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Ali G. Macabalang | A8

Homobono A. Adaza | A8

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Julmunir I. Jannaral | A7

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Muslim today PHILIPPINE

Save the Earth

The Muslim National Digital Newspaper | Bearer of Glad Tidings.

Vol. I, No. 36 | February 19-25, 2021 (Rajab 7-13, 1442) | 2 Sections | 12 Pages

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Marawi Compensation Bills pass House committee

By ALI G. MACABALANG

FOOD INSECURITY

Ijtihad By MEHOL K. SADAIN

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ast week, media reported that a research outfit warned of an impending food crisis. Last time I looked however, there are still fish, fruits and vegetables in the markets, stocks in groceries, and yes, even the supposedly vanishing meat in the butcher shops. So, is there really a food security crisis? Or an impending one? What, by the way, is a crisis?

(Full Story on Page A7)

A2 BANGSAMORO

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ight has finally sparkled along the tunnel-like dream for compensation on private properties destroyed in the infamous 2017 Marawi siege, with the three enabling bills gaining committee-level approval in the House of Representatives (HoR), according to a broadcast report.

Full Story on Page A3

A3 MINDANAO

A9 DIPLOMATI UPDATE

B1 TOURISM

PRRD urged to ‘certify as urgent’ BARMM pollspostponing bills

DBP, MinDA to create investment program for OFWs

UAE Loves Filipinos for their Good Education, Discipline, Hardwork

The Chinese Entrepreneurs: A Huge Factor in the Economic Development of Tawi-Tawi

People from various sectors join the bandwagon of support for an extended Bangsamoro transitional government, floating an online signature drive for President Duterte to ―certify as urgent‖ the bills resetting to 2025 the first election of 80 parliament members of the infant autonomous region.

The Development Bank of the Philippines and the Mindanao Development Authority are set to establish an investment program for Overseas Filipino Workers to safely put their hard-earned money for modest earnings while at the same time help rebuild the country‘s economy.

There are around 650,000 Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the Arab nation loves them.

Charge d‘Affaires Sheikh Saoud Al-Mualla of the UAE Embassy in the Philippines gave to the Philippine Muslim Today the latest figure of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Like much of the Philippines‘ premiere urban or metropolitan districts, Chinese migrants in Tawi-Tawi dominate commerce at every level of society particularly at the Municipality Bongao.

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The Bangsamoro

Vol. I, No. 36 | February 19-25, 2021 (Rajab 7-13, 1442) )

PRRD urged to ‘certify as urgent’ BARMM polls-postponing bills

By Ali G. Macabalang

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OTABATO CITY – People from various sectors across the country join the bandwagon of support for an extended Bangsamoro transitional government, floating an online signature drive for President Duterte to ―certify as urgent‖ the bills resetting to 2025 the first election of 80 parliament members of the infant autonomous region.

The latest yet subtle pro-extension drive came in an online signature campaign launched last week through various social media platforms including email modules via Gmail and Yahoo networks. The group behind the campaign has adopted no name yet, but a copy of its petition reached the Philippine Muslim Today news on Saturday, Feb. 13.

The petition cited the ―limited number of session days‖ by Congress before it adjourns sine die on June 4 this year as a principal reason necessitating President Duterte to ―certify as urgent‖ the Senate and House bills supporting strides for moving the first election of 80 regular Bangsamoro parliament members from 2022 to 2025.

It also mentioned as another vital premise the expressed commitment of President Duterte to ―leave a lasting legacy for peace and inclusive development in the Bangsamoro and allover Mindanao.‖ Two Senate bills and four of five similar measures in the House of Representatives pushing for amendment of R.A. 11054 or Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to postpone the 2022 regional polls in order to extend the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) operations. A fifth House bill authored by Lanao Norte Rep. Khalid Dimaporo wants the BTA lifespan extended to 2028 but pushes for the conduct of the 2022 polls on schedule.

The two Senate bills were introduced by Senators Koko Pimentel and Richard Gordon after House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, Maguindanao Rep. Esmael Manguda-

President Duterte. datu, Majority Leader Martin Romualdez and House Deputy Speaker Isidro Ungab filed similar bills in the lower legislative chamber to postpone the 2022 polls and extend the lifespan of the BTA, the interim governing body of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

On Feb. 12, BARMM spokesman and Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo announced the conduct in Feb. 4-5 of a webinar in Davao City, during which Senator Pia Hontiveros reportedly expressed support to the intent and context of the two Senate bills, and mentioned about either co-authoring the measures or filing a separate bill.

Prior to the filing of the two Senate bills, BARMM interim Chief Minister Ahod ―Hadji Murad‖ Ebrahim welcomed the pollspostponing House bills as ―acceptable‖ to the regional officialdom and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The MILF, in pursuit of its 2013 and 2014 accords with the government that evolved to the passage of R.A. 11054 and the creation of BARMM, steers principally the operations of the 80-member BTA and the regional bureaucra-

cy. Ebrahim is also the chairman of the MILF central committee.

Uncertain source of MILF decommissioning fund Rep. Dimaporo, in a video clip copyfurnished the Philippine Muslim Today news, said he was supportive of the BTA lifespan extension even up to 2028, but filed his separate bill to ascertain the source of P40-billion needed in bankrolling the normalization track or decommissioning of P40,000 MILF combatants and their firearms.

Is the sum chargeable to the annual BARMM block grant or from the yearly general appropriations?‖ he asked.

The BARMM now comprises the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi and the cities of Cotabato, Marawi and Lamitan as well as 63 villages in five North Cotabato provinces.

Objection to BTA extension The camps of Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan and Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi have openly rejected the calls for BTA lifeline extension, citing various reasons ranging from alleged operational lapses to lack of

BARMM services to their constituencies.

Mayor Guiani stood pat on her petition before the Supreme Court questioning the conduct of plebiscite that led to the inclusion of her turf in the territory of regional autonomy.

House Deputy Speaker and Basilan lone Rep. Mujiv Hataman, who has been perceived as against the extension call, filed last month a resolution seeking the conduct of a ―mid-term review‖ of the BARMM operations before the conduct of deliberations of supportive bills.

Counter argument Minister Sinarimbo, a lawyer and former executive secretary of the abolished BARMM territory last ruled by Hataman as regional governor, rejected the call for ―mid-term review,‖ saying its deliberation will sway away the attention of lawmakers to tackle the pollpostponing bills within a critical timeline of Congress sessions‘ adjournment sine die this coming June 4.

Sinarimbo branded the ―mid-term review‖ call as a ―dilatory tactic‖ by opposing quarters to derail the passage of bills filed as early as Dec. 1, 2020.

PRRD | A12

Budgets of 2 of 15 BARMM ministries decreased in 2021

By Ali G. Macabalang

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OTABATO CITY – Two of 15 ministries of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are allocated smaller budgets this year in comparison to their allocations last year.

The agencies with decreased budgets are the Ministry of Finance and Budget Management (MFBM) and the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG), according to a comparative BARMM budgets table in 2020 and 2021 which the Philippine Muslim Today news obtained upon official request from the regional government.

According to the comparative table, the MILG is allocated 1,055,588,519-peso budget this year, which reflects some P300-million reduction from its 1,354,637,972-peso subsidy in 2020. The MFBM, on the hand, got 389,622,624-peso budget this year indicating a decrease of over P64-million from its 454,049,670-peso share last year.

Media people covering the BARMM interim operations have been appalled over the unexplained decline in the MILG budget, noting that such agency and its minister, lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, have been the most visible and dynamic in public eyes since the establishment of the regional bureaucracy and even in drafting of the new autonomy law. ―We (in cabinet) have agreed that they will augment our budget from the allocation of the Office of the Chief Minister,‖ Minister Sinarimbo said without elaboration when asked by the Philippine Muslim Today news via messenger.

A press briefing on the reasons and rationale behind the apportioning of budget shares among the instruments of the BARMM bureaucracy is imperative, according to constituents including media workers advocating transparency.

The 2020 and 2021 budgets of the BARMM ministries and legislature are products of Regional Appropriations Acts enacted by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) parliament.

The comparative budget schedule is shown before public welfare: Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Budget for 2020 and 2021

Across the BARMM Lanao Sur to pilot MinDA livestock program in Bangsamoro

Vol. I, No. 36 | February 19-25, 2021 (Rajab 7-13, 1442)

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Marawi Compensation Bills pass House committee

By Ali G. Macabalang

C

OTABATO CITY — Light has finally sparkled along the tunnel-like dream for compensation on private properties destroyed in the infamous 2017 Marawi siege, LIVESTOCK PILOT PROGRAM. Lanao del Sur Gov. Bombit Adiong, sibling Congressman Ansaruddin and Secretary Manny Pinol pose for pictorial with livestock caretakers at the foreground of a cattle fattening farm in Polomolok, South Cotabato. (MinDA photo) COTABATO CITY — On the verge of exemplifying initial success in solar-powered irrigation and water works system program, Lanao del Sur has manifested interest in piloting a cattle production venture – another economic-enhancing project of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) – for the Bangsamoro autonomous region, officials said.

Lanao del Sur officials led by siblings Governor Mamintal ―Bombit‖ and Congressman Ansaruddin ―Hooky‖ Adiong visited on Thursday, Feb. 11 a Cattle Fattening Facility in Polomolok, South Cotabato for familiarization, according to MinDA Chairman Emmanuel ―Manny‖ Piñol, who accompanied them.

The Adiongs led their provincial delegation to the ―Mindanao Speaks Up‖ forum in Davao City hosted by MinDA on Feb. 10 for local government units and other stakeholders in the island region to sound off issues and concerns on perceived bottlenecks in their respective developments endeavors. ―Fresh from (participation in) the Davao forum, we proceeded to Polomolok and toured the cattle fattening farm with Governor Adiong and his delegation to know the rudiments of livestock production,‖ Piñol said in a video clip.

The farm is managed MinDA livestock consultant Arnel Corpuz, who briefed the visiting team on the cattle fattening potentials for food security and business in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

In the video footage, Gov. Adiong said the venture is much suitable in his province, especially its ideal climate and vast pasture lands.

