BARMM health officials hand out ambulances, lauded lawmakers Dawlah
Military diocese backs crackdown on private armies
WE ARE STRONG. Women leaders, employees and women’s rights advocate in Cotabato City commence Women’s Month celebration with an activity at the city Peoples’ Palace grounds. “We are not just women,” was among the most used phrase during the program. Photos courtesy of Cotabato City Government
AS promised to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, lawmakers in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) had passed the draft electoral code into law that BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim signed Thursday dawn.
At past 12 midnight, Interim Chief Minister Ebrahim and Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Speaker Atty. Pangalian Balindong signed into law BTA Bill No. 29 after it hurdled the third and final reading a day earlier.
It is now called Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 35 or the Bangsamoro Electoral Code of 2023.
During his visit last year in the BARMM, President Marcos urged regional leaders to pass the necessary codes as contained in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), especially the
electoral code.
Chief Minister Ebrahim promised to the Chief Executive that the draft will become a law by first quarter of 2023 to guide the conduct of regional parliament elections in 2025.
The region’s electoral law that will prescribe the structural, functional, and procedural principles of the elections, referenda, and recall proceedings in the BARMM.
Sixty-four of the 81 lawmakers in attendance voted YES. Nobody voted against and nobody abstained.
MEMBERS of Parliament lauded all those who have participated in the crafting of the electoral code leading to its historic approval Wednesday night and eventual signing into law by Interim Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim.
Among the MPs were physician Kadil Sinolinding, Jr, Romeo Sema and the lawyers Suharto Ambolodto and
By John Felix UnsonPaisalin Tago, separately told reporters Thursday there were extensive crosssection consultations on the intricacies and ramifications of the electoral code prior to its approval on third and final reading.
The electoral code is a requisite for the 2025 first ever regional polls in the Bangsamoro region, according to Sinolinding.
Tago said they
Proclamation No, 227 s. 1988, “Providing for the observance of the Month of March as
‘Women’s Role in History Month’” Signed by President Aquino on March 17, 1988, reinforced the earlier proclamation by emphasizing the role of Filipino women in the social, cultural, economic and political development throughout our history. It provided for a month-long nationwide observance with appropriate ceremonies and activities to be spearheaded by the Commission.
Philippine Commission on Women
have also consulted the Commission on Elections during their deliberations on the measure, introduced more than two years ago.
“We are thankful to the provincial, municipal and city officials in BARMM for supporting the consultations on this measure in months past,” Tago said.
Sinolinding said the electoral code is essential to the “good
FIVE agencies of the Bangsamoro Government were cited in a yearend report of the Bureau of Internal Revenue as top tax-remitting public offices in the records of the BIR’s District No. 107 in Cotabato City.
The BIR District Office made the recognition on March 2 honoring the five agencies of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in ceremonies marking the start of the year’s BIR Tax Campaign in the city.
BARMM’s contribution to the national government’s intensified tax campaign has
THE Ministry of Transportation and Communications in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOTCBARMM) has given the green light for the Husky Bus company to commence its Cotabato City-Wao, Lanao del Sur route and vice versa starting Thursday.
This after officials of
been generated through taxes withheld from goods and services derived from paid contracts in the region’s procurement program, and from salaries drawn by the region’s workforce According to the BARMM Human Resource Development Plan, the region has some 4,000 officials and employees, apart from tens of thousands of teaching and non-teaching professionals serving its education sector.
The local BIR District Office cited the Office of the Chief Minister
By Edwin O. FernandezMOTC-BARMM joined the road test drive of 64-seater Double Deck Bus on Tuesday, March 7.
BARMM
Transportation Minister Paisalin Tago led the test drive along with officials from Land Transportation Office, department heads and MOTC employees to ensure bus worthiness and safety of travelers.
From Cotabato
City, Tago said, the bus traversed the towns of Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao del Norte to Pigcawayan, Alamada, Banisilan towns in North Cotabato and eventually to Wao, Lanao del Sur. Wao Mayor Elvino Balican welcomed the bus, Minister Tago, MOTC BARMM officials and company representatives.
THE Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao had turned over 11 ambulances to various health facilities across the region in compliance with its vision of attending to the health needs of every Bangsamoro.
During the turnover ceremony, BARMM Health Minister Dr. Rizaldy Piang said all these ambulances and other supplemental projects are part of the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) who poured in P157-million worth of different health projects that will benefit the Bangsamoro constituents.
Last week, six ambulances were already turned over to the province of Basilan.
All funded from the 2021 Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF) of previous and present members of the parliament (MP), these projects include land ambulances, mobile clinic, incentives for Barangay Health Workers (BHW), essential medicines, Covid-19 testing kits, and barangay health stations, among others.
"This the sign that our government is responsive to the needs of our community," Piang said after he and
CAMP SK PENDATUN, Maguindanao Norte — More than 220 police officers are ready for deployment to various police units across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), a police official said Thursday.
Brig. Gen. John Guyguyon, BARMM police regional director, said the 224 police personnel who on Thursday graduated from a 60-day training on Basic Internal Security Operations Course (BISOC) “Saniblahi” Class of 2022 and 2023, are on their way to new assignment in various police units
in BARMM.
Speaking during the graduation ceremonies held at the PRO-BARMM regional headquarters in Camp SK Pendatun, Parang, Maguindanao, Brig. Gen. Guyguyon challenged all the graduates to “always do what is right.”
“Do what is legal, what is right and maintain police discipline as you perform your mandated duties,” he told the graduates who will be deployed in various units in BARMM BARMM is comprised of Maguindanao del Sur,
Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and TawiTawi as well as in BARMM Special Geographic Area composed of 63 villages in North Cotabato that are now part of BARMM.
Their 60-day rigid training was designed to educate them on the serious complexities of internal security operations.
“The new graduates are now ready for deployment to different areas of the region and will be involved in anti-insurgency, public safety, and special law enforcement operations,” Brig. Gen. Guyguyon said. Edwin O. Fernandez
2-deck Husky Bus now serving Cotabato City-Wao...from P1
“This will help improve our tourism programs in town,” Mayor Balican said.
“The journey was smooth, safe and convenient,” Tago later told reporters after bus Arnold Agulto, safely brought the modern bus back to its base in Cotabato City
after a 6-hour back and forth travel.
The Husky Bus, operated by Husky Bus MultiPurpose Cooperative, is currently servicing the Cotabato City-Tacurong City-Koronadal City-Gen. Santos City and vice versa route.
No transport strike in Cotabato City, Region 12
The transport industry in Region 12 and in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao rejected nationwide strike and opted to continue normal transport operations.
George Mangansakan, president of AwangCotabato Transport Operators and Drivers’ Association (ACTODA), said his group of about 3,000 members support the modernization program of the government and rejected calls for them to join the strike.
“The protest is too long, our drivers will have no income for four days, how can they survive?” he said in a radio interview.
“We continue serving the riding public, we are not joining the strikes,” Mangansakan stressed. “It will not give any good benefits for us.”
Director Renato Padua of Regional Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in the Soccsksargen region said the region’s transport group did not
participate in the strike and prioritize services to the riding public.
Saying the transport groups issued public statement about non-participation in the strike, Padua said transport services across the region remained normal.
Soccsksargen region covers the provinces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and the cities of Kidapawan, Koronadal, Tacurong and Gen. Santos City.
The Department of Education (DepEd) in Region 12 also issued an advisory that no class suspension in public schools in the Soccsksargen region.
In Cotabato City, Mayor Bruce Matabalao declared suspension of face-to-face classes from March 6 to 10 in the face of transport mass protest. He later lifted the suspension on Wednesday for the resumption of face-to-face classes on Thursday and yesterday. Edwin O. Fernandez
BARMM Senior Minister Abduraof Macacua signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the distribution of ambulances.
BARMM Deputy Health Minister Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas also lauded the regional lawmakers who dedicated their projects to improve the health sector.
"This is the response of the parliament members to the health needs of the Bangsamoro constituents," Abas said. Edwin O. Fernandez
THE police want a municipal speed limit ordinance for a highway straddling through Datu Odin Sinsuat following an accident Sunday that left six people dead and seriously injured 13 others.
Major Regie Albellera, municipal police chief of nearby Datu Odin Sinsuat (DOS) in Maguindanao del Norte, told reporters Tuesday they will ask local officials to impose, via an ordinance by the Sangguniang Bayan, a 60 kilometer-per-hour speed limit for all vehicles plying through the entire stretch of the CotabatoIsulan Highway in the municipality.
“We are hoping the Datu Odin Sinsuat municipal council can act on that,” Albellera said.
Six persons died while 13 others were hurt in an accident involving three vehicles, a pick-up truck, a passenger van and a tricycle, early Sunday in Barangay Gubat in Datu Odin Sinsuat.
Three of the six
fatalities, driver Unasan Kaul, and his passengers, Norhaimen Baladek and Manaut Guialudin, were together in a Toyota HiAce passenger van that collided head-on with a black Toyota Hilux pickup truck in a stretch of the Cotabato-Isulan Highway in Barangay Gubat in Datu Odin Sinsuat.
All three of them died on the spot.
Albellera said the injured driver of the pick-up truck, Bomber Gani, and two more van passengers, an old woman named Kaidu Manalasal and Mamakong Salimbao, died one after another in a hospital later.
Barangay officials and responding probers from the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station said Gani’s pick-up truck, bound for South Cotabato province from Cotabato City, first hit a tricycle and, subsequently, rammed the approaching passenger van as it veered to the left side of the highway.
John Felix UnsonFOUR more members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters surrendered Wednesday and promised to help convince former companions to return to the fold of law.
The BIFF operates in the fashion of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and is blamed, along with allies Al-Khobar and Dawlah Islamiya, for all deadly bombings in central Mindanao since 2014.
Major Gen. Alex Rillera, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Thursday the four BIFF members turned in firearms and anti-tank rockets before they renounced their membership with the group during a surrender rite in Barangay Kapaya in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat.
The four men, whose names were temporarily withheld for their safety, yielded through the backchannel intercession of officials of the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion and the 603rd Infantry Brigade.
All four men confessed to their roles in collecting money and food for their group and bombing of public transportations whose owners had refused to shell out “protection money” on a monthly basis.
