reckless contempt, those displayed on thoroughfares were tied across buildings on both ends like buntings during fiestas. To rub salt to the wound, supporters of the candidates put up again another set of posters in the same places which were cleared the night before. The unambiguous prohibition in the issuance notwithstanding, the violation is inconceivable. If anything, it is an unconscionable mockery of the resolution.
What was unthinkable is that one suspect was every caught by the police to the chagrin of the Commission on Elections boss. In Section 23 (b) of the resolution, it provides: “Members of the Philippine National Police and other law enforcers agencies called upon by the election officer or other officials of the Comelec shall apprehend the violators caught in flagrante delicto, and file the appropriate charges against them.”
The failure of the PNP to apprehend even one of the violators could spawn many malicious speculations such as either their palms were greased or they just looked the other way while avid supporters engaged in the illegal act. What’s worse might be the plausibility of the illegal act committed right under their noses.
Or it might be the plausibility of the illegal act committed right under their noses. Or it might be that their hands were simply full of more significant electoral matters to attend to than keeping watch on illegal posted campaign materials. Ironically, candidates could not have been aware of this prohibition as they have been surely admonished by Comelec personnel and staff in pre-election orientations conducted nationwide in violating this provision much less their responsibility in observing the spirit and letter of the resolution which for all intents and purposes is law itself. This is so as they embody the implementing rules and regulations of RA 9006, the Fair Elections Act of 2000.
But as they say, “familiarity definitely spawns contempt.” The candidates know too well that like most laws in the country, either local or national, they are more honored in the breach than in obedience.
The crux of the matter is that while the legislatures and bureaucrats like those in the Comelec are claiming they are implementing the laws and, effective implementation leaves much to be desired by those charged. Even promulgators of the law and who may have even helped in crafting the latter are themselves among the violators. At other times, shrewdness being itself a national virtue, at worst loopholes in the wordings of the law, are always cited by those with intent to skirt the law like the violation of the aforementioned resolution by the candidates.
Election campaign as a contest for winning votes through sights and sounds is by itself a given and this was prudently remedied by the resolution. Under Sec. 22 of same resolution, the Comelec allows all candidates equal opportunities to use the tri-media (press, radio and TV) “to make known their qualifications … within the limits set forth in the Omnibus Election Code, RA No. 9006, and these rules.”
All things being equal, each candidate then has a chance to air his/her platforms and qualifications through tri-media complemented by the posting of campaign materials. For the latter, the candidates have the common poster areas, to be installed at their expense, identified by local Comelec officers, as their posting places, Section 24 of Res. 7767 provides that common poster areas “could be erected in public places like plazas, markets, barangay centers for each area that have 5,000 registered voters and one additional common poster area for every increment of 5,000 registered voters.”
This is aside from the privilege granted under Sec. 23 (b) that “private places homes, private lots, compounds, private vehicles could be utilized as posting places by candidates on condition the owner consents. Most probably, the reason why the Comelec prohibits the posting of campaign materials outside the common poster areas is for aesthetic considerations. This is because it is not uncommon for bridges, public parks, streets, electric posts and other public places to be defaced and uglified by campaign materials in all forms and sizes every election period.
A cynical observation is that plain avarice for power is one valid reason that materials. This is aside form the cavalier attitude towards the provision of Re. 7767. This is plain enough especially in the case of the moneyed candidates who have enough disposable funds to splurge on an expensive and high-profile campaign. They want to ensure their victory by methods fair or foul by saturating every nook and cranny of their coverage. As in previous electoral exercises, the poor candidates with limited resources are always at the losing end due to shenanigans by well-off candidates.
In Mountain Province , local candidates displayed more respect to the provisions of resolution. But most of those who did are candidates for legislative positions. They parlayed such favorable regard by posting their campaign materials in private homes and private vehicles even as they maximized the Comelec-identified common poster areas in strategic corners.
Some still bucked the prohibition by posting outside common poster areas but they are the exception rather than the rule. Conversely, the posters of the candidates for senators, congressman and governors are the ones dotting public places outside the common poster areas. Their posters are splashed on slope protection walls, suspended on trees and electric wires and glued on electric posts.
In some towns herein, non-government organization volunteers managed to tear down campaign materials posted outside common poster areas like in Sadanga and Bauko towns. In Bontoc, their campaign posters outside of the common poster areas were obliged to. By now, campaign materials in the thoroughfare of the capital town could only be found in common poster areas, perimeter fences, windows and walls of private homes.
With the display of brash insolence towards the dictates of the resolution by some candidates, one nagging question that begs to be categorically answered is this: What kind of leadership do we expect to have under such kind of candidates? The conclusion that could emanate from such hypothetical question: In more ways than one, the brand of leadership will more likely hew to one devoid in integrity and other positive virtues. It is not farfetched to deduce such conclusion as the act of not obeying a simple rule smacks of not so noble intention in seeking public office.
What better way to base this judgment than the expression that “Good leaders who displayed obedience to simple rules are bound to enforce the law to its spirit and letter being primarily the foremost respecter of such law or rules. On the contrary, those not complying to simple rule while courting votes have the implication that they are wont to circumvent laws to achieve selfish ends.
In this crucial juncture in our history in which the nation is still licking her wounds as the perennially sick man of Asia, basket case of Asia and recently the most corrupt nation in Asia , it is but proper that candidates with the right attitude, coupled with the right does of intelligence, should be elected to office. It is not hard to discern the character lurking behind the blabbering speaker haranguing the crowd or that urbane, backslapping campaigner wearing a perpetual smile (or is it a smirk?) on his lips. Among the giveaways to the hidden motive is by the way a candidate regards simple rules of dos and don’ts in the campaign.
If memory serves me right, before RA 9006 (upon which Comelec resolution 7767 was based)
came into being, there was also a resolution from the Comelec promulgated in 1995 which forbade the posting of campaign materials outside of common poster areas.
Among the many candidates for senator only one among those who constituted the eventual winners’ circle followed the rule. All the rest should have been disqualified but the Comelec sort of ignored the violation done by the rest as one person cannot complete the required number to make a quorum.
Simply put, a candidate’s regard for simple rules is a portent to the kind of leader he will become. It is a truism in politics that persistent violators of rules will mostly likely end up circumventing all laws of the land just to get a slice of the political cake. Such kind of candidates will turn out to be leaders who will have their pie and eat it too. If the latter type currently wooing the voters will win, then the Philippines will be back to square one as far as development and progress are concerned.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Murder charges filed vs Campbell’s ‘killer’
BY JOAN CAPUNA
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Police filed murder charges before the Ifugao Provincial Prosecutor’s Office on April 30 against Juan Donald Dontugan, the woodcarver who confessed to beating to death US Peace Corps Volunteer Julia Campbell in Banaue, Ifugao province last month.
After this, police took Dontugan to Camp Crame in Quezon City, where he was presented to media by Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Calderon.
