BusinessWeek Mindanao (April 17, 2015)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO Your daily business paper

2013 ppi’S Best in Business and Economic Reporting

Volume V, No. 145

Market Indicators

As of 6:24 pm apr. 16, 2015 (thursday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P44.43

7,883.08 points

11 cents

X

X Briefly 12.38 points

Visit Samal Island

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Friday | April 17, 2015

DOJ junks Oca’s plea to reject city tax code T

By CHENG ORDONEZ, Associate Editor

HE Department of Justice has junked the petition filed by Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno questioning the constitutionality and legality of the city’s tax revenue code passed by the City Council last year.

THE Visit Samal Island 2015 will be formally launched at Penaplata Freedom Park on April 17.

VSI 2015 aims to entice more domestic and foreign tourist to come and visit Samal Island and experience its beauty and place to enjoy and relax this summer, the program is initiated by the City Government through City Investment and Tourism Office (CITO) in cooperation with the Department of Tourism (DOT XI), Island Tourism Council (ITC), private sectors and resort owners.

On its fifth year the annual tourism event showcases multiple summer merriments it is held from April 17 to May 31, it targets to increase the number of tourist arrivals and to put IGaCoS in the map as prime tourist destination for local and foreign tourists.

In a three-page decision dated March 18, 2015, Justice Secretary Laila De Lima said the petition ad cautelam,

which the DOJ considered as an appeal by Moreno, “must fail” since the enactment of junks/PAGE 11

Rufus: BBL adheres to popes’ call to help the poor and marginalized

By BONG D. FABE, Editor-at-Large

THE Bangsamoro Basic Law is one piece of legislation that completely adheres to at least three popes’ call to help

the poor and marginalized, the chairman of the adhoc committee on the BBL said. help/PAGE 11

Zipline DAVAO Oriental -- The Provincial Government of Davao Oriental opened on Sunday, April 5, the newly completed zipline ride in the Aliwagwag Nature Park in Cateel town, Davao Oriental.

Considered as one of the park’s major highlights, the 680-meter zipline hovering 55 meters from the ground provides the user an overlooking view of the rainforest canopy and the pristine Cateel River, with the majestic Aliwagwag Falls serving as the backdrop.

Vacationers and locals who flocked at the Aliwagwag Falls over the weekend to relax and enjoy in time for the Lenten Season say the newly installed zipline is probably one of the most exhilarating experiences they had during their stay here.

FISHING WITH A VIEW. A fisherman in barangay Sto. Nino, Magallanes town in Agusan del Norte throws his net into the murky part of the sea near the mouth of the Agusan River while Mount Mayapay, the tallest peak between Butuan City and Buenavista town, also in Agusan del Norte, looms in the background. mindanews photo by erwin mascarinas

AboitizPower expects delays in coal-fired 300-MW power plant AB OITIZ Power C or p.

(AbotizPower) one of the Philippines’ biggest electricity producers, said on Wednesday that a recent blackout in the southern island of Mindanao will delay the start of its 300-megawatt (MW) coal-

fired power plant project.

AboitizPower said in a statement that the seven-hour Mindanao-wide blackout on April 5 disrupted the commissioning of the second 150-MW unit of the power plant, with commercial

PRO-POOR, MARGINALIZED. The Bangsamoro Basic Law, according to Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chairman of the adhoc committee on the BBL, adheres to the calls of St. (Pope) John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis to help the poor and marginalized. The Muslim Mindanao region in among the poorest regions in the entire Philippines. Here, Rodriguez poses for a photo with Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma and other religious and civil society leaders in Mindanao after the peace conversation at the Bishop’s House in Cagayan de Oro City. photo by bong d . fabe

operations delayed by 10 months to February 2016.

Commissioning of the plant’s first 150-MW unit remains on schedule and should reach commercial operation by the end of June delays/PAGE 11

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Davao Light issues refreshing treats to consumers DAVAO City – Davao Light and Power Company ( D L P C ) c o nt i nu e t o release safety and electricity conservation t ip s a s t e mp e r atu re s are getting higher this summer.

In its latest tropical energ y thrift, DLPC advised consumers to beat the scorching heat this summer. It said that

while children are home, they’re happily switching on everything fun in the house. These kids will play till they drop but your power bill will go up and beyond.

DLPC encourages family to keep tykes in a good mood and budget in a manageable state. DLPC released few refreshing t r icks t hat wi l l wash

worries away such as: -Inflatable summertide: Going to a resort ever so often is never quite part of the budget. An outdoor trip will cost you travel expenses, food, entrance fees and so on. Some children however would already be satisfied with an inflatable pool, enough cool water to submerge into and a convenient food source, also known as the kitchen, for snacks.

DLPC said parents can also invest in these toys as they can be stored and reused over and over.

-- Ice wonderland: Simply make sure there is enough ice to go a ro u n d . Pa re nt s c a n prepare homemade drinks or desserts that are all natural and fresh, served ice cold to keep everyone hydrated these dog days. Keeping ice in ice boxes will also save cost incurred by the constant opening and closing of the fridge doors.

-- Windy windows.

Just easily let as many doors and windows stay open. Give your ACs (air conditions) a break by

maximizing the chance of air passing through your humble abode. A well ventilated home will let cool air in and significantly lessening the unnecessar y heat brought about by the accumulated hot air.

-- Outdoor dining: We do not mean dining out at restaurants. Have meals under the shade at the back or front yard for a breezy change. Opt for a barbecue dinner or cold fruity snacks to give your summer meals a picnic feel. Why cook indoors and uncomfortably feel

like eating in an oven, when you can enjoy fresh air and a more relaxed atmosphere right outside?

“Most importantly, stay bubbly and positive.

Summer time doesn’t always have to me an staying in an airconditioned room and staring at your gadgets all day,” DLPC said.

“Hav i n g t h e r i g ht att itu d e c an we at he r any withering summer.

So go out there, find a perfect spot, unwind and stay cool while you save money this summer,” DLPC urged. (PNA)

Rare species found in Mainit Lake SURIGAO City -After more than a year of biodiversity assessment sur vey sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme and Global Environment Faci lity through the Protected Are a and Wi ld life Bureau (PAWB), four endangered species

were identified in Lake Mainit recently.

Provincial Tourism C oordinator Arturo Cruje said the four species are the rufous hornbill (kalaw), r af f l e s i a ( c on s i d e re d belonging to the specie of the world’s largest flower), goby (pidjanga), and eel (kasili).

He said that recognizing the importance of protecting threatened species and saving them from extinction, governor Sol Matugas, chairperson of the Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA), approved the conduct of the sur vey and it was conducted by experts from Caraga St at e Un i v e r s i t y i n consortium with Mindanao State University.

“These icon species are found only in the Lake Mainit area, and their habitats are being encroached by human activities, worst, by

mining activities. This Biodiversity Partnership Project (BPP) aims to rehabilitate the ecosystem in the aforementioned site, and restore the ecological integrity of its forests,” said Cruje.

Cruje added that the provincial government is trying to develop its ecotourism potentials, conserving, safeguarding and protecting these species all the way through.

He maintained, however, that watching over these species is a formidable challenge to the local officials and community people.

CAGAYAN DE ORO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947 CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739 CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

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CorporateWorld

Lafarge Republic expands capacity, as profit drops LAFARGE Republic Inc (LRI) has expanded by half the production capacity of its cement plant in Teresa, Rizal, as the manufacturer’s profit slipped in the low double-digits.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, the cement manufacturer reported P3.303 billion in earnings last year, an 11 percent drop from the P3.714 billion in 2013.

This as operating expense rose faster than

gross revenue. Operating expense increased 11 percent to P20.333 billion last year from P18.296 billion in 2013, while gross revenue rose by 9 percent to P25.451 billion from P23.412 billion over the same period.

The cement manufacturer has unveiled a P892-million cement mill, which can produce 850,000 tons a year, a 50 percent increase in the Teresa plant’s capacity to two million metric tons.

