Northern Philippine Times

Ex barangay worker finds better livelihood in internet

>> Monday, July 6, 2009

TABUK, Kalinga - With an increasing demand of computer related activities and access in the internet, a former barangay employee found better source of livelihood with the establishment of an internet café here.

After he was terminated as casual employee, Roger Pannogan of Bulanao started a business as a joint venture with a cousin with just three computers for rental while accepting computer servicing, book binding encoding as part of his services.

But with both being new in the business, said joint venture did not last long. But determined, Roger availed a loan and established his own internet café.

With five computer units, he applied for an internet connection saving every penny he made from the rentals and computer repairs.

He also tried selling computer units. After a year of operation, he has now 15 computers and was able to establish himself as a technician even servicing several government offices and private individuals.

He has also hired a shopkeeper to tend to his café while he does computer servicing job orders.

Roger has just renovated his shop to accommodate more seats and is preparing to acquire more units to contain the influx of students and employees who usually come before or after class and office hours to access the internet either for research, keep in touch with friends and relatives abroad or just play the latest games.

“I believe that it was just my determination and interest in what I do that made this all possible,” he said relating that he learned his skills in computer servicing, bookbinding and knowledge in computer operation through self taught and his business management skills from his experiences while tending a shop of a cousin who also used to own a bookbinding, computer service and photocopy shop.

“Before the establishment of my net café, I tried my luck and applied for an overseas work but failed to get any employment,” he said adding that investing and working in his own hometown is not that bad after all.

He said that in this era of information technology, internet cafés have now become indispensable considering the vital role of computers and internet access in education, office works, business and several others. -- GGD

Conversion of Ifugao college to univ pushed

By Jeremy M. Gawongna

NAYON, Lamut, Ifugao – Provincial officials and constituents are now pushing passage of a proposed law converting the ISCAF here into a state university.

Supporting the conversion are Ifugao Rep. Solomon R. Chungalao and Ifugao State College of Agriculture and Forestry president Dr. Serafin L. Ngohayon.

Authored by Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr., the said law referred as Senate Bill No. 1224 is known as “Act to accelerate socio-cultural and economic development of the Cordillera Region by establishing a State university in the province of Ifugao to be known as Ifugao State University (IFSU) converting for the purpose the Ifugao State College of Agriculture and Forestry into a University”.

Established in 1982 as a college, ISCAF’s four-fold function of instruction, research, extension, and income generation arrived at development milestones making it ripe for conversion into university.

ISCAF’s quest to become a university drew attention on Sept. 9, 2008 when the House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill No. 4409 known as an act converting ISCAF into IFSU sponsored by congresspersons Chungalao, Villar, Lagman, Javier, and Remulla.

This development gave confidence to the ISCAF family to labour for the next pace, the passage of Senate Bill No. 2658.

The hard work bore fruit when the college was further proven qualified for conversion into university as assessed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on April 4, 2009 at ISCAF.

The assessment showed the college complied with standards though it has to act on the elevation of its level two accredited courses into level three.

In a joint public hearing in Senate on April 24, ISCAF stood out as closest incomplying with CHED standards among other proponents for univesity conversion. Senate committee on education chairperson Sen. Mar Roxas stressed the importance of the set standards to ensure quality education in the country.

“I think very seriously our responsibility to protect the reputation of Philippine education because if we fail to protect it then university versus college won’t make sense,” Sen. Roxas said.

“We provisionally approve the Ifugao State College of Agriculture and Forestry conversion into university subject to the submission of required documents,” he added.

Arroyo asked to stop all Cordillera SoNA projects

By Dexter A. See

BONTOC, Mountain Province — Church-led multi-sectoral groups in the Cordillera have called on President Arroyo to suspend immediately the implementation of all her State-of-the-Nation Address (SoNA) projects in the region for alleged violations by the implementors.

The groups said the temporary stoppage of the projects would allow an unhampered investigation to be conducted by an independent fact-finding team.

The recommendation for suspension of work on the projects was contained in a confidential report submitted by Presidential Assistant for Cordillera Affairs Tom Killip to the Office of the President.

Earlier, the office of Killip reviewed “damaging reports and findings” submitted by various monitoring groups tasked to oversee the implementation of the P5.2-billion infrastructure projects in Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Kalinga.

In one of the SoNA projects, the reports stated, pine-lumber forms are by the contractors instead of steel forms. It was also found out that there was no substantial work done and no substantial mobilization of equipment.

The same alleged defects of the SoNA projects in Mountain Province and Ifugao were also found in the multi-billion-peso SoNA projects in Kalinga despite the continuous assurances by officials of the Department of Public works and Highways (DPWH) in the Cordillera.

A controversy which continuously delays the implementation of the flagship projects of the President is the alleged intervention by some generals who were reported to have connections with authorities all the way to Malacanang.

They reportedly tried to pressure a contractor into abandoning his projects.

The multi-sectoral groups believed the implementors can no longer meet the prescribed deadline set by the President to complete her flagship projects, saying the contractors need a miracle to do so. The deadline is end of this year.

Earlier, the implementors of SoNA projects in the region, who were fed up by the delays in the processing of the documents on their projects, asked Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. to discipline his men in the field, especially some Cordillera DPWH officials who allegedly allow non-technical people to interfere in the preparation of the plans and specifications of projects.

The SoNA projects of the President in the region include the P1.9-billion rehabilitation of Phases II and III of the Halsema Highway, particularly the portion from Mount Data to Bontoc and Bontoc to Banaue, Ifugao, and the P3.2-billion upgrading of the Bontoc-Tabuk-Tuguegarao Road.

Livelihood projects benefit Mt. Province families

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The provincial government has allotted P875,508 for livelihood projects in this province with 290 households as original beneficiaries, 66 of which engaged in goat raising, 174 engaged in hog raising, 33 household engaged in duck raising and 17 in cattle raising.

Since not all members of the organizations benefited during the distribution, a re-dispersal scheme of the project shall be done by the organizations to the other members to have access of the program.

Evelyn Payacda of the Provincial Governor’s Office said some of the original beneficiaries re-dispersed to the second in line beneficiaries wherein 14 heads of goats were re-dispersed to 14 households; 30 heads of piglets to 30 households; and 104 heads of ducklings to 21 households, for a total of 88 households beneficiaries for the second in line.

Other livelihood projects funded were blacksmith and iron works in Sadanga town which received P100,000.

The organization is successfully operating and was able to produce various agricultural tools sold in and outside the province.

The Balangao Women’s organization of Natonin was given one sewing machine and one zigzag machines worth P10,000 each.

For vegetable production, the Bauko vegetable farmers were given P20,000 which they successfully implemented in 2007.

They were able to roll over to other seven farmers while Paracelis farmers who received P10,000 have implemented the project last December and winery production was given P40,000.

