Typhoon “Kabayan" intensified further as it continued to move north toward southern Japan, even as state weather forecasters are tracking another potential cyclone off Ilocos Sur.
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Manny Mendoza said there is a chance Kabayan can become a super-typhoon.
“May posibilidad po itong lumakas pa. And then hahatak at hahatak ng hanging habagat," PAGASA forecaster Manny Mendoza said in an interview on dzBB radio Sunday, when asked about the possibility of Kabayan becoming a super-typhoon.
A super-typhoon has winds exceeding 215 kph near the center.
But Mendoza said Kabayan is continuing to move north and may head for Japan.
He also said state weather forecasters now are tracking a potential cyclone, a low-pressure area (LPA) some 200 km west-northwest off Sinait town in Ilocos Sur.
Mendoza said the LPA can become a cyclone while inside Philippine territory. Should this happen, the cyclone would be codenamed “Lando."
More monsoon rains
PAGASA said Kabayan was estimated at 970 km East of Casiguran, Aurora as of 4 a.m. Sunday, with maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph.
It said Kabayan is forecast to move north at 7 kph.
“The western section of Luzon will experience monsoon rains which may trigger flashfloods and landslides while Visayas and the rest of Luzon will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms," it said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.
PAGASA’s 11 p.m. Saturday advisory said Kabayan is expected to be 1,000 km east of Aparri, Cagayan Sunday evening and 930 km east-northeast of Basco, Batanes Monday evening.
By Tuesday evening it is expected to be 940 km northeast of Basco, Batanes or at 390 km east-southeast of Okinawa, Japan. — LBG,
Sunday, July 31, 2011
News Update Media group demands apology from Kalinga guv
NATIONAL Press Club president Jerry Yap said the hearing of embattled Kalinga Governor Jocel Baac at the Department of Justice was reset to August 10.
Yap said Baac did not submit a counter affidavit as he has not received the formal complaint.
State Prosecutor Hazel Valdez had to reset the hearing to next month.
NPC filed sedition charges against Baac for his alleged attack on dzRK Radyo ng Bayan in Tabuk town and for inflicting physical injury on anchorman Jerome Tabanganay.
While Baac allegedly apologized for his act after realizing its effect to the media community, NPC president said he wants the apology to be given formally.
Baac earlier said he went to the state-run radio station not to hurt Tabanganay but to talk to him about the broadcaster's alleged criticisms over the radio.
The governor said he merely grabbed the microphone and it was unfortunate that the broadcaster's forehead was hit. He also denied that he was with two policemen when he attacked Tabanganay.
The NPC also filed before the Office of President administrative charges of grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service against Baac.
"We will push through for this case with governor Baac until there is no official apology to the media," Yap said.
Yap said Baac did not submit a counter affidavit as he has not received the formal complaint.
State Prosecutor Hazel Valdez had to reset the hearing to next month.
NPC filed sedition charges against Baac for his alleged attack on dzRK Radyo ng Bayan in Tabuk town and for inflicting physical injury on anchorman Jerome Tabanganay.
While Baac allegedly apologized for his act after realizing its effect to the media community, NPC president said he wants the apology to be given formally.
Baac earlier said he went to the state-run radio station not to hurt Tabanganay but to talk to him about the broadcaster's alleged criticisms over the radio.
The governor said he merely grabbed the microphone and it was unfortunate that the broadcaster's forehead was hit. He also denied that he was with two policemen when he attacked Tabanganay.
The NPC also filed before the Office of President administrative charges of grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service against Baac.
"We will push through for this case with governor Baac until there is no official apology to the media," Yap said.
News Update Ex-kidnap-slay case suspects want $60M from government
CEBU CITY -- A false accusation amounts to a human rights abuse, said the couple whom police first tagged as suspects in the abduction and murder of a Cebuana schoolgirl.
That's why they filed a complaint asking the United Nations (UN) to compel the Republic of the Philippines to pay them US$60 million or about P2.5 billion at Friday's exchange rate.
Norwegian tourist Sven Erik Berger and his Cebuana fiancée, Karen Esdrelon, filed the new complaint seven days after they lodged a P220-million damage suit against four police officers and an immigration official at the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.
One of their lawyers, Glen Villariza, said the new complaint centered on the "human rights abuses" committed by police officers. The government, being their employer, is liable for the charged offense, he said.
Previously, at the ombudsman's office, Berger and Esdrelon filed criminal and administrative charges against former provincial police chief Erson Digal, police officers Rubin Cuizon and Lamberto Hibaya, airport policewoman Donalita Sotto and immigration officer Arthur Omega.
In their new joint complaint-affidavit, the couple said the unlawful acts allegedly committed by the respondents tarnished their reputation and caused them "sleepless nights, mental anguish, serious anxiety, moral and social humiliation" not just in the Philippines, but also in Norway.
Accompanied by their counsels Villariza and Gil Tayag, the couple went to the ombudsman's office Friday afternoon purportedly to attend a clarificatory hearing of the charges they filed last week.
They were told, however, that no hearing was necessary just yet.
They then proceeded to the Office of the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor, where the couple swore an oath in relation to their new complaint.
The lawyers declined to give a copy.
Villariza said a simple Google search of the names of Berger and Esdrelon now brings up phrases containing unpleasant descriptions of the couple, such as "child murderer and kidnapper," among others.
Villariza also told ABS-CBN's TV Patrol Central Visayas that the reputation of the couple was "internationally damaged." He said the formal complaint will be sent Saturday to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.
Berger, in separate interview, said he could not say yet whether he would forgive former provincial police chief Digal and his men for the inconvenience and trouble they caused him and his fiancée. He said they would wait for updates of their case and rely on their lawyers.
Berger, 49, and Esdrelon, 25, were arrested for the abduction and murder of Ellah Joy Pique of Minglanilla, Cebu, shortly before their flight to Hong Kong from Mactan.
Ellah Joy was allegedly snatched from her school in Barangay Calajo-an, Minglanilla, Cebu last February 8. The following day, her naked body was found at the foot of a cliff in Barili, Cebu.
The police filed a charge for the complex crime of kidnapping with homicide against the couple, but government prosecutors later dismissed the case for insufficiency of evidence.
Assistant Provincial Prosecutors Marlon Atillo and Marvin dela Peña, in their resolution, had dismissed the charges against the couple, who produced documents that they were somewhere else when the crime was committed.
The National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas secured photos from cameras at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City, showing the couple in the hotel around the time Pique disappeared.
The police freed Berger and Esdrelon from detention two weeks after their arrest. They have since filed another charge against another couple, British national Ian Charles Griffiths and his Cebuana girlfriend, Bella Ruby Santos.
In a related development, a police official said that Griffiths and Santos were just "copying" the move of the first pair of suspects linked to the Pique case.
The couple intends to file a "multi-million-dollar damage suit" against some police officers and prosecution witnesses, according to their lawyer, Rameses Villagonzalo.
Senior Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador, spokesperson of the Task Force Ellah Joy, told reporters Friday the couple is just imitating Esdrelon and Berger's moves.
Comendador said he didn't feel "harassed" by the threat of being sued by Griffiths and Santos.
"That's their right to file a complaint," he said in Cebuano. "We are just doing our job."
Comendador said they got a manifesto from a sea vessel, but he could not confirm if one of the passengers was Santos.
"There was no first name," he said.
According to an earlier report, Santos allegedly left for Zamboanga, with a brief stop in Negros Occidental. Her name was supposedly found in a manifesto of a roll-on-roll-off vessel bound for San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. (GMD/KAL/Sun.Star Cebu)
That's why they filed a complaint asking the United Nations (UN) to compel the Republic of the Philippines to pay them US$60 million or about P2.5 billion at Friday's exchange rate.
Norwegian tourist Sven Erik Berger and his Cebuana fiancée, Karen Esdrelon, filed the new complaint seven days after they lodged a P220-million damage suit against four police officers and an immigration official at the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.
One of their lawyers, Glen Villariza, said the new complaint centered on the "human rights abuses" committed by police officers. The government, being their employer, is liable for the charged offense, he said.
Previously, at the ombudsman's office, Berger and Esdrelon filed criminal and administrative charges against former provincial police chief Erson Digal, police officers Rubin Cuizon and Lamberto Hibaya, airport policewoman Donalita Sotto and immigration officer Arthur Omega.
In their new joint complaint-affidavit, the couple said the unlawful acts allegedly committed by the respondents tarnished their reputation and caused them "sleepless nights, mental anguish, serious anxiety, moral and social humiliation" not just in the Philippines, but also in Norway.
Accompanied by their counsels Villariza and Gil Tayag, the couple went to the ombudsman's office Friday afternoon purportedly to attend a clarificatory hearing of the charges they filed last week.
They were told, however, that no hearing was necessary just yet.
They then proceeded to the Office of the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor, where the couple swore an oath in relation to their new complaint.
The lawyers declined to give a copy.
Villariza said a simple Google search of the names of Berger and Esdrelon now brings up phrases containing unpleasant descriptions of the couple, such as "child murderer and kidnapper," among others.
Villariza also told ABS-CBN's TV Patrol Central Visayas that the reputation of the couple was "internationally damaged." He said the formal complaint will be sent Saturday to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.
Berger, in separate interview, said he could not say yet whether he would forgive former provincial police chief Digal and his men for the inconvenience and trouble they caused him and his fiancée. He said they would wait for updates of their case and rely on their lawyers.
Berger, 49, and Esdrelon, 25, were arrested for the abduction and murder of Ellah Joy Pique of Minglanilla, Cebu, shortly before their flight to Hong Kong from Mactan.
Ellah Joy was allegedly snatched from her school in Barangay Calajo-an, Minglanilla, Cebu last February 8. The following day, her naked body was found at the foot of a cliff in Barili, Cebu.
The police filed a charge for the complex crime of kidnapping with homicide against the couple, but government prosecutors later dismissed the case for insufficiency of evidence.
Assistant Provincial Prosecutors Marlon Atillo and Marvin dela Peña, in their resolution, had dismissed the charges against the couple, who produced documents that they were somewhere else when the crime was committed.
The National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas secured photos from cameras at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City, showing the couple in the hotel around the time Pique disappeared.
The police freed Berger and Esdrelon from detention two weeks after their arrest. They have since filed another charge against another couple, British national Ian Charles Griffiths and his Cebuana girlfriend, Bella Ruby Santos.
In a related development, a police official said that Griffiths and Santos were just "copying" the move of the first pair of suspects linked to the Pique case.
The couple intends to file a "multi-million-dollar damage suit" against some police officers and prosecution witnesses, according to their lawyer, Rameses Villagonzalo.
Senior Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador, spokesperson of the Task Force Ellah Joy, told reporters Friday the couple is just imitating Esdrelon and Berger's moves.
Comendador said he didn't feel "harassed" by the threat of being sued by Griffiths and Santos.
"That's their right to file a complaint," he said in Cebuano. "We are just doing our job."
Comendador said they got a manifesto from a sea vessel, but he could not confirm if one of the passengers was Santos.
"There was no first name," he said.
According to an earlier report, Santos allegedly left for Zamboanga, with a brief stop in Negros Occidental. Her name was supposedly found in a manifesto of a roll-on-roll-off vessel bound for San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. (GMD/KAL/Sun.Star Cebu)
News Update Carnapping incidents rise
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- A top official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Pampanga recently disclosed that carnapping incidents in the province increased to an alarming rate from January to June this year.
Based on statistics presented by Senior Superintendent Edgardo Tinio, provincial police director, there were about 96 reported carnapping incidents, or one vehicle is carnapped every other day during the said period.
Only 35 of the carnapped vehicles were recovered and 15 persons involved were arrested, he said.
He added that appropriate charges were filed in court against the suspects.
Tinio said the provincial police have been relentless in the campaign against carnapping. Security measures were tightened to ensure that criminal elements involved in carnapping will have no opportunity to operate in the province, he said.
The provincial police office created a Task Group called "Sale" (Sencil, Atienza, Lozano, and Evangelista) to address the growing problem on carnapping. Likewise, a special investigation task group "Lozano" was created for case tracking.
During the first quarter of this year, a search warrant was implemented at "D", Block 3, Lot 1A, Greenville Commercial Complex, Barangay San Jose, this city, believed to be a safehouse maintained by the Domingo carnapping group.
This resulted in the confiscation of one green Mitsubishi Pajero, one Ford Expedition, 20 pieces of assorted licensed plates, two caliber 45 pistols, one caliber 9mm, 100 pieces of assorted keys for motor vehicles and assorted spare tires.
The police also implemented a search warrant at the residence of certain Jose Randolph Enriquez on Jay Street Green Meadow Phase 2, Mabiga, Mabalacat town. Three carnapped vehicles including Mitsubishi Montero Sports, Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda VTEC were recovered.
Another search warrant was implemented at the apartment rented by one Jayson Nakpil in Villa De San Agustin, Sitio Dalisdis, San Pedro Camuning in Mexico town. A Toyota Elf and Mitsubishi Grandis Wagon were recovered.
In a related development, Mc Lester Reyes, a resident of Caloocan City, Metro Manila, also a member of Salvatiera robbery-carnapping group operating in Manila, Angeles City, Tarlac, Bulacan and Pampanga was arrested for violations of Presidential Decree 1866, reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property and falsification of documents.
Based on statistics presented by Senior Superintendent Edgardo Tinio, provincial police director, there were about 96 reported carnapping incidents, or one vehicle is carnapped every other day during the said period.
Only 35 of the carnapped vehicles were recovered and 15 persons involved were arrested, he said.
He added that appropriate charges were filed in court against the suspects.
Tinio said the provincial police have been relentless in the campaign against carnapping. Security measures were tightened to ensure that criminal elements involved in carnapping will have no opportunity to operate in the province, he said.
The provincial police office created a Task Group called "Sale" (Sencil, Atienza, Lozano, and Evangelista) to address the growing problem on carnapping. Likewise, a special investigation task group "Lozano" was created for case tracking.
During the first quarter of this year, a search warrant was implemented at "D", Block 3, Lot 1A, Greenville Commercial Complex, Barangay San Jose, this city, believed to be a safehouse maintained by the Domingo carnapping group.
This resulted in the confiscation of one green Mitsubishi Pajero, one Ford Expedition, 20 pieces of assorted licensed plates, two caliber 45 pistols, one caliber 9mm, 100 pieces of assorted keys for motor vehicles and assorted spare tires.
The police also implemented a search warrant at the residence of certain Jose Randolph Enriquez on Jay Street Green Meadow Phase 2, Mabiga, Mabalacat town. Three carnapped vehicles including Mitsubishi Montero Sports, Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda VTEC were recovered.
Another search warrant was implemented at the apartment rented by one Jayson Nakpil in Villa De San Agustin, Sitio Dalisdis, San Pedro Camuning in Mexico town. A Toyota Elf and Mitsubishi Grandis Wagon were recovered.
In a related development, Mc Lester Reyes, a resident of Caloocan City, Metro Manila, also a member of Salvatiera robbery-carnapping group operating in Manila, Angeles City, Tarlac, Bulacan and Pampanga was arrested for violations of Presidential Decree 1866, reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property and falsification of documents.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
DID YOU KNOW THAT ? Our Lady of Guibang Festival
News Update Philippines president vows to avenge beheadings
Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Friday vowed to get justice for two marines beheaded in a brutal knife attack by Islamist militants who killed five other soldiers.
Abu Sayyaf extremists killed seven marines, severing the heads of two of them and wounded 27 others in a major clash on the remote southern island of Jolo on Thursday, according to an updated toll put out by the armed forces.
"In this encounter, seven of our troops fell in the midst of operations, and some of their remains were mutilated by the terrorists," the president said in a written statement.
"I condemn these atrocities that are meant to put pressure on the peace process -- to derail our efforts to counteract the causes of banditry, rebellion, and terrorism."
Aquino said he planned to attend a wake for the dead marines and pledged to their relatives that those responsible would be tracked down and arrested.
"Mark my words: to those of you who perpetrated this atrocity, know that you are now number one on my radar. It might take some time, but make no mistake about it: you will be brought to justice to answer for your crimes."
The regional military spokesman there, Lieutenant-Colonel Randolf Cabangbang, said 30 militants were slain in the clash, but gave no indication as to how the military determined the Abu Sayyaf death toll.
Abu Sayyaf, a small gang of self-styled Islamist militants founded in the 1990s with seed money from Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network, is blamed for the country's worst terrorist attacks.