Among the evidence submitted by police against Dontugan, 24, was a signed affidavit in which he claimed to have killed Campbell in a fit of rage when she accidentally bumped into him as he was fuming over a neighborhood spat.
Police submitted 15 other pieces of evidence, among them Campbell’s personal belongings – a digital camera and two eyeglasses as well as a rice pestle and two pairs of denim pants. Police said they decided to elevate the case from robbery with homicide to murder due to Dontugan’s act of burying Campbell’s remains in a shallow grave.
Investigators initially thought of filing homicide charges against Dontugan, believing that Campbell’s killing was not premeditated.
Cordillera police director Chief Supt. Raul Gonzales said although the killing does not appear to be premeditated, Dontugan is still liable for murder because he tried to conceal the crime. “If he did not plan to kill her, he should have stopped when she was already wounded,” he said. “But no, he hit her repeatedly on the head until she died.”
Dontugan, a native of Benguet who now resides in Banaue with his wife, had admitted hitting Campbell on the head with a blunt object.
Ifugao Provincial Prosecutor Marvin Ngayawan said he and other prosecutors would evaluate the evidence submitted by police, including statements of at least six witnesses, then decide whether Dontugan would be charged in court with murder or homicide.
Dontugan appeared haggard when Calderon presented him to media on April 30.
He was wearing a gray jacket over red t-shirt, denim pants, and a pair of rubber slippers. He had not changed clothes since he surrendered to police last Friday April 25.
Calderon said the surrender last week of Dontugan was an encouraging development in the investigation. “We acknowledge the efforts of Dontugan’s mother and an uncle who facilitated the surrender.”
Calderon said based on Dontugan’s confession and statement before the Ifugao police in the presence of a lawyer from Public Attorney’s Office, Maribas Lubiton-Habawel, police recovered his bloodied sleeveless shirt and baseball cap, some personal belongings of Campbell, and a bloodied piece of firewood.
“But we are not taking his statements hook, line and sinker,” Calderon said. “We will cross-check his statements and the findings of our own investigation.”
Calderon said Dontugan’s confession would somehow apprehension of some tourists in visiting the picturesque rice terraces in Batad, Banaue for fear of suffering the fate of Campbell. “His confession indicated the incident was an isolated case,” Calderon said.
Calderon has instructed the Cordillera police to establish a tourist assistance center in Batad following this.
QC court orders arrest of ex-Abra vice mayor, 2 men for Bersamin slay
BANGUED, Abra – Police have intensified manhunt for a former Abra local official and two others in the killing of Rep. Luis Bersamin and his police bodyguard in December last year after a Quezon City court ordered their arrest.
Task Force Bersamin spokesman Senior Supt. Benjamin delos Santos told reporters in Manila three branches of the Quezon City regional trial court issued separate warrants of arrest against former La Paz, Abra vice mayor Freddie Dupo, Salvador Barbosa and Sunny Taculao. The court recommended no bail for the three suspects who are still at large, Delos Santos added.
The charges include two counts of murder for the killing of Bersamin and his police bodyguard SPOI Adolfo Ortega. The three suspects were also charged with frustrated murder for wounding security aide Allan Sawadan and a 13-year-old parking attendant.
Bersamin and Ortega were shot by unidentified men while attending a wedding at the Mt. Carmel Church in New Manila, Quezon City on Dec.16, 2006.
The court allowed the admission made by Rufino Panday, a former constable who claimed to have acted as the lookout and named the three suspects as the principals.
Panday also tagged Abra Gov. Vicente Valera as the mastermind in the murder, claiming the governor funded the P5-million contract for the lawmaker’s assassination.
Panday gave detailed information how they planned to carry out the assassination. He said he learned from Dupo about Valera’s involvement in the plot after discussing the assassination contract with Barbosa and Taculao, who acted as triggermen.
Valera has denied the allegations. No charges have been filed against the governor for lack of direct evidence implicating him in the murder.
A week after he was implicated in the murder, Valera was arrested for illegal possession of firearms and explosives in Quezon City.
The governor posted bail on the charges but denied involvement in the killing. Valera said allegations linking him to the assassination of Bersamin “were just hearsay” even after he was tagged by Panday.
Panday has retracted his admission but police said his initial confession has been supported by physical evidence, particularly the abandoned motorcycle used as getaway vehicle whose ownership was traced to his name.
Panday had claimed Valera initially gave them P500,000 for the job and got P100,000 initial share for acting as a lookout and for buying the getaway vehicle.
Police said Dupo is a known politically ally of Valera, who is also wanted in the killing of three other mayors in Abra.
The Commission on Elections has placed Abra under its control in anticipation of an outbreak of violence that could be triggered by the electoral showdown between Valera and the slain lawmaker’s brother.
Valera is seeking to represent province at the House of Representatives but his wife Ching, who has served as mayor of Bangued, is running in the gubernatorial race against Eustaquio Bersamin.
Kalinga tribe elders’ help sought in Diasen slay case
BY DEXTER A SEE
TABUK, Kalinga – Police here have requested the assistance of tribal elders to facilitate the surrender of the 18-year-old suspect in the murder of Kalinga Vice Gov. RommelDiasen, who was a leading candidate for the gubernatorial post in the province.
Chief Supt. Raul Gonzales, regional police director in the Cordillera, said his men have asked tribal elders in Kalinga to convince the suspect, Joel Nelod, to surrender to authorities and air his side on the case.
Police have filed murder charges against the suspect, and preliminary hearing was conducted by a court.
Gonzales said police have approached tribal leaders in the province to ask the suspect to surrender and give justice to the family of the slain official.
While the policemen are negotiating with tribal elders, manhunt for the suspect is being conducted.
Diasen was shot to death while delivering a campaign speech on Black Saturday in barangay Magnao, Tabuk.
He was shot six times in the head and different parts of the body with a Cal. 45 pistol and died while being taken to a hospital here.
Police have earlier ruled out politics as the motive in the killing of the gubernatorial candidate.
The suspect was allegedly asked by a fellow tribesman to kill Diasen to avenge the killing of Judge Milnar Lammawin some two years ago.
Lammawin, a member of Magnao tribe, was killed in an ambush allegedly perpetrated by enemies of the tribe to which Diasen belongs.
Diasen was linked to the murder of Lammawin, but the case did not proper in court due to lack of evidence.
Lammawin is the cousin of Diasen’s wife.
Various sectors in Kalinga denounced the brutal murder of Diasen and feared that a tribal war among several tribes might erupt soon.
Mayor dies from bullet wounds; attackers hunted
BY JERRY PADILLA
SAN CARLOS CITY, Pangasinan – Perpetrators in the killing of Mayor Julian V. Rusuello here are still being ascertained by police. Resuello was shot by still unidentified suspects night of April 28 while shaking hands with people during fiesta at the City auditorium, died from his wounds, the mayor’s son, Vice Mayor Julier Rusuello said.
