2 Baguio construction men nabbed for dynamite

By Jerry Padilla

BAUANG, La Union – Police recently arrested here in a check-point along Naguilian Road two persons from Baguio City for alleged illegal transport of voluminous explosive devices such as dynamites, chemicals and detonating equipments.

Chief Supt. Constante Azares Jr., Ilocos police director, identified the suspects as Josephine Atiwag Omikeg, 42, and Edwin Marzan, 28, both residents of Upper Irisan, Baguio City.

Azares said the duo were on board a Tamaraw FX taxi (AVF 839) when they were stopped Feb. 13 by policemen at the checkpoint.

Policemen who checked their cargo discovered 40 pieces of dynamites, 200 blasting caps, potassium nitrates, gasoline and three rounds of time fuse.

Investigation showed the suspects had just come from a mining company in Benguet.

They told policemen the explosives were to be used in road projects in the upland town of Alilem in Ilocos Sur.

Azares said the suspects would be charged with criminal offenses including violation of the Omnibus Election Code.

Read more...

Abra politicians defying task force; won’t disarm

By Dexter A. See

BANGUED, Abra — Half of provincial and local officials in this conflict-stricken province have blatantly defied the order of the Presidential Task Force versus Private Armed Groups (PAGs) to give up their firearms for clean, honest, orderly and peaceful elections this May.

Right before members of the Zenarosa Commission, Rep. Cecilia Luna admitted she has a number of licensed firearms in her custody but said the weapons are meant to safeguard her family from political rivals and are not being used to advance her personal and political interests.

At the same time, Luna said she has six bodyguards, more than the two allowed by the Regional Joint Election Security Command Center, because of alleged serious threats to her life since becoming the representative of the lone district of Abra in 2007.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo created the task force against PAGs headed by retired Court of Appeals Associate Justice Monina Zenarosa to dismantle private armies being maintained by politicians nationwide to ensure automated elections in the country this May will be orderly and peaceful.

Although it sent invitations for consultations, the Commission said almost 50 percent of provincial and municipal officials in Abra did not appear during a recent gathering it organized in the province, prompting observers and religious leaders to express doubts over the officials’ sincerity to uphold clean, honest, orderly and peaceful elections.

While those who attended the consultations signed a manifesto reiterating their commitment to make the elections peaceful, the Commission said there is a need to revisit Abra before the elections.

The Commission on Elections is considering to place Abra and eight other provinces under its direct control during the elections to prevent political violence.

Abra, has a bloody history of political killings during the past decades.

Read more...

5 PAG members nabbed in Ilocos

By Mar T Supnad

CAMP FLORENDO, San Fernando City, La Union -- Five suspected members of Private Armed Groups in the Ilocos Region were recently arrested.

Chief Supt. Constante D. Azares, Jr., Ilocos police chief bared this Wednesday, adding to effectively address the issue of PAGs, his command earlier organized eleven special task groups (STGs) to dismantle identified eleven PAGs in Region 1.

Azares identified the neutralized PAG members as Dennis Serquina and Warlito Roriquito , both members of the Alvin Flores Group, a notorious criminal gang.

Also neutralized were Armando Flores and Nicolas Laroya, both from Pangasinan province; and Alvin Uniag from Naguilian town in La Union.

“Our operatives are undertaking continuous intelligence monitoring of the PAGs’ activities in coordination with other intelligence units,“ Azares said. “Our stepped-up checkpoint operations also serve as pro-active measure against the PAGs. Their movements are now significantly restricted in view of the established checkpoints operating round-the-clock in the whole region.”

Region 1 police have already conducted a total 3,696 checkpoint operations; arrested 69 persons for violating the gun ban; and confiscated a total of 45 firearms.

Azares said security preparation being undertaken by his command with the Commission on Elections and Armed Forces of the Philippines counterparts, coupled with the active support and involvement of other election stakeholders, will ensure honest, orderly and peaceful elections in Region 1.

Read more...

Cagayan under state of calamity; damage to crops now P1 billion

TUGUEGARAO CITY – After Isabela, a state of calamity was also declared in Cagayan due to the worsening dry spell, which has already cost the province nearly P1 billion in crop damage.

Cagayan Vice Gov. Leonides Fausto said the provincial board passed a resolution last Monday placing the province under a state of calamity due to the extensive damage wreaked by the El Niño weather disturbance.

Cagayan, the country’s northernmost mainland province which is a major corn producer, has reportedly sustained some P600 million in corn losses alone.

Isabela, the country’s leading corn and rice producer, already incurred nearly P2 billion in damage to crops, including vegetables.

An official of the Department of Agriculture also said crop losses due to El Niño has reached nearly P1 billion in Region 2 alone.

Rodolfo Guieb, special assistant to the Undersecretary for Field Operation Guieb, said the weather phenomenon has severely damaged corn production in the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Viscaya amounting to P949 million as of yesterday Feb. 15.

He said in Isabela a total of 42,274 metric tons of corn crops were affected by the dry spell which were valued at P549 million.

In Cagayan, it damaged some 16,000 MT of corn valued at P214 million and in Nueva Viscaya 14,357 MT valued at P186 million, Guieb added.

He said El Niño also affected rice production in the country, amounting to P343 million.
DA officials earlier said production losses under a mild El Niño scenario could reach P8.09 billion, while the damage caused by a severe dry spell could run up to P20.46 billion.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration had reported that this year’s El Niño would likely be moderate.

Guieb said the government is set to spend billions of pesos for an emergency food aid program for one million rural families who are likely to suffer from El Niño’s wrath.

He said under the program the government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, would provide poor families a sack of rice a month.

Guieb said the assistance would be coursed through the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps.

The official said the DA would also provide livelihood projects and farm input subsidies for farmers who can no longer plant at this point as a result of the prolonged dry spell.

In its latest advisory, Pagasa said the El Niño phenomenon is reaching its peak, but it would continue through the rainy season before easing back toward more normal conditions.

In related developments, Cagayan Valley’s booming fresh water fish products are also in peril as hundreds of hectares of fish farms are now starting to dry up as a result of the dry spell.

Reports showed that operators of various fresh water farms, including fish cages and hatcheries in the region, including along the Magat Dam reservoir, have already shifted to alternative livelihoods due to insufficient supply of water.

However, according to the region’s Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources, so far there were no reports yet of damage on fish farms throughout the region amid the worsening dry spell.

“Based on reports from local government units, there are no report yet of damage on aquaculture farms throughout the region,” said BFAR regional information officer Max Prudencio.