The successful implementation of these projects was due to the strict monitoring of the projects jointly being conducted by the staff of the Municipal Agriculturist where the project is implemented and Payacda, who is in-charge of the project. -- Juliet B. Saley

Two fishermen blast selves with dynamite

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan- Two fishermen who tried to catch fish by means of dynamite last week were seriously wounded after the dynamite they were using blasted themselves instead in Barangay Capandanan, this town.

Supt. Harris Fama, chief of police here, identified the victims as Zaldy Salva, 40 and Virgilio Castro, 39, married and both residents of Barangay Capandanan this town.

According to Fama, a concerned citizen called up Lingayen police station informing the police that there were victims of dynamite fishing along the Lingayen gulf. Immediately, investigator SPO2 Mardy delos Santos was send off to verify the report.

At this juncture, Fama said his men were able to rescue the two victims swimming on their own blood at the coastal area.

Interview with the two victims, Fama said, revealed that when Salva was about to throw a dynamite into the water, the dynamite prematurely exploded causing major injury to both of them.

The explosion severed his right hand which caused his fingers to be amputated while Castro sustained several injuries in his body.

Mayor Ernesto Jonas Castaneda earlier pronounced an all out campaign against illegal fishing along Lingayen Gulf and ordered Fama to tighten surveillance not only on those who are supplying dynamites but unscrupulous illegal fishers.

Fama said he will endorse to Castaneda deputization of selected fishermen to serve as fish wardens and who will enforce fishing laws and monitor the coastal area of Lingayen.-Mar T Supnad

Umalis vs Josons showdown ilooms in 2010 N Ecija polls

By Liam Anacleto

CABANATUAN CITY– An Umali-Umali tandem against a Joson-Joson team-up is looming in the 2010 local elections in Nueva Ecija as incumbent Gov. Aurelio Umali is reportedly eyeing to tap his younger brother as his running mate against comebacking former three-term congresswoman Josie Manuel-Joson and Vice Gov. Edward Thomas Joson.

Reliable sources said Umali is considering his brother Anthony as his vice gubernatorial running mate under the Lakas-Kampi-CMD banner to wrest control of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in 2010.

Streamers of the younger Umali are seen prominently displayed in many towns and cities of the province. Anthony has also reportedly sought the endorsement and support of various groups for his candidacy.

Earlier, the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija of the Josons, announced the fielding of Josie Manuel-Joson, wife of former vice governor Mariano Cristino Joson, as its standard-bearer for governor in 2010 with Edward Thomas as his running mate. Manuel-Joson is a former colleague of Umali in the House of Representatives.

International seaport to rise in Sual, Pangasinan

By Jerry Padilla

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza has given the go-signal for the construction of an international seaport in Sual town, Gov. Amado Espino Jr. said.

Espino said last week the project will be a joint venture of the national, provincial and municipal governments.

Under the agreement, the provincial government and the municipality of Sual would earmark P200 million and P100 million, respectively, and the national government, through the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Department of Transportation and Communication, P100 million each.

“This is a long-overdue project, a dream that is coming true,” he said.

Espino said it is ironic that fuel and fertilizer products are landed in Poro Point, La Union or in Subic even as Pangasinan accounts for more than 60 percent of the demand for these products in the entire Ilocos region (Region 1).

This translates into additional cost and time of transport, he said.

With the seaport, the province will gain huge benefits like employment, tapping of support services, setting up of new industries, exports of rich mineral products and other opportunities that will bring a lot of economic activities, he added.

Espino said 20 investors have signified their intention to locate at the port, which is among the special projects under the governor’s 10-point major development thrust to bring progress to the province.

Espino said he is meeting with Sual Mayor John Rodney Arcinue and PPA port management officer Silverio Mangaoang Jr. to finalize the details of the seaport’s construction.

6 nabbed for carjacking Baguio City-bound van;Cops rescue passengers

By Mar T. Supnad

URDANETA CITY, Pangasinan – City police here nabbed four carjackers/kidnappers and rescued two of their victims at a checkpoint Thursday in front of the PUNP school along Maharlika Highway here in Barangay San Vicente.

Urdaneta City police chief Supt Rodolfo Castil said the rescued victims, identified as Zenaida Gaza-Lorenzo, 58, and Cecilia Gasa, 50, were bound for Baguio City aboard their Toyota Hi-Ace Van (RGE-343) when they were held at gunpoint around 4 p.m. by the suspects at a gas station in Barangay Saitan, Rosario, La Union.

The suspects then drove the vehicle taking with them the two victims.

Swiftly setting up a checkpoint upon receipt of the reported incident, members of the Urdaneta police led by Insp Gerard Antonio intercepted and recovered the stolen vehicle, rescued the victims, and apprehended the four suspects identified as: Mark Rey Bautista, 25, of Manila and resident of Angeles City; Edwin Solis, 23, of Marikina City; Jayson Ceneta, 22 of Laguna and resident of Pasay City; and Arjay Afable, 21of Iloilo.

In Camp Florendo, Chief Supt. Ramon Gatan, Region 1 police director, commnded Urdanety police for arresting the suspects.

The police also recovered from the suspects one Cal. 45 pistol with magazine and six bullets, two packaging tapes, and two bags containing the suspects’ clothes.

This, as the safehouse of the four suspects arrested yielded a stolen car and undetermined volume of shabu and marijuana.

Senior Supt. Jesus Manubay, head of the Highway Patrol Group in Region 1, said operatives of HPG-Pangasinan led by Chief Insp. Romeo Mon, HPG-Tarlac and policemen in Moncada, Tarlac discovered the safehouse Saturday in Barangay Camanggaan East in Moncada, Trlac during a follow-up operation.

“The vehicle, a red Nissan Sentra owned by the Lion Chemical Corp. was seized by the same suspects after they pointed a gun to the driver, a certain Rhoda Visconde and a female companion, while they are at a foodchain along Barangay Pag-asa, Quezon City on the night of June 13,” Manubay said, quoting his report to HPG Director Orlando Mabutas.

Manubay said the raiding team, witnessed by barangay officials, also recovered inside the car eight plastic sachets of shabu and 29 sachets of marijuana.

Manubay said Visconde and his companion identified two of the suspects as the perpetrators in the car theft while one of the suspects admitted they held the victim and stole her vehicle.

Manubay said they will file charges against the suspects in Quezon City while the Rosario police filed carjacking, kidnapping and illegal possession of firearm against them.

Remembering Michael ‘Ka Tarius’ Reyes, martyr

Letter to the Editor

The 503rd Brigade, acting as security forces for big mining interests in Abra, and in pursuit of the Arroyo regime’s hallucination of “reducing the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army to an inconsequential force” before the end of it’s term in June 2010, recently mounted military operations in Abra, and committed violations of human rights and international conventions on the rules of war.