Mayor Rusuello died at the Saint Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City with members of the Rusuello family at his bedside. The Rusuello family transported the mayor’s remain to his home city. Rusuello, 54, was serving his final term as mayor and was running as vice mayoralty candidate under the Lakas-CMD party. Police are now busy investigating the attack and pursuing possible suspects.
The mayor was first rushed to the Blessed doctor’s Family Hospital in Barangay Ilang here for medical treatment before being airlifted by a police helicopter from San Carlos City to Saint Luke’s.
His close-in bodyguard, Eulogio Martinez, 41, married, was critically wounded during the shooting and rushed to Blessed Doctors Family Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. The bodyguard had embraced the mayor to protect him from the gunmen.
Former President Fidel V. Ramos conveyed his condolence on April 30 to the family and relatives of Eulogio Martinez, the security aide of Rusuello who placed himself in the assassin’s line in an attempt to shield the mayor.
Also wounded in the incident were Alwin A. Fermin, 29, married, and a resident of Burgos St.; SPO 1 Jaime Almoite; 9-year-old Reyna L. Munoz, a resident of Barangay Alapan, Imus, Cavite, and Paulo M. Biso, 14, a first-year high school student and a resident of Soriano Street here. They were rushed to various hospitals for medical treatment.
Bongbong’s wife backs Mike Keon candidacy
LAOAG City – Lawyer Liza Araneta-Marcos, the wife of Ilocos Norte Gov. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. has joined the political fray by publicly endorsing the candidacies of Board Member Michael Marcos Keon for governor of the province and that of Roland “Roy” Albano for Mayor of Laoag City. “I am supporting their candidacy because I know they will continue the development programs that my husband began,” said the media-shy Marcos.
“This is the first time I’ve gone on a house-to-house campaign and believe me, I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t believe in the cause. My husband is unopposed (us usual) so all he needs is one vote to win. But Michael (Keon) is running against Rudy Farinas and Roy (Albano) is running against Michael (Farinas) so the lines have been drawn. Kawawa naman everything my husband accomplished these last nine years if the leadership of the province falls into the wrong hands,” she said.
This was the first press conference that the governor’s wife gave in the nine years that her husband had served at the provincial capitol and she took the opportunity to respond to several allegations from the Farinas camp. When asked to comment on former Ilocos Norte on a statement of Gov. Rudy Farinas’ that the peace and order situation in the province had deteriorated because several mayors had been slain during Bongbong’s term, Atty. Marcos answered perpetrators of these alleged crimes have been brought to justice.
UCCP pastor charged for Balweg slay; militants ired
BAGUIO CITY -- The Ilocos Human Rights Advocates condemned the “false charges” against United Church of Christ in the Philippines Pastor Francisco “Jun” Bunoan who was arrested here on April 21 and later detained as one of the principal suspects in the killing of former rebel priest Conrado Balweg seven years ago. Bunoan, 45 and resident of Aringay, La Union was nabbed around 5:30 p.m. that day by the Police Intelligence Group-Cordillera while waiting for a ride together with his brother. The IHRA said in a statement Supt. James Bucayo and his team apprehended Bunoan after confirming his identity and immediately brought him to Camp Dangwa in La Trinidad, Benguet where he stayed until April 22.
The arrest was made after the Regional Trial Court in Abra issued an arrest warrant for their alleged involvement in murder of Balweg on Dec. 31, 1999. On April 23, Bunoan was brought to the Abra provincial jail. His arraignment was scheduled this May.
The IHRA said Bunoan was one of the 14 names accused of killing Fr. Balweg despite the admission of the Agustin Begnalen Command of the New People's Army that the communist group did the killing.
Others includes the late Romy Sanchez of BAYAN-Ilocos, Rev. Noel and Emelyn Dacuycuy of Ilocos Human Rights Advocates (IHRA), Avelino Dacanay and Nomer Kuan of Solidarity of Peasants Against Exploitation (STOP Exploitation-KMP) and Lorna Rivera-Baba of Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) who suffered severe torture from the military in 2000. Their cases were dismissed after they proved their innocence.
Bunoan served as a church worker of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) in the Ilocos Region. In line with this, he worked in the North Luzon Jurisdiction (NLJ) under Bishop Mario Inong as a researcher for Ilocos, Baguio, Tarlac and Manila.
Tit for tat among Baguio bets,Solon clarifies opponents’ barbs over PAGCOR law
by DEXTER SEE
BAGUIO CITY – It is tit for tat between opposing camps vying for this city’s top elective positions and the latest issue is on regulated gambling. Baguio City Rep. Mauricio Domogan took exception to the accusations of the Molintas-Yaranon group that he spearheaded the passage of the controversial measure into law disregarding the powers of local government units.
“The consent of the people through their local government officials is required prior to the operation of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) on regulated amusement games, contrary to the projection of my detractors,” Domogan said. He said aside from this, continuous black propaganda being hurled against him by several politicians in a futile attempt to discredit him.
“Before its amendment, the Charter of PAGCOR authorized the corporation to establish and operate casinos in any part of the country even without any permit from the host local government units to conduct its operations in areas where it desire to do so,” he said. He said he was aware that majority of the people of Baguio are against the establishment of a casino in the city and that the City Council passed Resolution 314, series of 2005 entitled “Urging Congress of the Philippines to amend Presidential Decree No. 1869 and the Charter of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to provide that the PAGCOR and the PCSO shall conduct gambling activities and other games of chance and the on-line lotto only in localities where the local government units and their constituents agree to the operation of such activities after proper consultation with the latter.
The resolution requested the representative of Baguio City to sponsor the needed amendment of the Charter of PAGCOR and PCSO by inserting an amendment to the effect that PAGCOR cannot put or operate a casino without the approval of the city government. The said resolution was unanimously approved by the then members of the city council, namely; Edilberto Claravall as the temporary presiding officer and councilors Betty Lourdes F. Tabanda, Elmo Nevada, Virgilio Bautista, Eduardo Aguilar, Roberto Ortega, Lilia Yaranon, Edgardo Bilog, Galo Weygan, Delfin Balajadja, Nicasio Palaganas, Richard Carino, Leandro Yangot, Jr and Florence Ibarra.
The resolution was introduced by former councilor Claravall. Vice-mayor Daniel Farinas was the acting mayor that time. Considering the intent and noble purpose of the resolution to be good to the city, Domogan co-authored the revision of PAGCOR’s franchise in order to insert the above-mentioned amendment as desired by the city. He said this was the only way he could include the provision requiring the consent and approval of local government units for the establishment of casino in their respective territorial jurisdiction.
With the amendment that was inserted by Domogan, PAGCOR cannot establish a casino in Baguio City without the approval of the city government. “I do sincerely believe, that what I have done was the best option available at that time. I am not a gambler neither did I have the luxury of time to enter a casino in my entire life. It is evident, therefore, that I am not pro-casino. Hence, the information that I am the author of House Bill No. 02000 and House Bill No. 03409 is not accurate”, Domogan said.
