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MILF-backed mayoral aspirant wins

CHURCH / P4

Dumaguete bishop calls for reconciliation after ‘divisive

3 drug peddlers nabbed

The Mindanao Cross issuu.com/mindanaocross mindanao.cross@gmail.com

BRUCE: “GREAT THINGS ARE IN STORE FOR COTABATO CITY” By John Felix Unson

Supporters of mayor-elect Bruce Matabalao are now looking forward to the massive implementation of infrastructure and socio-economic projects, the Bangsamoro government as benefactor. The infant political party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, whose leader, Hadji Ahod Ebrahim, is at the helm of the Bangsamoro parliament, made history with the election of its candidates for mayor and vice mayor here, defeating rivals via an uphill campaign struggle. The mayoral candidate of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) was proclaimed Tuesday night by city poll officials at the Sangguniang Panglunsod session hall. Matabalao defeated in the May 9 mayoral race re-electionist Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, a vocal critic of the MILF-led Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Guiani-Sayadi even contested via the judiciary the city’s fusion into the core territory of BARMM, as a result of a 2019 plebiscite for the ratification of its regional charter that paved the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro government.

City Board proclaims UBJP bets; 7-3 UniTeam in SP By Nash Maulana

PROOF OF WINNING. Cotabato City Mayor-elect Mohammad Ali Bruce Matabalao (right) and Vice Mayor-elect Butch Abu show their certificates of proclamation after acting election officer and board of canvassers’ chair Atty. Mustapha Nasroding (center) proclaimed them on Tuesday night, May 10, 2022. Photo courtesy of Bruce Matabalao Fb page

And the winners are…

By Edwin O. Fernandez Caoagdan Maguindanao: Governor Bai Mariam S. 3rd District Rep. Samantha Santos Mangudadatu Vice Governor-elect Bai South Cotabato Ainee Sinsuat Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo, 1st District Rep. Bai Jr. Dimple Mastura Vice Governor-elect 2nd District Rep. Arthur “Dodo” Pingoy Mohamad "Tong" P. 1st District Rep. Ed Paglas Sr. Lumayag 2nd District Rep. Peter Cotabato: Governor-elect Emmylou Miguel “Lala” Mendoza Sarangani Vice-elect Gov. Efren F. Governor-elect Rogelio Piñol Pacquiao 1st District Rep. Joel Vice Governor-elect Sacdalan Elmer de Peralta 2nd District Rep. Rudy

P R O C L A I M E D winning candidates apparently take all but three of the city’s 10-member Sangguniang Panlungsod. The City Board of Canvassers have proclaimed mayoral candidate Mohammad Ali “Bruce” Dela Cruz Matabalao, and runningmate Butch Abu as city mayor- and vice-mayorelect of Cotabato City, as of late Wednesday. Both are bets of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP). Officials had endeavored halting the day’s imminent proclamation by the

Board of Canvasser, citing alleged instances of fraud shared on social media messengers, and which were followed up later in a press conference hosted by UniTeam City Council candidate Dr. Danda Juanday. City Mayor Cynthia Guiani Sayadi also went live on Facebook on the same note on Thursday. UBJP candidates said they “will answer should there be formal charges filed in proper forum.” The leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has organized

Piñol concedes defeat; daughter, brothers win SENATORIAL aspirant Emmanuel Piñol has conceded defeat but vowed to continue his advocacy on agriculture as private person. He did not make it but his daughter and three brothers have won in last Monday’s local polls in

By Edwin O. Fernandez North Cotabato. Efren Piñol was elected and proclaimed vice governor-elect of North Cotabato. Board Member Dr. Maria Krista Piñol-Solis, Sec. Piñol’s daughter, was reelected to the provincial council while Vice

Mayor Joselito F. Piñol was also reelected. Another brother, Gerardo F. Piñol, was elected town councilor of Mlang. In a statement released to public a day after the

PSC, OMI open Mindanao Sports of Peace 2022

MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato — The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in partnership with Notre Dame of Jolo College and the Oblates of Mary

By Edwin O. Fernandez Immaculate Missionary o f M i d s a y a p C o l l e g e F o u n d a t i o n - I n t e r - grounds. Religious Dialogue The brains behind (OMF-IRD) Minisry this noble program opened yesterday a 3-day are PCS chair William Mindanao Sports of Peace “Butch” Ramirez, Fr. 2 0 2 2 a t N o t r e D a m e Romeo Saniel, OMI and

Nu-man C. Caludtiag, chairman of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Sports for Peace. About 300

DID YOU KNOW? Flores de Mayo is Celebrated every May Flores, from Spanish flores or “flowers,” also known as Flores de Mayo (flowers of May), Flores de Maria (flowers of Mary) or alay (offering), may refer to the whole Flower Festival celebrated in the month of May in honor of the Virgin Mary . A Santacruzan is a religious-historical beauty pagent held in many cities, towns and even small villages throughout the Philippines during the month of May. One of the most colorful Maytime festivals in the Philippines which depicts the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena, mother of Constantine the Great.

SPORTS FOR PEACE. Participants to the “First Bola Hindi Bala Games” show their skills in basketball during the PSC-OMI Mindanao sports for peace games 2022.

Contributed photo

May 14, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

MILF-backed mayoral aspirant wins

ALL a mayoral aspirant of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) in Maguindanao needed was 22 votes to be declared and proclaimed winner by the Commission on Elections as mayor-elect of Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao. Veterinary medicine Dr. Zulficar “Doc Bong” Panda was proclaimed winner by the municipal board of canvassers at the town’s Sangguniang Bayan session hall at 11 a.m. a day after the national and local balloting. Panda got 5,817 votes or 22 voters over mayoral candidate Armando Talib Mastura Jr of PDPLaban who got 5,795 votes.

His running mate, vice mayoral aspirant Sweary Darping has lost to Andy Amir of PDP-LABAN who was also proclaimed winner with 5,104 votes. Four of Panda’s party members also made it to the town council. Panda resigned from Cotabato City Office of Veterinary Services last year to try politics. He was the official candidate of UBJP,

the political party of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). “It’s God’s will, thank you for all your support,” he declared about his victory as he emerged from the SB session hall as his supporters chanted his name. According to the 2020 census, Sultan Mastura has a population of 25,331 people living in 13 barangays.

Edwin O. Fernandez

US lauds Marcos as next PH President THE United States congratulates Presidentelect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on his election as the Philippines’ 17th president. “We look forward to working with Presidentelect Marcos to strengthen the enduring alliance between the United States and the Philippines,” a statement the U.S. sent to news organizations, said Thursday. The statement continued: “Our special partnership is rooted in a long and deeply interwoven history, shared values and interests, and strong

people-to-people ties. As friends, partners, and allies, we will continue to collaborate closely with the Philippines to promote respect for human rights and to advance a free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient IndoPacific region.” It said the U.S. government commends “the millions of Filipino voters who cast their ballots in this election, and we look forward to the official conclusion of the electoral process for the many offices in the national elections.” With reports from

A father-son tandem won in a landslide fashion and proclaimed as mayorelect and vice mayor-elect, respectively, of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao. Rowaida Kalid, municipal election officer and chairperson of the town’s board of canvassers, said she proclaimed Wednesday Datu Akmad Mitra Ampatuan as mayor and his son incumbent Mayor Engr. Marop Ampatuan as vice mayor. Engr. Marop served as local chief executive of Shariff Aguak since 2016. The board also proclaimed the councilorselect of Shariff Aguak based on the election returns from 32 clustered

precincts. They are Datu Oping B. Ampatuan (13,061 votes), Ameir Akmad S. Aguak (12,733), Datu Jhong B. Ampatuan (12,699), Watari S. Baganian (10,481), Ritchie Ampatuan (9,658), Alibai S. Ampatuan (9,504), Doris Upam (9,384) and Rasul U. Ampatuan (8,598). “The election in Shariff Aguak was generally peaceful and orderly, no harassments or violence in voting precincts during the duration of voting,” Anwar Kuit Emblawa, executive secretary Mayor Marop Ampatuan told The Mindanao Cross in a phone interview. Two grenade

COTABATO CITY — Poll officials proclaimed late Tuesday Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay as mayorelect of Lamitan City. The three-termer vice mayor defeated in last Monday’s election a less popular rival, Al-Rasheed Sakallahul. Furigay’s running mate, incumbent Lamitan City councilor Hegem Furigay, was also proclaimed elected vice mayor by city poll officials. The duo promised to serve extensively the

residents of Lamitan City, which has more than 40 barangays. Mayor-elect Furigay, whose tenure as vice mayor ends on June 30, said he shall also continue to support the peace and development initiatives in Basilan of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Lamitan City is one of two cities in Basilan that also covers 11 municipalities. The island province is part of the core territory of the Bangsamoro region. John

Nash B. Maulana

Father-son tandem won, proclaimed in Maguindanao

Lamitan City veep proclaimed mayor-elect

VAX HESITANT NO MORE. A boy bows his head as a health worker administers vaccination against COVID-19 in Sulu as the Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao, in partnership with Unicef, IOM and CFSI, started Special Vaccination Days (SVDs) Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Photo courtesy of Bangsamoro Government

MOH, Sulu Gov. Tan lead special vax days launching

JOLO — With 25,500 target individuals, the Ministry of Health (MOH) kicked off Wednesday, May 11, the COVID-19 Special Vaccination Days (SVD) in Sulu province, which will run until May 13. Sulu Governor Abdusakur

Tan, who received his booster shot during the kick-off ceremony, urged his unvaccinated constituents to join the SVD in order to protect not only themselves but also their families and the whole community from contracting COVID-19.