Piñol said he will meet with Gov. Adiong and officials of the Development Bank of the Philippines to start negotiations for opening a 100-head cattle fattening facility in Wao town, Lanao Sur, one of five BARMM component provinces.

Livestock production is the second MinDA program to be piloted by Lanao del Sur. The first is the BBP-funded solar-powered irrigation and waterworks system launched in Taraka town last Jan. 18, according to MinDA public affairs and communications department chief Dr. Adrian Tamayo.

MinDA‘s livestock production will focus on hog production in predominantly Christian areas in Mindanao to address also the issue of African Swine Flu (ASF) plaguing some parts of Luzon and Visayas, Tamayo said.

Cattle and hog raising ventures could ensure self-sufficiency on beef and pork for Mindanao‘s 25.5 million people, Pinol said, adding the excess production will be shared with other consumers in Visayas and Luzon. ―With an estimated gestation period of 18 months, the Cattle Program in the Bangsamoro Provinces is expected to start producing beef initially for their own consumers,‖ he said.

The Hog Production Program, on the other hand, is expected to start production in Christian places after two years, he said.

Initially, MinDA eyed Davao del Norte and North Cotabato as prospective participants in the hog raising program., he added.

ALI G. MACABALANG

The Philippine Muslim Today (PMT) news, in its search for update on government rehabilitation efforts for Marawi City and its displaced residents, stumbled on a September 24, 2020 report by the Manila base of the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) heralding its interview with House Deputy Speaker and lone Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman.

The PMT effort was prompted by a message from the Ranao Movement Against Corruption (RMAC) group page in Facebook calling for possible certification as ―urgent‖ also

by President Rodrigo Duterte of the Marawi Compensation Bill.

The RMAC group sounded off the call as several sectors have reportedly joined the bandwagon of campaign for the extension of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) lifespan to 2025 and for the President to certify as urgent the common intent of six bills (two in Senate and four in HoR) postponing the 2022 regional polls.

In the RMN published story, Rep. Hataman announced that

with the three enabling bills gaining committee -level approval in the House of Representatives (HoR), according to a broadcast report.

An online generated photo of the lakeshore ruins of the 2017 Marawi City siege. the Marawi Compensation Bill has been approved by the House Committee on Disaster Resilience in September 2020.

Hataman reportedly said the committeepassed bill did not mention any amount sought for reparation of properties destroyed in Marawi City mostly by massive airstrikes by military planes for five months starting in May 2017.

It will be up to the plenary deliberations to consolidate three enabling bills that sought compensation sums between P30-billion and P50-billion, according to Hataman as reported by RMN. House Bill 3419, which was filed by Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Ansaruddin

―Hooky‖ Adiong, pegs the reparation cost at P50-billion . Two other bills with unreported names of authors sought P30-billion, the RMN report said.

All three bills proposed the creation of a Marawi Compensation Board that will administer the awarding of appropriate sums to legitimate claimants among thousands of residents with damaged properties, it was learned.

One of the three bills could be the one drafted by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) that was handed to the House and Senate leadership by lawyer Saidamen Pangarungan prior to his appointment as chairman and secretary of the National Commission on Muslim

Filipinos (NCMF) in 2018.

In the RMAC group chat, meanwhile, members who are mostly Meranao professionals asserted that a Presidential push via ―urgent certification‖ for the Marawi Compensation Bill has been long overdue. They complained that IDPs from Marawi have been suffering from double whammy – displacement and loss of properties as well as adversities in the prevailing Coronavirus.

One RMAC member mentioned about one BARMM cabinet official acting like ―untouchable‖ in his alleged whimsical acts of running office and undermining pronounced policies by the Office of the Chief Minister. AGM

Electricity for energy-less Tawi-Tawi towns looms – MinDA COTABATO CITY — Long-desired electrification of far-flung island towns in Tawi-Tawi has loomed with the arrival last week of enabling equipment in the host Sitangkai and Sibutu municipalities, according to the Mindanao Development Authority (MInDA). ―Finally, equipment for the 1MW (megawatt) Solar Hybrid Project in Sitangkai and 0.65MW Sibutu under the RETS Project has arrived from the Port of Cebu to Sitangkai and Sibutu,‖ MinDA Chairman Manny Piñol announced in his Facebook page on Feb. 12.

The RETS project is a joint venture of MinDA, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization- Philippines, the provincial government, electric cooperatives and Mindanao State University (MSU) campus in Tawi-Tawi, and the Bangsamioro autonomous government, Piñol said.

The project, funded by the European Union‘s Access to Sustainable Energy Program (ASEP), promotes Renewable Energy (RE) strategies and systems on energy efficiency, innovations to support livelihood for poor off-grid and un-energized

households in the seaweed producing communities in Sitangkai and Sibutu, he added.

Parts of Sitangkai and Subutu, about 25-minute sea drive to Sabah, Malaysia and 16-hour trip to mother Tawi-Tawi province, were visited by Sec. Pinol in March 2020, making him the first cabinetlevel official to have ever set foot on the southernmost Philippine island communities.

In two video clips produced by MinDA, Sec. Piñol disclosed the critical needs to promote and preserve ecology in the islands including the habitats of endangered Philippine turtles (pawikan), the introduction of off-grid renewable energy systems in the isolated communities, and link the same areas to the outside world through internet connectivity.

After his side-trips in the island towns, Sec. Piñol coordinated with concerned local stakeholders and proposed the installation of a self-sustaining electricity system and mini-satellite networks for the province, MinDA communications department Chief Dr. Adrian Tamayo said.

ELECTRICITY | A12

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Across Mindanao

DBP, MinDA to create investment program for OFWs

Vol. I, No. 36 | February 19-25, 2021 (Rajab 7-13, 1442)

Tacurong mayor recalls support over city police chief relief

By ALI G. MACABALANG

C

OTABATO CITY — The Development Bank of the Philippines and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) are set to establish an investment program for Overseas DBP and MinDA officials led respectively by bank President Emmanuel G. Herbosa, and the MinDA Chairman, Sec. Manny Piñol met on Feb. 1 in Makati and agreed to work on the details and mechanics of MinDA OFW Investments Fund aimed at offering the country‘s overseas workers a secured investments program, Dr. Adrian Tamayo said.

The project is another innovative approach Sec. Piñol conceived in partnership with the DBP to break years-old trend where many OFWs are usually ending up penniless when they return home because their earnings were improperly managed, said Tamayo, chief of MinDA communications and public affairs department.

A MinDA statement cited statistics placing OFWs‘ remittances to their families at P1.6trillon a year, and said many of them have been victimized by investments scams promising incredible returns.

Sec. Piñol said his office has received inquiries from OFWs seeking guidance on safe investment avenues, inspiring him to conceive the OFW Investments Fund Program anchored on placing part of remittances in various agricultural and fisheries programs initiated by the agency, Tamayo said.

In response, DBP President Herbosa said the ―Principal Protect‖

Filipino Workers (OFWs) to safely put their hard -earned money for modest earnings while at the same time help rebuild the country‘s economy, proponent officials announced.

Tacurong City Mayor Angelo Rongcal Montilla. (FB)

T

Investment Fund for OFWs. Sec. Manny Pinol and DBP President Emmanuel Herbosa at a Feb. 1 meeting in Makati City over the proposed OFW Investment Fund program. (MinDA supplied photo) policy of the program will be adopted in handling the OFWs investments, which means that while the returns could be in the vicinity of 1.5% annually, OFWs‘ hard-earned money will be protected from any risk, he said in a recent Facebook post. ―At the same time, the OFWs will be able to perform a patriotic act of helping the Philippine Economy, badly battered by the COVID 19 Pandemic to a pathetic negative 9.5%, the worst economic performance since 1947,‖ he said.

Sec. Pinol proposed the following as among MinDA-initiated ventures where OFWs can invest in: 1.

Bamboo Industry Development Program which targets 1-M hectares of denuded and logged over areas, watersheds and sources of headwaters located in the 8 major river basins of Minda-

nao; 2.

The Mindanao Fish Cage Program which will support fishermen in establishing fish cages in the different bays and coves of Mindanao to contribute to food production; 3.

The Mindanao Cattle Industry Development Program which seeks to support local government units and private individuals in establishing fattening and breeding programs to boost the country‘s meat supply; 4.

The MinDA Water Supply Program which aims to provide loan funds for LGUs and farmers associations in establishing SolarPowered Irrigation and Water Systems; 5.

The Mindanao Hog Industry Development Program which aims to boost the production of hogs in areas which have not been affected by the African Swine Fever; and 6.

Other food production projects such

as chicken raising, highvalue vegetable farming and high-value fruit tree farming.

It was agreed during the meeting at the DBP Makati Office lately that the details and mechanics of the MinDA OFW Investments Fund will be crafted by a joint team of DBP and MinDA technical people, Piñol said.

A massive information drive targeting prospective OFW investors will be undertaken after the details of the program shall have been finalized, he said.

The DBP-MinDA partnership has succeeded in putting up automated teller machines in the towns of Malabang and Balabagan, and an intensive solar-powered irrigation and waterworks systems in Taraka.

All three towns belong to Lanao del Sur, one of five component provinces of the Bangsamoro autonomous region. AGM

Mass felling of trees in Buluan, Maguindanao sparks debate From Last Issue Board Member Mangudadatu‘s camp told the Philippine Muslim Today (PMT) news that Macacua was allegedly ―dissatisfied‖ with the conduct of the tree-cutting drive because it surpassed are area of ―highway fronting the capitol compound‖ and exceeded the 278 number of trees purportedly estimated in the PLGU request. The PMT tried but failed to get comment from Minister Macacua as his phone kept ringing unattended Wednesday..

Clarification In a video clip sent to PMT via messenger on Feb. 9, Batu Abdullah Sangki Mayor Datu Ali Pax Mangudadatu said the drive was ―properly coordi-

nated with concerned agencies,‖ meant to save life, coupled with a plan to replant new trees, and in pursuit of the DILG national directive for LGUs to clear their respective roads of all matters affecting the smooth flow of traffic and posing risks to riding public.

Mayor Ali Pax, son of incumbent Maguindanao Governor Marian Sangki-Mangudadatu, also pointed that the drive did not involve political undertone.