Units of 6th ID in central Mindanao’s adjoining Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces and local executives had worked out the surrender in batches of 215 BIFF and Dawlah Islamiya members in the past 14 months. John
Felix UnsonIt was approved on second and final reading on the same day, despite the three-day rule, because it was certified as urgent by BARMM Chief Minister Ebrahim.
The electoral code provides introductory provisions, the Bangsamoro electoral office, regional political parties in the Bangsamoro, elective positions in the Parliament, elections upon dissolution of the Parliament, the voters, election administration, election offenses, legal fees, transitory provisions, and final provisions.
Ebrahim said that the MPs made a commitment to establish a government deserving of the name “Bangsamoro” when they took the oath of moral governance at the beginning of the transition period.
“In fact, the Bangsamoro electoral code’s adoption today is a major step towards realizing such a promise,” Ebrahim said.
“It is an opportune time for us to set a new stage for our future leaders to lead our people by exemplifying honesty, equality, and empowering the true voice of democracy,” Speaker Balindong said.
Filed in September 2022, the draft code was immediately referred BTA Rules Committee, chaired by Floor Leader Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba.
Her committee methodically deliberated on the provisions of the draft before it was presented to the plenary.
BARMM has already approved four codes that were contained in the BOL. These are the administrative, civil service, education codes and the electoral code.
The MILF-led law making body is yet to pass three more codes, the local governance code, revenue and indigenous peoples’ rights.
Ebrahim assured that the Bangsamoro government should also ensure that elections at all levels of government in the Bangsamoro are free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible, reflecting the genuine will of the electorate.
MP Alba said BTA is expecting moves to question its legality before the Supreme
Court. “We are ready to defend the code,” she told news conference Thursday.
Some of the salient features of the electoral code include:
• Establishment of Bangsamoro Electoral Office by and under and under direct control and supervision of the COMELEC. It will supervise all national, regional, and local elections, plebiscites, initiatives, referenda, and recall proceedings within the Bangsamoro region to ensure compliance with election laws and other pertinent rules of the COMELEC.
Regional political parties must have at least 10,000 members who are residents and registered voters from various provinces with provincial, city and municipal chapters.
• Parliament is composed of 80 members with 50 percent party representatives, 40 percent district representatives, and 10 percent sectoral representatives. Party representatives are registered regional political parties with at least 4% of the total valid votes cast in the party system election.
• District representatives should be elected by registered voters in the parliamentary districts using a direct plurality vote.
• Sectoral representatives should make up at least 10 percent of the MPs, with two seats reserved for non-Moro indigenous peoples and settler communities. Women, youth, traditional leaders, and the Ulama will each be assigned one seat.
• The first regular election for the Bangsamoro Government will be simultaneously held with the 2025 national and elections, as stipulated in the BOL. BTA Media
governance objectives” of the still four-year-old Bangsamoro government.
“This is something so important to us because this, in essence, is related to efforts of putting political and diplomatic closure to the decades old Moro quest for selfgovernance,” Sinolinding, who had served as regional secretary of the now defunct ARMM, told reporters Thursday
morning.
Ebrahim, who, as regional chief minister, is at the helm of the 80-member Bangsamoro parliament, said he is grateful to all sectors and the Comelec for helping them craft the regional electoral code.
Bangsamoro Labor Minister Muslimin Sema, who is chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, said he and other
Ang Feroce Pawnshop & Money Changer-Main at Branches
I, II, S.K. Pendatun, Sinsuat Avenue, sa Cotabato City, Branch III sa Midsayap, Kidapawan Branch, Isulan Branch at San Pedro Branch sa Davao City ay magkakaroon ng “Subasta Sale” sa darating na Marso 31, 2023 sa ganap na alas 8:00 ng umaga hanggang alas 4:30 ng hapon para sa mga hindi natubos na sangla sa buwan ng Oktubre 2022.
Upang hindi maremate ang inyong mga alahas magbigay ng interest bago dumating ang araw ng subasta.
“Sa Feroce Pawnshop na tayo kumpleto na ang serbisyo”
MC: Mar. 11, 2023
Republic of the Philippines
COTABATO FOUNDATION COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Barangay Doroluman, Arakan, Cotabato
Contact No. +639685331496/+639670025670
Email Address: admin@cfcst.edu.ph
Website: www.cfcst.edu.ph
The Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology (CFCST) announces the opening of the search for two (2) Private Sector Representatives to the CFCST Board of Trustees.
Qualifications:
1. Be a Filipino citizen and of legal age;
2. From an industry, business, or profession preferably related to the CFCST's charter or mandate;
3. Have at least five (5) years of employment, business, or practice of profession in the private sector;
4. Be domiciled in or a resident for at least two (2) years of North Cotabato;
5. Not connected with CFCST or other government agencies and instrumentalities in any manner, for one (1) year immediately prior to his or her nomination to the PSR position;
6. Not currently employed or appointed to any position in the government (local, national, including government-owned and controlled corporations), be it full time or part time, at the time of nomination for the PSR position;
7. Not related to any member of the present Board or their duly-authorized representatives, within fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity; and,
8. Not have been a candidate who lost in any national or local election, except for barangay elections, within one (1) year after such election.
Interested and qualified applicants may inquire from Mr. NHASSER M. PASANDALAN, CFCST Board Secretary V, thru CP No. 09550465005 or email him at cfcstboardsec@gmail.com with respect to the documentary requirements and other related matters.
Deadline of submission of application, including the attachments, shall be on March 17, 2023 at 5PM.
“was never replaced until he died in 1991.” A Malacanang employee recalled that President Marcos (Sr.) then “was looking for ‘the old Sultan of Maguindanao’ whom he apparently knew personally, during the 1981 meeting.”
Also during the 1981 Malacanang ceremonies, members of Sulu’s Kiram clan were split by hereditary claims over the Sultanate of Sulu and of the Sabah Claim Issue. One of the parties
officials of the MNLF were elated with the passage into law of the regional electoral code.
The MNLF, which forged a truce with Malacañang on September 2, 1996, and the MILF, that has a separate peace compact with the national government, are cooperating in pushing the peace and development efforts of the Bangsamoro government forward.
had purportedly settled for the crowning of Sultan Amil Bangsa for the Palace ceremonies. However, the
rest of the Kirams have hardly recognized Amil Bangsa’s ascension to the throne.
CRISANEL PAWNSHOP - MAIN BRANCH I, II, III & Midsayap Branch
Patalastas ng Subasta
Ang Crisanel Pawnshop ng Cotabato City at Midsayap, Cotabato ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla magmula pa noong Agosto hanggang Setyembre 2022. Ang Subasta ay sa Abril 3, 2023 sa ganap na ika 8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika 4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar. MC: Mar. 11, 2023
(OCM); the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA); as well as the BARMM’s Ministry of Health (MOH); Ministry of Public Works (MPW), and the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE), as the region’s top tax withheld remitting agencies.
Speaking on behalf of Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, BARMM Finance and Budget Minister Ubaida Pacasem, said the region’s level of tax compliance best
Ang Feroce Pawnshop & Money Changer Inc.- Main , Duterte, Davao City, at Branches I, II, III, IV, V, VI sa Cotabato City, Branch VII sa Parang, Maguindanao, Pigcawayan Branch, Midsayap Branch, Pikit Branch at Kabacan Branch sa North Cotabato, ay magkakaroon ng “Subasta Sale” sa darating na Marso 31, 2023 sa ganap na alas 8:00 ng umaga hanggang alas 4:30 ng hapon para sa mga hindi natubos na sangla sa buwan ng Oktubre 2022.
Upang hindi maremate ang inyong mga alahas magbigay ng interest bago dumating ang araw ng subasta.
“Sa Feroce Pawnshop na tayo kumpleto na ang serbisyo” MC: Mar. 11, 2023
illustrates its continuing efforts at improving the tax collection process, particularly in the age of digital transformation.
“We believe that the cooperation between the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bangsamoro Government will pave the way for a more efficient and effective taxation, as we continue to work harder (in crafting) a contextualized Bangsamoro Revenue Code that is reflective of the unique setup of the Bangsamoro,” he said.
Pacasem, a lawyercertified public accountant,
said that the BARMM finance sector looks forward to completing a tax policy framework that is more efficient, transparent, and equitable for all. “We recognize that taxes are a necessary obligation, but we also understand the importance of ensuring that the process is fair and reasonable, especially for the Bangsamoro,” Pacasem said.
Thursday’s recognition ceremonies were also graced by officials from the Bangsamoro Government and Cotabato City Government.
Ang G-ROCE Pawnshop sa Cotabato City at G-ROCE Pawnshop Damosa, Davao City, ay magkakaroon ng “Subasta Sale” sa darating na Marso 31, 2023 sa ganap na alas 8:00 ng umaga hanggang alas 4:30 ng hapon para sa mga hindi natubos na sangla sa buwan ng Oktubre 2022.
Upang hindi maremate ang inyong mga alahas magbigay ng interest bago dumating ang araw ng subasta.
COTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro Parliament unanimously approved BTA Bill No. 29 on third and final reading, fulfilling a promise to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to enact the Bangsamoro Electoral Code in the first quarter of 2023.
Presiding Chair Deputy Speaker Atty. Omar Yasser Sema banged the gavel at 11:58 p.m. to approve the region’s electoral law that will prescribe the structural, functional, and procedural principles of the elections, referenda, and recall proceedings in the BARMM.
The measure was approved with 64 affirmative votes, zero negative votes, and zero abstentions.
It was approved on second and final reading on the same day, despite the threeday rule, because it was certified as urgent by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim.
Chief Minister Ebrahim and BTA Speaker Atty. Pangalian Balindong led the ceremonial signing of the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 35, or the Bangsamoro Electoral Code of 2023.
The 11-article final version of the electoral code consists of introductory provisions, the Bangsamoro electoral office, regional political parties in the Bangsamoro, elective positions in the Parliament, elections upon dissolution of the Parliament, the voters, election administration, election offenses, legal fees, transitory provisions, and final provisions.
The electoral law will encourage the formation of genuinely principled political parties in the Bangsamoro region.