“I, myself, was vaccinated with Sinovac two times, boosted once with Pfizer. A few minutes ago, I received my second Pfizer booster to show that this vaccine is safe and effective, with fatwa (Islamic ruling) from our Grand Mufti that it is halal,

Felix Unson

BARMM removes poll materials for proper disposal

PERSONNEL of the environment office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have started removing campaign materials posted in various parts here and in Maguindanao. The “Oplan Baklas” was organized by the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE- BARMM) and its Provincial Office in Maguindanao to remove political posters and campaign materials that were put up in Cotabato City during the 3-month campaign period. On Friday, MENRE Minister Akmad A. Brahim, who led the “Oplan Baklas,” still urged candidates and political parties to remove the tarpaulins, posters, and other campaign materials that were put up for the election campaign to avoid visual clutter in the public areas and communities. “This is in compliance

to the directive of Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim to spearhead the clean drive,” Brahim said. “Clean-up of election materials on the streets should be one of the priorities of the candidates and campaign volunteers after the election polls,” Minister Brahim said, adding that “Oplan Baklas” also ensures disposal of these campaign materials are in line with environmental laws and must not be involved in illegal dumping, open burning, and littering. “If not disposed, barangay and material recovery facilities of Local Government Units, if any, should be utilized to collect and restore reusable materials,” her added. He said publicity materials displayed near the shoreline or rivers must be recalled to prevent them from being dumped in wrong, like ocean and inland water. Edwin O.

Fernandez

BOOK SIGNING. The Institute for Autonomy and Governance in partnership with the Australian Government launches the book entitled “The Organic Law for Bangsamoro Autonomous Region: Framework and Annotations” at Pagana Restaurant last May 12, 2022. Some book authors, Lawyers Benedicto Bacani, Jose Lorena, Ishak Mastura, Rasol Mitmug Jr., Johaira Wahab, sign copies of the book during launching program. Photo courtesy of IAG

THE MINDANAO CROSS

May 14, 2022

Bruce: “Great things are in store for Cotabato City”...from P1

The creation in 2019 of BARMM, whose regional capitol is not too distant from the office of Guiani-Sayadi, is a product of 22 years of peace talks between Malacañang and the MILF. City poll officials also proclaimed on Tuesday night Butch Abu as elected vice mayor for Cotabato City, having garnered more votes than what re-electionist Vice Mayor Graham Dumama got during Monday’s electoral exercise. City poll officials also proclaimed at about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday city

councilors-elect Florante Formento Hunyn Abu, Maroup Pasawiran, Jay Jay Guiani, Abdulrakim Usman, Guiadzuri Midtimbang, Kusin Taha, Henjie Ali, Danda Juanday and Abdilla Lim. Guiani, Juanday and Lim are from the slate led by the defeated Cotabato City re-electionist mayor. All the rest belong to the MILF-led UBJP. Supporters of Matabalao and Abu are now looking forward to a massive implementation of infrastructure and socio-economic projects in all of Cotabato

City’s 37 barangays by the BARMM government via its public works ministry. BARMM's public works secretary, Eduard Uy Guerra, said they will reach out and "connect strongly" to Matabalao's office after he gets sworn to office on June 30. "Just wait. Many projects will be implemented in the city soon," Guerra said. Originally under Administrative Region 12, Cotabato City is inside Maguindanao province, which is under

the Bangsamoro region. A day after his proclamation as Mayor-elect Matabalao visited Minister Ebrahim in DArapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. “I paid a visit to BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim to personally thank him for trusting and giving his all-out support to the whole UBJP ticket. Great things are in store for Cotabato City under the leadership of Team UBJP with the help of BARMM Regional Government,” he said.

PSC, OMI open Mindanao...from P1

Cotabato Vice Governor-elect Efren F. Piñol (center) pose with his wife Agnes Myra L. Piñol and youngest son commercial plane pilot Frenn Angelo Piñol after his proclamation at the Sangguniang Panglalawigan session hall Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Efren Piñol FB Page

Piñol concedes defeat; daughter, brothers win...from P1 country’s national and local polls elected new set of leaders, Piñol, former secretary of the agriculture and chair of Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), said the people have spoken. “The Filipino people have spoken, we now have new leaders to lead this country in the coming three years,” he said in Filipino. “I offered my services but was not given the Republic of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao South Upi, Maguindanao OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), notice is hereby served to the public that Alexees Mao Bilaro has filed with this office, a petition for correction of entry in child’s sex from Male to Female in the certificate of live birth bearing Registry No. 2007-452 of Alexees Mao Bilaro duly registered at the Local Civil Registry Office of South Upi, Maguindanao and whose parents are Badoy Vicente Bilaro and Lolita Mac Bilao. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than June 3, 2022. (Sgd) KAHAR B. SANTIAGO Municipal Civil Registrar MC: May 14 & 21, 2022

chance and that is one thing I have to accept with an open heart,” he added. He went on appreciating the works of his supporters and those who supported him in his advocacy to help improve the agriculture and fisher sectors of the Philippines. “I cannot embrace all of you and tell you how much I appreciate your sacrifices,” he said. He said he may have not succeeded in this election but his advocacy to push forward voices of farmers and fisher folks EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late RICA JOY DALAGAN CAÑAS, who died intestate on December 21, 2020, a parcel of land covered by TCT No. T-47390, consisting an area of 374 sq. mts., more or less is subject of extrajudicial settlement of real property with waiver of rights before Notary Public Hilary Romeo A. Escobar as per Doc. No. 157; Page No. 32; Book No. IV; Series of 2021.

MC: Apr. 30, May 7 & 14, 2022

will continue. “I will continue our Green Philippines program and Food SelfSufficiency Advocacy,” he stressed. “Our giant bamboo program will continue so it will reach other parts of the country,” Piñol said. Back to his farm in Kidapawan after 90 days of hectic campaign activities using his own money and resources plus assistance from friends, Piñol thanked the Almighty that during the campaign he did not

utter one single word that destroys the credibility of his political archrivals. He lauded the more than 3.4 million voters who believed in him and his advocacy and voted for him. Based on partial and unofficial results from Comelec aggregated data as of 10 a.m. May 12, Piñol got 3,471,614 votes in 106,003 of 107,785 clustered precincts or 98.35 percent that were transmitted to the poll body’s transparency server.

