Mindanao Daily Davao (August 28, 2013)

Get your news straight and fast every Friday

MindanaoStar

.CARAGA.DAVAO

The Purveyor of Truth and Development NORTHMIN

‘First time mo?’

By EARL O. CONDEZA of DavaoToday.com

DAVAO City--Many participants in Davao’s Million People March were first-timers and found the march-rally “inspiring” and “educational.”

Melba Tambakan, part time worker for the govern-

ment’s National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) said joining the protest is “Lingaw siya og kanang maka inspire kay daghan kaayog tao nga nagkahiusa gyud para i-abolish ang

Mindanao Daily NEWS

See TIME, page 15

northmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

Wednesday

P10.00

Dabawenyos join call for abolition of ‘pork’ barrel Volume II, No. 073

web portal: www.businessweekmindanao.com

August 28, 2013

D

By Vanessa L. Almeda

AVAO City–– Mindanawons from all walks of life marched together in cities across the island today to express their outrage over the reported misuse and abuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel and to call for its abolition.

FULL STORY ON/p.10

Solon defends ‘pork’ CAGAYAN de Oro City–– Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, of Cagayan de Oro City’s 2nd District, on Tuesday defended the pork barrel funds as he called it an “equalizing force” by the lawmakers in helping their constituents.

He even criticized people and government officials who wanted the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or “pork barrel.”

“Sa mga nagsulti nga i-abolish, siguro wala sila kahibalo sa ilang gisulti kay wala man sila makakita kung gi-unsa sa usa ka congressman ang iyang pork barrel,” (For those who want the abolition of the PDAF, they do not know how a Congressman disposes the “pork barrel”), Rodriguez said.

See pork, page 15

Clockwise, a twenty-foot icon of St. Augustine is paraded around the streets of Cagayan de Oro City on Tuesday morning. Saint Augustine is the patron saint of Cagayanons.

The activity went without a hitch despite fears spawned by the July 26 bombing in Limketkai’s Rosario Arcade. The icons of Tiano brothers, the students reserve corps, and majorettes of a drum and lyre corps are just among the highlights of the civic and military parade. MIndanao Daily News photos by Gerry L. Gorit and Rolando Sudaria

Failing grades for PNoy

By MART D. SAMBALUD of DavaoToday.com

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III could be getting a failing grade for failing to stop corruption, according to educators who participated in Monday’s march-rally for the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel.

Lotus Bancale, a private school teacher, See grades, page 15

The Arctic nightmare Russian authorities don’t want you to see

By Christy Ferguson of Greenpeace.org

I AM on board the Greenpeace icebrea ker Arctic Sunrise, about to cross into

an area of t he A rc t ic that Russian authorities don’t want us to see. They’ve contravened international

law by denying our ship access to an important sea route and tried to shut us out--tried to shut you out.

But with the world watch-

First person

ing and millions of Arctic defenders at our sides, we are defying the Russian authorities, claiming our rights to bear witness and to protest, and entering the Kara Sea.

We know roughly what’s behind the curtain: • Russian state-owned oil giant Rosneft. A company few people outside Russia

See russian, page 15

Editorial: e-mail: mindanaodailynews@gmail.com • 72-33-44, 856-3344 • Advertising: e-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com Contact cell nos.: 0917-7121424, 0947-8935776

NorthMin News NHTS-PR brings government programs closer to people

2

Mindanao Daily NEWS

wednesday| august 28, 2013

Asst editor: ROLANDO N. SUDARIA • Email: rolando_sudaria2000@yahoo.com

northmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

By Recthie T. Paculba

CAGAYAN de Oro City - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) conducts a second nationwide assessment to identify poor families through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) and an Inter-Agency Dialogue to further strengthen government programs.

In an Inter-Agenc y Dialogue/Press Conference held on August 20

by DSWD Field Office 10, Ian Putong, Regional Field Coordinator of the

National Household Targeting Unit, said that the said assessment dubbed by DSWD as “Listahanan” is the government’s information management system that identifies and assesses who and where the poor are.

Putong also added that “Listahanan” also makes available to the national government agencies and social protection stakeholders a pioneer database that entails comprehensive information about poor families throughout the country.

Furthermore, NHTSPR is conducted by the Department to improve

the governance, transparency and accountability of programs. Thus, the InterAgency Dialogue has been conducted to provide better appreciation of the “Listahanan” data and stimulate healthy working relations with the partner agencies.

As of June 2013, several national government agencies have made use of the NHTS-PR data to improve their services. The Department of Labor and Employment-10 (DOLE) utilized the data for the convergence program against child labor though “HELPME” (Health, Education, Livelihood, Prevention-

Monitoring and Evaluation) strategy.

Putong also said that in collaboration with DSWD, Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), DOLE strengthened its implementation of laws and policies towards the promotion, prevention and protection of childlaborers and assistance in the prosecution of the erring employers of child laborers.

The National Economic and Development Authority-10 (NEDA) on the other hand, used the NHTS-PR data as basis for the social protection and safety nets

subsection of the expanded Cagayan de Oro-Iligan Corridor (CIC) area plan, which is also known as the Strategic Development Area (SDA) 1.

NEDA also encouraged the provincial Local Government Units (LGUs) to use the data as basis for the formulation of the Provincial status report on the Millennium Development Goals as well as in the preparation of the 2012 Regional Development Report to assess the accomplishment of the region along with the thrust of poverty reduction and inclusive growth.

Moreover, the Department of Health made use of the NHTS-PR data as basis for indigent senior citizens on vaccination for influenza and pneumonia.

DOH also utilized the data as basis on the formulation of plans, programs and services for the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

The assessment will cover 15.3 million households estimated from the 2010 Census of Population results both for rural and pocket poverty in urban areas. In Region 10, DSWD targets 793, 989 households in the second round of the assessment.(RTP/PIA10)

Four MisOr schools are model in CITLE Project CAGAYAN de Oro City - Four schools in the Division of Misamis Oriental (MisOr) region 10 were chosen as models for the project Continuous Improvement Towards Leaner Excellence (CITLE) of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the government of Australia and Human Capital Asia.

This CITLE is aimed to institute quality and continuous improvement in schools as part of the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 or K to 12 Education Program.

These schools include the Baliwagan and Laguindingan Central Schools and Baliwagan and Laguindingan High Schools here in MisOr. Dr. Cherry Mae Limbaco, MisOr schools division superintendent with the four school heads of the model schools attended the CITLE Planning Workshop on July

8 to 11 in Tagaytay while another workshop is conducted on August 25 to 30 for the training facilitators.

Teachers in the model schools are expected to gain competencies such as costumer orientation, process mapping, problem solving, project management, change management, group management, systems thinking, monitoring and evaluation as applied to continuous improvement.

Funded by Australian AID (AusAID) and managed by the Philippine Australian Turnover of Electric Patrol Motorcycles at RTA - Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez (right photo) Human Resource Organiza- turns over four electric patrol motorcyles to Atty. Edgardo “Egay” Uy, Cagayan de Oro Hapsay Dalan committee tional Development facility head, that will be used for implementing smooth traffic flow and in responding to vehicular accidents in the city.