Ebrahim said that the MPs made a commitment to establish a government deserving of the name “Bangsamoro” when they took the oath of moral governance at the beginning of the transition period.
He said that they also made a commitment to enact an electoral code that would help pave the way for more democratic elections in the region, in which genuinely moral political parties would be able to participate.
He continued, “In fact, the Bangsamoro electoral code’s adoption today is a major step towards realizing such a promise.”
As he voted to approve the code, Speaker Balindong said, “It is an opportune time for us to set a new stage for our future leaders to lead our people by exemplifying honesty, equality, and empowering the true voice of democracy.”
The BTA Bill No. 29 was introduced in Parliament in September 2022 and referred
to the Rules Committee.
Led by a woman Bangsamoro lawmaker, Floor Leader Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, the committee held a tenday deliberation, examining the provisions in the proposed code line by line, prior to the code’s approval in plenary.
From October 2022 to January 2023, 12 public consultations were held in Manila, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato City, and the BARMM Special Geographic Area to ensure that all stakeholders were involved in the legislation process.
During the transition period, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)-led interim government is tasked with enacting priority codes such as administrative, civil service, education, electoral, local governance, revenue, and indigenous peoples’ rights.
To date, the Parliament has passed administrative, civil service, education, and electoral codes.
“This is the fourth priority code that we have enacted; let us build on this positive momentum to finish the remaining priority codes and other important legislation as soon as possible,” said Ebrahim.
Citing the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the Bangsamoro government should adopt an electoral system that is consistent with national election laws, allows democratic participation, encourages the formation of genuinely principled political parties, and ensures accountability.
The Bangsamoro government should also ensure that elections at all levels of government in the Bangsamoro are free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible, reflecting the genuine will of the electorate.
In accordance with the BOL and the electoral code, a Bangsamoro Electoral Office will be established by and under the direct control and supervision of the COMELEC.
The BEO will supervise all national, regional, and local elections, plebiscites, initiatives, referenda, and recall proceedings within the Bangsamoro region to ensure compliance with election laws and other pertinent rules of the COMELEC.
According to the electoral code, regional political parties must have at least 10,000
members who are residents and registered voters.
Members should be distributed throughout the various provinces and cities that comprise the Bangsamoro territory, provided that all parties establish provincial and city chapters in all provinces and cities, as well as municipal chapters in the majority of municipalities that comprise each province, in the Bangsamoro.
All parties intending to register as political parties should submit applications to the BEO through the Bangsamoro Registration and Accreditation Committee.
Under the code, the Parliament is composed of 80 members with 50% party representatives, 40% district representatives, and 10% sectoral representatives.
A member of the Parliament must be at least 25 years old on election day, be able to read and write, and be a registered voter in the Bangsamoro region.
At the time of the voting, a candidate for youth representative must not be older than 30 years old or younger than 18.
Party representatives are registered regional political parties with at least 4% of the total valid votes cast in the party
system election.
In terms of party representation seat allocation, only parties receiving at least 4% of the total valid votes cast in the party representation elections are eligible to participate in the allocation of party representation seats.
A candidate for district representative must be a registered voter in the district in which he is running and has lived in the district for at least one year prior to the election.
Not more than 40% of MPs should be elected from single-member parliamentary districts apportioned to the areas and in the manner prescribed by Parliament.
The district representatives should be elected by registered voters in the parliamentary districts using a direct plurality vote.
Sectoral representatives should make up at least 10% of the MPs, with two seats reserved for non-Moro indigenous peoples and settler communities. Women, youth, traditional leaders, and the Ulama will each be assigned one seat.
The first regular election for the Bangsamoro Government will be held and synchronized with the 2025 national elections, as stipulated in the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
COTABATO CITY – The Committee on Rules of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority is set to present before the plenary the committee report on the proposed electoral code, which seeks to provide the structural, functional, and procedural principles of elections, plebiscites, referenda, and recall proceedings in the Bangsamoro region.
The BTA Bill No. 29, or “An Act Providing for the Bangsamoro Electoral Code in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,” was approved at the committee level at 6:25 p.m. on Monday, March 6.
Prior to the committee’s approval, a series of deliberations were held, in which each provision of the proposed code was thoroughly discussed.
According to Floor Leader and COR Chairperson Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, the draft electoral code has significantly decreased after a series of deliberations. The code was reduced from 14 articles and 62 pages to 11 articles and 51 pages.
“We still commend the efforts of the cabinet on the electoral code, as well as the drafters, but as the legislative process progresses, changes, even substantive changes will happen at the committee level,” said Atty. Dumama-Alba.
The committee report will be available for signing tomorrow morning, Atty. Dumama-Alba said, noting that anyone who wishes to reserve may do so, as is their right as a committee member.
“The most important thing to remember when you
sign the committee report is that you can no longer challenge it in plenary. So, we reserve that elbow room for committee members who believe they still have issues or positions to bring to the floor,” she explained.
She also mentioned that BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, as well as cabinet members, have consistently expressed strong support for them throughout the legislative process, giving them a sense of ‘oneness.’
The committee will present its report to the plenary tomorrow.
The BEC, once approved, will ensure that regional elections are honest, credible, just, and free, which will be conducted simultaneously with the national elections in 2025.
Under the proposed code, the Parliament will be composed of 80 members, with 50% representing parties, 40% representing districts, and 10% representing sectors.
Atty. Dumama-Alba said that the committee sought the immediate passage of the code to give time for the Bangsamoro people to prepare for the elections in 2025.
The COR, which is leading the BEC, has already conducted a series of public consultations in Manila, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato City, and the BARMM Special Geographic Area.
They consulted various experts and stakeholders from the Commission on Elections, election watchdogs, local government units, civil society organizations, academic institutions, religious groups, civil society organizations, and other relevant stakeholders.
The committee, she said, has carefully considered the recommendations and position papers of all stakeholders, and they are confident that they are drafting an electoral code that will benefit the Bangsamoro people.
The BEC is among the priority codes that must be enacted during the transition period, including the administrative, civil service, education, local governance, revenue, and indigenous peoples’ rights.
To date, the Parliament has enacted the administrative, civil service, and education codes.
MANILA ― Several representatives from the national government agencies, academic institutions, and civil society organizations who participated in the fifth and final leg of public consultations for the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code have expressed full support for the code, today, March 4.
Trisha Baraan of the Department of Budget and Management pledged to fully support the Bangsamoro Parliament’s initiatives and efforts to create an inclusive local governance code.
She added that they will “work closely with the regional government and extend assistance to ensure the effective and efficient management of public funds, particularly those that will be sourced from the national government.”
Georgina Ann Hernandez Yang, executive director of Galing Pook Foundation, lauded and expressed support for the passage of the code. The BLGC, she said, is a vehicle for the general welfare of the Bangsamoro people.
Many of the stakeholders expressed support for the enactment of the proposed code, and others are pushing for stronger provisions on devolution, decentralization, women’s participation, and revenue.
Professor of Local Government Law in the Ateneo de Manila School of Law Atty. Alberto Agra commended the BLGC drafters for creating an ‘innovative’ code.
He further recommended that the proposed code should have a clear provision defining the regional autonomy, the local autonomy of constituent local government units, the fiscal autonomy of BARMM, and regulation.
With all the consultations, the CLG has gathered 42 position papers from various stakeholders in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao del Sur and del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato City, and the BARMM Special Geographic Area.
CLG Chair Atty. Raissa Jajurie said that the committee will gather all the input and recommendations from the consultations to ensure that it best reflects the ideals of the Bangsamoro people.
The CLG has also extended the submission deadline for position papers until March 31.
She said that the government targets passing the local governance code in the second quarter of the year.
With the timeline of the committee, she said, they will have ample time to review and scrutinize the proposed code, as the BLGC is a crucial measure that will define the relationship between the local government units and the regional government.
BTA Bill No. 30, or the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code, aims to strengthen the supervisory power of the Bangsamoro Government through the MILG.
It applies to all constituent provinces, cities, municipalities, barangays, and other political subdivisions, as well as officials, offices, or agencies of the Bangsamoro government.
The BLGC has four books, which are: general provisions, which contain statements of policies, principles, processes, and mechanisms for effective local governance; local taxation and fiscal matters, which contain the taxing powers, and other revenueraising powers of the constituent local government units and the corresponding administrative structures and processes necessary in the exercise of such powers; Bangsamoro constituent units, which contain the structure of the constituent government units and the powers and
duties of constituent units and elective officials; and lastly, miscellaneous and final provisions, which contain penal provisions, provisions on review and implementation mechanisms, and transitory provisions.
The Bangsamoro Transition Authority, which serves as the interim government of the region, is mandated to enact the local governance code during the transition period along with other codes such as administrative, civil service, education, electoral, revenue, and indigenous peoples’ rights.
MANILA — The Bangsamoro Parliament’s Committee on Local Government concluded its public consultation for the proposed Bangsamoro Local Governance Code, a measure seeking to provide a more responsive and accountable local government structure through decentralization.
Experts, local government units, nongovernment organizations, civil society groups, academic institutions, various sectors, and other stakeholders in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato City, the BARMM Special Geographic Area, and Manila were consulted to gather legislative inputs and recommendations on the proposed code.
Deputy Floor Leader and CLG Chair Atty. Raissa Jajurie assured that the committee will carefully review all the feedback received from the consultation process to make sure that the final version of the code best reflects the needs and aspirations of the Bangsamoro people.
During the transition period, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)-led interim government should enact seven priority codes, including the local governance code.
To date, the Bangsamoro Parliament has passed three of the seven priority codes, including administrative, education, and civil service codes.
The proposed local governance code contains 221 pages and is divided into four books: general provisions, local taxation and fiscal matters, local government units, and miscellaneous and final provisions.
The general provisions contain statements of policies, principles, processes, and mechanisms for effective local governance; local taxation and fiscal matters cover the taxing powers and other revenueraising powers of the constituent LGUs; the Bangsamoro constituent units detail the structure of the constituent LGUs, powers and duties of LGUS and elective officials; and the miscellaneous and final provisions contain penal provisions, review and implementation mechanisms, and transitory provisions.