Records show that the bill was initiated by Rep Juan Miguel Zubiri of the third district of Bukidnon he being the chairman of the committee of legislative franchises. “Our participation was to join as co-author in the latter’s bill not because I am for the casino but to have a direct say in the insertion of the vital provisions to protect the interest of places where the PAGCOR intends to operate a casino, Baguio City included, and in pursuance of city council Resolution 314, series of 1995 requesting whoever the congressman of the city to make representation in the bill,” he said.
The original version of the bill was for PAGCOR to have a life of 50 years but it was reduced to merely 25 years through Domogan’s initiative. More importantly, having in mind the sentiment of Baguio people against casino, with other congressmen who later joined Domogan in his cause, he lobbied for the inclusion in the bill which required that PAGCOR obtain the consent of the local government unit that has territorial jurisdiction over the area chosen as the site for any of its operations. Consistent with his position in House Bill No. 03409, Domogan said operation of a casino in Baguio City or within the Cordillera region is a matter of people’s decision.
Domogan said there was nothing secret about his position in the PAGCOR issue since he had already made himself clear not once but on many occasions wherein his stand on the matter was asked. “Again, some embattled individuals and groups in the city are trying to distort factual and documented proceedings at the House of Representatives to misinform and divert the attention of the people from the “dark side” of his rivals who cannot get the full support of the religious groups because of morality questions,” he said.
“These dirty political tactics are the obvious ploy of some power-hungry politicians who are raring to win by trying to discredit their rivals through baseless accusations and not campaign for themselves based on what they have done when they were in public office. These kinds of politicians do not come out to be good leaders,” he added.
The lawmaker said “The local electorate should not to be carried away by the falsehoods and disinformation being waged by his rivals because the city residents might again commit a serious mistake of electing non-performing officials whose only claim to fame is to blame instead of looking after the welfare of the people through concrete programs and projects.”
P100,000 barangay fund up to public
BY GINA DIZON
BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Following deferments on the one year-old proposed ordinance calling for a P100,000 annual subsidy per barangay, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on motion of board member Winston Calde invited the public to present their positions on said proposed ordinance whether it should be approved or not.
The ordinance pending approval on third reading was earlier forwarded by incumbent provincial president of the Association of Barangay Captains and candidate for governor Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr; and board members Marcial Lawilao Jr, Winston Calde and Herbert Bantic on March 16 last year.
Most barangay officials from the municipalities of Barlig, Natonin, Sagada, Bauko, Sadanga, Bontoc, and Paracelis aired their support for the ordinance.
Some 3,000 signatories including barangay officials and residents from 63 barangays in said municipalities supported the resolution, SP records revealed.
The ordinance said there was unequal distribution of development projects to the disadvantage of other barangays. The provincial budget has an annual budget of P48 million and 20 percent of this amount goes to development funds.
Barangay Captain Herman Farnican of Maligcong Bontoc lamented during their meeting with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan the unequal distribution of development funds as allotment depends on who is favored by the Governor, Farnican said.
The ordinance proposes the amount of P14.4 million to be sourced from the 20% development funds of the Province to be proportionately distributed to the 144 barangays of the province.
The proposed ordinance specially calls for the improvement of the living conditions of the people through subsidy for infrastructure development programs in barangays including Day Care and Multipurpose Centers.
It was noted that some barangays don’t even have Day Care or Barangay Centers . The ordinance also called for barangay officials to come up with their barangay development plans in consultation with their respective constituents.
Lawilao Jr. who is seeking another term for the same position said the rest of oppositionist- board members to the proposed resolution were hesitant on approving the P100,000 proposed subsidy to be allotted as barangay subsidy, as some apparently favored pooling the 20% dev’t funds to high impact projects.
Moon Beam and the Sons and Daughters of Veterans of Paracelis on the other hand, forwarded their comment on the proposed resolution calling for attention to less developed barangays that need more development funds to be appropriated from the Province’s development funds.
BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Following deferments on the one year-old proposed ordinance calling for a P100,000 annual subsidy per barangay, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on motion of board member Winston Calde invited the public to present their positions on said proposed ordinance whether it should be approved or not.
The ordinance pending approval on third reading was earlier forwarded by incumbent provincial president of the Association of Barangay Captains and candidate for governor Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr; and board members Marcial Lawilao Jr, Winston Calde and Herbert Bantic on March 16 last year.
Most barangay officials from the municipalities of Barlig, Natonin, Sagada, Bauko, Sadanga, Bontoc, and Paracelis aired their support for the ordinance.
Some 3,000 signatories including barangay officials and residents from 63 barangays in said municipalities supported the resolution, SP records revealed.
The ordinance said there was unequal distribution of development projects to the disadvantage of other barangays. The provincial budget has an annual budget of P48 million and 20 percent of this amount goes to development funds.
Barangay Captain Herman Farnican of Maligcong Bontoc lamented during their meeting with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan the unequal distribution of development funds as allotment depends on who is favored by the Governor, Farnican said.
The ordinance proposes the amount of P14.4 million to be sourced from the 20% development funds of the Province to be proportionately distributed to the 144 barangays of the province.
The proposed ordinance specially calls for the improvement of the living conditions of the people through subsidy for infrastructure development programs in barangays including Day Care and Multipurpose Centers.
It was noted that some barangays don’t even have Day Care or Barangay Centers . The ordinance also called for barangay officials to come up with their barangay development plans in consultation with their respective constituents.
Lawilao Jr. who is seeking another term for the same position said the rest of oppositionist- board members to the proposed resolution were hesitant on approving the P100,000 proposed subsidy to be allotted as barangay subsidy, as some apparently favored pooling the 20% dev’t funds to high impact projects.
Moon Beam and the Sons and Daughters of Veterans of Paracelis on the other hand, forwarded their comment on the proposed resolution calling for attention to less developed barangays that need more development funds to be appropriated from the Province’s development funds.
EDITORIAL
Responsive gun law needed to stop killings
Police directors in northern Luzon and other parts of the country are now giving orders to their men to institute “proactive operations” to prevent outbreak of election-related violence. The Philippine National Police could have done this earlier but then such incidents couldn’t be entirely prevented owing to circumstances in such cases like the killing of San Carlos City Mayor Julian Resuello who was shot while shaking hands with his supporters during a beauty contest.
His death was the latest in a series of political killings in the country showing increasing crimes related to elections. Being “proactive” is different from being “competent.” The police could have prevented a lot of election-related crimes in the country if in the first place there should have been a more “sensible” anti-gun law. There wouldn’t be a lot of killings if civilians don’t hold guns.
There also wouldn’t be killings if law enforcers don’t use their guns for illegal means. There are a lot of civilians toting guns because these are licensed. It had been proven by studies that in countries like the US where there are liberal gun laws, there are a lot of killings. When a teenager or a dysfunctional person could buy a gun off the counter, expect trouble. Election violence is not about asking politicians and their supporters to stop killing each other. Among others, it is a matter of preserving lives through a more responsive law on gun possession.
