The country's flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) said it has readied contingency plans for the planned flight attendants strike at the end of October.
However, PAL spokeswoman Cielo Villaluna hinted that informal channels between PAL and the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP) may still help avert the strike. She did not elaborate.
“Kung full-blown ang hakbang nila may hakbang kami. Gagamit kami ng management crew to take over roles as flight and cabin crew pero limited ang mase-service. Gumagawa kami ng hakbang para ma-avert ang ganitong klaseng situation," Villaluna said in an interview on dzBB radio.
(If the strike becomes full-blown, we have measures in place. We will use management crew to take over as flight and cabin crew although their services will be limited. We are taking all steps to avert a bad situation stemming from the strike.)
Villaluna added that the PAL management may turn to the Labor Department for help if the strike pushes through because PAL is “part of an industry imbued with national interest and the public welfare."
“Formally we are not communicating with FASAP but I believe there are informal channels in reaching out to them to continue mediation efforts," she said.
She tried to downplay the strike, saying it will not happen overnight as there are other processes to be hurdled, like a strike vote, before the actual strike can take place.
“We want to assure the flying public FASAP’s announcement does not mean a strike will occur overnight," she said.
In an interview on GMA News' Unang Balita, Villaluna said the management is still hoping the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will intervene.
She said the retirement age and retirement benefit package were the issues unresolved during the negotiations on September 28.
In a separate interview on dzXL radio, she said PAL management will give the affected passengers “full assistance in their ticket bookings and other matters."
She also said PAL may seek help from its 134 airline partners and sister company Air Philippines.
Flight attendants to go on strike in October
On Wednesday, the FASAP said it is no longer in talks with PAL and will push through with the planned strike.
FASAP president Bob Anduiza said the strike “can happen between the end of October and the first week of November after the mandated cooling-off period and the holding of the strike vote."
In an interview on Unang Balita on Thursday, FASAP vice-president Andy Ortega said the group withdrew from the talks because PAL had insisted on its discriminatory policy.
"Yung usapin sa pera [benefit package] madaling pag-usapan yan.... But we cannot turn our backs on the issue of discrimination. Pag na-resolve itong usaping ito, madali nalang pag-usapan ang ibang mga bay (If this issue is resolved, all other matters could easily be ironed out)," Ortega said.
PAL and FASAP have been in mediation talks supervised by the DOLE since the latter filed a notice of strike last September 9.
In earlier reports, Villaluna admitted PAL and FASAP failed to see eye to eye on two contentious issues, including the mandatory retirement age for flight attendants and compensation package.
She also said the strike will come at a bad time because the period from October to December is considered a peak travel period.
“We were hoping to exhaust all mediation efforts, till October 10. But if they feel the talks are going nowhere, we respect their decision although we felt otherwise," she said in an interview on dwIZ radio.
She also admitted the PAL management was surprised over FASAP’s decision to end talks and push through with its strike.
Villaluna said both sides have had an “understanding in principle" that they will have a recess in the talks and resume talks on October 4 or 5.
Criminal charges?
Villaluna hinted PAL management reserves the right to sue FASAP if there is basis to do so.
“Under the Labor Code, both management and labor can exercise certain rights. All these rights must be exercised within the parameters of law," she said in an interview on dzXL radio, when asked if PAL can sue FASAP.
She said FASAP exercised its rights when it filed a notice of strike, decided to pull out of mediation talks, and declared to stage a strike.
“While we respect that, we are also monitoring exactly if there is full adherence to the process. Yan lang masasabi natin (That is all I can say for now)," she said.
FASAP's Ortega said that after Wednesday’s deadlocked talks, their next step is to return to their members and concentrate on preparing for the strike.
“Nagmamatigas na kami laban sa diskriminasyon, di na kami papayag sa diskriminasyon ... Tuloy na ang pagpeprepara namin (We are taking a strong stand against discrimination. We will not agree to discrimination and we will now prepare for the strike). We will go to the members to prepare them for our planned strike," he said in an interview on dzXL radio.
FASAP said the conciliation meetings with PAL management, the last of which was held on Wednesday, remained deadlocked.
“PAL is playing games and is insisting on its unreasonable retirement age limit. They are not serious in resolving the dispute. PAL is just playing deaf and blind to the concerns of the flight attendants," FASAP president Anduiza said in a statement on FASAP’s website.
FASAP said it reduced its issues and limited the concerns to only three issues, mainly on the age and gender discrimination issues.
However, FASAP said PAL is adding more conditions to muddle the issue and intends to make more money out of the dispute.
“Its proposals to move the retirement age from 40 to 45 on condition on drastic work-rule changes to mix the domestic and international operations will result to retrenchment and mega-profits for PAL. PAL wants to paint itself as ‘reasonable’ but the real motive is to exploit the flight attendants," it said.
FASAP also said the dispute is about discrimination and even the Philippine Commission on Women already pronounced that PAL’s policy towards its female flight attendants is discriminatory.
Anduiza added Commission on Human Rights chairwoman Loretta Ann Rosales also pointed-out that PAL’s retirement, pregnancy and maternity provisions for flight attendants are sexist and discriminatory, in violation of their human rights.
FASAP also said PAL is refusing to correct the minimum wage levels on the flight attendants’ basic salaries.
“It clearly showed that the PAL flight attendants’ entry level pay of P8,605 is way, way below the present P12,288 minimum wage." Anduiza said.
“We believe that PAL can well afford to pay and settle the labor dispute based on the hundreds of millions PAL has saving due to the under-manning of crew per flight. The crews are already working more and are being paid less. The problem is PAL does not want to prioritize taking care of the flight attendants," he added.
FASAP said it finds no more need to meet with PAL and will now concentrate on preparing for the strike. — LBG/VVP
Thursday, September 30, 2010
News Update Lawmakers want small town lottery declared illega
While some lawmakers are pushing for the legalization of jueteng, two congressmen want the small town lottery (STL), established to eradicate jueteng, to be declared illegal. In House Bill 3399, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and his brother, Abante Mindanao party-list Rep. Maximo Rodriguez cited the claim of whistleblowers during the recent hearing of the House games and amusement committee that the STL is being used as a front for jueteng. "It seems that many legitimate STL operators are using STL franchises to operate jueteng because jueteng generates more ‘income’ for the operators," they said in their explanatory note.
Just recently, Senator Jose ‘Jinggoy’ Estrada and Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga have filed Senate bill 2548 and House Bill 3289, respectively, for the legalization of jueteng.
'Intimate buddy' The Rodriguez brothers said they want the STL to be declared illegal after retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz claimed that the STL has become the "intimate buddy" of jueteng. "It is a categorical certainty that the pairing is under the command of exactly the same long-operating jueteng lords themselves. And as a deadly matter of course, STL uses the jueteng hierarchical structure itself, giving payola to the same protectors in the persons of infamous local public officials and police authorities," Cruz was quoted as saying. The lawmakers said it would be more prudent if the STL would be prohibited because it allegedly gives jueteng operators a legal front to cover up their illegal activities. They also said if STL remains legal and jueteng illegal, the police forces and other government agencies would have a harder time determining which is legal and which is not, they said. Under HB 3399, the two legislators said STL operations and other variants should be prohibited and declared illegal. They said all contracts and franchises currently entered into by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) with operators of STL should be rescinded. — RSJ/VVP,
Just recently, Senator Jose ‘Jinggoy’ Estrada and Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga have filed Senate bill 2548 and House Bill 3289, respectively, for the legalization of jueteng.
'Intimate buddy' The Rodriguez brothers said they want the STL to be declared illegal after retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz claimed that the STL has become the "intimate buddy" of jueteng. "It is a categorical certainty that the pairing is under the command of exactly the same long-operating jueteng lords themselves. And as a deadly matter of course, STL uses the jueteng hierarchical structure itself, giving payola to the same protectors in the persons of infamous local public officials and police authorities," Cruz was quoted as saying. The lawmakers said it would be more prudent if the STL would be prohibited because it allegedly gives jueteng operators a legal front to cover up their illegal activities. They also said if STL remains legal and jueteng illegal, the police forces and other government agencies would have a harder time determining which is legal and which is not, they said. Under HB 3399, the two legislators said STL operations and other variants should be prohibited and declared illegal. They said all contracts and franchises currently entered into by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) with operators of STL should be rescinded. — RSJ/VVP,
Kopi Talk Pure Optimism?
MANILA, Philippines - Newspaper accounts the other day, indicated with certain excitement the elation expressed by President Benigno C. Aquino III over the expected results of his first foreign travel as head of state and government. At the first opportunity while still in the United States, President Aquino announced, he would be bringing home about P123.2-billion worth in "fresh investments and thousands of jobs waiting for Filipinos..." That is pure optimism, as if you didn't know. Practically, all the Presidents in the past before him, who went abroad to meet the co-called captains of international industries, had received categorical commitments of fresh investments in the country, but except for some, most remained hindered and badly served. Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama in his speech at the United Nations Summit emphasized what he called "result-based approach" to foreign aid, in place of simply throwing away money at development problems of poor and corrupt countries.
"Let's move beyond the old, narrow debates over how much money we're spending and let's instead focus on results - whether we're actually making improvement in people's lives," the US leader declared. But it is possible that Mr. Aquino has reason of his own to be optimistic over the proposals he received from his meetings with various overseas companies.
They were business prospects and the President is counting on the employment they could generate in addition to the taxes they would be contributing to the public treasury. We surely understand Mr. Aquino's elation over the favorable developments in his trip but experience has taught us not to be carried away by all those hoopla. Mostly, they are part of the rules of conduct and politesse common in the ways of international intercourse, as if you didn't know. But that's not the straight path that he so frequently talks about. * * * "But these men deride whatever they do not know by instinct like the dumb beasts become for them a source of destruction."
Comment zhern_218@yahoo.com
"Let's move beyond the old, narrow debates over how much money we're spending and let's instead focus on results - whether we're actually making improvement in people's lives," the US leader declared. But it is possible that Mr. Aquino has reason of his own to be optimistic over the proposals he received from his meetings with various overseas companies.
They were business prospects and the President is counting on the employment they could generate in addition to the taxes they would be contributing to the public treasury. We surely understand Mr. Aquino's elation over the favorable developments in his trip but experience has taught us not to be carried away by all those hoopla. Mostly, they are part of the rules of conduct and politesse common in the ways of international intercourse, as if you didn't know. But that's not the straight path that he so frequently talks about. * * * "But these men deride whatever they do not know by instinct like the dumb beasts become for them a source of destruction."
Comment zhern_218@yahoo.com
Kopi Talk Juvenile violence
A young woman has lost both legs following an explosion at De La Salle University in Manila where law graduates congregated after the final day of their Bar examinations last Sunday. Raissa Laurel, a law student of San Sebastian College, suffered the worst injury among more than 40 victims in the blast that authorities said was caused by an Mk 2 fragmentation grenade.
You don’t know which is more frightening: the ease by which hand grenades can be obtained in this country, or the lack of compunction in lobbing it at a crowd of college students, with a clear intent to inflict maximum harm. As of yesterday investigators were pursuing their strongest lead: that the attack was part of a fraternity war, with three organizations mentioned and one fraternity member identified as a possible suspect.
If fraternities were involved in this violence, the organizations themselves should conduct an internal investigation and surrender the perpetrators. The more common reaction of these organizations in the past, however, has been to cover up for their members, and protect them all the way to their prosecution and incarceration.
If the attack was truly part of a fraternity war, it was not the worst of its kind. From the country’s top universities and colleges to fly-by-night educational institutions, fraternity wars and initiation rites have led to murder, homicide, gang rape, serious physical injuries and many perverted acts that ordinarily should send the perpetrators to prison for life or at least to an asylum for the deranged. In this country, thanks to fraternity brothers in the right places, youthful perpetrators can get off with something less than a slap on the wrist and even land a job in government.
That coddling is one of the biggest reasons for the persistence of a culture of violence among organizations that are supposed to foster youthful brotherhood. No sanctions are imposed, either by the state or school authorities, on fraternities whose members figure in violent and barbaric behavior. Until this situation is changed, we will see more people losing their limbs, and even their lives, because youths are allowed to give full rein to their darkest inclinations.
You don’t know which is more frightening: the ease by which hand grenades can be obtained in this country, or the lack of compunction in lobbing it at a crowd of college students, with a clear intent to inflict maximum harm. As of yesterday investigators were pursuing their strongest lead: that the attack was part of a fraternity war, with three organizations mentioned and one fraternity member identified as a possible suspect.
If fraternities were involved in this violence, the organizations themselves should conduct an internal investigation and surrender the perpetrators. The more common reaction of these organizations in the past, however, has been to cover up for their members, and protect them all the way to their prosecution and incarceration.
If the attack was truly part of a fraternity war, it was not the worst of its kind. From the country’s top universities and colleges to fly-by-night educational institutions, fraternity wars and initiation rites have led to murder, homicide, gang rape, serious physical injuries and many perverted acts that ordinarily should send the perpetrators to prison for life or at least to an asylum for the deranged. In this country, thanks to fraternity brothers in the right places, youthful perpetrators can get off with something less than a slap on the wrist and even land a job in government.
That coddling is one of the biggest reasons for the persistence of a culture of violence among organizations that are supposed to foster youthful brotherhood. No sanctions are imposed, either by the state or school authorities, on fraternities whose members figure in violent and barbaric behavior. Until this situation is changed, we will see more people losing their limbs, and even their lives, because youths are allowed to give full rein to their darkest inclinations.
Kopi Talk Expanding the Partnership for Housing
MANILA, Philippines - One of the strategies enunciated by the new administration is closer collaboration between the national government and the private sector, and between the national government and local government units (LGUs). The Housing and Urban Development Coordination Council (HUDCC) led by Vice President Jejomar C. Binay has thus initiated steps to build a stronger and more cost-effective partnership between the private sector and government, and between HUDCC and the LGUs. In meetings with Chambers of Commerce in some key cities, the Vice President and HUDCC Chairman stressed the need to develop an investment-friendly business climate, particularly in housing. He emphasized the need for the private sector to create goods and services for the economy while the government provides the best possible environment for the private investments to flourish. A specific challenge was for private investors to assist in filling up the backlog in socializing housing where poor homebuyers can buy with their services and the government can pay developers with tax incentives.
The Vice President also pushed for strengthened lending to and collection from the middle class, especially Overseas Filipino Workers. By keeping the money circulating in the home lending system, more people can borrow, buy, and amortize houses, he said. The Vice President directed the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-Ibig) to create a special lending window for local government units to bring down housing development costs. The Urban Development Coordination Council believes that with the power of local government units to tap idle lands for the development of housing projects, the development costs of building new units will be significantly reduced. The HUDCC stressed the need to ensure that low-cost housing will not only be affordable to the masses but will also be made of quality materials.
The Vice President also pushed for strengthened lending to and collection from the middle class, especially Overseas Filipino Workers. By keeping the money circulating in the home lending system, more people can borrow, buy, and amortize houses, he said. The Vice President directed the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-Ibig) to create a special lending window for local government units to bring down housing development costs. The Urban Development Coordination Council believes that with the power of local government units to tap idle lands for the development of housing projects, the development costs of building new units will be significantly reduced. The HUDCC stressed the need to ensure that low-cost housing will not only be affordable to the masses but will also be made of quality materials.
News Update Palace calls for sobriety after bishops threaten civil disobedience
After Catholic bishops threatened to lead a civil disobedience campaign if the controversial reproductive health (RH) bill is passed into law, Malacañang urged Catholic leaders to calm down and wait for the dialogue on the issue.
Catholic church leaders intensified their campaign against the RH bill after President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III reiterated that he is for responsible parenthood and informed choice in family planning.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte urged the bishops to wait for the dialogue between the government and the Church on the issue.