Through BTA Bill No. 30, local government units will be given more powers, authority, responsibilities, and resources in a gradual and systematic approach. It will strengthen the supervisory authority of the Bangsamoro government through the Ministry of Interior and Local Government, as well as provide clear direction between local government units and the regional government.
Territorial and political subdivisions in the region will also have genuine and meaningful local autonomy, allowing them to fully develop as self-reliant communities and become effective partners in achieving holistic Bangsamoro development.
Similar to the local government code of the Philippines, maintaining the devolution or transfer of responsibility for the delivery of various aspects of basic services to Bangsamoro constituent entities, subject to more regionally led basic services, is a core principle of
the BLGC.
This proposed measure will also push for proper devolution, gradually, as led by the concerned ministries or regional offices of the Bangsamoro government.
As the Bangsamoro government pushes for moral governance, the BLGC reiterates a policy framework that encourages non-governmental, community-based, and sectoral organizations to participate in government affairs that promote the welfare of the region.
The proposed code will also trigger expenditures in the LGUs by mandating them to deliver basic services such as agriculture, health, social, and environmental.
The code applies to all constituent provinces, cities, municipalities, barangays, and other political subdivisions, as well as officials, offices, or agencies of the Bangsamoro government.
Atty. Jajurie said that the committee targets to finish the BLGC on the second quarter of the year.
HOURS before the session of the Bangsamoro Parliament this morning, the Committee on Public Works convened to discuss several items on its agenda.
The committee adopted a resolution supporting the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to create and organize a district engineering office of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the BARMM.
Meanwhile, Director Salonga Sumampao of the Ministry of Public Works presented an overview of the ministry’s programs, activities, and projects for 2023.
He also highlighted the ministry’s Expanded Bangsamoro Advanced Road Mapping and
Management (E-BARMM) system, which serves as an online repository for MPW-BARMM projects.
According to the Bangsamoro Expenditure Program, the BARMM government allocated a P16.4 billion budget for the ministry in 2023.
MPW is mandated for planning, designing, constructing, rehabilitating, and maintaining infrastructure, including roads and bridges, flood control projects, water supply projects, and other public works facilities.
CPW Chair Hussein Muñoz said that another meeting would be scheduled to discuss other proposed resolutions referred to the committee.
THE country’s military Catholic diocese on Wednesday supported the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to “dismantle private armies” following the string of attacks against local officials.
Fr. Harley Flores, spokesperson of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines, said that private armies “only serve to promote lawlessness and instability”.
“They threaten the
peace and security of the communities they operate in,” Flores said.
“It is therefore the responsibility of the government to take strong action to dismantle these
groups and confiscate their weapons,” he said.
Marcos has earlier ordered for a crackdown of private armies and identify hotspots where local officials are being attacked.
The diocese also joined in condemning the recent murder of Gov. Roel Degamo of Negros Oriental and eight others at the governor’s residence in Pamplona town on March 4. Flores said that all the
perpetrators must be brought to justice.
“These violent acts have no place in a civilized society governing a responsible citizenry under just laws,” the priest added. CBCP News
A Catholic bishop held Mass at an anti-mining barricade in southern Palawan town of Brooke’s Point on Tuesday, urging demonstrators not to give up the fight against what he called the ‘rape of nature’.
Bishop Socrates Mesiona of Puerto Princesa lauded the protesters for their “brave acts” and even putting their lives at risk just to protect the environment from further destruction
“We need to remain vigilant and continue to help each other because it seems that this struggle will still take time,” Mesiona said in his homily.
“But our fight must continue,” he said. “As believers, we are called to protect and care for both creation and the human person.”
The bishop called the mining operations as “rape of mother nature” that will just be left alone after being “abused”.
“After they (mining company) get what they want, they will just leave us,” he said. “We will be the ones who will suffer and not the
businessmen and that’s the sad reality,” he added.
The barricade has been ongoing for the 17th day in a row outside the Ipilan Nickel Corp. (INC) main office in the village of Maasin.
Demonstrators assert that the mining company has been operating without a mayor’s permit.
The bishop noted that the movement came from the grassroots and had its strongholds among small farmers, Palaw’an indigenous peoples and fisher folks.
Accompanied by about 10 priests, it was the bishop’s second visit to the campsite to show the Church’s support to their cause.
Also present during the Mass was Brooke’s Point Vice Mayor Mary Jean Feliciano.
“Destroying the environment is a sin. And so, as believers, we are obliged to protect our only home,” Mesiona said. CBCP News
A priest-led coalition that seeks to protect the Verde Island Passage (VIP) is calling for accountability and deeper look into the oil spill that wreaked havoc in the waters of Oriental Mindoro.
The Protect VIP campaign network said the incident must serve as an “eye opener” to the neglect the Verde Island Passage has long suffered despite its socioeconomic and ecological significance.
VIP is a strait that separates the islands of Luzon and Mindoro, connecting the South China Sea with the Tayabas and the Sibuyan Sea beyond.
The devastating oil spill occurred after MT Princess Empress capsized on Feb. 28, bringing down 800,000 liters of industrial oil.
“We call on the Philippine government
for the most urgent action to contain the spill, assess the severity of damage, and prioritize the welfare of impacted communities who must receive livelihood support and protection from health impacts,” said Fr. Edwin Gariguez, lead convenor of Protect VIP.
“We also demand accountability from the owner of MT Princess Empress, RDC Reield Marines Services, and the fuel supply it contains,” he said.
The oil spill has put at risk more than 30 of Oriental Mindoro’s marine-protected areas, and has affected other provinces like Antique in Western Visayas.
The province of Oriental Mindoro has placed at least 76 coastal villages across nine out of its 14 towns.
The faith-based group said at least
Waterin the desert?A few years back, during our pilgrimage in the Holy Land, we were on our way to the St. Catherine Monasteryat the base of Mt. Sinai. From there we were supposed to walk up to the top of Mt. Sinai. We did not make it to the top.On our way, there was a flash flood in the desertand our tourist bus could not cross. We had to turn back and look for a hotelto stay until the water subsided. I asked our guide how come there was a flash flood in the middle of the desert.He said it came from the mountains where it rained. The next day we were able to visit theSt. Catherineof Alexandria monastery. It was also during this journey that we visited the site of our first reading, where Moses struck the stone and water flowed to provide the complaining Israelites with water (Ex. 17:6).The water still flows, in the midst of the desert.There are also oases where there are wellsthat arecenturies old and thisexplains the story of the meeting of Jesus and the Samaritan woman.
Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com
18,000 fisherfolk in Oriental Mindoro alone have been robbed of their livelihood as fishing activities are forcibly put on hold.
Residents, it added, are also robbed of their seafood supply — “a heavy blow for a province in which over 50% of households already suffer various levels of food insecurity”.
“We thus join local residents in lamenting what would be a prolonged suffering of the local fishing industry –valued at Php 11.80 billion across the 5 provinces of VIP in 2021 – as impacts of the oil spill are expected to be felt for years to come,” said Gariguez, who is also the former executive secretary of Caritas Philippines.
He also stressed the need for the
flowing) or stagnant. As typical of John’s gospel, Jesus gave a deeper meaning toliving water when He said, “the water I shallgive will become a spring of water wellingup to eternal life” (Jn. 4:13).He was referring to Himself and His word, “One does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes forthfrom themouth of God “ (Mt.4:4).Jesusis the Living Water and the Bread of Life.Jesus quenches our thirst and hunger.By welcoming Jesus, we discover a deeper meaning to our life andfrom there springs up joy.This was what the Samaritan woman discovered.She was considered a public sinner even by her own people (the reason why she went to the well at noontime when there were no other people).Her dialogue with Jesus was so comforting that she went to the village and toldthe others what she experienced. She became an evangelizer and the people of the village welcomed Jesus to listen more to His words oflove, forgiveness, reconciliation and salvation.
government to take into account the bigger picture and what is at stake in the oil spill incident in biodiversity-rich VIP.
The group has been raising alarm on the issue of having more heavy industry development around the VIP area –especially fossil fuel power plants and LNG terminals which would receive shipped cargoes of liquefied natural gas or LNG.
“More plans for LNG terminals means more shipping vessels passing through the marine corridor. This increases the possibility of a similar situation happening in the future,” Gariguez said.
“The Verde Island Passage must be afforded no less than the greatest protection due to a global treasure for marine biodiversity,” he also said. CBCP News
It was noontime and Jesus was thirsty. His disciples had gone to the village to buy food.He had no pail to tie to the rope to draw water from the well (Jn. 4:5-ff.) That was why He asked for a drink from the Samaritan woman. This was a big “No,no!” Jews and Samaritans did not mix nor talked to one another.The Samaritans were considered by the Jews as an impure race who intermarried withtheir conquerors in the past. Such was theprejudice between them thatthe Samaritans built their own temple rather than worship in the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus brokea barrier when He talked with the woman. Not only because she was a Samaritan but because she was a woman.A man does not talk to a woman who is unaccompanied by relatives or other women. That was the reason why the woman was totally surprised when Jesus spoke to her.
Jesus made use of the image of water to talk of something spiritually deeper.Water can be living (fresh and
On another level, we can talk about living water as the water of baptism.Blood and water flowed from the side of Jesus when He was on the cross.It is bythe water of baptism thatweare made one with Jesus, as well as by the blood of the Eucharist.Jesus is the sacrament of life.By His Word, wounds, and sacrifice on the cross we aresaved. This can only happenwhen we allow Jesus to enter our life and be indialogue with Him.The Samaritan woman and her covillagers found the water of eternal life by conversingwith and welcoming Jesus.
This season of Lent is a good time to dialogue with Jesus. We arebusy with our everyday concerns thatperhaps stress us.Whydon’t we takesome time to just set aside ourdaily pre-occupationsand converse with Jesus on a deeper level, perhaps in the early morning or late evening when things are quiet. Or even go to a sacred place just to drink from the source of life, Jesus the living water. You might discover something joyful and become an evangelizer.