However, reports indicated that most fish farms in Isabela, including along the Magat Dam were already almost dried up due to absence of rainfall since early last year.

Aside from thousands of hectares of farmlands, the Magat Dam along the Isabela-Ifugao border is also the major source of irrigation or water for various fishpens in the region.

As of latest measurement, the dam’s critical water level further dipped at 164.6 meters or barely four meters from the dam’s 160-meter minimum operational level.

BFAR officials expressed fear that oxygen depletion and limited space of fishpens would happen due to the continued and alarming drop of water on fish farms, which would result in fish kill.

Cagayan Valley produces more than 60,000 metric tons per year of fresh water fish production output. Among the fresh water fish being produced or cultured in the region are tilapia (Saint Peter’s fish), hito (cat fish), bangus (milk fish), lobsters, crabs and prawns. The region’s produce represents at least 20 percent of the country’s fresh water.

The country’s topmost corn and rice producing region, Cagayan Valley, which comprises Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino, also contributes nearly two percent of the country’s total fishery production output. – CL

Read more...

Withdrawal of gubernatorial bet eases Abra political rivalry

BANGUED, Abra — The withdrawal of a gubernatorial candidate has eased the intense political rivalry in this province.

Abra police and election officers bared this saying the municipal mayor, who earlier filed his candidacy for the province’s gubernatorial post, decided to officially withdraw his certificate of candidacy against incumbent Abra Gov. Eustaquio “Takit” Bersamin.

He said this was for the sake of peaceful elections during the coming May 2010 elections.

Three-term Lagangilang Mayor Lizardo Sinugo Jr. informed the Commission on Elections in the Cordillera of his desire to back out from the gubernatorial race to prevent the expected intense political rivalry in the province during the campaign period.

Because of this, Bersamin will now be unopposed for the said position in the elections.
As this developed, Sinugo expressed his family’s heartfelt gratitude to all his supporters and friends who stayed with him after he filed his candidacy for the gubernatorial post.

Lawyer Julius Torres, Comelec regional director in the Cordillera, said their central office has been notified to remove the name of Sinugo in the list of candidates for governor to prevent confusion among the electorate.

“If Sinugo’s name will not be deleted in the ballot for the automated elections," Torres said, "all votes that will be cast for him will not be considered in the canvassing of votes even if he will win the elections since he had already filed his sworn intention to withdraw from the gubernatorial race.”

Meanhile, Chief Supt. Orlando Pestano, director of the Police Regional Office, said the withdrawal of Sinugo was a breakthrough in the consolidated effort of government and the stakeholders to have clean, honest, orderly, and peaceful elections. – By Dexter A. See

Read more...

Gov Mendoza brings case to SC over Comelec ouster rule

Ousted Bulacan Gov. Joselito Mendoza has sought relief from the Supreme Court against the decision of the Commission on Elections stripping him of his post.

In a petition filed Friday afternoon Feb. 12, Mendoza asked the SC to issue a temporary restraining order stopping the Comelec from implementing its resolution that declared his rival, Roberto Pagdanganan, winner in the 2007 gubernatorial race.

He also asked the SC to stop Pagdanganan from taking control of the provincial capitol through a cease-and-desist order.

In a nutshell, Mendoza argued before the SC that the Comelec committed “grave abuse of discretion tantamount to an excess of jurisdiction” through “serious infringements of its own rules.”

Firstly, he argued that the poll body’s decision handed down last week that declared Pagdanganan winner is not yet final.

“The desired majority was not obtained in the voting of the commission en banc since only three commissioners voted to deny the motion for reconsideration, three commissioners took no part and one commissioner dissented in the resolution,” he said.

He cited Rule 3, Section 5 of the Comelec Rules of Procedure, which mandates that when the poll body sits in full, “the concurrence of a majority” of its members “shall be necessary for the pronouncement of a decision, resolution, order or ruling.”

Mendoza also said the Comelec did not serve any notice of promulgation to him, violating Section 5, Rule 18 of the Comelec Rules of Procedure requiring that “notice shall be served in advance upon the parties or their attorneys personally or by registered mail or by telegram” of the date of promulgation.

Lastly, he said the Comelec erred in declaring its resolution as immediately executory when the case is an ordinary election protest action and only becomes final and executory “after 30 days from its promulgation” under the poll body’s Rule 18, Section 13.

On these grounds, Mendoza asked the SC to declare the resolution unseating him null and void.

Last Feb. 8, the Comelec upheld the decision of its Second Division headed by Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer to invalidate Mendoza’s proclamation in the 2007 mid-term polls and junked the latter’s motion for reconsideration.

A Comelec resolution showed that Pagdanganan got 342,295 votes as against Mendoza’s 337,974, or a vote margin of 4,321 votes.

The Comelec clarified though last Friday that it would rehear the case as it failed to get the required number of votes from commissioners to oust Mendoza.

Ferrer said they would need four concurring votes to oust Mendoza and declare Pagdanganan the duly elected Bulacan governor in 2007. Otherwise, the case must be heard again.

Read more...

Burgos martyrdom cited in Vigan rites

By Freddie G. Lazaro

VIGAN CITY — Officials of this World Heritage City headed by Mayor Eva Marie Medina led the celebration Wednesday of the centennial establishment of the Plaza Burgos Monument here as a fitting tribute to the martyrdom of Rev. Fr. Jose Apolonio Burgos, a son of Vigan.

The rites coincided with the 138th anniversary of the execution of Fr. Burgos and the two other priests, Jacinto Zamora and Mariano Gomez, in the middle of Bagumbayan field (now Rizal Park) on February 17, 1872.

The three martyrs are collectively called “Gomburza”.

Similar commemorations of the death anniversary of Fr. Burgos were also observed in several towns in the country named in his honor such as Burgos, Ilocos Sur; Burgos, Ilocos Norte; Burgos, La Union; Burgos, Pangasinan; Burgos, Surigao del Norte; Padre Burgos, Quezon; and Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte.

Yjirty eight years after Burgos’ execution, or on February 17, 1910, the people of Vigan erected a monument and established Plaza Burgos in honor of his martyrdom.

“The Plaza Burgos monument is now one hundred years old and it is fitting for us to commemorate the centennial establishment of the Plaza Burgos Monument, which happened in our lifetime, as a testament to our undying love and commitment for our freedom as Filipinos, inspired by Father Jose Burgos,” Medina said.

The event was highlighted by a Mass offered at the St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral, as well as a multi-sectoral parade involving students, barangay officials, Vigan City employees, members of the Knights of Columbus and other sectors. A floral offering at the monument of Fr. Burgos at the center of Plaza Burgos followed.