(PAHRODF) with Human The 4 electric motorcycles cost P140,000 taken from the PDAF of Cong. Rodriguez. Witnessing the turn over cerCapital Asia (HCA), a total emony are City Councilors Enrico Salcedo, of the second disrtric; Zaldy Ocon, of first district and Nonito Oclarit, of 34 model schools in five City RTA Administrator. regions in the country are the focus of the Continuous Improvement (CI) interventions to provide effective and efficient basic education. By IRENE B. DAYO together with other youths),” (Erlinda Dael/DepEd10/ Staff Reporter said Christoper Dan Paculba, JMOR/PIA10) a youth leader of one of the CAGAYAN de Oro City - parish churches in the city.

More than 2,000 city resiSister Roxan Sarmiento, dents, non-government or- a youth coordinator of the ganizations, and religious Archdiocesan Youth Cogroups joined in the na- ordinating Apostolate, also tionwide protest against the shared her sentiment. malicious disposal of the She said that being the Priority Development As- future of the nation, young sistance Fund (PDAF) here people should take part of on Monday. the event like this protest Archbishop Antonio J. rally because they are also Ledesma, head of the Arch- affected by this issue since diocese in Cagayan de Oro part of the fund was supposed and Misamis Oriental,led to be given to the youths as the protest rally held at the assistance.

Gaston Park in front of the “Nag-apil ko ani dili kay Archdiocese Palace here. giingnan ko sa akong sim“This (PDAF scam) is bahan but kung unsa ang a grave immoral act. We naa sa akong kasing-kasing. cannot tolerate such evil to Against ko anang ilang corproliferate in our country. ruption ug aware ta tanan sa We are deeply indignant atong kaugalingon nga kita over the scam knowing our ra gyud ang makapawala ana people are barely catching (I’m not here just because their breath just to live in my church told me to do do very poor conditions and but it is because it is what yet some of our legislators in here in my heart. I am have the nerve to hoard the against corruption and we coffers of the people into are all aware in ourselves their own pockets for self- that it is only us who can end aggrandizement,” Ledesma this corruption),” said Parish told the crowd.

Youth Coordinating Council - Jonas Meñoza a person with dis“Ania ako karun dinhi (PYCC) of Cathedral Princes ANTI-CORRUPTION ability join a nationawide march against corruption on para makiglambigit kuyog Mae Gomez. She also added August 26 at Cagayan de Oro City Gaston Park. ang mga kabatan-onan sa that she attended at the event Photo By Rolando N. Sudaria pagpuksa sa pagpangwarta to know the real sentiments wide protest rally dubbed as rally is just a kick-off event sa mga pulitiko nga gapang- of the people. corrupt (I am here to support The protest rally is for “Million People March”. In for more actions against the abolition of corruption the participation of a nation- Cagayan de Oro, this protest corruption.

CDO residents rally against ‘pork barrel’

wednesday | august 28, 2013

Asst editor: ROLANDO N. SUDARIA • Email: rolando_sudaria2000@yahoo.com

Developments

Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

3

Toyota Motor PHL to conduct special assistance to flood-affected customers Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) announced that it will conductspecial service assistance for flood-affected customers from the recent rains brought about by typhoon Maring. The company believes that it is their duty to be of service to their valued customers especially in trying times like these. In that spirit, TMP is offering *special discounts for repairs of flooded Toyota vehicles. *Discounts for Parts & Labor - 40% discount on engine ECU - 20% discount on selected flood-affected parts - 20% discount on labor Beyond this extended assistance, TMP hopes to go that extra mile to put safety at the forefront for its customers. With that, TMP imparts simple “do’s and don’t’s” if your Toyota

has been submerged in the recent floods.

1.One must first disconnect the battery terminals as soon as possible to avoid any electrical malfunction. Do not turn the ignition switch ON, and most importantly, do not attempt to start the engine.

2.If one suspects that water is present inside the cylinders, do remove the spark plugs or glow plugs.

Furthermore, if one infers that there is water contamination in the automatic or manual transmission, or in the differential, be sure to tow the vehicle with the drive wheels off the ground.

3.Thereafter, do not reconnect the battery terminals or start the engine. Drain any water left and wash the vehicle’s exterior, if possible.

Lastly, ventilate and dry the vehicle by opening the doors.

4.After everything has

been performed, have your vehicle brought to the nearest Toyota dealer for diagnosis/ repair/cleaning. TMP recommends of not attempting to personally repair or diagnose the vehicle to ensure utmost safety. Finally, check one’s vehicle insurance policy for insurance coverage.

In a statement, TMP President Michinobu Sugata exclaimed, “We at Toyota sincerely wish that all our customers are safe and well despite the strong typhoon experienced last week brought

about by Typhoon Maring.

After the recent calamity, we decided to stage this special service assistance to floodaffected customers as we feel this simple act will help our customers move forward from this trying time.”

For more information and updates, call Toyota’s Customer Assistance Center at (02) 819 2912 or visit the official TMP Facebook Page at ToyotaMotorPhilippines.

Customers may also visit TMP’s website at http://www. toyota.com.ph.

Centrio Ayala Mall join Kagay-an Festival 2013 As we celebrate Kagay-an Festival, local artists gather for a festivity of music and bring you Kagay-an Festival’s LOKAL MUSIK FEST! Catch different amazing bands from Aug 25-29 8-11pm at the Centrio Garden!”

“Hello shoppers! Centrio Mall celebrates the Kagay-an Festival offering you big discounts on our very first Kagay-an Fiesta sale! Hold on your favourite clothes and visit Centrio Mall on August 24-28 for your exciting shopping adventure!”

Thrill seekers be ready as Centrio Mall explores to the very first ADVENTURE FAIR EVENT. The one stop shop for all the outdoor activities and Pasalubong goodies in Northern Mindanao. See you there on August 27 to 29 at the Centrio Mall Activity Center!

Marami Mura Masarap Malinis

August 28, 2013

Watch out for the Grand Opening on SEPTEMBER 8, 2013

Sweet smiles from student beneficiaries at San Jose Elementary School (Supplied Photo)

Project Angel Tree at Malaybalay City, benefited 390 students By: Reyna L. Tagailo, LEO III

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bukidnon Provincial Field Office, Malaybalay City facilitates the Project Angel Tree Program together with the Bukidnon Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (BTIPC) and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Malaybalay City last 26 July 2013 at the barangays of Managok, Linabo, and San Jose, benefiting some 390 students also identified as child laborers at those areas.

For the Province of Bukidnon last May 1, 2013 during the Labor Day celebration, the walk-for-a- cause, themed “Lakaw ta Para sa Bata”, collected P92,174.47 proceeds which provided for the school supplies of the students.

School supplies like notebooks, pads of paper, crayons, scissors, ball pens and other sports supplies, such as chess board, basketball, volleyball, and badminton were distributed to ten (10) schools of the said barangays.

The following are the corresponding schools and beneficiaries: 1. Managok Elementar y School and Managok Na-

tional High School Annex – 86 students 2. Linabo Elementary School, Lalawan Elementary School, and Lalawan National High School Annex – 95 students 3. San Jose Elementar y and National High School, Mabuhay Elementary School, and Pamanucan Elementary School – 209 students BTIPC Chairperson and DOLE-10 Bukidnon Provincial Head, Mr. Raul L. Valmores, stresses, “Project Angel Tree thru BTIPC really aims to help child laborers to go to school by providing them school supplies. We cannot know, maybe in the future, these students will become future leaders and successful businessmen.”