“We aim to keep the

country abreast with the latest cement production technologies and support its growth,” said LRI president Renato Sunico.

The upgrade is expected to bring down the Teresa plant’s energy use by 40 percent and reduce its carbon emissions by 94,000 tons a year.

Holcim Philippines is set to acquire some of Lafarge Republic’s assets in line with their respective parent firm’s merger.

Philippine Business Bank’s 2014 earnings cut by nearly half P R O F I TA B I L I T Y a t Philippines’ Business Bank (PBB) dropped by almost half in 2014.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, the bank owned by former ambassador Alfredo Yao earned P536.2 million last year, a 46.6 percent decline year-on-year.

Full-year net revenue was up 36 percent year-on-

year at P2.507 billion, of which net interest income climbed 29 percent to P2.235 billion from P1.7-billion the previous year.

Net interest income rose on the back of a 29 percent incre as e in PBB’s lo an portfolio to P39.5 billion last year from P30.7 billion in 2013. The expansion in its loan portfolio in turn was helped by a 16 percent

increase in the lender’s branch network to 116 last year from 100 in 2013.

Despite the increase in loans, the bank’s nonp e r f o r m i n g l o a n r at i o improved to 1.52 percent in 2014 from 2.37 percent the previous year. PBB set aside 150.7 percent to cover its non-performing loans last year.

EArnings/PAGE 11

AgriNurture fined over breach of financial reporting rule THE SECURITIES and Exchange C ommission (SEC) has penalized listed AgriNurture, Inc. for alleged deficiencies in its financial statements, days after its affiliate Greenergy Holdings, Inc. announced being fined too for similar violations.

In a recent disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) the food exporter said it received a letter from the SEC dated April 7, “imposing a penalty of P192,000 for alleged material disclosure deficiencies with the financial reporting requirements of the Commission.”

The fine covers AgriNurture’s consolidated audited financial statements 2013 and consolidated unaudited interim financial

statements as of June 30, 2014. “ T he c omp any w i l l review said letter to determine available courses of action,” AgriNurture Corporate Secretary Lisette M. Arboleda said in the disclosure.

In separate disclosures last week, Greenergy said it was slapped by the regulator with a P57,000 fine for its 2013 consolidated audited financial statements, followed by a P108,494 penalty for its consolidated unaudited interim financial statements for the period ending Sept. 30, 2014.

In both disclosures, Greenerg y Assistant Corporate Secretary Paula Katrina L. Nora said the company would “evaluate”

a n d “d e t e r m i n e t h e appropriate action to be taken on the matter.”

AgriNurture, which is involved in various agrocommercial businesses, is primarily engaged in the export trading of the Philippine carabao mangoes as well as cavendish bananas and pineapples under the FCA brand.

G r e e n e r g y, o n t h e other hand, holds a stake in AgriNurture, as well as in agri-tourism property firm Sunchamp Real Estate Development Corp., and Agricultural Bank of the Philippines, Inc. Businessman Antonio L. Tiu, w ho s er ves as chairman of AgriNurture and Greenergy, has yet to respond media queries.

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Problems mean progress

T

hink a minute…What’s y o u r pro b l e m ? You know that not all problems are bad? In fact, having problems sometimes means you’re making progress. A big hardware business moved into the same bu i l d i n g w it h a n ot h e r, small hardware store. The big hardware competitor posted signs all over the building that read: “Grand Op ening.” S o not to b e b e at , t h e ow n e r of t h e small hardware business posted a big sign over his s t ore t h at re a d : “Ma i n Entrance.” It’s successful p e o p l e w h o k n ow t h at t h e i r bi g g e s t o b s t a c l e s often become their biggest opportunities. As one s m ar t m an s ai d : “ T h e same big stone that’s an obstacle to a weak person is a steppingstone to success for a st ronge r p e rs on .”

The difference is in their attitude and response.

R e m e m b e r, y o u a r e not the only person with problems. Even the lion has to fight off flies! So “Don’t be afraid to face t he mu s i c ju st b e c au s e you don’t like the tune.”

Many years ago, American farmers carried their potatoes in wagons to the market. As their wagons bounced along on the rough, bumpy roads, the big potatoes were always the ones that ended up on

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THINK

A Minute

Jhan Tiafau Hurst top. And it’s usually the same with people. It’s the people with bigger hearts of faith and perseverance who end up on top, after gett ing over t heir life’s bumps and problems.

There’s a saying: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Yes, problems may detour you and take you off course for a little while, but only you can c h o o s e t o s t op m ov i ng ahead. Sometimes we think that our temporary problems are permanent.

But if you stay patient and positive, then the end of your problem will become the beginning of your new season of success. So why not ask Jesus Christ to take charge of your heart every day. It’s only with Him on your side, and His peace and power in your life, that you can turn ever y problem into progress.

Just Think a Minute…

he ongoing peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is among the measures being pursued to substantially reduce threat to security and peace and order in Mindanao from armed groups that foment lawlessness and instability in the South according to Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles.

Peace between government and MILF means peace with the largest, most organized armed group which has been fighting government for decades.

Ending this armed conflict means that this organized armed body ceases to fight the government and instead becomes a partner in addressing the problems facing the country, including problems of lawlessness in the South.

We could agree to that provided that there would be a sure and effective exercise

editorial of the rule of law over areas previously outside its reach and were ungovernable.

Deles’ statement came after a published news report quoted a study funded by the World Bank which noted that political violence related to rebellion and insurgency inflicts the “largest human cost” that affect Philippine development.

The government had already concluded that negotiating with the MILF, which has concluded with a peace agreement and its legal iteration, the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), would make efforts to address the root causes of the conflict in Mindanao more effective.

That t he BBL cou ld address the threat from armed groups in Mindanao, and the peace agreement with the MILF and the establishment of the proposed

Bangsamoro in the BBL would be an indispensable big step towards disarming not just the MILF but other threat groups in Mindanao is an acceptable argument.

However, realization remains to be seen.

Deles is positive that the decommissioning process will cover not only the MILF but also other armed groups, thus, the BBL will have a multiplier effect. We hope so.

Under the Comprehensive Agreement on the B angsamoro w hich the government and MILF signed on March last year, the MILF agreed to decommission its firearms and weaponry and its 11,000-strong Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) in exchange for the establishment of a political entity with genuine autonomy to replace the

Autonomous Region in Mu s l i m M i n d an a o. It s fighters would undergo a normalization process so they could resume lives as ordinary citizens, and not as combatants anymore.

The CAB -- a product of more than 17 years of peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the MILF -- has also made the MILF, the biggest armed group in Mindanao, to undergo a transformation from a secessionist movement to a political group with intentions to participate and field candidates in the coming elections.

We agree with Deles that the challenge is tough but unavoidable and doable through a combination of MILF cooperation and government law enforcement, but the rule of law begets trust and vice versa.

We can only hope that both will encourage people to choose lawful ways to resolve conflict or to sustain life.

Implicating CA justice daughter is foul

L

IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.

So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light…” (Romans 13:12, the Holy Bible).

-oooSO WHAT IF DAUGHTER OF CA JUSTICE IS PARTNER IN A LAW FIRM? Pardon me, but I believe that it is pure and simple malicious speculation to be dragging the name of a daughter of a Court of Appeals justice who is being accused of having received some P25 million into the controversy occasioned by the Court of Appeals’ stopping the Ombudsman suspension of Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Junjun Binay.

So what if the daughter of the justice is a partner in a Makati City law firm

whose founder is accused

by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV as having facilitated the payment of some P50 million to the two appellate court justices (one of whom allegedly is the father of the law firm)? Is that even important in determining the truth of Trillanes’ accusations against the justices?

In the hustle and bustle of news reporting on important events, it would always do well for all of us to always remember to stick by the facts and avoid speculations that could unjustly and unfairly tarnish reputations. Unless there is clear evidence of wrongdoing, it is the obligation of the media personality to avoid ascribing that wrongdoing to anyone.