Christian and Muslim children and youth from the towns of Midsayap, Aleosan, Datu Piang and Pigcawayan and nearby areas are in attendance. Fr. Romeo Saniel, OMI who heads the OMFIRD Ministry, said the three-day event has three components under the PSC-OMI sports program that include: First, sports clinic in basketball, volleyball, and badminton. Second, trauma healing and counselling sessions and third countering violent extremism as part of the OMF IRD advocacy. Fr. Saniel said the youth and children who are victims of armed conflict are experiencing the following: traumas brought about by violence and war, hatred and mistrust, and drug abuse. “These negative experiences are utilized by extremist groups present in the areas in their recruitment. They become most vulnerable to join the ISIS movement,” he said. “The Mindanao sports for peace attempts to respond to these economic, social and psychological problems. It is believed that sports can transform the lives of these innocent victims,” Fr. Saniel said. He added: “The sports clinic activity can help young people to play and become healthy. The trauma healing activity can help heal their traumatic experiences. And, the inputs on countering violent extremism can help to prevent them from joining the group.” He said PSC has supported the following schedules: Midsayap cluster on May 13-15, 2022; Jolo Cluster on May 20-22 and Pikit cluster on May 27-29, 2022. “This project will benefit 900-1,000 children/ youth and 150 coaches from the war-torn provinces of Maguindnao, North Cotabato and Sulu and TawiTawi,” Fr. Saniel said. The Jolo cluster will have about 300 youth and 50 coaches playing and competing in peace sports at Notre Dame of Jolo College with players from Jolo, Patikul, Maimbung and Talipao. The Pikit cluster will also have 300 youth and 50 coaches in attendance from 10 Peace Zone barangays and six Madrasa/Islamic schools in Pikit, Aleosan and Datu Piang. This Mindanao Sports for peace project was preceded by the “Bola Hindi Bala Games” spearheaded by PSC chair Ramirez, PSC Mindanao Director Eduardo Fernandez and Fr. Saniel. Fr. Saniel recalled that one of the participants of “Bola Hindi Bala Games Part 1,” project has said after playing five days of sports clinic and playing with Christian athletes that “Akala ko lahat na Kristiyano ay kalaban. Hindi pala. Nagkamali lang sila.” To inspire others to have similar projects, Fr. Saniel quoted former South African President Nelson Mandela who said: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does...ports can create hope, where once was despair.”

City Board proclaims UBJP bets; 7-3 UniTeam in SP...from P1 the UBJP pursuant to the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and the 2019 Bangsamoro Organic Law. In multimedia interviews right after the at SP proclamation ceremony, Matabalao vowed to work for stronger inter-governmental collaborations so the city government can effectively access funding resources allocated by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) for rehabilitation and concreting of provincial and city roads. Images and videos of alleged acts committed for electoral frauds have circulated on social media purporting that they occurred in Cotabato City. Lawyers of both camps, though, have ostensibly agreed on having

to probe the circumstances of the images and videos as to location and identities of persons shown in it and when and where it happened, and as to how could they be “connected to the ballots” of the April 5 polling, according to an election official serving in another region. Juanday, speaking for his political team said the allegations deserve to be probed by authorities. Meanwhile, in Manila, the Commission on Elections have urged candidates raising issues of any form of alleged elections cheating, to file their cases in proper forum and in forms prescribed by election laws. Beware, Fake News False information in several forms, including alleged overtime

voting by some uniformed men, have flooded the social media, but which may prove a fake news. A female Moro sought to clarify for young multimedia reporters the issue amid a big crowd along SK Pendatun Avenue, awaiting for the convoy of candidates then slated by the Board of Canvassers for proclamation. She said she wanted to clarify for the information of the crowd that a story about alleged overtime voting by a small group of unarmed policemen purportedly inside the SP, could not have possibly happened, considering that all the candidates were represented by their respective legal counsels at the venue of the canvassing of votes (COV) which was the Sangguniang Panglunsod Session Hall.

May 14, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

Dumaguete bishop calls for reconciliation after ‘divisive election’

BISHOP Julito Cortes of Dumaguete has called “families torn by politics” in the recent local and national elections towards reconciliation. “For all of us who went through this divisive election, we should forgive each other,” Cortes said in a video message on Wednesday. “Let us return to nurturing our relationships with one another as family, torn because of politics,” he said. The bishop stresses that “change is not just external but also internal in each of us and our homes.” As he assured the Church’s “cooperation” with the government for the welfare of the public, he said the diocese will also monitor the campaign promises of the newly elected leaders. The prelate also congratulated victors, reminding them to always seek the grace of knowledge to see

the “will of God for His people.” “The hand of God can be seen in history,” he said. “God is the one who gave them the authority. God calls them to serve, especially those weak and poor in our society.” For those who did not win, he enjoined them not to lose hope. “Losing does not mean complete failure but an opportunity for the will of God for you to happen,” Cortes said. “When a window closes, another opens,” he added. “Search for God’s purpose for you through faith and in obedience to the Holy Spirit.” As of this posting, most of the election winners have been proclaimed in Negros Oriental and Siqujor provinces. Ryan Christopher

J. Sorote/CBCP News

Bishop Julito Cortes of Dumaguete.

Who are the 4 women being canonized this weekend? POPE Francis will preside over the first canonizations in more than two years this weekend. Ten people will be officially recognized as saints by the Catholic Church on May 15. Among them are some relatively wellknown figures, like Charles de Foucauld, Titus Brandsma, and Devasahayam Pillai. Less well known are the four Catholic female leaders who will be canonized alongside them. Each of the women founded religious orders which have grown worldwide and made a lasting impact on the Church. Here are the stories of these four holy women, who all happen to be named for the Blessed Virgin Mary: Marie Rivier As the French Revolution forced convents and monasteries across France to close and priests and nuns were martyred under the Reign of Terror, this 28-year-old Frenchwoman founded a religious order in 1796. Marie Rivier founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, dedicated to the education of young girls in the faith. The congregation received official approval in 1801 and expanded across France. Rivier struggled for much of her childhood from a debilitating disability that caused her joints to swell and her limbs to shrink. She could hardly stand with the help of crutches, according to the Vatican Congregation for the Causes

of Saints. Her health problems also hindered her ability to enter religious life, but Rivier persevered and helped to educate unemployed women in her parish before the founding of her congregation. Within a few decades of Rivier’s death in 1838, the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary spread to Canada and the United States. Today the sisters are present on five continents. Maria Francesca of Jesus (Anna Maria Rubatto) Mother Maria Francesca of Jesus was a 19th-century missionary foundress who crossed the Atlantic Ocean seven times by boat to establish an order of Capuchin sisters in Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil. The Italian religious sister, originally from the province of Turin, was born Anna Maria Rubatto in 1844. She lost her mother at the age of four and her father when she was 19 years old. She worked as a servant and cultivated a deep spirituality, visiting a church daily to pray. But she did not discover her vocation until she was 40 years old. One day when she was leaving a church, she heard the cries of a construction worker who had been injured by a stone that fell from the scaffolding onto his head. Maria helped to wash and treat his wounds. She discovered that the building he had been working on was a convent. The Capuchin friar who was

overseeing its construction invited her to join as a founding member and then the first superior of the Institute of the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of Loano. Within just seven years, Mother Maria found herself traveling to South America to found new houses as her religious order grew. Today, the sisters are known as the Capuchin Sisters of Mother Rubatto and are present in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, and other countries across South America, Europe, and Africa. Maria Domenica Mantovani Maria Domenica Mantovani served as the first general superior of the Institute of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family, which she co-founded to serve the poor, orphaned, and the sick. C At the age of 24, she made a vow of virginity on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in front of a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes in her hometown of Castelletto di Brenzone in northern Italy. She co-founded the Little Sisters of the Holy Family in 1892, at the age of 29, along with Blessed Giuseppe Nascimbeni, a priest who had been her spiritual guide since she was 15 years old. Serving as the order’s superior general for more than 40 years, Mantovani wrote the constitutions of the order and oversaw the opening of numerous convents. By the time she died in 1934, the Little Sisters of the Holy Family had

he elections are the people wherever over. Except for the they travelled. Some protests, life goes back accepted their message, to normal after all the others rejected them, still election-related activities. others threatened them By this time post-mortems with bodily harm, yet they eflections have been discussed by persevered. the various parties and What gave impetus to Rev. Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC candidates. What went the missionary activities tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com right and what went of the apostles? What gave wrong? How can we do better next time? From my them courage and perseverance ? First, they have quiet corner, I can say that rallies and crowds do not met the Risen Lord. They had a personal experience make a winner. It is the nitty – gritty before and of Jesus. Even for those who have not personally during elections that matter. Not all who attend seen Jesus, they accepted Jesus in faith. Second, rallies are registered voters. Not all registered voters they had a vision of a new reality, called by Jesus as attend the rallies. Even at this early the Kingdom of God, and in the second stage, anyone who has plans for office reading also called a “new heaven and have to encourage followers to go and a new earth.” They had something to register themselves. On election day, work for, live for, and even die for. the ones who count are those who stay Third, as the gospel relates, they and brave the threats, the heat and were inspired by a new commandment, the pouring rain in order to cast their “Love one another as I love you. This is votes. In the precinct where I voted how you will be known as my disciple, there were many senior citizens and that you love one another.” They even a person in a wheel chair. Win knew that they were not alone. They or lose, these were the people who belonged to a community who cared made the difference. Others are just for each other. observers. Modern writers, philosophers In this Sunday’s first reading we and psychologists ask the question, see how Paul and his companions attended to the “What makes life worth living?” For the apostles, it nitty-gritty of preaching the gospel. They travelled was for mission and for love. Great thinkers such as and preached wherever there was a good crowd, Freud, Nietzsche, and Jung agreed on the common bore the insults and threats against them, founded denominators of work and love as that which makes communities and visited these communities to life worth living. As repeated by Viktor Frankl who encourage them, to see whether they remained faithful survived Hitler’s concentration camp, “He who has a to the teachings, and to correct whenever it was why to live for can bear with almost any how.” necessary. Paul, Barnabas, Mark, and other apostles Back to life after elections. What are you living did not have it easy as bearers of the gospel message. for? Do you have a mission to fulfill and work for? As they said in the first reading, “It is necessary for Are there people you love and sacrifice for? In plain us to undergo hardships to enter the kingdom of language, “Para kanino at ano ka gumigising sa God.” The apostles made a difference by engaging umaga?” MC