Monday, May 7, 2007
MORE NEWS
Due to rising violence,
Kalinga, Nueva Ecija placed under Comelec execs’ control
BY DEXTER A. SEE AND LIAM ANACLETO
TABUK, Kalinga -- The Commission on Elections has placed the provinces of Kalinga and Nueva Ecija under its control due to rising electoral violence. Lawyer Armando Velasco, regional director of the Comelec in the Cordillera, said the decision to place Kalinga under Comelec control was reached primarily as a pre-emptive move to control peace and order in the whole province as the authorities reportedly foresee serious problems due to insurgency and other possible election problems in the next few weeks.
In the past elections, there were cases of ballot snatching and reports of threats to the board of election inspectors in the different parts of Kalinga.
Subsequent with the placing of Kalinga under Comelec control, a task force composed mainly of Comelec assistant regional director Julius Torres, Senior Supt. Ceferino Cruz, director of the Kalinga provincial police office, and Lt. Col. Francis Lardizabal, commanding officer of the Philippine Army’s 21st Infantry Battalion will be deployed to Kalinga as soon as possible for the coming election.
The group will be in Kalinga to finalize procedures for the implementation of law enforcement agencies to ensure the conduct of a peaceful and orderly elections.
In a related development, Comelec officials in Kalinga said that they will still continue with their on-going preparations for the coming local elections and that they have already synchronized their activities so that possible election-related incidents will be prevented.
The latest incidents that forced the Commission to declare Kalinga under Comelec control was the brutal murder of Indonesian priest Fr. Francisco Madhu and Vice-governor Rommel Diasen, who is a candidate for governor in the province.
The assassination of Fr. Madhu is now causing misunderstanding between the Mabungtot and Lubuagan tribes which might result to tribal conflicts between the two tribes if color heads will not prevail.
Velasco pointed out that all efforts are being done by the Commission to ensure that conflict-stricken areas will be peaceful and orderly during the elections.
Although conflicts areinevitable, election and law enforcement authorities are confident that the provinces of Abra and Kalinga, which were marred by violence during the past elections. In Cabanatuan City, Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. said the province was placed under the electoral body’s control after he held a two-hour meeting last week at the police camp with provincial police director Senior Supt. Allen R. Bantolo, and military and local officials. Abalos turned down the opposition of Gov. Tomas Joson III to place the province under the Comelec control, saying, “We are doing this because it is necessary.”
He said that he had to place the province under Comelec control to prevent escalation of violence, noting the violent incident last Thursday in Jaen.
Joson scaled down his request and suggested only certain areas, including Jaen, not the entire province, be placed under Comelec control. But Abalos said the Comelec “will not usurp the authority of provincial and local officials.”
Abalos said the day-to-day activities of the provincial government, except security, would still be responsibility of the provincial government and that there would be no authority over its employees.
Abalos said the Comelec is simply placing the police and military forces under the provincial election supervisor. Republic Act 7166, or the Omnibus Election code, is authorized to place any area under Comelec control.
Justifying his action, the Comelec chief said that the escalation of violence following the shooting at a roadblock in Jaen town late night on April 26.
7 Killed, 17 others hurt in Pangasinan accident
BY JENNELYN MONDEJAR
VILLASIS, Pangasinan – Seven persons were killed and 17 other were severely injured in an accident involving a passenger jeepney and a bus on the national highway in Barangay Bacag here last week. Reports reaching the Office of Senior Supt. Isagani Nerez, provincial police director, said the passenger jeepney with plate number CTU 421 driven by Hermogenes Macanas collided with a Candon bus with plate number AVW 558 driven by Rodrigo Pasion of Ilocos Sur. Police said the incident happened at around 11:35 a.m.
Seven of the passengers died on the spot. Six of them were identified as Danilo Macanas, Ronald Macanas, Mark Joseph Damaso, Emerson dela Cruz, Hermogenes Macanas and Bryan Macanas. The 17 other passengers of both the jeepney and the bus were severely injured.
Solon’s police escort probed on shootout, councilor’s death
BY LIAM ANACLETO
JAEN, Nueva Ecija – Police are looking into reports one of the security escorts of Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Antonino was the one who fired the first shot in the shootout here last April 26 that left a municipal councilor and a policeman dead and at least 17 others wounded.
A police official told media that investigators have asked Antonino about the identity of one of his bodyguards who reportedly figured in the incident but the denied the allegation. Antonino, according to the police official, had four security escorts from the Regional Mobile Group and four more from the Presidential Security Group.
The four RMG personnel detailed with the congressman were identified as PO1s Oscar Cordial, Emani Cando, Sherwin de la Cruz, and Michael Valenzuela.
According to the police official, one of Antonino’s PSG security escorts, who was carrying an automatic rifle, allegedly fired at the convoy of Jaen Mayor Tony Esquivel, thus triggering the 10-minute firefight.
The shootout, according to the police official, occurred when Antonino allegedly instructed Insp. Paul Gamido, leader of a six-man RMG team, to put up a checkpoint in Barangay Dampolan to block a group of men who had allegedly harassed candidates of the local Balane party during rally.
Gamido and his team, along with some Jaen policemen, arrived in the area after they were informed about the incident.
The police official said Antonino also went to the area and ordered Gamino to put up the checkpoint, although the latter argued that he should first secure the clearance of his superiors.
“At that time Gamido could not conduct a checkpoint in the area without the permission of his commanding officers and the Commission on Elections,” the police official said.
The shooting left two dead: SPO1 Bobby Ferrer, Esquivel’s security escort, and municipal councilor Rufino Galang.
Esquivel’s two sons, Mark Anthony and Mark Lawrence, who is running for Jaen vice mayor, were among those wounded in the shootout.
After the incident, PNP chief Director General Oscar Calderon relieved Gamido and his men identified as PO1s Eduardo Libuano, Ryan Abregunda, Cedrix Villarma, Norman Mendoza and Elmer Dalangin, from their posts.
They were immediately subjected to paraffin tests at the Nueva Ecija office of the PNP Crime Laboratory. Their firearms also underwent ballistic examination.
Last Monday, two complaints for attempted murder and frustrated murder were filed by Esquivel and Lawrence Anthony Esquivel through their lawyer, Noel Santino, against Gamido and his team and SPO2 Hermigindo Eduardo before the provincial prosecutor’s office
Comelec executives reshuffled in Pangasinan
BY JENNELYN MONDEJAR
DAGUPAN CITY – Thirty-two election officers in this vote-rich province have been affected by a reshuffle at the Commission on Elections.
The move was expected to prevent partisan politics from influencing the forthcoming elections.
Lawyer Reddy Balarbar, provincial election supervisor, said majority of those who were transferred to other areas have been serving in a town or city for more than four years and some were related to particular candidates.