On June 6, troops of the 50th IB, 503rd Brigade engaged NPA guerillas in two firefights in Tubo, Abra. At 8:30 am, a team of NPA guerillas encountered operating troops at Inapo, Barangay Beew and a brief firefight ensued, with no casualties on both sides.

At 1:15 p.m. another firefight occurred at Layaban, Barangay Beew. The NPA guerillas, outnumbered and outmaneuvered, were forced to retreat due to heavy gunfire, leaving behind a slain comrade, as it was impossible to retrieve the body without endangering more lives of the NPA guerillas.

The main focus of enemy fire was the position of Michael “Ka Tarius” Reyes, the slain NPA cadre. Michael “Ka Tarius” Reyes hails from Poblacion Lacub, Abra. Coming from a poor peasant family, Ka Tarius saw the need for revolution at a young age.

In high school, he was one of the active leaders of the Youth Organizing Group, and was tasked to lead the group when their leaders earlier joined the NPA. His college education was shortened by financial constraints and by his decision to join the NPA in 2002.

The soft-spoken young comrade earned his way to the CPP-NPA leadership because of his seriousness and perseverance in work, selflessness, discipline, and intelligent and skillful performance of his duties and responsibilities.

He was a squad leader and a member of the platoon command, and is in the leadership of the party branch of NPA unit. He was a loving and responsible son, and commanded the respect of his family even as he is the third among siblings .

Before going back to his unit in South Abra, Ka Tarius came from Lacub to visit his ailing father and made sure that support systems were set-up; his visit was unceremoniously cut by 503rd Brigade operations in Lacub in mid-February.

Family members were immediately informed of the incident, and as early as June 7, the family and town mates of Ka Tarius began mobilization to retrieve his body. Because of communication problems, details were unavailable at that time and the search had a difficult start.

The search delegation coordinated with the municipal government and the Barangay, and with the traditional leaders in the locality, and got the full support of the people. They pleaded to the officers of the 50th IB in the area to allow them to search the battle area in Layaban on humanitarian grounds, to no avail. The search delegation, grieving and tired, came back to Bangued after four days in the area, frustrated at the inhumane treatment of the 50th IB.

Why is the 50th IB preventing the people and the family of Michael “Ka Tarius” Reyes from searching the area and retrieving the body? The 503rd Brigade has a long list of human rights violations in Ilocos and in Abra.

The 50th IB in particular had been tagged as responsible for the extra-judicial killing of Pepe Manegdeg, a peasant leader of Ilocos; and the desecration of the body of Ka Braga and of Sammy Rey “Ka Cholo” Cayago by crushing their bodies and face beyond recognition.

The 41st IB, on the other hand, added in its long list of human rights violations in North-Central Abra, the four-day illegal detention and harassment of three civilians in Cubcuba, Bangilo, Malibcong during it’s failed precision-target operations on the last week of May, 2009. It is not far-fetched that the 50th IB again desecrated the body of Michael “Ka Tarius” Reyes. s.

The life of the 26 year-old Michael “Ka Tarius” Reyes NPA son of Abra was ended by bullets from enemy fire, but his shining example will inspire more youth to follow the road to revolution.

Diego Wadagan
Spokesperson
Agustin Begnalen Command
CPP-NPA

La Trinidad chicken dung and Baguio batching plants

EDITORIAL

Despite the administration’s purported drive on caring for the environment, it seems some local government units are not doing their jobs well.

In Barangay Shilan in La Trinidad, Benguet, residents are mad about the sale of chicken dung and are doing steps to minimize if not stop it considering hazards it poses to their health despite reported lackluster support from the municipal government.

In nearby Camp 7, Baguio thousands of irate residents living along Kennon Road have upped their complaints against operations of two cement batching plants which disrupted their peaceful living conditions. These are two examples of how constituents are reacting to seemingly slow government action to their plight.

In the case of Baguio, the uproar of residents came after the city government was criticized for being blind on existence of an ordinance banning the operation of batching plants in any part of this mountain resort city because of its serious negative impact to the state of environment and the health of the people, especially in populated areas like in Camp 7.

What irked the residents was the blatant defiance of the batching plant operators to voluntarily remove their equipment in the area which they earlier committed during a consultation with local officials last month. One of the batching plants which is reportedly owned by a certain Mr. Tan was undergoing construction when the ordinance banning the same was approved sometime in March 2007.

The owner still proceeded in completing the cement batching plants and making it operational despite effectivity of the local law thereby belittling the campaign of the local government on illegal business operations and the protection of the environment as well as the health of the residents in the area.

Lawyer Melchor Carlos Rabanes, city legal officer, gave the “green light” for the personnel of the city mayor’s public order and safety division to close the operation of the illegal batching plants since they have no building permits, they violated the zoning ordinance of the city when they were erected within a residential area and they do not have business permits.

To this date, the two batching plants continue to operate in front of the noses of Barangay and city officials which has already gotten the ire of people living in the vicinity of the plants who are frequently disturbed by their operations.

Some residents said it is unfortunate that the city government could run after illegal vendors in the streets and deprive them of a descent source of living while they could not even effect a legitimate ordinance which is posing a serious threat to the environment and the health of residents.
Others said if the city government tolerates illegal business operations such as that of the batching plants, then they have no moral ascendancy to run after small vendors in the market who pay their small fees with the city treasurer’s office.

In numerous interviews with local media outfits, Baguio Mayor Reinaldo A. Bautista Jr. claimed he had already closed the operation of the batching plants but the fact remains the cement batching plants continue to disturb the peaceful living conditions in the area.

The concerned residents challenged local officials to have the political will in closing down the operation of the batching plants and not take them for a ride by their obvious political statements just to apiece them by claiming to have acted on their complaints while satisfying the desire of the batching plant operators to remain in the place forever. Is somebody listening in the city government?

How are funds to fight A/H1N1 flu being used?

BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon

Will somebody from the Baguio General Hospital please explain why the BGH is charging P4,000 for a swab to determine if one has A (H1N!) virus?

A Camp John Hay employee complained that he didn’t proceed with the swab check because of the exorbitant price. What is it with a swap that it is too expensive? For laymen like us, our unspecialized minds think it is just scraping something from the tongue with a thin strip of wood or something after which the saliva is checked for virus or bacteria.

Before this issue gets blown up in the media particularly by our friends in broadcast, I suggest BGH officials should come up with an explanation. Some of our colleagues tried to talk to BGH officials but they have reportedly remained mum on the matter.

You see, what is perplexing is that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has reportedly released P150 million budget for the country's fight against the influenza A (H1N1) disease wherein the BGH was supposed to have received from in the fight against the disease. If the BGH received its share of the fund, should it still charge P4,000 for a swab?