Post-mortem

“Win or lose, these were the people who made the difference. Others are just observers.”

grown to have 1,200 sisters present in 150 convents in Italy and abroad. Maria of Jesus Santocanale Mother Maria of Jesus founded the Capuchin Sisters of Immaculate Mary of Lourdes in Sicily in 1910. Born in Palermo in 1852, Carolina Santocanale felt a desire to consecrate herself to God from an early age despite her father’s wishes. Under the spiritual guidance of Father Mauro Venuti, she discerned to devote her life to works of charity for the poor rather than entering the cloister. At the age of 32, she began to experience significant health problems. Severe pain in her legs led her to be bedridden for more than a year. After her illness, she embraced an even more radical Franciscan spirituality. After making simple vows at the age of 39, she spent most of her free moments, day or night, in front of the tabernacle. She oversaw the establishment of an orphanage and a nursery school, and nurtured many vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. Today, Santocanale’s sisters are present in Albania, Brazil, Italy, and Madagascar. She wrote that the mission of her Capuchin sisters was “to be bread broken for the hunger and the life of our brothers and sisters, in the image of Mary Immaculate in the mystery of salvation.” Courtney Mares/Catholic

News Agency

Meditation Fr. Rock Saniel, OMI rocksaniel@gmail.com

5th Sunday of Easter Readings:

Acts 14.21b-27; Revelation 21.1-5a; John 13.1, 31-33a, 34-35++

The fifth Sunday of Easter’s gospel message is a clear reminder for us individuals to love one another. This is how we should live as disciples of Christ. This is a very timely message as we just had the 2022 elections. We noticed that some people have become bitter, angry, frustrated of some of the result of the election. Some of these even led to division and confrontations among friends and families especially in social media. But Jesus today shows us the way. He tells us to love one another. That is how we should live. That is how we should look at our enemies – to love one another. May this Sunday and the succeeding days be a discerning moment for all of us where we ask the Lord to illumine our minds and hearts – to see as Jesus sees, to love as Jesus loves, and to let God rule our country and our lives. Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me listen to your words that I may show love in any moment to anyone. Amen.

THE MINDANAO CROSS

May 14, 2022 EDITORIAL

Post Election Sharing

y experiences during the past elections made me hesitate to proceed with my participation in the just concluded election of May 2022. The long lines of waiting to vote in my usual precinct, under the hot sun, was reason enough to forego voting. But I have to persist thinking of my duty as a citizen; having been taught by my very patriotic father that right or wrong, this is still my country. So, I woke up early and trekked to my voting precinct. I thought I was early, but there was already the long line of voters waiting for their turn. Fortunately, as a senior citizen, everyone respected the white hair, and beckoned me and the hobby to go to the front of the line where a batch of senior citizens were also waiting for their turn. I was able to finish the voting process in an hour, although I read on Facebook that the usual waiting time was 4 to 5 hours. I was surprised to see two very young policewomen acting as the Board of Election Inspectors instead of the school teachers who were trained the previous week. I found out that the night before the election, the teachers had problems with the Comelec officials which made them decide to forego their participation in the election. Nevertheless, the two policewomen knew what they were supposed to do, except that they were a bit slower than the teachers who were already experts in the process. I also noticed that instead of the very controversial ballot boxes and the alternative in many of the precincts was to put the voters copy in envelopes or boxes. As late as 7 oclock in the evening, there were still voters, (the precincts opened at 8 oclock). The 2022 election came to an end which will be remembered as marred by violence, delays, breakdown of Ballot Counting Machines, and the non-participation of teachers. We waited for the unofficial counting of ballots which was set at one oclock PM the next day. Early results of the counting was made available in the evening of the next day (Tuesday), when those who were trending to lose already conceded. The results shocked many of us, especially at the national level. How can Filipinos be so blind, unless they were hoodwinked or cheated! Since the only solid evidence of democracy (the election of leaders) has not been protected effectively, it made a lot of young people come to a discernment of what else they can do for this country. Considering that many Filipinos in the past has spilled blood to protect its democratic institutions, is the Philippines still worth dying for? Is migration to other countries now an option? Cool headed citizens declare that God works in mysterious ways; this may be a test to put direction in our otherwise chaotic world. MC +

is published every Saturday by the Mindanao Cross Publishers, Inc., Sinsuat cor Quezon Avenues, Cotabato City. Tel Nos. (064) 4217161 and E-mail Address: mindanao.cross@gmail.com | mincross101@yahoo.com.ph

Fr. Rogelio Tabuada, OMI, Chief-Executive-Officer Eva Kimpo - Tan, Editor-in-Chief Edwin O. Fernandez, News Editor Gemma A. Peñaflor, Administration and Marketing Executive Julito P. Torres, Circulation Officer Karl John B. Daniel, Graphic-Layout Artist COTABATO CITY / ARMM CORRESPONDENTS

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

Member: PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Entered as Second Class Mail at Cotabato City Post Office under Permit No. 91-01 Dated August 15, 1991.

t has come and passed, this year’s edition of what is said to be this country’s favorite past time, elections. The campaigns have been waged in various forms, the results ending in jubilation for the winners and subdued sadness for the losers. Such is always the case with elections. Not much has changed if one is to glean from the results of this recent political exercise: the domination of political families (Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Sara Duterte Carpio are poised to take over the two highest government posts in the Philippines even as familiar family names dominate the list of winners in the local scene), the victory of celebrities (Robin Padilla is leading the list of probable would-be senators), the influence of money and power; simply business as usual. That being the case, could we expect much change in the current reality of this country? Rather than speculate, it would be best to take a look at the hard facts as they would more likely show us what Filipinos would be facing after the dust of the political battle has settled. Hard times would definitely be still with us. Going into the May 9 elections, research group IBON said “fastest consumer price increases in over three years is burdening low-income households even further.” It noted in a media release on May 6 that the Philippine Statistics Authority has reported a 0.9 percentage points increase in inflation from 4.0% in March to 4.9% in April, the highest inflation since the 5.2% recorded in December 2018. Blame all that on the oil price hikes which is resulting in increases especially in food and transport indices, IBON said, adding: “The (price) index for food and alcoholic beverages increased from 2.6% in March to 3.8% in April. Vegetable inflation soared from -0.1% to 9.2% over the same period, meat and others from 2.9% to 4.2%, and fish and other seafood from 4.3% to 5 percent. “Actual prices monitored by the Department of Agriculture show a Php 5 to 40 increase in the prices of fish, meats and some lowland and upland vegetables from March to April. “Transport inflation meanwhile accelerated from 10.3% in March to 13% in April, surpassing November 2021 levels when oil prices last rose consecutively. Diesel inflation jumped from 58% to 83.7% over the same