Gov. Sangki-Mangudadatu defeated in the 2019 gubernatorial election former Mayor Freddie Mangudadatu, younger brother of former three-term governor and now Congressman Esmael. AGM

ACURONG CITY – The city government here has set a record in the anal of civil-police relation after it withdrew its regular support including patrol service vehicles over the relief allegedly without prior coordination of its police chief by the regional headquarters.

City Mayor Angelo Montilla admitted dismay over the recent replacement of City Police Director Lt. Colonel Rey Egos by Lt. Col. Joan Maganto on order of Brig. Gen. John Michael Dubria, police director for Region XII, said a news article published on Feb. 11 by General Santos City-based scribe Joseph Jubelag.

The city government‘s unprecedented protestdecision translated to the ―recall (of) all service vehicles issued to their local police force apart from withdrawing support for their operational funds,‖ said Jubelag, who coupled his story with a photo of Mayor Montilla in a press briefing here.

Observers have described the city government‘s sanction as an inverted version of the controversial 2017 order from the National Police Commission that stripped seven (7) governors and 132 mayors in Mindanao of police deputation due three major reasons, including alleged commission of ―acts inimical to national security.‖ The affected governors of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and the mayor of Cotabato City had protested but failed to persuade Napolcom from reconsidering the directive.

This time, elected officials of Tacurong, the lone city of Sultan Kudarat, complained that the unannounced relief of Lt. Col. Egos and replacement by Lt. Col. Maganto was a breach of existing civil-police relation rules, which entitle local chief executives to select from among three nominees from higher headquarters before any actual takeover of post.

Mayor Montilla believed the ―sudden relief of Egos could be related to (the city government) crackdown on illegal numbers game, specifically the closure of a Peryahan operated by Globaltech Online Mobile Corp. whose franchise with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) was suspended February 2020,‖ Jubelag‘s story said. ―Hence, the operation of Peryahan numbers game in the city is deemed illegal,‖ Montilla was quoted as saying.

Gen. Dubria denied the mayor‘s allegations, stating that he has ordered an intensified campaign against all forms of illegal gambling activities in Sultan Kudarat, Jubelag.

The police director ―also refused to comment on the (nature of the relief) of Egos as the police chief of this city,‖ said the published story.

ALI G. MACABALANG

Across Mindanao

Vol. I, No. 36 | February 19-25, 2021 (Rajab 7-13, 1442)

North Cotabato’s news, events and photos

By NUR-ALI A. MACABALANG

91 donate blood in 1-day event KIDAPAWAN CITY — Ninety one (91) volunteers from civilian, police and jail management sectors converged here on Feb. 9 for a day-long blood -letting event North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco dubbed ―Give blood, Save Lives.‖ The event was the latest leg of the blood-letting stride jointly conducted periodically by the Office of the Governor, the Integrated Provincial Health Office and the provincial government employees association. ―We have to be ready to provide blood for patients in times of emergencies,‖ Gov. Catamco said

as she thanked the donors among the employees, the provincial police workforce and the Provincial Jail Management and Penology.

1,324 tremor-affected families get P10k each KIDAPAWAN CITY — At least 1, 324 families affected by a series of earthquakes in November 2019 in Makilala and Tulunan, North Cotabato have finally received cash assistance from the provincial government.

North Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco, represented by two of her board members, distributed P10,000 cash aid for each of 240 affected families from four barangays of New Caridad (52), Magbok (122), Batang (62) and Paradise (114), all of Tulunan towns in ceremonial rite on Nov. 9, it was learned The next day, the Office of the Governor held another symbolic rite in Makilala and dispersed P2,500 cash aid for each of 984 families from ba-

rangays Luayon (545), Kisante (362), Libertad (6), Leboce (6), Katipunan (8) ), Jose Rizal (16) and Guangan (38).

Board Members Philbert Malaluan and Onofre Respicio fetched in for Gov. Catamco in the Makilala event. Apart from this city, Makkilala and Tulanan towns suffered the brunt of earthquakes that left houses partially damaged.

P85M education facilities, gadgets for public schools KIDAPAWAN CITY — The Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) office in North Cotabato has turned over P85-million worth of school gadgets and facilities meant to upgrade the learning system in elementary and secondary public campuses in North Cotabato.

The turned-over stuff included 70 duplicating machines, 4,841 pieces of 32-gigabyte flash drive, 500 units of class TV sets, and 2,000 initial of 4,000 transistor radio sets, SDS Isagani dela Cruz V said. ′′We are so lucky to have a Governor who is so persistent and supportive,‖ Cruz said at a symbolic rite here on Feb. 9, referring to Gov. Catamco.

The funds used in the purchased school facilities and gadgets came from the P85-M accumulated under the Special Education Fund under the

governor‘s office.

Dr. Philbert Malaluan, board member and chair of the provincial Inter-Agency Task Force, received the facilities on behalf of Gov. Catamco.

Catamco has reportedly ordered earlier the use of the whole accumulated fund for purchase of needed classroom facilities and gadgets to ―save school administrators and students from travel constraints‖ amid checkpoint protocols in containing the spread of Coronavirus pandemic

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Kudarat IPs stage indignation rally against NPA activities TACURONG CITY — Buoyed by the Duterte administration‘s disclosures of alleged deceitful acts by leftist ideologues and combatants, residents belonging to indigenous tribes (IP) in nearby Esparanza, Sultan Kudarat have staged an indignation rally voicing out the ill-effects of New People‘s Army (NPA) insurgents in their midst.

Dozens of mostly IP residents took to the streets along barangays Salumping and Legodon of Esperanza town their grievances against atrocities by NPA rebels in their communities on February 13, 2021 and converged at the covered court of the latter village, the Army‘s 6th Infantry ―(Kampilan) Division said in a statement Monday.

The chairmen of the two villages led their Manono-Dulangan constituents in staging the mass action coordinated by the Sultan Kudarat provincial government, the officidom of Esperanza, local workers of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP, and the 7th Infantry Battalion, said the 6ID statement copy-furnished with the Philippine Muslim Today news.

Intensified military backing has encouraged the Manobo-Dulangan tribal community to openly denounce NPA subtle infiltration into their villages, according to Lt. Col. Rommel Valencia, 7th IB commanding officer. ―It is our mandate to protect your community.

Let us work hand-in-hand to achieve peaceful community and we will further synergize our efforts together with the local government units and agencies to build a resilient IP community, free from the influence of CTG (communist terror group).‖ Brig. Gen. Roy Galido, 601st Infantry Brigade commander, lauded the convergent rally, which he said should spark public denouncement of continuous exploitation, deception and recruitment of the NPA terrorists among innocent villagers.

For Major General Juvymax R. Uy, commander of the Joint Task Force Central and 6th Infantry Division, the peace rally by vulnerable people had just fleshed out the administration‘s campaign to abate communist insurgency after NPA and its communist political party breached past state gestures for peaceful dialogs. ―The hope of the nation is our youth. So let‘s not let their dreams in life be hindered because of the recruitment of communist terrorist group‖, Maj. Gen. Uy was quoted as saying in the statement.

The Feb. 13 rally was highlighted by the participants burning CTG flag and effigies, said statement coupled with some photos of the event.

Last December 28, North Cotabato police elements led by Provincial Director Col. Henry Villar led civilian volunteers in staging a similar indignation rally at Barangay Amas in Kidapawan City, and burned NPA effigies including photos of National Democratic Front Chairman Jose Ma. Sison.

ALI G. MACABALANG

Congress urged to enact law protecting ‘heritage trees’ COTABATO CITY — Congress has been asked to enact a law mandating the protection and preservation of ‗heritage trees‘ amid public and private strides in horizontal and vertical infrastructure development campaigns.

The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) made the call through a resolution passed last month its board urging Senate and House lawmakers to legislate a law preserving centuries old trees not only in Mindanao but the whole coun-

try.

The resolution was presented by Board Member Sherwin Mylil Begyan and approved at the MinDA regular meeting last month, Sec. Manny Piñol said in a recent Facebook post..

Its passage ―was an offshoot of the controversy involving an attempt by infrastructure developers in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur to fell a 300-year-old towering ‗Toog Tree‘ to give way to a road widening,‖ he said.

The developers‘ attempt angered and prompted residents to

compel their local leaders into protecting the Toog Tree they regarded as part of their heritage that their news generations ought to witness and value, according to Begyan, who provided fellow MinDA board members with photos of the super tall tree.

Protesting residents led by a retired public works engineer Mauro Bravo formed the advocacy group STOP (Save the Toog Tree Please) and succeeded in stopping two attempts to cut down the tree, it was learned.

―The Heritage Trees are our links to the past when Mindanao teemed with Centuries-old hardwoods,‖ Begyan said, adding that the ―next generation of Mindanaoans must be given the chance to see these giant trees.‖ The proposed ―Heritage Tree Act‖ seeks stiff penalties and jail terms for any person who will endanger or destroy the centuries old trees, according to MinDA communications department Chief Dr. Adrian Tamayo.

CONGRESS | A12

INDIGNATION RALLY VS NPA. ABOVE: IP residents march in a village street in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat on Feb. 13. BELOW: North Cotabato policemen burning NPA effigies in Kidapawan City last Dec. 28. (Photos supplied)

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Editorial

Vol. I, No. 36 | February 19-25, 2021 (Rajab 7-13, 1442)

DATU YUSOPH B. MAMA Chairman, Board of Trustees DEAN MASIDING NOOR YAHYA President/CEO JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Vice President for Internal Affairs ALI G. MACABALANG Vice President for External Affairs ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL Treasurer MACOD D. RASCAL Secretary CASAN C. CANA Auditor

PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY MASIDING NOOR YAHYA Editor-In-Chief and Publisher JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL Managing Editor Bureau Chief for National Capital Region

Moro renowned artist Abdul Mari Imao’s first attempt at serious art work which gained him fame.