According to deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo in a press briefing last week in Malacanang, there was enough funds to combat the dreaded virus which has already infected scores of people nationwide...

Fajardo said the budget was in place and should Health Secretary Francisco Duque III ask for more assistance from Malacañang, the national coffers and the regular budget of the Department of Health could be used to combat the disease.

”The budget which the President released covers expenses of hospitals monitoring cases under observation (CUOs), laboratory expenses, training of personnel on A/H1N1, personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gas masks and gowns, and stockpiling of Tamiflu medicine,” Fajardo said. She said director Yolanda Oliveros of the National Center for Disease and Prevention and Control Center (NCDPC) handled the logistics against A/H1N1.

President Arroyo directed the DOH last week "to do everything within its means" to contain the spread of the influenza A/H1N1 virus, which had forced school authorities to postpone for a week the opening of classes in private schools, colleges and universities.

Ms Arroyo also asked the National Disaster Coordinating Council to help the DOH in preventing the spread of the flu virus and educating the people on what steps to take in case the disease contracted them.

This, as DOH Secretary Francisco T. Duque III urged school authorities across the country to continue reporting to their respective local government executives any unusual occurrence of flu-like symptoms among their students especially those who travelled last summer to countries affected with A (H1N1).

Duque made this call as he reported 23 more confirmed mild A (H1N1) cases that are related to the cluster of schools that have already voluntarily suspended their classes due to the virus. These schools include De La Salle University Taft, East Asia College, De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, St. Andrews School Parañaque, and Ateneo de Manila High School. The new cases bring the total to 77 mild A (H1N1) confirmed cases. Twenty-three of these 77 mild cases have been discharged.

Duque said increase in cases was due to contact tracing by the DOH. Duque said the 23 new confirmed mild cases are responding well to treatments. He added there is still no community spread yet as the new cases were all traced to one case that earlier caught the virus during a travel to an A (H1N1) affected country.

The 23 new confirmed cases include 19 Filipinos and 4 foreigners. There are 18 males and 5 females with an age range of 8-49 years old. Seven of the new confirmed cases have a history of travel. The said cases traveled to the US and Japan.

Since May 1, the DOH monitored a total of 667 Cases Under Observation (CUOs). Of these, 77 were positive A (H1N1) cases, 85 have pending laboratory results, and 505 were negative and have been discarded. There were 68 new CUOs reported on Wednesday. In a report, the World Health Organization identified 25,288 cases and 139 deaths from 73 reporting countries.

The issue now: Is the DOH judiciously utilizing fund to combat the disease or are some health personnel doing hanky panky with the money? This considering that people are questioning where the funds went or how these are being used like in the case of the BGH.

Betrayal of Edsa

PERRYSCOPE
Perry Diaz

In 1986, twenty three years ago, a new republic was born from the womb of Edsa, fathered by the spirit of People Power. A new generation of Filipinos sprang that she hoped would lead the nation out of the morass of corruption and poverty bred during the dictatorial reign of Ferdinand Marcos. Finally, the people were free once again.

Edsa became the symbol of a nation that aspired to be great. A shrine was built for her to remind the people that freedom lost could take a lifetime to regain. Year after year, the people would gather in front of her shrine to renew their pledge to protect her and her ideals. They promised to fight for the freedom that they regained. They vowed that never again would a dictator emerge.

For the 12 years following the People Power revolution, corruption slowed down under the administrations of Presidents Cory Aquino and Fidel V. Ramos. The country began to recover from the rubbles of the Marcos dictatorship.

In 1998, Joseph Estrada came to power in a landslide election and corruption made a comeback. The grafters, fixers, and influence peddlers were singing “Happy days are here again!”

In 2001, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo came to power by way of a sham People Power revolution which deposed Estrada. Edsa unwillingly relented hoping that Gloria would turn the country around.

But within a few days after she took over the presidency, a major corruption scandal occurred involving Gloria’s Secretary of Justice. Evidently, corruption was seeded into her administration the day she took over the presidency. Edsa was betrayed. They used her to gain power for themselves.

Year after year, corruption scandals were exposed involving the First Family and high government officials. Corruption became the rule rather than the exception. Indeed, corruption is so good that those in administration want to stay longer in their positions of power. As Lord Acton once said, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

With one year left in her term of office, many people are convinced that Gloria would do whatever it takes to remain in power beyond 2010. Two years ago she almost succeeded in getting a Charter change approved through a people’s initiative. However, the Supreme Court rejected the legality of the people’s initiative.

Last May 28, Gloria merged the Lakas-CMD and Kampi parties into one under her leadership. Right after the ceremonies merging the two largest political parties, the word was that Gloria talked to the congressmen behind closed doors. According to leaks from insiders, her marching orders to them were to pass House Resolution 1109 as soon as possible. HR 1109 would convene the House as a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) for the purpose of amending the 1987 constitution… without the Senate. According to news reports, Gloria supposedly promised each congressman P20 million for his or her “yes” vote on HR 1109.

On June 2, the House of Representatives passed -- nay, railroaded -- HR 1109 by voice vote. The debate was cut short denying the few oppositionists an opportunity to speak out against HR 1109. But what could the handful of oppositionists have done? Tyranny of the majority prevailed. Once again, Edsa was betrayed.

In my opinion, by passing a resolution to amend the 1987 constitution without the participation of the Senate is a blatant disregard for the rule of law. Any way you look at it, the Senate is an integral part of Congress. No law can pass Congress without the approval of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, voting separately. It has always been that way and HR 1109 shouldn’t be an exception.

It is common knowledge that once Gloria steps down, plunder charges would be filed against her just like what happened to Estrada. And it is also common knowledge that Gloria was the prime mover in the prosecution and conviction of Estrada for plunder. And if the opposition wins in the presidential elections in 2010, Gloria could be brought to justice. As the saying goes, “What goes around comes around.”

The day after HR 1109 was passed by the House, the Senate reaffirmed its stand against the Senate and the House voting jointly in a Constituent Assembly. Many people believe that the ulterior motive behind HR 1109 was to create a constitutional issue; hence, the need for the Supreme Court to interpret the constitution vis-à-vis HR 1109. With 12 of the 15 Supreme Court justices appointed by Gloria, I would not be surprised if the High Court would overwhelmingly rule in favor HR 1109. But who knows? There are a few good men and women in the High Court who might be able to prevail upon their colleagues to look at the issue judiciously and conscientiously.

If the Supreme Court agrees with HR 1109, it will pave the way for Charter change. If the Supreme Court rejects HR 1109, Con-Ass will die and Gloria would have to step down from the presidency in June 2010, a prospect many people believe would horrify Gloria.