NSTEAD of virtually pitting the IPs against the Moros, advocates of land repossession should look closely at how Moro leaders have helped Mindanao IP Natives repossess lands based on old cadastral surveys of the erstwhile Buayan Municipality (now General Santos City). In 1997, MNLF Founding Chairman Nur Misuari helped a traditional leader Mr. Banisil appeal to then President Fidel Ramos the titling of vast track of lands in favor of the Natives B’laan in General Santos City, pursuant to IPRA (RA 8371). However, the Secretary of the Department of Justice (DoJ) at that time, Franklin Drilon an LP stalwart from Iloilo, did not approve of the titling of the Natives’ Ancestral Domain in General Santos City, by the Land Registration Authority (LRA) which is under the DoJ. A community MNLF leader in General Santos City, Banisil had better chances of securing DoJ approval under then Justice Secretary Simeon A. Datumanong in 2004. And so Banisil, popularly known as “Bad Boy” in that city, had secured LRA-approved titles with barcodes that year for the B’laan Natives. But what happened next was beyond any Muslim leader’s control: Holders of land titles were offered millions of pesos to sell the land titles issued in their name. IPRA provides a 20-year period from 1997 within which ancestral domain claimants may apply for land titles. Thus, that period lapsed in 2017. Now, some Muslim agrarian officials seek to invalidate the LRA-issued land titles as an alleged case of “land speculation” on the part of the IP Natives, and that some residents had accused Mr. Banisil of illegally selling to some individuals the vast tracks of lands won back for the IP Natives with the LRADoJ-approved and issued titles in 2004. In another case, a corporate landholding in that city has been under litigation not even in General Santos City, but in a Regional Trial Court in Pasig City. In this case, Christians and Muslim clients of the GSIS fall victims. The case of the Doña Soledad Subdivision, impleads the GSIS and the Yorkstown Development Corporation, the developer of the subdivision, at the instance of the heirs of the property, and a least-known fourth party to the case. The homeowners are not even a party to any of the court case(s). Worse off, the courts’ decisions on the disputes involving the Soledad estates, including that of the Supreme Court (GSIS vs. Santiago), barely or do not at

What lies ahead Thinking Aloud Carlos C. Bautista caloyb@gmail.com

period and gasoline from 36.7% to 43 percent. Passenger transport by sea also spiked from -5.9% to 13.6 percent. The 52.2% spike in fuels inflation is the highest since computation on the figure started in 1994.” The national government’s outstanding debt has meanwhile increased further to P12.68 trillion in March, a jump of 4.8 percent from P12.09 trillion in February. That translates to a P114,976 debt for each of the country’s 103 million citizens or P481,531 for each of the 25.3 million Filipino families. It is no doubt a big burden to be shouldered by the incoming administration. How its action relative to this burden would impact on its delivery of basic goods and services especially to the underprivileged who need it most remains to be seen. This surging inflation and high public debt has been flagged by J.P. Morgan, the New York-based global leader in financial services, as rising risks that “would slow economic growth and hurt corporate profits.” It was reported on Tuesday that the financial services giant which offers solutions to the world’s most important corporations has relegated the Philippines to the bottom of its Asean investment preference list behind Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. “It also advised investors to lessen their exposure to local stocks,” the report said. IBON also noted that the increase in employed is mostly of part-time workers, who are in sectors where jobs tend to be seasonal and thus low-paying and insecure. Meanwhile the adverse impacts of laws like RA 11203 or Rice Tariffication Law and the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 continue to hang like the sword of Damocles above the heads of farmers and those who work for social justice and human rights. The fight for right definitely goes on. MC

IP Natives, Moros, Settlers fall victims of land dispossession

Penlight

Nash B. Maulana

nash.penlight@gmail.com

all mention General Santos, Dadiangas or Buayan, as the location of the area that has been the subject of the legal controversy in almost six decades. The cadastral surveys still bear the city’s old name Buayan and older titles have it Dadiangas, a district established in the 1936 Settlement (Quirino-Recto Colonization Act of 1936). May be the Justices of the Court of Appeals (Court of First Instance at the time) and the Justices of the Supreme Court did not anymore want to delve on such details as the evolution of political districts or municipalities to cities, and the change of the city’s name. According to the Supreme Court Decision in GSIS vs. Santiago, “(the) (d)eceased spouses Jose C. Zulueta and Soledad Ramos obtained various loans from defendant GSIS for (the) period September, 1956 to October, 1957 in the total amount of P 3,117,000.00 secured by real estate mortgages over parcels of land covered by TCT Nos. 26105, 37177 and 50365. The Zuluetas failed to pay their loans to defendant GSIS and the latter (GSIS) foreclosed on the real estate mortgages dated September 25, 1956, March 6, 1957, April 4, 1957 and October 15, 1957.” The Court noted that: “On August 14, 1974, the mortgaged properties were sold at public auction by defendant GSIS submitting a bid price of P 5,229,927.84. Not all lots covered by the mortgaged titles, however, were sold. Ninety-one (91) lots were expressly excluded from the auction, since the lots were sufficient to pay for all the mortgage debts. And all throughout the period of the litigation in decades, the court proceedings were done outside General Santos City and not even in Mindanao, but in a court in Pasig (then part of Rizal), and the documents were in the custody of the Register of Deeds of Rizal. MC

Who’s Who Which is Witch?

Sara Duterte as the new Vice President to replace Robredo would one day soon emerge as President Rodrigo Duterte’s successor. Who knows as shown by the family political reign in rue to orm Davao City? Charlie Señase In life, dynasty is destiny csenase@yahoo.com but prudence dictates that God made us upright ITH the still unofficial vote tally in the just concluded but many have sought out schemes national and local elections, the (Ecclesiastes 7:29). And another biblical COMELEC maintains its fair and square reminder from God saying: “Cursed is mandate amid allegations of subtle the man who trusts in man and makes irregularities and intimidation. Though flesh his strength, whose heart departs in some areas, the Commission’s Board from the LORD” (Jeremiah 17:5). Majority desires to be in politics of Canvassers had already proclaimed poll winners that other candidates have for the love of money, thus corruption humbly conceded defeat by thanking thrives. With the world having two masters – God and Satan that we allow their supporters. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. who is way ourselves to be used. Christ the Messiah ahead of his closest rival Maria Leonor has warned that we cannot serve two masters at the same time. Robredo by about 17 million votes in the presidential “why did Marcos lose We either love one and hate the other. Whoever race has been considered by political analysts as a to Robredo in the 1916 are with the LORD, they their ways but allow mismatch and a landslide vice presidential duel plan God to direct their steps victory for Marcos. The still unofficial if the 2022 political (Matthew 6:24). poor crying tally of Marcos’ 32 million contest was meant to out God-fearing for their defeated poll as against Robredo’s 15 bets to stay calm and be at million holds water to be a rematch?” peace with the LORD. For earlier OCTA Research it’s written not to worry findings. If indeed, true, about life’s predicaments why did Marcos lose to Robredo in the 1916 vice presidential duel if the 2022 o n h e a l t h a n d f o o d s u b s i d y . G o d political contest was meant to be a reminding us that life is more than food and our body is more than clothing. rematch? Robredo in a statement has yet to Other creatures of God like the birds officially concede defeat, as she call do survive with God’s sustenance. How for unity in religious-inspired political much more for us humans who came gatherings. A huge mass-based crowd into being according to the Father and is expected this week in Metro Manila His Son’s image and likeness (Matthew for a thanksgiving gathering of Robredo 6:25-26; Genesis 1:26). Bitterness is poison to the body supporters. Whatever hidden intent could bring us back to 1986 People Power induced by iniquity. Let’s pursue peace that ousted President Ferdinand Marcos, and love instead lest anyone fall short of God’s grace and glory. the father of her archrival. It’s high time for leaders and wouldPresent reality is proof enough that political dynasty would remain despite be leaders to repent and reconcile with proposal to enact an anti-dynasty law. the Almighty who said: “If that nation The presidential dynasty began with against whom I have spoken turns the Macapagals (Diosdado and daughter from its evil, I will relent the disaster Gloria Arroyo), the Aquinos (Corazon and I thought to bring upon it” (Jeremiah Son Benigno, Jr.); and now if the current 18:8). The brings to mind the prognostic trending holds true, the Marcoses warning by Phivolcs of the “Big One” in (Ferdinand and son Ferdinand Jr.). Metro Manila. God forbids! MC