Mr. Alot Rara, Lanib o Elementar y S chool Principal,confirmed,” I am very grateful that our school was chosen as a beneficiary, I’m sure this schools supplies would be a great help to all of them. As the students knew about this, they were all excited for their new things.

This gives them inspiration at school. I am very thankful for this.”

Building, B-I, Door 1, Pride Rock Business Park Barangay Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City

VIVA SR. SAN AGUSTIN!!!

Happy Fiesta to the people of Cagayan de Oro August 28, 2013

Greetings from:

Hon. NADIA Emano-Elipe

City Councilor Second District, Cagayan de Oro City

Hon. PRESIDENT ELIPE

City Councilor Second District, Cagayan de Oro City

4 Mindanao Daily northmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

Caraga news

wednesday | AUGUST 28, 2013 Editor: JOE DEL PUERTO FELICILDA Asst editor: ARJAY S. FELICILDA • Email: mindanaodailycaraga@gmail.com jayfels30@yahoo.com.ph

AGUSAN DEL NORTE l AGUSAN DEL SUR l SURIGAO DEL SUR l SURIGAO DEL NORTE

Ex-solon says pork abolition is impossible

By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN Regional Editor

S

AN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur--- A former congressman of this province said while he fully agrees that the pork barrel should be totally scrapped but the still prevailing patronage political system in the country would be make it next to impossible to do.

And former two-term representative Ceferino Paredes Jr. believed it is the majority of the electorate who should be blamed for selling their votes during elections to almost all

congressmen who each spent at least P20 million to buy votes but want to recover that money obviously through the pork barrel fund.

“Such exp ens es are the mother of corruption. I cannot blame the congressmen since it is natural for them to aspire for reelection or continue their political hold on their territor y through their wives and children,” Paredes said.

Paredes said he had been calling for the abolition of pork barrel in 2001, at a time when the issue of the graft-ridden lawmakers fund never drawn to the hilt of protest unlike the recent P10 billion Napoles scam which sparked mas-

sive public outcry after the Philippine Daily Inquirer run a series of expose.

He claimed 90 percent of congressmen in 2001 won through massive vote buying with each of them spending at least P20 million that it is but natural for them to replenish the expenses through the pork barrel.

“Congressmen have to take care of the needs of their constituents, like money for medicine and contributions for burials, weddings, fiestas and sports tournaments—even bus fares or airplane tickets,” Paredes said.

He added: “ They also have to take care of the media and provide food and drinks for never-ending

stream of visitors in their Manila offices as well as their houses. And they also have to maintain an armory and army of bodyguards.

The millions they get from kickbacks may not even be enough to meet such basic expenses.”

The former lawmaker said the pork barrel is a never-ending story of which such ills even dates back in 1956 when he was still 11 years old when he saw a cover of Philippine Free Press magazine depicting the Old Congress building as a pig pen and the story had for its title , “Pork Barrel.”

“Unless our people reform, we will continue to have a government that is oiled by pork.

1st Basic Film Making Workshop, a big success

BAYUGAN CITY- Always have the heart in making your film said Mr. Ronald Gary Bautista to the 61 student participants after they presented five short films as part of the 1st Basic Film Making Workshop conducted at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Center on August 17-18, this year.

Bayugan National Comprehensive High School (BNCHS) invited three experts in making quality films from Davao City and already working on different independent filmmakers.

Ms. Angely Pamila Chi, Mr. Jose Bagane Fiola and Mr. Ronald Gary Bautista were from Davao City where they promoted their Bisaya Films by showing their works in different film festivals. All of them are award-winning.

The workshop was presented by Bayugan National Comprehensive High School (BNCHS) in partnership with Binisaya Film Makers

BUTUAN CITY- Local officials of Surigao del Sur have vowed to continuously support the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

This came about after

Director Abner M. Caga PIA, R10 & 13 Cluster

DILG files report on results of consultation BUTUAN CITY - DILG-Caraga Director Lilibeth Famacion said they will transmit a report on the outcome of the recent Public Consultation on Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) to the Office of the President.

This, as she explained that the consultation was held to generate categorical stand/views from stakeholders on SK; and whether to abolish or reform it.

Mayor declares ‘mourn day’ BUTUAN CITY - Pursuant to Proclamation No. 03 series of 2013, City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. has declared August 23, as Day of Mourning in the city.

This, in relation to the August 16 sinking of M/V St. Thomas Aquinas off the coast of Cebu resulting in the death of 37 passengers from Caraga region, including five from Butuan City.

Environmental awareness ser vices launched BUTUAN CITY - Representatives from government and academic institutions during today’s DENR Environmental Education Committee meeting are presenting their agency’s services that facilitate promotion of environmental awareness as mandated on National Environmental Awareness & Education Act of 2008 or RA 9512.

Butuan RMRT joins in saving Mt. Mayapay

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

in coordination with Balud Art Network to introduce the bisaya films and inspire young people to make their own movies.

Gusto kong makabalo

og edit (I want to learn how to edit) said Kayee Vallejos of 4th year Special Program in Arts (SPA) student. I’m happy to have this workshop, she added.

Most of the groups found the hard part on editing.

Some groups had no audio but it wasn’t a hindrance to them but instead it turns into a “Good Job” work. (PR/asf)

the implementation of the Cash for Training Program (C4TP) where 750 beneficiaries completed and subsequently conferred by TESDA in two separate ceremonies on August 15, this year.

Surigao del Sur Gov. Johnny T. Pimentel said the C4TP

has helped in realizing the dreams and aspirations of the Surigaonon youths, through free education.

“All scholarship programs of TESDA have remarkably helped in transforming the lives of every individual, preparing them for global competitions,”

he said.

“For this, I am giving my all out support to TESDA until the end of my term in 2016,” Gov. Pimentel pledged.

He told the graduates, “you are very fortunate because the government has not only developed your skills, but also provided you with toolkits for you to immediately land a livelihood, aside from the allowance that you have already received.”

For his part, former Tandag City mayor and now City Administrator Alexander Pimentel has signified similar support to TESDA even as he shared the success stories of TESDA graduates who are now employed locally and abroad.

“I believed that TESDA can give brighter future to Tandag City and Surigao del Sur,” he said. (RER/asf)

Surigao Sur officials vow to support TESDA

By Robert E. Roperos

PIA News Bits

BUTUAN CIT Y - The Rapid Media Reaction Team (RMRT), composed of legitimate media practitioners of this city, has expressed support and cooperation to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA-Caraga and Samahang Magdalo’s advocacy in saving Mount Mayapay.

The advocacy of PIA and Samahang Magdalo will create realization among the people in the community to get involved in the protection and conservation of Butuan’s heritage – the Mt. Mayapay, said Mike Crismundo, Mindanao Bureau Chief of Manila Bulletin.

“We should all work together for this common cause. This will not only benefit us but also the future generations. There is no reason for us not to join and support this advocacy campaign since it is for the development of the Mt. Mayapay.

We all should take responsibility. And I believe that saving Mt. Mayapay is also saving the lives of the people,” said Crismundo.

"We, as stakeholders of this city should really protect and conserve Mt. Mayapay, considering the fact that it is not only our

cultural heritage, but it also provides us natural resources," Philippine Daily Inquirer correspondent Mr. Franklin Caliguid said.