They include beheading a US tourist kidnapped in 2001 and many other Filipino hostages, along with the bombing of a passenger ferry in Manila Bay in 2004 that killed more than 100 people.
Abu Sayyaf extremists killed seven marines, severing the heads of two of them and wounded 27 others in a major clash on the remote southern island of Jolo on Thursday, according to an updated toll put out by the armed forces.
"In this encounter, seven of our troops fell in the midst of operations, and some of their remains were mutilated by the terrorists," the president said in a written statement.
"I condemn these atrocities that are meant to put pressure on the peace process -- to derail our efforts to counteract the causes of banditry, rebellion, and terrorism."
Aquino said he planned to attend a wake for the dead marines and pledged to their relatives that those responsible would be tracked down and arrested.
"Mark my words: to those of you who perpetrated this atrocity, know that you are now number one on my radar. It might take some time, but make no mistake about it: you will be brought to justice to answer for your crimes."
The regional military spokesman there, Lieutenant-Colonel Randolf Cabangbang, said 30 militants were slain in the clash, but gave no indication as to how the military determined the Abu Sayyaf death toll.
Abu Sayyaf, a small gang of self-styled Islamist militants founded in the 1990s with seed money from Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network, is blamed for the country's worst terrorist attacks.
They include beheading a US tourist kidnapped in 2001 and many other Filipino hostages, along with the bombing of a passenger ferry in Manila Bay in 2004 that killed more than 100 people.
News Update 12 Vietnamese fishers rescued off Palawan
Twelve Vietnamese fishermen were rescued after their fishing boat capsized and drifted toward the Palawan area in western Philippines due to Tropical Storm Juaning (Nock-Ten).
Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay said the Vietnamese were rescued about 8:30 a.m. Thursday by Filipino fishermen aboard F/B Mayfair 19 between Constancia and Charybdis Shoals in the Sulu Sea, located southeast of Palawan.
From F/B Mayfair 19, the resuced Vietnamese were transferred to M/V Monalinda 19, which in turn brought them to mainland Palawan.
Tonsay said the fishermen were found to be in good physical condition after undergoing a medical cehck-up at the military headquarters of the Western Command in Puerto Princesa City.
The Vietnamese fishermen said they were fishing in Malaysian waters when they encountered engine trouble. Juaning aggravated things for the fishermen as their boat sank, the fishermen added. — with Mark Merueñas/RSJ
Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay said the Vietnamese were rescued about 8:30 a.m. Thursday by Filipino fishermen aboard F/B Mayfair 19 between Constancia and Charybdis Shoals in the Sulu Sea, located southeast of Palawan.
From F/B Mayfair 19, the resuced Vietnamese were transferred to M/V Monalinda 19, which in turn brought them to mainland Palawan.
Tonsay said the fishermen were found to be in good physical condition after undergoing a medical cehck-up at the military headquarters of the Western Command in Puerto Princesa City.
The Vietnamese fishermen said they were fishing in Malaysian waters when they encountered engine trouble. Juaning aggravated things for the fishermen as their boat sank, the fishermen added. — with Mark Merueñas/RSJ
News Update Carjack suspect Dominguez blames media
MANILA, Philippines - Suspected carjack gang leader Roger Dominguez today lamented what he said was the media's propensity to always highlight the negative things about him and his brother Raymond.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the hearing of the car theft with homicide charges against them, Roger said he was wondering why positive developments about them were never reported in the media.
According to Roger, some of the complaints against them had been dismissed by the fiscal.
"Bakit kapag positive hindi lumalabas (Why is it that when it's a positive thing, it's not coming out in the media)?" he asked.
"Puro panget yung mga nababasa namin sa dyaryo at lumalabas sa TV (All we read and see in TV and newspapers are negative)," Roger lamented.
Roger and Raymond and several others are facing charges before the Regional Trial Court Branch 215 for the kidnapping and killing of car dealer Venson Evangelista.
They have been implicated by another accused in the case, Alfred Mendiola, who admitted to being the one who posed as the buyer of the Land Cruiser that Evangelista was selling when he was abducted in January.
The Dominguez brothers had repeatedly denied the allegations.
According to the brothers' lawyer, Joey Cruz, said several car theft and murder charges filed against the brothers were dismissed even during preliminary investigations for lack of evidence.
Cruz said these complaints were filed in Bulacan, Pampanga and Quezon City about two to three years ago.
"There is a pattern that for every crime of similar nature, in Pampanga and Bulacan, the tendency is to file these against them (Dominguez brothers)," Cruz said. - By Reinir Padua (
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the hearing of the car theft with homicide charges against them, Roger said he was wondering why positive developments about them were never reported in the media.
According to Roger, some of the complaints against them had been dismissed by the fiscal.
"Bakit kapag positive hindi lumalabas (Why is it that when it's a positive thing, it's not coming out in the media)?" he asked.
"Puro panget yung mga nababasa namin sa dyaryo at lumalabas sa TV (All we read and see in TV and newspapers are negative)," Roger lamented.
Roger and Raymond and several others are facing charges before the Regional Trial Court Branch 215 for the kidnapping and killing of car dealer Venson Evangelista.
They have been implicated by another accused in the case, Alfred Mendiola, who admitted to being the one who posed as the buyer of the Land Cruiser that Evangelista was selling when he was abducted in January.
The Dominguez brothers had repeatedly denied the allegations.
According to the brothers' lawyer, Joey Cruz, said several car theft and murder charges filed against the brothers were dismissed even during preliminary investigations for lack of evidence.
Cruz said these complaints were filed in Bulacan, Pampanga and Quezon City about two to three years ago.
"There is a pattern that for every crime of similar nature, in Pampanga and Bulacan, the tendency is to file these against them (Dominguez brothers)," Cruz said. - By Reinir Padua (
News Update PNoy lauds Pinoy innovations at annual S&T Week
President Benigno Aquino III lauded the Filipino scientific community at the formal opening of the annual National Science and Technology week (NSTW) on July 28. Held at the Mall of Asia’s SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, the event showcased various recent Filipino innovations in the fields of science and technology.
In his keynote speech, Aquino called on the DOST to continue to take an aggressive stance in its development initiatives, even as he praised the agency’s latest research awardees —in particular, newly-inducted National Scientists Dr. Raul Fabella and Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ.
“Time and again, DOST have proven in its awardees that profit is not the only motivation for good research and inventions. May you serve as an inspiration not only to the youth but to all Filipinos as well. Despite lucrative career and offerings abroad, you chose to stay and serve your countrymen," Aquino said.
Some of the Filipino innovations on display at the NSTW were an automated weather station, PCOS machine, Mosquito Ovicidal-Larvicidal Trap, eRizal PC tablet, brown rice, baby foods, water filter, gantry crane, windmills, RxBox, and the latest projects in the fields of genomics, biotechnology, nanotechnology and nuclear energy.
According to the DOST, this year’s theme, “Nasa Siyensa ang Pag-asa" (There is Hope in Science) aptly depicts the department’s role in steering the country towards national development.
Scheduled activities and more information about the NSTW can be found at the event's website. — TJD
In his keynote speech, Aquino called on the DOST to continue to take an aggressive stance in its development initiatives, even as he praised the agency’s latest research awardees —in particular, newly-inducted National Scientists Dr. Raul Fabella and Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ.
“Time and again, DOST have proven in its awardees that profit is not the only motivation for good research and inventions. May you serve as an inspiration not only to the youth but to all Filipinos as well. Despite lucrative career and offerings abroad, you chose to stay and serve your countrymen," Aquino said.
Some of the Filipino innovations on display at the NSTW were an automated weather station, PCOS machine, Mosquito Ovicidal-Larvicidal Trap, eRizal PC tablet, brown rice, baby foods, water filter, gantry crane, windmills, RxBox, and the latest projects in the fields of genomics, biotechnology, nanotechnology and nuclear energy.
According to the DOST, this year’s theme, “Nasa Siyensa ang Pag-asa" (There is Hope in Science) aptly depicts the department’s role in steering the country towards national development.
Scheduled activities and more information about the NSTW can be found at the event's website. — TJD
DID YOU KNOW THAT ? The grand altar at Loay Church in Bohol is a sight to behold
By KC Santos
Loay Bohol Church Front Facade
Another old and charming church, loay parish is located west of tagbilaran city, boholThe church is cruciform, has two facades: the older is decorated with low relief and the newer was apparently completed in the 20th century as its upper register is in reinforced concrete. The whole is surmounted by cement statues depicting the virtues.
Loay Church along the central naveThe bell tower is a separate structure built at a short distance from the church. Like many Bohol churches the interior is painted with trompe o'eil and with Biblical scenes. The altars are in the Neoclassical style.
Loay Bohol Church Front Facade
Loay Church along the central naveThe bell tower is a separate structure built at a short distance from the church. Like many Bohol churches the interior is painted with trompe o'eil and with Biblical scenes. The altars are in the Neoclassical style.
Loay Bohol Church Photos by Oggie Poggie
Loay Bohol Church Bellfry
Loay Bohol Church Entry Doorway
Loay Church altar
Loay Church Side Naves
Loay Church Ceiling
Loay Church Station of the Cross
Loay Church Angel of the Water Font
Loay Church Belfry Door
LOAY, BOHOL – Tourists here often visit the Baclayon Church (the country's second oldest church) but the less famous Loay Church is just as interesting.
Found in the southeastern part of the province, the Loay Church is what I would describe the least predictable in terms of architectural symmetry and antiquity.
It was one of several centuries-old landmarks we visited during a recent media tour sponsored by Bonamine and the Department of Tourism, highlighting Bohol's rich history and culture.
The church was established a year after the town of Loay was declared a separate municipality from Loboc in the 1700s.
Construction, including the convent and a belfry, was completed in 1882. The belfry, although no longer functional, still stands in the left corner of the church’s façade.
Like most churches, the Loay Church was built from coral stones. While designed to survive extreme weather conditions, the coral stones have become worn, making the church look battered to the point that it would be mistaken as an abandoned church from afar.
Teresita Gudmalin, a caretaker at the church for more than a decade now, told me they lack enough funds nor expertise to restore the church. The church is also located near the river, making it more vulnerable.
Bird droppings also make it worse for the coral stones, not to mention the stench residents endure during mass despite the routine cleaning.
Inside, though, the church looks surprisingly well-preserved. My favorite part was its magnificent ceiling and the altar. My eyes were glued to the detailed “trompe o’eil” paint work on the ceiling.
Despite the church’s long existence, the ceiling looked as if it has just been repainted. Teal (a lighter shade of blue) dominated the motif and the paintings' dimensions make it appear a bigger dome than it actually is.
The altar was just as ornately done as the ceiling. From afar it looked like a delicately-laced umbrella protecting the church’s patron Santisima Trinidad or Blessed Trinity.
The two retablos on the opposite sides of the altar hinted older Baroque and Roman architecture, common among churches built during the Spanish era.
Residents have largely preserved the church's original architecture, including the massive pipe organ atop the church’s choir loft still used every mass service.
Outside the church, the 18-century belfry tower and its 34 steps remained sturdy. Also part of the church were two storage-like structures described tribunal structures.
As with other churches in the country, Loay Church is a perfect study in contrast - worn and weather-beaten on the outside, yet with a preserved and magnificent interior.
Loay Bohol Church
Loay Bohol Church Front Facade
Another old and charming church, loay parish is located west of tagbilaran city, boholThe church is cruciform, has two facades: the older is decorated with low relief and the newer was apparently completed in the 20th century as its upper register is in reinforced concrete. The whole is surmounted by cement statues depicting the virtues.
Loay Church along the central nave
Loay Bohol Church Bellfry
Photos by Oggie
Loay Bohol Church Front Facade
Loay Church along the central nave
Loay Bohol Church Photos by Oggie Poggie
Loay Bohol Church Bellfry
Loay Bohol Church Entry Doorway
Loay Church altar
Loay Church Side Naves
Loay Church Ceiling
Loay Church Station of the Cross
Loay Church Angel of the Water Font
Loay Church Belfry Door
Found in the southeastern part of the province, the Loay Church is what I would describe the least predictable in terms of architectural symmetry and antiquity.
It was one of several centuries-old landmarks we visited during a recent media tour sponsored by Bonamine and the Department of Tourism, highlighting Bohol's rich history and culture.
The church was established a year after the town of Loay was declared a separate municipality from Loboc in the 1700s.
Construction, including the convent and a belfry, was completed in 1882. The belfry, although no longer functional, still stands in the left corner of the church’s façade.
Like most churches, the Loay Church was built from coral stones. While designed to survive extreme weather conditions, the coral stones have become worn, making the church look battered to the point that it would be mistaken as an abandoned church from afar.
Teresita Gudmalin, a caretaker at the church for more than a decade now, told me they lack enough funds nor expertise to restore the church. The church is also located near the river, making it more vulnerable.
Bird droppings also make it worse for the coral stones, not to mention the stench residents endure during mass despite the routine cleaning.
Inside, though, the church looks surprisingly well-preserved. My favorite part was its magnificent ceiling and the altar. My eyes were glued to the detailed “trompe o’eil” paint work on the ceiling.
Despite the church’s long existence, the ceiling looked as if it has just been repainted. Teal (a lighter shade of blue) dominated the motif and the paintings' dimensions make it appear a bigger dome than it actually is.
The altar was just as ornately done as the ceiling. From afar it looked like a delicately-laced umbrella protecting the church’s patron Santisima Trinidad or Blessed Trinity.
The two retablos on the opposite sides of the altar hinted older Baroque and Roman architecture, common among churches built during the Spanish era.
Residents have largely preserved the church's original architecture, including the massive pipe organ atop the church’s choir loft still used every mass service.
Outside the church, the 18-century belfry tower and its 34 steps remained sturdy. Also part of the church were two storage-like structures described tribunal structures.
As with other churches in the country, Loay Church is a perfect study in contrast - worn and weather-beaten on the outside, yet with a preserved and magnificent interior.
News Update DoST eyes one-stop 'e-community' centers
By Anna Valmero
PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA— The Department of Science and Technology (DoST) announced plans to put up “e-community” centers wherein people can transact with various government agencies using a single online portal.
DoST will implement this program through the ICT Office (ICTO), which replaced the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT).
“We presented the priority areas of the ICTO office to President (Benigno) Aquino (III) namely the use of ICT on e-governance and an Internet-for-all policy, while providing support for the industry including the outsourcing sector,” said DoST chief Mario Montejo during the Expo Science 2011.
Montejo said DoST will put up 1,500 e-community centers in municipalities wher people can apply for birth certificates, police clearance, tax identification number and other documents.
The project will tap the National Computer Center in creating an online “government service” portal that will centralize processing of documents using a government-run data center.
At present, each government agency manages its own document processing on their respective websites, which often become problematic like in the case of the Social Security System (SSS).
“It's a very bold undertaking to take document processing down to the town or barangay level and it may take a few years but we are now starting talks with partner agencies for the project. Central to this project is how we will harmonize and make document processing interoperable,” said Montejo.
The e-governance project also aims to promote transparency in government financial information as agencies like the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Finance and Commission on Audit can use the portal to report performance metrics of government agencies, said Montejo.
PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA— The Department of Science and Technology (DoST) announced plans to put up “e-community” centers wherein people can transact with various government agencies using a single online portal.
DoST will implement this program through the ICT Office (ICTO), which replaced the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT).
“We presented the priority areas of the ICTO office to President (Benigno) Aquino (III) namely the use of ICT on e-governance and an Internet-for-all policy, while providing support for the industry including the outsourcing sector,” said DoST chief Mario Montejo during the Expo Science 2011.
Montejo said DoST will put up 1,500 e-community centers in municipalities wher people can apply for birth certificates, police clearance, tax identification number and other documents.
The project will tap the National Computer Center in creating an online “government service” portal that will centralize processing of documents using a government-run data center.
At present, each government agency manages its own document processing on their respective websites, which often become problematic like in the case of the Social Security System (SSS).
“It's a very bold undertaking to take document processing down to the town or barangay level and it may take a few years but we are now starting talks with partner agencies for the project. Central to this project is how we will harmonize and make document processing interoperable,” said Montejo.
The e-governance project also aims to promote transparency in government financial information as agencies like the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Finance and Commission on Audit can use the portal to report performance metrics of government agencies, said Montejo.