"We appeal to them of course for sobriety, let's all calm down and let's wait for the dialogue before anything of this sort comes into play," Valte said in a press briefing in Malacañang on the issue.
The Palace said they intend to hold a dialogue with the Church after the bishops finish consulting with lay leaders on the issue.
The consultation with lay leaders was announced earlier by Fr. Melvin Castro of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on Family and Life.
Valte said Aquino also has yet to convey to his congressional allies his thoughts on the RH bill, a measure that espouses both natural and artificial birth control methods.
The RH bill was filed in previous congresses but was not passed because of strong opposition from the Church and its congressional allies. It was refiled in the 15th Congress as House Bill (HB) 96.
'Stay within the bounds of law'
Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez Jr., head of the CBCP public affairs unit, said earlier in the day that "population control is something the government and Church must work together on but the Church considers as non-negotiable its opposition to artificial contraception."
Valte said the Palace will respect the CBCP's expression of opposition "as long as the CBCP stays within the bounds of law."
She assured Catholic leaders that Aquino would listen to them during their dialogue. However, Valte could not state whether the president could change his position on the controversial issue after talking with the bishops.
"They will discuss the stand of the Catholic Church, he will most likely also reiterate his policy on this, and we'll see from there what happens," she said.
"He's always open to different opinions," she added. "Whether that opinion may materially affect his present policy, we do not know yet."
Aquino's stand on reproductive health recently drew criticism from the Catholic Church once more after saying the government has to inform the public of their reproductive health and family planning choices.
"I think the government is obligated to to inform everybody of their responsibility and their choices, at the end of the day government might provide assistance to those who are without means if they want to employ a particular method," Aquino said in a meeting with a Filipino community in San Francisco recently.
No preferences
Valte said there has been no directive yet on whether the government will distribute contraceptives after Aquino made the statement.
While the president does not shun the use of artificial contraceptives as a family planning method, he does not promote any particular method either, Valte explained.
"Once couples make an informed choice as to their preferences in accordanc with their beliefs and should they wish to take one way or the other, the government might povide assistance," Valte said.
"We have to understand that artificial contraceptives is not the only method for family plannign so should they wish to avail of other methods, then the government might assist them also," she said. "It's not a promotion of either but it's more of making sure that the public gets the correct information as to every method there is."
The Catholic Church promotes only natural family planning and is opposed to the use of artificial birth control methods such as condoms and birth-control pills, saying these could lead to promiscuity and a rise in abortion cases.
It is estimated that 80 percent of the country's population are baptized Catholics. According to the National Statistics Office, there were 88.57 million Filipinos as of August 2007. The projected population for 2010 is 94.01 million.
However, not all Catholics are against the RH bill. In an earlier report, Ben De Leon, president of the Philippine Center for Population and Development, said some members of the CBCP have expressed their support in the RH Bill but not publicly.
"There are young bishops and priests who would support our advocacy but they cannot state it publicly," he said. "They encourage us to push the RH Bill because they know that the bill is very useful especially to the poorest of the poor."
For maternal and infant health
The main proponent of HB 96 is Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, a staunch critic of Aquino.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Lagman said the RH bill will promote maternal and infant health because it espouses proper reproductive health education.
It will also help lower abortion cases by preventing unplanned and unwanted pregnancies, he said.
In the Philippines, 11 mothers die daily, Lagman said. The lifetime risk of maternal death in the country is 1 in 140, compared to 1 in 8,000 for women in developed countries, he added.
The lawmaker said studies by the World Health Organization, the United Nations Development Programme, and the UN Population fund "confirm that correct and consistent use of contraceptives will prevent one-third of all maternal deaths."
“The Church can continue on its mission to save souls but the State must pursue unhampered a program which reduces maternal and infant mortality in the secular realm," Lagman said. –VVP
Catholic church leaders intensified their campaign against the RH bill after President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III reiterated that he is for responsible parenthood and informed choice in family planning.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte urged the bishops to wait for the dialogue between the government and the Church on the issue.
"We appeal to them of course for sobriety, let's all calm down and let's wait for the dialogue before anything of this sort comes into play," Valte said in a press briefing in Malacañang on the issue.
The Palace said they intend to hold a dialogue with the Church after the bishops finish consulting with lay leaders on the issue.
The consultation with lay leaders was announced earlier by Fr. Melvin Castro of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on Family and Life.
Valte said Aquino also has yet to convey to his congressional allies his thoughts on the RH bill, a measure that espouses both natural and artificial birth control methods.
The RH bill was filed in previous congresses but was not passed because of strong opposition from the Church and its congressional allies. It was refiled in the 15th Congress as House Bill (HB) 96.
'Stay within the bounds of law'
Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez Jr., head of the CBCP public affairs unit, said earlier in the day that "population control is something the government and Church must work together on but the Church considers as non-negotiable its opposition to artificial contraception."
Valte said the Palace will respect the CBCP's expression of opposition "as long as the CBCP stays within the bounds of law."
She assured Catholic leaders that Aquino would listen to them during their dialogue. However, Valte could not state whether the president could change his position on the controversial issue after talking with the bishops.
"They will discuss the stand of the Catholic Church, he will most likely also reiterate his policy on this, and we'll see from there what happens," she said.
"He's always open to different opinions," she added. "Whether that opinion may materially affect his present policy, we do not know yet."
Aquino's stand on reproductive health recently drew criticism from the Catholic Church once more after saying the government has to inform the public of their reproductive health and family planning choices.
"I think the government is obligated to to inform everybody of their responsibility and their choices, at the end of the day government might provide assistance to those who are without means if they want to employ a particular method," Aquino said in a meeting with a Filipino community in San Francisco recently.
No preferences
Valte said there has been no directive yet on whether the government will distribute contraceptives after Aquino made the statement.
While the president does not shun the use of artificial contraceptives as a family planning method, he does not promote any particular method either, Valte explained.
"Once couples make an informed choice as to their preferences in accordanc with their beliefs and should they wish to take one way or the other, the government might povide assistance," Valte said.
"We have to understand that artificial contraceptives is not the only method for family plannign so should they wish to avail of other methods, then the government might assist them also," she said. "It's not a promotion of either but it's more of making sure that the public gets the correct information as to every method there is."
The Catholic Church promotes only natural family planning and is opposed to the use of artificial birth control methods such as condoms and birth-control pills, saying these could lead to promiscuity and a rise in abortion cases.
It is estimated that 80 percent of the country's population are baptized Catholics. According to the National Statistics Office, there were 88.57 million Filipinos as of August 2007. The projected population for 2010 is 94.01 million.
However, not all Catholics are against the RH bill. In an earlier report, Ben De Leon, president of the Philippine Center for Population and Development, said some members of the CBCP have expressed their support in the RH Bill but not publicly.
"There are young bishops and priests who would support our advocacy but they cannot state it publicly," he said. "They encourage us to push the RH Bill because they know that the bill is very useful especially to the poorest of the poor."
For maternal and infant health
The main proponent of HB 96 is Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, a staunch critic of Aquino.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Lagman said the RH bill will promote maternal and infant health because it espouses proper reproductive health education.
It will also help lower abortion cases by preventing unplanned and unwanted pregnancies, he said.
In the Philippines, 11 mothers die daily, Lagman said. The lifetime risk of maternal death in the country is 1 in 140, compared to 1 in 8,000 for women in developed countries, he added.
The lawmaker said studies by the World Health Organization, the United Nations Development Programme, and the UN Population fund "confirm that correct and consistent use of contraceptives will prevent one-third of all maternal deaths."
“The Church can continue on its mission to save souls but the State must pursue unhampered a program which reduces maternal and infant mortality in the secular realm," Lagman said. –VVP
News Update Sarangani Arms Tanks, Troops with Books
Alabel, Sarangani (PIA) -- In its battle to end poverty through education, Sarangani local government, the private sector and the Armed Forces of the Philippines launched the Education Revolution "Karunungan Kontra Kahirapan" Monday (September 27) with military tanks and trucks carrying thousands of books.
Hundreds of men in uniform, local officials, parents, teachers and pupils put on their green "Karunungan Kontra Kahirapan" armband at the launching program in Alabel Central Elementary School.
Four trucks of the Philippine Army's 1st Mechanized Infantry and troops from the 73rd Infantry Battalion carried 37,570 workbooks for the province's Grade I and Grade II pupils to be distributed within the next three days.
In his State of Sarangani Education Report, Governor Migs Dominguez stressed the strengthening of the community's participation for education through parent mentoring.
"Before, our province marked the lowest scores in testing centers," Dominguez said. "We have increased our National Achievement Test from 41% in 2006 to 69% this year."
"This is despite our lack of 282 classrooms and 319 teachers for our children," the governor noted.
Department of Education assistant regional director Allan Farnazo congratulated the local government for building 28 new integrated high schools in Sarangani for the province's remotest communities.
"I am also proud to announce that your province has the highest participation rate in the whole region," Farnazo said.
For his part, Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon said "through education, we do not only give our communities fish to eat, but we teach them how to fish so that they will have a better future."
The "joint forces" of the private sector, provincial government, officials and employees of Sarangani's seven towns - Alabel, Malapatan, Glan, Maasim, Kiamba, Maitum and Malungon - will lead the distribution of workbooks to Alabel's 30 elementary schools simultaneously in the afternoon.
Distribution of the rest of the workbooks to the other 200 elementary schools in the province was scheduled on September 28-29.
Private sector entities joining the Education Revolution were UnionBank's Educational Learning System "As A Filipino" Reading Program (workbooks for Grade II), Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI), Synergeia Foundation, Alcantara Foundation (AF), Conal Holdings Corporation, Finfish Hatchery, Inc., Southern Philippines Power Corporation (SSPC), Philippine Army's 1002nd Infantry rigade, 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade and 73rd Infantry Battalion.
"We are joining Sarangani's Education Revolution because we understand education as the key to prosperity and it is our corporate social responsibility to help the children," SMI general manager Mark Williams said. "We have already shown our commitment to improve human capital through education."
SMI was awarded regional outstanding stakeholder for education in 2009.
"Parents and children - you are the stars of our celebration today," SPPC human resource manager Joel Aton said.
"We have seen how much you need for education and so we focused our programs on education by giving scholarships, building classrooms, and giving of school supplies," Aton said.
SPPC has been reproducing workbooks for Sarangani schools and committed to continue this effort until 2018 with increase in the number of books to be reproduced every year.
"All you need now is to read more and study harder," Conal Holdings Corporation project assurance manager Rommel Tomas Falgui said.
"For a successful revolution, we need access to weapons, that is our books, in our fight against poverty through education," AF executive director Richlie Lyndon Magtulis said.
Nestle Philippine also launched its Koko Crunch Project with 42,000 boxes of Koko Crunch cereals worth P5.5 million for Sarangani school children with the Philippine Business for Social Progress P520,000 fund to buy milk.
Hundreds of men in uniform, local officials, parents, teachers and pupils put on their green "Karunungan Kontra Kahirapan" armband at the launching program in Alabel Central Elementary School.
Four trucks of the Philippine Army's 1st Mechanized Infantry and troops from the 73rd Infantry Battalion carried 37,570 workbooks for the province's Grade I and Grade II pupils to be distributed within the next three days.
In his State of Sarangani Education Report, Governor Migs Dominguez stressed the strengthening of the community's participation for education through parent mentoring.
"Before, our province marked the lowest scores in testing centers," Dominguez said. "We have increased our National Achievement Test from 41% in 2006 to 69% this year."
"This is despite our lack of 282 classrooms and 319 teachers for our children," the governor noted.
Department of Education assistant regional director Allan Farnazo congratulated the local government for building 28 new integrated high schools in Sarangani for the province's remotest communities.
"I am also proud to announce that your province has the highest participation rate in the whole region," Farnazo said.
For his part, Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon said "through education, we do not only give our communities fish to eat, but we teach them how to fish so that they will have a better future."
The "joint forces" of the private sector, provincial government, officials and employees of Sarangani's seven towns - Alabel, Malapatan, Glan, Maasim, Kiamba, Maitum and Malungon - will lead the distribution of workbooks to Alabel's 30 elementary schools simultaneously in the afternoon.
Distribution of the rest of the workbooks to the other 200 elementary schools in the province was scheduled on September 28-29.
Private sector entities joining the Education Revolution were UnionBank's Educational Learning System "As A Filipino" Reading Program (workbooks for Grade II), Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI), Synergeia Foundation, Alcantara Foundation (AF), Conal Holdings Corporation, Finfish Hatchery, Inc., Southern Philippines Power Corporation (SSPC), Philippine Army's 1002nd Infantry rigade, 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade and 73rd Infantry Battalion.
"We are joining Sarangani's Education Revolution because we understand education as the key to prosperity and it is our corporate social responsibility to help the children," SMI general manager Mark Williams said. "We have already shown our commitment to improve human capital through education."
SMI was awarded regional outstanding stakeholder for education in 2009.
"Parents and children - you are the stars of our celebration today," SPPC human resource manager Joel Aton said.
"We have seen how much you need for education and so we focused our programs on education by giving scholarships, building classrooms, and giving of school supplies," Aton said.
SPPC has been reproducing workbooks for Sarangani schools and committed to continue this effort until 2018 with increase in the number of books to be reproduced every year.
"All you need now is to read more and study harder," Conal Holdings Corporation project assurance manager Rommel Tomas Falgui said.
"For a successful revolution, we need access to weapons, that is our books, in our fight against poverty through education," AF executive director Richlie Lyndon Magtulis said.
Nestle Philippine also launched its Koko Crunch Project with 42,000 boxes of Koko Crunch cereals worth P5.5 million for Sarangani school children with the Philippine Business for Social Progress P520,000 fund to buy milk.
News Update Isabela PPO Implements Total Gun Ban
Ilagan, Isabela (September 28) -- Following a joint security preparations with the Commission on Elections for the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections next month, the Isabela Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has prepared a security plan for a peaceful barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
The IPPO has started implementing total gun ban and has instructed all the chiefs of police to put up check points to prevent election-related incidents.
Police Community Relations head Superintendent Roberto Bucad said the IPPO is imposing Comelec?s total gun ban within the election period which has started last Friday (September 25) and will last until November 10, 2010.
With the imposition of total gun ban, only regular members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other law enforcement agencies are allowed to carry firearms provided that they are in full unform and on duty.
The IPPO advice the public to refrain from carrying even licensed firearms starting September 25 to November 10 as the total gun ban will be strictly enforce.
Gun ban violators were apprehended in several areas in the country during the first day of implementation.
The IPPO has started implementing total gun ban and has instructed all the chiefs of police to put up check points to prevent election-related incidents.
Police Community Relations head Superintendent Roberto Bucad said the IPPO is imposing Comelec?s total gun ban within the election period which has started last Friday (September 25) and will last until November 10, 2010.
With the imposition of total gun ban, only regular members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other law enforcement agencies are allowed to carry firearms provided that they are in full unform and on duty.
The IPPO advice the public to refrain from carrying even licensed firearms starting September 25 to November 10 as the total gun ban will be strictly enforce.
Gun ban violators were apprehended in several areas in the country during the first day of implementation.
News Update 4,000 Join Subic Coast Clean-Up Drive
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT - Close to 4,000 residents, employees, students, and some visitors in this free port joined this year's coastal clean-up drive here that was undertaken in support of the International Coastal Clean-Up Day and in connection with an international study on the global problem of marine trash.
The clean-up, which was held at the two-kilometer beachfront along the Waterfront Road here, was spearheaded by the Lighthouse Marina Resort (LMR) in coordination with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
The activity was also supported by the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians, Rotary Club of Cubao West, Philippine Marketing Association of Zambales, Moonbay Marina Complex, Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, Greater Subic Bay Tourism Bureau, and Ideal Niche Business Solutions.
SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said the marine trash monitoring activity will help policy makers draw better solutions to the problem on marine trash, with the recorded data going to Ocean Conservancy, a non-stock, non-profit organization founded in 1972 to identify global marine threats.
He added that the clean-up drive "is a manifestation of SBMA's support to activities that aim to protect and conserve the environment, particularly to keep Subic Bay "free of pollution."
The clean-up, which was held at the two-kilometer beachfront along the Waterfront Road here, was spearheaded by the Lighthouse Marina Resort (LMR) in coordination with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
The activity was also supported by the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians, Rotary Club of Cubao West, Philippine Marketing Association of Zambales, Moonbay Marina Complex, Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, Greater Subic Bay Tourism Bureau, and Ideal Niche Business Solutions.
SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said the marine trash monitoring activity will help policy makers draw better solutions to the problem on marine trash, with the recorded data going to Ocean Conservancy, a non-stock, non-profit organization founded in 1972 to identify global marine threats.
He added that the clean-up drive "is a manifestation of SBMA's support to activities that aim to protect and conserve the environment, particularly to keep Subic Bay "free of pollution."
News Update DOH to Cluster Hospitals in Cagayan Valley
Tuguegarao City (28 September) -- Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona has proposed for clustering of public hospitals in Cagayan Valley Region to involve local officials to address problems concerning medical services.
Ona, in his visit to the health facilities in the region, said if standards of the Department of Health on hospital facilities and services are concern, there are lots of lucking facilities in the public hospitals here but due to financial constraints these remains to be problem on health issues.
He said these issues and concerns may be addressed by involving the Local Government Units through clustering the public hospitals. The Local Chief Executives of the provinces, to where the patients catered by the public hospitals in the region are coming from, will seat as board of directors.
"In this way we could easily solve some problems arising in the hospitals and identify the serious diseases that are present in the area", Ona stated.
In the general assessment of the Secretary, he said all hospitals in the region needs improvement especially on the facilities needed including the use of computer in filing and data banking.
He further stated that the Cagayan Valley Medical Center here remains to be the regional government hospital that caters to patients from nearby provinces such as Isabela, Quirino, Kalinga, Apayao and Cagayan.
"This provinces will help us address the needs of our patients considering that the bulk of our clients are their constituents", Ona added.
On the other hand, Ona is also pushing on the health insurance program of the government for indigent families considering the number of poor families who need medical insurance from the region
Ona, in his visit to the health facilities in the region, said if standards of the Department of Health on hospital facilities and services are concern, there are lots of lucking facilities in the public hospitals here but due to financial constraints these remains to be problem on health issues.
He said these issues and concerns may be addressed by involving the Local Government Units through clustering the public hospitals. The Local Chief Executives of the provinces, to where the patients catered by the public hospitals in the region are coming from, will seat as board of directors.
"In this way we could easily solve some problems arising in the hospitals and identify the serious diseases that are present in the area", Ona stated.
In the general assessment of the Secretary, he said all hospitals in the region needs improvement especially on the facilities needed including the use of computer in filing and data banking.
He further stated that the Cagayan Valley Medical Center here remains to be the regional government hospital that caters to patients from nearby provinces such as Isabela, Quirino, Kalinga, Apayao and Cagayan.
"This provinces will help us address the needs of our patients considering that the bulk of our clients are their constituents", Ona added.
On the other hand, Ona is also pushing on the health insurance program of the government for indigent families considering the number of poor families who need medical insurance from the region
News Update Underwater Pipeline Leaks Oil in Bacolod City
BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental - An oil spill was spotted around a nautical mile from the shoreline of Bacolod City, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported yesterday.
Lieutenant Commander Armando Balilo, PCG Public Information Officer said that the Barangay Captain of Barangay Dos, a certain Mr. Barber went to the office of the PCG Marine Environmental Command (MEPCOM) in Bacolod City after residents, particularly local fishermen, expressed anxieties when a portion of the said coastal community became apparently affected by an oil spill which they believe came from an underwater pipeline in an oil depot near the area.
"When the MEPCOM personnel inspected the area, the team discovered that the oil spill actually came from a deteriorated underwater condemned pipeline of Chevron Depot-Bacolod which is only around a few meters away from the residential area," Balilo said.
MEPCOM personnel immediately laid down an oil spill boom in the affected area and later recovered more than 40-liters of bunker fuel which was brought to the Coast Guard Station-Bacolod for proper disposal.
Balilo said the PCG already advised Chevron to assess and immediately fix the damaged underwater pipeline to prevent further damage in the said coastal community. (John Carlo Cahinhinan)
Lieutenant Commander Armando Balilo, PCG Public Information Officer said that the Barangay Captain of Barangay Dos, a certain Mr. Barber went to the office of the PCG Marine Environmental Command (MEPCOM) in Bacolod City after residents, particularly local fishermen, expressed anxieties when a portion of the said coastal community became apparently affected by an oil spill which they believe came from an underwater pipeline in an oil depot near the area.
"When the MEPCOM personnel inspected the area, the team discovered that the oil spill actually came from a deteriorated underwater condemned pipeline of Chevron Depot-Bacolod which is only around a few meters away from the residential area," Balilo said.
MEPCOM personnel immediately laid down an oil spill boom in the affected area and later recovered more than 40-liters of bunker fuel which was brought to the Coast Guard Station-Bacolod for proper disposal.
Balilo said the PCG already advised Chevron to assess and immediately fix the damaged underwater pipeline to prevent further damage in the said coastal community. (John Carlo Cahinhinan)
News Update New Zealand Projects to Benefit Camiguin
MAMBAJAO, Camiguin - The province of Camiguin, with its land area of more than 30,000 hectares, is the recipient of a valuable aid from the New Zealand government for the rehabilitation and preservation of marine sanctuaries and coastline projects.
One of the projects of the New Zealand environmental program, which will run up to 2013, is to educate the close to 80,000 inhabitants regarding the benefits of marine sanctuaries to the people.
As a natural paradise in Mindanao, Camiguin Island is perhaps unmatched anywhere else in Southeast Asia.
This exquisite island province of varied ecosystem stirs the imaginations and baffles the mind.
Camiguin boasts of untouched coastlines with swaying coconut trees and is dotted with hot and cold springs, while its pristine beaches offer sun-filled days of relaxation and the clear blue water, enchanting marine life and coral reefs beckon diving enthusiasts from all over the world.
As this developed, the Regional Development Plan recognizes Camiguin's role as the leading tourism destination for Northern Mindanao.
"Our province is blessed because we are the chosen recipient of the New Zealand environmental projects," said Camiguin Gov. Jurdin Jesus Modina Romualdo.
The governor said he announced this new and good development during the culmination of the recent "2010 National Science Club Month (NSCM)" celebration at the Mambajao Central School, this town.
This year's NSCM theme is "Ating Karagatan, Ating Pananagutan, Kilusan ng Kabataan Alay sa Camiguin."
The culmination is under the auspices of the Camiguin Coastal Resource Management Program (CCRMP), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), provincial government of Camiguin, and the Department of Education (DepEd).
"Camiguin is so blessed to be a recipient of the New Zealand aid in the rehabilitation and preservation of marine sanctuaries and coastlines of the island province," said Romualdo.
In another development, top officials and 19 mayors of the fast-growing province of Lanao del Norte attended the 6th Provincial Development Council (PDC) meeting held at the Macapagal Training Center in Tubod town.
The council meeting was called by Lanao del Norte Gov. Khalid Dimaporo to update members of the latest developments in the various programs and projects currently implemented in the province.
One of the projects of the New Zealand environmental program, which will run up to 2013, is to educate the close to 80,000 inhabitants regarding the benefits of marine sanctuaries to the people.
As a natural paradise in Mindanao, Camiguin Island is perhaps unmatched anywhere else in Southeast Asia.
This exquisite island province of varied ecosystem stirs the imaginations and baffles the mind.
Camiguin boasts of untouched coastlines with swaying coconut trees and is dotted with hot and cold springs, while its pristine beaches offer sun-filled days of relaxation and the clear blue water, enchanting marine life and coral reefs beckon diving enthusiasts from all over the world.
As this developed, the Regional Development Plan recognizes Camiguin's role as the leading tourism destination for Northern Mindanao.
"Our province is blessed because we are the chosen recipient of the New Zealand environmental projects," said Camiguin Gov. Jurdin Jesus Modina Romualdo.
The governor said he announced this new and good development during the culmination of the recent "2010 National Science Club Month (NSCM)" celebration at the Mambajao Central School, this town.
This year's NSCM theme is "Ating Karagatan, Ating Pananagutan, Kilusan ng Kabataan Alay sa Camiguin."
The culmination is under the auspices of the Camiguin Coastal Resource Management Program (CCRMP), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), provincial government of Camiguin, and the Department of Education (DepEd).
"Camiguin is so blessed to be a recipient of the New Zealand aid in the rehabilitation and preservation of marine sanctuaries and coastlines of the island province," said Romualdo.
In another development, top officials and 19 mayors of the fast-growing province of Lanao del Norte attended the 6th Provincial Development Council (PDC) meeting held at the Macapagal Training Center in Tubod town.
The council meeting was called by Lanao del Norte Gov. Khalid Dimaporo to update members of the latest developments in the various programs and projects currently implemented in the province.
News Update Suspected Bomber of Sarangani Governor Convoy Arrested
AVAO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippine Police arrested a suspect in the roadside bombing that targeted a provincial governor in southern Philippines on Tuesday, the military on Wednesday said. Mhidzfar Cutan was apprehended after police raided his home in Tuyan village in Malapatan town, in Mindanao's Sarangani province, Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, spokesperson of the military's Eastern Mindanao Command said. Quoting a police report, Cabangbang said Cutan took hostage his two children before he surrendered to lawmen after a 30-minute negotiation.
Sarangani Governor Miguel Dominguez was unhurt when his convoy was almost hit by the explosion at a bridge in the same town during the campaign to the May 10 elections. The provincial official was about to meet a presidential candidate when the explosion happened. Authorities said witnesses had positively identified Cutan as the last person seen at the vicinity shortly before the bomb, which was placed on a parked motorcycle, went off.
Sarangani Governor Miguel Dominguez was unhurt when his convoy was almost hit by the explosion at a bridge in the same town during the campaign to the May 10 elections. The provincial official was about to meet a presidential candidate when the explosion happened. Authorities said witnesses had positively identified Cutan as the last person seen at the vicinity shortly before the bomb, which was placed on a parked motorcycle, went off.
News Update SC: No reason to cite House in contempt
MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) sees no reason to cite the House of Representatives in contempt despite the move by one of the House committees to hear the impeachment case against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez in defiance of an order by the high tribunal.
“That is the discretion of the committee of justice. It’s very difficult to say at this point if it is considered an act of proceeding with the impeachment process,” SC spokesman and court administrator Midas Marquez said, referring to the House committee on justice chaired by Iloilo Rep. Neil Tupas.
The SC issued a status quo ante ruling last Sept. 14 temporarily halting the impeachment proceedings. Tupas’ committee voted to push ahead with the impeachment proceedings but set no date for a hearing.
“If it is considered a step taken as part of the impeachment proceedings, that will be discussed in the oral argument. So at the moment, I don’t see any reason to cite anyone in contempt,” Marquez said.
The SC has set for Oct. 5 the oral arguments on Gutierrez’s petition to junk the impeachment complaints.
Marquez expressed confidence that there would be no impeachment hearing as announced by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. – at least until the SC lifts its order.
“I don’t think Congress will continue with the impeachment process considering that they have already adjourned session and oral argument on this case has been set,” he said. “We also took note of that statement of the Speaker.”
He said the SC still believes that “members of the House are responsible gentlemen and ladies.”
“The Court would like to maintain the status quo,” he said as he downplayed the possibility of a constitutional crisis due to the judiciary’s and the legislative department’s conflicting stand on the matter.
He reiterated that the issuance of the status quo ante is within the “judicial power” of the SC and not an encroachment into the legislative turf.
Lift order, high court asked
With the House Justice committee’s show of defiance, the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) – one of the two complainants in the consolidated impeachment case against the Ombudsman – asked the SC to lift its status quo ante order.
“No doubt the Court must desist from taking over the mandate of the House of Representatives in the determination of the sufficiency in substance of the impeachment complaint,” Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr. said.
Bayan Muna, for its part, asked the SC to junk the petition of Gutierrez for the junking of the impeachment case against her “on the ground of prematurity and non-exhaustion of remedies in the House Committee on Justice, House of Representatives plenary, and the Senate.”
“Such power is lodged exclusively in Congress by the 1987 Philippine Constitution. It is the classic example of a textually demonstrable power dedicated to a co-equal body of government. Hence, the Honorable Court must desist from taking cognizance of the instant petition,” the group argued.
Last Monday, the other complainants in the impeachment case led by Risa Hontiveros filed a separate comment asking the SC to allow the House to continue the impeachment proceedings.
SC to blame
House Majority Leader and Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzales said the SC and not the House is to blame for any constitutional crisis that might arise from the impeachment proceedings against Gutierrez.
“Who’s afraid of the Big CC (constitutional crisis)? Will the prices of fish rise if we proceed with the (impeachment) hearings? Will there be a shortage of basic commodities?” Gonzales asked rhetorically.
He said it was the SC order suspending the impeachment proceedings that created animosity between the judiciary and legislative branches.
The committee earlier ruled the two impeachment complaints – filed separately by party-lists Akbayan and Bayan Muna – as both sufficient in form and substance.
Gonzales said the SC is expected to resolve the matter by November but there is a possibility the high tribunal might rule against the House and permanently block moves to impeach the Ombudsman for another year.
“That’s when the constitutional crisis would come, if the Supreme Court permanently stops us from proceeding any further,” he said.
“Why are they saying we are causing a crisis, it would be the Supreme Court that could trigger that, not us. We cannot abdicate our exclusive power to initiate impeachment proceedings,” he added.
Belmonte’s order to suspend all other committee hearings in the chamber in the next two weeks to allow lawmakers to focus on the plenary debates on the proposed P1.645-trillion national budget for next year could provide an excuse for the justice panel to say it did not violate the SC’s order.
Congress is going into recess on Oct. 15 and the House wants the budget approved by then. Lawmakers would resume session in the first week of November.
“Fortunately for Ombudsman Gutierrez, the plenary starts with the debate on the budget Monday and we have devoted the entire two weeks for budget deliberation and according to our rules, no committee can meet during budget deliberations,” Gonzales said in a radio interview yesterday.
He said the earliest time the justice committee can hold hearings again to discuss the grounds for impeachment is in November.
House Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, meanwhile, scoffed at the move of the members of the majority in the justice committee to defy the SC.
“They are just posturing. The fact that they will comment and will participate in the oral arguments, they are submitting to the will of the Supreme Court. They must admit and recognize the Supreme Court is the final interpreter and arbiter of constitutional issues,” Lagman said.
Meanwhile, former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would inhibit herself from the impeachment proceedings if it reaches the floor, her spokeswoman said yesterday.
“Her position is she would not participate or she will inhibit so that the (impeachment) proceedings would not be given any political color,” Ma. Elena Bautista-Horn told reporters.
Among the allegations Gutierrez is facing is that she has been sitting on controversial cases against Mrs. Arroyo, who appointed her to the post.
“We just hope the relationship between the judiciary and the legislative would be patched up,” Bautista-Horn said.
Meanwhile, Sister Mary John Mananzan of the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines has voiced her support for the justice committee’s decision to hear the impeachment case against Gutierrez.
“I think that is the right move,” she said.