with wisdom and courage. We will not forget your nightly tour of our city, to ensure we have good night’s sleep. I am certain, you will not rest on your laurels, there are many more mountains and hills to he tuff of ife climb, “windmills to conquer”. Asta la vista Madam. Once Victoria R. Franco, RPh, MS Pharmacy franco1573victoria@gmail.com again, thank you for the job well done. ongratulations to our newly elected My most pressing concern as we city officials, Mayor-elect Bus went around the city, are those billboards Matabalao and Vice-Mayor elect and posters that must be taken down Abu. I haven’t check the names of the newly now. Whether or not taking them down elected councillors but I do remember Popoy is the work of the city General Services or Formento as topping the list. My brother the LGUs, these are now eye-sores, their Ed Rabago was at 6th place at 9:00 pm so messages delivered clearly. Why not give I called it a night. To my dismay, at 6:00 them to the middle of June? After that date A.M. the next day, he was number 14. As the owners of the posters should be fined . the returns went on throughout the day, I had wondered what could these he was at 16, which is futile to make it to posters be used and reused for? They the magic circle. could be transformed into bags and crafts, This could have been his third and last a consultant suggested. They could be term at the council, after winning for so convenient and washable receptacles for many terms except once; this could have marketing. ( OMG! My brother will be a been an act of final gratitude for a dedicated cover of market baskets!) The governor of and generous service to our city and the Bohol province, his name escapes me at the people he sought to serve. moment, called for sending the tarpaulins Our warmest and most heartfelt to his province to be used for the makeshift gratitude to our dynamic Mayor Atty. roof or wall of the homes of the typhoon Cynthia Frances Guiani Sayadi-she who victims, still without proper shelter to this struggled with all her might, all her day. energies and wisdom to keep the status While we were occupied with politics, of Cotabato City as a composite City. She here are some happy news. supported the desire of many Cotabatenos At 54 years of togetherness, Babes to say NO to being a member of BARMM. and Myrna (Baracoso) Lim marked their The case is still with the Supreme Court, 54th wedding anniversary with a simple the last I hear. gathering of their children and grand Even as she steps down, we shall children at the well placed residence of remember all the good projects and Bubbles Gan, her eldest daughter. programs that she had undertaken all these Not to be disturbed on her nationwide years. She opened our city to investors, visit to Mary Mediatrix Ladies’ Circles, providing more jobs to her constituents. beauteous Deborah Tan Abing has to Never has there been a surge of businesses keep her vision of a dynamic women’s opening ; We have never felt safer from participation in church activities by visiting kidnappings, extortions, and other forms as many clubs as she can, within her term. of harassments. Take care Debs, be safe. Madam Cynthia, you have earned the Another welcome news : Dr. Helen people’s admiration and respect. We shall P. Yambao is back from her month’s long cherish the legacy you are leaving behind vacation in the US where the family marked the same commitment to public service , the the 100th birthday of their father, Judge legacy passed down from your father, Judge Peralta. She now holds clinic at the CRMC Guiapal Guiani and that of your brother, as a private practitioner and consultant. former City Mayor Guiapal Guiani , Jr. You Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, you shall be immortalized as the lady leader, may catch her there. Clinic hours are defender of women and children endowed between 8:00-5:00 daytime only. MC

Vitamins (Part 1) Health Corner

Reprint from MEDLINER PLUS

itamins help our bodies grow and develop normally. The best way to get enough vitamins is to eat a balanced diet with a variety of foods. Knowing about different vitamins and what they do can help you to make sure you get enough of the vitamins that you need. Antioxidants Antioxidants are substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage. Examples include beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, selenium, and vitamins C and E. They are found in many foods, including fruits and vegetables. They are also available as dietary supplements. Most research has not shown antioxidant supplements to be helpful in preventing diseases. Source: National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements Daily Value (DV) The Daily Value (DV) tells you what percentage of a nutrient one serving of that food or supplement provides compared to the recommended amount. Source: National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements Dietary Supplements A dietary supplement is a product you take to supplement your diet. It contains one or more dietary ingredients (including vitamins; minerals; herbs or other botanicals; amino acids; and other substances). Supplements do not have to go through the testing that drugs do for effectiveness and safety. Source: National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements Fat-Soluble Vitamins Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E, and K. The body stores fat-soluble vitamins in the liver and fatty tissues. Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Folate Folate is a B-vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. A form of folate

The Party Is Over

May 14, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

called folic acid is used in dietary supplements and fortified foods. Our bodies need folate to make DNA and other genetic material. Folate is also needed for the body’s cells to divide. It is important for women to get enough folic acid before and during pregnancy. It can prevent major birth defects of the baby’s brain or spine. Source: National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements Multivitamin/Mineral Supplements Multivitamin/mineral supplements contain a combination of vitamins and minerals. They sometimes have other ingredients, such as herbs. They are also called multis, multiples, or simply vitamins. Multis help people get the recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals when they cannot or do not get enough of these nutrients from food. Source: National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements Niacin Niacin is a nutrient in the vitamin B complex. The body needs it in small amounts to function and stay healthy. Niacin helps some enzymes work properly and helps the skin, nerves, and digestive tract stay healthy. Source: National Cancer Institute Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is the amount of a nutrient you should get each day. There are different RDAs based on age, gender, and whether a woman is pregnant or breastfeeding. Source: National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements Vitamin A Vitamin A plays a role in your vision, bone growth, reproduction, cell functions, and immune system. Vitamin A is an antioxidant. It can come from plant or animal sources. Plant sources include colorful fruits and vegetables. Animal sources include liver and whole milk. Vitamin A is also added to foods like cereals. Source: NIH MedlinePlus MC

are not too of having a rosy immediate future with both external and internal factors that could challenge a good performance of the local economy. Among the challenges are the impact of the continuing war between Ukraine and Russia that continues to disrupt the supply and prices of oil products, wheat (the raw material for flour), and other agricultural products being produced by the two countries at war. Domestically, we have to be watchful of inflation and growing national debt. The inflation rate for April 2022 was at a 40-month high of 4.9%, above the level predicted by the government. As of end February 2022, total national debt hit a record-high of P12.09 trillion and forecasted to breach P13 trillion be year-end. How did the financial market perform after Election Day? On the last trading day prior to the May 2022 national and local elections, the Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEI) closed at 6759.90 on 06 May 2022, 109.02 points (1.59%) lower than the closing figure of 6868.92 on the previous day, perhaps an indication of the nervousness of the investors with the outcome of the elections. A day after election day, the PSEI saw intra-day low exceeding 3% but pared its losses to close slightly down to 6720.93. It further dropped by 85.04 points on 11 May 2022 or a 1.26% dayon-day loss. As of Thursday (12 May 2022), the PSEI saw a higher percentage drop of 1.56% as the PSEI closed 103.56 points to close at 6532.30, the lowest for the year 2022. It is too early to tell whether the seeming loss of investors’ confidence is due to the outcome of the election or just due to the prevailing international and local negative economic sentiments. On a positive note, the NEDA reported that the country’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 8.3% during the first quarter of 2022. MC

Days After: How the Financial Markets Reacted to the 09 May Elections…. Market Driven

Danny Buenbrazo

danny_buenbrazo@yahoo.com

ast week, prior to the National Election, is asked the question: Should businessmen and ordinary Filipinos be worried with the Philippine economic scenario postMay 9? Previously, each of the postEDSA Philippine presidential election triggered a rally in the stock market as a peaceful transition of power is seen by the powers in the financial markets and by foreign and local investors. Companies benefit from the money spent by candidates to promote their respective candidacies before election day particularly those in media, food, and other lines of business providing goods and services related to the campaigns are bought up by investors in anticipation of hefty gains and corresponding distribution of dividends. The higher the margin of victories by the winning presidential and vicepresidential candidates and consensus that the elections were relatively clean and honest uplifts the confidence of investors and other sectors evaluating the Philippine economy. In last Saturday’s edition, I cited that on election years 2010 and 2016, the Philippine Gross National Product (GNP) grew compared to the immediate preceding year. What’s different between this election year and the previous election years? The immediate past two presidential elections were in 2010 and 2016, respectively. Inflation figures for those two years were also good (3.79% in 2010 and 1.25% in 2016) though the 2016 figure is a step down from the 0.67% inflation rate in 2015. I mentioned last week that those studying the Philippine economy and those in the financial markets

THE MINDANAO CROSS

May 14, 2022

And the winners are...from P1

Lone district Rep. Steve Solon

Sultan Kudarat Governor-elect Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu Vice Governor-elect Raden Sakaluran 1st District Rep. Bai Rihan Sakaluran 2nd District Rep. Horacio "Toto" P. Suansing, Jr. Kidapawan City Mayor-elect Atty. Pao Evangelista Vice Mayor-elect Melvin Lamata Jr Tacurong City Mayor-elect Dr. Joseph George Lechonsito Vice Mayor-elect Lina O. Montilla Koronadal City City Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena Vice Mayor-Elect Erlinda Araquil Gen. Santos City Mayor-elect Lorelie G. Pacquiao Vice Mayor-elect Rosalita Nuñez Lone District Rep. Atty. Loreto Acharon

MOH, Sulu Gov. Tan lead...from P2 and moreover it is free,” said Governor Tan. Other local officials of the province also got their boosters shots during the ceremony to express their full support to the BARMM's SVD. "Jolo government always supports the initiatives of the national and regional governments in conducting both regular and special vaccination days because we know that it is for the welfare and protection of our own people," said Mayor Kherkhar Tan. To reach the targeted unvaccinated

individuals, MOH, Sulu’s Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), and the local government unit will be using three strategies: using checkpoints, fixed posts (such as Barangay or Rural Health Stations), and the house-to-house method. A total of 3,341 people were immunized on the SVD's first day. The SVD is a regionwide initiative of the MOH this month of May to increase the BARMM's low immunization coverage and achieve herd immunity by June 30, 2022. BIO

RANEN PAWNSHOP MAIN, BRANCH I, II & III Don Rufino Alonzo & Don Tomas Martinez Sts, Cot. City

Notice for Auction

All unredeemed articles pledged on October 2021 will be auctioned on June 1, 2022 at 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Please come before June 1, 2022 for renewal or redemption.