News Update Philippines to probe Arroyo vote 'fraud'
The Philippine government said Thursday it would investigate fresh allegations that former leader Gloria Arroyo used the police to steal the 2004 presidential election.
The inquiry will look into claims by a senior police officer that he broke into parliament in 2005 to switch election documents stored there so that Arroyo's victory would survive a recount, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said.
"We've always known that in each election there's cheating, but the scale of it in 2004, based on the various bits and pieces that we've been getting from our sources... it's really mind-boggling," de Lima told reporters.
She said Arroyo's win could not be overturned by a finding of fraud, but the evidence could be used to file criminal charges against those involved.
De Lima said the police officer would testify at the inquiry next week that he and a small group of other policemen were ordered by their superiors to swap legitimate election papers kept at parliament in Manila with fake ones.
The documents recorded the votes obtained by the presidential candidates per precinct.
At the time of the alleged parliamentary break-in, Arroyo was facing the prospect of a vote recount following allegations of cheating from her main rival, Fernando Poe.
De Lima said returns recording 1.2 million votes had allegedly been swapped, and Arroyo's eventual winning margin was just over 1.1 million votes.
She said the policeman, Senior Superintendent Rafael Santiago, and four of his men who claimed to be involved had already presented their allegations to the justice department and requested state protection.
Arroyo survived two parliamentary impeachment efforts in 2005 in 2006, as well as a bloodless military revolt, over allegations of vote fraud.
She has consistently denied any illegal activities during her near-decade in power that ended in June last year, when she was required by constitutional term limits to step down.
Her successor, Benigno Aquino has said he will relentlessly pursue allegations of vote fraud and corruption against Arroyo, but his efforts have so far produced few results.
His attempt to launch a "Truth Commission" to probe alleged Arroyo misdeeds was blocked by the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, Arroyo remains a member of parliament after winning a Lower House seat in last year's elections.
The inquiry will look into claims by a senior police officer that he broke into parliament in 2005 to switch election documents stored there so that Arroyo's victory would survive a recount, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said.
"We've always known that in each election there's cheating, but the scale of it in 2004, based on the various bits and pieces that we've been getting from our sources... it's really mind-boggling," de Lima told reporters.
She said Arroyo's win could not be overturned by a finding of fraud, but the evidence could be used to file criminal charges against those involved.
De Lima said the police officer would testify at the inquiry next week that he and a small group of other policemen were ordered by their superiors to swap legitimate election papers kept at parliament in Manila with fake ones.
The documents recorded the votes obtained by the presidential candidates per precinct.
At the time of the alleged parliamentary break-in, Arroyo was facing the prospect of a vote recount following allegations of cheating from her main rival, Fernando Poe.
De Lima said returns recording 1.2 million votes had allegedly been swapped, and Arroyo's eventual winning margin was just over 1.1 million votes.
She said the policeman, Senior Superintendent Rafael Santiago, and four of his men who claimed to be involved had already presented their allegations to the justice department and requested state protection.
Arroyo survived two parliamentary impeachment efforts in 2005 in 2006, as well as a bloodless military revolt, over allegations of vote fraud.
She has consistently denied any illegal activities during her near-decade in power that ended in June last year, when she was required by constitutional term limits to step down.
Her successor, Benigno Aquino has said he will relentlessly pursue allegations of vote fraud and corruption against Arroyo, but his efforts have so far produced few results.
His attempt to launch a "Truth Commission" to probe alleged Arroyo misdeeds was blocked by the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, Arroyo remains a member of parliament after winning a Lower House seat in last year's elections.
News Update Rights group hits posthumous clemency for political prisoner
Human rights group Task Force Detainees of the Philippines on Friday criticized President Benigno Aquino III's granting of clemency to political prisoner Mariano Umbrero, who died on July 15.
“Apparently the President did not know he gave conditional pardon to a dead man – 'Tatay Umbrero' who died on July 15, 2011 – whose release paper was signed by PNoy on July 19," said Emmanuel Amistad, TFDP's executive director.
"It seems that Umbrero’s release papers stopped at a bureaucratic red light and did not move until he was dead," Amistad added.
Mariano Umbrero. TFDP file photo
But deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte on Friday told reporters at Malacañang no one had informed the president that the prisoner, whose name she can't even remember, was already dead.
“Pumanaw [yung inmate] on the 15th at napirmahan yung kanyang pardon on the 19th... In the interim, wala hong nag-inform sa Office of the President na pumanaw na pala...."
A day after Umbrero died at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Hospital, TFDP and other human rights groups called Aquino a heartless president for turning a deaf ear on the appeal of the political prisoner's family for clemency.
Umbrero was diagnosed with lung cancer (stage 4) in February this year. However, unfavorable condition at the national penitentiary may have aggravated his illness, human rights organization Medical Action Group (MAG) had said.
According to Amistad, TFDP got a copy of Umbrero’s release papers only on July 28.
But Valte said “We tried to find out what happened, wala pong maibigay na impormasyon," adding that with the incident, the Palace would now look into closer coordination to prevent the same from happening again.
She extended Malacanang’s sympathy to the family of the inmate and and wished the clemency – though late – may comfort them.
“Gusto po nating ipaabot ang ating pakikiramay sa mga naiwan niya ang we find it deeply unfortunate na nagkaroon ng supervening event," she said.
“Sana yung naibigay na clemency sa kanya ng Pangulo kahit na dumating pagkatapos ng kanyang pagpanaw sana po kahit konti, kahit papaano, kahit kakarampot ay maibsan ang pagdadalamhati ng kanyang naiwan," she added.
According to prison records Umbrero was sentenced by the Aparri Regional Trial Court for kidnapping and serious illegal detention. The sentence was affirmed by the Supreme Court.
As of May 2011, Umbrero had served only eight years of his sentence.
A political prisoner
To Malacañang, Umbrero, 63, maybe a common prisoner, but to the TFDP and other human rights groups, he was a political prisoner.
Early in March, human rights group led by the TFDP launched a campaign to free Umbrero for humanitarian grounds.
According to TFDP’s records, "Tatay Umbrero" as they fondly called him, was one of the 320 political prisoners languishing in jails nationwide.
“PNoy must listen and look into the plight of our political prisoners. He should learn the lesson and heed the call of the political prisoners who have been on hunger strike since July 25. PNoy should act immediately again before another Umbrero happens," TFDP's Amistad said.
Hunger strike
Political prisoners at the NBP in Muntinlupa City, launched a hunger strike on the day Aquino delivered his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25.
Last Thursday, members of human rights groups, peoples’ organizations, religious groups and supporters gathered inside the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) compound and held a solidarity fast for political detainees.
“On their fifth day of their hunger strike, the political prisoners at the NBP stopped all food intakes and only took in liquids to dramatize their demand for government to look into the gravity of injustice they suffered," TFDP said.
"Let us hope and pray that no more lives will be lost before government acts on political prisoners' demands. Baka kailangan pa nila ng mas maraming kape para dumilat ang kanilang mga mata at makita ang kalagayan ng mga bilanggong pulitikal," MAG's executive director Edeliza P. Hernandez said
According to TFDP, the regular supply of meals of the prisoners or “rancho" as the inmates call it are now piling up in front of the NBP Building 11, where the political prisoners stage their hunger strike.
“The on-going hunger strike of political prisoners for freedom and human rights are guided and inspired by the lessons from the prison struggles of the late Sen. Ninoy Aquino, P-Noy’s father and other political prisoners during the Marcos dictatorship in the 1970s and first half of the 1980s," TFDP said.
In a letter of appeal sent to the Office of the President, the political prisoners laid down their calls for PNoy to pronounce a clear National Human Rights program, for immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and for prison reforms particularly to amend the Rules on Parole and Guidelines for Recommending Executive Clemency which is not in conformity with the principles of restorative justice.
For his part, Max De Mesa, chairperson of the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) said: “It is imperative that the government declares its clear program for the respect and protection of human rights which we find lacking in the first year of the Aquino administration and in his recent SONA." — Amita Legaspi, with a report by Egay Cabalitan Jr./LBG
“Apparently the President did not know he gave conditional pardon to a dead man – 'Tatay Umbrero' who died on July 15, 2011 – whose release paper was signed by PNoy on July 19," said Emmanuel Amistad, TFDP's executive director.
"It seems that Umbrero’s release papers stopped at a bureaucratic red light and did not move until he was dead," Amistad added.
Mariano Umbrero. TFDP file photo
But deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte on Friday told reporters at Malacañang no one had informed the president that the prisoner, whose name she can't even remember, was already dead.
“Pumanaw [yung inmate] on the 15th at napirmahan yung kanyang pardon on the 19th... In the interim, wala hong nag-inform sa Office of the President na pumanaw na pala...."
A day after Umbrero died at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Hospital, TFDP and other human rights groups called Aquino a heartless president for turning a deaf ear on the appeal of the political prisoner's family for clemency.
Umbrero was diagnosed with lung cancer (stage 4) in February this year. However, unfavorable condition at the national penitentiary may have aggravated his illness, human rights organization Medical Action Group (MAG) had said.
According to Amistad, TFDP got a copy of Umbrero’s release papers only on July 28.
But Valte said “We tried to find out what happened, wala pong maibigay na impormasyon," adding that with the incident, the Palace would now look into closer coordination to prevent the same from happening again.
She extended Malacanang’s sympathy to the family of the inmate and and wished the clemency – though late – may comfort them.
“Gusto po nating ipaabot ang ating pakikiramay sa mga naiwan niya ang we find it deeply unfortunate na nagkaroon ng supervening event," she said.
“Sana yung naibigay na clemency sa kanya ng Pangulo kahit na dumating pagkatapos ng kanyang pagpanaw sana po kahit konti, kahit papaano, kahit kakarampot ay maibsan ang pagdadalamhati ng kanyang naiwan," she added.
According to prison records Umbrero was sentenced by the Aparri Regional Trial Court for kidnapping and serious illegal detention. The sentence was affirmed by the Supreme Court.
As of May 2011, Umbrero had served only eight years of his sentence.
A political prisoner
To Malacañang, Umbrero, 63, maybe a common prisoner, but to the TFDP and other human rights groups, he was a political prisoner.
Early in March, human rights group led by the TFDP launched a campaign to free Umbrero for humanitarian grounds.
According to TFDP’s records, "Tatay Umbrero" as they fondly called him, was one of the 320 political prisoners languishing in jails nationwide.
“PNoy must listen and look into the plight of our political prisoners. He should learn the lesson and heed the call of the political prisoners who have been on hunger strike since July 25. PNoy should act immediately again before another Umbrero happens," TFDP's Amistad said.
Hunger strike
Political prisoners at the NBP in Muntinlupa City, launched a hunger strike on the day Aquino delivered his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25.
Last Thursday, members of human rights groups, peoples’ organizations, religious groups and supporters gathered inside the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) compound and held a solidarity fast for political detainees.
“On their fifth day of their hunger strike, the political prisoners at the NBP stopped all food intakes and only took in liquids to dramatize their demand for government to look into the gravity of injustice they suffered," TFDP said.
"Let us hope and pray that no more lives will be lost before government acts on political prisoners' demands. Baka kailangan pa nila ng mas maraming kape para dumilat ang kanilang mga mata at makita ang kalagayan ng mga bilanggong pulitikal," MAG's executive director Edeliza P. Hernandez said
According to TFDP, the regular supply of meals of the prisoners or “rancho" as the inmates call it are now piling up in front of the NBP Building 11, where the political prisoners stage their hunger strike.
“The on-going hunger strike of political prisoners for freedom and human rights are guided and inspired by the lessons from the prison struggles of the late Sen. Ninoy Aquino, P-Noy’s father and other political prisoners during the Marcos dictatorship in the 1970s and first half of the 1980s," TFDP said.
In a letter of appeal sent to the Office of the President, the political prisoners laid down their calls for PNoy to pronounce a clear National Human Rights program, for immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and for prison reforms particularly to amend the Rules on Parole and Guidelines for Recommending Executive Clemency which is not in conformity with the principles of restorative justice.
For his part, Max De Mesa, chairperson of the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) said: “It is imperative that the government declares its clear program for the respect and protection of human rights which we find lacking in the first year of the Aquino administration and in his recent SONA." — Amita Legaspi, with a report by Egay Cabalitan Jr./LBG
Friday, July 29, 2011
DID YOU KNOW THAT ? After becoming the first country in Asia to abolish the death penalty,New Bilibid seems more like a barangay in the Philippines than a prison.
By Ron Gluckman /Manila
ON JULY 8, JOSEPHA MORALLOS WATCHED HER HUSBAND DIE. He was strapped to a black gurney, his arms stretched out on padded slats, as if bound to a cross. "Have courage for the sake of our children," said Jesus Morallos. His voice, picked up by a dangling microphone, sounded metallic as it crackled through the speakers in the viewing gallery. Seated on a white, plastic chair, Josepha, mother of three, watched her husband's life flicker away as a cocktail of sodium pentothal, pancuronium bromide and potassium chloride coursed through his veins. Jesus's eyes fluttered shut for the last time. The curtains closed.
And so, at 3:39 p.m., Jesus Morallos, 32, became the fourth person to be executed in the Philippines this year. Two other convicts also died
at in an outbuilding at New Bilibid Prison that day. Dante Piandiong, 27, was terminated 58 minutes earlier. Fifty-eight minutes after Jesus, Archie Bulan, 24, died in the same corrugated metal shack. Outside the prison there were prayers and cheers. A hundred or so death-penalty opponents, led by religious leaders, joined hands with relatives of the doomed and prayed for executions to stop. Others prayed, too. Twenty men and women twirled rosaries, eyes shut, hands clasped to heaven, beseeching the merciful Lord to please, dear God, let the court-sanctioned killings continue. No one knows if the Lord listened, but in the space of less than three hours Manila had executed more convicts than it has in nearly a quarter century.After watching her husband die, 35-year-old Josepha staggered down the red steps of the Lethal Injection Center, crying hysterically as she grappled with her new status as the nation's latest and - for 58 minutes anyway - most celebrated widow. Her misery soon will be forgotten, probably even before other convicts head to the death chamber, maybe later this month. But the repercussions will continue to reverberate through the devoutly Catholic nation that was the first in Asia to abolish the death penalty in 1987, but one of the few countries anywhere to bring it back, six years later. President after president has advocated the ultimate penalty. Yet despite widespread public support, death sentences have proven far easier to decree than to execute. As a result, the Philippines has a Death Row population that, among democratic nations, is second only to that of the United States.
Far more was at stake last week than the lives of three men convicted of robbing a jeepney in 1994 and killing a passenger who happened to be an off-duty police officer. The case ignited protests from human-rights groups, in the Philippines and abroad, who charge that the trio - protesting their innocence to the end - were tortured into making confessions, and were improperly tried and represented. Even as Josepha retrieved her husband's body, religious leaders were attacking the punishment as "cheapening the value of human life" and "fomenting the spirit of vengeance and hatred."
Questions about other cases have prompted a small but growing number of congressmen to press for an immediate review of death-penalty laws; they worry about inadequate checks and balances in the judicial system. A day before the triple executions, the Supreme Court overturned the death penalty for a deaf-mute convicted of rape. During his trial, the judge had overlooked the fact that the man could neither hear nor speak. The hubbub has made the president pause. Joseph Ejercito Estrada, who built careers in acting and politics by acting tough on crime, has wavered each time a man is due to die. Since the first execution in February, he has granted seven reprieves.
WHILE SOCIETY AT LARGE CANNOT achieve a consensus on the ultimate penalty, there is one place where people are unanimously against capital punishment - a big white building surrounded by fencing a few hundred meters from the death chamber. This is Death Row, where, depending on who you ask, between 897 and 1,069 inmates await their fate.
New Bilibid seems more like a barangay in the Philippines than a prison. In the sprawling prison grounds, vendors sell fruit, produce, eggs and household plastic ware. Burgers sizzle at Golden Hut Hamburger, while Cokes are racked at ramshackle stands beside a dozen rough-hewn pool tables, all handmade by inmates. Soaring voices sing the psalms at no less than 13 churches in the Maximum Security compound alone. They find no shortage of converts. Many convicts credit the supplemental church rations rather than newfound spiritual zeal for the high conversion rate. Hawkers circulate with fake Rayban sunglasses. Guards, sporting the "Cool Hand Luke" look, are customers. Basketballs bounce on prison courts as families munch pansit at adjoining picnic grounds. Benches and tables are painted in proud swirls. Huge murals on the sides of buildings resemble those in every Filipino town, extolling the local leadership, in this case "mayors" and gang bosses who run the various cellblocks. Prison craftsmen offer inventive wares: gaudy Last Supper paintings, wooden cigarette boxes, boats in bottles and remarkable animal figurines made from melted plastic cups.There are vegetable gardens, chicken coops, ducks and geese wandering the dirt prison yard. Mothers, wives, girlfriends and children have free rein on visiting days. Except in the dark hole known as Building One - Death Row.