He said election officers were informed of the impending reshuffle a month ago. “We want to make our elections honest, clean and credible and fair to all aspirants,” Balarbar said. Meanwhile, he said four different disqualification cases have been received by the Comelec here against political personalities. Some were being petitioned as nuisance candidates or for lack of qualifications.
These included the petition of re-electionist Urdaneta City Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. (Nationalist People’s Coalition) against his rival, Jimmy Queliza, an independent mayoralty bet.
In Mangatarem town, former Rep. Teodoro Cruz, running for mayor under the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, petitioned the Comelec to disqualify his rival with the same family name identified as Edwin Cruz, an independent bet.
There was also the petition of Richard Palisoc to disqualify his rival who has the same family name – a certain Alfredo Palisoc, another independent candidate.
In Calasiao, Marilou Macanlalay, in her capacity as voter, is seeking to disqualify a candidate for councilor identified as Raquel Victoria Lim of UNO-PDP Laban as the latter is allegedly not registered voter in the said town.
Umingan town Mayor Alain Rabang, who is now running for vice mayor under NPC-Biskeg na Pangasinan, filed a petition for disqualification against his rival Loida Mendoza, an independent candidate, on grounds of dual citizenship.
Transcripts of the hearings are ready to be submitted to the Comelec central office for resolution.
Abra teachers dispute claims on their credibility to serve during May polls
BY DEXTER A. SEE
BANGUED, Abra- Teachers in this conflict-stricken province disputed questions being raised over their credibility as poll watchers the coming May elections due to money offered by unscrupulous politicians. During the second leg of a continuing conference to ensure honest, orderly, and peaceful elections here, the teachers said they are compelled to serve every election despite their resistance because they are mandated to do so.
They said if they have a choice, they would not serve in the polls because of the risk to their lives. However, the teachers said that they have to serve because they cannot neglect their duty as election officers. They said while it is true that they are paid to serve during the elections, the compensation is not commensurate to the risk to which they are exposed.
Meanwhile, lawyer Elenita Julia Tabangin, provincial election officer, said the Commission on Election central office has released supplemental budgets to answer for additional cost that will be incurred in the elections. She said the Comelec hopes to cover that insurance benefits of the teachers who will serve in areas characterized by intensed political rivalries. The budget will also cover the salaries for additional personnel to be fielded in “hot spot” municipalities, especially in the seven towns that Task Force Abra is closely watching.
Ortega pushes 3-pronged attack against criminals
BY MIKE GUIMBATAN JR.
BAGUIO CITY – Take it from former city police chief Bobby C. Ortega but an “almost zero” crime rate is possible in this mountain resort city if proper measures are instituted – like firing “rotten eggs in the police.” Citing statistics, Ortega, also a former councilor of this city said crime is on the rise here and a “more responsive, drastic and competent program involving the legislative, executive departments and police in the city is needed to make residents feel they are safe.” He called it a “three-pronged attack against crime.” “For example, the brewing teen age gang wars in the city does not require police solution but needs a simple local government initiated but community based program,” he said.
Ortega who is now running for vice mayor in the city had been cited for regaining the city’ peace and order situation from 1987 to 1989 when he was then Baguio police chief.
Ortega said teenagers are not provided enough healthy diversion activities such as sports, literary and community involvement thus “they look for belongingness and avenues to show excellence,” he said
According to police blotters, an increasing incidence of gang wars lead even to armed robbery and shooting incidents between rival groups. A police investigator who requested anonymity said teen gangs roam the city streets in big numbers from 30-50. Some get apprehended but most of them are minors and even children of prominent families. He agreed that a special program should be initiated for children in conflict with the law. “The best way to control criminality is not to breed young criminals, but government is neglecting this simple but workable strategy”, he said. Among his program proposals is to resume incentives to sports champions and youth initiated anti-drug advocacies which he initiated when he was two term city councilor in 1995 to 2000.
“These are very simple solutions but we need this to be institutionalized and well supported by our communities.
Ortega expressed concern over rampant teenage rumbles and graffiti. He said that paint markings are anywhere placed by rival gangs yet nobody takes a second look and do something.
The latest reported gang war involves a shooting incident near midnight of April 13, 2007 where a 16-year-old high school graduate survived a shot from a rival gang. This added to a line of Police blotter recording several teenage youth involved in rumble with cases ranging from robbery, stabbing, and malicious mischief.
Even regional police director Chief Supt. Raul Gonzales admitted in a press release “The growing feud between fraternities are becoming more violent and dangerous. Victims and suspects are young and they are in illegal and criminal activities. They are armed and dangerous and they do not fear anyone regardless of age as long as they see others as threat to them”.
But Ortega said the solution is not solely a police concern. He said it should be a coordinated program involving the community with parents, the local government that initiates and provides opportunities, and the peace officers that regulates and monitors youth related programs. Ortega said most politicians are too busy with infrastructure projects that they forget the slow but lasting degeneration of society they are in. He proposed that once elected, he plans to accept additional functions such as heading a task force to monitor criminality. “During my time, crime drastically went down due to my programs,” he said.
“The criminals left town in a huff. There is need to put fear into the hearts of these lawless elements but this could only be done with the help of residents.” He said he would return the once peaceful community that Baguio was if elected come May 14. “I have programs on livelihood among others which should benefit city residents but peace and order is my main concern. If there is peace and order in any locality, people become more progressive as they could engage in livelihood without fear of being harassed or attacked.”
Ortega had been tagged as the cop most feared by criminals in the city but said he had no qualms about being branded as such. “I only did my job,” he said. “ I want to do it all over again. People think I have a hard heart, but then again, I pity the people these criminals victimize – the women, young children and those who couldn’t protect themselves from lawless elements.” He narrated an incident which he said, “broke my heart” during his term as city police chief. It was the case of a 10-year-old girl who was killed by six men at Barangay San Carlos Heights.
The perpetrators reportedly abducted the girl then took turns raping her. When they were finished, one of them stuck a soft drink bottle in her private part, then kicked it in. Seeing she was still breathing, one of them reportedly got a large stone and bashed it on her head, instantly killing her.
“The incident really incensed me so I vowed to myself to get the girl’s assailants no matter what,” Ortega said with teary eyes.”
He said he doesn’t want like what happened to the girl happen to anyone and would like to leave a legacy to the city as the “most peaceful city in the city” if given another chance to serve as vice mayor by the electorate.
He said he could be a good partner with the city council and the mayor in crafting laws on peace and order. “I could be more effective if I would be made to head a task force in implementing peace and order so I could have a direct hand in going after the criminals.”
According to Ortega, the police would be more effective if they are given proper equipment and training and guided by more sensible and more competent peace and order programs. “But the residents should also do their part,” he said, citing a program during his term wherein he tapped residents for “ronda” activities per barangay to help police in patrolling neighborhoods. Those with cars lent their vehicles for crime-fighting activities. This, he said, drastically reduced crime in barangays.