-ooo“LIQUID ECSTASY” AND

GODLESSNESS: How come drug use and abuse, such as the use and abuse of what is now being called as “liquid Ecstasy” by the National Bureau of Investigation, seems to be proliferating and gaining ground here in the Philippines? For the same reason that HIV/AIDS is now on the rise among male homosexuals in the country.

It is not really because there is a harder push by those who benefit economically to make more Filipinos use or imbibe illegal drugs. It is simply because our people themselves, as a whole, now have a more open mind about engaging in mischief and outright crimes, including drug use and abuse.

Why is this happening?

Simple. Because many have become either godless, or,

K akampi

Mo A ng Batas

Atty. Batas Mauricio though they still profess to believe in God, have become mere believers in word, and no longer in action. Nobody reads the Bible anymore.

Nobody talks about God anymore. Now, if nobody is reading the Bible anymore, and nobody is talking about God anymore, guess who we batas/PAGE 11

Selling charity today

S

elling charity today is like selling rotten fish. You would have more success selling it to a wall. Charity has become a total outcast, hardly known, ignored if not ridiculed by many who are driven only by their so-called sense of justice.

This actually has always been our universal human problem. The root cause is that we pursue justice outside of charity. We make it subject only to our feelings and passions, or to purely human criteria and laws that cannot go far from the eye-for-an-eye law of Talion, and the tit-for-tat logic of our wiles.

It is a justice that is mired in legalism, very prone to manipulations, to kneejerk reactions, to the mob rule dynamics, that cannot

free itself from the motive of vindictiveness, and the temptation to gloat over the misfortunes of others, to insult and do all sorts of below-the-belt actuations.

Without charity, it is a justice that is not an organic extension of divine justice, but its caricature. It covers only a biased part of the overall picture of true justice, and its main if not sole purpose is to punish and demand restitution, rather than to heal the offender, the sinner.

It considers only the externals, and hardly the inner drama in men’s hearts.

Its judgments are therefore based mainly on appearances and impressions. Those who dispense it tend to get hasty and rash in their decisions, often abusing the

discretionary part of law.

If possible, what injustice damaged, wounded and killed, justice should repair, heal and resurrect to life. If possible, justice should go against the law of nature, of biology and physics, etcetera, if only to recover what was lost. It finds it hard to move on without satisfying its lust for revenge.

We have to understand that without charity, justice can go unhinged, and can simply follow the madness of a heart deprived of God who is precisely love, charity.

We have to understand that justice is never enough when we deal with people, especially those who may have offended us.

Without charity, our justice can only spring and strengthen our self-

HINTS

and Traces

Fr. Roy Cimagala righteousness, or that of the world, in its different forms.

It is a justice that cannot understand the workings of grace, the value of the cross, the need for forgiveness and the transcendent providence of God. Still, no matter how hard it is to sell charity today, we cimagala/PAGE 11

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DepEd Ozamiz Participates Peddling federalism, Duterte National Training of K to 12 takes South Luzon by storm

Enhanced Basic Education Program for Grades 4 and 10

By MAIDA S. GARNADA

M AYOR R o dy D ute r te unrelentingly toured several places in Southern Tagalog Region upon resumption of his Federalism roadshow after a brief holy week respite.

In Tagaytay City, Duterte was guest of honor and speaker in a huge assembly of National Federation of

Motorcycle Clubs of the Ph i l ippi ne s w h i ch w as hosted by Law Enforcers Riders Association of the Philippines. The mayor, himself a big bike buff, was fitted with a regalia during a tumultuous ceremony where members drumbeat the call for him to run for President.

Duterte

The event became even more raucous when the Guinness Book of Records officially acknowledged the bikers simultaneous motorcycle burnout as the biggest in the world.

From Tagaytay City, Mayor Duterte met with the national association of cooperatives in Calamba, Laguna where he was invited to be the guest of honor and speaker. He shared his thoughts about Federalism and asked the more than 2,000 members to support the move to shift the present unitary form to Federal. As in Tagaytay, the coops delegates ask Duterte to consider the Presidency.

Duterte later proceeded to Cavite on invitation of the Revilla family. Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla who was celebrating her birthday had earlier invited Mayor Duterte. The occasion was held in the City of Bacoor where Mayor Strike Revilla and Congresswoman Revilla introduced Duterte to local government officials of Cavite.

Before the Cavite officials Mayor Duterte took the

opportunity of explaining his crusade for the shift of the With the implementation present unitary government of K to 12 Curriculum in to Federalism. The Mayor Grades 1, 2, and 3, the enunciated that regional learners were able to learn developments and peace and best through their Mother order problems which beset Tongue which is their first the country will be effectively language. This serves as addressed by a Federal Form the foundation for the of government. He said that pupils to learn Filipino government neglect which and English easily.

In Grade 1, English f ans s e c e s s i on i s m an d and Filipino subjects are insurgency are among the taught focusing on oral protracted crises which will fluency, and for Grades find permanent solution in 4 to 6 these subjects are Federalism. He said that introduced as languages the country is leading to of instruction. that direction. He however This School Year 2015said that the one who will be sitting as next president 2016, the Grades 4 and must embrace it with passion. 10 welcomes the K to 12 Duterte posed to his hosts a Enhanced Basic Education challenge on who would that Program. A National Training of Trainers (NTOT) is president be.

Duterte concluded his scheduled on April 21-27, Southern Tagalog tour with 2015 at Ecotech, Cebu City an exclusive meeting with and April 13-18, 2015 at the Outdoor Advertising Ateneo de Manila, Quezon Association of the Philippines City. This aims to build at the Century Park Hotel in Manila. OAAP President Francisco Abueva articulated the assurance of the association to give Duterte their unconditional support if A Northern Luzon lawmaker is he runs for President. (SCL) seeking the creation of an Ilocos

Regulate tree-cutting to sustain fuel wood needs - solon

Tax filers burdened by BIR’s manual , other requirements A ranking House member today criticized the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for unduly burdening taxpayers by making them file their annual income tax returns (ITRs) twice, first manually or before April 15, and then electronically re-file these on or before June 15.

R e p. Mag t ang gol T. Gunigundo I (2nd District, Valenzuela City), a Deputy Majority Leader, said the BIR stubbornly insisted on the April 15 ITR filing deadline instead of resolving first the issues tied to electronic filing.

“Taxpayers deserve the best service from BIR. The new electronic filing system, just like any other IT system, suffers from glitches and implementation wrinkles.

Instead of ironing out these creases, BIR even went further by forbidding manual filing.

It seems the BIR is very heartless and insensitive

by stubbornly insisting on the April 15 deadline,” said Gunigundo.

Amid the confusion created by the BIR’s earlier order for taxpayers filing “No Payment” returns to do this electronically, the agency issued on April 10, 2015 Revenue Memorandum C i r c u l a r No. 1 8 - 2 0 1 5 providing that in order for the Bureau to focus on ITRs with payments, “No Payment” Returns may be filed manually on or before April 15, 2015 and such returns filed manually shall be re-filed electronically on or before June 15, 2015. The deferral of filing online is only for “no payment returns” of entities, individual or judicial according to the BIR. “The new BIR regulation doubly burdens tax filers since they will file their ITRs manually first and subsequently electronically,”

said Gunigundo, a lawyer and former chief of the Special Anti-Smuggling Unit of the Office of the Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) from 1992 to 1996.

He said it would be prudent for the BIR to leave to tax filers the matter of choosing whether to file their annual ITRs manually or electronically. He said manual filing should not be discarded especially since not all tax filers are familiar or have access to electronic filing.

Gunigundo said even countries with advanced technology are still using manual filing. “Singapore, South Korea and Japan inspite of their advanced technology, have not done away with manual filing in order not to unduly burden taxpayers who have no financial capability to do electronic filing,” said Gunigundo.

Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 18-2015 provides that penalties imposed under Revenue Regulation 5-2015 on filing using a mode/venue different from that prescribed shall be waived provided the subject ITRs have been re-submitted electronically in the BIR’s systems on or before June 15, 2015.

Under RR No. 5-2015, issued by the BIR on March 15, 2015, all taxpayers mandatorily covered to file their returns using eFPS or eBIRForms who fail to do so shall be imposed a penalty of P1,000 per return pursuant to Section 250 of the National Internal Revenue C ode (NIRC) of 1997, as amended.

In addition, the taxpayer shall also be imposed civil penalties equivalent to 25 percent of tax due to be paid, for filing a return in a manner not in compliance with existing regulations.

House body pushes for 25-year franchise renewal of PT&T The House Committee on Legislative Franchises has endorsed for plenary approval a measure extending the franchise granted to the Philippine Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (PT&T) for another 25 years.

House Bill 5601, which substituted House Bill 4364 authored by Deputy Speaker Sergio A.F. Apostol (2nd District, Leyte), authorizes PT&T to continue providing Internet & Protocol (IP) based communications

using the latest state of the art technology.

Apostol said PT&T has a long history of providing telegraph and telephone communications since 1966 when it was first granted its National Legislative Franchise.

PT&T became a publicly listed entity in 1989 in compliance with the constitutional mandate of democratizing ownership of all public utilities, Apostol said.

“From a leadership

role in providing public telegraphy, telex, data communications, leased circuits and long distance voice services, PT&T has also participated in the service area scheme (SAS) program of the government in the mid-1990 by accepting the responsibility of rendering competitive local exchange carrier operations in Region 4A,” he said.

R e p. Ma r c e l i n o R .

Teo doro (1st District, Marikina City), chairman of the House Committee

the capacity of trainers to conduct Mass Training of Teachers (MTOT) in Grades 4 and 10.

The Pool of Trainers to attend the different learning areas in Grades 4 and 10 are composed of Education Program Supervisors and School Heads.

After the NTOT , the trained participants will conduct the MTOT in Grades 4 and 10 as scheduled. With the direction to provide teachers with concrete understanding of the curriculum frameworks, learning standards and competencies, assessment and testing plans, demonstrate cognitive and affective delivery of the curriculum and their role as facilitators of learning based from K to 12 Enhanced Basic Education Program.

on Legislative Franchises, s ai d t h e e volut i on of Cellular Mobile Telecom System (CMTS) has greatly transformed the development of telephony from wire line dependency to wireless mobile communication.

“PT&T towards the latter part of the 20th century has shifted its focus in the emerging market of Internet Protocol (IP) – based global communications being embraced by the public,” Teodoro said. renewal/PAGE 10

Forest Management Council (IFMC) that shall promote and regulate the planting and cutting of trees in the four Virginia tobacco-producing provinces in the country to ensure the continuous supply of fuel wood for the flue-curing activities of the tobacco industry.

Rep. Eric D. Singson (2nd District, Ilocos Sur) said admittedly, the Virginia tobacco industry has its share in the unabated denudation of the country’s forests and destruction of its trees.

“This is because the Virginia tobacco industry depends on trees and forest resources for the fuel inputs for flue-curing barns for Virginia tobacco leaves,” said Singson, founder of Northern Alliance, a group of House members from northern Luzon.

On the other hand, Singson said the Virginia tobacco industry is vital to be cursed and phased out as millions of people depend on it for livelihood and it constitutes a major source of government revenues.

“My proposal seeks to offer a solution to the problem. It proposes the creation of a body, the Ilocos Forest Management Council (IFMC), whose objective is to promote and regulate the planting and cutting of trees not only to prevent the unabated denudation of our forests and destruction of our trees, but also to ensure the continuous supply of fuel wood for the flue-curing activities of the tobacco industry,” said Singson, a vice chairman of the House Committees on Appropriation and on Public Information.

He said the IFMC should be mandated to sustain the growth of the Virginia tobacco industry while at the same time ample protection is afforded to the country’s forests and trees.

According to tobacco-related articles, flue curing of tobacco leaf is a process by which heat is introduced into a barn via pipes or flues from an exterior furnace connected to the central heating system. The temperature of the furnace is gradually raised until the leaves and stems are completely dried. This controlled heat allows the leaves to turn yellow/orange.

House Bill 5505 filed by Singson states it is the public policy to protect the country’s trees from destruction caused by the unregulated use of fuel wood in the flue-curing process of the Virginia tobacco leaf.

Pursuant to this, the bill provides for the creation of the Ilocos Forest Management Council (IFMC) to protect the forests and ensure the continuous supply of fuel wood for the flue curing

of Virginia tobacco.

The IFMC shall cover the four Virginia tobacco-producing provinces namely, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Abra and La union. It shall maintain its principal office in Candon City, Ilocos Sur, but it may have branch offices in other places as necessary for the proper conduct of its business.

The proposal, now pending at the Special Committee on North Luzon Growth Quadrangle chaired by Rep. Maximo B. Dalog (Lone District, Mountain Province), provides the IFMC shall be under the supervision of the Office of the President and all its policies, programs, and transactions, among others shall be approved by the President of the Philippines.

The measure provides the IFMC shall be composed of the following: National Tobacco Administrator as chairman; Regional Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as vice chairman; and governors and congressional representatives of the tobaccoproducing provinces as members.

The IFMC shall formulate a comprehensive plan, in coordination with the local government, to designate a viable area in each municipality for planting fast-growing trees like Ipil-ipil, the bill provides.

Moreover, the IFMC shall formulate and finance a massive planting or reforestation of designated areas and regulate the subsequent cutting of grown trees for fuel wood needed in the flue curing of Virginia tobacco leaves.

It shall also adopt a system of replanting trees in designated areas and collect a reasonable amount to be fixed based on the needs of each tobacco farmer using the fuel wood.

The measure provides that the amount of P50 million shall be appropriated for the initial operating expenses of the IFMC out of any fund in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated. Thereafter, such amount as maybe necessary for the continued IFMC operation shall be included in the General Appropriation Act (GAA).

This amount shall be used exclusively for the development of designated reforestation areas.

The IFMC auditing department shall be headed by the duly appointed representative of the Commission on Audit (COA) whose salary shall be determined and paid according to law.

All personnel of the auditing department shall be appointed and their number and salary fixed by the COA, the bill provides.

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Environment

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PH reaffirms commitment Brgy commits to plant 4,700 trees to water preservation in support of the LGUs Vision 2020 and address aridity Environment S e cret ar y Ramon J.P. Paje on Wednesday reaffirmed the Philippine government’s commitment to preserve the country’s water resources and address aridity brought about by climate change.

Paj e, w ho le ads t he Philippine delegation to the 7th World Water Forum being held in Gyeongbuk, South Korea, from April 12-17, said the country strongly recognizes the inherent role of water in sustainable development and climate change adaptation.

The environment chief told delegates to the world’s largest meeting on water that the country is focusing its efforts on programs to protect its water resources and make communities more resilient to climate change, as well as infrastructure improvements to increase access to clean water.

“The Philippines ensures that the vast water resources of the country will be safe, sanitized and accessible to all our citizens through initiatives on the preservation of watersheds, guaranteeing good water quality, efficient allocation and water use, eradication of water pollution, and establishment of water facilities and infrastructures,”

Paje said. “ S p e c i f i c a l l y, t h e Philippines arrests aridity, brought about by extreme weather events, by enhancing forest cover and water availability to communities and sectors, particularly agriculture,” he added.

Paje, however, underscored the need for appropriate financing, infrastructure and relevant technologies for water regulation and management to ensure the availability of water to areas and communities “at the proper time when needed.”

He said the government also vows to incorporate major objectives and outcomes of the forum into the country’s national program for water management.