The place reeks of gas burners, sewage, sweat and fear. "I could not ignore the darkness and the stench," one inmate wrote in his diary. "You see, being in Death Row is like being inside a bottle painted black. But you learn to live with it, to search for some light. Otherwise, you will lose your soul." Rueben Montilla, 26, spent three years on death row for a marijuana conviction that was later reduced to life in prison. In his yellow flip-flops and shorts, Montilla looks more like a kid headed to the beach, instead of nowhere, ever again. "Being closed off," he says, "is the worst thing."
While the rest of the maximum-security inmates roam the prison's inner sanctum, shooting pool, playing cards, buying and selling what they can, Death Row is locked down and isolated. Its three-meter-wide concrete veranda is enclosed by chicken wire. There is just enough room to stand among the laundry. Hundreds of men mill about, smoking cigarettes and queuing for water, a precious commodity. Others pass time on the second floor, leaning through the window grates. They can leave only to attend hearings, meet with attorneys and, eventually, die. "We all sit in our cells," says one inmate, "and wait the long wait."
When Rito Guinda was sentenced, he couldn't stop thinking about death. He couldn't eat. He couldn't sleep. "But you change," he says. "There is nothing you can do but wait for your judgment day. On Death Row there is no other way. You learn to accept it and get by. After a while you just become resigned, even if you are innocent." Guinda is one of the lucky ones; his drug conviction was commuted to life.There is no official Death Row for women, but 18 female convicts are waiting to die. They are incarcerated at a facility in Mandaluyong, a Manila suburb, where they cut each other's hair, work on their makeup and stitch together placemats. Death Row is just another room in what looks like an old high school. Inmates lounge around in pajamas on tiny cots. With its bunk beds and posters of film and basketball stars, the place looks like a sorority sleep-over. The women are mostly young. Soon, some may die. "She talks of it all the time," says attorney Rachel Ruelo, superintendent of the Women's Correctional Institute. She is speaking of Josephina Esparas, who could make history next month as the first woman in the Philippines to be executed. "She says: 'Mom, it's near.' She says that all the time," confides Ruelo. "She cooks, she makes rosaries. But death is wearing on her. She's sick a lot."
IN THE PHILIPPINES, inmates pay for their crimes in many ways. Cash-rich convicts buy deluxe cells with fans, televisions, stereos. Editha Matignas, 56, president of the Families of Death Row Inmates, has gone into debt to pay for her son Jemreich's trial and to keep him comfortable inside. His cell cost $68, plus $325 for the remodeling. So far she has spent over $3,000 in legal fees, but would gladly shell out a promised $1,350 bonus to the lawyer who can get her only son acquitted.
Everything is available for a price. "Except," says one prisoner, "justice." Actually, that too. Despite the lofty goal of Act 7659 - to attack corruption in high places, target drug lords, murderers and kidnap gangs - enforcement is clearly aiming low. "These are all poor people in Death Row," says Maria Diokno, head of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), which handles most last-ditch appeals for condemned men. Father Silvino "Jun" Borres, director of the Philippines Jesuit Prison Service, calls the Row a "home for the poor." A survey last year of 425 Death Row inmates showed that most earned less than $6 a day when they were arrested. Three-quarters of them were farmers, truckers, laborers and so on. Few can afford the $30 that attorneys charge to attend the death sentence hearings.
Diokno estimates that only 12%-15% of those charged in capital cases can afford private representation. "And most of these are drug cases or foreigners." Instead, Death Row inmates are served by a severely under-funded Public Attorney's Office (PAO), often with disastrous results. Condemned men say they are railroaded into prison with limited or no representation. FLAG cites cases in which public attorneys advise clients to plead guilty to obtain a lighter sentence, unaware that the charges carry a mandatory death sentence. PAO acknowledges that its 877 attorneys receive no special training on capital cases. It also notes that besides handling death-sentence cases, public defenders are involved in more than 350,000 civil and criminal cases each year, as well as millions of consultations, filings and mediation matters. They earn about $400 a month.
A 1980s crime wave prompted authorities to reinstate the death penalty as a deterrent to murder, kidnapping and treason. Few on Death Row possess such a resume. More than half are in for rape. Anxious to appear tough on crime, lawmakers recently added 46 capital offenses to the books - one of the broadest codes in the civilized world. Possession of 750g of marijuana can be a capital crime; one Death Row resident was convicted for growing seven plants. He fainted upon learning his sentence.In the Philippines the lowest courts impose the death penalty. Critics say its reintroduction set off a "death rush" among justices eager to appease the public appetite for executions. Rumors circulate of a "Guillotine Club" of justices who hand down death sentences. Its so-called founder, Maximano Asuncion, sentenced the first inmate executed this year, Leo Echegaray. The judge died before the verdict was carried out.
Echegaray wasn't meant to be the first person executed in the Philippines since 1976. Fernando Galera was. Sentenced to die for rape and robbery in April 1994, Galera could have been killed as early as 1997, but at the last minute the Supreme Court ruled that he was innocent. His case is common enough. Capital cases receive automatic review. From 1995 to 1998, the Supreme Court ruled on 55 cases in which the death penalty had been decreed. There were six acquittals, 22 affirmed sentences, 22 reductions and five instances when the case was referred back to the lower court.
Galera is suing for restitution, but the court can't return the years he spent on Death Row. The judicial process was no consolation to Carlos Gorbilla, a corn vendor who last month leapt to his death minutes after being sentenced to death for rape. "This is not like a state with well-defined procedures, standards, safeguards," says attorney Diokno. "Here, it's all in the process of development." Even at the Department of Justice no one can agree on how many men are on Death Row, their status, or how the review process is handled.
Still, to date, far more men have received last-minute stays than lethal injection. The reprieves come from Estrada, who maintains unwavering support for the death penalty even as his daughter Jackie, 32, secretly visits prisons to work for its repeal. Nobody knows how Erap reaches his life-and-death decisions, but the results have become a hot topic internationally. On June 25, Estrada announced that rapist Eduardo Agbayani would die that day. Forty-five minutes later the president wavered. Erap had received an appeal from Bishop Teodoro Bacani. Estrada, at home at the time, called the injection room. He got a busy signal, then a fax tone. By the time an aide raced to the official palace hotline, Agbayani was dead.
A special panel was established to guide Estrada through the reprieve process. Secretary of Justice Serafin Cuevas sits on the three-member panel. Two days before last week's executions Cuevas was unsure where the review was headed. He has, however, attended all the executions so far, except for Agbayani's on June 25. That was Cuevas's birthday.
In April, Estrada granted a 60-day reprieve for DNA tests that could conclusively prove the innocence or guilt of three men sentenced for a rape they say they did not commit. The defense had been requesting the tests from the start, but the court refused to indulge them. For his part, Cuevas says the tests are unnecessary and, at $405 apiece, a costly precedent. The problem with the execution process, the justice secretary says, is that it takes too long. "There is no need to wait one year for the executions," Cuevas says, "when the judgment is already final." He adds: "But the president wants to be at peace with his conscience, he has said this most clearly. Besides, we worry that the Philippines will be branded as the death-penalty capital of the world."
Little chance of that. Most Asian nations sanction capital punishment. As in the Philippines, more people than not favor executing hardened criminals. Jessica Soto, national director of Amnesty International's Manila office, guesses that two-thirds of Filipinos back the death penalty. That is about the level of support gauged by an informal phone-in survey conducted recently by Adrian Sisson, who hosts a daily radio program, Broadcasters Bureau. "People really have the notion that it's a deterrent," says Sisson, who is also an attorney and death penalty opponent. "But you can go back in time. When they hung pickpockets in England, pickpockets worked the crowds."
Studies worldwide have failed to connect the death penalty with drops in crime. The U.S., with the developed world's largest Death Row population and highest execution rate, also claims some of the greatest rates of homicide, robbery and rape. Philippine records show that the number of robberies and murders fell sharply after peaking in the late 1980s; executions were not re-introduced until 1993. "It's an utter illusion that the problems of society can be solved by executions," says Father Borres, whose group has become a powerful advocate for prisoners and their families. His concern: "The time will come when executions become ordinary and nobody even notices them going on."
WHAT THE PUBLIC REALLY WANTS TO SEE is a big crime boss go to the chamber. "The chances of that," says FLAG attorney Jose Diokno, "are nil. We haven't even seen those kinds of conviction." New Bilibid Prison has had its share of celebrated inmates, including ex-congressman Romeo Jalosjos. Convicted of raping a minor, he became notorious for his prison lifestyle. The congressman built comfortable quarters in jail, hired bodyguards and constructed the Maximum Tennis Club. His treatment made news worldwide and prompted a clampdown and ban on interviews with Death Row inmates. On the tennis court, attended by guards in special white outfits, well-heeled prisoners continue to hit balls as they await parole. The congressman will not be visiting the Lethal Injection Chamber. He got life.
Who will be executed next? One candidate is Pablito Andan, convicted of rape and murder, whose initial date passed nearly a year ago. Or perhaps the first woman will go next. Esparas could be executed as early as Aug. 6. She was caught at the airport with a small quantity of shabu (methamphetamine). Some say her husband put the drug in her luggage. No one in the prison - guard or inmate - wants to see her die. "We're supposed to be in the business of rehabilitation," says superintendent Ruelo. "We can't rehabilitate a dead person."Or perhaps the next to die will be Edwin Mendoza and brothers Jury and Ricardo Andal, whose 60-day reprieve for rape and murder runs out next month. Their lives hang in the balance as authorities tussle over $405 DNA tests that may never be done. "My husband was with me when the crime took place," says Modesta Correlos Andal, wife of Ricardo. His sentence is hers, too. The family sold their land to pay for Ricardo's defense. Her four children stay at home, while she spends her life outside the prison gates, waiting. "I'm hoping the truth will prevail," says Modesta. "I cannot think beyond that. If he is acquitted, then we will start a new life."
If not, then one day, soon after sunrise, they will come for Ricardo Andal and tell him to prepare to die. To enjoy one last meal, and pray with a priest, if he desires. Eight hours later, he will be led to a small, metal room, where as many as 33 people will watch through glass windows as lethal poisons are injected into his blood stream. Ricardo will breathe his last. Then the curtains will close, and Modesta will leave weeping. Another widow in the Philippines' ongoing war on crime.
Ron Gluckman is an American reporter who is currently based in Bangkok, but roams widely around Asia for a number of publications, such as Asiaweek magazine (RIP), which ran this as a cover story on July 23, 1999.
The story later received an award for Excellence in Reporting from the Society of Asian Publishers; the executions, following a re-examination of the process soon after the story ran, continued later that year.
In late June 2006, Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed a law abolishing the death penalty, sparing the lives on an estimated 1200 people on Death Row.
That left an odd group of countries - Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, China, Sudan and the United States - to account for 90 percent of the judicial executions in 2006, according to Amnesty International.
The pictures are by Manila photographer Edwin Tuyay, and the pair also teamed up for another piece on the death penalty in the Philippines that was carried by MSNBC. Click here to see another story on the death penalty in the Philippines..
Kopi Talk More detainees speak of torture, hardships inside prison By Yvonne Chua,
By Kenneth Roland Guda, VERA Files
Ten years is an eternity, especially for those who have spent that time in prison, and for crimes they didn't commit, said a group of detainees at the Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
This month, those detainees—mostly Bangsamoros from Basilan, Sulu and Zamboanga City—gathered to mark the decade since their arrest in 2001.
Inside their maximum-security prison, they received visitors, served chicken adobo, rice and iced tea, held a short program, and swapped stories of hardship, oppression, and loneliness. Most of all, they shared a call for justice.
"We have not lost hope, of course. But it's hard to hope. Sometimes, we have to accept our situation in order to survive," said Moner Saliddin, who was an engineering student when he was arrested in Basilan on July 13, 2001. He is one of the more than 100 Moro detainees who say they were tortured by their police and military captors.
Moner was among the organizers of the event to commemorate their decade behind bars. With the help of the Moro human rights activists from the Moro Christian People's Alliance (MCPA) and medical workers from the Health Action for Human Rights (HAHR), they also organized a medical mission for detainees who needed medical attention.
Crackdown in Basilan
"Ten years is a long time for innocent people," said Moner. But the wounds, he said, were still fresh, making it hard for some of the detainees to talk about their experiences.
For Omar Galo and Taufic Mumir, for instance, the circumstances of their arrest remain a blur. They were still minors—Omar was 16 and Taufic 14—when members of the Philippine Army arrested them in Basilan.
Omar recalls that he was alighting from boat on August 24, 2001 when he was accosted, he said, by members of the Special Action Force of the local unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and brought to Zamboanga.
During the interrogation, he said he was constantly asked to confess that he was one "Jojo Razon," an alleged member of the Abu Sayyaf. He said he repeatedly denied the accusation.
The beatings, Omar said, were a blur. He remembers being slapped around and punched. He vaguely recalls being allegedly electrocuted: clips attached to an electric current were placed on the side of his abdomen.
Taufic, meanwhile, remembers the early morning of March 30, 2002, when armed men barged into his house where he and his family were sleeping. He and two of his brothers were arrested, also without warrant, and brought to the headquarters of the Southern Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Zamboanga City.
Omar and Taufic became adults inside the prison, where they spend their time counting the days. Sometimes they would play basketball. Omar said "it had been years" since they were allowed sunning.
More arrests
Omar and Taufic were one of many detainees who were arrested months after the initial crackdown in Sulu, Basilan and Zamboanga that netted Moner, his father (released in 2004), and an initial 73 others.
There are other Moro detainees in the prison, who were arrested after the declared crackdown in 2001 but were charged with the same offenses as those of Manar, Omar, Taufic and the others.
One such detainee is Edwin Sawaldi, who is from Zamboanga City and was arrested on October 16, 2010. He said he sold cheap watches and belts for a living.
"They accused me of being someone named 'Osama'," recounted Edwin. After his arrest, he was blindfolded and brought to an unspecified location, where he claimed he was tortured. "Inside the cell, I was punched in my back. I was electrocuted. Forced to lie down, water was poured to my nose."
After a few days, Edwin said he was taken for a plane ride. Blindfolded, he was brought to what he later realized was an airbase. "In the cell there, they brought in another prisoner. He was not blindfolded, so he saw that he was brought to Villamor Air Base."
Still a few days later, Edwin was brought to Pasig, charged with kidnapping, as an alleged Abu Sayyaf member in Basilan in 2001. As with the others, he denies being a member of the bandit group.
Also incarcerated in the same prison is a group of young men, all in their 20s, who said they were students of the Alfarouq Islamic School in Puerto Princesa in Palawan when they were arrested on September 2007. They are Ibrahim Misuari, 22; Aisal Jala, 24; Omar Panagas, 28; Omar Ibno, 23; Jemar Alpha, 23; Hiya Arabain, 26; and Najer Daud, 24. They say they were tortured and accused of murder and of being members of the Abu Sayyaf.
According to Ibrahim, the group was accused of killing a certain Jemar Bairollah, who was a student of the same Islamic school. But Ibrahim says he never met their supposed victim, who dropped out two months before Ibrahim entered the school.
Ibrahim said they were arrested in different circumstances, but mostly while in school. They were all blindfolded, brought to an undisclosed location, and allegedly tortured. Ibrahim said he was heavily beaten. He claimed his tongue was even stapled, to force him to confess to the crime.
"My parents did not know where I was for two weeks," Ibrahim said. They were later brought to the Palawan Provincial Jail, then to Taguig, where they were arraigned before the Taguig Regional Trial Court.
Like most detainees, Ibrahim and the seven others said the hearings on their cases were few and far between. "There was a hearing last June 30, 2011, but the judge only checked the attendance of the suspects, then suspended the hearing."
Moner said this is also true with the cases against them. In the meantime, they wait. "I hope it will not take another 10 years before they set us free," said Moner.