ALI G. MACABALANG News Editor Bureau Chief for Bangsamoro & Central Mindanao Regions ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL Bureau Chief for Northern Mindanao Region JOHNNY R. LEE Bureau Chief for Western Mindanao Region

Editorial

Of Cultural Heritage and Preservation

PHIL MUSLIM Layout Artist FATIMA ORTIL-JANNARAL Advertising Sales Director for NCR NUR-ALI A. MACABALANG Correspondent COLUMNISTS | WRITERS: ATTY. HOMOBONO A. ADAZA ATTY. BAYAN G. BALT BENJ BANGAHAN, M.D., FPCP, FPCCP ATTY. JUAN PONCE ENRILE JOHNNY R. LEE, Ph.D ATTY. NASSER A. MAROHOMSALIC FILEMON G. ROMERO, Ph.D ATTY. MEHOL K. SADAIN DR. ABDUL HANNAN M. TAGO DISCLAIMER: Opinion of the writer expressed herein is not necessarily the opinion of Philippine Muslim Today nor of its management.

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Front page of PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY previous issue.

“...the kulintang may find itself reduced to a mere relic in a museum exhibit, its melody forever lost to future generations.”

F

ebruary is the National Arts Month, where regions around the country showcase their traditional arts and crafts as well as artistic works by modern local artists. It is a month of vibrant color for these places, an indication that they are well-aware and value their art, artists, and cultural heritage.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), as a conglomerate of provinces with diverse cultures and ethnic identities, is indeed rich in cultural arts and traditions.

Nowhere else in the country can one find the malong a landap of the Meranaws, the inaul of the Maguindanaons, the pis siyabit of the Tausugs or the seputangan of the Yakan. Having been largely unconquered by non-Muslim forces, the region can assert itself in being a home to cultures untouched.

But it is all quickly disappearing.

Globalization, foreign influences, and even the way people perceive culture have changed the cultural heritage landscape of the area. Younger generations, with their penchant for K-pop, Kdrama, and social media do not think much of learning their cultural arts and crafts, for to them, these are out of touch with what they are now. The older artisans, who have not been able to pass on their craft to the latter, have stopped or have already died, taking what they know with them to the grave. Meanwhile, the entire community risks losing its identity. While there are indeed efforts on the local and larger scale to help curb the tragic loss, still there is a long way to go.

Unless the community sees the need to preserve its artistic and artisanal heritage, no effort on the part of even the government will help conserve its cultural heritage. It takes a village, a town, a city, a people to step up and keep its arts and culture alive in the face of so much fast-paced change. Unless the ordinary citizen makes a conscious effort, the kulintang may find itself reduced to a mere relic in a museum exhibit, its melody forever lost to future generations.

PMT

Opinion

Ijtihad

Vol. I, No. 36 | February 19-25, 2021 (Rajab 7-13, 1442)

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FOOD INSECURITY

MEHOL K. SADAIN

L

ast week, media reported that a research outfit warned of an impending food crisis. Last time I looked however, there are still fish, fruits and vegetables in the markets, stocks in groceries, and yes, even the supposedly vanishing meat in the butcher shops.

So, is there really a food security crisis? Or an impending one? What, by the way, is a crisis?

The dictionary defines it as ―a time of intense difficulty, trouble or danger‖ [online Definitions from Oxford Languages] or ―a time of great disagreement, confusion or suffering‖, or ―an extremely difficult or dangerous point in a situation‖. [online Cambridge Dictionary] With all due respect to those who think we have a food crisis I do not think we

have reached a situation which approaches that of ―intense‖ food ―difficulty‖ or ―trouble‖ or ―danger‖ for our country. But make no mistake about it: We should be concerned about food security; however, we should not be alarmists so we again send our gullible countrymen panicbuying or just plain panicking.

We should be concerned so we can take steps towards maintaining food sufficiency and accessibility, but we should never project ghosts where there are none.

Our farmers are still out there farming, and our fisherfolks are still fishing or engaged in aqua-culture. Our livestock growers are still raising animals and poultry. A shortage in meat supply is not exactly the end of the industry, but it is a sign that the players and stakeholders

Batanes to Tawi-Tawi JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

I

f what I heard on the TV newscast is right, it has a chilling effect on me considering the fact that when COVID-19 started spreading and many got afflicted with this dreaded Coronavirus in March last year, I strictly observed the Health Protocol of ―Stay at Home‖ in compliance with the guidelines set by IACTF (Inter Agency Task Force).

However what is disturbing maybe not only to myself but to many is that when the Vaccine has an adverse effect as when a person dies like what happened to Dengvaxia when there were casualties that even healthy children who were inoculated with Dengvaxia some died too. Yet I have not yet heard of anyone got published and sent to Jail.

It seems it is the same with Coronavirus Vaccine wherein accordingly the suppliers are free from any blame or be held accountable for any adverse effect that it may cause.

SPDA Administrator & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gerry Salapuddin had a professional or healthy discus-

sion with this Batanes To Tawi-Tawi Columnist on any Coronavirus Vaccine without specifying what particular Vaccine.

According to Salapuddin even the medical and vaccine experts are saying that it takes 10 to 15 years of testings and trials to perfect a vaccine for certain disease.

The anti-covid vaccine manufactured by the different competing pharma companies took only two years, with insufficient testings and trials, according to him.

Salapuddin said in his own personal opinion as a private citizen and not as a government official, considering that vaccination is being imposed upon a large percentage of the population, in order to prevent a repeat of the Dengvaxia fiasco that resulted the death of more than 200 young students, the pharmaceutical companies that sold and provided the vaccine must be made to answer for any death or harm on those injected by their vaccine.

Likewise, the Department of Health (DOH) headed

by Secretary Francisco Duque, III must also be held an-

need help. Food experts have been meeting and studies are being undertaken on this matter. The recommendation in a webinar on ―Food for All, by Feeding Farmers First‖ sponsored by SoulPH20/20, was for government to extend assistance, focusing on what it identified as the ―farmercentered farming system approach.‖ In a recent study conducted by the U.P. Institute of Islamic Studies (UP-IIS) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), one of the findings was the need for a comprehensive government effort to support Shari‘ah-compliant credit generation, seeds and/ or fingerlings procurement, modernization of farming and fishing methods, formulation of marketing strategies, and amelioration of weather-

induced destruction of agricultural yields.

Nowhere in these forums, however, was there a finding of an intensely difficult and dangerous situation of food availability and sufficiency in the country. That would be an insult to our farmers and fisherfolks who have been producing our food in spite the odds.

The thing to do now is narrow down the odds against our farmers and fisherfolks by rendering their labor profitable for themselves and their families. It may be done by stressing the urgency of food security, but never by raising the scare of a food shortage when there is enough food in our markets. The message of urgency should be a wake-up call, never a scare tactic that will only unnecessarily alarm the buying public and result in more problems than solutions.

I am reminded of Malawian

comedian Daliso Chaponda, who performed in Britain‘s Got Talent, and said that a financial crisis in Great Britain is when there are planes flying over Birmingham tossing fish and chips out the window. That was a joke of course, coming from a standup master comedian, the point being that a financial crisis does not exist in Great Britain, even if some sectors say so.

It‘s the same thing with the alarm over a food security crisis in the country. The food crisis does not exist.

Alarms over such a crisis should be loaded in a plane, and once airborne, tossed out over the metropolis — together with the alarmists.

Which is a joke of course.

But that joke may be better than the alternative horrors a false alarm of ―food insecurity‖ can spawn.

MKS

Vaccine Suppliers are not liable even if their Vaccines have adverse effect swerable because they are the implementors of the vaccination program.

Actually Senator Bong Go has proposed already to Secretary Duque and the Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. that they should be the one to be first inoculated with the Vaccines to test not only its efficacy but its safety as well.

If there is no adverse effect of the vaccine on them meaning the vaccine is safe.

But there is an argument with this kind of situation.The SPDA administrator and CEO argued that given this premise that these two ―Guinea pigs‖ experienced no adverse effects at all, there is still some doubts.

The intriguing question may cropped up. But what if Duque and Galvez were inoculated with the unharmful vaccine, while the mass based people got the harmful vaccine instead. This is especially so that the civilian populace have no way to determine the efficacy of a certain vaccine.

Hence, if a serious adversity happened to the person and the vaccine is the main culprit for his death, God Forbid, then I know No

amount of Punishment to the Culprit like the DOH can revive the Life of a Person who will become victim to the negligence by DOH officials.

Hence if only this is not a government program, it is kind of unusual thing that healthy people with no sickness are being injected.

That is what happened with the Dengvaxia. Students not infected by Dengue were injected. The results, more than 200 died. But since the target of government to vaccinate is 60 to 70% of the population. God forbids, if something goes wrong, thousands of people may die!

Be that as it may according to Senator Mig Zubiri who once tested positive of COVID-19, the Senate is now on the Third Reading of Senate Bill 2057, which is actually the Indemnification Bill.

This Senate bill proposes P500 million fund for ‗adverse effects‘ of COVID19 vaccines.

This P500 million COVID19 Vaccine indemnification fund is being proposed at the Senate, which would cover compensation in case of death or medical treatment arising from serious adverse

effects of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Senate Bill (SB) 2057, the substitute bill for vaccinerelated measures, was sponsored on Tuesday, February 16, by Senator Sonny Angara, the Senate finance committee chairperson.

Senate Bill 2057 was coauthored by Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Senators Imee Marcos, Grace Poe, Pia Cayetano, Bong Revilla Jr., Bong Go, Francis Tolentino, Sherwin Gatchalian, Nancy Binay, and Richard Gordon.

The bill proposed that a COVID-19 National Vaccine Indemnity Fund be created, which should be administered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) if passed into law.

However notwithstanding there is already a Vaccine Indemnity Fund of P500 million, accordingly the Vaccine suppliers are not liable in case there is an adverse reaction like when the person vaccinated dies. May Allah forbids!

For your Comments/ Suggestions please send your email to munir1845media@gmail.com

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Opinion

Diliman Way HOMOBONO A. ADAZA

LESSONS FROM PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTS - President Corazon Aquino (4th of a Series)

Part 1 “People get the government they deserve.”

- Joseph de Maistre

T

his is the fourth part of the series on lessons from Philippine Presidents – from Corazon Cojuangco Aquino to Fidel Valdez Ramos.

The quote from diplomat lawyer Joseph de Maistre is highly descriptive of the reign of Philippine Presidents or of any presidency of any country in the world..