Readings: no. 237, p. 421
1st Reading: 2 Kings 5.1-15a
Gospel: Luke 4.24-30
Readings: no. 238, p. 424
1st Reading: Daniel 3.25, 34-43
Gospel: Matthew 18.21-35
Readings: no. 239, p. 427
1st Reading: Deuteronomy 4.1, 5-9
Gospel: Matthew 5.17-19
Readings: no. 240, p. 429
1st Reading: Jeremiah 7.23-28
Gospel: Luke 11.14-23
Readings: no. 241, p. 431
1st Reading: Hosea 14.1-9
Gospel: Mark 12.28b-34
Readings: no. 242, p. 434
1st Reading: Hosea 5.15b – 6.6++
Gospel: Luke 18.9-14
Thevalues of Filipinos towards women have changed tremendously since the time Jose Rizal wrote the novels Noli Mi Tangere and El Filibusterismo. The Maria Clara model is now replaced by women who assert what they want. It was fun to see in the TV series how the historical impressions brought up by that Maria Clara period come in conflict with the events of the present. Gone are the vivid descriptions of women as the “ilaw ng tahanan”, tig pamahala ng economiya ng bahay”, and many others. Now, the mothers share the burden of being “haligi ng tahanan” with the fathers because they are forced to earn a living due to the hard times of today.
It is this sharing of the usual role of men in the family that many women are pushed to do. Many of them, especially the OFWs have to face and risk the dangers that we thought only men are subjected to. It is therefore about time to “raise awareness of the struggles that women go through to achieve gender equality and recognition of their human rights as women”.
According to historical annals, the observance of Women’s Month in the Philippines began in 1988 by virtue of Proclamation No. 224 proclaiming the first week of March as Women’s Week. This was later expanded to the entire month to promote women’s empowerment and gender equality. If we look at the present events closely, recognizing what is happening to women today doesn’t only take a month to celebrate, but the whole year. We must be reminded that it takes a lot of will power for women to succeed in their chosen endeavors, and just a few times to recall what they are doing is not enough. The challenges are endless, and may not even be enough to help.
According to PIA, “the nationwide observance, the events and activities are held to acknowledge women’s achievements and to promote women’s causes. Spearheaded by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), women’s groups, NGOs, and government agencies play an active role in organizing and promoting these events”. However, can we suggest that we change the usual events and activities to make them more responsive to the requirements of the time?
We know that a number of women have actually put themselves in places that are traditionally men’s. But these women come from rich families with powerful sponsors (this is a change from the belief that at the back of every successful man is a women; this time, every successful woman has the support of a well intentioned man). The government should provide support to women who have the talents and qualifications to go beyond what they can do now. Many Indigenous women, talented girls, and those who are simply trying to move out of poverty need support. Let us not give the impression that Maria Claras are still of value at this time. Let us help them break free from the bondage that centuries have kept them under the shadows of time. MC
Aresolutionwhich calls for a “hybrid” constitutional convention to amend the Constitution was approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives on Monday, March 6.
Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 sets an election for delegates to a constitutional convention on Oct. 30, simultaneous with the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls. In addition to elected delegates, the proposed constitutional convention of some 300 members from the legislative districts and some sectors would also include 63 appointed delegates, selected by the House speaker and the Senate president.
RBH6 cites the need to “revisit” certain economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution “so that the Philippines may become globally competitive.” Among these economic provisions believed restrictive by proponents of charter change is the provision which limits foreign ownership. The Constitution currently prohibits a foreign company or individual from owning the majority share in a Philippine-based company. According to House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, principal co-author of RBH6 with Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, amending the Constitution would be the last piece of the puzzle of the Philippines’ economic growth.
His cousin, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. however has expressed belief that it is possible to get foreign investments without amending the Constitution, saying it is not a priority for him and that the country can get the investments the country wants within the framework of the current charter.
While the intended focus of the proposed Charter change is the “restrictive economic provisions,” there is nothing that prevents a constitutional convention from also making “political amendments. This was admitted by Rep. Rodriguez who was quoted as saying: “when we have a Con-con, there will be supreme constituent power of the duly elected delegates and appointed delegates. And … it will be open also, aside from economic amendment it will be open to political amendments.”
Gabriela women’s party list representative Arlene Brosas has described the proposed Cha-cha as deceptive and dangerous: “They claim that only economic provisions would be amended but it is clear that even political amendments would be made by the constitutional convention.”
In January, in a statement for the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments on the Proposed Amendments to the 1987 Constitution, independent
THESULTANATE of Magindanao has released the list of Sultans who had occupied the throne from Spanish time to the post-colonial periods on Las Islas Filipinas (the Philippine Islands).
Muda Makuta Prince Datu Mama Mastura says the Magindanao Sultanate has released the genealogical order’s list, after relatives of former Calanugas Mayor Macapado Benito declined the invitation of Sultan Salem Abdul-Aziz Mastura Kudarat V to a forum where the centuries-old Magindanao Tarsila (Traditional Genealogy) would have been read to settle conflict from differing contentions.
This developed as the sultanate is up against a modern-day challenge of a throne rivalry, following what is widely described on social media as the crowning of a “Maranao Sultan of Maguindanao”
Crowned Sultan of Magindanao in Calanogas on March 4 was Datu Macapado Benito, an engineer by profession and son of Datu Pangadapun Benito.
The elder Benito was once recognized as Sultan of Maguindanao in ceremonies hosted for Moro traditional leaders by then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in Malacanang in 1981.
Gemma A. Peñaflor, Administration and Marketing Executive Julito P. Torres, Circulation Officer Karl John B. Daniel, Graphic-Layout Artist
John M. Unson, Ferdinandh B. Cabrera, Charlie C. Señase
Nash B. Maulana NORTH / SOUTH COTABATO CORRESPONDENTS
Williamor Magbanua, Romer “Bong” Sarmiento, Roel Osano & Drema Quitayen Bravo CARTOONIST
Lourd Jim Diazon
According to a family member, the Benitos even wanted the recent enthronement ceremonies held in Cotabato City, following a low-key dialogue between representatives of the Mastura and Benito families at the house of Magindanao Sultan Salem Abdul Aziz Mastura in that city in January.
Social media posts gave rise to grapevine speculations that “a Maranao is crowned Sultan of Magindanao” which is traditionally and politically unlikely. Otherwise, efforts to manage the conflict between the two families—who are, after all, tied by genealogical traces of blood relations—apparently failed.
Magindanao Princess Febraida Lauban MasturaMatalam says the hold of Sultan Salem Abdul-Aziz Mastura on the ancient throne remains fortified with legitimacy of traditional consensus as well as genealogical and historical bases.
Nevertheless, the Masturas recognize the Benitos as their relatives, the latter being of Iranun Tribe origin from Balabagan, Lanao del Sur.
In the genealogical list released by the Magindanao
needs to change
development organization IBON Foundation, said that there is indeed a strong desire for change as “The social and economic situation of the majority of Filipinos has long lagged behind the country’s potential for real and equitable progress.” IBON however said “More foreign investment does not mean more development,” and expressed opposition to the proposed amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, which it said “are best retained and not subjected to any revisions or amendments.” The organization said this is a position that closely reflects the sentiments of the widest networks of people’s organizations and NGOs in the country.
According to John Paul Dizon, secretary general of Kilusang Mayo Uno-Southern Mindanao Region, the change they hope to see for the people should start from genuine agrarian reform; the distribution of lands to the farmers where they can plant crops such as rice, a staple among Filipinos; government providing them support to increase productivity such as subsidies for farm inputs. He said government should promote national industrialization to establish industries that the State will own. Former ACT Teachers party-list representative Antonio Tinio also believes that Charter change is not the solution to the country’s woes. Speaking at a public consultation organized by members of the House of Representatives advocating for constitutional amendments in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Tinio said “Solutions must focus on agrarian reform, massive job creation, import regulations, wage rationalization, K to 12 education, and social services.”
We are reminded of what former Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol in 2021 said was the reason for our economic woes, our deeply embedded colonial mentality which is mirrored so unambiguously in our national economic mindset: Apparently, many lawmakers have a similar mindset, and that is one thing that needs to change. There are many others.
What MC P
enlight
Sultanate which is now based here, Sultan Salem Mastura is the 26th Sultan of Magindanao from Rajah Laut Buisan, the father of Philippine Muslim hero Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat (1581 – 1671).
Sultan Salem Mastura and Prince Datu Mama are both grandsons of Sultan Hijaban Mastura who held the throne in 1926 until he died in late 1930s.
The prince said thousands of signatures back the nationwide royal network of the Magindanao Sultanate to get Datu Benito’s proclamation as Sultan of Maguindanao in Calanogas.
Most of those in the list are traceable on Google via Wikipedia which cites as one of its sources the history book authored by the late Dr. Casar Adib Majul titled, “The Muslims in the Philippines” (1973). Majul was an eminent Muslim scholar and the first dean of the University of the Philippines Institute of Islamic Studies.
Curiously, however, neither in the Wikipedia list nor of the Magindanao prince’s list, are Sultan Muhammad Tato Esmael who succeeded Sultan Hijaban Mastura Kudarat III when he died in the 1930’s, and three others, including Datu Pangadapun Benito.
Ostensibly, “at the instance” of some Mastura elders, Benito was recognized Sultan of Maguindanao in the 1981 Malacanang Ceremonies when then President Marcos Sr. honored Muslim traditional leaders in 1981.
At that time, however, Sultan Mohammad Esmael was still alive. It was said that a perceived local political rift allegedly prompted some of the Mastura elders to settle for the crowning of Sultan Pangadapun Benito in 1981.
But Annabelle Valencia Sultan Esmael, a Muslim law counsel, says her family’s patriarch
Inthe midst of life’s trials and uncertainties with the global erratic change in temperature from either too cold or too hot, other burden lies on economic inflation with the incredible high prices of goods and services that many resort to violence as solution.
It pays to realize though that the PH inflationary rate of 8.6 percent in January has increased only by point one percent (8.7%) in February. According to the Philippines Statistics Agency, the country’s economic inflation in February 2022 was only three percent. This prompted Finance Secretary Ben Diokno to declare that the PH economy is sound despite the worldwide economic slump brought about by the pandemic and aggravated by man-made and Climate Change-related disasters.
Killings everywhere and wickedness flourish for the love of self and money as most consider the only way to survival. Worldly wisdom is contrary to the heavenly that warns of such philosophy as life’s perilous signs with caution not to be so obsessed with money which is the root of all evils. But instead treasure things that money cannot buy.