“Despite being continuously confronted with issues on water management and depletion, our country commits to supp or t the 7th World Water Forum Ministerial Declaration through enhanced institutionalization and implementation of the Philippine Integrated Water Resources Management Framework,” Paje said.

“We will exert extra effort to translate our existing policies into concrete actions water/PAGE 11

BUTUAN CITY -- Barangay Libertad, the city’s largest barangay, committed on Wednesday to plant more trees in support to the city government’s “Vision 2020.”

In a cascading forum held at the computer laboratory room of Libertad National High School, the barangay officials led by Barangay Chairman Vincent Rizal C. Rosario committed to plant 4,700 more tree seedlings until June, this year.

Representatives from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) explained during the forum attended by the village officials, members

of the village councils, purok (district) presidents, sectoral representatives, religious groups, transport organizations, academe and other stakeholders that the city’s “Grow A Million Tree Program” as well as its “Vision 2020” is right on its track.

City ENRO chief Forester Alexander C. Alaan explained briefly the city’s “Vision 2020” mission, vision, the vision’s core values, the strategic accomplishments and the breakthroughs. Alaan said that the city had been able to produce what it had envisioned so far of its tree planting program and had been successful in protecting

and see growing of its planted trees.

He also mentioned some of the early “wins” of the city’s tree planting program such as the eight income generating nurseries of the city, the ongoing tree planting programs as cascaded and adapted by the city’s 86 barangays, the utilized 10,000 tree planters sometimes on March last ye ar, t h e org an i z at i on and participation of the critical mass in the city’s tree planting program and the establishment of the mechanisms of planting, protecting and nurturing of the planted tree seedlings among others.

He also explained that among the future plans of the city’s tree planting program will be the continuous planting of tree seedlings along the city’s major thoroughfares and watersheds, the farming of 4,000,000 trees in its 4,000 hectares production zones to be intercropped with high value crops, the establishment of arboretums and greenbelts, making Butuan City a future premier forest-based city.

Libertad Brg y. Capt.

Rosario also explained during the Wednesday afternoon forum that Libertad had its own “greening program” in support of the city’s trees/PAGE 11

Rare species found in Mainit Lake SURIGAO CITY -- After more than a year of biodiversity assessment survey sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme and Global Environment Facility through the Protected Area and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), four endangered species were identified in Lake Mainit recently.

Prov inci a l Tou r is m Coordinator Arturo Cruje said the four species are the rufous hornbill (kalaw),

rafflesia (considered belonging to the specie of the world’s largest flower), goby (pidjanga), and eel (kasili).

He said that recognizing the importance of protecting threatened species and saving them from extinction, governor Sol Matugas, chairperson of the Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA), approved the conduct of the survey and it was conducted by experts from Caraga State University

in consortium with Mindanao State University.

“These icon species are found only in the Lake Mainit area, and their habitats are being encroached by human activities, worst, by mining activities. This Biodiversity Partnership Project (BPP) aims to rehabilitate the ecosystem in the aforementioned site, and restore the ecological integrity of its forests,” said Cruje.

Cruje added that the provincial government is trying to develop its ecotourism potentials, conserving, safeguarding and protecting these species all the way through.

He maintained, however, that watching over these species is a formidable challenge to the local officials and community people.

(SDR/John Glenn A. Platil, PIC-Surigao del Norte/PIASurigao del Norte)

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Community

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Solons express optimism on BBL passage

By ALEX LOPEZ

C O TA B AT O C I T Y – Representative Jesus Sacdalan of the 1st District of North Cotabato recently expressed optimism that congress will be able to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) by June of this year.

In an interview with the media in Cotabato City, Sacdalan said that congress

will again meet on April 20 to 23 to deliberate on the remaining provisions that were not tackled before the Ad Hoc committee decided to discontinue its hearings on the BBL after the January 25 Mamasapano incident.

Sacdalan who also serves as the chairperson of the House Committee on Peace,

Reconciliation and Unity ad d e d t hat d e spite t he effects of the Mamasapano incident to the peace process some members of the House, especially those from Luzon and Visayas had slowly been enlightened on the importance of the BBL especially in bringing peace and development to Mindanao.

Another congressman,

Jorge “Bolet” Banal of the 3rd District of Quezon City also conveyed his support to the BBL by saying that now is the right time for congress to enact the proposed law.

“What remains to the floor now is for the Senators and Congressmen to act on the proposed law in order for the peace talks to move for ward,” Banal pointed

out.

Banal was among the 35 House members who issued a st atement last month expressing their full support to the passage of the BBL. He said that questions on the sincerity of both parties to the peace process were already answered through the series of investigations and hearing conducted by

both houses in congress.

“The MILF leadership constantly conveyed their assurance to follow the agreement. Processes such as the normalization, decommissioning and the implementation of socioeconomic projec ts that were stipulated in the CAB are being worked out for implementation,” Banal stressed.

800-T poor households in Northern Mamasapano obtains P925-M infra-assistance from national government Mindanao to undergo reassessment M A M A S A PA N O, Maguindanao -- This impoverished town, which was the site of the Jan. 25 bloody misencounter between state police forces and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) militants, is now a recipient of some

Php 925-million worth of government infrastructure projects.

The undertaking includes the construction of schools, bridges, water and sanitation facilities and road network projects under a Php 874.5M budget, and another

Php 50-M allotment for the 85-hectare Kris-Mamasapano irrigation extension system.

“We expect that the irrigation project alone would jumpstart the economic condition of this agricultural town,” Presidential Assistant mamasapano/PAGE 10

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -– About 800,000 poor households in Northern Mindanao will undergo reassessment for inclusion in the government’s national database of the poor, the D e p a r t m e nt o f S o c i a l Welfare and Development

(DSWD) said Thursday.

Araceli F. Solamillo, DSWD regional director in Northern Mindanao, said that the database or “Listahan” (list) would provide the identity of the poor, location, and addresses in the country.

The majority of local

government units in the region, congressional districts and even civil society groups, and non-government organizations are currently using the database of the poor, Solamillo said.She said that the database was the basis in Poor/PAGE 10

SP MISOR WANTS KILLING OF MARC BAGAIPO SOLVED SOONEST (Vice Governor Joey G. Pelaez hopes mastermind unmasked immediately)

MISAMIS ORIENTAL – The death of Marc Anthony M. Bagaipo, a former Councilor of Gingoog City and a

Consultant of the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental, left Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in

shock and in the dark as to the motive of the gruesome death.

VICE GOVERNOR JOEY

SP MISOR INQUIRY ON DEATH OF MARC BAGAIPO – VICE GOVERNOR JOEY G. PELAEZ is still very puzzled why Marc Anthony M. Bagaipo, a peaceloving person, was killed in a gruesome manner. In photo, Provincial Board Member Atty. Vincent K. Pelaez asks questions clarifying several facts about the killing and other unsolved murder cases in Gingoog City.

Both Pelaezes expressed deep concern on the spate of killings in the city which belongs to the First District of Misamis Oriental.

G. PELAEZ invited Police Inspector Ismael Virgil O. Gundaya, Investigations and Operations Officer of Gingoog City Police Station, as a resource person to shed light on the death of Bagaipo and to give updates on the investigation being conducted by law enforcement agencies during the 13th Regular Session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

According to unofficial count, the death of Marc Bagaipo which happened on March 31 is the 44th of the 47 unresolved killings in the city. “This senseless murder has sent a chilling effect on the peace and order situation of the city and the entire province. It is becoming a nightmare to the people of Gingoog City,” Vice Governor Pelaez said. “I, for one, am having reservations about going to the city due to these unresolved killings,” he added.

PINSP Gundaya said that

they doing their best to resolve the killings despite witnesses failing to come forward for fear of their lives. In the case of Marc Bagaipo, suspects were already identified.

“We are now preparing the affidavits of the witnesses against the perpetrators,” Gundaya said.