The historic Plaza Burgos is located beside the Cathedral or at the entrance to the Vigan Heritage Village.

“We remember and emphasize the sacrifices of Fr. Burgos to give inspiration and to inculcate the spirits of nationhood and patriotism to all Vigan residents particularly the young generations,” the mayor said.

Medina said Fr. Burgos was born in Vigan to a Spanish colonel, Jose Burgos, and Florencia Garcia, a Spanish mestiza, on February 9, 1837.

While still a student in Letran, Burgos led demonstrations against the friars and had issued a manifesto in 1864 in defense and in response to an attack to the Filipino clergy.

In 1864, he identified his people as “Filipino”, a term which was a new usage then to refer to a new group in the colonial population – a group to which belonged not just native but also Chinese mestizos, Spanish mestizos and even full-blooded Spaniards born in Filipinas.

Burgos obtained his doctorate in Sacred Theology in 1868 from the University of Santo Thomas and another doctorate in Canon Law in 1871.

He was falsely implicated and framed up in the Cavite mutiny together with Fathers Gomez and Zamora that led to their execution.

Burgos was a close friend and associate of Paciano Rizal, the older brother and mentor of national hero Jose Rizal.

Read more...

Status of Mt Prov college upgraded

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Budget and Management approved the upgrading of the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College here from level I to level III.

This after the only State-run higher education institution in the province was able to display exemplary performances in its instructional function.

This makes the MPSPC eligible to move for university status which has over 5,000 students.

The SUC leveling is imposed by the national government to guide CHED and other highland education institution policy decision-makers in operation of higher education institutions in the country.

Furthermore, the leveling system was adopted to provide a basis for concerned agencies in rationalizing the standards for allocating resources and targeting development interventions for the different types of State-run institutions.

Based on the SUC leveling standards, there are four levels with level IV as the highest depending on the compliance of the State-run higher education institutions to the criteria and performance of the institutions in various aspects of tertiary education.

MPSPC, which is the first higher education institution to implement a full scholarship program for its students, was classified under SUC level III-A which means that it excels in the implementation of the standards of a university but falls short of the criteria of the level accreditation, especially in research programs.

With the upgraded level, the MPSPC management is continuously conducting consultations with the different national and local officials, including supportive stakeholders in the province, to get their commitment for funding support so that its long overdue dream of becoming a state university will be fulfilled in the future.

The CHED required the school management to secure the commitment of various stakeholders to ensure the realization of the substantial funding requirement in order to sustain the school’s operation, especially when it will be converted into a university by virtue of an act of congress.

At the same time, Dr. Nieves A. Dacyon, MPSPC president, said the school is trying to decongest its Bontoc campus by opening major courses in its other campuses like in Tadian so that it will be able to address the increase in enrollment in its school campuses spread in different parts of the province.

She welcomed the snowballing support being extended by most provincial and municipal officials on the plan of the higher education institution to become one of the respected state universities not only in the region but also in the whole country.

MPSPC was established by virtue of Republic Act (RA) 7183 which was signed into law by former President Corazon C. Aquino on January 17, 1992 through the initiative of the late Rep. Victor S. Dominguez.

Read more...

Napolcom now accepting applicants for PNP exams

By Mar T. Supnad

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union- The National Police Commission -Region 1 is now accepting applications for the police entrance and promotional examinations scheduled on April 25 at the Lorma College’s elementary and high school campus in San Juan, La Union.

This was announced by Napolcom Region 1 acting regional director Josephmar B. Gil who said that the deadline for the filing of applications is on March 15.

Gill said successful examinees of the entrance examination shall be conferred by the Napolcom the PNP entrance eligibility for appointment to the rank of Police Officer 1 while those who will pass the promotional exams shall be conferred eligibilities appropriate for promotion to the ranks corresponding to the exam’s eligibility rank coverage.

The PNP entrance test is open to civilians who have a bachelor’s degree, not more 30 years old, 1.62 meters tall for male and 1.57 meters for female.

The entrance exam is also a requirement for PNP officers with temporary status as Police Officer 1 who wish to have permanent appointment in the police service.

On the other hand, the promotional exam is open to all qualified uniformed members of the PNP like police officers, senior police officers, inspectors and superintendents.

Gil said, the Napolcom has adopted a new procedure in the processing of applications wherein the ID photo of the applicant will be permanently printed in the application form and the notice of admission.

“The new procedure will require all applicants to file personally at the Napolcom regional office,” Gil explained adding that Napolcom provincial offices are no longer allowed to accept or process applications and mailed applications will no longer be entertained.

He said the new rule will protect integrity of the exams by preventing substitution committed by unscrupulous examinees.

Civilian applicants must bring two legal size window envelopes, two mailing stamps worth nine pesos each, transcript of scholastic record or diploma and birth certificate.

For the PNP member, the name tag should indicate the rank before the first, middle and last names while those with temporary appointment should submit a certified true copy of attested appointment, plantilla appointment or special order.

In addition to said requirements, applicants for the promotional exams should also submit report of rating/certification issued by the Napolcom central office, Civil Service Commission certified copy of eligibility and board certificate.

The exam coverage for the PNP entrance test consists of general information, verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and logical reasoning while the promotional exams cover general information, police administration, police operations and police values and ethical standards.

Read more...

Kalinga execs hit dumping of trash along Chico River by Mt Prov folk

By Dexter A. See

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Unabated dumping of tons of waste along the whole stretch of the Chico River is threatening its fragile ecological system.

Local officials and residents brought this to the attention of the Regional Development Council saying several villages in Mountain Province were responsible.

They said uncontrolled pollution of the river system is seriously affecting the quality of water for irrigation, domestic and industrial uses.

Kalinga Gov. Floydelia Diasen said dumping of waste along the Chico River has been prevalent the past years despite their repeated complaints filed before the RDC and the Mountain Province local government.

At least 20 percent of the Chico River is within the jurisdiction of Mountain Province while the remaining 80 percent is in Kalinga.

The headwater of the river is traced to the historic Mount Data National Park, one of the largest watersheds and forests in Northern Luzon.

According to Diasen, the upcoming rehabilitation of the Chico River to sustain its watersheds and forests would be rendered useless if concerned local governments will not be able to stop the rampant dumping of waste into it.

She said the practice could result to massive siltation and poor quality of water that will significantly affect the rice and corn produce of the province.

Kalinga is considered by the RDC as the rice granary of the Cordillera.

The Chico River is the recipient of a $20 million assistance from the Asian Development Bank to finance an integrated environment management program designed to improve the existing conditions of forests and watersheds in the area.