But there was one good thing that came out of the passage of HR 1109. It was another wake-up call for mass action. Indeed, protests and demonstrations in various cities in the country were held yesterday, June 10, and more would be coming. They were organized by the religious sector and civil society.

The people are now beginning to see what those in power are trying to do, which is to perpetuate themselves in power. And when power comes into play, the only way to stop it is counter-power. Sir Isaac Newton’s third law -- “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction” -- has been proven time and time again without exception. This law applies to science as well as with people. History tells us that. And history always has a way of repeating itself. Recent developments seem to manifest that history might just be repeating itself as a result of the passage HR 1109.

In the end, the children of Edsa would come to her defense and avenge the humiliation she suffered from those who betrayed her. That would be poetic justice.
(PerryDiaz@gmail. com)

Bowing out gracefully

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO
March Fianza

Those who voted for House Resolution 1109 which calls upon members of Congress to convene as a constituent assembly for the purpose of amending or revising the constitution have already said as much to justify their move, still that was not enough to stop people from being suspicious.

The congressmen led by Speaker Nograles even “promised” to abide by at least four conditions that they wrote in their covenant but even that is doubtful. The conditions are – (1) the term of office of the incumbent President and Vice-President shall not be extended; (2) the term of office of senators, congressmen, governors, mayors, and other elected officials whose terms of office all end in 2010 shall not be extended; (3) the term of office of the 12 Senators who were elected in 2007 for a six-year term ending in 2013 shall not be shortened and so they shall be allowed to finish their terms; and (4) elections will push through in 2010.

Whoever believes that the lawmakers will stand by their word has a brain as faulty. These conditions are not binding, according to some congressmen allied with the administration. Nothing is new here as there were already hundreds of resolutions and House Bills with “binding” conditions that were broken in the past.

And also, there are some congressmen allied with the administration who voted for the measure. Their reasons for signing the covenant are tied only to the fact that they are after the pork barrel that they will distribute in their respective districts. One of them said he was being practical. But, what is there to being practical when the principle is lost?

Aside from those who were against it, there are also some legislators who do not think that HR 1109 will push through, especially without the senate. They are not sold to the “magic” of Nograles because they are well aware that Congress is made up of two distinct and separate chambers, and each chamber must first approve a resolution calling its respective Members to convene as a constituent assembly. Then and only then can they propose amendments and revisions to the Constitution

The more compelling reason why a majority of the administration’s allies voted for HR 1109 was that they, contrary to the conditions, want to stay in power beyond their term and signing it was the surest way to being just that. Unless they are eyeing other elective positions in their home provinces or cities, bowing out nicely after their term is not in their agenda.

On the other side, there are other public servants who are already on a hush-hush campaign but who have yet to resign. Nothing in our laws prohibit that except the conscience – if they still have a little of it left… uray bassit laeng.

I am thinking about GMA’s cabinet men who have plans to run for senator, congressman, governor or mayor. They too should resign their appointive positions because they are practically campaigning and spending government funds – two legitimate acts that can not exist without the other.

Early unofficial political campaigning as a personal venture is alright. The same is true with doing one’s duty of implementing a project and spending government funds for it. But secretly campaigning disguised by the act of implementing programs with peoples’ taxes is no longer right. Better to do both things openly – walang pasikre-sikreto.

It is enough that the ‘Edsa’ kind of democracy gave our present leaders the chance to manage the government. But to let them continue governing this country through tricky means will not work this time – unless we will allow ourselves to be cheated once more.

It is time to give way and bow out gracefully. Genuine leaders should know how to relinquish power.

All in the name

THOUGHTS UNLIMITED
Eugene Balitang

The gods had condemned Sisyphus to ceaselessly roll a rock to the top of the mountain, whence the rock would fall back of its own weight. They had thought with some reason that there is no more dreadful punishment than futile and hopeless labor.–The Myth of Sisyphus

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- A mediocre lawyer in a law office that carries a big name. That’s me. Or rather, that’s what I have become. Ok, let’s talk about the law offices in an attempt to market it to the hordes of would-be clientele, or as a logical first topic. After all, we got to start somewhere before we move on to unlimited fields. And we shall begin by weaving a portrait of the stable from where this self-declared poet who has undertaken this endeavor towards literary fame is nestled. Here goes…

In the City of Baguio , practicing under a law office that carries a name of character and integrity has its ups and downs, the delineations are very much apparent like our double-edged hinalong. For one, you would be accorded the respect deserving of the office name by your brethren in the Bar and, to a certain extent, in the Bench. And that, the performance expected of you will be in direct proportion to the esteem and prestige accorded to the name of your office. Conversely, you will bear the wrath of vengeance of those who have bled blood for the glory of the name you now carry.

The friends in the profession that the Boss has made and kept during his 21-year law practice became quite naturally our friends also. Personally, I was given some leeway in my bungling performance by these friendly judges and opposing counsels. Some even go out of their way to lend a hand in shaping me up in my chosen profession.

But the downside is, the legal gladiators who have bled blood from the sword of the Boss in many legal combats have eaten us alive in and out of the courtroom arena. It is on these occasions where I have felt my mediocrity. At least, the Boss did not forget to forewarn us. Roll with the punches, he always advised. Roll with the punches and get in the ring again. Fall if we must, but rise we must, too. Die another day.

The clients are a different story. Their expectations are sometimes way beyond our utmost capacities. Many a time have I told clients how much I am sorry for not being half the legal eagle the Boss is no matter how hard I try. In fact, some clients have withdrawn their cases from the office after the Boss took his oath as solon for the lone district of Ifugao. Some withdrew afterwards when they realized that we are not at par with the man whose name our office carries. Others wanted the quality and speed of service expected of the Boss that we, most often, cannot match – these clients would later claim that we are not minding their cases (and report it to the Boss).

But you could say I am lucky. I joined the office at a time when the Boss was still around to teach the basic rudiments of the profession. And for this, I am forever grateful and indebted. In the year and a month that I have trekked the narrow road under his guidance, I could honestly say I was ready to fly on my own when he took his dazzling exit from the race. But alas, when the rest of the Falcons came aboard, I knew I am a poor mentor in their solitary trek on the narrow path. Though I was an avid student of the art of courtroom drama, I cannot teach it myself.

The situation in the City of Baguio is similar here in our Province of Ifugao as far as law practice under the office is concerned-but with some very heavy additives. The expectations are very much similar-and more. Here, practice and politics are Siamese twins.

Looking back, I guess there was an unknown hand that muddled the circumstances and played with our pitiful mortal lives. Destiny? Or karma? Honestly, I had intended to carry the torch the Boss had passed on until it’s time to pass it on to somebody more worthy of the fame the name of the office carries. And this I had planned to do in the City of Baguio . But then the wind changed its course and I was blown sky high unknowingly. I became a husband and a father in the year that I am about to start carrying the flaming torch that is the office, or rather, the name of the office.