Provincial Board Member Atty. Vincent K. Pelaez also expressed his deep concern on the recent spate of killings in the city. According to the information he received, there were seven killings that happened during the Holy Week alone. But PINSP Gundaya denied the allegation and said that based on the record of the PNP, there were only five.

Provincial Board Member Donato N. Chan, who hails from Medina, a neighboring municipality of Gingoog City, was also alarmed of the killings. “It seems that Gingoog City has

become the ‘slaughter city’ of Misamis Oriental since many unresolved killings happened there,” he said. “We are not only doing this inquiry because of the assassination of Marc Bagaipo. We are doing this to give justice to other victims of these senseless crimes. The brother of one of my workers is also one of the victims. We want justice for all of them,” he further added.

Provincial Board Member Jabi I. Bernaldez who is from Gingoog City, also expressed his doubts on the security of the people in the city. “We are not safe anymore in Gingoog City,” he said.

PINSP Gundaya said that the Provincial Police Office has already created a Special Investigation Task Group to focus and look into the killing of Marc Bagaipo.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Misamis O r i e nt a l , t h r o u g h t h e initiative of Vice Governor Pelaez, also sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) calling on its new Regional Director, Atty. Lito Magno, to help in the investigation. Despite the very short notice, Atty.

Magno appeared during the Session and informed the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members that the NBI has already dispersed its agents who are doing a parallel investigation and assured that they will furnish a report to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan by the end of the month.

As of this writing, the perpetrators of the crime were already captured and charged by the PNP. Vice Governor Pelaez hopes that the PNP and NBI will be able to unmask immediately the mastermind of the gruesome crime to give justice to the death of Marc Bagaipo.

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Renewal... from page 6

Under the measure, PT&T franchise shall be renewed, amending Republic Act 4161, as amended by Republic Act Nos. 5048 and 6970, for a period of twenty-five years effective from the date of effectivity of the proposed Act. The franchise shall be deemed ipso facto revoked in the event the grantee fails to operate continuously for two years.

The renewed franchise allows PT&T to establish, install, maintain and operate wire and or wireless telecommunications systems, line, circuits and stations throughout the P h i l ippi n e s for pu bl i c domestic and international communications.

The measure requires PT&T to secure from the National Telecommunications

Commission (NTC) a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and the appropriate permits and licenses.

The President of the Philippines reserves a special right to temporarily take over and operate the stations or facilities of PT&T, in times of war, rebellion, public peril, calamity, emergency, disaster or disturbance of peace and order.

P T & T i s proh ibite d to lease, transfer, sell or assign the franchise or the controlling interest without the prior approval of Congress of the Philippines.

In accordance with the constitutional provision to encourage public par ticipation in public utilities, PT&T shall offer Filipino citizens at least thirty per cent or higher of its outstanding capital stock in any securities exchange in the Philippines within five years

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10TH Judicial Region Cagayan de Oro City OFFICE OF THE PROVINCIAL SHERIFF NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE EJF FILE NO. 2015-012 Upon extra - judicial petition for sale under Act No. 3135 as amended by Act 4118 filed by HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND ( PAG-IBIG ) , as mortgagee against CAMELO B. BASARIO , married to EVANGELINE S. BESARIO, as mortgagor, to which as of March 11, 2015, amount of THREE HUNDRED TWELVE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED THIRTY TWO PESOS AND 40/100 (P 312,432.40), inclusive of interest and penalty charges, attorney’s fees and expenses of foreclosure, the undersigned will SELL TO PUBLIC Auction on May 18, 2015 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning at the entrance door Regional Trial Court Branch - 23 , City Tourism Hall, Cagayan de Oro City, to the highest bidder for cash or manager’s checks and in Philippine Currency, the following described properties , to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE TITLE NO. T-112921 A PARCEL OF LAND, (Lot 14, Blk 30, of the cons.

Subd. Plan, PCS-10-001462, being a portion of lot 45, Blk 12, Lot 83, 85-99 Blk 13, Lot 1-48 Blk 22 Lot 1-48 Blk 23, Blk 24, Lot 1-48 Blk 25, Lot 1-29 Blk 27, Lot 29-81 Block 28, Lot 29-78 Blk 29, Lot 1-76 Blk 30, Blk 31, Lot 1-57 Blk 32, Lot 1-77 Blk 33, Lot 1-55 Blk 26, Roads Lot 1, 2, 16 to 28, Psd-104305-017756,) .

Situated in Carmen, City of Cagayan de Oro . Island of Mindanao. Containing an area of Sixty (60) Sq. meters. More or Less.

TRANSFER CERTIFICATE TITLE NO. T-112922 A PARCEL OF LAND, (Lot 16, Blk 30, of the cons.

Subd. Plan, PCS-10-001462, being a portion of lot 45, Blk 12, Lot 83, 85-99 Blk 13, Lot 1-48 Blk 22 Lot 1-48 Blk 23, Blk 24, Lot 1-48 Blk 25, Lot 1-29 Blk 27, Lot 29-81 Block 28, Lot 29-78 Blk 29, Lot 1-76 Blk 30, Blk 31, Lot 1-57 Blk 32, Lot 1-77 Blk 33, Blk 38, Lot 1-55 Blk 26, Roads Lot 1, 2, 16 to 28, Psd-104305017756,) . Situated in Carmen, City of Cagayan de Oro .Island of Mindanao. Containing an Area of Sixty (60) Sq. meters. More or Less.

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated date, time and place.

In the event auction sale cannot take place for whatever legal reason, the same will proceed on the following working day, without further notice, posting and publication.

Prospective buyers/bidders may investigate for themselves the title herein-above described and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Done this April 10, 2015 in the City of Cagayan de Oro , Philippines.

(Sgd) RICO A. REMALIG Sheriff IV

BWM: April 17, 24 & May 1, 2015

from the commencement of its operations.

In cases where public offer of shares is not applicable, establishment of cooperatives operating public utilities must be implemented.

Non-compliance shall render the franchise ipso facto revoked.

PT&T shall submit an annual report to Congress of the Philippines, through the House Committee on Legislative Franchises and the Committee on Public Services of the Senate on or before April 30 of every year during the term of its franchises.

The reportorial compliance certificate issued

by Congress shall be required before any application for permit or certificate is accepted by the NTC. Failure to submit the requisite annual report to Congress shall be penalized with a fine of P500 per day to be implemented by the NTC.

Mamasapano... from page 8

for Fo o d S e c ur it y and Agricultural Modernization Francis Pangilinan told

residents here during a visit to the Tukanalipao area on Thursday.

Na t i o n a l I r r i g a t i o n Administrator Florencio Padernal accompanied the limping Pangilinan who walked across the Tukanalipao cornfields here with the aid of a walking stick due to a foot sprain.

The cornfield was the exact site of the misencounter that snuffed off the lives of 44 elite personnel of the police’s Special Action Force; 17 MILF rebels and five civilians amid the ongoing GPH-MILF comprehensive peace overture.

The SAF unit successfully neutralized one of their two targets, Malaysian terror bomber Zulkipli bin Hir alias Marwan during the operation but failed to net his cohort, Maguindanaon terror bomber Basit Usman, who is currently the subject of nationwide military manhunt.

“Pinapangako naming sa inyo na di naming kayo p a b a b a y a a n ,” A R M M Governor Mujiv Hataman said for his part in same visit.

The ARMM’s public works office has up to Dec. 31, 2015 to make the irrigation system fully operational, while part

of the road-schools-water facility works amounting Php 67.3-M is targeted for completion within the time frame for the Mamasapano area alone.

“The rest of the proposed road network connecting this town to its neighboring areas is up for completion by 2016,” Engr. Emil Sadain, ARMM public works chief, said. (PNA)

Poor... from page 8

identifying the beneficiaries for various social protection programs and social services.

In the first round of assessment in 2009 in the region, DSWD 10 was able to identify 338,749 households as poor based on certain variables used during the household enumeration and your one-stop

9

validation.