Diasen cited immediate need to rehabilitate the forests and watersheds to ensure continuous flow of quality water in the river system to improve the productivity of thousands of rice and corn farmers in the province.

The governor said they have sent several delegations to Mountain Province to consult with their counterparts on how to abate the dumping of waste along the Chico River but the practice remained rampant, to the consternation of people downstream.

The Chico River is the site of the Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS) which is a national endeavor to provide irrigation to vast tracks of agricultural farms in the lowland communities over the past several decades.

Read more...

13 partisan armed groups in Ilocos closely watched

CAMP FLORENDO, San Fernando City, La Union -- Police are closely monitoring activities of politicians in the Ilocos region in a bid to dismantle 13 partisan armed groups there before the May elections.

Chief Supt. Constante Azares, regional police chief said the Ilocos region had four violent incidents the past few months so they were consolidating efforts to prevent this from escalating.

“We have filed charges and have been working for the solution of other violent incidents in our turf. And my men have dedicated teams to prevent the (partisan armed groups) in our area from conducting harassment and other forms of violence against supporters of rival candidates,” Azares said.

He refused to identify the politicians listed by the Directorate of Intelligence in Camp Crame as maintaining private armies, saying they are still validating intelligence reports.

“My men are still in the field validating the intelligence reports. Those maintaining (armed groups) are all politicians and we are making sure their movements would be curtailed before and after the May elections,” he said.

Azares said his command has neutralized five suspected members of partisan armed groups, three of whom he identified as Armando Flores and Nicolas Laroya, both from Pangasinan, and Alvin Uniag from Naguilian, La Union.

Read more...

Baguio vet gives teeth to anti-stray dog campaign

By Ramon Dacawi

BAGUIO CITY- It will now be more difficult for errant dog owners to reclaim their stray pets caught and brought to the city pound.

City veterinarian Brigit Piok has issued stricter guidelines in the release of canines following lapses or difficulty in identifying their owners.

Aside from preventing dogs from going to the wrong hands, the guidelines, issued last Jan. 28, will give more bite to the campaign against pets on the loose and the drive against rabies.

Henceforth, all dog owners must register their pets with their respective barangays and have them vaccinated with anti-rabies every year, beginning when they are three months old. The twin requirements, Piok said, are provided for under City Ordinance 09, series of 2008.

The certificates of registration and vaccination will be presented as requirement for the dog’s release.

In case of loss of the said documents, the barangay has to issue a certification on the dog’s ownership, to be witnessed by the claimant’s neighbor. The certification must reflect the age, color, breed, sex and the name of the dog.

Likewise, the claimant must present a valid identification card or his/her residence certificate.

“In case the address of the owner does not tally with the area of impounding, he/she shall be required to get a certification from the barangay (to establish his/her identity and ownership).”

Piok has distributed copies of the advisory to other city officials, the police and all barangay chiefs.

As it is, catching stray dog is hardly an easy task for the crew whose arrival in a barangay sends their prey- who have become familiar with previous attempts - scampering to safety.

“We are also at the receiving end of uncalled-for expletives from dog owners, mostly from educated people, some of whom are lawyers or military officers,” a crew member admitted.

Read more...

Panagbenga big parades set Feb. 27, 28 in Baguio

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – After the successful staging of the Chinese New Year and the much attended lakeside presentation of “Camelot” last weekend, the city prepares for Panagbenga’s grand street dancing parade on Feb. 27, and the flower-laden float parade, the day after.

The parades are expected to draw crowds of local and foreign tourists along the city’s main thoroughfares, as it weaves its way using both lanes from upper Session Road to lower Session road. Upon reaching Magsaysay Avenue , participants would converge and use only one lane to Centermall rotunda, use the other lane in going towards Maharlika frontage, split up and use two lanes of Harrison road past Burnham Melvin Jones grandstand and end up with performances at the Athletic Bowl. The activity is expected to end at 5 p.m.

This is one of the innovations introduced for the 15th staging of the Baguio Flower Festival, as assured earlier by BFFI chair hotelier Anthony de Leon.

Other innovations were the mardi gras at Session road and the staging of Shakespeare’s “Camelot” at the Burnham lake, which capped the fluvial parade last Valentine’s day.

For the street dancing parade, there would be nine elementary school participants, culled from the fourteen (14) who joined the eliminations during the opening parade Feb. 1.

As of press time, only the Special Performing Arts section of the Baguio City National High School (BCNHS) shall participate for the secondary category, while eight participants are expected for the open category. Said category includes a Baguio public elementary school, a neighboring town’s elementary school, a secondary school in Pangasinan, and a college in La Union. A theater group and several other private institutions complete the open category participants.

For the floral float parade in the morning of Feb. 28, twenty-two are expected to join; academic and business entities showcasing their company logos with multi-colored blooms. The floats shall traverse Upper to Lower Session road, Harrison road up to Athletic Bowl where they shall be on display until 5 p.m. of March 1.

The two parades shall showcase this year’s theme; “Celebrating Fifteen Years of Festival Excellence.”

Other activities for this week are the on-going Philippine Military Academy homecoming until today, Sunday; the Education Center of Australia-Victoria University Australian IT exhibit at the Baguio Convention Center , and the Arnis de Mano Sports Tournament at Malcolm Square .

On Feb. 24, the Sangguniang Kabataan vote music and arts festival shall go on from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Baguio Convention Center ; a free concert goes on at the same venue on the 25th; while a TV launch shall be done at the University of the Cordilleras Theater on the 26th. On Feb. 26 to 28, the road fronting Abanao square shall be closed from 5 p.m. to midnight daily for “Abanao nights,” a venue for concerts and an outdoor bar.

Mr. and Ms. Fashionista 2010 takes centerstage at the Baguio Convention Center on the 26th, while at 5 PM on the 27th, Bulaklak Rock will be at the Melvin Jones grandstand, Burnham Park.

An open scrabble tournament shall also be conducted on Feb. 27 and 28; as on the evening of the 28th, the 9th Bombo Radio Free Concert shall be done at Melvin Jones, Burnham Park.

Read more...

Traffic scheme for Trinidad PUVs also slated for city jeeps

BAGUIO CITY – Trancoville and Aurora Hill jeepneys here may also be subjected to the same traffic double coding system under which the La Trinidad and other out-of-town jeepneys are being experimented on.

Mayor Reinaldo Bautista, Jr. bared this during a media forum last week, saying the move is seen to further slash the number of vehicles traversing the city’s main road.