(This story is part of the VERA Files project "Human Rights Case Watch" supported by The Asia Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development. VERA Files is put out by veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. Vera is Latin for "true.")
Ten years is an eternity, especially for those who have spent that time in prison, and for crimes they didn't commit, said a group of detainees at the Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
This month, those detainees—mostly Bangsamoros from Basilan, Sulu and Zamboanga City—gathered to mark the decade since their arrest in 2001.
Inside their maximum-security prison, they received visitors, served chicken adobo, rice and iced tea, held a short program, and swapped stories of hardship, oppression, and loneliness. Most of all, they shared a call for justice.
"We have not lost hope, of course. But it's hard to hope. Sometimes, we have to accept our situation in order to survive," said Moner Saliddin, who was an engineering student when he was arrested in Basilan on July 13, 2001. He is one of the more than 100 Moro detainees who say they were tortured by their police and military captors.
Moner was among the organizers of the event to commemorate their decade behind bars. With the help of the Moro human rights activists from the Moro Christian People's Alliance (MCPA) and medical workers from the Health Action for Human Rights (HAHR), they also organized a medical mission for detainees who needed medical attention.
Crackdown in Basilan
"Ten years is a long time for innocent people," said Moner. But the wounds, he said, were still fresh, making it hard for some of the detainees to talk about their experiences.
For Omar Galo and Taufic Mumir, for instance, the circumstances of their arrest remain a blur. They were still minors—Omar was 16 and Taufic 14—when members of the Philippine Army arrested them in Basilan.
Omar recalls that he was alighting from boat on August 24, 2001 when he was accosted, he said, by members of the Special Action Force of the local unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and brought to Zamboanga.
During the interrogation, he said he was constantly asked to confess that he was one "Jojo Razon," an alleged member of the Abu Sayyaf. He said he repeatedly denied the accusation.
The beatings, Omar said, were a blur. He remembers being slapped around and punched. He vaguely recalls being allegedly electrocuted: clips attached to an electric current were placed on the side of his abdomen.
Taufic, meanwhile, remembers the early morning of March 30, 2002, when armed men barged into his house where he and his family were sleeping. He and two of his brothers were arrested, also without warrant, and brought to the headquarters of the Southern Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Zamboanga City.
Omar and Taufic became adults inside the prison, where they spend their time counting the days. Sometimes they would play basketball. Omar said "it had been years" since they were allowed sunning.
More arrests
Omar and Taufic were one of many detainees who were arrested months after the initial crackdown in Sulu, Basilan and Zamboanga that netted Moner, his father (released in 2004), and an initial 73 others.
There are other Moro detainees in the prison, who were arrested after the declared crackdown in 2001 but were charged with the same offenses as those of Manar, Omar, Taufic and the others.
One such detainee is Edwin Sawaldi, who is from Zamboanga City and was arrested on October 16, 2010. He said he sold cheap watches and belts for a living.
"They accused me of being someone named 'Osama'," recounted Edwin. After his arrest, he was blindfolded and brought to an unspecified location, where he claimed he was tortured. "Inside the cell, I was punched in my back. I was electrocuted. Forced to lie down, water was poured to my nose."
After a few days, Edwin said he was taken for a plane ride. Blindfolded, he was brought to what he later realized was an airbase. "In the cell there, they brought in another prisoner. He was not blindfolded, so he saw that he was brought to Villamor Air Base."
Still a few days later, Edwin was brought to Pasig, charged with kidnapping, as an alleged Abu Sayyaf member in Basilan in 2001. As with the others, he denies being a member of the bandit group.
Also incarcerated in the same prison is a group of young men, all in their 20s, who said they were students of the Alfarouq Islamic School in Puerto Princesa in Palawan when they were arrested on September 2007. They are Ibrahim Misuari, 22; Aisal Jala, 24; Omar Panagas, 28; Omar Ibno, 23; Jemar Alpha, 23; Hiya Arabain, 26; and Najer Daud, 24. They say they were tortured and accused of murder and of being members of the Abu Sayyaf.
According to Ibrahim, the group was accused of killing a certain Jemar Bairollah, who was a student of the same Islamic school. But Ibrahim says he never met their supposed victim, who dropped out two months before Ibrahim entered the school.
Ibrahim said they were arrested in different circumstances, but mostly while in school. They were all blindfolded, brought to an undisclosed location, and allegedly tortured. Ibrahim said he was heavily beaten. He claimed his tongue was even stapled, to force him to confess to the crime.
"My parents did not know where I was for two weeks," Ibrahim said. They were later brought to the Palawan Provincial Jail, then to Taguig, where they were arraigned before the Taguig Regional Trial Court.
Like most detainees, Ibrahim and the seven others said the hearings on their cases were few and far between. "There was a hearing last June 30, 2011, but the judge only checked the attendance of the suspects, then suspended the hearing."
Moner said this is also true with the cases against them. In the meantime, they wait. "I hope it will not take another 10 years before they set us free," said Moner.
(This story is part of the VERA Files project "Human Rights Case Watch" supported by The Asia Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development. VERA Files is put out by veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. Vera is Latin for "true.")
News Update NDRRMC: 'Juaning' death toll rises to 41
The death toll from Tropical Storm Juaning (Nock-Ten) rose to 41 while the damage to infrastructure in the Bicol Region alone breached the P1-billion mark, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Friday.
In its 6 a.m. update, the NDRRMC said the fatalities included 28 from the Bicol Region and one from Nueva Ecija province in Central Luzon.
The recent fatalities included:
Julius Miranda Ariola, 23, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija (hit by fallen tree)
Lourdes Cañeta, 40, Malinao, Albay
Salvacion Nebreja, 56, Camalig, Albay (hit by fallen tree)
Jessica Abinal, 13, Inapatan, Camarines Sur (drowning)
Domingo Lomitao, 45, Bato, Camarines Sur (drowning)
Armando Molto, 28, Tinambak, Camarines Sur (heart attack)
Alvin Chavez, 2, Guindahap Monreal, Masbate (drowning)
Aljun Chavez, 3, Guindahap Monreal, Masbate (drowning)
At least 40 were injured while 24 remained missing, 23 of the missing from the Bicol area. Among the recent missing were:
Edwin Lostrillo, 30, Bato, Camarines Sur
Gil Veras, Bato, Camarines Sur
On the other hand, at least 58 people were rescued. Of these, Emer Abas, 27; Elmer Balmaceda, 34; and Salvador Dunganan Jr., 23, of Rapu-Rapu, Albay were recovered alive in Northern Samar.
Three more survivors, - Jericho Aseron, Moymoy Vega and Speed Soreta of Vinzons, Camarines Norte - were reported missing but returned home Thursday.
The NDRRMC said Juaning affected at least 158,144 families or 790,601 people in 531 villages in 74 towns and 12 cities in 16 provinces.
Of these, 17,990 families or 79,099 people are being served in 180 evacuation centers.
Damage to agriculture, infrastructure
Damage to agriculture was initially estimated at P110.913 million, while damage to infrastructure in Bicol alone was estimated at P1,021,927,899.66.
At least 16 houses were destroyed while 317 were damaged.
Roads, bridges
As of 6 p.m. Thursday, Tanqui Bridge in San Fernando By-pass Road in La Union remained impassable due to damaged slab.
Some eight road sections in Central Luzon and Bicol also remained impassable due to floodwaters, landslides, washed–out abutment and collapsed pavement, the NDRRMC said. — RSJ
In its 6 a.m. update, the NDRRMC said the fatalities included 28 from the Bicol Region and one from Nueva Ecija province in Central Luzon.
The recent fatalities included:
Julius Miranda Ariola, 23, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija (hit by fallen tree)
Lourdes Cañeta, 40, Malinao, Albay
Salvacion Nebreja, 56, Camalig, Albay (hit by fallen tree)
Jessica Abinal, 13, Inapatan, Camarines Sur (drowning)
Domingo Lomitao, 45, Bato, Camarines Sur (drowning)
Armando Molto, 28, Tinambak, Camarines Sur (heart attack)
Alvin Chavez, 2, Guindahap Monreal, Masbate (drowning)
Aljun Chavez, 3, Guindahap Monreal, Masbate (drowning)
At least 40 were injured while 24 remained missing, 23 of the missing from the Bicol area. Among the recent missing were:
Edwin Lostrillo, 30, Bato, Camarines Sur
Gil Veras, Bato, Camarines Sur
On the other hand, at least 58 people were rescued. Of these, Emer Abas, 27; Elmer Balmaceda, 34; and Salvador Dunganan Jr., 23, of Rapu-Rapu, Albay were recovered alive in Northern Samar.
Three more survivors, - Jericho Aseron, Moymoy Vega and Speed Soreta of Vinzons, Camarines Norte - were reported missing but returned home Thursday.
The NDRRMC said Juaning affected at least 158,144 families or 790,601 people in 531 villages in 74 towns and 12 cities in 16 provinces.
Of these, 17,990 families or 79,099 people are being served in 180 evacuation centers.
Damage to agriculture, infrastructure
Damage to agriculture was initially estimated at P110.913 million, while damage to infrastructure in Bicol alone was estimated at P1,021,927,899.66.
At least 16 houses were destroyed while 317 were damaged.
Roads, bridges
As of 6 p.m. Thursday, Tanqui Bridge in San Fernando By-pass Road in La Union remained impassable due to damaged slab.
Some eight road sections in Central Luzon and Bicol also remained impassable due to floodwaters, landslides, washed–out abutment and collapsed pavement, the NDRRMC said. — RSJ
News Update Senators grill PNP officials over chopper purchase
Senators on Thursday grilled officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) over their approval of the multi-million-peso purchase of "pre-owned" light operational helicopters.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senators Panfilo Lacson, Teofisto Guingona III, and Franklin Drilon asked members of the PNP negotiation and bids and awards committees (BAC) why they allowed the Manila Aerospace Trading Corporation (MAPTRA) to sell them two pre-owned Robinson R44 Raven I helicopters despite a requirement for brand-new ones.
"That ought to have been known by the BAC," Enrile said during Thursday's Senate blue ribbon committee hearing.
"Did you exercise due diligence (in the purchase)," added Lacson.
According to the resolution filed by Lacson and Guingona, the PNP had modified the Special Action Forces' requirements from three brand-new equipped Light Police Operational Helicopters (LPOHs) to one equipped and two standard LPOHs.
Then PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa then approved the contract to pay MAPTRA P104.985 million for the one Robinson R44 Raven II and two Robinson R44 Raven I helicopters.
However, Guingona and Lacson said that flight logs indicate that the two R44 Raven I choppers sold to the PNP were already "pre-owned" as far back as March 2004.
Lacson had also earlier claimed that the helicopters were previously owned by the family of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The Arroyos have since denied the allegation.
On Thursday, Guingona and Lacson asked the PNP officials whether they were compelled to approve the contract by a higher official.
But Police Dir. Luizo C. Ticman, who was a member of the PNP's BAC, maintained that nobody ordered him to do anything or approve any contract.
"Wala pong namwersa sa amin," he said.
He likewise said that their approval of the contract had "legal basis."
But when asked whether he looked into the initial proposal of the MAPTRA which did not specifically indicate that they were selling "brand new" and only as having "service-center condition," he said he did not.
The Senate hearing was ongoing as of posting time
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senators Panfilo Lacson, Teofisto Guingona III, and Franklin Drilon asked members of the PNP negotiation and bids and awards committees (BAC) why they allowed the Manila Aerospace Trading Corporation (MAPTRA) to sell them two pre-owned Robinson R44 Raven I helicopters despite a requirement for brand-new ones.
"That ought to have been known by the BAC," Enrile said during Thursday's Senate blue ribbon committee hearing.
"Did you exercise due diligence (in the purchase)," added Lacson.
According to the resolution filed by Lacson and Guingona, the PNP had modified the Special Action Forces' requirements from three brand-new equipped Light Police Operational Helicopters (LPOHs) to one equipped and two standard LPOHs.
Then PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa then approved the contract to pay MAPTRA P104.985 million for the one Robinson R44 Raven II and two Robinson R44 Raven I helicopters.
However, Guingona and Lacson said that flight logs indicate that the two R44 Raven I choppers sold to the PNP were already "pre-owned" as far back as March 2004.
Lacson had also earlier claimed that the helicopters were previously owned by the family of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The Arroyos have since denied the allegation.
On Thursday, Guingona and Lacson asked the PNP officials whether they were compelled to approve the contract by a higher official.
But Police Dir. Luizo C. Ticman, who was a member of the PNP's BAC, maintained that nobody ordered him to do anything or approve any contract.
"Wala pong namwersa sa amin," he said.
He likewise said that their approval of the contract had "legal basis."
But when asked whether he looked into the initial proposal of the MAPTRA which did not specifically indicate that they were selling "brand new" and only as having "service-center condition," he said he did not.
The Senate hearing was ongoing as of posting time
News Update World's largest solar-powered boat docks in Manila
By Anna Valmero
PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA— The world’s largest solar-powered boat is now docked in Manila at the Philippine Navy headquarters as part of its world tour.
Manila is the first stopover in Asia for MS Turanor PlanetSolar. The boat weighs 95 tons and measures 102 feet in length and 50 feet in width.
The boat is powered by SunPower’s 38,000 Maxeon solar cells arranged in 825 modules on a total surface area of 537 square meters.
“The solar cells powering PlanetSolar are manufactured here in the Philippines and we take pride in the contributions of Filipinos in the boats 50,000-kilometer voyage through five continents,” said Marty Neese, SunPower chief operating officer.
“Each of the 38,000 solar cells can produce 3.4W of power whenever there is light, and this is about 50 percent more efficient than conventional cells,” Neese added.
Neese said that solar technology has good applications for marine and naval fleets, especially during long travels.
Energy captured by the solar cells is stored in six blocks containing 12 lithium ion batteries each at 648 cells each. The batteries weigh less than two tons, which is seven times less than conventional types.
PlanetSolar began its journey around the world in Monaco on September 2010 to raise awareness and demonstrate to people that harnessing solar energy is reliable and effective. It reached the Pacific via the Panama Canal and journeyed through the Indian Ocean, Red Sea and Suez Canal
The world tour also aims to advance solar energy research, specifically in the production of composite materials such as carbon fiber and structures as well as storage of solar energy.
The solar boat arrived in Manila one week ahead of schedule due to the high efficiency and high power generated by the solar cells, said Raphael Domjan, founder and co-skipper of PlanetSolar.
“The solar cells have generated more power than needed to get us to each stop on time so we arrived earlier here in Manila,” Domjan said.“Our planet deserves a better fate than to be exploited endlessly. Now, we have all the means to live in harmony with nature and we want to demonstrate that solutions for sustainability exist as exemplified through our expedition.”
For the world tour, the project relies on technical data from Meteo France with solar routing technology to circumnavigate the globe.
The solar boat has a “wave-piercing” design to harness less energy for sustainable mobility, according to New Zealand designer Craig Loomes of Lomocean Design. It was built for 14 months by Knierim Tachtbau in Kiel Germany.
Sponsors of the project include Swiss watchmaker Candino and energy management firm Immosolar.
PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA— The world’s largest solar-powered boat is now docked in Manila at the Philippine Navy headquarters as part of its world tour.
Manila is the first stopover in Asia for MS Turanor PlanetSolar. The boat weighs 95 tons and measures 102 feet in length and 50 feet in width.
The boat is powered by SunPower’s 38,000 Maxeon solar cells arranged in 825 modules on a total surface area of 537 square meters.
“The solar cells powering PlanetSolar are manufactured here in the Philippines and we take pride in the contributions of Filipinos in the boats 50,000-kilometer voyage through five continents,” said Marty Neese, SunPower chief operating officer.
“Each of the 38,000 solar cells can produce 3.4W of power whenever there is light, and this is about 50 percent more efficient than conventional cells,” Neese added.
Neese said that solar technology has good applications for marine and naval fleets, especially during long travels.
Energy captured by the solar cells is stored in six blocks containing 12 lithium ion batteries each at 648 cells each. The batteries weigh less than two tons, which is seven times less than conventional types.
PlanetSolar began its journey around the world in Monaco on September 2010 to raise awareness and demonstrate to people that harnessing solar energy is reliable and effective. It reached the Pacific via the Panama Canal and journeyed through the Indian Ocean, Red Sea and Suez Canal
The world tour also aims to advance solar energy research, specifically in the production of composite materials such as carbon fiber and structures as well as storage of solar energy.