In partnership with the then Dept. of Education Culture and Sports, Ortega had also instituted a program in different schools in the city to make students sports-oriented. “One a student is in class or doing sports and wholesome extra-curricular activities, he won’t have time to engage in drugs.”
“There are a lot more we could do to make the city more peaceful and progressive, but then, people have to do their part come May 14,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes.
Asked about his manner in maintaining peace and order, he said, “My heart will
never change when criminals are concerned.” – With AD
Pampanga mayors push Pineda as governor
BY GEORGE TRILLO
SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga -- Exactly 17 mayors and more than 500 barangay captains and their respective kagawads in the province issued a statement last week saying they were behind the candidacy of Lilia “Baby” Pineda, the wife of alleged jueteng king Bong Pineda. They said the leadership of Baby Pineda, an experienced mayor and provincial board member, could effectively unite leaders of the province for change and development.
Mayor Jerry Pelayo, spokesman of the Pampanga Mayors League, said the 17 mayors, all candidates from vice governor, board members, mayors to councilors as well the barangay captains were ready to ensure the victory of Ms Pineda at the helm of the capitol in an honest, fair, and peaceful election.
This, as thousands of mothers all over the province joined “Project Nanay” Baby’s pet project aimed to empower and employ women to become active partners in nation building.
Teachers’ allowance out before polls, says Abalos
BY JOAN CAPUNA
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos bared here thousands of teachers in the country who will render election duties would receive their allowances on or before the May 14 elections.
Abalos, who is Comelec commissioner in charge of Cagayan Valley, made this statement after teachers who will do poll duties urged the government to release their election stipends as soon as possible as the campaign period is drawing to a close.
Abalos said half of the P3,000 election allowance would be released within the week while the remaining P1,500 would be given in time for the polls.
“We will be giving you this allowance as soon as you come to pick up your election paraphernalia from the Comelec offices of the towns you were assigned,” he said.
Meanwhile, Abalos said the poll body would be studying a suggestion to have all teachers and other personnel serving during the election covered by accident insurance while performing their election duties.
Thousands of teachers and other personnel tasked for election duties would benefit from the early release of the allowance and insurance coverage, he said.
Solon sees economic boom in Mt. province with P2B road rehab
BY DEXTER A SEE
SABANGAN, Mountain Province – Residents of this landlocked province are assured of better living conditions once all the multi-billion road rehabilitation and development projects being implemented will be completed in the next two to three years.
This was revealed by Mountain Province Rep. Victor S. Dominguez, who also announced the start of the implementation of the foreign-funded rehabilitation of the Sabangan, Mountain province-Cervantes-Tagudin, Ilocos Sur road simultaneous with the on-going rehabilitation of the second phase of the Halsema Highway and the Bontoc, Mountain Province-Tabuk-Kalinga-Tuguegarao, Cagayan road.
Dominguez pointed out that people in the province will now have easier access to transact business with people in Regions I and II because of improved national and secondary national arterial roads.
Earlier, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo included in the priority projects of her administration the rehabilitation of vital roadlines in the Cordillera region to boost the tourism and economic potentials of the far-flung communities.
The latest addition to the road development projects in the province is the over 100 kilometers Sabangan-Cervantes-Tagudin road which is expected to boost the linkage of Mountain province and the Ilocos provinces.
Dominguez added that a lot of investments are expected to come to the province to provide sources of livelihood and employment to the residents who had been longing for economic opportunities.
When all the road rehabilitation projects will be completed, tourist spots such as the world famous Sagada caves, the Mainit hot springs, the man-made rice terraces and other potential tourist destinations will surely experience increase in tourist arrivals.
Dominguez had constantly lobbied with the Arroyo administration for the inclusion of the rehabilitation of vital roadlines in the province in the special projects lined up for the North Luzon Agri-business Quadrangle (NLAQ).
At least P400 million is earmarked for the rehabilitation of the 37-kilometer Sabangan-Cervantes road while another P1 billion will be utilized for the upgrading of the 65-kilometer Cervantes-Tagudin road.
The Mountain province lawmaker asserted that the long overdue development of rural communities traversed by the roadlines to be rehabilitated will be realized in a few years time after the completion of the projects.
It was learned that a number of investors are interested to conduct business in the province but the poor condition of the roads are the primary hindrance to their intentions.
However, Dominguez revealed that the government is doing everything to attract more investors in potential investment sites in rural communities in the Cordillera and different parts of the country.
EDITORIAL
Responsive gun law needed to stop killings
Police directors in northern Luzon and other parts of the country are now giving orders to their men to institute “proactive operations” to prevent outbreak of election-related violence. The Philippine National Police could have done this earlier but then such incidents couldn’t be entirely prevented owing to circumstances in such cases like the killing of San Carlos City Mayor Julian Resuello who was shot while shaking hands with his supporters during a beauty contest.
His death was the latest in a series of political killings in the country showing increasing crimes related to elections. Being “proactive” is different from being “competent.” The police could have prevented a lot of election-related crimes in the country if in the first place there should have been a more “sensible” anti-gun law. There wouldn’t be a lot of killings if civilians don’t hold guns.
There also wouldn’t be killings if law enforcers don’t use their guns for illegal means. There are a lot of civilians toting guns because these are licensed. It had been proven by studies that in countries like the US where there are liberal gun laws, there are a lot of killings. When a teenager or a dysfunctional person could buy a gun off the counter, expect trouble. Election violence is not about asking politicians and their supporters to stop killing each other. Among others, it is a matter of preserving lives through a more responsive law on gun possession.
Police directors in northern Luzon and other parts of the country are now giving orders to their men to institute “proactive operations” to prevent outbreak of election-related violence. The Philippine National Police could have done this earlier but then such incidents couldn’t be entirely prevented owing to circumstances in such cases like the killing of San Carlos City Mayor Julian Resuello who was shot while shaking hands with his supporters during a beauty contest.
His death was the latest in a series of political killings in the country showing increasing crimes related to elections. Being “proactive” is different from being “competent.” The police could have prevented a lot of election-related crimes in the country if in the first place there should have been a more “sensible” anti-gun law. There wouldn’t be a lot of killings if civilians don’t hold guns.
There also wouldn’t be killings if law enforcers don’t use their guns for illegal means. There are a lot of civilians toting guns because these are licensed. It had been proven by studies that in countries like the US where there are liberal gun laws, there are a lot of killings. When a teenager or a dysfunctional person could buy a gun off the counter, expect trouble. Election violence is not about asking politicians and their supporters to stop killing each other. Among others, it is a matter of preserving lives through a more responsive law on gun possession.