Ms. Maia Juni, station Manager of Radyo ng Bayan Butuan, said “everything is possible when all of us will get involved and take our roles to protect Mt. Mayapay,” said Juni.

The group expressed optimism that through this partnership, Butuanons will also influence others to do the same.

Sama hang Magd a lo Caraga Regional Coordinator Micheal Torralba acknowledged the unified efforts of the media partners in providing relevant, timely, reliable and accurate information to the public.

“The RMRT will be of great help in spreading out our advocacy campaign for the betterment of Mt. Mayapay,” he said.

The RMRT was first organized sometime in April of this year by PIA-Caraga, through the initiative of PIA-Caraga Regional Director Abner Caga, in preparation for the national and local elections, where local tri-media are converged to act as one with the ultimate end of making a significant impact in the community. (JPG/ PIA-Caraga/jdelpf )

Editor: JOE DEL PUERTO FELICILDA Asst editor: ARJAY S. FELICILDA • Email: mindanaodailnews@gmail.com jayfels30@yahoo.com.ph

WestMin News

Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

5

wednesday | august 28, 2013

Minda News:

Not the Time to Celebrate

By Patricio P. Diaz of MindaNews

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The organizers of the “Million People March” nationwide are right. President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino heard but has not listened. So, the March must go on even if he has declared the abolition of the PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) of the members of Congress.

The “F” will remain intact in the 2014 budget. The “P”, the “D” and the “A” will be reformulated.

What is there to celebrate? None! Not at this time. The people want the House of Corruption named “PDAF” demolished. Mr. Aquino will only renovate it and change the name. Anybody who has lived through the Commonwealth to the present Republic will testify that the same SOP or modus operandi has turned a clean bureaucracy into a nest of corruption – change the name after the renovation.

Same dog, different collar!

Here’s the paradox. In the 1930s and up to the 1950s, there were fewer office positions compared to

today. An office employee performed related functions. Later, positions were split to spread out functions.

Reasons: To have more efficiency and to prevent corruption. Yet, in those early years, one did not have to offer coffee or lunch to speed up the processing of papers.

Don’t get me wrong.

Creating office positions for specific functions – this is called “streamlining” – is the better system. But the system has been deformed to serve the “private good” rather than the “public”.

And, the greater paradox! The “people” and “public service” have always been the reasons for innovations called “reforms”. They are the reasons for entrenching the PDAF – in different names and modus operandi since the first Philippine President. They are the same reasons for the institution and proliferation of the NGOs (Non-government organizations) after EDSA I. Now, it can be asked: Who are the people, the public?

There’s the path to heaven detoured to hell.

When the multi-billion peso Napoles scandal was exposed a month ago, the

Palace said the President was against abolishing the PDAF. Then the President reconsidered his position as he conferred with congressional leaders. A week ago, the “Million People March” was launched in the web.

As the “netizen” movement gathered momentum – like the LDA (low depressed area) intensifying into a storm — the President, three days ago, announced, flanked by the Senate president and House speaker, to abolish the PDAF. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte urged the members of the House to accept the President’s decision. That’s sheer drama. They, the majority, already had. Their concern for the people and public service will be taken care of. The executive and the legislative will meet to agree on how the PDAF will be renovated and renamed – to be engrafted into the resolutions to abolish already filed in both the House and the Senate.

Let’s wait to see the renovation and the new name – the new collar of the same dog. Then will be the time to celebrate or to take to the streets.

Let’s not forget the

HAPPY FIESTA CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

Viva Sr. San Agustin!!!

August 28, 2013

Marcos martial law. The first three months showed changes for the better only to turn into the worst in the next fourteen years.

Let’s not forget the EDSA I. The “people power” reverberated throughout the world and was replicated by some oppressed nations.

Yet, the fruits rotted before they could ripen under the Cory Aquino and Ramos governments.

Let’s not forget the EDSA II. Vice President Gloria

Macapagal-Arroyo in her impromptu acceptance and inaugural speech as the new president made three promises that could have brought glorious days to the Philippines. Yet, she turned 180 degrees around and the 3,390 days after are remembered mostly for the nightmares.

Is President Aquino III really different? Yet, it should be asked: If it would suffice just to renovate and rename PDAF, why did he

not do it on Day One of his administration in 2010? But if the same renovating and renaming by his predecessors did not work, will his doing the same be different?

The “Million People March” is right. The President heard but has not listened. Today, the million “netizens” want him to listen. Will they not be disappointed like the million citizens in the People Power of EDSA I? (Patricio P. Diaz/MindaNews)

Pagadian City mayor Romeo Pulmones, assisted by Vice Mayor Divina Grace Yu and 1st district representative Victor Yu, unveils a marker during a commemorative ceremony along F.S. Pajares corner Warlito Pulmones Avenue. A powerful earthquake and tsunami struck the city on August 17, 1976 that killed 1,440, injured 7,701, and 49,498 residents were left homeless. (gcc)

HAPPY FIESTA CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY

Viva Sr. San Agustin!!!

August 28, 2013

Greetings from: Greetings from:

HON. ANNIE DABA HON. INDAY DAHINO City Councilor

First Daistrict, Cagayan de Oro City

City Councilor

First Daistrict, Cagayan de Oro City

6

Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

wednesDAY | august 28, 2013

Opinion

Editor: RUEL V. PELONE Email: ruel_pelone2002@yahoo.com

Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

The Mindanao Daily nORTHMIN, Mindanao Daily CARAGA and , Mindanao Daily DAVAO newspapers are published daily by MINDANAO DAILY NEWS at Door 2, Tanleh Building, Abellanosa St., Brgy.

Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Region 10 with Certififcate No. 01791042, and with Business Permit No. 2013-13231, TIN No. 209-980-927, Tel. Nos: (088) 856-3344, (08822)72-33-44, Cell nos.: 0917-7121424, 0947-8935776 E-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com, mindanaodailynews@gmail.com Website: www.businessweekmindanao.com MINDANAO DAILY NEWS Publisher MER M. SUDARIA Manager ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA, Ph.D. Finance Manager ALLAN M. MEDIANTE Editor-in-Chief ruel pelone Managing Editor Cheng Ordonez Associate Editor Nelson v. constantino Business Editor melanie rivera Advertising

Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin Email : -mindanaodailynews@gmail.com -crisguardian@yahoo.com CRIS DIAZ Executive Editor ROLANDO SUDARIA Assistant Editor

gerry lee gorit Photo Journalist

MARKETING

Rene Michael BaÑos-0917-7148484 candy macabale- 09161326483 LIEZL A. DELOSO-0905-2123718 JOE PALABAO - 0905-1569709 RIZA O. ARES-0915-9753277/0920-9600223 North Buk.- DAHLIA S. BENEMERITO 0926-858-2013 south Buk.-MILDRED BORBON TORREJAS Iligan City - JEFFREY OPONDA 0936-1174378 tubod- louie bukod- 0948-1323348 OROQUIETA CITY- PJ TREMEDAL 0919-3452375 ARMM - Sony Sudaria- 0947-4810371 cotabato-ANALISA ESPAÑOLA-0916-9351714

Mindanao Daily NEWS caraga Email : -mindanaodailycaraga@gmail.com -msbmdn_2012@yahoo.com.ph Joe del Puerto Felicilda Executive Editor Arjay Felicilda Assistant Editor PAT SAMONTE- 0912-8091093 CRIS PANGANIBAN-09277974193 Regional Editors Bureau Chiefs deding PANGANBAN-San Francisco Cell No. : 0927-7974193 GEN CANTOR- Tandag City Cell No.: 0929-5817116

Mindanao Daily NEWS davao Email : - mindanaodailydavao@gmail.com - ruel_pelone2002@yahoo.com RUEL PELONE Executive Editor felix santillan Assistant Editor Bureau Chiefs MARLON GAYOG - 09276314995 tom a. caballero - 09105783126 JOY MONTEZA -09479662790 LINDO G. TAGABUNLANG JOMBRE P. VERGARA MICHAEL P. LAMODOC Member: ORO CHAMBER Philippine Press Institute

Legal Counsel : ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI NOTARY PUBLIC- JUNI LAW OFFICE CELL NO: 09352379999/ (088) 8573595 CRUZ TAAL ST., CAG. DE ORO CITY

On PNoy’s defense of pork: handle it well UNDER the present administration, the pork barrel fund has almost tripled from the fund allocation during the term of the previous administration.