“What they did was right. There is supposed to be a separation of powers” between the legislative branch and the judiciary, she said. With Paolo Romero and Evelyn Macairan - By Edu Punay
“That is the discretion of the committee of justice. It’s very difficult to say at this point if it is considered an act of proceeding with the impeachment process,” SC spokesman and court administrator Midas Marquez said, referring to the House committee on justice chaired by Iloilo Rep. Neil Tupas.
The SC issued a status quo ante ruling last Sept. 14 temporarily halting the impeachment proceedings. Tupas’ committee voted to push ahead with the impeachment proceedings but set no date for a hearing.
“If it is considered a step taken as part of the impeachment proceedings, that will be discussed in the oral argument. So at the moment, I don’t see any reason to cite anyone in contempt,” Marquez said.
The SC has set for Oct. 5 the oral arguments on Gutierrez’s petition to junk the impeachment complaints.
Marquez expressed confidence that there would be no impeachment hearing as announced by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. – at least until the SC lifts its order.
“I don’t think Congress will continue with the impeachment process considering that they have already adjourned session and oral argument on this case has been set,” he said. “We also took note of that statement of the Speaker.”
He said the SC still believes that “members of the House are responsible gentlemen and ladies.”
“The Court would like to maintain the status quo,” he said as he downplayed the possibility of a constitutional crisis due to the judiciary’s and the legislative department’s conflicting stand on the matter.
He reiterated that the issuance of the status quo ante is within the “judicial power” of the SC and not an encroachment into the legislative turf.
Lift order, high court asked
With the House Justice committee’s show of defiance, the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) – one of the two complainants in the consolidated impeachment case against the Ombudsman – asked the SC to lift its status quo ante order.
“No doubt the Court must desist from taking over the mandate of the House of Representatives in the determination of the sufficiency in substance of the impeachment complaint,” Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr. said.
Bayan Muna, for its part, asked the SC to junk the petition of Gutierrez for the junking of the impeachment case against her “on the ground of prematurity and non-exhaustion of remedies in the House Committee on Justice, House of Representatives plenary, and the Senate.”
“Such power is lodged exclusively in Congress by the 1987 Philippine Constitution. It is the classic example of a textually demonstrable power dedicated to a co-equal body of government. Hence, the Honorable Court must desist from taking cognizance of the instant petition,” the group argued.
Last Monday, the other complainants in the impeachment case led by Risa Hontiveros filed a separate comment asking the SC to allow the House to continue the impeachment proceedings.
SC to blame
House Majority Leader and Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzales said the SC and not the House is to blame for any constitutional crisis that might arise from the impeachment proceedings against Gutierrez.
“Who’s afraid of the Big CC (constitutional crisis)? Will the prices of fish rise if we proceed with the (impeachment) hearings? Will there be a shortage of basic commodities?” Gonzales asked rhetorically.
He said it was the SC order suspending the impeachment proceedings that created animosity between the judiciary and legislative branches.
The committee earlier ruled the two impeachment complaints – filed separately by party-lists Akbayan and Bayan Muna – as both sufficient in form and substance.
Gonzales said the SC is expected to resolve the matter by November but there is a possibility the high tribunal might rule against the House and permanently block moves to impeach the Ombudsman for another year.
“That’s when the constitutional crisis would come, if the Supreme Court permanently stops us from proceeding any further,” he said.
“Why are they saying we are causing a crisis, it would be the Supreme Court that could trigger that, not us. We cannot abdicate our exclusive power to initiate impeachment proceedings,” he added.
Belmonte’s order to suspend all other committee hearings in the chamber in the next two weeks to allow lawmakers to focus on the plenary debates on the proposed P1.645-trillion national budget for next year could provide an excuse for the justice panel to say it did not violate the SC’s order.
Congress is going into recess on Oct. 15 and the House wants the budget approved by then. Lawmakers would resume session in the first week of November.
“Fortunately for Ombudsman Gutierrez, the plenary starts with the debate on the budget Monday and we have devoted the entire two weeks for budget deliberation and according to our rules, no committee can meet during budget deliberations,” Gonzales said in a radio interview yesterday.
He said the earliest time the justice committee can hold hearings again to discuss the grounds for impeachment is in November.
House Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, meanwhile, scoffed at the move of the members of the majority in the justice committee to defy the SC.
“They are just posturing. The fact that they will comment and will participate in the oral arguments, they are submitting to the will of the Supreme Court. They must admit and recognize the Supreme Court is the final interpreter and arbiter of constitutional issues,” Lagman said.
Meanwhile, former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would inhibit herself from the impeachment proceedings if it reaches the floor, her spokeswoman said yesterday.
“Her position is she would not participate or she will inhibit so that the (impeachment) proceedings would not be given any political color,” Ma. Elena Bautista-Horn told reporters.
Among the allegations Gutierrez is facing is that she has been sitting on controversial cases against Mrs. Arroyo, who appointed her to the post.
“We just hope the relationship between the judiciary and the legislative would be patched up,” Bautista-Horn said.
Meanwhile, Sister Mary John Mananzan of the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines has voiced her support for the justice committee’s decision to hear the impeachment case against Gutierrez.
“I think that is the right move,” she said.
“What they did was right. There is supposed to be a separation of powers” between the legislative branch and the judiciary, she said. With Paolo Romero and Evelyn Macairan - By Edu Punay
News Update Aquino creates national security 'war room?
MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III has formed a Presidential Situation Room (PSR) where he and other top officials will meet to tackle emergencies involving national security.
Aquino signed on September 17 Administrative Order (AO) No. 2, which was released to the public on Wednesday.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda earlier said that construction of a situation room was one of the concrete proposals of National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia after the August 23 Manila hostage crisis.
The PSR will serve as a National Crisis Management Operations Center during emergencies.
The other functions of the national “war room” are:
- Monitor events, situations and developments that have national security implications, including those with serious diplomatic, political, and peace and order ramifications;
- Provide current intelligence and crisis support to the President, the Executive Secretary, the National Security Adviser and the Secretary of the Presidential Management Staff;
- Serve as the primary monitoring, coordination and communications center in Malacañang on classified information;
- Coordinate the collection, verification and evaluation of highly sensitive information bearing on national security;
- Establish linkages and coordinates with the various operations centers of civil and security agencies of government;
“As Executive Chief and Commander-in-Chief, the President should always have timely and full access to adequate and accurate information and analysis on all events and incidents affecting national interest and security,” AO No. 2 stated.
“It is imperative that all government efforts and activities pertaining to crisis situation management be promptly and appropriately coordinated, harmonized and synchronized,” the order added.
“There is a need to appropriately establish a site to allow the President seamless access to pertinent information,” and boost his ability to act on issue or incidents involving national interest and security, the order said.
Garcia will head the facility, which will have an initial budget of P5.5 million for office equipment and staff.
He will have under his command the intelligence units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and representatives from the President's Communications Group. Other government agencies may also be required to provide manpower and information support to the facility. – Jenny Reyes
Aquino signed on September 17 Administrative Order (AO) No. 2, which was released to the public on Wednesday.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda earlier said that construction of a situation room was one of the concrete proposals of National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia after the August 23 Manila hostage crisis.
The PSR will serve as a National Crisis Management Operations Center during emergencies.
The other functions of the national “war room” are:
- Monitor events, situations and developments that have national security implications, including those with serious diplomatic, political, and peace and order ramifications;
- Provide current intelligence and crisis support to the President, the Executive Secretary, the National Security Adviser and the Secretary of the Presidential Management Staff;
- Serve as the primary monitoring, coordination and communications center in Malacañang on classified information;
- Coordinate the collection, verification and evaluation of highly sensitive information bearing on national security;
- Establish linkages and coordinates with the various operations centers of civil and security agencies of government;
“As Executive Chief and Commander-in-Chief, the President should always have timely and full access to adequate and accurate information and analysis on all events and incidents affecting national interest and security,” AO No. 2 stated.
“It is imperative that all government efforts and activities pertaining to crisis situation management be promptly and appropriately coordinated, harmonized and synchronized,” the order added.
“There is a need to appropriately establish a site to allow the President seamless access to pertinent information,” and boost his ability to act on issue or incidents involving national interest and security, the order said.
Garcia will head the facility, which will have an initial budget of P5.5 million for office equipment and staff.
He will have under his command the intelligence units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and representatives from the President's Communications Group. Other government agencies may also be required to provide manpower and information support to the facility. – Jenny Reyes
News Update Brother of Ampatuan Sr. ordered killing, witness says
Three days before the infamous massacre in Maguindanao in November 2009, the brother of clan patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr. allegedly ordered their private army to carry out the killing, a farmer from the province testified on Wednesday.
The second witness to take the stand for the prosecution, Noradin Mauya told the court that he was around five meters away from Datu Kanor Ampatuan when the latter issued the order to to attack the convoy of then gubernatorial candidate Esmael Mangudadatu when he files his certificate of candidacy.
“He ordered his men to shoot Mangudadatu when he and his convoy passed by the highway," testified Mauya, a farmer from Sitio Malatin in Salman village in Maguindanao.
His testimony bolstered the prosecution's argument that the attack was premeditated. A total of 57 people were killed in the massacre including Mangudadatu's wife, sisters, two lawyers, more than 30 journalists, aides, and motorists who were mistakenly identified as part of the convoy.
Mauya told the court that he saw local policemen and members of the powerful clan’s private armed group gathering near his house along the highway on November 20, three days before the carnage. Later, he saw Datu Kanor arrive in the area on board a red pick-up van. The witness described Datu Kanor as a “siga" (toughie) and said crowds usually gave way whenever he passes by. Heavy firearms Mauya said Datu Kanor’s militiamen carried different types of heavy firearms including M14 and M16 rifles, and M203 grenade launchers. Three police mobile patrol cars were parked in front of a Madrasah (a Muslim school) less than a hundred meters from his home, Mauya said.
To demonstrate the distance of his residence from the place where the armed men gathered, Mauya made a sketch on an acetate paper that was projected inside the court room. Lawyer Sigfrid Fortun, counsel for prime suspect Andal Ampatuan Jr., initially objected to the projection of the sketch. Fortun said the defense was not informed beforehand about it, but Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes allowed the sketch to be shown in court.
Villagers shooed away
Mauya claimed that Datu Kanor asked Chief Inspector Sukarno Dicay, then deputy provincial director, to set up a checkpoint in the area to block the Mangudadatus convoy. In his testimony, Mauya said Datu Kanor shooed villagers away from their homes so they could “avoid getting in the way of the [looming] danger." Asked to comment on the proceedings so far, Fortun questioned the motive of Lakmodin Saliao, the prosecution's first witness. Fortun observed that Saliao, a longtime helper of the Ampatuan patriarch, decided to speak up only after Mangudadatu won the gubernatorial race last May. -- VVP
The second witness to take the stand for the prosecution, Noradin Mauya told the court that he was around five meters away from Datu Kanor Ampatuan when the latter issued the order to to attack the convoy of then gubernatorial candidate Esmael Mangudadatu when he files his certificate of candidacy.
“He ordered his men to shoot Mangudadatu when he and his convoy passed by the highway," testified Mauya, a farmer from Sitio Malatin in Salman village in Maguindanao.
His testimony bolstered the prosecution's argument that the attack was premeditated. A total of 57 people were killed in the massacre including Mangudadatu's wife, sisters, two lawyers, more than 30 journalists, aides, and motorists who were mistakenly identified as part of the convoy.
Mauya told the court that he saw local policemen and members of the powerful clan’s private armed group gathering near his house along the highway on November 20, three days before the carnage. Later, he saw Datu Kanor arrive in the area on board a red pick-up van. The witness described Datu Kanor as a “siga" (toughie) and said crowds usually gave way whenever he passes by. Heavy firearms Mauya said Datu Kanor’s militiamen carried different types of heavy firearms including M14 and M16 rifles, and M203 grenade launchers. Three police mobile patrol cars were parked in front of a Madrasah (a Muslim school) less than a hundred meters from his home, Mauya said.
To demonstrate the distance of his residence from the place where the armed men gathered, Mauya made a sketch on an acetate paper that was projected inside the court room. Lawyer Sigfrid Fortun, counsel for prime suspect Andal Ampatuan Jr., initially objected to the projection of the sketch. Fortun said the defense was not informed beforehand about it, but Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes allowed the sketch to be shown in court.
Villagers shooed away
Mauya claimed that Datu Kanor asked Chief Inspector Sukarno Dicay, then deputy provincial director, to set up a checkpoint in the area to block the Mangudadatus convoy. In his testimony, Mauya said Datu Kanor shooed villagers away from their homes so they could “avoid getting in the way of the [looming] danger." Asked to comment on the proceedings so far, Fortun questioned the motive of Lakmodin Saliao, the prosecution's first witness. Fortun observed that Saliao, a longtime helper of the Ampatuan patriarch, decided to speak up only after Mangudadatu won the gubernatorial race last May. -- VVP
News Update Up to 12-hour power outages still hound parts of Mindanao
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Most parts of Mindanao are still experiencing eight to 12 hours of daily power outages even if the dry spell brought about by the El Niño phenomenon during the first half of the year has already ended.
Manuel Orig, Aboitiz Power first vice president for Mindanao affairs, said power curtailment has continued in most parts of Mindanao because the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has undertaken a major rehabilitation project for transmission lines in various parts of the island.
“This power curtailment will continue as long as the power supply in Mindanao remains the same and the demand increases,” Orig said.
Orig stressed the need for more investments in the power industry to finally resolve the energy crisis that Mindanao has been experiencing.
“The demand for power in Mindanao is not proportionate to the actual supply the island has at any given time. There will always be a power shortage if the demand grows higher and the supply remains at the same level as many years ago,” Orig said.
The dry spell in the first half of the year caused an extreme power shortage in Mindanao, triggering 12-hour blackouts.
Mindanao is largely dependent on hydroelectric power from two main sources – the Pulangi River in Bukidnon and Lake Lanao in Marawi.
However, the power curtailment has continued even if the rains have started and the water levels in Pulangi River and Lake Lanao have increased.
According to the NGCP, Mindanao has at present an available capacity of 1,144 megawatts and a peak load of 1,168 MW, or a load generation deficiency of 24 MW.
This, as a long-term roadmap that will maximize the use of other power sources in Mindanao shall be drawn up by different agencies led by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).
MinDA chairperson Luwalhati Antonino said one of the key strategies identified in the roadmap is a Mindanao Energy and Power Development and Sustainability Plan that sets clear policies and strategies, and coherent programs and projects for long-term power reliability.
Rene Ronquillo, chief operations officer of Hedcor Power Corp., said that aside from the just-inaugurated 42.5-MW hydroelectric power plant in Sibulan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, the power company is also bent on expanding in other parts of Mindanao.
“We have two plants in Sibulan now that are 42 MW in total and then we are looking at the redesigned Tamugan plant. In the past, that used to be two plants with a total of 27 MW and the new scheme is down to 11 MW,” Ronquillo said.
“We had to bring it all the way down, far away from what we call the aquifer charging zone of the city, so sana hindi na issue yun (it won’t be an issue anymore),” Ronquillo said, adding that they are also looking at other project sites, probably in Compostela Valley.
As of 2008, the installed capacity in the Mindanao grid was 1,993 MW while the dependable capacity was 1,682 MW.
In the second quarter this year, the average and peaking capabilities of the plants dropped to 771 MW and 860 MW, respectively, hence brownouts reached four to six hours daily.
The average generation capability of hydroelectric plants exhibited the biggest drop, mainly due to the adverse impact of the El Niño phenomenon.
The average capability was at its lowest during the summer months when it dropped by about 90 percent.
“The risk of power shortage is our continuing challenge, that’s why energy programs and projects should be prioritized,” said Antonino. - By Edith Regalado
Manuel Orig, Aboitiz Power first vice president for Mindanao affairs, said power curtailment has continued in most parts of Mindanao because the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has undertaken a major rehabilitation project for transmission lines in various parts of the island.