The solar boat arrived in Manila one week ahead of schedule due to the high efficiency and high power generated by the solar cells, said Raphael Domjan, founder and co-skipper of PlanetSolar.
“The solar cells have generated more power than needed to get us to each stop on time so we arrived earlier here in Manila,” Domjan said.“Our planet deserves a better fate than to be exploited endlessly. Now, we have all the means to live in harmony with nature and we want to demonstrate that solutions for sustainability exist as exemplified through our expedition.”
For the world tour, the project relies on technical data from Meteo France with solar routing technology to circumnavigate the globe.
The solar boat has a “wave-piercing” design to harness less energy for sustainable mobility, according to New Zealand designer Craig Loomes of Lomocean Design. It was built for 14 months by Knierim Tachtbau in Kiel Germany.
Sponsors of the project include Swiss watchmaker Candino and energy management firm Immosolar.
News Update Filipino population in the US reaches 2.5M – report
By Marjorie Gorospe
QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA— The number of Filipinos in the US now stands at 2.55 million, according to a census report.
The population increased by 38 percent from ten years ago, according to a report released by US-based Philippine Asian News Today.
The figure does not include “mixed-race Filipinos”; the population is expected to increase further by 20 percent if mixed-race Filipinos are counted, the report added.
The top US states with the highest concentration of Filipinos include California, (3.5 million), Hawaii (197,497), Illinois (114, 724), New Jersey (110,650), New York (104,287), Texas (103,074), Nevada (98,351), Washington (91,367), Florida(90,223), Virginia (66,963), Maryland(43,923) and Arizona (35,013).
Meanwhile, the report also noted that Filipinos in Nevada continue to have the highest rate of growth nationwide, with the population jumping from 12,048 in 1990 to 40,529 in 2000, and more than doubling again in 2010 with 98,351, or an increase of 142 percent.
The report also said there has been significant growth of Filipino communities in Arizona (116 percent rise), followed by North Carolina (94 percent),Wyoming, (91 percent), Idaho (87 percent), Alabama, (82 percent), New Hampshire (81 percent), Utah (80 percent), Texas (77 percent), and New Mexico (72 percent).
QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA— The number of Filipinos in the US now stands at 2.55 million, according to a census report.
The population increased by 38 percent from ten years ago, according to a report released by US-based Philippine Asian News Today.
The figure does not include “mixed-race Filipinos”; the population is expected to increase further by 20 percent if mixed-race Filipinos are counted, the report added.
The top US states with the highest concentration of Filipinos include California, (3.5 million), Hawaii (197,497), Illinois (114, 724), New Jersey (110,650), New York (104,287), Texas (103,074), Nevada (98,351), Washington (91,367), Florida(90,223), Virginia (66,963), Maryland(43,923) and Arizona (35,013).
Meanwhile, the report also noted that Filipinos in Nevada continue to have the highest rate of growth nationwide, with the population jumping from 12,048 in 1990 to 40,529 in 2000, and more than doubling again in 2010 with 98,351, or an increase of 142 percent.
The report also said there has been significant growth of Filipino communities in Arizona (116 percent rise), followed by North Carolina (94 percent),Wyoming, (91 percent), Idaho (87 percent), Alabama, (82 percent), New Hampshire (81 percent), Utah (80 percent), Texas (77 percent), and New Mexico (72 percent).
News Update MRT-3 operations stalled
MRT-3 operations were stalled Thursday night due to technical issues, Youscoopers told GMA News Online.
Reports from Youscoopers saying they were stuck in various stations first came at around 10:15 p.m. Other reports said passengers at the Taft terminal station were asked to step off the train at around 10:30 p.m. because of a power outage at the control center.
Another passenger informed GMA News through a tweet that passengers in the Buendia station were stuck in the train for over 45 minutes.
Kamuning MRT staff said trains were on the way but then told passengers to leave as trains could not run on weak power supply
The MRT-3 central administration could not be reached for further information as of posting time. – Bea Cupin and Pia Faustino/PE/MRT
Reports from Youscoopers saying they were stuck in various stations first came at around 10:15 p.m. Other reports said passengers at the Taft terminal station were asked to step off the train at around 10:30 p.m. because of a power outage at the control center.
Another passenger informed GMA News through a tweet that passengers in the Buendia station were stuck in the train for over 45 minutes.
Kamuning MRT staff said trains were on the way but then told passengers to leave as trains could not run on weak power supply
The MRT-3 central administration could not be reached for further information as of posting time. – Bea Cupin and Pia Faustino/PE/MRT
News Update Kabayan' intensifies, rain looms over parts of PHL
Tropical storm "Kabayan" (Muifa) intensified early Friday as it moved closer to Eastern Visayas, but state weather forecasters maintained it is not likely to make landfall over the Philippines.
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Bernard Punzalan said Kabayan may enhance the southwest monsoon to bring rains over parts of the country.
"Sa ngayon wala pa ring nakikitang posibilidad na ito ay magla-landfall bagama't maari itong magbigay ng pag-ulan dulot ng habagat," Punzalan said in an interview on dzBB radio.
He added no storm warning signals have been raised in any part of the country as of Friday morning.
On the other hand, he said Metro Manila can expect "improved" weather conditions compared to past days when it experienced heavy rain from storm "Juaning" (Nock-Ten).
PAGASA said that as of 2 a.m. Friday, Kabayan was estimated at 840 km East of Catarman, Northern Samar.
It packed maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph and is forecast to move west-northwest at 15 kph.
"The western section of Luzon will experience monsoon rains while the rest of the country will be mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms," it said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.
PAGASA's 11 p.m. Thursday advisory forecast Kabayan to be 780 km east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes Friday evening; and 790 km east of Aparri, Cagayan Saturday evening.
By Sunday evening, Kabayan is forecast to be 875 km east-northeast of Basco, Batanes.
Meanwhile, PAGASA said strong to gale-force winds are expected to affect the western seaboard of Luzon. — LBG
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Bernard Punzalan said Kabayan may enhance the southwest monsoon to bring rains over parts of the country.
"Sa ngayon wala pa ring nakikitang posibilidad na ito ay magla-landfall bagama't maari itong magbigay ng pag-ulan dulot ng habagat," Punzalan said in an interview on dzBB radio.
He added no storm warning signals have been raised in any part of the country as of Friday morning.
On the other hand, he said Metro Manila can expect "improved" weather conditions compared to past days when it experienced heavy rain from storm "Juaning" (Nock-Ten).
PAGASA said that as of 2 a.m. Friday, Kabayan was estimated at 840 km East of Catarman, Northern Samar.
It packed maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph and is forecast to move west-northwest at 15 kph.
"The western section of Luzon will experience monsoon rains while the rest of the country will be mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms," it said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.
PAGASA's 11 p.m. Thursday advisory forecast Kabayan to be 780 km east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes Friday evening; and 790 km east of Aparri, Cagayan Saturday evening.
By Sunday evening, Kabayan is forecast to be 875 km east-northeast of Basco, Batanes.
Meanwhile, PAGASA said strong to gale-force winds are expected to affect the western seaboard of Luzon. — LBG
News Update PHL tobacco output to reach 80M kilos – official
Amid government efforts against the hazards of smoking, the local tobacco industry remains optimistic that crop production could reach 80 million kilos crop year 2011-2012.
Tobacco output in leaf terms is seen to reach 77 million kilos valued at P5 billion.
This represents a 4.3-percent increase from 73.75 million kilos, and a 4.1-percent jump from the P4.84 billion recorded in the previous crop year.
"We cannot deny that the Philippines is a signatory to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control that provides for a gradual elimination of tobacco because of health concerns," said administrator Edgardo Zaragoza of the National Tobacco Administration, during the agency's 24th anniversary late Tuesday.
"It is ironic because despite regulation in the US and Europe, it appears there is still growing demand for tobacco," Zaragoza added.
Despite an oversupply of tobacco and tobacco products in the world market, Zaragoza said demand for Philippine tobacco continues to increase because of its high quality.
Around 40 percent of the country's tobacco output is sold to the export market, he added.
In the past eight years, the value of tobacco has increased by 20 percent on average, government data show.
In crop year 2009-2010 alone, production totaled 73.75 million kilos, valued at P4.846 billion from about P4.024 billion a year earlier.
Zaragoza said the agency will continue to uphold the welfare of the 50,000 tobacco farmers, as well as the more than 600,000 individuals who benefit from the industry.
Tobacco farmers contribute as much as P34 billion in taxes, while traders and manufacturers make up about 4 percent of the total collections of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, according to Zaragoza.
Anti-smoking drive
Philip Morris corporate lawyer Raul Academia, meanwhile, slammed government's anti-smoking drive in the nation's capital, saying people should be left to make a choice on whether or not to smoke.
This month, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) implemented in full its no-smoking policy across the National Capital Region.
Academia said that when there is a designation of absolutely smoke-free public areas, authorities should also put up smoking zones.
The MMDA said it will also put up smoking areas along EDSA, even suggesting turning the pink urinals into smoking areas, a proposal criticized by various sectors.
Some companies, such as Starbucks Philippines, have turned their al-fresco smoking areas into no smoking zones, in response to the MMDA's campaign. — With JM Tuazon/VS
Tobacco output in leaf terms is seen to reach 77 million kilos valued at P5 billion.
This represents a 4.3-percent increase from 73.75 million kilos, and a 4.1-percent jump from the P4.84 billion recorded in the previous crop year.
"We cannot deny that the Philippines is a signatory to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control that provides for a gradual elimination of tobacco because of health concerns," said administrator Edgardo Zaragoza of the National Tobacco Administration, during the agency's 24th anniversary late Tuesday.
"It is ironic because despite regulation in the US and Europe, it appears there is still growing demand for tobacco," Zaragoza added.
Despite an oversupply of tobacco and tobacco products in the world market, Zaragoza said demand for Philippine tobacco continues to increase because of its high quality.
Around 40 percent of the country's tobacco output is sold to the export market, he added.
In the past eight years, the value of tobacco has increased by 20 percent on average, government data show.
In crop year 2009-2010 alone, production totaled 73.75 million kilos, valued at P4.846 billion from about P4.024 billion a year earlier.
Zaragoza said the agency will continue to uphold the welfare of the 50,000 tobacco farmers, as well as the more than 600,000 individuals who benefit from the industry.
Tobacco farmers contribute as much as P34 billion in taxes, while traders and manufacturers make up about 4 percent of the total collections of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, according to Zaragoza.
Anti-smoking drive
Philip Morris corporate lawyer Raul Academia, meanwhile, slammed government's anti-smoking drive in the nation's capital, saying people should be left to make a choice on whether or not to smoke.
This month, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) implemented in full its no-smoking policy across the National Capital Region.
Academia said that when there is a designation of absolutely smoke-free public areas, authorities should also put up smoking zones.
The MMDA said it will also put up smoking areas along EDSA, even suggesting turning the pink urinals into smoking areas, a proposal criticized by various sectors.
Some companies, such as Starbucks Philippines, have turned their al-fresco smoking areas into no smoking zones, in response to the MMDA's campaign. — With JM Tuazon/VS
News Update Manufacturers face cost dilemma in going green
Manufacturers wanting to make their products more environment-friendly are slowly coming to terms with the high cost of recycled materials and its patent inflexibility, leaving them no choice but to pass on the burden to consumers.
Such is the case for appliance manufacturer Electrolux, which launched late Tuesday a campaign that aims to raise awareness about plastic debris ending up in the world's oceans.
Terry Sales, Electrolux Philippines Inc. marketing manager, told GMA News Online that one challenge that besets the company in its green efforts is the difficulty of sourcing recycled plastic.
"As a manufacturer [of appliances], we use a lot of plastics," Sales said. "But right now, there are not enough supply of recycled plastic available to manufacturers like us."
Sales explained that despite the huge volume of plastic being produced, used and disposed around the world — 300 million metric tons in 2010, according to a report by the Royal Society in UK — plastic that can be used for manufactured products are still a scarce resource.
"Plastic still needs to be reprocessed. You can't just pick up plastic garbage and turn it into another plastic product. Unfortunately, there are not enough suppliers in the world who would like to invest in reprocessing plastics," Sales emphasized.
Virgin vs recycled plastic
This is the reason why the company's recently launched product in its green range, the UltraOne vacuum cleaner, is a little bit more expensive than its other products, Sales said.
UltraOne is made from 70 percent recycled plastic and uses up to 50 percent less energy than the regular vacuum cleaner.
"Recycled plastic is more expensive than virgin plastic, which is why it is more convenient for manufacturers to use [the latter]," he added.
Product design is also compromised when firms use recycled plastic. "You can only make products in black, since that's the only color available for recycled plastics," Sales said.
But Sales pointed out that cost of raw materials is not the only factor that leads to more expensive green products.
"There aren't a lot of green products available in the market today. As such, there is not much demand for it yet," he stressed.
Still, Sales said it is the goal of Electrolux to have 15 percent of all its product ranges as green products, and to have products made from 100 percent recycled plastic.
Debris from oceans
To address the dilemma, the company said it has started research into how they can use plastic debris recovered from the ocean as potential source of raw material.
"Right now, only post-consumer plastic on land meets our commercial safety and quality standards," the company said. "However, [we are exploring] how the ocean plastic may be used in the future, and one such step is to make a single concept vacuum that we can auction out."
Electrolux's "Vac from the Sea" campaign collated plastic garbage that drifted to several of the world's oceans, and processed them to create three different concept vacuum cleaners.
The green process
For greater impact toward saving the environment, activist group Greenpeace said manufacturers should look more into how their production processes are affecting nature.
While not discounting the efforts of companies to make their products more energy-efficient, for example, Greenpeace said the initiatives shouldn't end there.
"Hindi naman namin dinidiscount 'yung (efforts nila), but it shouldn't end there. We're telling companies to minimize their carbon footprint, and it helps, but they should also go for clean production cycles and zero toxic waste discharge," JP Agcaoili, the group's media officer, told GMA News Online in a phone interview.
Agcaoili cited the example of manufacturing firms who make efforts to establish wastewater treatment facilities when the more acceptable approach is to eliminate wastewater production entirely.
The Greenpeace official also cautioned against what pundits call "greenwashing," or the use of public relations and marketing practices that mislead the public into thinking the company's products are environmentally friendly.
"Companies have to make sure that when they do their green initiatives, they do not divert the attention from the real issues at hand," Agcaoili stressed.
"For example, some companies with high carbon footprint simply cannot eliminate or reduce it by just planting trees," he added.
Instead of doing these corporate social responsibility efforts, Agcaoili said firms should invest and focus on doing things properly with their processes.
"Being what it is, it's really an investment. But their investments will come back to them. If, for example, the world's waterways are clean, companies will benefit from that also," he said. — VS
Such is the case for appliance manufacturer Electrolux, which launched late Tuesday a campaign that aims to raise awareness about plastic debris ending up in the world's oceans.
Terry Sales, Electrolux Philippines Inc. marketing manager, told GMA News Online that one challenge that besets the company in its green efforts is the difficulty of sourcing recycled plastic.
"As a manufacturer [of appliances], we use a lot of plastics," Sales said. "But right now, there are not enough supply of recycled plastic available to manufacturers like us."
Sales explained that despite the huge volume of plastic being produced, used and disposed around the world — 300 million metric tons in 2010, according to a report by the Royal Society in UK — plastic that can be used for manufactured products are still a scarce resource.
"Plastic still needs to be reprocessed. You can't just pick up plastic garbage and turn it into another plastic product. Unfortunately, there are not enough suppliers in the world who would like to invest in reprocessing plastics," Sales emphasized.
Virgin vs recycled plastic
This is the reason why the company's recently launched product in its green range, the UltraOne vacuum cleaner, is a little bit more expensive than its other products, Sales said.
UltraOne is made from 70 percent recycled plastic and uses up to 50 percent less energy than the regular vacuum cleaner.
"Recycled plastic is more expensive than virgin plastic, which is why it is more convenient for manufacturers to use [the latter]," he added.
Product design is also compromised when firms use recycled plastic. "You can only make products in black, since that's the only color available for recycled plastics," Sales said.
But Sales pointed out that cost of raw materials is not the only factor that leads to more expensive green products.
"There aren't a lot of green products available in the market today. As such, there is not much demand for it yet," he stressed.