Most of these households under the “Listahanan” were able to avail of various social protection programs from the national government, local government units, and other social ser vice providers, Solamillo said.

She said that the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the Social Pension, and other major anti-poverty programs were also using the Listahanan to identify qualified beneficiaries.

S o l a m i l l o s a i d t h at t he D S W D wou ld h i re and train a total of 2,505 field workers composed of Area Coordinators, Area Supervisors, Enumerators, Enco ders and Verif iers i n pre p ar at i on for t he re a ss e ss me nt pro g r am .

(PNA)

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NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE File No. 202-2015

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL 10TH Judicial Region Cagayan de Oro City

Upon Extra-Judicial Petition for Sale under Act 3135 as amended by Act 4118, filed by Home Development Mutual Fund (otherwise known as PAG-IBIG Fund), with Principal Office at the Atrium Of Makati , Makati Avenue , Makati City against SUSAN V. KIONISALA married to ROSAURO N. KIONISALA of legal age, Filipino citizen with postal address at 501 Gomez Tuto St., Barangay 3, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental 9014 to satisfy the Mortgage indebtedness which as of January 30, 2015 have amounted to ONE MILLION ONE HUNDRED FIFTY SEVEN THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED NINETEEN PESOS AND 08/100 (Php 1,157,619.08) inclusive of Interest and Penalty charges, and other fees incurred in the foreclosure proceedings, the undersigned Sheriff will sell at public auction to the highest bidder for CASH on May 19, 2015 at 8:00 o’clock in the morning to 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon at the Regional Trial Court, Office of the Clerk of Court, Hall of Justice, Dugenio St., Gingoog City, the following properties with all the improvements existing thereon, to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-17471 A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 808-C-8-B-27-B-5-I-10, PSD-10-051793). Situated in the Poblacion, City of Gingoog, Province of Misamis Oriental, Island of Mindanao. Including all improvements found thereon, containing an area of THREE HUNDRED SQUARE ARE METERS (300) more or less.

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated date and time.

In the event the public auction cannot take place on the said date, it shall be held on the next working day without further notice and posting.

Prospective buyer/s may investigate for themselves the title of the herein described property/properties and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Gingoog City, March 17, 2015.

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF BY:

(Sgd) DAN E. LABANAN

Sheriff IV

RTC-OCC

Gingoog City BWM: April 17, 24 & May 1, 2015

09167442406 l 09069189896 09173057798

OFFICE OF THE PROVINCIAL SHERIFF NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE EJF FILE NO. 2015-008 Upon extra - judicial petition for sale under Act No. 3135 as amended by Act 4118 filed by HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND ( PAG-IBIG ) , as mortgagee against NEYRA C. PARCON , married to HERNANDO L. PARCON, as mortgagor, to which as of March 11, 2015, amount of TWO MILLION THIRTEEN THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED SIX PESOS AND 02/100 (P 2,013,806.02), inclusive of interest and penalty charges, attorney’s fees and expenses of foreclosure, the undersigned will SELL TO PUBLIC Auction on May 18, 2015 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning at the entrance door Regional Trial Court Branch - 23 , City Tourism Hall, Cagayan de Oro City, to the highest bidder for cash or manager’s checks and in Philippine Currency, the following described properties , to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE TITLE NO. T-17945 A PARCEL OF LAND, (Lot 1, Blk 18 of the Subd.

Plan, PSD-10-022684, being a portion of lot 5239-A2, Psd-104321-020152 ). Situated in the Barangay of Barra, Municipality of Opol, Province of Misamis Oriental. Island of Mindanao. Containing an area of Eighty Eight (88) Sq. meters. More or Less.

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated date, time and place.

In the event auction sale cannot take place for whatever legal reason, the same will proceed on the following working day, without further notice, posting and publication.

Prospective buyers/bidders may investigate for themselves the title herein-above described and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Done this April 10, 2015 in the City of Cagayan de Oro , Philippines.

(Sgd) RICO A. REMALIG Sheriff IV

BWM: April 17, 24 & May 1, 2015

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Junks... from page 1

City Ordinance No. 128602014 otherwise known as an “Ordinance Providing for the 2015 Cagayan de Oro City Revenue Code and for Other Purposes” had observed procedural requirements as provided for by Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code.

The said ordinance was passed by the oppositiondominated City Council on October 27, 2014.

Moreno, in his capacity as city mayor, assailed that City Ordinance No. 12860-2014 is unconstitutional because (1) its enactment and passage violated and contravened the mandatory provisions of public hearing, publication or posting as provided in the Local Government Code; and (2) that the ordinance is prejudicial to the public welfare.

Moreno alleged that prior to the enactment of the said ordinance, the City Council did not conduct a public hearing on the proposed 2015 Revenue Code in the manner specifically provided for under Section 277 of the Local Government Code. He said the proposed 2015 Revenue Code was not published by the City Council in a newspaper of local circulation for three (3) consecutive days and that its non-publication is established by the fact that the City Government has not made any request for the release of funds in order to pay for the cost of publication.

Likewise, Moreno contended that (1) the ordinance which provides for the creation of the City Board of Assessment Appeal is invalid as this has similar functions with the Local Board of Assessment Appeal and that the change of name of the Local Board of Assessment to City Board of Assessment would create confusion on the proper administrative remedies provided under the Local Government Code; (2) the reduction of tax on quarry, sand and gravel from 10% to 5% is prejudicial to the public welfare and repugnant to the Constitutional policy of the State to protect and advance the right of people to a balanced and healthful ecology; (3) that the imposition of amusement tax on admission fees based on the gross sales contravenes the Local Government Code; (4) that 2.5% tax rate on electric pole or power is a pure disservice to the interest of the general public; and (5) that the creation of the City Business Tax Mediation Board is contrary to the Local Government Code.

In her decision, De Lima said that Moreno is right in contending that the proposed ordinance must be published or posted and that public hearings are required to be conducted prior to enactment of an ordinance imposing taxes.

However, she said, “it is worthy to note that Apellee

(City Council) has submitted evidence, including but not limited to notices of meeting, minutes of meeting, and position papers of several concerned or interested parties/entities, to prove that series of public hearings were indeed conducted before the said ordinance was adopted.”

Also, contrary to Moreno’s claim that the proposed ord i nanc e w a s ne it he r pu b l i s h e d n or p o s t e d , certifications of posting were submitted to the Department of Justice to prove that copies of the proposed 2015 Revenue Code were posted in six conspicuous public places, namely: barangays Bulua, Puntod, 33, Puerto, Legislative Building of City Hall and Hall of Justice, De Lima said.

“Therefore, it bears to stress that all the procedural requirements for the enactment of tax ordinances as specified in the Local Government Code have indeed been observed in the instant case,” De Lima’s decision read.

Help... from page 1

Looking at the BBL from a Christian perspective, Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, a staunch Roman Catholic, told a multisectoral “peace conversation” led by Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J., D.D., that the BBL’s second most important feature or Article answers the call of St. (Pope) John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis.

Article XII (Fiscal Autonomy) supports Article V (Powers of Government), which is why Rodriguez said he will personally see to it that “Article XII [will] be passed intact.”

“We are not going to allow any change in Article XII,” he told a very appreciative “conversation” participants, who came to this City of Golden Friendship from as far away as the Islamic City of Marawi and the province of North Cotabato to engage him in an open, honest, candid and frank discussion on the BBL in an effort to find common ground in strongly pushing for its passage.

Rodriguez made this assurance despite adamant and sometimes obstinate stand of several senators, who continue to question the provisions granting billions of pesos of annual grants (Section 15, Annual Block Grant) to the Bangsamoro.

But according to R o d r i g u e z , t h e m on e y i s n e e d e d to h e lp t h e Bangsamoro region catch up with the rest of the Philippines in terms of progress and development.

“The Bangsamoro shall enjoy fiscal autonomy with the end in view of attaining the highest form of economic self-sufficiency and genuine development,” Section 1 of Article XII of the BBL said.