Patalastas ng Subasta Lahat ng sangla noong Oktubre 2021 ay ipagbibili ng Subasta sa Hunyo 1, 2022 sa ganap na ika-8:30 ng umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon. Kung maari ay pumunta bago ang Hunyo 1, 2022 para sa pagbayad ng tubo o pagtubos.

Father-son tandem won, proclaimed in...from P2

blasts occurred along the national highway but far from residential areas. “The explosions were to sow fear but the voters were not affected and they still voted,” Emblawa said of the explosions. Emblawa said the father-son tandem appreciated the trust and confidence provided them by more than 15,000 EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late SPOUSES BASILIO E. YAP, who on died on August 1, 2006 in Zamboanga City and CELINA H. YAP, died on May 3, 2020 in Cotabato City, parcels of properties Lot 20-C, LRC Psd-6; Lot 2, Block 13, Psd-38954; & Lot 3, Block 13, Psd-38954, covered by Transfer Certificate of Title Nos. T-8204, T-18969 and T-18970, respectively, all situated in Bo. Colina, Cotabato, Cotabato with the total area of 1,056 square meters, more or less are the subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public Atty. Agnes R. De Castro-Jagunap as per Doc. No. 743; Page No. 743; Book No. XXVIII; Series of 2022.

MC: May 14 & 21, 2022

MC: May 14, 21 & 28, 2022

voters. “We thank you and we recognized your votes, rest assured we will perform even beyond your expectations, this victory is the victory of all the people of Shariff Aguak,” the elected officials said in a joint statement after proclamation.

Edwin O. Fernandez

SULTAN PAWNSHOP

corner Bonifacio and Don Rufino Alonzo Sts., Cotabato City

Ang Sultan Pawnshop ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla noong Oktubre 2021. Ang subasta ay sa Hunyo 1, 2022 sa ganap na ika-8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika-4:30 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar. MC: May 14 & 21, 2022

NOTICE

VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I AND BRANCH II will hold a public auction sale of all unredeemed and unrenewed items pawned from November 1 to December 31, 2021 on June 6, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I, Dayao St., and VGM PAWNSHOP INC. II, Jose Abad Santos St., Kidapawan City

SUBASTA

Be There, Management

Ang VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I ug BRANCH II magsubasta sa tanan nga wala lukata ug wala tubui gikan sa bulan sa Nobyembre 1 hangtud sa bulan sa Disyembre 31, 2021 sa alas 9:00 sa buntag karung Hunyo 6, 2022 sa VGM PAWNSHOP INC. BRANCH I, Dayao St., ug sa VGM PAWNSHOP BRANCH II, Jose Abad Santos St., Kidapawan City.

Ang Nagdumala

MC: May 14, 21 & 28, 2022

CRISANEL PAWNSHOP-MAIN

BRANCH I, II, III & Midsayap Branch

Patalastas ng Subasta

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

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 Oktubre hangang Nobyembre 2021. Ang Subasta ay sa Hunyo 4, 2022 sa ganap na ika 8:00 ng umaga hanggang ika 4:00 ng hapon sa nasabing lugar.

MC: May 14, 2021

TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC:

Notice for Auction

The Bureau of Internal Revenue, Revenue Region No. 18, Koronadal City invites to attend a PUBLIC HEARING on the "REVISION of ZONAL VALUES of REAL PROPERTIES" located in COTABATO CITY and MAGUINDANAO PROVINCE on May 24, 2022 at 9:00AM. Venue will be at Ebrahim Hall, EM Manor Hotel, Sinsuat Avenue, Rosary Heights 9, Cotabato City. May 7, 14 & 21, 2022 Republic of the Philippines Province of Cotabato Municipality of Midsayap LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

NOTICE FOR THE PUBLIC 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 Joely Caballero Sabando has filed with this office a petition for change of sex from Male to Female in the certificate of live birth of Shantal Juarez Sabando who was born on June 13, 2013 at Midsayap, Cotabato and whose parents are Joely C. Sabando and Jenisa C. Juarez. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office of Municipal Civil Registrar, Midsayap, Cotabato.

(Sgd.) NORAH B. CABUGWASON Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: May 7 & 14, 2022

Republic of the Philippines Province of Cotabato Municipality of Alamada OFFICEOF THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC 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 Rowemar A. Maceda has filed with this office a petition for correction of entry in sex from Female to Male in the certificate of live birth of Rowemar Ambot Maceda of Bao, Alamada, Cotabato and whose parents are Robustiano Jr. A. Maceda and Rosalie A. Ambot. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office not later than May 23, 2022. (Sgd.) MA. LENY B. BUENAFE Municipal Civil Registrar MC: May 7 & 14, 2022

Republic of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Upi, Maguindanao OFFICE OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that Maria May Belangbelang-Demaocor has filed with this office a petition for change of first name from May to Maria May in the certificate of live birth bearing Registry No. 67 of Maria May Alila Belangbelang duly registered at the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Upi, Maguindanao and whose parents are Ernesto C. Belangbelang and Luzviminda E. Alila. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this office not later than May 13, 2022. (Sgd.) JEAN P. BACAS Municipal Civil Registrar

MC: Apr. 30 & May 7, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MUAWEYA ABUBAKAR MASABPI, who died intestate on August 10, 2020 in Maguindanao, bank accounts with the Bank of Philippine IslandsShaw Boulevard under account numbers 3303-2103-92, 33032238-34 and 33095083-93 are subject of extrajudicial settlement of estate before Notary Public A t t y. M o h a m m a d Jameel A. Singh as per Doc. No. 36; Page No. 8; Book No. 18; Series of 2022.

MC: Apr. 30, May 7 & 14, 2022

Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Main, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Roman Vilo Branch, SK Pendatun Branch, Mabini Branch, ORC Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Branch I, II, III, IV in Parang Branch, Carmen Branch, Pikit 1 and Pikit 2 Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Dalican 1, Dalican 2, Shariff Aguak Branch of Cotabato City, Parang North Cotabato, Datu Odin Sinsuat and Shariff Aguak announce the Auction Sale of all unredeemed pledges contracted May 3-31, 2021 at 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Main 4J Bldg. Corner Jose Lim Sr., and Don Roman Vilo St. Cotabato City. Auction sale will be on May 25, 2022.

Patalastas ng Subasta Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Main, Agencia de OroPawnshop Inc. Roman Vilo Branch, SK Pendatun Branch, Mabini Branch, ORC Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Branch I, II, III, IV sa Parang Branch, Carmen Branch, Pikit 1 and Pikit 2 Branch, Agencia de Oro Pawnshop Inc. Dalican 1, Dalican 2, Shariff Aguak Branch of Cotabato City, Parang North Cotabato, Datu Odin Sinsuat and Shariff Aguak ay nagpapatalastas na mayroon silang Subasta ng mga hindi natutubos na mga sangla. Ang mga ito ay isinangla noong Mayo 3-31, 2021 sa alas 8:00 ng umaga hanggang alas 4:00 ng hapon sa Agencia de Oro Jose Lim Branch, corner Jose Lim Sr, and Don Roman Vilo St., Cotabato City sa Mayo 25, 2022.

MC: May 14 & 21, 2022

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late S p o u s e s M A RT I N O G . JOROLAN and ESTHER DIAZ-JOROLAN, who died on October 27, 2017 and April 13, 2014 at Libungan, Cotabato, respectively, a parcel of land Lot 2751-C-2K-2-B, Psd-12-060859 (AR), situated in Poblacion, Libungan, Cotabato, with an area of 3,216 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. 152-2012000262 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. 5,224; Page No. 93; Book No. LXXXIX; Series of 2022.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late FELIPE INTES FEROLIN, who died on July 29, 2010 in Davao City, a parcel of land Lot No. 2442-B, Bsd4619, situated in Lower Katingawan, Midsayap, Cotabato, with an area of 38,168 sq. mts., more or less, covered by TCT No. T-8663 is subject of deed of extrajudicial settlement and partition of intestate estate with waiver of rights before Notary Public Marylyn B. Flauta-Lim, CPA, LLM as per Doc. No. 151; Page No. 31; Book No. XCIV; Series of 2021.