“This power curtailment will continue as long as the power supply in Mindanao remains the same and the demand increases,” Orig said.
Orig stressed the need for more investments in the power industry to finally resolve the energy crisis that Mindanao has been experiencing.
“The demand for power in Mindanao is not proportionate to the actual supply the island has at any given time. There will always be a power shortage if the demand grows higher and the supply remains at the same level as many years ago,” Orig said.
The dry spell in the first half of the year caused an extreme power shortage in Mindanao, triggering 12-hour blackouts.
Mindanao is largely dependent on hydroelectric power from two main sources – the Pulangi River in Bukidnon and Lake Lanao in Marawi.
However, the power curtailment has continued even if the rains have started and the water levels in Pulangi River and Lake Lanao have increased.
According to the NGCP, Mindanao has at present an available capacity of 1,144 megawatts and a peak load of 1,168 MW, or a load generation deficiency of 24 MW.
This, as a long-term roadmap that will maximize the use of other power sources in Mindanao shall be drawn up by different agencies led by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).
MinDA chairperson Luwalhati Antonino said one of the key strategies identified in the roadmap is a Mindanao Energy and Power Development and Sustainability Plan that sets clear policies and strategies, and coherent programs and projects for long-term power reliability.
Rene Ronquillo, chief operations officer of Hedcor Power Corp., said that aside from the just-inaugurated 42.5-MW hydroelectric power plant in Sibulan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, the power company is also bent on expanding in other parts of Mindanao.
“We have two plants in Sibulan now that are 42 MW in total and then we are looking at the redesigned Tamugan plant. In the past, that used to be two plants with a total of 27 MW and the new scheme is down to 11 MW,” Ronquillo said.
“We had to bring it all the way down, far away from what we call the aquifer charging zone of the city, so sana hindi na issue yun (it won’t be an issue anymore),” Ronquillo said, adding that they are also looking at other project sites, probably in Compostela Valley.
As of 2008, the installed capacity in the Mindanao grid was 1,993 MW while the dependable capacity was 1,682 MW.
In the second quarter this year, the average and peaking capabilities of the plants dropped to 771 MW and 860 MW, respectively, hence brownouts reached four to six hours daily.
The average generation capability of hydroelectric plants exhibited the biggest drop, mainly due to the adverse impact of the El Niño phenomenon.
The average capability was at its lowest during the summer months when it dropped by about 90 percent.
“The risk of power shortage is our continuing challenge, that’s why energy programs and projects should be prioritized,” said Antonino. - By Edith Regalado
News Update PAL flight attendants say they will go on strike
Flight attendants of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) said Wednesday that it would go on strike at the end of October after negotiations with management on gender discrimination issues bogged down.
Flights Attendants’ and Stewards’ Association of the Philippines (Fasap) president Bob Anduiza said in a statement that talks at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board were now deadlocked after PAL refused to back down on certain demands by the union.
"The strike will happen between the end of October and the first week of November after the mandated cooling-off period and the holding of the strike vote," he said.
The association has filed a notice of strike on Sept. 9, and the process calls for a 30-day cooling off period and the strike vote, PAL president and COO Jaime Baustista told GMANews.TV.
“Now, we will see if they can get the numbers [enough members who would go on strike]," Bautista said.
Bautista added that many members of the association he had talked to were not keen to go on strike at this point in time.
“It’s all noise," he said.
“PAL is playing games and is insisting on its unreasonable retirement age limit. [It’s] not serious in resolving the dispute. PAL is just playing deaf and blind to the concerns of the flight attendants," the association said in the statement.
The union, which represents 1,600 workers, is protesting the company’s policy of forcing flight attendants to retire at 40, or 20 years earlier than the mandated 60 years old.
“PAL is adding more conditions to muddle the issue and intends to make more money out of the dispute. Its proposals to move the retirement age from 40 to 45 on condition of drastic work-rule changes to mix the domestic and international operations will result to retrenchment and mega-profits for PAL," the group said.
"PAL wants to paint itself as reasonable but the real motive is to exploit the flight attendants," Fasap said. —JE/VS,
Flights Attendants’ and Stewards’ Association of the Philippines (Fasap) president Bob Anduiza said in a statement that talks at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board were now deadlocked after PAL refused to back down on certain demands by the union.
"The strike will happen between the end of October and the first week of November after the mandated cooling-off period and the holding of the strike vote," he said.
The association has filed a notice of strike on Sept. 9, and the process calls for a 30-day cooling off period and the strike vote, PAL president and COO Jaime Baustista told GMANews.TV.
“Now, we will see if they can get the numbers [enough members who would go on strike]," Bautista said.
Bautista added that many members of the association he had talked to were not keen to go on strike at this point in time.
“It’s all noise," he said.
“PAL is playing games and is insisting on its unreasonable retirement age limit. [It’s] not serious in resolving the dispute. PAL is just playing deaf and blind to the concerns of the flight attendants," the association said in the statement.
The union, which represents 1,600 workers, is protesting the company’s policy of forcing flight attendants to retire at 40, or 20 years earlier than the mandated 60 years old.
“PAL is adding more conditions to muddle the issue and intends to make more money out of the dispute. Its proposals to move the retirement age from 40 to 45 on condition of drastic work-rule changes to mix the domestic and international operations will result to retrenchment and mega-profits for PAL," the group said.
"PAL wants to paint itself as reasonable but the real motive is to exploit the flight attendants," Fasap said. —JE/VS,
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
News Update 2 probed for $11.8m fraud
Panel to look into fraud
* Since the matter came to light in June, the Ministry of Law set up an independent review panel to look into how the irregularities could have taken place.* The Panel was also asked to recommend improvements to SLA?s systems and processes, some of which have already been implemented.
* Disciplinary investigations have also been ordered into the actions of two other officers, whose oversight might have allowed the fraud to go undetected.
The two are believed to have faked invoices through various business entities to cheat the SLA of about $11.8 million. -- ST FILE PHOTO
TWO Singapore Land Authority (SLA) officers are suspected of conspiring to cheat SLA of some $11.8 million over a two-year period.
Koh Seah Wee, deputy director of SLA's Technology and Infrastructure Department (TID) and Christopher Lim Chai Meng, a manager in the same department, are believed to have created false invoices through various business entities for fictitious IT maintenance goods and services that were not delivered.
The transactions, which took place between January 2008 and March this year, came to light after the SLA detected a number of irregular payments in the department where Koh and Lim worked.
On detection, SLA made a police report. Koh has since been charged with 249 counts of cheating and other offencers, while Lim, as well as the individuals running the businesses which are believed to have provided the false invoices, are assisting the police in investigations.
In a joint statement on Tuesday, the SLA and the Ministry of Law said SLA had in place finance and procurement processes which were in accordance with Government guidelines.
'The two officers are suspected of conspiring with each other and with the said business entities, thus enabling them to circumvent the checks and balances in the processes,' the spokesman said.
The spokesman added that so far, cash and assets worth about $10 million had been located and secured.
News Update $4m boost to service
Already a national icon for many Singaporeans, the airport is now aiming to be a service icon - one of four organisations selected under Spring Singapore's Customer-Centric Initiative (CCI) programme to lead the way. -- PHOTO: BH
CHANGI Airport has embarked on a $4 million journey to boost service standards throughout its facility - from the counters and taxi queues, to the shops and restaurants and even in the toilets.
Already a national icon for many Singaporeans, the airport is now aiming to be a service icon - one of four organisations selected under Spring Singapore's Customer-Centric Initiative (CCI) programme to lead the way. The others are Sentosa Development Corporation, Ion Orchard and Wing Tai Clothing.
The CCI is part of the Go the Extra Mile for Service (Gems) movement to overhaul Singapore's service quality in the retail, food and beverage, hospitality, health care and transport sectors.
In a major drive that kicked off about a year ago, Changi Airport Group is rolling out 12 new initiatives, all aimed at improving the passenger experience.
Among them is an instant feedback system that allows travellers and visitors to rate counter staff, immigration officers, retailers and cleaners using interactive touch screen devices that are being installed progressively.
A few buttons pressed and a cleaning supervisor is immediately alerted that a particular toilet needs cleaning or maintenance.
News Update Ming Yi walks free
The Venerable Ming Yi leading about 300 devotees at a chanting session last night at the monastery. He said that everything is back to normal. -- ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG
CONVICTED Buddhist monk Shi Ming Yi, who completed his six-month jail term on Monday, said yesterday he will remain the abbot of the Foo Hai Ch'an monastery.
The roles the founder and former chief executive of Ren Ci hospital will take on after his release have been the subject of speculation.
The Venerable Ming Yi, who led an evening chanting session for about 300 Buddhist devotees at the Foo Hai Ch'an monastery at Geylang East yesterday, declined to be interviewed when he was approached by The Straits Times.
But the 48-year-old, who appeared cheerful and energetic, said 'yes' when asked if he will continue to serve as abbot at the monastery.
The monk was sentenced to 10 months in jail last November on four charges related to Ren Ci, including an unauthorised $50,000 loan granted to his personal assistant Raymond Yeung from the hospital's coffers in May 2004. Yeung, 35, was jailed for nine months.
But the monk had his sentence cut by four months on appeal in the High Court in May.
News Update MM turns up after fall
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew had needed physiotherapy because of a fall the previous day. -- PHOTO: ST/FRANCIS ONG PG
THE audience at the Russia-Singapore Business Forum applauded Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew last night, after it emerged that he did not allow his treatment in hospital to keep him away from the dialogue.
Mr Lee had needed physiotherapy because of a fall the previous day.
As a result, the dialogue began an hour late, at 5.45pm.
He arrived at the talk wearing track shoes.
Earlier, Ambassador Michael Tay, the executive director of the forum's organising council, explained the delay to the 600 businessmen from Russia, Asia, the United States and Europe.
'On behalf of Minister Mentor Lee, I would like to apologise for the delay. Minister Mentor had to go to the hospital for physiotherapy because he had a fall yesterday. But despite that, he is here with us,' he said to loud applause.
Kopi Talk A Lesson to OFWs
MANILA, Philippines - There's a saying in journalism which goes, "Bad news is good news." This was proven when I was in Surabaya, Indonesia, recently and my attention was caught by the sensational story published in "The Jakarta Post" about a Filipino father sentenced to 14,400 years in prison after he was convicted of the near-daily rape of his teenage daughter for one year. * * * The daughter's mother worked in Hong Kong as a domestic helper, leaving her three children with their father in Los Baños, Laguna. It's beyond comprehension how a father could do such a bestial act on his own daughter.
However, one contributory factor could be that the couple were physically separated for a long period. It highlights the serious effect on overseas Filipino workers (OFW) whose spouses work abroad. * * * The moral effect can be mutual - not only on the spouse left behind who's vulnerable to infidelity but also on the spouse working abroad due to loneliness and long separation. The father sentenced to 14,400 years imprisonment fit for Ripley's "Believe It Or Not" should not be taken lightly or as a matter of curiosity but of grave concern over broken families and domestic crimes like incest. To paraphrase our Lord: "What does it profit man if he gains all the dollars but loses his family"! * * * CUSTOMER-UNFRIENDLY. I would like to call the attention of the money forwarder, Western Union, about its deplorable services. When I went to a branch office sharing space with DHL on Timog Street, Quezon City, to collect a dollar remittance, I was asked how much it was. "The remitter did not specify," I replied. "In that case, we cannot release the money," the lady at the counter snorted. I was told to return after knowing the exact amount. * * * A couple of days later, I returned and withdrew the money. I was also going to collect another dollar remittance that same morning. When I tried to do it, the lady said, "You have to come back this afternoon because we don't have enough dollars!" That's when I blew my top. "Lady, you told me to come back after verifying the exact amount. Now that I'm withdrawing another amount so I won't return some other time, you tell me to return this afternoon because you're waiting for enough dollars! Do you think I live right next door?" I fumed. * * * "Not having enough dollars is not the customer's look-out; that's your company's!" I added.
To think I was collecting only a little more than $100! So that I won't return a third time - and lose my composure - I just asked for the peso equivalent. Before leaving, however, I told the lady to inform her boss about their customer-unfriendly service. * * * Many customers I've talked to complain of similar stringent requirements. For instance, some say they require as valid IDs a driver's license or a passport. Mama mia, imagine asking such IDs from poor ordinary customers. Then why does Western Union demand that the receiver PERSONALLY appears to claim the remittance? * * * It would be a big help if a representative does it, provided he can present the necessary certification and ID of the addressee as they do in postal offices and banks. There's a saying, "The customer is always right." But in Western Union, it's just the opposite
However, one contributory factor could be that the couple were physically separated for a long period. It highlights the serious effect on overseas Filipino workers (OFW) whose spouses work abroad. * * * The moral effect can be mutual - not only on the spouse left behind who's vulnerable to infidelity but also on the spouse working abroad due to loneliness and long separation. The father sentenced to 14,400 years imprisonment fit for Ripley's "Believe It Or Not" should not be taken lightly or as a matter of curiosity but of grave concern over broken families and domestic crimes like incest. To paraphrase our Lord: "What does it profit man if he gains all the dollars but loses his family"! * * * CUSTOMER-UNFRIENDLY. I would like to call the attention of the money forwarder, Western Union, about its deplorable services. When I went to a branch office sharing space with DHL on Timog Street, Quezon City, to collect a dollar remittance, I was asked how much it was. "The remitter did not specify," I replied. "In that case, we cannot release the money," the lady at the counter snorted. I was told to return after knowing the exact amount. * * * A couple of days later, I returned and withdrew the money. I was also going to collect another dollar remittance that same morning. When I tried to do it, the lady said, "You have to come back this afternoon because we don't have enough dollars!" That's when I blew my top. "Lady, you told me to come back after verifying the exact amount. Now that I'm withdrawing another amount so I won't return some other time, you tell me to return this afternoon because you're waiting for enough dollars! Do you think I live right next door?" I fumed. * * * "Not having enough dollars is not the customer's look-out; that's your company's!" I added.
To think I was collecting only a little more than $100! So that I won't return a third time - and lose my composure - I just asked for the peso equivalent. Before leaving, however, I told the lady to inform her boss about their customer-unfriendly service. * * * Many customers I've talked to complain of similar stringent requirements. For instance, some say they require as valid IDs a driver's license or a passport. Mama mia, imagine asking such IDs from poor ordinary customers. Then why does Western Union demand that the receiver PERSONALLY appears to claim the remittance? * * * It would be a big help if a representative does it, provided he can present the necessary certification and ID of the addressee as they do in postal offices and banks. There's a saying, "The customer is always right." But in Western Union, it's just the opposite
Kopi Talk Next step: Legislation
After all those revelations about jueteng operations at the Senate, what comes next? Ideally, criminal charges should have been filed against those tagged as jueteng operators and recipients of gambling payoffs. But because no evidence was presented at the hearings, no one has been indicted, and everyone simply denied the accusations and demanded proof.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue at least has announced it has initiated lifestyle checks on several of those identified at the hearings, for possible prosecution for tax evasion. The BIR should start with those who have been linked for years to the illegal numbers game but never successfully prosecuted. That failure has made some of them brazen enough to portray themselves as philanthropists and openly brag that jueteng has provided livelihood to their communities.
What is expected of the Senate is legislation, which was what the hearings were supposed to be about. What type of legislation? The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has several proposals, which have waited for congressional approval for nine years now. These proposals could work better than any exposé without solid evidence in discouraging corruption arising from jueteng. The proposals all aim to give more teeth to the Anti-Money Laundering Act or AMLA.