Indeed, true for those without selfcontrol to reckon the biblical saying that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak; thus all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
To our forebears, it would be mindboggling for them to believe that the three arrested suspects in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo were former Army .non-commissioned officers. And the arrest of another suspect two days after, has been confirmed as Montero get-away vehicle driver and a Zamboanga City resident. What could have enticed them to commit the gruesome broad-daylight attack at the victim’s residence?
President Marcos, saddened by series of attempts to lives of LGU executives
that earlier almost killed LDS Gov. Mamintal Adiong, Jr., has condemned these incidents and ordered tighter security measures against so-called private armies and proliferation of loose firearms. Possible motives cited for these killings that entail monetary remuneration or concession are either personal in nature, envy and greed for power and political control or purely vendetta.
What is happening today in the realm of worsening lawless violence, corruption and other millennial scam appear to be trending that humanity has to embrace and rely on the biblical don’ts to survive instead of being obedient to God’s command. Thus, since time began, God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth commanded us to choose life instead of death, blessing rather than curse (Deuteronomy 11:26).
This week’s nationwide transport strike organized by concerned groups allied with affected jeepney operators and drivers was envisioned to voice-out their sentiments against the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program. If, indeed, this is the reason for the planned weeklong transport strike –Why paralyze transport depriving poor commuters? This is a question of jeepney drivers and operators, who claimed to be poor, depriving transport needs of poor commuters. Beware of gimmickry as disguised public interest because of its hidden agenda.
Doubts and fear are not of God, when the LORD told Peter His apostle, who was able to walk in the sea to meet Christ and slowly sink because of fear from the wind and waves. And the LORD catching Peter’s hand said in Matthew 14:31: “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
There are many ways to maintain or even improve your emotional health which include:
Emotionalhealth is one aspect of mental health. It is your ability to cope with both positive and negative emotions, which includes your awareness of them. Emotionally healthy people have good coping mechanisms for negative emotions, and they also know when to reach out to a professional for help.
Emotional wellness is tied to physical health. People who experience great amounts of stress and negative emotions will sometimes develop other health problems. These problems are not caused directly by the negative feelings, but by behaviors that negative emotions can influence due to a lack of emotional regulation. For example, some people enjoy smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol as a way to relieve stress. However, those habits put you at a greater risk for cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses.
Keep in mind that a person can experience mental illness or bad days, and still have good emotional wellness. Mental illnesses often have deeper causes like a chemical imbalance or trauma. Emotional health has more to do with emotional regulation, awareness, and coping skills, and these strategies can be used by people with or without a mental illness.
Some warning signs of emotional health in need of care include:
• Isolating yourself from friends, family, or coworkers
Living a balanced lifestyle. Try to have a good balance between work and your personal life, activity and resting, and moderation in all things.
Stay connected . Community is important. Plan regular shared time with friends and family members. Virtual connections are good, but seeing someone in person once in a while is helpful too.
Meditate. Meditation helps you to notice your thoughts and emotions, which is key to emotional wellness.
Watch how you talk about yourself. Negative self-talk can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, or just put you in a negative mindset. Work on creating a positive image of yourself with your words. Your thoughts may soon follow.
Set goals and celebrate your achievements. Give yourself something to strive for, and celebrate your accomplishments to build self-esteem and positive feelings about yourself.
Use substances in moderation. Sometimes drinking too much alcohol is a way to numb difficult emotions. Notice when you are using substances more than usual, and think about whether there’s an emotional cause for this.
Learn strategies for resilience. This is your ability to react to difficult emotions and stressful situations. Many of the same things that help you with emotional health can also improve your resilience.
Get enough sleep. Studies show that a lack of sleep lessens your ability to sense the emotions of others and your ability to process emotions in general.
Voices of empowered women:
“It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it I am not going to be silent.” Madeline Albright
“I raise my voice-not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” Malala Youisafzai
“I know my worth. I embrace my power . I say if I am beautiful . I say if I am strong. You will not determine my story. I will. “ Amy Schumer
“Give women the sceptre and they will rule with intelligent passion, gentle
persuasion and sweet fierceness. Not all women. Special women. “ Tina Ortega
As a celebration for Women’s Month the Police Regional Office-BAR headed by PBGEN GIL Francis G. Tria, the deputy Regional Director for Administration with the theme, - Gender Equality and Inclusive Society held a gift giving activity at the Bahay Maria Foundation Inc. After the brief talk of PBGEN Gil Francis Tria who was very much welcomed, some nurses and policemen trainees entertained the guests as well as the resident with songs and dances, then merienda was served.
We are jubilant in joining the family of Lola Gertrudes Pueyo who completed her centennial years recently. Lola Gertrudes is the mother of our beloved Fr. Antonio Pueyo, OMI. We wish you all the blessings we can muster for you as you enter the next century Lola Gertrudes.
• Lower energy than usual
Sleeping too much or too little
• Eating too much or too little
• Increased use of substances
Exercise. Staying physically active for at least 30 minutes a day can help to improve your overall emotional health. The exercise doesn’t need to be overly tough or intense. Just going for a walk or dancing around your house can help.
Racing thoughts
• Lower performance at work
• More interpersonal conflicts than usual
Feelings of irritability, guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness
This prompted some people to wonder what is peace in Northern Ireland that the Bangsamoro government has got to learn from? Recently, leading BARMM political personalities met with their counterparts where they discussed and shared peacekeeping tools and measures. And so with Malaysia, when its prime minister not too long ago vowed its allout support to BARMM’s peacemaking initiatives. MC MC
• Neglecting hygiene and personal care
Find meaning in your life. Some people have jobs that give them a feeling of purpose, but that’s not the only way to find meaning in your life. Something as simple as caring for a pet or volunteering for a cause that you’re passionate about can also give you that feeling.
“Thesecret to my success is we gone to exceptional lengths to hire the best people in the world.”—Steve Jobs
“I am convinced that although training and development are important, recruitment and selection are much more important.”—Stephen Covey
“If you think it is expensive to hire a professional, wait until you hire an amateur.”—Red Adair
In an increasingly competitive business environment, each and every enterprise must be able to have the best mix of resources: money, materials, and people.
Last week, I pointed out that many would claim money or financial resources as the most important asset of a business entity. With an abundance of business funds, an enterprise may be able to acquire the best managers and skilled personnel as well as purchase the machineries, equipment, and supplies needed for its effective and efficient operation.
However, money alone would not necessarily get you the right personnel and ensure that they stay in your company. The people in charge of personnel planning, recruitment, and development must get their acts together so that the company will be able to attract, engage, and retain the people that would contribute to the growth and development of the enterprise.
Having a large number of personnel can be a drain on the company’s finances, profits could be severely reduced if personnel cost is too high. That would be bad news for the sole proprietor, shareholders, and/or investors.
It is not uncommon to see government agencies or local government units with departments or divisions having much more personnel (and much higher compensation) compared to a comparative business enterprise or a non-government. Some government institutions teem
with financial resources, thus, optimizing the number of personnel vis-à-vis its functions is not exactly much of a concern. But a private organization does not have that luxury.
In planning for recruitment, the following are our major considerations:
1. What is/are the tasks required to be done?
2. What are the attributes of the person/s that are need to perform such tasks
3. How many persons do we need?
4. How much is the indicative market rate for getting qualified people for the vacant position/s?
The late Steve Jobs (founder and CEO of Apple Corporation) and Stephen Covey (author of Seven Habits of Highly Effective People) emphasized that importance attached to the recruitment process. Having the right people gets you half-way to the envisioned state of the enterprise while hiring the wrong people will set back the enterprise for years especially when contractual provisions would make it difficult (and costly) to fire underperforming personnel.
Thus, effort must be exerted in designing and implementing an effective recruitment and selection system.
A good system should be able to: inform the right prospects about the opening, allow the organization to fully scrutinize the qualifications of applicants, determine the psychological profile of candidates, learn about their motivations for applying, verify their previous experiences and performance, and the financial and other expectations of the applicants.
While it is important to “save” on personnel expenses, an organization must also be willing and read to pay more for very highly qualified individuals that would clearly help improve institutional performance. Superstar employees can give an enterprise the “championship trophy” it covets (think of Michael Jordan, Ronaldo, or Alvin Patrimonio) though the company needs to also pay “superstar” salaries.
Red Adair points out that scrimping on personnel pay for a proven talent could lead the organization getting “amateurs” that could not get the job done.
Chicote. The NPA fatalities were followers of Eusevio Cranzo, whose group has forcibly been collecting revolutionary tax from hapless villagers in hinterland
In compliance with R.A. No. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Aimie B. Endangan has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Male to Female in the birth certificate of Aimie B. Endangan who was born on 31 March 1989 at Kidapawan, Cotabato and whose parents are Agapito Endangan and Marietta Buscado.
Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office.
(Sgd.) MERCEDES P. TOLENTINO
Acting City Civil Registrar MC: Mar. 11 & 18, 2023
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION
In compliance with R.A. No. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that Jericho M. Ydulzura has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Female to Male in the birth certificate of Jericho M. Ydulzura who was born on 16 September 1997 at Kidapawan, Cotabato and whose parents are Danilo Ydulzura and Genara Montero.
Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office.
(Sgd.) MERCEDES P. TOLENTINO
Acting City Civil Registrar MC: Mar. 11 & 18, 2023
Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ALIPIO BERNABE who died intestate on November 1, 2000 at Nicaan, Libungan, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot No. 10, PLS357, situated in Nicaan, Libungan, Cotabato, covered by OCT No. V-4452, containing an area of 38,651 sq. mts., more or less is subject of deed of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of sale and waiver of rights before Notary Public Roland D. Jungco as per Doc. No. 208; Page No. 42; Book No. XX; Series of 2023.
MC: Feb. 25, Mar. 4 & 11, 2023
EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT
Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late AMIL SALAMAT and DAUDAYAN SALAMAT who died intestate many years ago in Cotabato City, a parcel of land Lot 236A-1-1, Psd-12-007901, situated in Bario Matampay, Cotabato City, containing an area of 32,000 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-22220 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale of a portion of land before Notary Public Atty.
Abbyr A. Nul as per Doc. No. 438; Page No. 88; Book No. XLI; Series of 2023.