MC: May 7, 14 & 21, 2022

May 14, 2022

THE MINDANAO CROSS

3 drug peddlers nabbed

POLOMOLOK, South Cotabato — Authorities seized P81,600 worth of shabu from three peddlers entrapped here on Tuesday afternoon. Naravy Duquiatan, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-12, said Wednesday suspects Roy Bautista Tormon, Joshua Berdigay and Chan Aba are now detained, to be charged with violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

They were immediately arrested after selling their illegal merchandise to non-uniformed agents of PDEA12 during a tradeoff in Barangay Cannery Site here. Duquiatan said their agents and personnel of the Polomolok Municipal Police Station immediately shutdown

the clandestine drug den of the three suspects in Barangay Cannery Site. Duquiatan said the PDEA-12 is grateful to the units of the Police Regional Office-12 supporting the entrapment operation that led to the arrest of Tormon, Bendigay and Aba.

John Felix Unson

6 nabbed for 9 firearms, explosives in Lanao

THE police seized nine firearms and explosives from six men together in a government rescue vehicle that tried to get through a checkpoint in Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Sur Tuesday. Soldiers and policemen guarding the checkpoint immediately impounded their vehicle, a white Toyota emergency and rescue pick-up truck of the local government unit of Midsalip municipality in Zamboanga del Sur. Major Moamar Solog, acting police chief of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, said Wednesday Esmail Wali, Adam Tando, Fausto Guinita, Tristan Bendecion, Sangbaan Obinay and Resil Revillas failed to present licenses for the firearms found inside their vehicle. Solog said they did not have any written exemption either from the

ban on carrying firearms outside residences being imposed by the Commission on Elections as an election security measure. Soldiers and policemen confiscated from the six men a CZ Scorpion 9 millimeter submachinegun, an M4 Bushmaster rifle, an M14 assault rifle, a vintage .45 caliber Thompson submachinegun, three M16 assault rifles, a .50 caliber bolt-action sniping rifle, a B40 antitank rocket and a rifle grenade. Solog said the suspects have come from somewhere in nearby Lanao del Sur and were on their way to Midsalip. The suspects are now detained in a police facility, to be prosecuted for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

John Felix Unson

Cops hunt men behind murder of 3 BPATs John Felix Unson

LONG WAIT. Registered voters form long line from the gate of PC Hill to the gate of Cotabato City Central Pilot Elementary School to cast votes during Monday’s national and local elections. Gemma Peñaflor

3 dead, 9 hurt in Basilan gun attack

POLICE probers are still trying to put closure to Monday’s gun attack in Tabuan Lasa town in Basilan that left three persons dead and hurt nine others. Brig. Gen. Arthur Cabalona, director of the Police Regional Office-

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, told Mindanao Cross Wednesday the Basilan Provincial Police Office has tapped the help of local leaders in identifying the culprits for prosecution. Ricardo Fabian, Sammy Sirail and Hadji

Ulom Sirail, were killed when men armed with assault rifles fired at them while near a wharf in Barangay Tong Umus in Tapiantana Island in Tabuan Lasa, Basilan. Nine were wounded in the attack, now confined in different hospitals in

Basilan, one of the five provinces of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Cabalona said probers are still trying to determine if the atrocity was related to Monday’s elections in the municipality. John Felix

Unson

Failure of elections in 3 Lanao Sur towns

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on has “failure of elections” in the municipalities of Tubaran, Binidayan, and Butig in the province of Lanao del Sur. In a resolution released to the media, Deputy Director Executive for Operations Teopisto E. Elnas Jr. recommended the conduct of special elections in a total of 14 villages in Lanao del Sur, 12 of which from Tubaran, and one barangay each from Butig and Binidayan. The recommendation comes in response to the request of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Regional Election Officer, Director Ray Sumalipao, to conduct special elections in Barangay Ragayan, Butig town, and Barangay Pindolonan, Binidayan on May 15, while in Barangays Tangcal, Datumanong, Guiarong,

Baguiangun, Wago, Malaganding, Gadongan, Riantaran, Pagalamatan, Mindamunag, Paigoday, Pimbataan, Metadicop in Tubaran town. "This is relative to the May 10, 2022, Memorandum of Regional Election Director Ray F. Sumalipao of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, reporting the failure of elections in the Municipalities of Tubaran, Binidayan, and Butig, Lanao del Sur,” the resolution stipulated. The local election officers have earlier recommended to the Comelec en banc to declare a failure of elections in 14 barangays in Tubaran Municipality and Barangay Ragayan in Butig Town. The violent incident was reported when supporters of a mayoralty candidate in Tubaran allegedly hampered the entry of the teachers carrying the ballots

in a certain polling center in the area while two other individuals led the destruction of vote-counting machines (VCMs) in Binidayan Town. In the report of the Philippine Information Agency published on Tuesday, an unidentified man reportedly snatched a VCM and ballots on the election day inside a polling precinct in Bayabao Central Elementary School in Barangay Ragayan, with 798 registered voters were not able to cast their votes. Authorities also recorded a similar incident in a polling precinct in Butig National High School in Barangay Sigayan. The Comelec chairperson Saidamen Pangarungan earlier said declaring “failure of elections” in areas with isolated cases of violent incidents "is not an option unless it is really needed.” PNA

KORONADAL CITY— Gunmen shot dead three Moro minors gathering coconuts in a farm at the border of South Cotabato’s adjoining Tupi and Polomolok towns on Thursday. In an initial statement Friday, the Polomolok Municipal Police Station said victims Rahman Jeorfro Sumapal, Nasser Maguisila Diamalo

and Jade Jamal Abpit died instantly from bullet wounds sustained in the attack. They were collecting coconuts in a farm at the boundary of Barangay Polonuling, Tupi and Barangay Sumbakil here when men on motorcycles arrived and shot them with pistols. Two companions of the slain

minors managed to escape and confirm the incident to responding police investigators. Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, director of the Police Regional Office-12, said Friday probers are to file corresponding criminal cases against the culprits once identified. The suspects remained at large.

3 minors dead in SoCot gun attack

John Felix Unson

POLICE and soldiers are now hunting down gunmen who shot dead three village watchmen near Buluan Central School in Buluan, Maguindanao during the early hours of voting on May 9. Former Mayor Dong Mangudadatu, father of reelectionist Mayor Babydats Mangudadatu, said in a phone interview that the victims were members of the town’s Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) who were unarmed. Buluan PNP Chief Lt. Cemafranco Cemacio were sitting inside a parked village patrol vehicle when gunmen on separate vehicle passed by and opened fire at them

at past 8 a.m. Monday. “Gunmen also strafed my house with assault rifles,” Mangudadatu said, adding that nobody was hurt among his family members. Colonel Jibin Bongcayao, Maguindanao police director, said investigation is still on going. A civilian driver of a mayor aspirant in Buluan was stabbed while driving near the Poblacion. He was hit in his stomach and is now in Buluan District Hospital for medication. Lt. Cemacio assured the situation in Buluan is under control with enough police and soldiers manning checkpoints and voting centers. Edwin O.

Fernandez

How BARMM voted: It gave BBM 700k votes, Sara 1.4-M P R E S U M P T I V E President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr and presumptive Vice President Sara Duterte won via wide margin in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindandao (BARMM) except in Lanao del Sur where Marcos lost to Faizal Mangondato. Based on the partial and unofficial results transmitted to the transparency server, Mangondato got 143,034 votes based on 78 percent of the election returns while Marcos had only 107,544 votes. Vice President Leni Robredo, backed by the regional political group United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), had 103,497 votes. Duterte got 264,497 votes. In, Maguindanao (98 percent), Marcos

had 277,301 votes while Robredo, on the other hand, was coming close at 231,960 votes. Duterte has 514,636 votes. In Basilan (95.9), Marcos Jr garnered 141,064 while Robredo has 50,373 votes. Duterte earned 169,364. In Sulu (89 percent), voters gave Marcos 31,281 votes while 9,501 for Robredo. The mayor of Davao had 318,250 votes. In Tawi-Tawi (99 percent), BBM got 143,361 while Robredo was given 13,557 votes by the people of island municipalities. Sara reaped 150,997 votes. Overall, BARMM gave Marcos more or less 700,500 votes. The region also gave the daughter of President Duterte 1,417,744 votes. Edwin

O. Fernandez