Unless there is truth to rumors that several lawmakers themselves are engaged in money laundering, there should be no virulent congressional opposition to the proposals. Among other things, the BSP and the Anti-Money Laundering Council or AMLC want to expand the number of predicate crimes covered by AMLA, to include illegal dealings in precious stones and metals, real estate, casinos and online gambling.
The BSP also wants legislation that will overturn a Supreme Court order requiring the AMLC to first alert the subject of a money laundering probe before a court order can be obtained to look into bank accounts. That requirement, which defeats the purpose of the AMLA, could have been pushed only by money launderers themselves and issued by a compliant court.
The AMLA was passed in 2001 after the Philippines was included in an international blacklist of money laundering havens. But there are still enough loopholes in the law, which are exploited by the corrupt, by smugglers, tax evaders and jueteng lords. If that Senate probe was truly in aid of legislation, the BSP and AMLC have piled enough proposals on the congressional plate for consideration
The Bureau of Internal Revenue at least has announced it has initiated lifestyle checks on several of those identified at the hearings, for possible prosecution for tax evasion. The BIR should start with those who have been linked for years to the illegal numbers game but never successfully prosecuted. That failure has made some of them brazen enough to portray themselves as philanthropists and openly brag that jueteng has provided livelihood to their communities.
What is expected of the Senate is legislation, which was what the hearings were supposed to be about. What type of legislation? The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has several proposals, which have waited for congressional approval for nine years now. These proposals could work better than any exposé without solid evidence in discouraging corruption arising from jueteng. The proposals all aim to give more teeth to the Anti-Money Laundering Act or AMLA.
Unless there is truth to rumors that several lawmakers themselves are engaged in money laundering, there should be no virulent congressional opposition to the proposals. Among other things, the BSP and the Anti-Money Laundering Council or AMLC want to expand the number of predicate crimes covered by AMLA, to include illegal dealings in precious stones and metals, real estate, casinos and online gambling.
The BSP also wants legislation that will overturn a Supreme Court order requiring the AMLC to first alert the subject of a money laundering probe before a court order can be obtained to look into bank accounts. That requirement, which defeats the purpose of the AMLA, could have been pushed only by money launderers themselves and issued by a compliant court.
The AMLA was passed in 2001 after the Philippines was included in an international blacklist of money laundering havens. But there are still enough loopholes in the law, which are exploited by the corrupt, by smugglers, tax evaders and jueteng lords. If that Senate probe was truly in aid of legislation, the BSP and AMLC have piled enough proposals on the congressional plate for consideration
News Update Four Rebels Yield to Philippine Military
COTABATO, Philippines (Xinhua) - Four Philippine leftist rebels, including a commander, have surrendered to the Philippine military in the southern Philippines, the military said on Tuesday. The rebel returnees, including Commander Renie Panganuron Egsulan, were all under the new Peoples Army's Front Committee 27 in Mawab Town in Compostella Valley province.
The rebels were tired of their life of being always on the run, and missing their loved ones, said regional military spokesman Randolph Cabangbang. The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a guerrilla campaign in the countryside for four decades.
The military estimates the NPA strength at more than 4,000 men scattered in more than 60 guerrilla fronts throughout the country. Peace talks between the government and the leftists bogged down in 2004 after the United States included the NPA and its parent body as foreign terrorist organizations.
The rebels were tired of their life of being always on the run, and missing their loved ones, said regional military spokesman Randolph Cabangbang. The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been waging a guerrilla campaign in the countryside for four decades.
The military estimates the NPA strength at more than 4,000 men scattered in more than 60 guerrilla fronts throughout the country. Peace talks between the government and the leftists bogged down in 2004 after the United States included the NPA and its parent body as foreign terrorist organizations.
News Update Good News! CdeO Cops Set to Receive Award Money for Capturing Suspected Robbers
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines - The local government unit (LGU) in this frontier city of Cagayan de Oro in Northern Mindanao is set to release award money to Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) for capturing alleged suspected robbers recently at various areas in the region, it was learned Tuesday. It was also learned that the Cocpo and CIDU will receive Php 25,000 incentive from the city government for meritoriously hitting the back-bone of alleged rob syndicate in the city and the region. This good news was announced personally by City Vicente Emano during Monday's regular flag raising ceremony at the city hall here. The city's chief executive ordered for the release of the incentives in front of the suspects - Reynaldo Padilla from Impasug-ong, Bukidnon; Timotheo Sabellano of Misamis Oriental and Edgar Echavez of Cagayan de Oro.
The suspects were presented to him by Cocpo chief Benedicto Lopez during flag raising ceremony. The suspects, who were allegedly preying mostly businessmen in the city, were given "serious lectures" by Emano. "Time to extend reward also to our hard-working policemen," he said. In his message, Mayor Emano recognized Cocpo and CIDU for keeping the peace and order in the city and nearby areas. To fast-track the release of the reward money, Vice Mayor Ian Acenas immediately forwarded the request of the city's chief executive to the city's legislative body for approval. Meanwhile, Sangguniang Panglungsod member Ian Mark Nacaya, who chair of the SP Committee on police, fire and safety, said the policemen of the city also deserve their reward for doing their job. "They are entitled for recognition," he added.
The suspects were presented to him by Cocpo chief Benedicto Lopez during flag raising ceremony. The suspects, who were allegedly preying mostly businessmen in the city, were given "serious lectures" by Emano. "Time to extend reward also to our hard-working policemen," he said. In his message, Mayor Emano recognized Cocpo and CIDU for keeping the peace and order in the city and nearby areas. To fast-track the release of the reward money, Vice Mayor Ian Acenas immediately forwarded the request of the city's chief executive to the city's legislative body for approval. Meanwhile, Sangguniang Panglungsod member Ian Mark Nacaya, who chair of the SP Committee on police, fire and safety, said the policemen of the city also deserve their reward for doing their job. "They are entitled for recognition," he added.
News Update P1.58-M Marijuana Fields Destroyed in Benguet
KAPANGAN, Benguet - The delisting of this town as a marijuana-free area proved to be fitting as two marijuana plantations were discovered in two far-flung barangays, here, police reported Tuesday. Combined police operatives and anti-narcotics operatives successfully destroyed over P1.58 million worth of marijuana plants and seedlings during a two-day marijuana eradication operation in two identified plantation sites here over the weekend.
The illegal hemp was discovered in a total area of 580 square meters in Sitio Aleng, Barangay Sagubo and Sitio Wacwaca, Barangay Pudong, both in this province. Chief Superintendent Samuel B. Diciano, deputy regional director for administration of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in Cordillera, revealed the illegal contraband is composed of over 7,000 fully grown marijuana plants and at least 6,500 marijuana seedlings which were planted in between vegetable plants.
A huge portion of the uprooted marijuana plants and seedlings were burned on site while samples were taken by the operating troops for evidentiary purposes. Despite the continuous marijuana eradication operations being conducted by the concerned authorities, marijuana still continues the thrive in the far-flung communities of the region because its seeds freely fall on the ground while they are being uprooted from the ground thereby giving the seeds a chance to grow and become fully grown plants even without putting the necessary inputs. (Dexter A. See)
The illegal hemp was discovered in a total area of 580 square meters in Sitio Aleng, Barangay Sagubo and Sitio Wacwaca, Barangay Pudong, both in this province. Chief Superintendent Samuel B. Diciano, deputy regional director for administration of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in Cordillera, revealed the illegal contraband is composed of over 7,000 fully grown marijuana plants and at least 6,500 marijuana seedlings which were planted in between vegetable plants.
A huge portion of the uprooted marijuana plants and seedlings were burned on site while samples were taken by the operating troops for evidentiary purposes. Despite the continuous marijuana eradication operations being conducted by the concerned authorities, marijuana still continues the thrive in the far-flung communities of the region because its seeds freely fall on the ground while they are being uprooted from the ground thereby giving the seeds a chance to grow and become fully grown plants even without putting the necessary inputs. (Dexter A. See)
News Update Capitol to Purchase 10,000 Bags of Rice for Emergency Purposes
CEBU - The Cebu Provincial Board has approved a resolution authorizing Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to purchase up to 10,000 bags of rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) to be used solely for victims of calamities and other emergencies. This resolution of the provincial board, however, has not been signed by Vice-Governor Greg Sanchez, who has raised doubts that the rice might be used during the barangay elections. Such accusation has been shrugged aside by Governor Garcia, saying that "someone disastrously thought this will be used in the barangay election." Saying, "That's a cheap accusation," Garcia urged the board members to forward the resolution to her office even without the signature of the Vice-Governor. NFA 7 Director Edgar Bentulan said he was the one who informed Garcia about the rice credit program for local government units (LGUs), allowing the latter to avail of rice credits from the NFA in the event of a disaster or calamity. Bentulan said that once the NFA and the different LGUs sign a formal Memorandum of Agreement, a province can avail of up to 5,000 bags; a city, up to 2,000 bags; and a municipality, up to 1,000 bags.
These bags of rice can be claimed within 15 days. In another development, meanwhile, the Cebu provincial capitol has allotted P15 million for the renovation of its main building which, for the past decade, has not had any repairs. The funding for the renovation is among the items in the proposed P86.47 million supplemental budget of the Cebu provincial government. Provincial Engineer Eulogio Pelayre said the capitol's main building's roof has been found to be leaking while its drainage pipes need immediate repairs.
There are also other deteriorating sections in the building that need to be repaired immediately. Among these areas to be renovated are hallways and several department offices in the Capitol building which practically houses the entire Executive Department of the provincial government. In said P86.47-million supplemental budget proposed by the Cebu Governor for 2010, the budget for renovation accounts for the biggest chunk after the anniversary bonuses of employees which amounts to at least P22 million.
These bags of rice can be claimed within 15 days. In another development, meanwhile, the Cebu provincial capitol has allotted P15 million for the renovation of its main building which, for the past decade, has not had any repairs. The funding for the renovation is among the items in the proposed P86.47 million supplemental budget of the Cebu provincial government. Provincial Engineer Eulogio Pelayre said the capitol's main building's roof has been found to be leaking while its drainage pipes need immediate repairs.
There are also other deteriorating sections in the building that need to be repaired immediately. Among these areas to be renovated are hallways and several department offices in the Capitol building which practically houses the entire Executive Department of the provincial government. In said P86.47-million supplemental budget proposed by the Cebu Governor for 2010, the budget for renovation accounts for the biggest chunk after the anniversary bonuses of employees which amounts to at least P22 million.
News Update Fashion Council Eyes Penetrating Export Market
CEBU CITY - In a bold move that would see local fashion break in the international fashion industry, the Fashion Council of Cebu (FCC), comprised of Cebuano fashion designers, is now looking at the possibility of exporting their products overseas. "We are confident in making it in the international fashion industry because we have faith in our local designers and their creativity," said FCC President Philip Rodriguez. Rodriguez said initially, designers here are tapping foreign tourists as consumers. While currently, majority of the designers cater to the local market, they are now being approached by foreign nationals who contract their services for a variety of apparel.
Fashion designer Dexter Alazas, for instance, said a bulk of his clients are from the local market including personalities from Metro Manila, but he is now getting job orders from a growing number of "balikbayans" needing gowns for special such special events as debuts, weddings, and other formal functions.
"Cebu-based fashion designers are thriving," Alazas said. "In fact they are growing in number because the industry continues to be promising and they never run out of ideas." The FCC bared its members will participate in the 2nd Philippine-Russian Business Forum and Exhibition (PRBFEX) to be held this October 21-24, which, Rodriguez said, could jumpstart its export market potential. "This is unexplored territory for us but the rewards will be worth it," he told a press conference.
Fashion designer Dexter Alazas, for instance, said a bulk of his clients are from the local market including personalities from Metro Manila, but he is now getting job orders from a growing number of "balikbayans" needing gowns for special such special events as debuts, weddings, and other formal functions.
"Cebu-based fashion designers are thriving," Alazas said. "In fact they are growing in number because the industry continues to be promising and they never run out of ideas." The FCC bared its members will participate in the 2nd Philippine-Russian Business Forum and Exhibition (PRBFEX) to be held this October 21-24, which, Rodriguez said, could jumpstart its export market potential. "This is unexplored territory for us but the rewards will be worth it," he told a press conference.
News Update Duterte Forms New Squad vs Erring Drivers
DAVAO CITY - Following the tragic vehicular accident involving the "uso-uso" (modified) jeep and a ten-wheeler truck which claimed the lives of nine people last Friday, Mayor Sara Duterte created a new traffic team that would "strictly enforce traffic laws." During the mayor's speech on Monday's flag ceremony at the City Hall, she announced the creation of the Traffic Eagle Squad. The Eagle Squad is a 40-man traffic team from the Traffic Management Center (TMC) that would be deployed to the city's streets, 24 hours a day, and would complement the 40 newly deputized officers.
They were given five mobile vehicles and five motorcycle units to go after erring drivers. "I want all erring drivers caught, I want all violators apprehended, I want heads to roll," Duterte said. She also told the newly organized team to pursue apprehension of abusive drivers. "I want to see your techniques, tactics and procedure. TMC, huwag niyo akong pagagastusin ng gas 24 oras na wala kayong mahuhuli. Kayo ang mawawalan at tatanggalin ko sa trabaho," Duterte said. Duterte also ordered the installation of public address systems at the city's intersections to control the drivers and pedestrians. "May I just remind the TMC to use the megaphones prudently," she said.
They were given five mobile vehicles and five motorcycle units to go after erring drivers. "I want all erring drivers caught, I want all violators apprehended, I want heads to roll," Duterte said. She also told the newly organized team to pursue apprehension of abusive drivers. "I want to see your techniques, tactics and procedure. TMC, huwag niyo akong pagagastusin ng gas 24 oras na wala kayong mahuhuli. Kayo ang mawawalan at tatanggalin ko sa trabaho," Duterte said. Duterte also ordered the installation of public address systems at the city's intersections to control the drivers and pedestrians. "May I just remind the TMC to use the megaphones prudently," she said.
News Update Zambo Pushes Use of Organic Fertilizers
AMBOANGA CITY (PNA) - The Office of the City Agriculture (OCA) here has embarked on a massive campaign for production and use of organic fertilizers in this southern port city. City Agriculturist Diosdado Palacat said Tuesday that this is in accordance with Republic Act (RA) 10068 or the "Organic Agriculture Act of 2010" which provides for the development and promotion of organic agriculture in the Philippines and for other purposes, as defined in Section 2 of the said law. Palacat cited RA 10068's declaration of policy which reads "it is the policy of the state to promote, propagate, develop further and implement the practice of organic agriculture in the Philippines that will cumulatively condition and enrich the fertility of the soil, increase farm productivity, reduce pollution and destruction of the environment, prevent the depletion of natural resources, further protect the health of farmers, consumers, the general public and save on important farm inputs." "We have to go back to the basic, which is the organic farming practice, because this technology is ecologically friendly, consumers will be safe from synthetic insecticidal and pesticidal residues.
This will dramatically reduce the external input of our farmers and eventually increase the production," Palacat said. According to Palacat, he recently convened the different Agricultural Field Officers in this city's six agricultural districts and division heads concerned to start the production of organic fertilizer through compost pit, compost pile and vermin-compost in their respective areas of responsibility and to conduct farm demonstration using organic fertilizer for the farmers in their locality.
"The materials to be used are only recycled wastes of plants and animal origin, which is all available in the field such as rice hays, newly-cut grasses, animal manure and kitchen discards," he said. "The primordial concern of the office is to develop high-yielding and cost-reducing technologies," he added. He said that as part of the campaign, his office through the Information Section and Farmers' Information and Technology Services (FITS) center is also reproducing a variety of information materials regarding organic fertilizer to be distributed and at the same time film viewing on how to make compost will be conducted to clients.