Last week the experimental double number coding scheme was implemented, to which La Trinidad and out-of-town jeepneys complied with. PUJs with plate numbers ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 are not allowed to enter the CBD during Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Those with plate numbers ending in 2,4,6,8 and 0, are in turn, not allowed to enter the CBD on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. This pegged LTB jeepney drivers only three to four days of travel to and from the CBD.

Out-of-town one-day-one-trip Benguet jeepneys are allowed access to the Dangwa Station, as their parking space; provided they stay in the area until they are to travel back to their destination. A check on the area shows compliance to the double coding scheme and the prohibitions, as there is a marked decrease of the number of PUJs using the place.

La Trinidad public utility jeepneys, on the other hand are allowed up to the rabbit sinkhole turning left from the main route. Other trunklines opted to unload their passengers at the same place and proceed to park at the Slaughterhouse compound, which is also utilized as their loading area.

Two weeks ago, La Trinidad and other out-of-town jeepneys were allowed only up to Slaughterhouse compound, which was utilized as a turn-about-area. The situation brought traffic jams at certain times on parts of Magsaysay avenue.

La Trinidad jeepneys plying the Bokawkan route were also not allowed the use of their usual route.

Mayor Bautista, J during the media Ugnayan last week clarified that the La Trinidad-Bokawkan route may be allowed only if the city council revokes or amends an earlier ordinance banning its use by said trunkline.

Appeals and requests he has received since the start of the traffic experiment, which he claims is voluminous, should instead be addressed to the city council, he added.

He also reiterated that the traffic experiments are meant to show the flaws of the scheme. “We understand that some are inconvenienced by the experiment,” he said, “as we have received criticism since its implementation.”
We are looking for “the best formula,” and “what is most convenient for all,” he added.

The traffic and transport management committee is looking al all possible remedies to the traffic woes of the city, the mayor ended. – Julie G. Fianza

Read more...

'Mayor armed barangay captains with guns’

By Mar T Supnad

CAMP PRES. QUIRINO, Bantay, Ilocos Sur- A former lawmaker and municipal candidate accused Wednesday his political opponent of distributing guns to barangay captains in Sto. Domingo town, making the community in panic.

Speaking during the signing of a peace covenant held inside the PNP Headquarters here, former Rep. Mariano Tajon, told Commission on Election officials led by lawyer Marino “Mar” Salas and police headed by Chief Supt. Constante D. Azares, Jr., Region 1 police director including Senior Supt. Eduardo Dopale, Ilocos Sur police director, that the incumbent town of mayor of his town had bought guns of caliber 45 and 9mm, using the municipal government fund, then distributed it to barangay captains a few days ago, which he said was a total disregard to the Comelec gun ban.

“While the Comelec and the PNP are totally implanting the total gun ban, my opponent in Sto. Doming is distributing guns to the barangay leaders,” said Tajon.

He added even during the time of the infamous “saka-saka” time (goons in barefoot) he had not even experienced holding a fan knife during election period.

He said out of the 36 barangay captains, 34 got the guns.

But Senior Insp. Arsemio T. Ramos, chief of police of Sto. Domingo said only 32 barangay captains received guns, saying that based on the Local Government Code, the barangay captains can legally possess guns provided it is licensed. “As far as the Local government law is concerned, there is no such illegal possession since they (captains) are allowed to possess guns to protect themselves,” said Ramos.

Azares, for his part, said they will strictly enforce Comelec rules on gun ban, warning that they will arrest anyone who brings guns outside their residence.

Ramos said that the peace and order situation in his town is peaceful, since there is almost no shooting incident since the start of political season although there are “sometimes word wars among the candidates.”

Read more...

Tuition moratorium

EDITORIAL

Colleges and universities all over the country are once again pushing for an increase in tuition even as students are getting hard up along with their parents.

In the local level in Baguio, the National Union of Student in the Philippines has appealed to the Commission on Higher Education for a moratorium of increase of tuition in the city.

This after the University of the Cordilleras proposed an increase of 10 percent in tuition and other fees while Saint Louis University pushed for a five percent increase for first year with six percent miscellaneous and other fees in all levels.

The Baguio College of Technology has also announced increase in tuition and other fees but the exact figures were not provided.

“The increasing tuition rate is one pertinent problem of students and parents. That is why we have long been calling the attention of the CHED to address this issue and for immediate implementation of genuine tuition moratorium,” said Finela Mejia, chairperson of NUSP Baguio-Benguet.

Last year, five universities and colleges increased tuition and other fees despite students’ appeal due to the financial global crisis.

Schools include UC (10% miscellaneous), SLU (7% miscellaneous), National University (10% TOFI), KMAC (33% in all fees, all levels) and STI College (6% tuition for incoming freshmen).

Now the NUSP is calling on all schools with intentions to increase tuition and other fees to inform students about it. The group is also calling on schools who have already announced their intention to conduct democratic consultations regarding these increases.

CHEd memo 13, the guideline that is used by HEIs in tuition increase demands for a democratic consultation among various sectors inside the school.

The NUSP said it appreciates the CHEd’s initiative in CMO 02 series of 2010, and hopes they do the necessary response regarding tuition increase. Schools like colleges exist because of the students. These schools should follow democratic means and conform to legal laws in their intention to increase tuition rates. It’s like killing the goose that lays the golden egg if they don’t do so.

Read more...

Jesus Christ is calling Maurice

BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon

(Rev. Fr. Marcial ‘Marcs’ Castañeda writes this week’s column)
BONTOC, Mountain Province -- He was once a simple and humble school boy at Saint Vincent’s Elementary School who listened attentively to the calling of God and now he is a CICM priest ready for the mission.

I recall the time when our group (Bontoc college seminarians; Glendon de Guzman, Vincent Sagandoy and my humble self) visited them in 1993 for a vocation animation. He was among the naughty, ordinary and unassuming grade six pupils in one of the corners of the classroom. But he was behaved and quiet that time. Now he is the first “Ifontok” ordained priest in the congregation and the second Catholic priest from our alma mater, MPGCHS, batch 1997.

The missionary zeal of Rev. Fr. Maurice enabled him to survive the difficult formation years and the many odds that even almost gutted his life in the hinterlands of Africa. Before saying more about his life and his testimonies let me quickly say something about the CICM.

CICM is an acronym of the Latin name, Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae and translated in English as Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It is a Belgian Roman Catholic missionary congregation founded by Rev. Fr. Théophile Verbist in 1862. The congregation traces its genesis in Scheut, Anderlecht, a suburb of Brussels. Hence, they are also called the Scheut Fathers or Scheutists.