Why was the pork barrel allocation for the senators, congressmen and for PNoy’s office had been increased despite doubts that the funds are abused and misused? If he has not abused it, he has abetted its misuse according to critics.

The misuse of the pork barrel continued under Aquino’s administration with huge amounts being funneled into bogus non-government organizations (NGOs) recent reports said..

Citing public documents, the report said that between 2010 and 2012, some P500 million in PDAF funds went to fake NGOs through the Philippine Forest Corp., the office of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and National Agribusiness Corp. (Nabcor).

An earlier COA report also indicated that at least 12 senators and around 180 congressmen, through the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), funneled P6.156 billion in pork barrel funds to 82 questionable nongovernment organizations (NGOs) from 2007 to 2009, 10 of which had links to Napoles, while six had links to sponsoring lawmakers through relatives.

When Aquino suddenly declared “it is time to abolish the PDAF” after steadfastly defending and justifying it for weeks, the move was immediately seen as an effort to douse cold water on the raging nationwide anger over

the pork barrel scam and to preempt a planned million people march at the Luneta on Monday.

The massive attendance during Monday’s rally in Luneta only raised more doubts on the sincerity and credibility of PNoy’s reform agenda. Angry citizens said Aquino was not sincere in his statements because he is abolishing the PDAF, but the pork barrel would continue in another form or another name.

That the pork barrel system would not disappear under the Aquino administration became apparent when Budget Secretary Florencio Abad clarified that the P25.2-billion PDAF fund would still be in the proposed P2.268-trillion national budget for 2014, but the lawmakers will have to name specific projects as line-item appropriations in the budget.

Aquino himself is not giving up his whopping P1-trillion pork, officially known as the President’s Special Fund (PSF), which is almost half of the entire national budget. The lump sum fund effectively removes the constitutionally mandated power of the purse from Congress for half of the national budget because this fund is not subject to congressional scrutiny.

Why the President would need that tremendous amount for contingency fund is beyond comprehension. If a sizeable amount of that fund is allocated by Congress to purchase needed equipment to more accurately forecast the path of a storm, then the need for

Guest editorial

calamity funds could be reduced.

With the President holding P1-trillion in discretionary funds, what will stop him from disbursing it to favored projects of senators and congressmen willing to do his bidding? Assuming that he is as clean as an angel, how can he effectively monitor the disbursements of such a huge amount knowing that less-angelic bureaucrats abound in the various agencies that handle the funds?

If Aquino is really sincere about his campaign to curb corruption, why has he refused to push the proposed Freedom of Information Act that would boost transparency and accountability in public spending.

Under his watch, PNoy should provide a full accounting of all funds disbursed under the PDAF, both under the Arroyo and his administration. In addition, the President should also provide a full accounting of his own pork barrel since he assumed office.

If he wants to appease the people and regain his credibility, Aquino should abolish the P25-billion lump sum appropriation under the PDAF and reallocate the fund for specific projects under the various government agencies, such as the departments of education, public works and highways, agriculture, etc. Let these agencies identify the projects needed in various congressional districts, provinces, cities and other localities in consultation with the governors, mayors and congressmen. This way, all the budget allocations would undergo the rigorous scrutiny of Congress and the public.

The need for rage

it is not enough that people gather regardless of their number to protest a particular government action or inaction. To move government to action, people should register in no uncertain terms their rage over governmental action or inaction.

Clearly, this was what was lacking in Monday’s protest rallies against the congressional pork barrel fund that lately had been exposed as corruptiontainted in Luneta in Manila and in several major cities all over the country.

The dilemma faced by the rally participants was that their gathering was simply dubbed as a people’s picnic to protest the misuse of the congressional pork barrel fund. Second, the rally was a spontaneous

A deeper view Jesse E.L. Bacon II response of non-ideologue citizens and netizens only mad at the exposed misuse of taxpayers’ money.

While some ralliers were angry, not everyone shared the view that they should be angry. This enigmatic nature of Monday’s rally was brought about by the ralliers’ overwhelming sentiment that President Aquino had nothing to do with the misuse and only a few among the national legislators are

involved or even guilty.

So far only five senators and 23 congressmen had been linked to the misuse of their pork barrel fund that is euphemistically called Priority Development Assistance Fund of PDAF. Remember that there are 24 senators and about 250 congressmen representing congressional districts and party list groups.

The numb er s o far named to have abused their

pork barrel fund does not constitute even half of the entire congressional populace. Frankly, they comprise an insignificant number if we presume the others are not into it. But are they?

The problem actually lies in the fact that the covered period of the supposed abuse is not comprehensive.

It is from 2006 until 2009 only. Secondly, the pork barrel allocation that is said to be tainted with corruption is just limited to soft projects funded by the solons’ pork barrel funds.

The non-inclusion of those hard projects or infrastructure projects does not mean they are not tainted with corruption. In fact, I am personally surprised why hard projects funded by the solons’ pork barrel See rage, page 14

Editor: RUEL V. PELONE Email: ruel_pelone2002@yahoo.com

Views/Opinion

Assault on press freedom

DAVAO City––Here’s a planned assault on press freedom that the Philippine press must fight AGAINST to the end.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada filed Senate Bill No. 380 that would require journalists to pass professional exams before they are allowed or accredited to practice their profession like doctors, lawyers, engineers or other professionals. Those who fail the exams will not be accredited.

We don’t know what prompted the good senator to do this. He ought to know that journalism is a distinct calling or craft that enjoys special and full protection accorded by the Philippine Constitution itself. Everyone is free to write and express his views under the principle of free speech. He doesn’t have to get prior permits to write and express his opinions or views. One can even publish his own newspaper freely without securing any prior permit or license. In fact, journalists are so free they are free to even make fools of themselves, if they so wish. Prior restraint is a constitutional no-no! That’s what freedom of the press is all about. Of course, a journalist will be liable AFTER for what he writes (libel or

Advocacy Mindanao Jess Dureza civil cases for damages) but PRIOR restraint is anathema to press freedom.

This is not to be construed however that journalists are free to malign and libel anyone. There is a recourse given to the public for redress. Civil and criminal cases can be filed against them AFTER PUBLICATION and this does not constitute infringement of the freedom of the press. PRIOR RESTRAINT before publication is what the constitution does not countenance.