Still, Sales said it is the goal of Electrolux to have 15 percent of all its product ranges as green products, and to have products made from 100 percent recycled plastic.
Debris from oceans
To address the dilemma, the company said it has started research into how they can use plastic debris recovered from the ocean as potential source of raw material.
"Right now, only post-consumer plastic on land meets our commercial safety and quality standards," the company said. "However, [we are exploring] how the ocean plastic may be used in the future, and one such step is to make a single concept vacuum that we can auction out."
Electrolux's "Vac from the Sea" campaign collated plastic garbage that drifted to several of the world's oceans, and processed them to create three different concept vacuum cleaners.
The green process
For greater impact toward saving the environment, activist group Greenpeace said manufacturers should look more into how their production processes are affecting nature.
While not discounting the efforts of companies to make their products more energy-efficient, for example, Greenpeace said the initiatives shouldn't end there.
"Hindi naman namin dinidiscount 'yung (efforts nila), but it shouldn't end there. We're telling companies to minimize their carbon footprint, and it helps, but they should also go for clean production cycles and zero toxic waste discharge," JP Agcaoili, the group's media officer, told GMA News Online in a phone interview.
Agcaoili cited the example of manufacturing firms who make efforts to establish wastewater treatment facilities when the more acceptable approach is to eliminate wastewater production entirely.
The Greenpeace official also cautioned against what pundits call "greenwashing," or the use of public relations and marketing practices that mislead the public into thinking the company's products are environmentally friendly.
"Companies have to make sure that when they do their green initiatives, they do not divert the attention from the real issues at hand," Agcaoili stressed.
"For example, some companies with high carbon footprint simply cannot eliminate or reduce it by just planting trees," he added.
Instead of doing these corporate social responsibility efforts, Agcaoili said firms should invest and focus on doing things properly with their processes.
"Being what it is, it's really an investment. But their investments will come back to them. If, for example, the world's waterways are clean, companies will benefit from that also," he said. — VS
News Update 'Kabayan' intensifies, rain looms over parts of PHL
Tropical storm "Kabayan" (Muifa) intensified early Friday as it moved closer to Eastern Visayas, but state weather forecasters maintained it is not likely to make landfall over the Philippines.
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Bernard Punzalan said Kabayan may enhance the southwest monsoon to bring rains over parts of the country.
"Sa ngayon wala pa ring nakikitang posibilidad na ito ay magla-landfall bagama't maari itong magbigay ng pag-ulan dulot ng habagat," Punzalan said in an interview on dzBB radio.
He added no storm warning signals have been raised in any part of the country as of Friday morning.
On the other hand, he said Metro Manila can expect "improved" weather conditions compared to past days when it experienced heavy rain from storm "Juaning" (Nock-Ten).
PAGASA said that as of 2 a.m. Friday, Kabayan was estimated at 840 km East of Catarman, Northern Samar.
It packed maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph and is forecast to move west-northwest at 15 kph.
"The western section of Luzon will experience monsoon rains while the rest of the country will be mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms," it said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.
PAGASA's 11 p.m. Thursday advisory forecast Kabayan to be 780 km east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes Friday evening; and 790 km east of Aparri, Cagayan Saturday evening.
By Sunday evening, Kabayan is forecast to be 875 km east-northeast of Basco, Batanes.
Meanwhile, PAGASA said strong to gale-force winds are expected to affect the western seaboard of Luzon. — LBG
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Bernard Punzalan said Kabayan may enhance the southwest monsoon to bring rains over parts of the country.
"Sa ngayon wala pa ring nakikitang posibilidad na ito ay magla-landfall bagama't maari itong magbigay ng pag-ulan dulot ng habagat," Punzalan said in an interview on dzBB radio.
He added no storm warning signals have been raised in any part of the country as of Friday morning.
On the other hand, he said Metro Manila can expect "improved" weather conditions compared to past days when it experienced heavy rain from storm "Juaning" (Nock-Ten).
PAGASA said that as of 2 a.m. Friday, Kabayan was estimated at 840 km East of Catarman, Northern Samar.
It packed maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph and is forecast to move west-northwest at 15 kph.
"The western section of Luzon will experience monsoon rains while the rest of the country will be mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms," it said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.
PAGASA's 11 p.m. Thursday advisory forecast Kabayan to be 780 km east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes Friday evening; and 790 km east of Aparri, Cagayan Saturday evening.
By Sunday evening, Kabayan is forecast to be 875 km east-northeast of Basco, Batanes.
Meanwhile, PAGASA said strong to gale-force winds are expected to affect the western seaboard of Luzon. — LBG
News Update Abu Sayyaf kill seven Philippine soldiers: military
Seven Philippine soldiers were killed and 21 were wounded in fierce clashes with Al Qaeda-linked Islamic militants in the south of the country on Thursday, the military said.
Philippine marines fought a five-hour battle with members of the Abu Sayyaf group in one of the militants' hideouts in the forests of Jolo island, local military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Randolf Cabangbang told reporters.
"The encounter was fierce and troops encountered a big group of the Abu Sayyaf," he said.
Extra ground troops and two helicopter gunships were called into the area to cover the helicopter evacuation of the wounded to a military hospital on the island, and to track down the attackers, according to Cabangbang.
He said it appeared the soldiers stumbled into a major Abu Sayyaf camp as they chased a small group of the militants on Jolo, which is roughly 11 times the size of Hong Kong island with a rugged and largely lawless interior.
"I think what happened was, the troops were on manoeuvres during the entire night, and in the morning that's when they realised they were already in the (Abu Sayyaf) camp. That explains why we have so many casualties," he said.
He said the soldiers were initially trying to hunt down militants wanted for a series of kidnappings in the area in recent months, including the abductions of an Indian man visiting his Filipina wife's hometown and a Malaysian trader.
Cabangbang said it was believed the militants that the soldiers clashed with were under the control of senior Abu Sayyaf figures wanted for previous kidnappings and killings of foreigners as well as Filipinos in the south.
One of those leaders is Isnilon Hapilon, the subject of a $5-million-dollar reward from the US government for information leading to his capture.
Another is Radullan Sahiron, an ageing Abu Sayyaf figure who lost his right hand fighting security forces in the 1970s and has a $1-million-dollar bounty on his head.
However Cabangbang said it was not clear whether Hapilon and Sahiron were directly involved in Thursday's clashes.
The military was also unable to say if there were any Abu Sayyaf casualties.
The Abu Sayyaf, a small gang of self-styled Islamist militants founded in the 1990s with seed money from Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network, is blamed for the country's worst terrorist attacks.
These include the bombing of a passenger ferry in Manila Bay in 2004 that killed more than 100 people, as well as a string of high-profile abductions and murders in the south.
Hundreds of US troops have been deployed on Jolo and other parts of the southern Philippines since 2002 to help eliminate the Abu Sayyaf.
However they are only allowed to train Filipino soldiers, and not engage in any combat operations.
The Philippine and US militaries have described their joint operations in the south as a success, saying the Abu Sayyaf threat has diminished, with militant numbers down to a few hundred.
However incidents such as Thursday's clashes show the Abu Sayyaf, which the military says at times shelters with relatives or other armed groups in Jolo's Muslim-majority population, remains able to conduct deadly operations.
In Manila, armed forces spokesman Commodore Miguel Jose Rodriguez insisted that, despite the heavy military casualties, Thursday's operation was an important step in quashing the Abu Sayyaf.
He said the military had achieved a "strategic victory" in over-running the camp, even though there were no reports of any Abu Sayyaf militants being captured or killed.
Philippine marines fought a five-hour battle with members of the Abu Sayyaf group in one of the militants' hideouts in the forests of Jolo island, local military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Randolf Cabangbang told reporters.
"The encounter was fierce and troops encountered a big group of the Abu Sayyaf," he said.
Extra ground troops and two helicopter gunships were called into the area to cover the helicopter evacuation of the wounded to a military hospital on the island, and to track down the attackers, according to Cabangbang.
He said it appeared the soldiers stumbled into a major Abu Sayyaf camp as they chased a small group of the militants on Jolo, which is roughly 11 times the size of Hong Kong island with a rugged and largely lawless interior.
"I think what happened was, the troops were on manoeuvres during the entire night, and in the morning that's when they realised they were already in the (Abu Sayyaf) camp. That explains why we have so many casualties," he said.
He said the soldiers were initially trying to hunt down militants wanted for a series of kidnappings in the area in recent months, including the abductions of an Indian man visiting his Filipina wife's hometown and a Malaysian trader.
Cabangbang said it was believed the militants that the soldiers clashed with were under the control of senior Abu Sayyaf figures wanted for previous kidnappings and killings of foreigners as well as Filipinos in the south.
One of those leaders is Isnilon Hapilon, the subject of a $5-million-dollar reward from the US government for information leading to his capture.
Another is Radullan Sahiron, an ageing Abu Sayyaf figure who lost his right hand fighting security forces in the 1970s and has a $1-million-dollar bounty on his head.
However Cabangbang said it was not clear whether Hapilon and Sahiron were directly involved in Thursday's clashes.
The military was also unable to say if there were any Abu Sayyaf casualties.
The Abu Sayyaf, a small gang of self-styled Islamist militants founded in the 1990s with seed money from Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network, is blamed for the country's worst terrorist attacks.
These include the bombing of a passenger ferry in Manila Bay in 2004 that killed more than 100 people, as well as a string of high-profile abductions and murders in the south.
Hundreds of US troops have been deployed on Jolo and other parts of the southern Philippines since 2002 to help eliminate the Abu Sayyaf.
However they are only allowed to train Filipino soldiers, and not engage in any combat operations.
The Philippine and US militaries have described their joint operations in the south as a success, saying the Abu Sayyaf threat has diminished, with militant numbers down to a few hundred.
However incidents such as Thursday's clashes show the Abu Sayyaf, which the military says at times shelters with relatives or other armed groups in Jolo's Muslim-majority population, remains able to conduct deadly operations.
In Manila, armed forces spokesman Commodore Miguel Jose Rodriguez insisted that, despite the heavy military casualties, Thursday's operation was an important step in quashing the Abu Sayyaf.
He said the military had achieved a "strategic victory" in over-running the camp, even though there were no reports of any Abu Sayyaf militants being captured or killed.
News Update Philippines says fund flows pose inflation threat
A huge wave of foreign funds flowing into the Philippines could stoke inflation, the central bank warned Thursday as it announced steps to rein in the volume of cash in circulation.
Reserve requirements on bank deposits will rise by one percentage-point from August 5, on top of a one-point rise ordered earlier this month, it said in a statement.
"The Monetary Board is of the view that sustained foreign exchange inflows... could fuel a further acceleration of domestic liquidity growth which could pose risks to future inflation," it said.
"The Monetary Board believes that a prudent increase in the reserve requirement will help ensure that the inflation target will be met."
The peso has surged to three-year highs against the dollar this month as foreign portfolio investments -- money invested in stocks and securities -- more than doubled to $9.1 billion in the first half, central bank data show.
The local currency closed at 42.17 to the greenback Thursday, from 43.6205 at the start of the year.
Bank lending activities have been growing at double-digit rates since January, the central bank also noted.
Meanwhile the central bank kept its key policy interest rates unchanged Thursday, at 4.5 percent for the overnight borrowing rate and 6.5 percent for the overnight lending rate.
Inflation hit a 26-month high of 4.6 percent year-on-year in June, raising the average for the first six months of the year to 4.3 percent.
Reserve requirements on bank deposits will rise by one percentage-point from August 5, on top of a one-point rise ordered earlier this month, it said in a statement.
"The Monetary Board is of the view that sustained foreign exchange inflows... could fuel a further acceleration of domestic liquidity growth which could pose risks to future inflation," it said.
"The Monetary Board believes that a prudent increase in the reserve requirement will help ensure that the inflation target will be met."
The peso has surged to three-year highs against the dollar this month as foreign portfolio investments -- money invested in stocks and securities -- more than doubled to $9.1 billion in the first half, central bank data show.
The local currency closed at 42.17 to the greenback Thursday, from 43.6205 at the start of the year.
Bank lending activities have been growing at double-digit rates since January, the central bank also noted.
Meanwhile the central bank kept its key policy interest rates unchanged Thursday, at 4.5 percent for the overnight borrowing rate and 6.5 percent for the overnight lending rate.
Inflation hit a 26-month high of 4.6 percent year-on-year in June, raising the average for the first six months of the year to 4.3 percent.
News Update Philippines to probe Arroyo vote 'fraud'
The Philippine government said Thursday it would investigate fresh allegations that former leader Gloria Arroyo used the police to steal the 2004 presidential election.
The inquiry will look into claims by a senior police officer that he broke into parliament in 2005 to switch election documents stored there so that Arroyo's victory would survive a recount, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said.
"We've always known that in each election there's cheating, but the scale of it in 2004, based on the various bits and pieces that we've been getting from our sources... it's really mind-boggling," de Lima told reporters.
She said Arroyo's win could not be overturned by a finding of fraud, but the evidence could be used to file criminal charges against those involved.
De Lima said the police officer would testify at the inquiry next week that he and a small group of other policemen were ordered by their superiors to swap legitimate election papers kept at parliament in Manila with fake ones.
The documents recorded the votes obtained by the presidential candidates per precinct.
At the time of the alleged parliamentary break-in, Arroyo was facing the prospect of a vote recount following allegations of cheating from her main rival, Fernando Poe.
De Lima said returns recording 1.2 million votes had allegedly been swapped, and Arroyo's eventual winning margin was just over 1.1 million votes.
She said the policeman, Senior Superintendent Rafael Santiago, and four of his men who claimed to be involved had already presented their allegations to the justice department and requested state protection.
Arroyo survived two parliamentary impeachment efforts in 2005 in 2006, as well as a bloodless military revolt, over allegations of vote fraud.
She has consistently denied any illegal activities during her near-decade in power that ended in June last year, when she was required by constitutional term limits to step down.
Her successor, Benigno Aquino has said he will relentlessly pursue allegations of vote fraud and corruption against Arroyo, but his efforts have so far produced few results.
His attempt to launch a "Truth Commission" to probe alleged Arroyo misdeeds was blocked by the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, Arroyo remains a member of parliament after winning a Lower House seat in last year's elections.
The inquiry will look into claims by a senior police officer that he broke into parliament in 2005 to switch election documents stored there so that Arroyo's victory would survive a recount, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said.
"We've always known that in each election there's cheating, but the scale of it in 2004, based on the various bits and pieces that we've been getting from our sources... it's really mind-boggling," de Lima told reporters.
She said Arroyo's win could not be overturned by a finding of fraud, but the evidence could be used to file criminal charges against those involved.
De Lima said the police officer would testify at the inquiry next week that he and a small group of other policemen were ordered by their superiors to swap legitimate election papers kept at parliament in Manila with fake ones.
The documents recorded the votes obtained by the presidential candidates per precinct.
At the time of the alleged parliamentary break-in, Arroyo was facing the prospect of a vote recount following allegations of cheating from her main rival, Fernando Poe.
De Lima said returns recording 1.2 million votes had allegedly been swapped, and Arroyo's eventual winning margin was just over 1.1 million votes.
She said the policeman, Senior Superintendent Rafael Santiago, and four of his men who claimed to be involved had already presented their allegations to the justice department and requested state protection.
Arroyo survived two parliamentary impeachment efforts in 2005 in 2006, as well as a bloodless military revolt, over allegations of vote fraud.
She has consistently denied any illegal activities during her near-decade in power that ended in June last year, when she was required by constitutional term limits to step down.
Her successor, Benigno Aquino has said he will relentlessly pursue allegations of vote fraud and corruption against Arroyo, but his efforts have so far produced few results.
His attempt to launch a "Truth Commission" to probe alleged Arroyo misdeeds was blocked by the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, Arroyo remains a member of parliament after winning a Lower House seat in last year's elections.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
News Update Businessman ‘uses office of mayor to collect funds’
A SOFTDRINK company turned over P98,000 in cash to a businessman supposedly for a project of the Office of the Mayor at the Cebu City Zoo.
But three months after the first donation was made, the project still has not taken off.
The amount is intended for a canteen and souvenir shop at the zoo in Barangay Kalunasan, a project that the mayor said he does not know about and did not authorize.