The missionary work of the congregation reached as far as China, Mongolia, Congo and the Philippines. The CICM were the first missionaries in the early 1900 that succeeded in the evangelization of the Montanosa as evidenced by the Christian faith we have now.

Fr. Maurice’s initial motivation was not actually clear. Nevertheless, as he was growing in the seminary his drive was being purified. His intention to be a missionary priest became very vivid when he arduously struggled to live with the poor in Zambia.

His faith was tested with fire and his vocation was weathered with “near death experiences.” I wish to quote directly his candid answers with these inquiries. What influenced you to the priesthood? Why did you choose the CICM?

“I humbly entered the seminary with the thought of just experiencing the seminary life, to have an adventure and to make a difference of myself. These shallow intentions were deepened as I went along the formation. I realized that it is possible to become a priest in spite of my weaknesses. It was through my poverty that I came to love this kind of missionary challenges God wants me to tread. It is indeed a faith journey full of hope. It is a response done out of love to His invitation, “A missionary of Love.” I didn’t understand why God chose me. But I firmly believe, there are greater reasons behind the human doubts. God loves me. He never abandoned me during my miserable moments in the seminary and in my missionary endeavors in Zambia. These are my inspirations to be a missionary.”

Undeniably, the honesty of Fr. Maurice enabled him to realize his calling, i.e. recognizing the grace of God operating in his life. Very interestingly, Maurice is not just a name picked out of the blue for the sake of having a name or for record purposes. It has its significant story.

He was born in August 3, 1980 and was christened by Fr. Mauricio Lidwino with the name Maurice obviously linked with the minister’s name and later traced from the CICM anthropologist, Fr. Maurice. His mother Christina Sangca-an Liswid is a native of Tocucan and Samoki who nourished little Maurice with her good examples. She is a mother of three where Maurice is the eldest. Esteban Ta-ag Galasa, his father who was once a seminarian, hails from Tumpec, Kapangan. His father is an active lay minister.

Unfortunately, he was stricken by an ailment that crippled him including his services to the church. It was through his father that he was introduced to serve in the holy mass as a sacristan which with no doubt became a little opening to his vocation. Fr. Maurice apparently is a blend of many tribes but born and grown in Bontoc.

Maybe the mixture of the many tribes running in his blood (except of course the malaria he acquired also running in his veins) summarizes how he was able to endure all the pains and sufferings he encountered. I don’t know if you agree with me, the stronger fighting spirit of this young priest is undoubtedly traced from his Tocucan blood which is also true with my genealogy.

Fr. Maurice is a man who forgets time in terms of storytelling. He has the knack of cracking “holy jokes” with the intention of lifting one’s spirit from sadness. This was perhaps intensified when he graduated AB Philosophy at Saint Louis University in 2002. Accordingly, he was awarded the most behave person in Maryhurst seminary. His longing to understand more his priesthood was fortified during his novitiate in Taytay Rizal (2003).

His theological study at Maryhill in 2007 was crucial for his decision to persevere. Being a man of strong will, he decided to go for his internship program in Zambia where he spent 2 years of successful bouts beating all sorts of life challenges. The vocation account of Fr. Maurice is not complete without telling the story of his beloved saint. I quote his exact words, “My favorite saint is my grandmother, Rosalia Sangca-an Liswid. Though she is not canonized and she will never be, she is my living saint in my heart. She showed me how to become a missionary in her true to life stories as a catechist here in Bontoc.

Sometime, she has to leave her big family in order to reach out to people behind the hidden mountains like Can-eo, Talubin, Dallic, Mainit and Guina-ang. It is my joy now to continue reaching out to people across the mountain just what my grandma did her fruitful years. Though the mountains are too high to scale, still, it is possible because together with God, failure will never overtake me. My determination is strong enough to succeed.”

His love to be with the grassroots and the poor spells Fr. Maurice’s vocation. “I chose CICM because of its missionary charism, i.e. to be at the frontier situation doing mission. Frontier in a sense that missionaries are challenged to work in a place where life is at stake, where life is not comfortable and where there are people most in need of spiritual leaders towards their journey to God.

For me, as if, CICM means, ‘Christ Is Calling Maurice.’ Indeed we are called by Jesus out of love and it is also out of love that we respond positively. Though we leave our friends, acquaintances, family and country to go out into the deep mission, still, Jesus never fails us. He never failed me as his humble servant because he sent the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen my work.”

I hope that these faith experiences of Fr. Maurice will inspire the youth to listen to God’s call and respond willingly and faithfully. I reiterate, priesthood is not a profession. It is a vocation. We pray for more vocations like Fr. Maurice Galasa CICM, an Igorot being sent to the world. Our prayers will be his strength as he goes back to Africa on March 25, 2010. We were once a receiving community, now we are a sending church. I congratulate the family for giving generously their son for the mission. God bless you more.

We congratulate ourselves as well and Happy valentine’s Day to all. Happy birthday to Benelyn Angyoda (Feb. 1), Fr. Val Dimoc (14) and Fr. Felix Bay-ong (19) (For comments and suggestions reach me at 09197850528 or pachiespoint@yahoo.com)

Read more...

Was Panlilio’s ouster a hatchet job?

PERRYSCOPE
Perry Diaz

The ouster of Gov. Fr. Ed Panlilio from the governorship of Pampanga once again reinforces the belief that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is being used to “terminate” the political lives of the enemies of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Panlilio was the third governor who got axed for not playing ball with Gloria.

The day before Panlilio’s ouster, Comelec declared that Bulacan Gov. Joselito “Jonjon” Mendoza lost the recount to former Agrarian Reform Secretary Roberto Pagdanganan.

In December 2009, Comelec ousted Isabela Governor Grace Padaca and declared former Governor Benjamin Dy the winner in the 2007 elections.

In addition to the three ousted governors, several other LP candidates have been targeted.
Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, who has been mayor for 18 years, has a pending disqualification case on the issue of citizenship.

Another LP candidate who has a pending case in the Comelec is Batangas Vice Governor Jose Antonio “Marc” Leviste II who is seeking reelection. Meanwhile, the Comelec’s First Division disqualified LP member Abraham Kahlil Mitra from the Palawan gubernatorial race on the issue of residency. Comelec said that Mitra failed to proved his residency which Mitra vehemently denied.

In my article, “Czarina and the Priest” (February 24, 2009), I wrote: “It all started when Panlilio and other governors were invited to a breakfast meeting at the Malacañang Palace in October 2007. During the meeting, a presidential aide handed brown envelopes to the guests without any explanation. The brown envelope that Panlilio received contained P500,000. After a few days -- not knowing what the money was for -- Panlilio went public and disclosed the money which he believed was a bribe.”