Presidency: In normal times, Cory Aquino could never be President. Why? She has none of the qualifications but all of disqualifications of a President of the country. But times were abnormal - Ferdinand Marcos was President for six years and a de facto dictator for fifteen years – a total of twenty-one years rule.

That is unconstitutional because a President can only have a total of eight years under the Constitution.

On top of that, one of the leading contend-

ers for the presidency against Marcos was Senator Benigno ―Ninoy‖ Aquino, Jr., husband of Cory Aquino, was assassinated at the Manila International Airport (MIA), now the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) upon arrival from the States where he was in exile.

If Ninoy was not assassinated in 1983 and Cory was not the wife of Ninoy, Cory Aquino would never have become President. She was President by accident. It was destiny at work.

Bad beginning: I was head of the Opposition committee which negotiated with Defense Minister Juan ―Johnny‖ Ponce Enrile to establish the Cory Aquino administration..

These were the agreements entered into by the Opposition and Enrile – that Cory Aquino would be President, Doy Vice-President,

Enrile Defense Minister and General Fidel Ramos Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; that only five members of the Cabinet would only be appointed by Cory – National Defense, Local Government, Justice, Finance and Foreign Affairs while the rest will be agreed upon by the Opposition and Enrile groups; and the Batasan Pambansa will be retained.

Except for the first, the rest were dishonored. While we agreed on five cabinet ministers to be appointed by Cory, MP Ramon Mitra and members of the Cory crowd had the rest of the Cabinet already assigned to Cory people. The Batasang Pambansa was abolished. The reason for the abolition was total control of the government by terminating the Marcos influence and decapitating the UNIDO leadership and

Punchline

Vol. I, No. 36 | February 19-25, 2021 (Rajab 7-13, 1442)

dismantling its national organization.

Even the agreement of Cory and the UNIDO leadership that Cory would only be a ceremonial President and the government would be run by Doy Laurel as Prime Minister together with his Cabinet was also dishonored and violated. This dishonorable approach was orchestrated by the Cory boys led by the late Joker Arroyo and Cory‘s brother, Jose ―Peping‖ Cojuangco.

Agenda: The clear purpose of dishonoring and breaking agreements was power consolidation. Total power is control of government. Control means money for the Cory boys. So, Cory and his boys declared a revolutionary government – without vision, goals and objectives for the country. Cory and his band started to have a grand time – enjoying unrestricted power.

Cory removed all elective officials associated with the Marcos and his government.

In my conversation

with Cory at her office in the Guest House in the early weeks as President, I asked her, ―Why are you removing elected public officials?

That is not right. You should only remove those who are notoriously undesirable.‖ ―But I already granted that power to Nene Pimentel. Can I take it back?‖ Cory replied. ―Of course you can and you should. You are the President Nene is only your agent.‖ I replied.

Cory never took it back. Nene Pimentel made a mess of the appointments of the officers-in-charge (OIC) of governors and mayors and, at times, even vice-governors, vice-mayors, provincial board members and city and town councilors. There was a lot of talk of graft and corruption in the appointments of OICs. Money changed hands. Many got filthy rich in Nene Pimentel‘s DILG. Eventually, because of persistent talk of graft and corruption in DILG, Cory was compelled to relieve Nene as Secre-

tary, transferred him to Malacañang as Presidential Assistant.

This was not the first time that Cory Aquino bumped off Nene Pimentel. The first time he got it was when Nene lost the vicepresidential berth in Cory‘s ticket during the snap election. Cory had already decided to get Nene as her running on the recommendation of his inner circle led by Peping Cojuangco and Joker Arroyo. This is how it happened.

After Cory and his group decided to make Nene the running mate of Cory, Peping told me Cory was desperately looking for me on a very urgent matter. I told Peping I will just see Cory at his residence in Times Street the following morning It was Cris, Cory‘s daughter, who greeted me and asked me to wait at the sala. When Cory came, she was as usual charming and engaging and said, ―Bono, I have already decided on my running mate, I hope you‘ll not get mad.‖ ADAZA | A12

Early birds to catch the worm

ALI G. MACABALANG

W

ILL this title, a popular adage especially among Filipinos, work for personalities being floated in social media pages by supporters for the 2022 Presidential race work?

Several groups have kept on tagging this columnist ostensibly to join their in their groups common goal to persuade Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio to run for President.

In a video clip, Mayor Sara warned the public about her receiving information that some personalities or groups have been out allegedly soliciting funds to bankroll her candidacy. She said such movements do not have permission

from her or her family, and asked prospective victims to report immediately to nearest police for punitive action.

But Sara did not comment about the growing prodding for her to run as if replicating her father‘s (President Duterte‘s) style in keeping the public becoming more eager in the 2016 percampaign period until he suddenly filed candidacy late in schedule but with PDP-Laban candidate Martin Diño waiving in his favor.

Mayor Sara could also be sizing up the strength of supporters‘ mettle and mileage that she would neither encourage nor stop them from early political maneuvers.

For me, her actions are good. She could have learned a lesson from the fate of my fraternity brother, Jojo Binay, who got convinced by a nationwide network of supporters to sound off categorically his intention to run for President just a few days after getting elected Vice President.

Due to the premature announcement, political foes trailed their barrels of mudslinging onto to VP Binay that peaked in the lodging of a litany of alleged graft practices (during his Makati City mayoral stint) and drew a Senate inquiry in the guise of God-damned legislative significance.

Yellow party members in the Senate grilled Binay in protract-

ed fashion that blackened his image. But the Yellows did mind the outcome of the inquiry outcome as well as the legal suits in court that all actually turned out later to be air-filled innuendos. But to their dismay, the Mindanao aspirant Duterte soared high in popularity, which translated to his overwhelming lead in the 2019 Presidential derby.

The Presidential timbers defeated by Duterte have reportedly allied forces to put up a common candidate, possibly VP Leni Robrido, to face any candidate from the ruling allied force of PDP-Laban and Hugpong Pagbabago. Their supporters‘ analysis showed that the combined votes for those defeated Presidential bets – Mar, Grace, Meriam and etal. – could

substantially dwarf the voting prospects of the ruling coalition‘s candidate.

In some Facebook pages, I saw some cabinet members helping rally efforts to convince Sara into running, with one of them allowing a team of visitors from Mindanao led by a governor to pose with a tarpaulin bearing the words: Run, Sara Run.‖ Meanwhile, Senator Manny Pacquiao, perceived to be the most popular among Presidential wannabes, has been elected president of the PDP-Laban. But neither Manny nor his supporters have openly pronounced anything about Presidential intention. Manny has the popularity, the money and political machinery to vie for the top post.

But he is still mum, perhaps awaiting for the right moment for ruling

parties‘ bigwigs will set a dialog between him and Sara, This columnist asked more than 50 village people in Mindanao about their preferences for President. Forty six of them expressed preference for Pacquio, while the rest favored Sara.

I think there is an imperative need for Sara and Manny and their respective backers to dialog and decide who among the two should run for the sake of sustaining the momentum of development mileage started by PRRD for Mindanao.

Or else, asahan natin na mabubuhos ang sabaw nila. And the power will return to Luzon-Metro Manila corridor. AGM Comments and suggestions to this column should be addressed to: alimac.bulletin@gmail.com.

Diplomatic updates

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Arabic: ‫دمحم بن راشد آل‬ ;‫مكتوم‬Muḥammad bin Rāshid ʾĀl Maktūm; born 15 July 1949) is the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates(UAE), and ruler of the Emirate of Dubai.

Since his accession in 2006, after the death of his brother Sheikh Maktoum, he has undertaken reforms in the UAE's gov- Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice Presernment, starting with the ident of UAE and Ruler UAE Federal Government of Dubai Strategy in April 2007.

In 2012, he rode the horse Madji Du Pont 160 km to take the FEI World Endurance Championship.

He is also a Nabati poet in his native Arabic.

On 5 March 2020, a British court ruled that on the balance of probabilities, he had abducted two of his daughters and had threatened his former wife, Princess Haya. His daughters Shamsa and Latifa are believed to be forcibly medicated while held in Dubai under Al Maktoum orders since 2000 and 2018, respectively.

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

The History Of The Burj Al Arab, ‫برج العرب‬ The Burj Al Arab (Arabic: ,‫برج العرب‬ Tower of the Arabs) is a luxury hotel located in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

It is managed by Jumeirah Hotel Group, it is one of the tallest hotels in the world, although 39% of its total height is made up of non-occupiable space. Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 m (920 ft) from Jumeirah Beach BURJ AL ARAB is a Luxury and is connected to Hotel in Dubai in United the mainland by a pri- Arab Emirates (UAE). Photo Supplied) vate curving bridge.

The shape of the structure is designed to resemble the sail of a ship. It has a helipadnear the roof at a height of 210 m (689 ft) above ground. Burj Al Arab.

Egypt on Tuesday opened the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip for the movement of travelers in both directions, according to the Hamas-run Interior Ministry.

A ministry statement said that "passenger buses began to leave the crossing, while returnees will arrive at noon‖.

It is unclear how many days the crossing will remain open.

Palestinian factions are currently holding dialogue in Cairo on preparations for elections.

Last week, Egypt opened the crossing for four days in both directions.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March, Egypt and Hamas agreed to close the crossing. The terminal was sporadically opened for humanitarian causes.

THE BURJ | A11

Vol. I, No. 36 | February 19-25, 2021 (Rajab 7-13, 1442)

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UAE Loves Filipinos for their Good Education, Discipline, Hardwork

By Julmunir I. Jannaral

M

AKATI CITY — There are around 650,000 Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the Arab nation loves them.

Charge d‘Affaires Sheikh Saoud Al-Mualla of the UAE Embassy in the Philippines gave to the Philippine Muslim Today the latest figure of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Mualla emphasized the number ―is reflected based on the last figures released by authorities.‖ And the love is mutual.

In May 2020, OFWs community in the UAE showed their love, acceptance, and appreciation for the Emirates and its people as they launched a sticker campaign containing the words ―Filipinos trust the UAE.‖ The OFWs‘ action was their way of reciprocating the UAE government‘s sincere care, compassion, and tolerance. As the pandemic hit the world, the UAE government provided care for its citizens as well as foreigners living in the Emirates.