Invoices from Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. also showed that at least 418 cases of soft drinks were delivered to the zoo last April 15 and May 9, but personnel from the zoo said they did not receive the goods. Only chairs, tables and an umbrella were delivered two weeks ago.
Businessman Joni Chan, executive director of the United Multi-Sectoral Coordinating Council of Cebu City (UMC4), admitted he solicited the money from Pepsi for a project under a public-private partnership (PPP).
UMC4 is a volunteer group composed of downtown businessmen and vendors who are helping the administration of Mayor Michael Rama.
But in a phone interview yesterday, Rama said he is not aware of any donation or partnership with Pepsi, and he did not authorize anyone to solicit money or goods from private companies.
He said he would look into the matter and would talk to Chan about it.
“I don’t know anything about this. Dili sad ko mo-authorize og mga ingon ana. Kanang UMC4 volunteer group man na so naa tingali silay project but I am not involved in that. If this is being done then it has to be looked into and those involved should take responsibility,” Rama told Sun.Star Cebu.
Chan confirmed that he first received a P30,000 check from Pepsi last April 27, and another P20,000 was released last May. Last June 3, he again received P48,000 in cash.
He said the money is intact in his bank account, and he can return it to Pepsi anytime if the mayor asks him to do so.
“Kita nitabang ra man ta. It’s going to be a public-private partnership for a livelihood project in the zoo… It has not been implemented yet because the money was released in three tranches, and you know how contractors are. They don’t want to start a project if the full amount is not ready,” Chan said in Bisaya.
Partners
He said that as executive director of UMC4, one of his tasks is to get investors for PPPs. That is why he approached Pepsi and the International Pharmaceuticals Inc. for donations.
Chan clarified, though, that he did not receive 409 cases of softdrinks from Pepsi.
Although invoices from the company indicated that the Cebu City Zoo received the goods, he said these were actually delivered to a softdrinks distributor, who in turn released the cash to him.
“As a matter of internal policy, Pepsi does not release cash donations, so they arranged it in a way that Pepsi products would be delivered to the distributor and it’s the distributor who would release the cash,” he explained, as he declined naming the distributor.
Sun.Star Cebu called the Pepsi plant office in Minglanilla town but their phones were out of order.
This is not the first time confusion stemmed from Rama’s relationships with volunteer groups.
Last year, city officials and employees questioned the authority of a bakery owner, who volunteered to look after Plaza Sugbo across City Hall, to collect parking fees from those who park their vehicles in the plaza.
The mayor asked the businessman to stop collecting parking fees after learning about the employees’ complaints.
But three months after the first donation was made, the project still has not taken off.
The amount is intended for a canteen and souvenir shop at the zoo in Barangay Kalunasan, a project that the mayor said he does not know about and did not authorize.
Invoices from Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. also showed that at least 418 cases of soft drinks were delivered to the zoo last April 15 and May 9, but personnel from the zoo said they did not receive the goods. Only chairs, tables and an umbrella were delivered two weeks ago.
Businessman Joni Chan, executive director of the United Multi-Sectoral Coordinating Council of Cebu City (UMC4), admitted he solicited the money from Pepsi for a project under a public-private partnership (PPP).
UMC4 is a volunteer group composed of downtown businessmen and vendors who are helping the administration of Mayor Michael Rama.
But in a phone interview yesterday, Rama said he is not aware of any donation or partnership with Pepsi, and he did not authorize anyone to solicit money or goods from private companies.
He said he would look into the matter and would talk to Chan about it.
“I don’t know anything about this. Dili sad ko mo-authorize og mga ingon ana. Kanang UMC4 volunteer group man na so naa tingali silay project but I am not involved in that. If this is being done then it has to be looked into and those involved should take responsibility,” Rama told Sun.Star Cebu.
Chan confirmed that he first received a P30,000 check from Pepsi last April 27, and another P20,000 was released last May. Last June 3, he again received P48,000 in cash.
He said the money is intact in his bank account, and he can return it to Pepsi anytime if the mayor asks him to do so.
“Kita nitabang ra man ta. It’s going to be a public-private partnership for a livelihood project in the zoo… It has not been implemented yet because the money was released in three tranches, and you know how contractors are. They don’t want to start a project if the full amount is not ready,” Chan said in Bisaya.
Partners
He said that as executive director of UMC4, one of his tasks is to get investors for PPPs. That is why he approached Pepsi and the International Pharmaceuticals Inc. for donations.
Chan clarified, though, that he did not receive 409 cases of softdrinks from Pepsi.
Although invoices from the company indicated that the Cebu City Zoo received the goods, he said these were actually delivered to a softdrinks distributor, who in turn released the cash to him.
“As a matter of internal policy, Pepsi does not release cash donations, so they arranged it in a way that Pepsi products would be delivered to the distributor and it’s the distributor who would release the cash,” he explained, as he declined naming the distributor.
Sun.Star Cebu called the Pepsi plant office in Minglanilla town but their phones were out of order.
This is not the first time confusion stemmed from Rama’s relationships with volunteer groups.
Last year, city officials and employees questioned the authority of a bakery owner, who volunteered to look after Plaza Sugbo across City Hall, to collect parking fees from those who park their vehicles in the plaza.
The mayor asked the businessman to stop collecting parking fees after learning about the employees’ complaints.
News Update Man gets life term for wife's rape
THE second conviction of a marital rape case has been recorded in Davao City after a man was meted with life imprisonment for raping his wife.
In an order penned on July 15, Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch 12 Judge Pelagio Paguican sentenced Jose (real name withheld) to life imprisonment for raping his wife in 2004.
The court ordered the convict to pay his wife the sum of P75,000 as civil indemnity and P50,000 as moral damages.
Aside from the rape charge, Jose was also found guilty of two counts of violation of sections 5 (i) and 5 (a) of the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004. The court ordered Jose to pay the complainant the amount of P20,000 as moral damages.
Court records showed that the couple was married on April 14, 2004.
Jose's wife claimed that at around 10 p.m. of December 21, 2004, she was about to sleep inside their room when her husband arrived. She saw him looking for something under their bed that disturbed her sleep.
She told her husband to stop but the latter kicked her thigh causing her to fall off the bed.
He pulled her hair, slapped her, hit her on different parts of the body, and twisted her hand. She fought back and scratched him on chest prompting him to stop.
She cried hard and shouted for help. He again mauled her by pulling her hair, and dragged her to bed. Jose scattered all her clothes on the floor.
While she was sitting and crying on the bed, her husband forced her to lay on bed.
She resisted but she was weak. Her husband then removed her clothes, positioned on top and forced her to have sex with him.
She then reported the incident to the Sta. Ana police station where she was advised to undergo a medical check-up.
She proceeded to the then Davao Medical Center and also referred to Women and Children's Protection Unit thus, the filing of case.
On December 24, 2004, she was examined by Dr. Conrado Pantaleon and Dr. Regina de la Paz.
She said Jose still forced her to have sex with him even during her menstrual days and when she is sick.
Meanwhile, Jose denied all the accusations against him. He claimed there were instances when his wife left him after arguing over an electric bill.
He said she even went to Cebu in the second week of August in 2004 and returned first week of October of the same year.
He said his wife left him again in November 2004.
He said he did not physically hurt his wife but photo evidence showed her wife with bruises and contusions after she was mauled on December 21, 2004.
Results of a medical certificate showed there was a positive sign of "complete transaction of the hymen".
The court finds the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt on crimes of rape, and two counts of violation of RA 9262.
The conviction is the second in Davao City, said lawyer Josephine de Vera, counsel of the complainant. The first case of marital rape conviction was before the sala of RTC Branch 17 presiding Judge Renato Fuentes.
In an order penned on July 15, Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch 12 Judge Pelagio Paguican sentenced Jose (real name withheld) to life imprisonment for raping his wife in 2004.
The court ordered the convict to pay his wife the sum of P75,000 as civil indemnity and P50,000 as moral damages.
Aside from the rape charge, Jose was also found guilty of two counts of violation of sections 5 (i) and 5 (a) of the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004. The court ordered Jose to pay the complainant the amount of P20,000 as moral damages.
Court records showed that the couple was married on April 14, 2004.
Jose's wife claimed that at around 10 p.m. of December 21, 2004, she was about to sleep inside their room when her husband arrived. She saw him looking for something under their bed that disturbed her sleep.
She told her husband to stop but the latter kicked her thigh causing her to fall off the bed.
He pulled her hair, slapped her, hit her on different parts of the body, and twisted her hand. She fought back and scratched him on chest prompting him to stop.
She cried hard and shouted for help. He again mauled her by pulling her hair, and dragged her to bed. Jose scattered all her clothes on the floor.
While she was sitting and crying on the bed, her husband forced her to lay on bed.
She resisted but she was weak. Her husband then removed her clothes, positioned on top and forced her to have sex with him.
She then reported the incident to the Sta. Ana police station where she was advised to undergo a medical check-up.
She proceeded to the then Davao Medical Center and also referred to Women and Children's Protection Unit thus, the filing of case.
On December 24, 2004, she was examined by Dr. Conrado Pantaleon and Dr. Regina de la Paz.
She said Jose still forced her to have sex with him even during her menstrual days and when she is sick.
Meanwhile, Jose denied all the accusations against him. He claimed there were instances when his wife left him after arguing over an electric bill.
He said she even went to Cebu in the second week of August in 2004 and returned first week of October of the same year.
He said his wife left him again in November 2004.
He said he did not physically hurt his wife but photo evidence showed her wife with bruises and contusions after she was mauled on December 21, 2004.
Results of a medical certificate showed there was a positive sign of "complete transaction of the hymen".
The court finds the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt on crimes of rape, and two counts of violation of RA 9262.
The conviction is the second in Davao City, said lawyer Josephine de Vera, counsel of the complainant. The first case of marital rape conviction was before the sala of RTC Branch 17 presiding Judge Renato Fuentes.
News Update 26 percent of cheap toys sold in Davao have toxic metals
DAVAO CITY -- A quarter of children's toys being sold in the city have elevated amounts of toxic metals, most especially lead, a molecular biologist said.
Dr. Joseph DiGangi, senior science and policy adviser of the International POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutant) Eliminations Network, conducted tests using the X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer to screen priority chemicals in 135 samples from different toy stores in the city.
"The problem lies in the sale of toxic products and lack of information about its chemical content and children are the most vulnerable because they are not adults, and they can easily put a handful of substances in their mouths," DiGangi said.
XRF analyzer emits beam into materials and it can measure at least 20 harmful elements, including lead, arsenic, antimony, chromium, cadmium and mercury.
DiGangi said that aside from the concern for the children who end up with such toys, of great concern too are the workers in these toy factories who are the first ones to be exposed to whatever harmful metals the toys contain.
Twenty-two samples contain levels ranging from 92 ppm (parts per million) to more than 1700 ppm almost 20 times higher than the US regulatory limit of 600 ppm for consumer products like paint. Other toxic metals were also detected in the toys although these were not enumerated.
Toys that were tested were from leading malls and toy stores in the city and some were from the retail and "ukay-ukay" (used clothes) stores in Uyanguren and Bankerohan.
During the public forum sponsored by the environment non-government organization Interface Development Interventions (IDIS), a member of the EcoWaste coalition urges vendors and local business sector to stop engaging in production, trade, and sale of toys and other products that contain such toxic metals.
"Results of these test would lead to more action in ensuring the safety of our toys and ultimately ensuring the state of our children," said Lia Jasmin Esquillo, IDIS executive director.
City Councilor Bernard Al-ag, chairman of the City Council committee on health; Concepcion Regalado, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officer of Satellite Laboratory 11; and Gloria Raut, chief engineer II of the health support division of the Department of Health (DOH) witnessed the testing.
"It is alarming to witness and to know the results and this is not just a city issue but this should be addressed in the national level as well. FDA and DOH should do tests to measure the accuracy and veracity of the test done here and correlate it to others," Al-ag said.
He added that since he has two young children, he wants this to be thoroughly checked by both government agencies and he will be suggesting to the mayor an executive order to prohibit the release of the license to operate to distributors who will not adhere to proper testing of the products.
"We need to let them know of the consequences it will bring to our children, we don’t know if these distributors are not aware themselves of the harmful chemicals they are selling," Al-ag added.
Raut said they conducted such surveys of several stores in January 2010 as instructed by Administrative Order 32 series of 2009.
"We have submitted our findings to the Bureau of Health and Devices and Technology in Manila and we are waiting for their recommendation," Raut added. It was not explained why it is taking more than a year for a recommendation to be issued.
DiGangi, meanwhile, said that manufacturers should disclose chemical content as a condition for sale and regulators and consumers should insist on the labeling.
"Government's action is to strengthen the existing policies and prohibit toxic products before products end up in children’s hand," DiGangi said.
Regalado, for her part, said that they acknowledge the mandate of FDA for consumer protection and they have established safety efforts in line with their commitment to protect the consumer.
"We have a conventional method in checking as well, it is the atomic absorption spectrometer, though it is not the same device used by Dr. DiGangi," Regalado said.
She added that it takes two weeks for their machine to detect toxicity levels in products.
DiGangi said that retailers should cooperate and not leave it all to the government agencies to make policies.
"Retailers should be engaged and participate in listing their products," DiGangi said. (Sun.Star Davao)
Dr. Joseph DiGangi, senior science and policy adviser of the International POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutant) Eliminations Network, conducted tests using the X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer to screen priority chemicals in 135 samples from different toy stores in the city.
"The problem lies in the sale of toxic products and lack of information about its chemical content and children are the most vulnerable because they are not adults, and they can easily put a handful of substances in their mouths," DiGangi said.
XRF analyzer emits beam into materials and it can measure at least 20 harmful elements, including lead, arsenic, antimony, chromium, cadmium and mercury.
DiGangi said that aside from the concern for the children who end up with such toys, of great concern too are the workers in these toy factories who are the first ones to be exposed to whatever harmful metals the toys contain.
Twenty-two samples contain levels ranging from 92 ppm (parts per million) to more than 1700 ppm almost 20 times higher than the US regulatory limit of 600 ppm for consumer products like paint. Other toxic metals were also detected in the toys although these were not enumerated.
Toys that were tested were from leading malls and toy stores in the city and some were from the retail and "ukay-ukay" (used clothes) stores in Uyanguren and Bankerohan.
During the public forum sponsored by the environment non-government organization Interface Development Interventions (IDIS), a member of the EcoWaste coalition urges vendors and local business sector to stop engaging in production, trade, and sale of toys and other products that contain such toxic metals.
"Results of these test would lead to more action in ensuring the safety of our toys and ultimately ensuring the state of our children," said Lia Jasmin Esquillo, IDIS executive director.
City Councilor Bernard Al-ag, chairman of the City Council committee on health; Concepcion Regalado, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officer of Satellite Laboratory 11; and Gloria Raut, chief engineer II of the health support division of the Department of Health (DOH) witnessed the testing.
"It is alarming to witness and to know the results and this is not just a city issue but this should be addressed in the national level as well. FDA and DOH should do tests to measure the accuracy and veracity of the test done here and correlate it to others," Al-ag said.
He added that since he has two young children, he wants this to be thoroughly checked by both government agencies and he will be suggesting to the mayor an executive order to prohibit the release of the license to operate to distributors who will not adhere to proper testing of the products.
"We need to let them know of the consequences it will bring to our children, we don’t know if these distributors are not aware themselves of the harmful chemicals they are selling," Al-ag added.
Raut said they conducted such surveys of several stores in January 2010 as instructed by Administrative Order 32 series of 2009.
"We have submitted our findings to the Bureau of Health and Devices and Technology in Manila and we are waiting for their recommendation," Raut added. It was not explained why it is taking more than a year for a recommendation to be issued.
DiGangi, meanwhile, said that manufacturers should disclose chemical content as a condition for sale and regulators and consumers should insist on the labeling.
"Government's action is to strengthen the existing policies and prohibit toxic products before products end up in children’s hand," DiGangi said.
Regalado, for her part, said that they acknowledge the mandate of FDA for consumer protection and they have established safety efforts in line with their commitment to protect the consumer.
"We have a conventional method in checking as well, it is the atomic absorption spectrometer, though it is not the same device used by Dr. DiGangi," Regalado said.
She added that it takes two weeks for their machine to detect toxicity levels in products.
DiGangi said that retailers should cooperate and not leave it all to the government agencies to make policies.
"Retailers should be engaged and participate in listing their products," DiGangi said. (Sun.Star Davao)
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