Panlilio vs. Arroyo
Panlilio’s exposé of the bribery was tantamount to a declaration of war against Arroyo. Pretty soon, Pampanga’s vice governor, provincial board members, and all the municipal mayors ganged up on Panlilio and openly opposed him on everything he did or wanted to do.

Unfazed by the resistance, Panlilio persisted and held his political enemies at bay. Last year, people believed to be associated with Lilia Pineda -- one of two candidates that Panlilio defeated in the gubernatorial election in 2007 -- launched a recall petition against Panlilio. Some people questioned if Gloria’s son, Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, had a hand in initiating the recall move.

The recall did not materialize and Panlilio’s enemies looked for other ways to remove him from office. The Panlilio-Arroyo war came out in the open when Panlilio accused Gloria and Mikey of “coddling” the jueteng protectors in Pampanga.

Things got worse for Panlilio when he launched his presidential bid. And when he vowed that he will prosecute Gloria should he win the presidency, his enemies went into high gear and decided to file a recount petition against him.

On Feb. 11, 2010, the Comelec’s Second Division, in its ruling penned by Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer, said that Pineda -- who lost by 1,147 votes to Panlilio in 2007 -- got 190,729 votes against Panlilio’s 188,718 votes, a margin of 2,011. However, Commissioner Lucenito Tagle, in his concurring opinion, differed with a lower margin of only 356 votes!

How could the huge discrepancy happen? What was the basis for the commissioners’ conflicting counts? Shouldn’t they have reconciled their numbers first and resolve any discrepancies before issuing a “final decision” ousting Panlilio? It only proves that the recount process was inaccurate and not credible.

It looks farcical.It is interesting to note that the Panlilio-Pineda recount was completed way back in October 2009 and the Comelec decision was supposed to have been announced last November. However, it was leaked out that Pineda won in the recount. But the commissioners said that their “final decision” might come as a surprise to everybody. It would seem that there were issues that had yet to be resolved.

The silence during the three-month hiatus that followed was deafening. Were the “players” trying to work out a face-saving and amicable “settlement” for Panlilio? But once again, Panlilio pulled a fast one on them. He surprised everybody when he changed his plan to retire from politics and go back to priesthood. Instead, he filed his Certificate of Candidacy for governor on the last day of filing.

The news must have zapped Arroyo and Pineda with a double whammy. And that was probably the reason why the “final decision” to oust Panlilio was issued. In my opinion, if Panlilio did not file for reelection and retired at the end of his term on June 30, 2010, the Comelec would have declared him the winner in the recount -- thus allowing him to finish his term -- and Pineda would run virtually unopposed for governor.

With Gloria running for a congressional seat representing Pampanga’s second district and her son, Mikey, a Galing Pinoy party-list nominee, the governor’s support is a key factor to ensure the Arroyos’ victory in the elections. And with Lilia Pineda as governor, the Arroyos would be able to utilize provincial resources -- which they would not be able to use if Panlilio remained in office -- for their campaigns.

In politics, nothing happens by accident. Every move politicians make have been hatched ahead of time and the execution is just a question of timing. And the “hatchet jobs” done on Panlilio, Padaca, and Mendoza couldn’t have been more timely.

Adonis vs. Gloriath
With the elections barely three months away, the electoral process enters a crucial period where incumbent governors could play a pivotal role in electing candidates for national and congressional seats. And whoever ends up controlling the House of Representatives would get the Speakership. A few days ago, Agusan del Norte Rep. Jose Aquino announced that the Lakas-Kampi- CMD will field Gloria Arroyo as its bet for Speaker in the next Congress.

He bragged, “PGMA (Mrs. Arroyo) will win as Speaker hands down. She continues to wield power and influence. So if her detractors think they’ve seen the last of her, they are mistaken. She’ll be around longer than they think.” That’s arrogance!

It is now clear what the final moves of Gloria are going to be. Just a few more moves before she goes for the ultimate checkmate… unless she is checkmated first by Adonis Simpao who is challenging her in Pampanga’s second congressional district election. Simpao and his supporters promised that Gloria will have the fight for her political life.

Indeed, it’s going to be like the biblical battle between David and Goliath. It’s going to be Adonis vs. Gloriath. Never in the history of the Philippines would one district election determine the future of the entire nation. (PerryDiaz@gmail. com)

Read more...

What gives?

BENCHWARMER
Ramon S. Dacawi

BAGUIO CITY -- There seems to be a pattern for officials of national government agencies to allocate sizable portions of Baguio’s land area in favor of big commercial development and big private land claims.

Over the years since Baguio’s founding a hundred years ago as the country’s temperate Summer Capital, its one and only City of Pines and Flower Garden City, much of the city’s open and forested spaces were preserved. This was so because about one-third of the city is owned by the national government which, until recently, was not predisposed to disposing its properties for private use.

That sound policy of preserving this one-of-a-kind, God-given jewel and gift to us all is shifting. It’s being turned upside down by the stewards and administrators of the legal titles of these lots we always thought and believed were for public use and enjoyment.

Until recently, we presumed everyone whoever stepped into this region of pines to live, to raise a family, to earn a degree, to grow up in, to woo, to honeymoon, to mend a heart to see the sights, to row a boat at the Burnham Lake, take a photo at Mines View Park, pray at the Lourdes Grotto, watch the PMA cadets in their week-end parades, stroll up and down Session Rd., ride a horse to the countryside, order a hotcake beside the Hangar Market, sip a cup at Dainty’s or Luisa’s Cafe, watch the flowers bloom or whatever, is co-owner of the place.

No longer. Even those who come home to bury a relative feel like their memories of growing up in what was once a single neighborhood are also being put to eternal rest by the continuing urban sprawl of concrete. We hear them and visitors blaming us for what happened and is happening to the Baguio they knew and presumed we’d never allow to be mangled after they left to find material progress, not only for themselves but for the families they had left behind.

As it is, we’re no longer stakeholders, to use that jargon of development. Baguio , with the blessings of those mandated to preserve or allocate, will soon belong to those who can afford to hold the steak. The stakes of exclusivity are being laid out over what were once forest, military and whatever government reservations our American colonial fathers laid out at the turn of the last cent0ury to preserve the lure of the place they found.

What recently happened, the award by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples of lots within a forest reservation and areas overlapped by another application, has pitted one native Ibaloi clan with another. It has pitted the city against those who stand to benefit from the judgment. The family aggrieved by this bold and seemingly unprecedented decision is at a loss why it was never consulted during the process of adjudication. As property steward, the city itself wonders why its own side of the issue was never considered.