MC: Feb. 25, Mar 4 & 11, 2023
In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Felix Dela Cruz Centino has filed with this office a petition for correction of entry in sex from Female to Male in the certificate of live birth of Felix Dela Cruz Centino, who was born on September 10, 1967 at Magpet, Cotabato and whose parents are Vivino Trabocon Centino and Teresita Ingge Dela Cruz.
Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office not later than March 14, 2023.
(Sgd.) CHONA M. PROVIDA,MPA Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Feb. 25 & Mar. 4, 2023
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION
In compliance with the publication requirement of OCRG Memorandum Circular 2013-1 Guidelines in the implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Eden T. Marquez Lim has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from M. to Female in the certificate of live birth of Eden Parojinog Tanquerido who was born on August 24, 1980 at Magpet, Cotabato and whose parents are Eduardo Daanton Tanquerido and Nena Bindoy Parojinog. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than March 27, 2023.
(Sgd.) CHONA M. PROVIDA, MPA Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Mar. 11 & 18, 2023
Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the late CAROLINA PASCIOLES COLLADO, who died on June 25, 2011, in Midsayap, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot 2883-B, (LRC) Psd-239253, situated in Sitio Katitisan (now Bario Gumaga) Libungan, Cotabato, covered by TCT No. T-47989, containing an area of 40,001 sq. mts., more or less is subject of extrajudicial settlement of intestate estate with simultaneous waiver of rights and simultaneous deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Renato M. Eugenio as per Doc. No. 407; Page No. 83; Book No. 221, Series of 2022.
MC: Feb. 25, Mar 4 & 11, 2023
Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late AMIL SALAMAT and DAUDAYAN SALAMAT who died intestate many years ago in Cotabato City, a parcel of land Lot 236-A-1-1, Psd12-007901, situated in Barrio Matampay, Cotabato City, containing an area of 32,000 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-22220 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale of a portion of land before Notary Public Atty.
Abbyr A. Nul as per Doc. No. 403; Page No. 81; Book No. XLI; Series of 2023.
MC: Feb. 25, Mar 4 & 11, 2023
barangays in Sultan Kudarat’s neighboring Senator Ninoy Aquino and Bagumbayan towns.
Cranzo is wanted for a string of heinous offenses, including multiple murder and cattle theft.
Santos told reporters Thursday’s encounter in Barangay Banali erupted when Cranzo and his men
Notice is hereby given that the late Spouses VIRGINCITA S. BENITO and GENARO P. BENITO, who died on May 11, 2005 and December 28, 2000 in Quezon City and Pangasinan, respectively, left a parcel of land Lot No. 115-A, Csd-12-004138-D situated in Rangayen, Alamada, Cotabato with an area of 41,557 sq. mts., more or less, covered by OCT No. CO-10931 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of absolute sale of a portion before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. 1,415; Page No. 83; Book No. XCVIII; Series of 2023
MC: Mar. 11, 18 & 25, 2023
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION
In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Joelinda E. Valderama has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from Gina to Joelinda in the certificate of live birth of Gina B. Escarza who was born on June 13, 1971 at Guia, Polayagan, Alamada, Cotabato and whose parents are Godofredo B. Escarza and Josefa Bentana.
Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than March 22, 2023.
(Sgd.) MA. LENY BUENO BUENAFE Municipal Civil Registrar MC: Mar. 11 & 18, 2023
Notice is hereby given that late Spouses SANTIAGO I. MARCELO and ESTRELLA DALITMARCELO, who died on March 8, 1991 and December 9, 2014, respectively at Alamada, Cotabato, left a parcel of land Lot No. 1, CCS-12-000099, situated at Central Bulanan, Midsayap, Cotabato, with an area of 46,748 sq. mts., more or less, covered by OCT No. P-55318 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous deed of absolute sale of a portion before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 1288; Page No. 48; Book No. LXIX; Series of 2020.
MC: Mar. 4, 11 & 18, 2023
EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT
Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late AMIL SALAMAT and DAUDAYAN SALAMAT who died intestate many years ago in Cotabato City, a parcel of land Lot 236-A-1-1, Psd12-007901, situated in Barrio Matampay, Cotabato City, containing an area of 32,000 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-22220 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale of a portion of land before Notary Public Atty.
Abbyr A. Nul as per Doc. No. 404; Page No. 81; Book No. XLI; Series of 2023.
MC: Feb. 25, Mar 4 & 11, 2023
Notice is hereby given that the late Spouses FORTUNATO BUENAFLOR and SINFROSA OTOCBUENAFLOR, who died on October 7, 2002 and October 7, 1994 in Cotabato City and Libungan, Cotabato, respectively, left a parcel of land Lot No. 327-B, Psd-12033162, situated in Nicaan, Midsayap (now Grebona, Libungan), Cotabato with an area of 49,224 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-5927 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Nasiff Brian O. Meditar as per Doc. 43; Page No. 09; Book No. XXII; Series of 2023
MC: Mar. 11, 18 & 25, 2023
EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT
Notice is hereby given that the late DANILO A. DEAROS, SR., who died intestate on April 25, 2019, in Poblacion 7, Midsayap, Cotabato, left parcels of land Lot 21, Bad-124709001786-AR, with an area of 6,186 sq. mts., more or less and Lot 23, Bsd124709-001786-AR, with an area of 4,698 sq. mts., more or less, both situated in Poblacion 7, Midsayap, Cotabato, covered by TCT Nos. T- 7033 & T-7933, respectively are subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Benjamin G. Salanatin as per Doc. No. 4134; Page No. 820; Book No. IV, Series of 2022.
MC: Feb. 25, Mar 4 & 11, 2023
Notice is hereby given that late Spouses SANTIAGO I. MARCELO and ESTRELLA DALITMARCELO, who died on March 8, 1991 and December 9, 2014, respectively at Alamada, Cotabato, left a parcel of land Lot No. 1, CCS12-000099, situated at Central Bulanan, Midsayap, Cotabato, with an area of 46,748 sq. mts., more or less, covered by OCT No. P-55318 is subject of partition agreement with simultaneous sale and donation before Notary Public Noel A. Gretare, CPA as per Doc. No. 1,932; Page No. 72; Book No. LXX; Series of 2020.
MC: Mar. 4, 11 & 18, 2023
EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT
Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late AMIL SALAMAT and DAUDAYAN SALAMAT who died intestate many years ago in Cotabato City, a parcel of land Lot 236-A-1-1, Psd12-007901, situated in Barrio Matampay, Cotabato City, containing an area of 32,000 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-22220 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale of a portion of land before Notary Public Atty.
Abbyr A. Nul as per Doc. No. 405; Page No. 81; Book No. XLI; Series of 2023.
MC:
opened fire at soldiers dispatched to verify reports by villagers about their presence in the area, collecting money and food from farmers at gunpoint.
Barangay officials said Cranzo and his men scampered away after advancing soldiers felled his three followers with automatic gunfire. John Felix Unson
HOUSE & LOT 759 Square meters
Corner 6th Street Beside ABS-CBN Don E. Sero Street Cotabato City
Contact: 09177267406
MC: Mar. 11, 18 & 25, 2023
Notice is hereby given that the late ELISEO R. MERCADO JR., who died intestate on May 23, 2021 in Cotabato City, left Savings Accounts with the following banks: BDO under Account No. 111 8800 2417, METROBANK under Account No. 074 7074 5152 20, BPI under Account No. 216 504 4188, METROBANK
JOINT DOLLAR
SAVINGS ACCOUNT with Account No. 074 2074 2904 12 and BPI
DOLLAR SAVINGS
ACCOUNT with Account No. 216 400 2007 are subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Paula J. Kaneshiro, First Judicial Circuit, State of Hawaii.
MC: Mar. 11, 18 & 25, 2023
Notice is hereby given that late UNKOP/ UNCOP WAHAB, who died intestate on May 28, 2018 at Kabuntalan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, left a parcel of land Lot No. 5-A-3, Psd(ARMM)-000969, situated in Bo. Kabuntalan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, with an area of 4,744 sq. mts. more or less, covered by TCT No. T-15954 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale of portion of land before Notary Public Atty. Abbyr
A. Nul as per Doc. No. 474; Page No. 95; Book No. XLI; Series of 2023.
MC: Mar. 4, 11 & 18, 2023
EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT
Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late AMIL SALAMAT and DAUDAYAN SALAMAT who died intestate many years ago in Cotabato City, a parcel of land Lot 236-A-1-1, Psd12-007901, situated in Barrio Matampay, Cotabato City, containing an area of 32,000 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-22220 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale of a portion of land before Notary Public Atty.
Abbyr A. Nul as per Doc. No. 436; Page No. 88; Book No. XLI; Series of 2023.
Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ARSENIO AWAYAN SINGCO, who died on March 13, 2018, in Cotabato City, parcels of land Lot 6992-B, Psd-12-002133, TCT No. T-53122, area of 590 sq. mts. in Pob. 4, Midsayap; Lot 3924-B, Psd-12-03791, TCT No. 78726, area of 1,301 sq. mts. in Pob. 6, Midsayap; Lot No. 58-A, Psd-124709019734, TCT No. T-84253, area of 249 sq. mts. in Pob. 1, Midsayap; Lot No. 4033D-6 (LRC) Psd-101094, TCT No. T-121482, area of 800 sq. mts. in Pob. 8, Midsayap; Lot 2485-F-2-B, Psd-12-000580, TCT No. 80939, area of 622 sq. mts. in Pob. 8, Midsayap; Lot 6992-A,CSD-12-002133, TCT No. T-85429, area of 500 sq. mts. in Pob. 4, Midsayap; Lot 6966-A, Psd-12-124709019735, TCT No. T-83896, area of 964 sq. mts. in Pob 4, Midsayap; Lot 6, PCS12-000391, TCT No. 83556, area of 19,574 sq. mts. in Bo. Upper Glad II, Midsayap; Lot 585-C-5, Psd-12-055965, TCT No. T-152-2017002065, area of 10,000 sq. mts. in Bo. Kimagango, Midsayap; Lot 2165-B-1, Psd-12-028499 (AR), TCT No. T-110359, area of 8,971 sq. mts. in Bual Sur, Midsayap; and Lot 7, Pcs-12000391, TCT No. T-83557, area of 9,339 sq. mts., more or less, all in the Province of Cotabato, are subject of extrajudicial settlement of intestate estate before Notary Public Renato M. Eugenio as per Doc. No. 403; Page No. 82; Book No. 221, Series of 2022.