RADIO AND TV --- A slight distinction however will have to be made between print media and electronic media (radio and TV). In the latter case, frequencies have to be approved by government (specifically by the National Telecommunication Commission) before radio or TV stations can broadcast. Government may regulate them or even remove them from the air, if need be. Even movies

and shows have to get the approval of the government (in this case the MTRCB) and can be priorly censored.

---MY LIBEL CASE --I have spent more than one half of my whole lifetime doing presswork -- as a reporter, stringer, correspondent, columnist, editor and now publisher -- in between forays in government and lawyering.

Some media friends had been saying that a veteran journalist is measured by the number of libel cases filed against him. I don’t have much to brag about on this. Except one libel case that is unforgettable. That happened before Martial Law when PRESIDENT MARCOS filed a case for libel against the MANILA TIMES and his nemesis, SEN. NINOY AQUINO. I just happened to be an unknown reporter from Davao City getting caught in their battle of giants.

Let me recall. I was then

Davao correspondent of the Manila TIMES before Martial Law and taking up law at Ateneo de Davao Law School. One day, I got a personal long distance call from no less than the venerable CHINO ROCES, Times publisher himself telling me to cover Senator NINOY who was scheduled to speak in a Davao political rally at the Rizal Park. (Ninoy obviously was Chino’s “fair haired boy” having started his public career as a young TIMES correspondent covering the Korean War). He was to expose the alleged unexplained wealth of President MARCOS citing several mansions and properties here and abroad. It was to be the initial salvo against the President. But since the speech would be made late in the evening and beyond deadline time for the following day’s TIMES issue, Chino told me that he had arranged for the senator to receive me for an exclusive interview at the downtown Imperial Hotel before the scheduled rally.

Indeed, Senator Ninoy was waiting for me at the coffee shop. And gave me the full story and a copy of his speech. I dispatched it to the Manila desk by long See freedom, page 14

Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

7

wednesday | august 28, 2013

Judgment SPECIAL Gospel of the day: Matthew10-7-15(August28, 2013-Wednesday) Matthew 10:7-15-And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for [your] journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it.

And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city: This gospel is focusing on the burdens and heavy luggage of the disciples to perform their duty I n God’s vineyards.

In 1Timothy 6:10-For the love of money is the root of

Biblical reflection

Bro. Edcel L. Closas all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Take note, we cannot serve two masters at the same time.

In Matthew 6:24-“No man can serve two masters:” for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

This is a reminder to all of us that in following God, He has his own standard. There is no wrong of acquiring things for us to survive, but be sure that this will not block our destinations: SPONSORED: Neneth - Bobong Balino- Dr. Edith, PhD- Tony Jordan - CDO. St. Peter Calungsod, pray for us! Listen: Radio Ultra AM-1188-3:00 PM - Sunday: #0928414949009266607505: Question – Prayer request

Palace says President’s Social Fund being used with utmost transparency THE Palace assured the public on Tuesday that the President’s Social Fund is being used with utmost accountability and transparency.

“K l a r o n a m a n a n g pinagkakagastusan niyan at taun-taon na-au-audit din naman ‘yan at nakikita ng COA (Commission on Audit),” Deputy presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte

said in a press briefing in Malacanang.

Everything is accounted for with regards to the use of the President’s Social Fund, Valte said adding that all the receipts, vouchers, and disbursement requests are submitted to the Commission on Audit.

At the end of the calendar year, COA summarizes all its observations in the

annual audit report or AAR. The agency would post and upload it for the public to see, she said.

“We invite everybody to look at these COA reports to familiarize yourselves with its contents para makita kung saan napupunta ang mga ibinabayad nating buwis,” Valte said.

The Department of Budget and Management also

have posted in its website all the expenses made using the President’s Social Fund through the Statement of Allocations, Obligations and Balances, she noted.

The public can view the amounts as of the first quarter this year and whatever allocated by the offices as well as the balances that have to be paid.

See fund, page 13

Honorable Secretary Proceso J. Alcala of the Department of Agriculture handed the agricultural and fishery projects to the 15th Infantry battalion and the Local Government Units of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte that will provide assistance to the farmers and fisher folk in the municipality especially to the rebel returnees (RRs) in the province of Lanao del Norte. The agricultural assistance includes Mechanical Corn Sheller, Hand Tractor, rice Threshers, Multi-Purpose Drying Pavements, Robusta Coffee seedlings, OPV corn seeds, packets of goats, draft animals with implements amounting to more than Php 2 million. (Above photo) Hon. Municipal Mayor Rommel C. Arnado receives the agri-projects from Secretary Alcala. Photo below shows the project recipients headed by the 15th Infantry Battalion and the leaders of the rebel returnees together with DA-10 Regional Director Lealyn A. Ramos (extreme left) Secretary Proceso Alcala (5th from left) Mayor Rommel C. Arnado (6th from left) and ATI Director Asterio P. Saliot (2nd from right)

8

Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

wednesday | august 28, 2013

Business

Editor: Nelson Constantino Email: nelconstant@gmail.com

‘Certify bill to scrap pork barrel urgent’

By NELSON V. CONSTANTINO, Editor-in-Chief BUTCH D. ENERIO, Correspondent with Wire Reports

PROTESTERS may have failed to reach the projected one million mark at Luneta Park yesterday, but across the country ordinary citizens swelled in numbers as they joined the simultaneous protest action dubbed “Million People March” calling for the total abolition of the graft-laden Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

The women’s group Gabriela issued a challenge to President Benigno Aquino III to show his political will by certifying as urgent a bill that seeks the removal of the controversial fund from the general appropriations.

Partylist Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan said Aquino should make House Bill 1535 filed by partylist representatives under the Makabayan bloc to abolish the pork barrel urgent.

Ilagan said: “All pork f u nds, lu mp su m a nd discretionary funds in the 2014 budget be effectively rechanneled in specific items towards the delivery of basic social services such as healthcare, education and housing.”

“The Million People March will snowball and public outrage will continue.

History will judge Aquino and his government harshly on turning his back on his campaign promises against plunder and corruption unless the pork barrel is eliminated,” she warned.

In Cagayan de Oro City, an interfaith protest action led by the city’s Archdiocese and joined by various civic and cause-oriented groups converged at Gaston Park near the St. Augustine Cathedral.

The Interfaith Group is composed of various religious denominations in the city.

In a pastora l letter, Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ. has ex pressed t he d iocese disillusion over the unabated abuses by legislators in the use of their respective PDAF, otherwise known as pork barrel fund, supposedly intended to alleviate the

lives of Filipino poor.

Based on the Commission on Audit (COA) report, about P10-billion of lawmakers’ pork barrel fund went to dubious non-government organizations (NGOs).

“This is a grave immoral act and we cannot tolerate such evil to proliferate in our country. We are deeply indignant over the scam knowing that our people are barely catching their breath just to live in a very poor condition and yet some of our legislators have the nerve to hoard the coffers of the people into their own pockets for selfaggrandizement,” Ledesma said in his pastoral letter.

The Catholic Church is also calling all citizenry to rise up for love, truth, and justice to shun the evil of corruption that debases human dignity and destroys the abundance of our land.

“Let us join hands to create a new culture of life and compassion that transforms our system of governance,” he said.