The congressman representing the second dist r ic t of C agayan de Oro said that as far as the

75-member adhoc committee is concerned, there will be no changes in the fiscal autonomy provision of the BBL “because we want that money to finance education, health facilities, infrastructure and social services and livelihood — the five basic needs of our people.”

These “basic needs” are what St. (Pope) John Paul II said is the main mission of the Catholic Church, which is “to HEED the call of the poor and the marginalized,” he said. HEED stands for Health, Education, Employment and Dwelling.

Rodriguez also said that in his encyclical, Pope Benedict XVI said that “the attention of the Church should be towards the preferential right of the poor” while Pope Francis, upon his ascension to the papacy, said that “we need a poor church for the poor.”

“That is why the the BBL should all be supported by us to be approved because of the centuries of inherited disadvantages of our Muslim brothers,” Rodriguez said.

During the “conversation,” Rodriguez assured everyone that he will champion the BBL’s passage in Congress because “we believe our Muslim brothers have the right to self-determination for them to be able to develop.

They have their own histories and culture and traditions.

Even before the coming of the Spaniards, there was already a Bangsamoro nation.”

He said that the BBL’s passage and implementation will “overcome the centuries of attrition and antipathies the people of Mindanao, especially Christians, have against our Muslim brothers.”

Delays... from page 1

this year, it said.

The plant, to be operated

by Aboitiz’s Therma South, Inc. unit, is designed to boost electricity supply to an island that has been suffering for years from rolling brownouts due to inadequate power reserves.

Many of the country’s biggest power producers, including San Miguel Corp.

SMC.PS, Ayala Corp. AC.PS and Manila Electric Co. MER. PS, are planning new capacity in Mindanao, home to the countr y’s biggest nickel mines, some tourist spots, and banana and pineapple plantations supplying Dole Food Co., Inc. and Del Monte Pacific Ltd. But most of the projects have yet to be built, raising fears that a potential power crisis could undermine Southeast Asia’s fastestgrowing economy.

“Initial findings show that the (power) disruption unfortunately caused damage to the auxiliary components to the boiler of Unit 2,” AboitizPower said.

The cost of repairs was unclear as Therma South was conducting a more detailed assessment of the extent of the work needed.

The Mindanao Business

C ouncil has s ought an explanation from the government for the blackout, which the Energy department said was caused by the breakdown of an ageing transformer. -- Reuters

Earnings... from page 3

“Our performance in 2014 was satisfactory given the intense competition and the uncertainty with regard to record-low borrowing costs,” said PBB president Roland Avante.

“The core income we delivered in 2014, at over P900 million, highlights the maturation of the bank from one that is reliant on its treasury trading business to one that is a more mature and more resilient financial services firm,” he said.

For this year, PBB plans to open between 25 and 30 branches. It has opened five in the first quarter.

“We underst and t he importance of establishing our presence in areas with a high concentration of SMEs and entrepreneurs. While short-term performance may lag due to a drag caused by the opening of branches, and the necessary expenses associated with additional personnel and other fixed costs, we at PBB are delighted to invest for the future,” said Avante.

“We believe the work we put in over the last few years has significantly improved the bank’s value – expanding the branch network, growing our risk assets, and maintaining asset quality – all these investments over the past few years are finally beginning to bear fruit. Overall, we are satisfied with the performance, but we continue to look for opportunities, both organic and inorganic, to enhance shareholder value,” Avante said.

“Most importantly, our stated strategy of serving our partners - the small and medium entrepreneurs who are the backbone of the Philippine economy has been our guiding light.

While asset expansion is a key priority, we remain steadfast in our commitment to becoming a key pillar in the growth and maturation of the Philippines’ financial and business community,” he added.

Batas... from page 4

are growing up with?

-oooLEADERS MUST HAVE AGENDA OF GOD: This is the reason why I have always been vocal, for as long as I can remember now, about our leaders in government, p ol it i c s , bus i ne ss , and in society as a whole, as having an agenda of God and spirituality. It is only when our leaders have fear and love of God in their hearts that they can really govern along the straight path of success and victory.

Leaders who fear and love God will not steal, will not lie, and will not cheat (with apologies to the Philippine Military Academy). Leaders who are godless will steal, will lie, and will steal. Just look around the country today and we will not fail to see the truth in this. From the national government down to local government units, everybody is stealing and lying and cheating.

But l e a d e rs b e c ome mischievous only because we, as a people, are ourselves godless and spirituallywayward. That is why, the advice had always been for the people to aspire for righteousness and godliness the true way---reading and studying and obeying the Bible, at all times and at all cost. The only problem is that, there are not so many Filipinos who are doing this now! Sad. Very sad!

-oooPLEASE LISTEN: Broadcasts on spirituality and Word of God: Yes Radio 88.3 FM, Barobo City, Surigao del Sur and Yes Radio 93.9 FM, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, Mondays to Fridays, 8 p.m.; and 92.7 Smile FM, San Francisco, Agusan Del Sur, and Kiss 101.1 FM, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, Mondays to Fridays, 10 p.m.; Win 107.5 FM, Roxas, Isabela, Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.

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Cimagala... from page 4

just have to make an act of faith and hope that one day, people will realize we need charity, the charity of God and not just our own version, when we pursue the cause of justice. We just have to run the gauntlet.

Nowadays, the Church, that is, the bishops and priests, gets accused for not doing enough of justice. Some contributors of public opinion claim that the Church gets quiet when one of its own gets involved in some crime, or when it does not make any clear pronouncements on the volatile political issues wracking the nation today.

Aside from mistaking the Church to be composed only of bishops and priests (the Church is hierarchy–clergy– and the laity and consecrated religious men and women all together), they want the Church to follow their kind of earthly justice. They want the Church to shame the suspect or the culprit, for example. They cry for blood.

Perhaps, it is partly the fault of our Church leaders for not providing concrete Christian guidelines on how to resolve problems and issues when they erupt. They should do this as promptly and as clearly and strongly as prudently possible.

But the truth is all of us, clergy or lay, if we are to be genuine Christians and living members of the Church, should practice justice always within the sphere of the charity of God,

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revealed and lived by Christ.

C e r t ai n ly, t he re are loopholes in how cases of criminal offenses within the Church human structure may be handled, or there can be cases of clerics overstepping their competence and are falling already into partisan politics, etc.

These should be repaired and corrected. But these are not excuses for the Church to pursue justice without charity, just like what these Church accusers want it to do. These accusers are making themselves the final authority of what justice is and how it should be lived.

Granted, to preach about justice within charity may be hard, but definitely it’s not impossible. If we just learn how to be humble, if all of us just try to assume the mind and heart of Christ, as we Christians ought to do, then the ideal can be made real! roycimagala@gmail.com

Trees... from page 7

program. He said that the barangay had also initiated the planting of bamboo groves and mangroves on September this year headed by the village officials and its purok presidents assisted by the sector representatives and other stakeholders, along the Libertad-Masao river banks. He also said that the targeted 4,700 trees to be planted, the 3,500 will be implemented by its 35 puroks at 100 tree seedlings planted per purok and the remainder by the other sectors and st a kehol d e rs . ( No el B. Najarro/PNA/PIA-Caraga)

Water... from page 7

and align these with the 7th World Water Forum’s Implementation Roadmap.”

Being one of the nations most vulnerable to climate change impacts, Paje said the Philippines further commits to “strengthen our resiliency programs stressing the importance of effective river basin approaches.”

As its contribution to the forum, Paje said the Philippines will continue to impart its experiences to provide water-related disaster awareness and key actions competently applied in the country.

Held every three years since 1997, the World Water Forum is one of the biggest international water events where all stakeholders can work together on joint approaches to global water challenges.

This year’s theme is “Water for Our Future,” which aims to identify actions and solutions to support implementation of the post-2015 development agenda on water. (DENR)

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friday|April 17, 2015