MC: Feb. 25, Mar 4 & 11, 2023
The above notice is to correct the previous publications on February 25 and March 4, 2023.
Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Spouses ESLAO LAUDE CANJA and GENOVEVA PUNO CANJA, who died on March 21, 2002 and December 17, 2013, all in Malengen, Libungan, Cotabato, a parcel of land Lot 381, Pls-134, situated in Barongis, Midsayap (now Libungan), Cotabato, covered by TCT No. T-10407, containing an area of 57,039 sq. mts., more or less is subject of extrajudicial settlement of intestate estate with simultaneous waiver of rights and simultaneous deed of absolute sale before Notary Public Teresita Carreon Llaban as per Doc. No. 356; Page No. 72; Book No. 24, Series of 2022.
MC: Feb. 25, Mar 4 & 11, 2023
Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late AMIL SALAMAT and DAUDAYAN SALAMAT who died intestate many years ago in Cotabato City, a parcel of land Lot 236-A-1-1, Psd12-007901, situated in Barrio Matampay, Cotabato City, containing an area of 32,000 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-22220 is subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate with simultaneous sale of a portion of land before Notary Public Atty.
Abbyr A. Nul as per Doc. No. 437; Page No. 88; Book No. XLI; Series of 2023.
THE police seized P643,000 worth of shabu from two different dealers, both linked to the Dawlah Islamiya, entrapped in separate operations Tuesday in Cotabato province.
In a statement Wednesday, the office of Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, director of the Police Regional Office 12, identified the suspects as Fahad Macauyag, 44, and the 32-yearold Mojahid Silva, now locked in detention facilities.
Silva was immediately arrested after selling shabu to non-uniformed personnel of the Tulunan Municipal Police Station in a sting on Tuesday afternoon in Barangay Sibsib in Tulunan, Cotabato.
Barangay leaders and relatives
privy to Silva’s peddling of shabu in a number of barangays in Tulunan told reporters he shared earnings to leaders of the Dawlah Islamiya terror group based in nearby towns in Maguindanao del Sur. Macauyag, who hails from Barangay Gang in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao del Norte, was nabbed after he sold his illegal merchandise to members of the Pigcawayan Municipal Police Station, disguised as drug dependents, in Barangay Poblacion in Pigcawayan,
THE military is guarding against possible retaliation by the New People’s Army for the death of its three “tax collectors” in a clash with soldiers in Sultan Kudarat province.
Brig. Gen. Alex Rillera, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Monday their units in Sultan Kudarat have prepared for possible harassments of
villages after personnel of the 7th Infantry Battalion had killed three NPAs in a brief encounter last weekend in Barangay Banali in Senator Ninoy Aquino town.
Senator Ninoy Aquino is an upland town in Sultan Kudarat where the NPA subjects hapless farmers to its illegal taxation activities to raise money for its needs.
Brig. Gen. Michael
ANTI-NARCOTICS agents seized
P34 million worth of shabu from a woman who fell in an entrapment Tuesday in Kalingalan Caluang town in Sulu province.
Christian Frivaldo, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, told reporters Thursday the female suspect, Nasang Jaiyari Murosad, is now detained, awaiting prosecution.
Frivaldo said Murosad was
Cotabato late Tuesday. Officials of units under the Army’s 6th Infantry Division based in Cotabato’s adjoining Midsayap, Aleosan and Pigcawayan towns and senior members of the peace and order councils in the three municipalities said like Siva, Macauyag also has links with the Dawlah Islamiya. He was, in fact, suspected of having been involved in last year’s bombing of a passenger bus in Aleosan that left a grade school child dead and hurt a dozen others.
Santos, commander of the Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade, said personnel of the 7th Infantry Battalion also found four assault rifles, grenades and ammunition of various calibers in the scene of the encounter in Barangay Banali in Senator Ninoy Aquino town.
Army units under 6th ID had killed 15 NPAs, six of them experts in fabrication of improvised
THE police has filed criminal cases against three from the group behind the February 17 ambush of Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong, Jr. that left him wounded and four of his companions dead.
named Hassanor Pundaodaya, died on the spot from multiple bullet wounds sustained in the attack.
John Felix Unsonexplosive devices, in operations aided by local government units in different towns in the province since August 2022.
Brig. Gen. Guyguyon, director of the Police Regional OfficeBangsamoro Autonomous Region, told reporters over the weekend that personnel of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office and the Maguing Municipal Police Station together prepared the cases against the three suspects.
Adiong was hit by a rifle bullet in his right hip while his executive assistant, Ali Tabao, was wounded in the leg.
The governor has been out of the hospital and is recuperating at home.
P9
The cadaver of the three NPAs who perished in a clash in Barangay Banali were immediately turned over to barangay leaders and municipal officials by members of the 7th IB led by Lt. Col. Frederick
arrested after she and a male companion, Mujalli Sarajan Jaddin, had traded five kilos of shabu, valued at P34 million, to nonuniformed agents of PDEA-BARMM and policemen in Barangay Pang in Kalingalan Caluang, Sulu.
Jaddin managed to escape when he sensed that they had sold shabu to anti-narcotics agents.
“We shall also file against him a corresponding criminal case in absentia,” Frivaldo said.
Frivaldo said the sting that
led to the arrest of the 60-year-old Murosad and confiscation from her of P34 million worth of shabu was laid with help of local executives in Sulu, one of the five provinces in the Bansamoro region.
The PDEA-BARMM, the provincial police and different units of the military’s Western Mindanao Command together seized more than P70 million worth of shabu in one joint operation after another in Sulu in the past 14 months. John Felix Unson
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has declared South Cotabato as Avian Influenza-free following massive monitoring and evaluation, the provincial veterinarian said today.
Dr. Flora Bigot, South Cotabato provincial veterinarian, said the province has regained its “AI-free” status after DA declaration that the provincial veterinary office had received on Feb.
27. “We have been consistently conducting disinfection at the AI-
affected barangays in the past two months,” Bigot said in radio interview.
With the declaration, Bigot said there will be fewer constraints on the movement of poultry and poultry products in South Cotabato but “our close monitoring will continue, even intensified, to maintain AI-free status.”
However, Bigot reiterated her appeal for stakeholders in the poultry business, including local residents who are chicken growers, not to be complacent.
“To all South
Cotabateños, please report any incident of poultry diseases, early detection of contagious disease will help prevent its spread,” Bitog said.
Among the early symptoms of possible bird flu, according to Bigot, are swelling of chicken comb or red outgrowth on top of a chicken's head, weakness, refuses food intake, swelling of legs and reduced egg laying capability.
Chickens and ducks in the town of Sto Niño and Tantangan, South Cotabato were first hit by
AI in February last year. It eventually spread to nearby towns but were immediately contained through stricter monitoring and preventive measures as well as restrictions on its transport from affected villages to anywhere.
Bigot said in Tantangan alone, at least 80,000 laying hens or layer chickens were depopulated during the onslaught of AI in February last year.
But all these have been contained thus the DA declaration, Bigot said. Edwin O. Fernandez
Guyguyon said the three suspects, Lomala Baratumo, Oscar Gandawali and Acsanie Hadji Salic, were identified with the help local officials as among the gunmen who fired at the convoy of Adiong while motoring through a stretch of a highway in Barangay Bato-Bato in Maguing.
“Efforts to identify the other suspects are still underway. Corresponding criminal cases shall be filed against them too,” Guyguyon said.
Four persons in one of the vehicles in the convoy, the policemen Juraiz Adiong, Aga Sumandar and Jalil Cosain, each with a patrolman rank, and a civilian driver
Local officials and senior members of different multi-sector municipal peace and order councils in Lanao del Sur told reporters Saturday Baratumo, Gandawali and Salic lead different groups distributing marijuana and shabu in upland towns in the first district of Lanao del Sur. Adiong and his companions were ambushed about four hours after personnel of the Lanao del Sur Police and different units under PRO-BAR uprooted more than 20,000 fully grown marijuana shrubs in a secluded area also in Barangay Bato-Bato. Baratumo, Gandawali and Salic are also known for their links with a local terrorist group, the Dawlah Islamiya that has a reputation for bombing establishments and buses if owners refuse to shell out “protection money” on a monthly basis.
Felix Unson JohnTHE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in North Cotabato has empowered a group of farmers in the province by providing them an upgraded processing center to add value to their cassava crops to come up with quality cassava chips.
Evangeline Bueno, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO II), said in a statement that beneficiaries of the program are members of Barangay Katipunan Farmers Association (BKFA) of Katipunan, Mlang, North Cotabato.
Bueno said this is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III to boost the livelihood activities of the farmers in the countryside. Visibly elated, Bernandina Lacao, BKFA President, said her group welcomed the assistance of DAR in helping their association to be more productive and produce quality products.
“We will always remember DAR because of their continued assistance provided to us. Through this facility, we are assured of a wider market for our cassava chips,” she said, adding that it is also an indication of DAR’s recognition of their capability and capacity to help the economy.
The upgraded facility amounting to P250,000 was provided under the
DAR’s Village Level Farm-focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) Project.
Bueno said the improvement of the processing center aims to conform with the processing standards and become compliant with the Food and Drugs Administration, with the end in view of acquiring a license to operate and certifications to penetrate bigger markets.
"Our assistance will continue to intensify by providing technical assistance to the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and help them market their products to penetrate the institutional markets," she said.
DAR has partnered and collaborated with the Department of Trade and Industry, and other government agencies in developing and enhancing the ARBs and their organization’s products as potential enterprises.
DAR North Cotabato has provided the BKFA in 2020 with cooking equipment such as grinder, stockpots, wok pan, and steamer, and additional cassava stalks as planting materials to intensify their production amidst the pandemic.
Now that the pandemic has slowed down, the cassava farmers, with the new DAR intervention, can now accelerate production and increase revenues.
Edwin O. Fernandez