Time was when the policy was to give priority to city needs and ancestral land claims without conflicts, above private applications over public land. That was when the process was under the jurisdiction of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

As such, the city and its barangays pin-pointed available public lots for public use as parks, barangay halls, day-care centers and other community service purposes. Contrary to its policy, the DENR eventually awarded to a private applicant a public lot applied for public use by a barangay within the choice Forbes Park .

Before we know it, bigger portions of the so-called public domain will go the same way. It seems to be the trend for Baguio ’s development towards irretrievable loss of the beauty I guess even those in a position to tilt policy had seen and admired, even wished to have preserved for their own children to later appreciate.

All the while, I thought the Government Service Insurance System leadership saw the value of keeping Baguio the national heritage that it is (or was?). It did see things that way when it bought, for over P40 million, Juan Luna’s painting “Parisan Life” in an auction in Hongkong.

The leadership brushed aside criticisms, saying it does not only insure government workers and property. It also insures national heritage, in this case the Luna painting.

That argument of reason equally applies to Baguio . No Filipino whoever came up and saw can fully deny this city is also national heritage, even up to this point of its distress against the onslaught of business and commercial infrastructure.

I guess that belief no longer holds. GSIS wants to have that tiny pine patch beside the Baguio Convention Center turned into a four-building high-rise condotel-commercial complex in a joint venture with Shoemart, the giant mall chain which has taken on “My City, My SM as it slogan.

What gives for this shift of policy and of values? (e-mail:rdacawi@yahoo.com for comments).

Read more...

LP Benguet HQ opens / Corruption breeds poverty

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO
March L. Fianza

Lawyer Ronald M. Cosalan, congressional bet for Benguet, together with some mayoralty candidates in the province inaugurated last week their modest provincial headquarters at Km.4, La Trinidad road, beside the Petron Gas Station.

Since the LP does not boast of extravagant funding as compared to the NP, it can promise visitors and supporters a place where they can exchange ideas while sipping cups of hot coffee.

Some of those who were able to make it to the soft opening of the LP-HQ were mayoralty and vice mayoralty bets Atty. Greg Abalos and William Esteban, respectively, of La Trinidad; Atty. Mat Luspian of Mankayan, Tublay mayoralty bet Sabado Becka Jr., Vice mayoral bets Blas Dalus and Atty. Julio Gayaman of Tuba and Sabl;an, respectively, and their councilors. They said everybody is welcome to the HQ.
****
Everyday, people look for change in the wrong things they see or do. Personally, I know that I can do things the right way. Unfortunately, I end up doing some things the wrong way.

But there is a certain kind of change that people want to see in their lives. It is not the one that would take poverty away from them or make them richer as some “presidentiables” promise.

It is something that could give them satisfaction in life –the change in the way things are run in the country, the hope that the Constitution is no longer violated and that those who did are punished.

Looking at the pictures posted on Facebook by Atty. Eugene Mariano Balitang, gubernatorial candidate in Ifugao, I came across images that were familiar scenes in Benguet or anywhere in the Cordillera.

One picture showed a bond paper posted on the wooden wall of the modest house of Cris “Tagalog” in Sitio Pulpog of far-flung Pula , Asipulo. The words scribbled on the paper said: WELCOME Attorney Balitang and Company.

Commenting on his photo, Eugene said, “It was the first thing I noticed when we arrived, I was deeply touched. We arrived just after her daughter had his epileptic seizure, and I can't eat lunch well despite the native chicken that Cris prepared, knowing that they could have sold the chicken for her daughter's daily medication. These are some of the touching moments that fuel more my desire to lead our provincial government!”

Well said Attorney. I look at the simple and meaningful welcome sign as your friend Cris' sincerity to serve you. It is the same sincerity I see in many candidates who chose to fight it out for the sake of change, even if there is no promise of abundance in campaign finances.
Other candidates of course, joined the party that promised them money. Certainly, their clamor for change and to really serve is drowned by their personal priorities and the campaign money they think they can get from their “overgenerous” standard bearer.

Another picture by Atty. Balitang showed a sixth grade pupil in the classroom who was carrying her kid brother on her back, a scene typical in many far-flung barrios in the country. Their backward situation in the barrios can not be their mistake. But poor community improvement is the result of a corrupted distribution of development. Hope to see these school kids find the promise of change in the nearest future.

I do not find fault in Manny Villar or other moneyed presidential candidates who have billions of pesos to spend for TV infomercials. They can do anything with their money. But in one of his ads where Villar was responding to Michael V’s protest against a very expensive cost of education, he said “college education must be free.”

He talks about a “free college education,” not free elementary and secondary education which is supposed to be a harder problem to solve in our educational system. The answer is simple. Elementary pupils and high school students do not vote.

In every appropriations act, the budget allotted by lawmakers for education id not enough. If so, then college education could be free. And since the country lacks money for the programs of its agencies, the government needs to prioritize spending.

In other countries, elementary and secondary education is placed as priority over other equally important matters because education is known as one factor that could help in poverty alleviation.

I doff my hat for his assurance of good life under his term, particularly, his promise of free college education, but Villar must identify his fund source. Certainly, it will not come from his pocket, as what his infomercial seems to impart to the audience.

If he wants, he can donate his billions now to the departments of health, social welfare and education and gain political mileage at the same time. At least, life in the far-flung barrios of Benguet or Ifugao or the Cordillera may be improved. But of course he will not do that. What if he lost? Bear in mind that Villar is a good businessman.

As a good businessman, Villar must be a good manager. But that does not necessarily mean that he is a good leader, which is the main point of contention in this election. What people are looking for is one who will restore the institutions that had been broken in this administration.

If “presidentiables” will not say they will fight for the restoration of the good that were destroyed, then there is no use voting for them. We will experience the same government and leadership we had for the past nine years.

Talking about infomercials and a campaign that cost P15B to P20B…? Where and how will this be collected back? Talk is cheap. The denial that this will not be taken back in any manner when he sits as President is unbelievable.

It is stupid to invest big money and never make attempts to get it back. On intelligence funds, discretionary funds and others, the President can easily get 10 to 20 percent out of this funds. In a six-year term, his P20B can come out 10 times bigger.

If that is pocketed, it will mean lesser classrooms and health centers and no new roads in far-flung barrios. It is true, corruption breeds poverty. The Liberal Party where Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas belong to translated that to Filipino. The LP said: “Kung walang korap, walang mahirap.” – marchfianza777@yahoo.com

Read more...