We have mentioned time and again that hunger is a constant friend in the narrow road of law practice. I have been in more hunger-ridden paths before and I wouldn’t have minded walking another road of this nature. But alas, what kind of man is he who lets his wife and son share the hunger unnecessarily, no matter how lofty the journey may be. So we came home and decided to stay – for good. At least, life in the province for a mediocre lawyer with a family is more bearable than in the city, unless you have your roots in the city in the first place.

And so here I am in the province plying my trade and earning the dough for tomorrow’s bread. Doing my mediocre best for the glory of the profession and the name of the office. Upholding the esteem with which it is held high under the surrounding circumstances. So far, it is no easy feat. But we try hard each day to move on. Die another day.

Half of the poor souls who flock the law office here in Lagawe since we started operating last June of this year are actually not after our legal services. Their concerns range from contracts, scholarships, jobs, promotions down to recommendations and things related to the Boss in his political self and not as a legal eagle. Time and again have I explained to these lost souls that there is now a Congressional District Office right at the heart of Lagawe – and more importantly, there is an official Congressional District Officer, a lawyer to boot, who is responsible for all political matters concerning the Boss here in the province. Some understand. Some stubbornly insist that I am the nearest plate to the stove, thanks to my mom who still harbors the thought that I am the right-hand man. Uh, mothers!

Alas, half of the hombres who come for our legal services are por pabor. Pro-bono. After all, isn’t it the office of the congressman? Indeed. But once in a while when I’m in the mood, I tell our clients that the law office is independent of the Boss as a politician. What he lent us was only his name and the prestige that goes with it - but we still have to pay Don Oscar whenever we get our office supplies at Lagawe Trading. We have to pay the postal corporation when we send out legal pleadings and official communications-even if the client is a charity case since he is a volunteer political leader of the Boss (complete with his appointment papers). If the mood hits me, I refer them to the best lawyer in town-the Legendary Public Attorney (after all, he claims that PAO is an extension of the CLO).

We’ve hung a billboard carrying the name of the office in kilometric dimension just the other day without bugles and drums-even our office secretary, R-33, did not notice. But what the heck! Billboard or no billboard, we are already branded like cows. The name is already attached to us-or rather, we are already attached to the name, no matter how hard we deny it. We will rise and fall with the Boss-be it in the legal arena or in the political battlefield. This is our tragedy. Our destiny. Our pitiful life. All in the name… (reprinted from Thoughts Unlimited, November 2002)

A senseless death

RAIN OF FIRE
Cesar G. Bonilla

LAOAG CITY -- The death of Eddie Gregorio, favorite son of Barangay. Calambeg, Piddig, Ilocos Norte who was a lawyer and scholar, has shocked the community of peace-loving citizens in Ilocos Norte.

His colleagues in the legal profession specially the president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Ilocos Norte Chapter mourned the demise of a good friend who was killed night of June 12 here by alleged hired killers.

A humble and idealistic fellow, he pursued his ambition in different branches of knowledge but unfortunately, his colorful life was silenced permanently at the age of 28. He left the world with people who have known him crying and demanding justice for his violent death.

The last time I saw Gregorio was during graduation exercises of Northwestern University where he was a recipient of the prestigious honor and recognition being a summa cum laude as master of arts in public administration at the Vedasto J. Samonte school of graduate studies in the same university.

He was also a recipient of the most coveted award being one of the most treasured sons of Piddig on the occasion of the town fiesta where prominent personalities were invited to witness awarding of plaques of recognition to outstanding achievers of this well-known municipality.

Piddig had been enshrined in history as the site of the famous Basi Revolt aside from the fact that the courage and patriotic spirit of Piddigenos enamored visiting dignitaries and foreign visitors from different parts of the globe. I cannot imagine why a man of God like Eddie was the target of this barbaric act of violent killing.

For all I know, our locality has been tagged as peaceful and worthy to be the haven of God-fearing Ilocanos. If lawyers, policemen, politicians, and other influential people are victims of criminal elements, how can the civilian populace protect itself from blood-thirsty criminals or parasites whose despicable mission is to heighten the agony of loved ones of poor victims?

The gory scenes in the province must come to an end. The justice system must be used for peaceful resolution of these heartbreaking occurrences. Let us pray that justice be served to all victims and relatives of violence and barbaric killings. Condolence to the Gregorio family.

Displaying ‘wild Igorot savages’

HAPPY WEEKEND
Gina Dizon

“It was wrong of the United States government to allow the display of peoples from the Philippines for amusement,” editor John Dyte of ‘The Igorot’, official publication of Igorot Global Organization said.

Some 50 Igorots were exhibited as “dog-eating” Filipinos during World Fairs as St Louis Fair in 1904 and the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition (AYPE) in 1909. The Igorots were made to eat dogs almost every day in the exhibited Igorot Village in 1909. Same scenario was seen earlier in the 1904 St Louis Missouri Fair. The Igorots were part of a thousand Filipinos who were displayed during these early 19th century Fairs.

Australia-based Steffani Murray who traces her roots from the Mountain Province reminded fellow Igorots to heed the 1909 event, saying , “ no one should have to be paraded like freaks be they humans or animals. We’ve come a long way since then.”
During the 2009 centennial celebration held in Seattle recently first week of June, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels was quick to acknowledge the wrong done in 1909.

In his speech during the opening AYPE ceremonies, Nickels said, “what our people did to your people in 1909 is an embarrassment to us and had it happened during our time, we would have never stood for it”.

As the event proceeded, Seattle-based Fil- Ams affiliated with Anakbayan demanded for public apology from the University of Washing ton and the City of Seattle for a ‘historic wrong’ done in 1909. They called the event as ‘racist’ which created stereotypes of Filipinos.

However, while she acknowledged the statement of Mayor Nickles, Mia Apolinar- Abeya, descendant of one of the Igorot participants to the 1904 and 1909 Fairs, said in her letter to Anakbayan-Seattle, “to ask a society that was not even present a hundred years ago to apologize for “displaying” our ancestors in a degrading fashion is a moot point by now”.
With the conduct of Fairs which apparently were meant to educate the public on the existence of ethnic tribes from different parts of the world, racial discrimination continues to be experienced especially amongst colored races through the stretch of the 19th century on to the early part of the 20th century. Critics say these freak Fairs instead legitimized racial discrimination.

Racial discrimination rears its ugly head at this present times such that Seattle Fil-Ams in their public campaign said, “many Filipino-Americans in Seattle and across the United States continue to be called racial slurs such as “dog-eaters”.