In an e-mail interview conducted with Sheikh Al-Mualla he opened up on why Filipinos are highly acceptable in his country.

He said the ―common perspective in the UAE about Filipinos is that they are acceptable to UAE citizens as well as to other nationalities living in the Emirates.‖ ―Filipinos are welleducated, disciplined, with good character and behavior, highly organized, and loyal to their employers. I think whoever have this character would be most welcomed in our country,‖ emphasized Sheikh AlMualla.

He added the UAE is a country for all without any discrimination based on race, color, religion, etc., likewise this atmosphere of accepting each other is a result of the wise leadership initiative of tolerance.

The UAE is home to over 200 nationalities,

LEFT: President Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He is also the emir of Abu Dhabi. RIGHT: Charge d’Affaires Sheikh Saoud AlMualla of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy in the Philippines. including more than half a million Filipinos, working in every sector of the country.

Obviously, the UAE‘s strong policy of tolerance and acceptance of people of other religious beliefs and culture, as well as its labor laws are serving as magnets that attract expatriate workers.

It‘s a policy that has a long tradition started by its founder, the late President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan AlNahyan. ―The UAE is a country that has been designed by its Wise Leader to accommodate all nationalities, including Filipinos and, of course, the principle of respecting the diversity in UAE creates a wonderful environment attracting all people to come together and share their potential and talents. In particular, Filipino workers have been participating in the development of UAE, not only in the recent years but since the 1970s,‖ said Sheikh Al-Mualla. ―The contribution of Filipino workers is great in terms of their different professional fields and expertise from the highly professional engineering field, medical field, hospitality service, and others,‖ he added.

For one, the UAE which hosts millions of workers from across the globe is deeply committed to safeguarding the rights of all workers. It signed international conventions on the rights of workers. It‘s a member of the International Labor Organization (ILO).

To educate laborers on their rights, the UAE‘s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE) has launched several awareness drives; established offices in courts to provide legal support to workers in labor disputes, and units have been set up across the country providing protection for workers.

There‘s also the Abu Dhabi Dialogue (ADD) created in 2008, a forum for dialogue and cooperation between Asian countries of labor origin and destination.

As the global SARS -CoV-2 pandemic continues, the UAE is making sure every worker is supported by facilitating their ability to secure temporary employment, access new job opportunities, and receive housing, food, and medical assistance.

With a vaccine now being given in UAE, the government is providing the injection to

all those who live in the country, citizens and non-citizens, including expatriate workers.

Sheikh Zayed‘s legacy has endured and is being adhered to and implemented by his son and successor, President Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan AlNahyan, and the rest of the UAE officials. The President of UAE is the emir of Abu Dhabi, he explained.

Seven emirates comprise the UAE, such as Abu Dhabi, the biggest; Dubai (who does not know Dubai); Sharjah; Ajman; Umm Al Quwain; Ras Al Khaimah; and Fujairah.

Sheikh Zayed and other Sheikhs of the founding members established the UAE on December 2, 1971.

Sheikh Al-Mualla‘s message to Filipinos with relatives in the UAE: ―To the families of Filipinos who have been working or residing for good in UAE, I would like to assure that under the wise leadership of the UAE, the authorized officials in their posts are exerting their efforts to reach the goals of peace of mind and heart for all its residents by providing (vital) measures in security and stability for their safety even during the unprecedented situation of Covid19.‖ JIJ

News

A10

By ABDUL HANNAN MAGARANG TAGO

Vol. I, No. 36 | February 19-25, 2021 (Rajab 7-13, 1442)

Maguindanao town opens new town hall, acquires 4 patrol cars

By Ali G. Macabalang

N

early three (3) million pesos cash prize is awaiting winners of the first ever series of competition on the Holy Qur‘an tafseer (interpretation) in Maranao dialect. It is also the largest in term of cash prize.

The contest is open for college and high school students both from Arabic and Western educational institutions based in Lanao Del Sur. The contest is slated on March 25 this year.

It will run for 5-7 years and 16 million pesos were allocated for the whole contest.

This project has been conceptualized primarily to address the growing lack of knowledge of the new generation on the message of the Creator S.W.T embodied in the Holy Qur‘an, said the author and main sponsor of the competition, Dr. Norlain Ador-Sharief ―We hope that through this contest the Maranaos from all walks of life would become more interested to learn the Holy Qur‘an and discover the real essence of our existence in this world‖ Sharief observed Citing the saying of the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. ―The best of you is he who learns the Holy Qur‘an and teaches it.‖ Furthermore, this is in fulfillment of his injunction when he said, ―convey my message even if it be one single Ayah.‖ The lucky winners in the monthly quiz will be qualified to the grand prize amounting to 100,000 Pesos for the top one, 80,000 for the second, 60,000 for the third and 40,000 for the fourth place while 100 participants will receive 10,000 each as consolation prizes.

First place in the monthly contest will receive cash 20,000, second 15,000 third 10,000 and 5,000 goes to the fourth.

The noble work aims to encourage the Bangsamoro students to work harder on memorizing the Qur‘an and on understanding its meaning.

To increase acquaintance with the Holy Qur‘an and learn, to know and benefit from the book of guidance, mercy and healing from Allah SWT. To learn the path of repentance and salvation; learn things connected with and after life whether spiritually or physically; to struggle to achieve noble morality, sounds knowledge and the best wisdom and to have the opportunity to the right path of faith, good power, progress, justice and love.

Speaking further Sharied said, series of competition on the level of understanding the Holy Qur‘an in Maranao dialect; one competition for each 1/3 chapter ‖ juz‖ of Holy Qur‘an; one final competition for the whole of the Holy Qur‘an; There are consolation prizes for 50 students in each competition and 100 students in the grand final competition; According to Sharief, questions will be given in Maranao language; There will be threr (3) categories for the question. The first category would be easy questions, the second would be the dificult category and the third is the clincher one.

Get a copy of the Holy Qur‘an in Maranao translation which is also available on electronic copy. Audio in Maranao translation can be accessed from our website or facebook page of the organizer.

Participants should listen to the Arabic and Maranao translation and ponder on the meanings. AHMT

MATANOG, Maguindanao — Residents here have acquired a new municipal hall and four brand new patrol vehicles alongside freshly completed infrastructure projects they regard The ―added assets‖ were funded from the 2019 countryside development fund of then Maguindanao 1st District Rep. Bai Sandra Sema – a fact prompting residents led

by Mayor Mohammad ―Kits‖ Guro to invite the former lawmaker as guest of honor in the inaugural opening of the P20-million new town hall last Feb. 15.

Mayor Guro also tendered thanksgiving rites for former Rep. Sema to officially turn over to the town government the four patrol vehicles and an ambulance unit.

Leaders and residents also praised Bai Sandra for having funded the construction of a village hall, a gymnasium, a road round-ball

as ―added assets‖ to their swift process of overcoming the adverse impacts of the 2000 ―all-out war‖ on this town and its constituents.

Maguindanao former Rep. Bai Sandra Sema is assisted

by Mayor Kits Guro in unveiling the symbolic marker of the new town hall. (Supplied) Mayors Cahar Ibay of landscape, road widenParang and Abolais ing works, and a Level Manalao of Buldon.

II waterworks system.

Mayor Raida Maglangit The thanksgiving of adjacent Kapatagan rites were modest but town in Lanao del Sur have turned pompous was also in attendwith the presence of ance, residents said.

Police Gen. Walfredo Bai Racma AmPornillos, representing boldto, former wife of Regional Police DirecMatanos ex-Mayor tor Gen. Samuel RoNasser Imam, attenddrigues, 5th Marine ed the event and exBattalion chief Lt. Col. pressed gratitude to Tino Maslan, and architecture and con-

struction workers for patterning the modern town hall to the design of the US White Houselike ―People‘s Palace,‖ referring to the Cotabato City hall built under the administration of former Mayor Muslimin Sema, Bai Sandra‘s husband.

With their acquisition of the government hall, support vehicles and vital infrastructure projects, Mayor Guro said, this town has substantially recovered from the adversities of the 2000 ―all-out war‖ of the Estrada administration and will continue to advance in local government strides.

Matanog forms a large part of Camp Abubakar, the erstwhile main enclave of the MAGUINDANAO | A11

MSU-Marawi grabs 6 of top 10 slots in 2021 social workers licensure exam, with 35 of 37 examinees passing

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OTABATO CITY — The Mindanao State University (MSU)-Marawi City main campus has set a record in the Social Workers Licensure Exam this year, bagging six of the Top 10 slots with 35 of 37 examinees passing, according to the report published by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) this week.

An official announcement of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) showed the Top 10 passers as: Top 1: Gezelle Anne Viray Garcia (Don Honorio Technological State University) – 83.80%.

Top 2: Artem Reynald Sarmiento Makipagay (St. Mary College of Magdalene-Laguna) – 83.20%.

Top 3: Norhania Pangadapun Guro (MSU-Marawi) – 80.80%.

Top 4: Jassele Cabi-

co Dasmariñas (Notre Dame Tacurong College) – 82.40%; Ann Karen Alkuino Dechavez (Asian Social Institute) 82.40%.

Top 5: Arwin Roxas Trinidad (City College of Lucena) – 82.20%.

Top 6: Amera Batuaan Rasuman (MSUMarawi) – 82.00%; Dee Jay Carmi Baguio Llacuna (Lourdes College) – 82.00%.

Top 7: Jonalyn Cariaga Martin (St. Paul University-Tuguegarao) – 81.40%; Jefferson Piñon Madrano (Philippine Women‘s University-Manila) – 81.40%; Kathrine Vaneza labitoria Sierra (Cordillera Career Development College) – 81.40%.

Top 8: Jade Rodriguez Baguna (Western Philippines UniversityPalawan) – 81.00%; Jasmin Pagute Canunayon (Lourdes College) – 81.00%; Jovelle Krizza Magat Ondap

(San Agustin Institute of Technology) – 81.00%.