This will dramatically reduce the external input of our farmers and eventually increase the production," Palacat said. According to Palacat, he recently convened the different Agricultural Field Officers in this city's six agricultural districts and division heads concerned to start the production of organic fertilizer through compost pit, compost pile and vermin-compost in their respective areas of responsibility and to conduct farm demonstration using organic fertilizer for the farmers in their locality.
"The materials to be used are only recycled wastes of plants and animal origin, which is all available in the field such as rice hays, newly-cut grasses, animal manure and kitchen discards," he said. "The primordial concern of the office is to develop high-yielding and cost-reducing technologies," he added. He said that as part of the campaign, his office through the Information Section and Farmers' Information and Technology Services (FITS) center is also reproducing a variety of information materials regarding organic fertilizer to be distributed and at the same time film viewing on how to make compost will be conducted to clients.
News Update ZAMBO TO BOOST TOURISM SECTOR ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA)
With the common goal of "selling" the city as tourism haven, more than 50 individuals converged in the tourism group's general assembly held at the Zamboanga City Hall. The assembly which was participated in by members to include new registrants gathered together to discuss activities and issues that would strengthen public-private partnership in boosting tourism activities in the city. Members coming from local media, academe, youth, private entities, and the local and national government expressed their sincere and voluntary support in propelling tourism in the city specifically adventure tourism. City Mayor Celso Lobregat graced the occasion as a sign of unwavering support to the cause of the group. The mayor presented to the group a lengthy, comprehensive Powerpoint data about Zamboanga as added learning for its members. The members embraced the mayor's presentation as a fitting lecture relevant as being "emissaries" for tourism. Lobregat wowed the participants when he divulged and made a video presentation of the city's project plan of constructing a P20 million "dancing fountain" at the Paseo del Mar
News Update Lanao Sur Pushes Philhealth Listing
MARAWI CITY (PIA) - The head of the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) is encouraging Lanao del Sur residents to go out and take advantage of the government's universal health program to secure their healthcare needs. "I'm calling all our constituents, especially non-members, to visit designated registration desks on Saturday, October 2, and avail of this opportunity to be registered with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), stressed Dr. Alinader Minalang. He is encouraging those employed but have not yet enrolled in the program as well as those who have not renewed their membership to go to the registration desks at the PhilHealth Marawi Service Office and Amai Pakpak Central Elementary School, this city.
For constituents outside this city, designated registration desks can be found at the Malabang National High School and Wao District Hospital, he added. The IPHO chief is also inviting financially-challenged individuals not included in the list of indigents identified by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to go to the designated service desks and fill-up the registration forms so that their registration can be validated by the DSWD and PhilHealth.
For constituents outside this city, designated registration desks can be found at the Malabang National High School and Wao District Hospital, he added. The IPHO chief is also inviting financially-challenged individuals not included in the list of indigents identified by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to go to the designated service desks and fill-up the registration forms so that their registration can be validated by the DSWD and PhilHealth.
News Update House panel defies SC on Merci impeachment
MANILA, Philippines - Despite being warned against triggering a constitutional crisis, the House committee on justice voted yesterday to defy the Supreme Court order suspending the impeachment proceedings against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, citing “undue interference” from the high tribunal.
After three hours of intense debates that began at 9:30 a.m., the committee voted 33-14 in favor of the motion raised by Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada to continue with the impeachment hearings in defiance of the SC’s status quo ante order. Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon abstained.
Tañada and Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas, chairman of the committee, said they would tackle in the next hearing the grounds for the two impeachment complaints against Gutierrez filed separately by party-lists Akbayan and Bayan Muna last July 22 and Aug. 3, respectively.
Tupas however said he would still have to “consult with the House leadership” on when to hold the next impeachment hearing.
“It is the position of the undersigned members, with due courtesy to a co-equal branch of government, that the issuance of the subject Status Quo Ante Order on Sept. 14, 2010 is an undue interference in and a clear infringement on the constitutional mandate of the House Committee on Justice, considering that the proceedings are in the early stage and are still internal matters of the Committee,” the motion, signed by 17 members of the panel, read.
“I don’t want to be cited, arrested for contempt by the Supreme Court,” Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado said in casting his dissenting vote.
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., however, sought to avert a constitutional crisis by declaring that there would be no impeachment proceedings until the SC finally resolves the case.
“We’re not at war here,” Belmonte told reporters. But it was not clear whether he would direct Tupas’ committee to stop the hearings.
He pointed out the committee did not conduct an actual hearing but only met to debate on the SC’s order.
“What the panel said is really the reiteration of what we have been saying that we have the exclusive authority…to initiate impeachment proceedings. We cannot abdicate that power,” Belmonte said.
Sources said the committee firmed up its position in a secret caucus on Monday. Technically, there is still no violation of the SC directive since the committee has not yet set a date for the actual hearing to discuss Gutierrez’s case.
Tañada said Belmonte earlier issued a directive banning other hearings to allow the chamber to focus on plenary debates to ensure the passage of the proposed P1.64-trillion national budget before Congress goes on recess on Oct. 15.
“There has been no actual violation of the status quo ante order,” Belmonte said.
He said the House has 60 session days to dispose of the impeachment complaints so he sees the resumption of the hearings when Congress resumes work in November.
“As I said, they, as well as all of us, are very hopeful that a resolution will be made favorable to the House insofar as the case pending with the SC is concerned,” Belmonte said.
Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas, vice chairman of the panel, maintained the chamber was exercising judicial courtesy in responding to the SC directive but careful not to submit to its jurisdiction.
Tañada said the committee would file its comment on the High Court’s ruling either today or on Thursday.
Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga and Mercado—all lawyers—took turns attacking the motion.
“We have destroyed the rule of law in this country and exercised the rule of men in the committee of justice…we will have a constitutional crisis,” Rodriguez said.
Datumanong and Alagad party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta said the situation was triggered by the majority’s insistence in tackling the two separate complaints despite a constitutional provision that only one impeachment complaint can be tackled in one year against the same official.
Barzaga warned that in defying the SC, the situation could worsen and might even lead to a situation where lawmakers would try to impeach the members of the High Tribunal.
Mum but confident
Gutierrez made an appearance at the House in the afternoon to attend the hearing on the Office of the Ombudsman’s proposed P1.109-billion budget for next year.
“I’m here to present the budget and I hope that we will get the budget that we need for 2011,” Gutierrez told reporters, adding she might be scolded by the SC for sub judice if she commented further on the committee’s decision.
“We will have the oral arguments I think by the first week of October so I will have my day. I hope and I pray that I will that my position will be favorably taken,” she said.
“I know (a) majority of the congressmen are wise and decisive and I know they are thinking hard about the complaints against me,” she said.
She maintained the allegations have no basis stressing that the Office of the Ombudsman has a conviction rate of 73 percent.
“They are the ones creating a constitutional crisis,” lawyer Butch Diaz said referring to the committee members who voted to defy the SC order.
“Why are we rushing it? Is this something that is so vital to our survival?” he asked.
During the budget hearing, Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello, one of those pushing for Gutierrez’s ouster, said he would not move to reduce the budget but instead would seek to increase it to include her one-way travel expenses of $2,168 to Kabul, Afghanistan “so that we can send the Ombudsman to her comrades in the Taliban.”
Gutierrez responded by saying she would go anywhere “in the service of my country” but said Bello should accompany her to Kabul.
SC’s appeal
Meanwhile, the SC appealed to lawmakers to respect the rule of law in the impeachment proceedings against Gutierrez.
Court administrator and spokesman Midas Marquez told reporters that while it is still “too early to say” if the conflict between the SC and the House could lead to a constitutional crisis, such scenario would depend on the next move of the lawmakers.
“That (constitutional crisis) is up to Congress – if they will abide by the order of the Court,” he said.
“The status quo ante order issued by the Court is still in effect,” he added.
“It’s their discretion to proceed or not to proceed. As far as the Court is concerned, a status quo ante order is issued. And we all know that rule of law should be observed,” he said in an interview.
The SC official admitted that they were surprised by the House committee’s move.
“The Court was under the impression that the Solicitor General had the same position as that of the House in filing the motion to defer oral argument to a later date. For the Court, it was a manifestation of respect to the decision of the Court to issue status quo order, that’s why it is also surprising that this (development) is coming out,” he lamented.
Asked if the action of the House committee constitutes contempt of court, Marquez declined to comment and said he would still consult the magistrates who were busy yesterday afternoon hearing the case involving the truth commission.
Marquez said magistrates only tackled the impeachment case against Gutierrez during the full-court session in the morning. They granted the motion of the Ombudsman and Office of the Solicitor General to reset the oral arguments on the case from Sept. 30 to Oct. 5 at 2 p.m.
He said the issue of constitutional separation of powers between the SC and the House, which was raised by the 33 members of the House committee on justice as basis for defying court’s restraining order, would be tackled in the hearing.
But Marquez stressed that the SC’s issuance of status quo ante is within the “judicial power” of the High Court as provided for in Article VIII Section 1 of the Constitution.
He said the main issue is whether or not the House committee violated a constitutional provision banning impeachment proceedings within a year of each other. With Edu Punay and Michael Punongbayan - By Paolo Romero
After three hours of intense debates that began at 9:30 a.m., the committee voted 33-14 in favor of the motion raised by Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada to continue with the impeachment hearings in defiance of the SC’s status quo ante order. Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon abstained.
Tañada and Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas, chairman of the committee, said they would tackle in the next hearing the grounds for the two impeachment complaints against Gutierrez filed separately by party-lists Akbayan and Bayan Muna last July 22 and Aug. 3, respectively.
Tupas however said he would still have to “consult with the House leadership” on when to hold the next impeachment hearing.
“It is the position of the undersigned members, with due courtesy to a co-equal branch of government, that the issuance of the subject Status Quo Ante Order on Sept. 14, 2010 is an undue interference in and a clear infringement on the constitutional mandate of the House Committee on Justice, considering that the proceedings are in the early stage and are still internal matters of the Committee,” the motion, signed by 17 members of the panel, read.
“I don’t want to be cited, arrested for contempt by the Supreme Court,” Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado said in casting his dissenting vote.
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., however, sought to avert a constitutional crisis by declaring that there would be no impeachment proceedings until the SC finally resolves the case.
“We’re not at war here,” Belmonte told reporters. But it was not clear whether he would direct Tupas’ committee to stop the hearings.
He pointed out the committee did not conduct an actual hearing but only met to debate on the SC’s order.
“What the panel said is really the reiteration of what we have been saying that we have the exclusive authority…to initiate impeachment proceedings. We cannot abdicate that power,” Belmonte said.
Sources said the committee firmed up its position in a secret caucus on Monday. Technically, there is still no violation of the SC directive since the committee has not yet set a date for the actual hearing to discuss Gutierrez’s case.
Tañada said Belmonte earlier issued a directive banning other hearings to allow the chamber to focus on plenary debates to ensure the passage of the proposed P1.64-trillion national budget before Congress goes on recess on Oct. 15.
“There has been no actual violation of the status quo ante order,” Belmonte said.
He said the House has 60 session days to dispose of the impeachment complaints so he sees the resumption of the hearings when Congress resumes work in November.
“As I said, they, as well as all of us, are very hopeful that a resolution will be made favorable to the House insofar as the case pending with the SC is concerned,” Belmonte said.
Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas, vice chairman of the panel, maintained the chamber was exercising judicial courtesy in responding to the SC directive but careful not to submit to its jurisdiction.
Tañada said the committee would file its comment on the High Court’s ruling either today or on Thursday.
Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga and Mercado—all lawyers—took turns attacking the motion.
“We have destroyed the rule of law in this country and exercised the rule of men in the committee of justice…we will have a constitutional crisis,” Rodriguez said.
Datumanong and Alagad party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta said the situation was triggered by the majority’s insistence in tackling the two separate complaints despite a constitutional provision that only one impeachment complaint can be tackled in one year against the same official.
Barzaga warned that in defying the SC, the situation could worsen and might even lead to a situation where lawmakers would try to impeach the members of the High Tribunal.
Mum but confident
Gutierrez made an appearance at the House in the afternoon to attend the hearing on the Office of the Ombudsman’s proposed P1.109-billion budget for next year.
“I’m here to present the budget and I hope that we will get the budget that we need for 2011,” Gutierrez told reporters, adding she might be scolded by the SC for sub judice if she commented further on the committee’s decision.
“We will have the oral arguments I think by the first week of October so I will have my day. I hope and I pray that I will that my position will be favorably taken,” she said.
“I know (a) majority of the congressmen are wise and decisive and I know they are thinking hard about the complaints against me,” she said.
She maintained the allegations have no basis stressing that the Office of the Ombudsman has a conviction rate of 73 percent.
“They are the ones creating a constitutional crisis,” lawyer Butch Diaz said referring to the committee members who voted to defy the SC order.
“Why are we rushing it? Is this something that is so vital to our survival?” he asked.
During the budget hearing, Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello, one of those pushing for Gutierrez’s ouster, said he would not move to reduce the budget but instead would seek to increase it to include her one-way travel expenses of $2,168 to Kabul, Afghanistan “so that we can send the Ombudsman to her comrades in the Taliban.”
Gutierrez responded by saying she would go anywhere “in the service of my country” but said Bello should accompany her to Kabul.
SC’s appeal
Meanwhile, the SC appealed to lawmakers to respect the rule of law in the impeachment proceedings against Gutierrez.
Court administrator and spokesman Midas Marquez told reporters that while it is still “too early to say” if the conflict between the SC and the House could lead to a constitutional crisis, such scenario would depend on the next move of the lawmakers.
“That (constitutional crisis) is up to Congress – if they will abide by the order of the Court,” he said.
“The status quo ante order issued by the Court is still in effect,” he added.
“It’s their discretion to proceed or not to proceed. As far as the Court is concerned, a status quo ante order is issued. And we all know that rule of law should be observed,” he said in an interview.
The SC official admitted that they were surprised by the House committee’s move.
“The Court was under the impression that the Solicitor General had the same position as that of the House in filing the motion to defer oral argument to a later date. For the Court, it was a manifestation of respect to the decision of the Court to issue status quo order, that’s why it is also surprising that this (development) is coming out,” he lamented.
Asked if the action of the House committee constitutes contempt of court, Marquez declined to comment and said he would still consult the magistrates who were busy yesterday afternoon hearing the case involving the truth commission.
Marquez said magistrates only tackled the impeachment case against Gutierrez during the full-court session in the morning. They granted the motion of the Ombudsman and Office of the Solicitor General to reset the oral arguments on the case from Sept. 30 to Oct. 5 at 2 p.m.
He said the issue of constitutional separation of powers between the SC and the House, which was raised by the 33 members of the House committee on justice as basis for defying court’s restraining order, would be tackled in the hearing.
But Marquez stressed that the SC’s issuance of status quo ante is within the “judicial power” of the High Court as provided for in Article VIII Section 1 of the Constitution.
He said the main issue is whether or not the House committee violated a constitutional provision banning impeachment proceedings within a year of each other. With Edu Punay and Michael Punongbayan - By Paolo Romero
News Update Aquino orders De Lima to review 'Morong 43' case
MANILA, Philippines - After leading the grueling probe of the Aug. 23 hostage incident, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima is set to focus her attention now on the case involving 43 health workers arrested in Rizal province last February after being suspected to be members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA).
She said she has been directed by President Aquino to determine if the detention and indictment of the arrested health workers dubbed as “Morong 43” for illegal possession of grenades and other explosives had legal basis.
“I was directed to review the case and make recommendations to the President,” she told a press conference, adding that the review was prompted by strong clamor from international human rights group.
De Lima said she would particularly determine the validity of the arrest and detention of the “Morong 43” as well as the basis for resolution of the department approving the filing of the criminal charges against them following inquest proceedings conducted by State Prosecutor Romeo Senson.