“Let our faith shape our social conscience and become active collaborator in the creation of a transparent, accountable and peopleoriented government that truly advances the people’s agenda for peace, security a nd prog ress.” Bishop Ledesma said.

The diocese also enjoined a l l men a nd women of goodwill to join the mobilization of the different s e c tor s a nd re l i g iou s denominations to show a united and strong public support for the following: run after all those involved in the malicious use of the PDAF and bring to justice

NO TO PORK BARREL. Some 300 protesters marching in Surigao City to join calls for the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel. mindanews photo by roel n . catoto

Govt urged to use pork to ‘climate-proof ’ PHL

By BONG D. FABE Associate Editor

A GROUP of environment activists has urged government to legally divert the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel to fund measures that will “climateproof ” the Philippines.

“The pork barrel should be abolished and its fund should be re-channelled to operationalize ‘climate pr ior it y ’ p ol ic ie s a nd prog ra ms such a s t he People’s Mining Bill, the One Million Solar Roofs Bill and the National Flood Management Master Plan, which will improve our cli mate resi lienc y a nd reduce climate changerelated disasters in the Philippines,” the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) said in a statement emailed to the Business Daily.

With at least 20 typhoons and storms visiting the Philippines annually, muchneeded funds should be allocated to prepare the country for their impacts, which are being exacerbated bill | page 13 by climate change.

“The Philippines could Republic of the Philippines have been su f f icient ly FOURTH SHARI’A CIRCUIT COURT Fourth Shari’a Judicial District prepared if public funds Iligau City embe zz led by cor r upt IN RE: PETITION TO APPROVE AND REGISTER CIVIL CASE NO. 2013-93 THE DIVORCE OF SPOUSES RENE N. ORIEL politicians on pork barrel AND ANNIE C. CHENG-ORIEL. funds were utilized for a RENE N. ORIEL AND ANNIE CHENG- C. ORIEL, comprehensive climate Petitioners, X-------------------------------------------------------------------------/ adaptation and effective ORDER m it igat ion s olut ions ,” Kalikasan PNE said.

Before this court is a verified Joint Petition for approval and registration of the divorce between herein spouses RENE N. ORIEL and ANNIE CHENG-C. ORIEL, and alleging among others; T his as mi l l ions of

That petitioners are husband and wife, respectively, both Muslim converts and residents of Iligan City and Lt. Artiaga St., Sail Juan City, Metro Manila, respectively, their marriage was performed under Fi l ipi nos a l l over t he Civil rite on April 2, 2009 at Frisco, Quezon City, they converted to Islam faith, of which conversions to Islam were registered with tins Court; world called Monday for

That said marriage did not last long, due to lack of love and affection until the relationship manifested the immediate abolition of incompatibility and sustained misunderstanding between petitioner and respondent and reached the point of irreconcilability and they separated in the early part of 2002 they decided to live physically in bed and the pork barrel system and board thereby executed Divorce Agreement in order to formalize their separation; since their separation after five [5] months of marriage or since 2009, they had never been communicating or supporting either the immediate passage of financially or emotionally to each other; neither minding each other’s affairs; petitioner and respondent seek judicial decree of divorce thereby severing their marriage bond on April 2, 2009, so that they will the Freedom of Information have free hand to do what a single man or woman could do without marital burden; reconciliation between titan is no longer a remedy, as all efforts necessary for possible reconciliation had already been diligently (FOI) bill. employed but all proved futile.

The Balay Mindanaw

WHEREFORE, finding this Joint Petition to be sufficient in form and substance, set the initial heating of this case on August 29, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. at which time, date and place, any interested party Group (BMG) of NGOs, may appear and show why the petition should not be granted. Let copy of this Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Iligan once a week for the three (3) consecutive weeks at based in Cagayan de Oro the expense of the petitioner.

SO ORDERED. City, also demanded the

Iligan City, Philippines, this 9th day of August, 2013. prosecution and punishment (Sgd.) HON. OSOP M. ALI of those involved in the pork

Presiding Judge barrel scam.

MDN: Aug 19, 22 28, 2013

“We join the millions, not just a million, as we demand (1) abolish, not just rename the PDAF!; (2) prosecute a nd pu n i s h , not ju s t investigate the perpetrators and criminals!; and (3) seriously Institutionalize Participatory, Accountable, Responsive and Transparent Governance especially the right of the people to freely access information!” said Charlito “Kaloy” Manlupig, fou nder a nd president of the Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. (BMFI), mother organization of the BMG, told the Business Daily.

B M G ’s M a n l u p i g described the pork barrel scam as “despicable” and “criminal.”

“As Mindanawans and as Filipinos, we refuse to remain victims to this despicable a nd cr i m i na l prac t ice that allows legislators and their co-conspirators in the executive department, a nd p s e udo -NG O s to u nder m i ne democrac y and make the lives of the poor even more miserable, especially the Moros, the Lu m a d s , t he l a nd le s s farmers and farmworkers, and the exploited peoples of Mindanao,” he said.

“We sha l l cont i nue to refuse to be victims of this system. We shall continue to find creative and peaceful means to contribute meaningfully as we humbly offer ourselves as resources as we struggle to rise again as a people,” he added.

The Kalikasan PNE also urged President Aquino to scrap the PDAF of legislators in favor of programs on disaster risk reduction, renewable energ y a nd environmental protection.

“The P10-billion pork barrel scam allocated to fake NGOs should have instead been used for an P8.3-billion restoration of our country’s mangrove forest cover and almost four

year’s worth of communitybased disaster preparedness and response programs for at least P2 billion,” said Leon Dulce, Kalikasan PNE campaign coordinator.

Like other indignant Fi lipinos worldw ide, “Kalikasan PNE joined the growing clamor for the abolition of the PDAF and other discretionary funds and the immediate prosec ut ion of people involved in the misuse of public funds.”

“It is infuriating how billions of pesos for pork barrels, even over a trillion pesos if we look at Pres.

Benigno Aquino III’s lump sum funds, are likely being used for corruption instead of much needed climateproofing measures. The money poured into pork politics could have been used for environmental protection, disaster risk reduction and renewable energy measures that could have reduced the damages caused by the unusually strong monsoon rains,” Dulce said.

In the investigations of the Commission on Audit, most of the lawmakers, some even allies of the Aquino administration, were found to have availed of PDAF allocations greater than their respective caps, which was P200 million for each senator and P70 million for each congressman.

Bishop Broderick S. Pabi l lo, D.D. nat iona l director of the National S e c re t a r i at for S o c i a l Action, Justice and Peace (NASSA) of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) also urged the government to “make a no-nonsense investigation of the pork barrel Scam.”

“As of now, it is very suspicious that both the Lower and Upper Houses of Congress have shown no eagerness to investigate this scam when their own

members are alleged to be involved in it. It is strange that those who are not named in the Commission on Audit (COA) report on alleged misuse of funds do not make any move to have this investigated to clear the image of the institutions to which they belong. Is this stonewalling attitude an indication that there is really something fishy about the pork barrel?

The lame excuse made that investigating the scam will take away time for lawma k ing does not hold.

Any law that this congress will make would be held suspect until its integrity is established,” he said.

Pabillo also slammed Aquino for “doing a great disservice to the country by not acting decisively on this issue. A closer look at the COA report on the scam does not only allege the congressmen/ women of the opposition, nor only the former administration to be involved, but even his ow n a llies and his own administration. The present President has to clear his own rank. Thus, the investigation should cover not only the Napoles family and the NGOs used but also the members of Congress and government departments involved.”