In the hope that the Igorot will be better appreciated of who he/she is and that she/he is one among the rest of the peoples as human with a distinct culture, the Igorot village was re-enacted as part of the three-day annual Pagdiriwang event of Seattle, with activities as rice pounding, rice-wine making, basket weaving, and woodcarving, and showing of an Igorot legend called Sleeping Beauty.

This year’s theme, "Igorot Village Revisited, honors the Igorot people of the Philippine island of Luzon as a tribute to the centennial of the tribe’s participation in the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition”. Dyte and other members of an Igorot panel who discussed related issues during the AYPE centennial celebration said, Igorots who were led to the 1909 AYPE in Seattle entered so under an employer-employee relationship. They said the Igorots were paid for their services. Dyte and the rest of the panel including Maria Luz Fang-asan and US –based Fred Cordova, Albert Bacdayan and Petra Angpao-Durrance were one in saying the Igorots were “were not coerced.”

The 2009 centennial celebration of the AYPE Centennial Celebration was jointly celebrated by the Filipino American Historical Society, the Filipino Cultural Heritage Society of Washington, BIBAK Pacific Northwest (PNW), BIMAAK District of Columbia (DC) and BIBAK British Columbia.

The City of Seattle gave a city grant in the amount of $5000.00 to fund the building of five huts for the Igorot Village, Gloria Golocan, PRO of BIBAK Pacific NW reports.
Michael Herschensohn from the Mayor’s office and Chair of the AYPE celebration said that BIBAK “efforts should be recognized by the larger Filipino community which in my view must make absolutely sure that there is an Igorot presence at every Pagdiriwang.” The $5,000 is part of the 2008 proposed budget of Seattle Mayor Nickels which provides $200,000 to begin preparations for the 2009 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific-Expedition (AYPE) centennial celebration.

The 1909 event opened its doors to the world with the first AYPE bringing Seattle worldwide recognition as an ambitious port city and commercial center of the Pacific coast. The 1909 AYPE was the first event to feature the Pacific Northwest on the scale of a World’s Fair and attracted 3.7 million visitors to what has since become the University of Washington campus.

It was in 1909 when the harsh realities of World War I and the Great Depression were years away that civic leaders decided it was ‘time to put Seattle on the map’ and stage the global AYPE to attract more residents and trade in both national and international dimensions.

Balat sibuyas councilors

BULL’S HIT
Rudy Garcia

The influenza A(H1N1) still holds the limelight and as of this writing, those confirmed positively affected by this virus in the Philippines jumped to 1,709 and still rising. The Dept. of Health reported 1,485 of them recovered but people are not convinced this scare is not that alarming.

The Lower House declared a break after one employee died after being confirmed positive of AH1N1. Recently another one was found positive after they were about to resume session. Maybe some people who are anti-Con-Ass did well with their prayers.

Perhaps they were serious in asking the Almighty to heed their protest or maybe sought help from mambubunongs who whispered furiously to the Gods to stop those nincompoops at the Lower House who are making fastbreak moves so their Con-Ass ball would make it to the hoop.

But, whether we like it or not, the Lower House will resume and again would start dribbling their Con-Ass ball and try to score three point highs to win before the whistle blows for the time out.
Hey, swine means pork, and the deadliest virus that is always hitting bull’s eye our men and women at the Lower House is the pork or swine (barrel) flu that is surely rolling to those chosen few who are obeying every order coming from that house beside the Pasig River.

Nevertheless, one of the drug manufacturers in the Philippines has discovered a vaccine against this AH1N1virus and is reportedly ready to market it to other countries. If this pushes through, then this banana republic would be standing firm against all odds amid the global crisis and its ailing economy. Hope some crooked officials would not take this as an opportunity to fill their pockets.
***
On the other hand, Baguio city and some areas in the Cordillera are among those who are being monitored by the DOH on this AH1N1 outbreak. A student in one of the schools in Baguio was found positive of the virus, but not enough for its people to chill or panic.

They are concerned more on the health hazards brought by the garbage and killer usok of smoke belching vehicles. They are afraid more of those grandstanding politicians who are now campaigning early than this AH1N1 scare outbreak. Various sectors are now becoming more impatient.
***

Did the sala sa lamig, sala sa init virus hit some Baguio councilors? Lo and behold, for some of them showed a character of this when the issue of the questionable titling of the Forbes Park in South Drive was brought to their attention. First, it was this certain councilor who proposed a resolution declaring persona non grata a media man and Lnis Gobyerno director who happened expose this alleged irregularity on his column and a two page opinion article in a weekly newspaper.

Perhaps this councilor wants to shoot or kill the messenger rather than clearing the issue. Then again, another balat sibuyas councilor made comments on the publisher who was invited by the city council for a seeming showdown of positions regarding said issue.

I can only say bull s**t to this councilor who branded the columnist and maybe some of the writers as yellow journalists. This councilor lawyer who heads the education committee should learn more about journalism. Meantime, it’s better for him to shut his mouth rather than talking too much nonsense.

Also, it’s a disgust to note that some of these councilors are onion skinned on matters they are asked to answer on allegations against them but they are obviously thick faced when they have been silent on the past not having acted as early before this “mother of all scams” in the city was exposed.

It’s really a wonder why they have been silent when this thing happened right under their noses? I could just guess it right!

Economic and scientific cooperation

NO HOLDS BARRED
By Ike Señeres

MANILA -- June 18 was a very important day for my TV show. It was the day when I had the honor of having Ambassador Edsel T. Custodio as my guest. The good Ambassador is now the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs for International Economic Relations (IER). He is also the Senior Official Minister of the Philippines for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum.

July 2 also became a very important day for my show. It was the day when Deputy Director General Rolando G. Tungpalan of the National Economic Development Authority was guest in my show. He is also concurrently the Official Economic Spokesperson of the government, in tandem with Prof. Gary B. Olivar who also holds the same title.

Already a regular guest in my show, Prof. Olivar will now be joined by Usec Custodio and Usec Tungpalan as regular guests, thus establishing my show as a major source of official information about economic matters, a very critical need for my audience that is generally composed of stock traders, analysts, investors, businessmen and entrepreneurs.

Economic information is one thing, economic cooperation is another. Knowing the nature of their work, I could already see that these three professionals could contribute greatly to the consensus to work towards economic cooperation, a consensus that has gradually emerged among my regular guests.

I know Edsel from way back, when I was still a Press Attaché and he was still a Trade Attaché. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is very fortunate to have him, considering his wealth of experience in trade promotion, his main function now. I also know Gary from way back. We were both University Councilor in UP Diliman, although he belonged to an earlier Council. Just recently, he became my professor in Language of Business (LOB) for Journalists, a short course that I took at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM).