READER’S CORNER
Dying to a new life
by Edison Baddal
Last April 6, while the world was commemorating the passion of Christ, 1 and others were at a neighbor’s funeral. I was among those who paid the last respects to a guy who died relatively in his prime while in government service. Ironically, he was 10 days shy of his expectant 53rd natal day when he expired on April 2. Conclusive clinical findings uncovered extensive and fatal damages to vital internal organs sparked by dengue as the cause of death.
In retrospect, the death was sudden and unsettling as earlier before he fell ill, he was palpably brimming with life and energy. In fact, he ferried government employees, who commute from the Mountain Province towns of Bontoc westward to Bauko, home every afternoon. He was forced to do this as many employees are usually stranded due to lack of regular ride after the exit time of work at 5 p.m. So that, despite the fact that his van was originally intended only for personal use, it became a public transport by necessity. Consequently, his untimely demise left a lot of commuter-employees scrambling for a ride after 5 p.m.
Needless to say, the death of a person with whom you have been acquainted for awhile is simply unacceptable. Barely two days later, somebody informed me in the morning of April 4 that a provincial official expired due to a fatal stroke the night before. The informant related that that latter died in Sinto, Bauko, after he delivered a speech at a proclamation rally. Though the second guy was not much known to me except for desultory acquaintanceship, his death came also a surprise nonetheless.
Anyhow, this just proves that the demise of anybody, whether an acquaintance, friend, foe or a besotted one, never fails to create a gamut of sentiments. A writer once professed that: “The death of one man diminishes me because I am part of mankind.” Undoubtedly, a situation like this where two familiar persons kick the bucket all of a sudden and leaves one a little disoriented and gushy to some extent. Stated differently, the consecutive deaths within days of each other in the same week is nothing short of a shocker.
The uncanny situation timed with the universal observance of the insufferable passion of the Christ is no less than horrendous. Certainly, as situations usually give rise to insights and hindsights, one is forced to ponder the true meaning of one’s life or wordly existence. Perceptively, such situation makes one cognizant of the reality that death strikes at any moment with one least aware of it.
The bible compares the occurrence of death as like that of a silent thief waiting on tiptoe stealthily at night and striking unnoticed. In like manner, it is like an unseen pitfall in which a victim is unsuspectingly drawn. In all cases, death is nothing less than a grim wake-up call for anyone to realize that we are all mere journeymen on earth. A spiritual song rhapsodizes this epigram in one of its lines which goes: “Man is only a pilgrim on earth.”
The bible further describes and compares man’s existence to various things as a mist, a shadow or a vapor. One’s bodily existence is comparatively very short. A hackneyed cliché at best despite the tenets of other people, a hundred years existence in the physical realm is nothing more than just a day too many when measured in the netherworld. The latter, termed by some mystics also as the Great Beyond, is where everyone is bound after one’s corporeal existence is extinguished.
Metaphorically, a person’s body is like a box which is a compilation of zillion cells divided into numerous organs. Said organs mechanically interact with each other at regular, rhythmic intervals as naturally arranged for the maintenance of all bodily systems in the human morphology. Without being least metaphysical on lie and its purpose, the physical body, on insight, is not all there is to life. This is because it is corruptible and incessantly buffeted by desires that cater mostly to the base instincts of man. It is not the be-all and end-all of life. Essentially, the flesh is considered as a device for biological processes. In view hereof, there is a peremptory need to focus attention and energy to a more sublime composition of man which is the intangible but the more vital part: the spirit and soul.
Theologians opine that man is composed of the body, spirit and soul. The spirit and soul are boxed in the body and are the invisible elements in man. These elements are interlinked with the supernatural ether or divine providence itself. It is the steering wheel that stimulates the actions exhibited by the body. Theologians have contended that the spirit consists of the emotions that could be either godly or malevolent. It is presumed that the use of the emotion, which either shows the better angels of man’s nature or otherwise, and the use of the mind, which either promote goodness or the reverse in words and actions, sum up one’s character.
The character, therefore, is a spinoff of a person’s temperament manifested by actions guided by human spirit. One’s character matters most to the Creator. The bible teaches that ways attuned to the dictates of the scriptures are considered great characters while those forward ones are considered base or despicable characters. A great character is tantamount to epitomizing righteousness or holiness. Righteousness or holiness is usually the state of character in which the personification and embodiment of providential virtues, underpinned by humility, are manifestly evident. Such virtues are required stringently from very human being while alive and kicking in the flesh.
By no means a mordant articulation or dissection of the relation between the body, spirit and soul as such are definitely abysmal and abstruse but one thing is quite clear on hindsight: In no way does providence regard one’s looks, abilities and much more wealth when gauging the qualities of each person. Only the standpoint of character is the main consideration. Character comes from the abundance of the heart as contrasted with the machinations of the mind.
Therefore, as the mid is always enmeshed in shrewd schemes, the Creator considers more the contents of the heart, which is the main base of character. Incidentally, it may happen that a person is grubby and homely but has a heart with a conscience while another may ooze with pulchritude but is vile and contemptuous. As it is, the heart is the valve of sluice that regulates the excesses of the mind but may likewise degenerate one’s nature. Succinctly put, one’s character mirrors the contents of one’s heart.
By all means, the gratification of the body is not the purpose of existence as it is supposed to be the vessel of God’s righteousness. Life then should is spent in ways that enhances one’s chances to reach Nirvana and be reunited with the Maker when end times come. This goes without saying that man’s ultimate end is not physical death but spiritual rebirth with God or eternal damnation in the lake of fire whichever is one’s choice.
Just like the Resurrection of Christ that occurred after His physical death to manifest His victory over death itself, so too must man die in order to shed the body and be united with God in spirit. Just like the proverbial mustard see that decayed after falling to the ground in order to produce a new and more robust one than before, so too is man fated to die in the body to share the glory of the New Life with Christ when reckoning comes.
A probing question then that might be asked is: Is there life and death after death? The bible states in no uncertain terms of the certainty of a new life after physical death with a spiritual union with God but only if one’s life was lived in righteousness. In the same vein, a spiritual death ensues (a second death actually) after the demise of the physical body when a spiritual union with God will not be attained due to unrighteous life of the deceased. Bluntly stated, life lived righteously culminates in eternal joy after physical death while a life lived slovenly ends up in eternal damnation thereafter.
Now this totally runs counter to the specious contention of Jacques Roseau, a philosopher during the 19th century, that: “Man and generally any rational being exists as an end in himself and not merely as a means to be used by this or that will. This is implausible and nothing less than a rambling phantasmagoria of a mere mortal vainly trying to play god.
A related question that might be posed is: Can one be dead while alive in the physical body? The answer is a resounding Yes. A person’s life spent entirely on wordly matters devoid of spirituality is considered spiritually dead even while one is moving about in the physical body.
Finally, the joy and thrill of real living while still in the flesh is to have spiritual rebirth by acknowledging Jesus Christ as one’s Savior and Lord. St. Paul strongly exhorted the brethren in the Book of the Phillippians with these words: “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. This timeless and ageless message remains true then as it is today and it will be so forever.