The 43 health workers, who are now detained in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, were charged before the Regional Trial Court of Morong, Rizal with violation of PD 1866 as amended by RA 8294 and RA 9516 which imposes penalties for illegal possession of grenades and other explosives, and Comelec Resolution No. 8714 in relation to Article 261 (q) of the Election Code which prohibits any person, unless authorized by the Comelec, to carry firearms outside his residence during the election period.
Five of them, however, have already been transferred to Camp Capinpin after agreeing to testify for the government in court trial.
The inquest proceedings were conducted on Feb. 7 or a day after the health workers were arrested by a raiding team composed of military and police officers at a farmhouse located at 266 Dela Paz Street. Barangay Maybangcal, Morong, Rizal.
The “Morong 43” were arrested on suspicion that they are members of the NPA.
On Feb. 12, the Morong, Rizal RTC Branch 78, presided by Judge Amorfina Cerrado-Cezar issued commitment orders directing the jail warden of Camp Capinpin to take custody of the 43 health workers.
De Lima, however, admitted that the withdrawal of the case and the release of the health workers depends solely on the discretion of the courts hearing their cases.
She said a petition is also pending before the Supreme Court seeking the reversal of the Court of Appeals (CA) ruling denying the petition for a writ of habeas corpus filed by the health workers. - By Edu Punay
She said she has been directed by President Aquino to determine if the detention and indictment of the arrested health workers dubbed as “Morong 43” for illegal possession of grenades and other explosives had legal basis.
“I was directed to review the case and make recommendations to the President,” she told a press conference, adding that the review was prompted by strong clamor from international human rights group.
De Lima said she would particularly determine the validity of the arrest and detention of the “Morong 43” as well as the basis for resolution of the department approving the filing of the criminal charges against them following inquest proceedings conducted by State Prosecutor Romeo Senson.
The 43 health workers, who are now detained in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, were charged before the Regional Trial Court of Morong, Rizal with violation of PD 1866 as amended by RA 8294 and RA 9516 which imposes penalties for illegal possession of grenades and other explosives, and Comelec Resolution No. 8714 in relation to Article 261 (q) of the Election Code which prohibits any person, unless authorized by the Comelec, to carry firearms outside his residence during the election period.
Five of them, however, have already been transferred to Camp Capinpin after agreeing to testify for the government in court trial.
The inquest proceedings were conducted on Feb. 7 or a day after the health workers were arrested by a raiding team composed of military and police officers at a farmhouse located at 266 Dela Paz Street. Barangay Maybangcal, Morong, Rizal.
The “Morong 43” were arrested on suspicion that they are members of the NPA.
On Feb. 12, the Morong, Rizal RTC Branch 78, presided by Judge Amorfina Cerrado-Cezar issued commitment orders directing the jail warden of Camp Capinpin to take custody of the 43 health workers.
De Lima, however, admitted that the withdrawal of the case and the release of the health workers depends solely on the discretion of the courts hearing their cases.
She said a petition is also pending before the Supreme Court seeking the reversal of the Court of Appeals (CA) ruling denying the petition for a writ of habeas corpus filed by the health workers. - By Edu Punay
News Update Coke to invest $1 billion in Philippines
DETROIT, Sept 28 - Coca-Cola Co said on Tuesday it has committed to increase investments in the Philippines by $1 billion over five years to strengthen operations there.
"Our new commitment to invest $1 billion in our business over five years will strengthen production, distribution and help development of new products," Glenn Jordan, Coca-Cola Pacific Group president, said in a statement.
The announcement was made in conjunction with Jordan meeting with Benigno Aquino, president of the Philippines, in New York.
Coca-Cola is building a large bottling facility in Misamis Oriental in the Philippines that is scheduled to begin operations next year. The company's Philippine business saw double-digit growth in the first half of the year.
Coca-Cola, which operates 23 plants and 42 sales offices with more than 7,800 employees across the Philippines, said the new investment will focus on marketing and system logistics and delivery capabilities in order to better serve its expanding customer base.
Coca-Cola has been present in the Philippines since the start of the 20th century and has been locally produced since 1912. The Philippines received the first Coca-Cola bottling and distribution franchise outside North America and operations there are among the biggest 10 Coca-Cola bottlers globally.
"Our new commitment to invest $1 billion in our business over five years will strengthen production, distribution and help development of new products," Glenn Jordan, Coca-Cola Pacific Group president, said in a statement.
The announcement was made in conjunction with Jordan meeting with Benigno Aquino, president of the Philippines, in New York.
Coca-Cola is building a large bottling facility in Misamis Oriental in the Philippines that is scheduled to begin operations next year. The company's Philippine business saw double-digit growth in the first half of the year.
Coca-Cola, which operates 23 plants and 42 sales offices with more than 7,800 employees across the Philippines, said the new investment will focus on marketing and system logistics and delivery capabilities in order to better serve its expanding customer base.
Coca-Cola has been present in the Philippines since the start of the 20th century and has been locally produced since 1912. The Philippines received the first Coca-Cola bottling and distribution franchise outside North America and operations there are among the biggest 10 Coca-Cola bottlers globally.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
News Update Flashy cars for wife, in-law
According to court documents, Koh Seah Wee (above), then with SLA's application services department, conspired with an ex-colleague Lim Chai Meng, to deceive SLA to pay large sums of money to 10 firms for computer and IT services from 2008 till March this year. -- PHOTO: FLICKR.COM
With the $11.8 million he allegedly took from conspiring with a colleague to cheat the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), Koh Seah Wee, a former SLA deputy director, bought two flashy cars for his wife and mother-in-law.
He gave his wife Yeing Nyok Sea, 38, a $1.6 million Lamborghini and his mum-in-law Kok A Mui a $300,000 Mercedes Benz coupe.
He is also believed to have used the money to buy property and invest in unit trusts and other financial products since 2008.
Koh, 40, who is facing 237 charges of cheating the SLA of $11.8 million, was charged with an additional 12 counts on Tuesday.
Currently being remanded, he appeared via videolink for a pre-trial conference to discuss arrangements for his trial. His lawyer Ravinderpal Singh told The Straits Times that it has not been confirmed that the case will be heard in a district court as the prosecution can apply for Koh to be prosecuted in the High Court.
According to court documents, Koh, then with SLA's application services department, conspired with an ex-colleague Lim Chai Meng, 37, to deceive SLA to pay large sums of money to 10 firms for computer and IT services from 2008 till March this year. Seven of these companies were owned by businessman Ho Yen Teck, 31.
Investigations into the role of his alleged accomplices, wife and mother-in-law are ongoing.
If convicted of cheating in a district court, he could be fined up to $10,000 and jailed up to 10 years on each count. For concealing criminal proceeds, he could be fined up to $500,000 and/or jailed up to seven years.
News Update Palace to let SC punish perpetrators of DLSU blast
Malacañang on Tuesday condemned the blast at the De La Salle University last Sunday, but said it will let the Supreme Court find and punish the perpetrators.
The incident, which occurred on the last day of the Bar exams, injured over 40 people. Authorities are still verifying whether warring fraternities were behind the blast.
"We condemn the violence in DLSU," said presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda in an interview with reporters.
"These are people who are going to take the Bar, who are going to be future lawyers. And this act of violence is unbecoming of someone who is going to belong in the profession, who is supposed to uphold the law," said Lacierda, himself a lawyer.
Noting that Chief Justice Renato Corona was also "aghast" at the incident, Lacierda said the Palace is leaving the incident investigation to the Supreme Court which, Lacierda said, has jurisdiction over issues relating to the Bar exams.
"I think if the law students were the perpetrators, I am sure the Supreme Court will do something about it," he said.
Supreme Court administrator Midas Marquez earlier said the high court will create an independent committee that will conduct a parallel investigation into the blast.
Police said that as of 8 a.m. Monday, 47 people were reported injured based on reports from hospitals where the injured were brought. These hospitals include the Ospital ng Maynila, Manila Doctors’ Hospital, Manila Sanitarium, and the Philippine General Hospital.
Initial investigation showed many of the injured were caught in a stampede because of the explosion, which occurred across a fast-food outlet near the DLSU campus. Police said most of the casualties sustained foot injuries while others were trampled on during the stampede.
The National Bureau of Investigation said a grenade, and not a pillbox as originally suspected, caused the explosion.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said initial reports from the NBI, an attached agency of the Justice Department, showed that the violence stemmed from a conflict between fraternities whose members "got drunk, became unruly, and went overboard."
"Individuals were injured, and one's legs have to be amputated. Imagine this tragedy, it has to be seriously investigated," De Lima said. — Jam Sisante/RSJ
The incident, which occurred on the last day of the Bar exams, injured over 40 people. Authorities are still verifying whether warring fraternities were behind the blast.
"We condemn the violence in DLSU," said presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda in an interview with reporters.
"These are people who are going to take the Bar, who are going to be future lawyers. And this act of violence is unbecoming of someone who is going to belong in the profession, who is supposed to uphold the law," said Lacierda, himself a lawyer.
Noting that Chief Justice Renato Corona was also "aghast" at the incident, Lacierda said the Palace is leaving the incident investigation to the Supreme Court which, Lacierda said, has jurisdiction over issues relating to the Bar exams.
"I think if the law students were the perpetrators, I am sure the Supreme Court will do something about it," he said.
Supreme Court administrator Midas Marquez earlier said the high court will create an independent committee that will conduct a parallel investigation into the blast.
Police said that as of 8 a.m. Monday, 47 people were reported injured based on reports from hospitals where the injured were brought. These hospitals include the Ospital ng Maynila, Manila Doctors’ Hospital, Manila Sanitarium, and the Philippine General Hospital.
Initial investigation showed many of the injured were caught in a stampede because of the explosion, which occurred across a fast-food outlet near the DLSU campus. Police said most of the casualties sustained foot injuries while others were trampled on during the stampede.
The National Bureau of Investigation said a grenade, and not a pillbox as originally suspected, caused the explosion.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said initial reports from the NBI, an attached agency of the Justice Department, showed that the violence stemmed from a conflict between fraternities whose members "got drunk, became unruly, and went overboard."
"Individuals were injured, and one's legs have to be amputated. Imagine this tragedy, it has to be seriously investigated," De Lima said. — Jam Sisante/RSJ
News Update Ex-Pampanga gov throws support for jueteng whistleblower
A former priest and a former governor of Pampanga, Eduardo Panlilio, said he will share with jueteng whistleblower, retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, his experience in fighting jueteng.
"I believe he needs help. I don’t think Archbishop Cruz will say something if it’s without basis," Panlilio said in an article posted on Monday on the Union of Catholic Asian News website.
Panlilio admitted he had been a victim of sorts of a jueteng-related "conspiracy" between jueteng operators and local police officials in Pampanga.
According to him, the conspiracy prevented him from cracking down on the illegal numbers game, he claimed.
“There was no way for me to stop jueteng … because there seems to be a conspiracy between the leadership of the Philippine National Police and the jueteng operators in Pampanga," he said.
However, Panlilio said he is not giving up the fight, and will support Cruz's crusade.
Cruz, who heads a nationwide crusade against gambling, had testified before the Senate and linked some officials to payoffs from jueteng operators.
Since his expose, Cruz said he received messages of support from people who asked not to be named, but said most of these supporters did not follow up with action.
One caller claimed he had information about gambling, but when asked for it he refused to elaborate.
“My conclusion is the man may have some knowledge about gambling in the country, legal or illegal, but he is not certain whether to come out or not," Cruz said.
Aquino urged to declare all-out war vs. jueteng
Catholic officials called anew on President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to declare an “all-out war" against jueteng.
“That’s what [Aquino] said before, so I hope he’ll be true to his word," Panlilio said.
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales called on the government to take drastic measures against “organized extortion" in jueteng.
Rosales said jueteng lords get richer and benefit from the underground and multimillion-peso lottery.
“Jueteng is an organized extortion… extorting money from the poor in order to become rich," Rosales said in an interview on Church-run Radyo Veritas.
Excerpts of the interview were posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines news site on Monday.
Rosales said many of those victimized by jueteng operators belong to the marginalized sector of society who hope to double their hard-earned money by placing bets.
On Cruz's list
During the Senate hearing on jueteng on September 21, Cruz named the following officials for allegedly receiving jueteng payoffs: Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno, and Retired Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jesus Verzosa.
Those named by Cruz as alleged jueteng lords and operators were: Governor Baby Pineda of Pampanga; Paul Dy of Isabela; Retired general Eugene Martin of Baguio City; Mayor Mauricio Domogan of Baguio City; Danny Soriano of Cagayan; a certain retired "General Padilla" operating in Pasay, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, and San Pedro; Governor Amado Espino in Pangasinan, and Boy Jalandoni of Bacolod.
Identified as a jueteng collector on the ground was a certain Eddie Fontanilla, with retired General Rey Cachuela as the intermediate recipient, Cruz's list said.
Those identified as "good resource persons" for jueteng were Atong Ang for jueteng and jai alai and Manoling Morato for STL.
During the term of former president Joseph Estrada, Ang became a consultant of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) on jai alai operations. –VVP
"I believe he needs help. I don’t think Archbishop Cruz will say something if it’s without basis," Panlilio said in an article posted on Monday on the Union of Catholic Asian News website.
Panlilio admitted he had been a victim of sorts of a jueteng-related "conspiracy" between jueteng operators and local police officials in Pampanga.
According to him, the conspiracy prevented him from cracking down on the illegal numbers game, he claimed.
“There was no way for me to stop jueteng … because there seems to be a conspiracy between the leadership of the Philippine National Police and the jueteng operators in Pampanga," he said.
However, Panlilio said he is not giving up the fight, and will support Cruz's crusade.
Cruz, who heads a nationwide crusade against gambling, had testified before the Senate and linked some officials to payoffs from jueteng operators.
Since his expose, Cruz said he received messages of support from people who asked not to be named, but said most of these supporters did not follow up with action.
One caller claimed he had information about gambling, but when asked for it he refused to elaborate.
“My conclusion is the man may have some knowledge about gambling in the country, legal or illegal, but he is not certain whether to come out or not," Cruz said.
Aquino urged to declare all-out war vs. jueteng
Catholic officials called anew on President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to declare an “all-out war" against jueteng.
“That’s what [Aquino] said before, so I hope he’ll be true to his word," Panlilio said.
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales called on the government to take drastic measures against “organized extortion" in jueteng.
Rosales said jueteng lords get richer and benefit from the underground and multimillion-peso lottery.
“Jueteng is an organized extortion… extorting money from the poor in order to become rich," Rosales said in an interview on Church-run Radyo Veritas.
Excerpts of the interview were posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines news site on Monday.
Rosales said many of those victimized by jueteng operators belong to the marginalized sector of society who hope to double their hard-earned money by placing bets.
On Cruz's list
During the Senate hearing on jueteng on September 21, Cruz named the following officials for allegedly receiving jueteng payoffs: Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno, and Retired Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jesus Verzosa.
Those named by Cruz as alleged jueteng lords and operators were: Governor Baby Pineda of Pampanga; Paul Dy of Isabela; Retired general Eugene Martin of Baguio City; Mayor Mauricio Domogan of Baguio City; Danny Soriano of Cagayan; a certain retired "General Padilla" operating in Pasay, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, and San Pedro; Governor Amado Espino in Pangasinan, and Boy Jalandoni of Bacolod.
Identified as a jueteng collector on the ground was a certain Eddie Fontanilla, with retired General Rey Cachuela as the intermediate recipient, Cruz's list said.
Those identified as "good resource persons" for jueteng were Atong Ang for jueteng and jai alai and Manoling Morato for STL.
During the term of former president Joseph Estrada, Ang became a consultant of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) on jai alai operations. –VVP
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