Top 9: Ian John Belgira (MSU-Marawi) – 80.80%; Jenerose Almedilla Vista (MSUMarawi) – 80.80%; Naomi Ruth Osma Solatorio (Holy Cross of Davao College) – 80.80%.

Top 10: Akida Potawan Usman (MSUMarawi) – 80.60%; Beatrice Marie Alinas Bondoc (Don HonorioVentura Technological State University) – 80.60%.

Overall, 1,473 examinees across the country took the exam this month and 495 of them passed, the PRC Board of Examiners announced three days after the examination.

The Board – composed of Lorna C. Gabad, Chairperson; Mary Ofelia Endaya, Rosetta Palma, Fe Sinsona and Ely Acosta, members – supervised the simultaneous exam in the cit-

ies of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Legazpi, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Lucena, Pagadian, Pangasinan, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga.

The Southern Leyte University posted the biggest number examinees at 61, but only 38 of them passed, with MSU-Marawi campus ranking second in volume of examinees but mustered 94.59% success reflected in the passing of 35 of 37 exam takers, the PRC table of statistics showed.

In some Facebook pages, Violy Hunt of the MSU-Marawi Campus‘ Social Work Department has drawn accolades for her close tutoring of all the 35 successful examinees.

The Social page of MSU system alumni conveyed to the examinees and Ms. Hunt ―super loads of congratulations.‖ AGM

Business News

Vol. I, No. 36 | February 19-25, 2021 (Rajab 7-13, 1442)

BSP to promote BARMM as investment destination for Islamic banking and finance

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

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OTABATO CITY — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) seeks to promote

This is according to the regional Bangsamoro Board of Investments (RBOI), which received a letter from BSP dated February 17, 2021 in response to the RBOI‘s initiative to provide fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for investment operations under Republic Act No. 11439 entitled ―An Act Providing for the Regulation and Organization of Islamic Banks‖.

The BSP wrote the RBOI as follows: ―The foregoing initiatives of the BARMM are laudable and can greatly assist in the development of Islamic banking in the Philippines. These initiatives are timely as they com-

plement Revenue Regulation No. 17-2020 issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on 7 August 2020. The said Revenue Regulation, which implements the Tax Neutrality provision under R.A. No. 11439, essentially provides that Islamic banking transaction are taxed no more heavily (and no more lightly) than conventional banking transactions.

The issuance of the key regulatory frameworks on Licensing and Shari‘ah Governance‘ by the BSP and the aforesaid Revenue Regulation by the BIR coupled with the foregoing incentives of the BARMM for Islamic banks, have made the

BARMM as an investment destination for Islamic banking and finance.

Philippines, and BARMM in particular, an even more attractive venue for Islamic banking. Rest assured that we will include the foregoing BARMM‘s incentives for Islamic banks in our conversations with potential investors relative to Islamic banking.

We express our continued support to the initiatives of BARMM and the Regional Board of Investments in promoting Islamic banking and finance in the Philippines.‖ Lawyer Ishak Mastura, RBOI Chairman said that the natural clientele and base of operations of Islamic banking and finance in the Philippines is the BARMM

considering that it is the only Muslimmajority region in the country with about four (4) million people bigger than even the population of neighboring Sabah in Malaysia, which is a majority Muslim country. ―With the assurance of the BSP that it will promote Islamic banking and finance investments in the region, we are in a good position to attract the first Islamic banking and finance investments in the country, or at the very least Islamic banking and finance services will reach the potential Muslim and even non-Muslim clients in the region,‖ said Mastura. JIJ

NEWS IN PHOTO

BARMM communicators navigate new media thru ‘Speakers Bureau’ Officials from the information and communication department of the different ministries of BARMM participated in the Speakers Bureau Seminar headed by the Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO).

(BIO Photo)

A11

SPDA head meets Zamboanga Yakan group from Basilan ZAMBOANGA CITY — Abdulghani ―Gerry‖ Ajul Salapuddin, administrator and concurrently the chief executive officer (CEO) of Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) met the newly elected officers of the Yakan Association of Zamboanga City (YAZ) on Wednesday morning here at Marcian Garden Hotel here in this city dubbed as the ―City of Flowers.‖

YAZ Officers at Marcian. Officers of the Yakan Association of Zamboanga (YAZ) hold executive meeting at Marcian Garden Hotel in Zamboanga City. Their Guest of Honor in the Executive Meeting is SPDA Administrator & Chief Executive Officer Gerry Salapuddin (2nd from left of 1st Row). Other personalities in the picture are Ustadz Idris B. Iljam (2nd at 2nd Row) and City Councilor Tungkû B. Hanapi, the mandatory under the law as Representative of the Indigenous People (IP) to the City Council of Zamboanga. (Contributed Photo) Among the issues discussed were the registration of YAZ with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the induction of their officers slated on Monday, March 08, 2021.

Ustadz Idris B. Ijam, who is a resident of Sacol Island in Zamboanga City and who was elected President of the Yakan Association of Zamboanga said the induction of officers of the association will be at any available venue particularly in one of the hotels in the city.

According to Ustadz Iljam, the City Mayor Beng Climaco and other officials of Zamboanga City as well as heads of national agencies will be cordially invited to grace the occasion.

Salapuddin, former Basilan provincial governor, former Congressman of the Lone District of Basilan and former House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao, congratulated all officers and members of YAZ. He urged them to maintain the good name and prestige of a Yakan individual and much more they are now bonafide members of this association.

Meanwhile, also in attendance of the YAZ Executive Meeting was City Councilor Tungkû B. Hanapi, the mandatory under the law as Indigenous People (IP) Representative to the Zamboanga City Council. JIJ

THE BURJ | from Page A9

The History Of The Burj Al Arab The History Of The Burj Al Arab Founded in 1971, the United Arab Emirates began its development quickly and within just 28 years of its founding built and fully released one of the most iconic hotels in the world. Built on a private, man-made is-

land, the Burj Al Arab continues to be a favourite photo backdrop amongst locals and tourists.

Designed by Tom Wright and built on Dubai‘s coast in 1999, the Burj Al Arab, literally translated to ‗the Arabian Tower‘, was built over a five-year period:

three to create the island and two to build the hotel. Construction involved an international team of over 3,000 contractors, 250 designers and 3,500 workmen onsite at any given time. The hotel was one of Dubai‘s first record-breaking structures.

The Burj Al Arab sits on a private island 15 kilometers south of the shore of one of Dubai‘s oldest low-rise neighbourhoods, Jumeirah. It is currently one of the tallest hotels on Dubai‘s coast and has one of the most unique views of the ever-growing city. Exclusivity goes a

long way, so the restricted entry to the hotel gives only guests the luxury of seeing the city from a coastal point -of-view while lounging in some of the world‘s finest and most expensive interiors.

The 321-meter 5Star Hotel accommodates only 202 double-

floor suite rooms, with almost 39% of its architecture being unusable for living space. Rooms are in high demand (even though rates are over $24,000 per night) as many consider it to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

JIJ

MAGUINDANAO | from Page A10

Maguindanao town opens new town hall, acquires 4 patrol cars Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) overran by soldiers after weeks of ground and aerial offensives ordered by ten

President Joseph Estrada.

Six years after the grim event, Matanog has gradually moved

on to become a consistent awardee of national, regional and provincial Seal of Good Local Governance

(SGLG) and ChildrenFriendly Local Government Award (CFLGA) programs since 2016.

The nightmares of

the 2000 ―all-out war‖ posed a challenge for the people of Matanog to stand up in cohesion, said Mayor Guro,

who believes popular saying any problem opportunity for ter.‖ AGM

in the that ―in lies an the bet-

News

A12

Vol. I, No. 36 | February 19-25, 2021 (Rajab 7-13, 1442)

ADAA| from Page A8

LESSONS FROM PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTS ―Who?‖ I asked ―Nene Pimentel, ―she answered and continued, ―I told him in the presence of Peping.‖ ―I am not mad except that we have just lost the election. How can you defend Nene who has pending twenty-six cases of graft and corruption? Our issue of morality in government will go down the drain,‖ I replied. ―But Nene told me all the cases were already dismissed except one,‖ Cory answered. ―That‘s not true.

Would you like me to call the Tanodbayan,‖ I replied, trying to lift the telephone receiver on the side table between us. ―There‘s no need for that. Now, we really have a problem. I have to contact Nene. Ah, he is coming here for launch. I‘ll tell him,‖ Cory concluded. The rest is history. Doy Laurel became Cory‘s running mate. Nene and Joker Arroyo could not forgive me for my role in Cory‘s

decision..

Pursuit of the agenda: To advance the agenda of the Cory crowd, the Cory band organized a revolutionary government. The purpose was to dismantle the Marcos legal apparatus and influence as well as the control of the government by the UNIDO led

by Doy Laurel. Before the abolition of the Batasang Pambansa (Praliament), Doy assumed the position of Prime Minister. He was Prime Minister for a few days. With the abolition of the Batasan, his position of Prime Minister was abolished as a matter of course.

With the establishment of the revolutionary government and abolition of the Batasan, Cory and his band took compete control of government. But even before Cory established the revolutionary government, she organized the Presidential Commission On Good Government (PCGG). Cory,

on the advice of Senator Jovito Salonga, took custody of the alleged ill-gotten wealth of Marcos and his cronies.

The agency dealt with a lot of commission with nothing good coming out from it for the government. Senator Salonga whose record in public service was unblemished got tarnished as head of PCGG. Business mogul Eduardo ―Danding‖ Cojuangco, considered one of the biggest Marcos crony, and I had this conversation at a lobby of a five star hotels in Los Angeles, California in 1989. It went this way: Danding – Bono, you and Cory committed a mistake by organizing PCGG. You gave us a chance to litigate.

Having established a revolutionary government, all you needed to do was confiscate our properties.‖ MeNot me, Danding! It was Cory and Salonga who com-

mitted the mistake. If I became Secretary of Justice, I would have done exactly what you said. I would have confiscated all your properties, including you.

Danding – Thanks God, you did not become Secretary of Justice.

Relatives and friends: There is one interesting facet of Cory‘s character – she was very generous to his family and some select friends. As head of her band she tolerated and allowed violation of laws by family members and select friends.