Dr. Ernie Gonzales, President of National Economic Protection Association (NEPA) is a native of Pateros and is among the many long term residents of his community who wants to their portion of the Pasig River come back to life again. Also a regular guest in my TV program, Ernie and I discussed the fact that both the Mekong River and the Ohio River were brought back to life, giving us the hope that the Pasig River, or at least their portion of it could also be resurrected.

What could possibly be the connection between Edsel, Ronnie, Gary and Ernie? As head of the DFA-IER and APEC-SOM, Edsel has direct access to many material and human resources that could be harnessed towards the goal of river clean-ups. As joint Economic Spokesmen, Ronnie and Gary are in a position to support economic initiatives, including environmental actions. As head of NEPA, Ernie has a large mass base that could also be mobilized towards this goal.

It was Mr. Joseph Reynolds who first told me about the fact that the Pateros River is in effect no longer a river, because it has practically become a dumpsite for garbage, with hardly any water to see. He suggested that any attempt to clean up the river should also be accompanied by massive tree planting, to prevent further erosion and to strengthen the water holding capabilities of the river banks.

As I told him about our plan to clean up the Pateros River, Joe brought forward the argument that the best place to start the clean up is the Sierra Madre mountain range, because not unless these mountains are cleaned, debris from it will always flow into the river system that includes the rest of the Pasig River, Laguna Lake and Manila Bay as well.

Joe is a man of action, and he has the real track record of actually being able to revive fifty hectares of denuded mountains, bringing it back almost to the natural forest that God had made. I believe that he is right, but now he has awakened us to the reality that it is not enough to clean our rivers, we must also clean the mountains where the debris comes from. We are facing a big task ahead of us, but with the help of Edsel, we could bring in the foreign scientists who could provide the scientific solutions to this big problem.

Watch my TV show “Bears & Bulls”, a daily coverage of the Philippine Stock Exchange. 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in Global News Network. Email iseneres@yahoo.com or text +639293605140 for local cable listings.

Domestic violence

TRAILS UP NORTH
Glo Abaeo Tuazon

BAGUIO CITY -- The “Save Our Women Movement” recently held a forum entitled “Understanding victims and survivors of domestic and intimate relationship violence at the CRC Hall of the Bishops House in Baguio.

The activity was basically a forum geared towards spreading awareness to realities of horrible effects of violence against the so called weaker sex. Patricia Ann Gallardo, head of the organization has been conducting similar seminars and workshops for quite a few years already, advocating the cause of battered and abused women in Baguio and surrounding areas.

Herself once a victim, she speaks in behalf of the women who have undergone or still undergoing the same turmoil in life. Most of the battered women have tendencies to keep to themselves and withdraw from the world, not knowing where and whom to run to for help.

In the course of time since the law tightened its grip on these abuses and the abusers, the victims are often left scarred and scared. And most of those who wanted to help do not have sufficient knowledge to deal with them too. This was a very good chance for every concerned entity to have learned the “effective (right) and harmful (wrong) ways of helping and treating victims and survivors.”

Gallardo pointed out the activity was meant to help both laypersons and professional support-persons understand psychological make-up of an abused female partner in order to treat and assist her better.

This forum was opened to the public so that everybody could join, learn and exchange ideas. Concerned community leaders, medical practitioners, law enforcement officers, legal professionals, social workers, guidance counselors and other support-persons were invited to attend.

SOV members spoke on forms of domestic violence, gender insensitivity as root cause of DIV, hard-to-understand psychological make-up of a victim and other issues related to the theme:

Speakers included Judge Jennifer Humiding of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Lagawe-Hingyon, Ifugao, clinical psychologist Dr. Lilian Gandeza, dean of the College of Human Sciences of Saint Louis University; Nicole Loy, founding president and board secretary of SOV, respectively, plus a special guest-survivor. -- Email: twilight_glo@yahoo.com

Tormented Michael Jackson turns to drugs to alienate self

>> Sunday, July 5, 2009

Was Michael Jackson running away from himself? What were his fears? His dependence on prescription drugs must have told extreme pain since he started getting pain killers in 1993 following child molestation charges. Drug addiction was again much pronounced when he went through relatively the same charges in 2003 till the day he died.

What might have been the cause of Michael Jackson’s drug problem apparently took a huge toll on the pop icon one of which might have been his nearly $500 million debt and his previous child molestation charges. Seemingly enabled by people around him, Michael Jackson continued to take drugs which ultimately led to his death.

Drug addiction counselor and author Oscar Bamuhigire, has this to say about Michael Jackson’s drug addiction to pain killers.

“Michael Jackson suffered from one of the worst forms of mental illness, referred to in psychiatry as alienation of the existential self. It was primarily because of this mental illness that he became a drug addict.”

Drug addiction counselor Oscar Bamuhigire commented “alienation of the self is a severe form of self destruction, physical and mental illness.”

Bamuhigire, with more than 12 years of experience as a drug and alcohol addiction counselor says, “In the field of alcoholism and drug addiction treatment, there have always been questions for which there were no satisfactory answers: Is substance abuse a problem of discipline or a disease? Why is it that most alcoholics/ drug addicts do not seek for, or receive treatment? Why is it that only 5- 10% of alcoholics/ drug addicts respond to treatment? Why do untreated addicts have a better chance at breaking the bond of addiction than addicts who get treated? Why has the incidence of recovery without the help of formal treatment continued to rise? Are the successes of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A) nothing more than spontaneous remission?”

Bamuhigire asks, " Why are some people able to quit their addiction without treatment, while others only get worse after treatment? Why does treatment have a negative effect? Why are some treatment programs more effective than others? Why has the world continued to experience a steady increase in the rate of addiction and self destruction? Why is it that 1 in 2 Americans has a diagnosable mental disorder each year, and 81 Americans commit suicide every day? Why do non-Hispanic blacks bear a disproportionate burden of disease, injury, death, and disability? Why do the most successful treatment programs for addicts have a spiritual component? Why do non white people suffer from a high rate of substance abuse and self destruction? Why does Africa have the highest rate of suicide, poverty, and disease in the world?"

In a unique blend of psychology, psychiatry, metaphysics, medicine, orient and western religions, Oscar Bamuhigire provides answers to these and many more questions in The Healing Power Of Self Love. In making his revolutionary contribution to the scientific world, he also explains how addicts can enhance their chances of recovery from addiction through the treatment programs of their choice, by utilizing the ancient tools of discipline, lateral thinking, and insight from the life experiences of the world’s greatest leaders.

Even though this book was initially designed to meet the needs of alcoholics and drug addicts in treatment, it may be of great value to people who are struggling with other types of addiction, and those who are faced with major obstacles to their self-realization or self actualization, Bamuhigire said. The author may be reached at obamuhigire@yahoo.com. /By Gina Dizon

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

© Blogger templates Palm by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP

Web Statistics