Before our parting of the way, I had this conversation with Cory also at her office at the guest house. ―Cory, you should ask her to return the Imelda jewels to the government, ―I said, referring to the scandalous rumors in the grapevine that a Cory relative took half of the huge chunk of the Imelda jewels. Cory did not say a word of agree-

ment or denial Due to her silence, I did not bring to her attention anymore the case of an in-law getting back a corporation together with other corporations previously acquired by a Marcos relative which were valued in tens of millions for a song. I did not also raise the issue anymore of a media network worth billions which Cory gave to its owners for a song, too.

Graft and corruption: As the Cory administration coursed along, there was rampant graft and corruppion. In the words of the late Abul Khayr Alonto, Chairman of the Muslim Federal Party, one time Vice-Chaairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and a disappointed ardent Cory admirer and supporter, graft and corruption during Cory‘s time run like this - ―Before the time of Marcos, graft and corruption was under the table; during the time of Marcos, it was over the

table; but during the time of Cory, it was including the table.‖ What was scandalous is the crimes were committed by those who claimed they were saints when they were not even angels. Pretense is always despicable, especially by those who rose to power on the wings of high morality.

Electoral tampering: The other heinous crime the Cory government committed was tampering with the senatorial 1987 election – the first national election after Cory‘s installation. As records show from the evidence gathered by individuals working in the COMELEC – the Opposition Grand Alliance for Democracy *GAD) garnered twelve out of the twenty-four seats contested, the Cory PDPLABAN got ten while two were still being fought between the two opposing groups.

(To be continued)

ELECTRICITY| from Page A3

Electricity for energy-less Tawi-Tawi towns looms – MinDA Department of Communications and Information Technology Secretary Gregorio Honasan, through a representative undersecretary, announced at the ―Mindanao Speaks Up‖ forum hosted by

MinDA on Feb. 10 its approval of mini-satellite systems to connect Tawi-Tawi‘s farthest islands towns to global internet connections. infant Electric Coopera-

tive (TAWELCO), Provincial Government of Tawi-Tawi, Mindanao State UniversityTawi-Tawi, Association of Isolated Electric Cooperatives Inc. (AIEC), Island Light and Water Energy Development

Corp. (ILAW), and BARMM Government, funded by the EU-Access to Sustainable Energy Program ( ASEP).

On the electrification venture, Piñol said, the Solar PVDiesel Hybrid Energy Gener-

ation Technology for the island Sitangkai and Sibutu towns will have a total estimated installed capacity of 1.65 MW to serve 3,000 new household connections.

(AGM)

PRRD| from Page A2

PRRD urged to ‗certify as urgent‘ BARMM polls-postponing bills Bandwagon of proextension drive Leaders of Muslim, Christian and lumad sectors led respectively by the governors of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and Tawi-Tawi and their constituent mayors; Cardinal Orlando Quevedo; and North Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco, of mixed Manono tribe lineage, have openly endorsed the call for ex-

tending the BTA lifeline, citing the need for peace accords to translate into robust autonomy for stable peace and sustainable growth in BARMM and nearby areas.

Sulu Rep. Munir Arbison alongside the ―Save Sulu Movement‖ and a group of Basilan mayors led by Lamitan City‘s lady chief Furigay have also endorsed the

same extension campaign.

Imperative Presidential push The online signature campaign pleading for President Duterte‘s certification of enabling bills as ―urgent‖ followed an earlier assertion by Rep. Mangudadatu that such presidential intervention could make the difference for the calls.

―I am optimistic that the Senate and House bills postponing the 2022 elections and extending the BTA lifeline will be passed by Congress. And the Presidential certification will make the process swifter,‖ Mangudadatu said in an earlier interview by the Philippine Muslim Today news.

A group called ―1Bangsamoro Move-

ment‖ has also batted earlier for a similar call for Presidential certification.

Extension not personality based In separate forums, MILF vice Chair and BARMM Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal and Parliament Member -lawyer Jose Lorena have explained that the call for BTA extension is ―not about ―holding onto

CONGRESS | from Page A5

Congress urged to enact law protecting ‗heritage trees‘ Elsewhere in Mindanao, heated debates had also been reported between local authorities and residents of villages with years-old mahogany trees planted along roadsides, in the enforcement of directives from the Depart-

ment of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) concerning clearing of road blocks obstructing traffics.

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año and his undersecretaries have repeatedly explained that ―road obstruction clearing‖

does not mean road widening as interpreted by workers of road project contractors and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The municipal government of Buluan, Maguindanao, for

instance, protested the cutting down of some 300 mostly mahogany trees planted over 20 years ago along roadsides located over seven feet away from highway gutters.

The tree felling operation

power,‖ but for interim officials to fully build the foundations of stable peace and faster regional growth through the operation of a robust autonomous entity.

Lorena even mentioned possible insertion in the bills of a provision authorizing the President or Chief Minister Ebrahim to fully revamp the BTA membership. AGM

was started last Feb. 5 by the provincial government of Maguindanao using workers and heavy equipment of the engineering district in Sultan Kudarat province, said Buluan Mayor Baby Dats Mangudadatu, who demanded ―explanation‖ on the alleged impropriety of the mass tree felling. AGM

Tourism

Vol. I, No. 36 | February 19-25, 2021 (Rajab 7-13, 1442)

B1

PASTIL CHICKEN SPICY TOPPING

The Chinese Entrepreneurs: A Huge Factor in the Economic Development of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi (Part 2)

"Bangsamoro Halal Dish"

By JOHNNY R. LEE, Ph.D

WITH MARIA FHEBIE ORTIL

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L

ike much of this country's premiere urban or metropolitan districts, Chinese migrants dominate commerce at every level of society, particularly here at the Municipality Bongao.

The Chinese—or at least the first-generation migrants that came from China to the Philippines and spread to the islands (including TawiTawi) shortly before the war—were steeped in the Confucian values of industry, frugality, selfdiscipline, and respect for their elders. They came here hardy and ready for hard work. No work was too menial that they wouldn‘t take.

They did not mind long hours, measly wages, or inhospitable working conditions.

The early Chinese migrants who arrived at Tawi-Tawi traced their roots from the Southern Fujian of China. They call themselves Hokkien People or in English Fukienese or Fookienese people.

Their migration route was believed to be from neighboring Asian countries like Malaysia and Singapore. From thereon, they reached Jolo, Sulu which was then a vibrant trading center in southern Philippines. That time TawiTawi was still part of the Sulu Province when some of the migrants spread out to many island municipalities like

Sitangkai, Tabawan in South Ubian, Latuan in Sapa-Sapa and even in Cagayan de Sulu now Cagayan Mapun.

The island of Bongao in the 50‘s, with only a small docking pier, was merely a transit point of neighboring municipalities who ship their agricultural products of mainly copras, salted and dried fish to Jolo and Zamboanga City.

There were only patches of residential wooden houses along its narrow one-way road going to the pier. There was no water source and residents had to

rely on rainwater or buy their supply from an ambulant vendor who had to cross the sea and fetch water from a far-out sitio called Malassa.

But some entrepreneurial Chinese from neighboring islands saw the potential of Bongao as a future trading hub because it has a deep harbor and

sheltered bays on both sides of the island. The initial inflow of few Chinese merchants who started as small retailers of dry goods and grocery items and buyers of marine products triggered the business activity of the small town.

(To be continued on the next issue)

hicken Spicy topping for Pastil is of course made with chicken and the spicy one.

As everyone knows Pastil for the Maguindanao is an on-the-go meal that is wrapped in a banana leaf.

It is usually sold by street-side vendors and sometimes along with some of our street foods like chicken barbecue, grilled chicken liver, and many more.

Often, it is enjoyed by students, people who are in a hurry to go somewhere, workers and travelers.

Hence, this is ―Food to Go.‖ Inside this banana leaf, you will find rice and a topping. The topping can be shredded chicken, minced beef or shredded smoked fish. The Muslims of Maguindanao prepare this as another variety of Pastil that is very easy to make.

In making this simplest version, you will only need the choice of meat you will use and then onion, garlic, soy sauce, and ground black pepper, and oil for cooking this variety of Pastil.

If you prefer a spicy Chicken Pastil, you can add chili to make it spicy.

To some prefer to use the Palapa, a well-known Maranao condiment. It adds a unique spicy and aromatic flavor to the Pastil Spicy Chicken Topping and definitely brings back memories.

There are times that banana leaves are not available. Hence, Pastil Spicy Chicken Topping can be used as a rice topping or just mix it with rice.

It can be enjoyed with a simple side dish like pickled cucumbers or just raw tomatoes and cucumbers.

Chicken Spicy Topping can also be used with omelette or even as a filling for a bun or sandwich.

Also, it can be mixed with Arroz Caldo.

A. The Ingredients: 1) 400 g chicken breasts 2) Water to boil the chicken 3) Cooking oil 4) 6 cloves garlic chopped 5) 1 onion chopped 6) Palapa recipe or substitute 7) 1/2 cup 125 ml soy sauce 8) Salt & pepper if needed Pastil Chicken Spicy Top9) Lemon Grass ping.

(Tanglad) 10) Banana leaves if wrapping like Pastil B. Instructions: 1) In a pot, add chicken breasts and water. Boil over high heat for 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked.

2) Once the chicken is cooked, remove them from the water and drain. Let them cool down and shred using your clean hands or use a food processor.

3) In a pan over medium-high heat, add oil. When the oil is hot enough, add garlic and cook for a minute or until fragrant. Next, add onion and cook until soft or translucent. Also, if using palapa, add at this point. If not, you can just add chili.

4) Add shredded chicken breasts and soy sauce.

Mix until even in color.

5) Cover for 5 minutes. Remove the lid and check the texture and taste if it is fine with you. If not, do it again: cover for 5 minutes, uncover, mix and do a taste-test. Repeat until you get your desired texture and taste. Add more oil (about 2 tbsp or a little more) so the chicken won‘t be too dry.

6) You can season with ground black pepper if you like.

7) To serve, you can just use this as rice topping or just mix it with rice. This can be served with eggs or whatever you fancy. If preferred, you turn this into Pastil.. maria Fhebie Ortil