He stressed that the pork barrel scam “is a big crime against the people, especially against the poor, whose hard-earned money is being plundered and squandered.”

Pabillo also urged for the immediate passage of the FOI Bill now pending in Congress.

“Is the pork barrel issue perhaps a reason why the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill is not being passed? Why are our elected government officials afraid that the people may know their public transactions which they claim to be done pork | page 13

Editor: JOE DEL PUERTO FELICILDA Asst editor: ARJAY S. FELICILDA • Email: mindanaodailnews@gmail.com jayfels30@yahoo.com.ph

BillBoard

Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

9

wednesday | august 28, 2013

Villa San Ignacio, FERNDALE Int’l School, Jollibee team up for Walk and Run for a Cause

F

ilinvest Land Inc. – Zamboanga, FERNDALE International School and Jollibee partnered for a worthy get-up-and-go with their “Walk and Run for a Cause” last August 18 and 21 in Zamboanga City.

With the theme: “One Mind, One Heart, One Voice”, the August 18 affair was participated by High School kids started with a 5AM walk and run from Jollibee Veterans Avenue with the final rendezvous at Villa San Ignacio – FILINVEST Clubhouse. SPED kids, Kindergarten and Grades 1, 2, 3 and 4 students with their parents joined the August 21 event.

Dance competitions were held among students in preschool, intermediate and high school levels at the basketball court culminating with a basketball game between the high school varsity team and the parents.

In between competitions, guests relaxed in the clubhouse with food, fun and games provided by Jollibee while brokers toured others around Villa San Ignacio.

Students, parents and guests had a grand time under the hosting and guidance of masters of ceremonies Joe James M. Alob and Brave Angelo Cayanong, The walk-run for a cause was just one of many in a series of events hosted by

Villa San Ignacio which puts it in the mainstream of Asia’s Latin City. Earlier last May, Villa San Ignacio participated in a job fair at WMSU in coordination with DOLE and the business sector. This was followed by a series of week-end open house events for the whole month of May where guests were invited to take a firsthand look and feel of Villa San Ignacio.

Regular open house activities were conducted in June in coordination with Ateneo de Zamboanga University High School campus next door headed by Principal Conrado “Shing” Balatbat.

Another big event was the McDonald’s Kiddie Crew graduation and fun day, a fun-filled day with games and dances at the VSI Clubhouse with lunch provided

by McDonalds followed by field trips to the Coca Cola Bottling Plant, Pasonanca Butterfly Farm and the Edwin Andrews Airbase in Sta. Maria.

Not the least, the Villa San Ignacio hosted a family fun day last July 17 for its

sales team and their families.

Villa San Ignacio is the first project of Filinvest Land Inc. in Zamboanga City. Its 13.2 hectares can accommodate a community of some 400 residences with a breathtaking view of the famous Mt. Pulumbato, Zamboanga City’s trademark landmark.

Besides world class infrastructure of 12 meter main and 10 meter secondary roads, it also boasts of beautiful amenities like a clubhouse, adult and kiddies swimming pool, gazebo, trellis area, jogging path trails, tai chi practice area and basketball court.

Create precious family time with Sun Broadband Technology has become an integral part of our lives.

While it has showed the tendency to overwhelm us, it thankfully has a way of reminding us to go back to the most important things – family bonding.

Indeed, despite the generation of #selfies or #OOTDs (Outfit of the Day), technology still has a number of ways to knock us out of our individual shells and focus on spending time with the members of our families, especially through the internet.

Now is the time to create the best family moments, even online

With the consistent, fast and reliable internet service of Sun Broadband nationwide, no place is too far away when it comes to reaching out to your loved ones.

Its value-for-money offerings ensure that your family interactions online go smoothly on your preferred social networking site.

In addition, through its economical bundles and offerings, Sun Broadband lets you enjoy your favourite games online with the rest of the family.

Spend unlimited virtual time with the most important people in your life with Sun Broadband

Postpaid Power Plan 250 with P250 consumable value and 10 additional hours, or, Power Plan 450 with P450 consumable value plus 25 additional hours free.

You may use the consumable hours at a rate of P2.50 for 15 minutes or convert the loads for unlimited surfing.

The available load codes are - i25; i50; i100; i250; SBW 125; WE75; WE200.

Now, if you are conscious of your spending and would only want to go online as your collective need arises, then you may opt to consider a Sun Broadband prepaid account instead.

Discover flexible internet

BusinessWeek Mindanao Media Center (BWM-MC) conducts training on JOURNALISM (Radio Broadcasting, Editorial Cartooning, Photojourn, Sportswriting,Feature Writing & Layouting, among other) to pupils/students, professional & interested individual. Please contact mobile # 09997990008, 09493284099, 09173077126, 09262553215 or 09493284099. BWM-MC is located at Tan Leh Bldg., North Abellanosa St., Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro City

usage that you can share with your family through Sun Broadband’s pocketfriendly loads.

In fact, for as low as P10, you already get 30 minutes of internet use, while you get 3 hours for P25 and one day unlimited for only P50.

If you want to spend more time together online and be worry-free about the charges, subscribe to the unlimited loads like the SBW100 for three (3) days of unlimited surfing for just P100 or to the SBW250 for one (1) week of unlimited internet for only P250.

There are countless reasons and ways to spend more precious moments with your family and loved ones. Sun Broadband is committed to continue ushering these and make it easier to unite your whole family together through technology.

Visit The Sun Shop today to subscribe to a Sun Broadband plan that’s perfect for the family.

Sun Broadband is powered by Sun Cellular, a member of the PLDT Group.

It is also fully equipped with electricity from ZAMCELCO, potable water from ZCWD, and a back-up deep well with filtration system capable of producing up to 100 gallons per minute.

FLI is now offering new house models that offer better value-for-money for the

Zamboangueños with down payments as low as P7,800 per month. These are Amber units (2-BR duplex), Molave (2-BR bungalow) and Opal (3-BR duplex). For further inquiries please call (062) 990-1575 or 0917-5846133 or visit our website at www. filinvest.com.ph.

Globe Annual Sustainability Report bags Gold in 27th Int’l ARC Awards Globe Telecom’s 2012 Annual Sustainability Report bagged the Gold Award at the 27th International ARC Awards, a highly-esteemed global competition honoring outstanding achievement in annual reports.

Globe won in the Combined Annual and Sustainability Report Category.

This year, the ARC received a record-breaking 2,260 entries from 34 countries, making it the largest annual report competition in the world.

“We are proud to be conferred the Gold Award for this initiative. Globe always strives for excellence and it shows even in our Annual Sustainability Report. We make sure that through our ASR, we are able to provide not only a venue to announce the company’s milestones and achievements but also give our stakeholders a complete picture of the ongoing commitments of Globe to economic, environment and social services,” said Yoly C. Crisanto, Head of Globe Corporate Communications.

Globe is the first local telecommunications firm to meet international standards when it came out with its ASR in 2011. Using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, it gives assurance to stakeholders that all information disclosed are accurate and reliable.

Its ASR has also received recognition in the past years from The Philippine Quill, Anvil, and the Indonesia Sustainability Reporting Awards.

For the ARC Awards, the top winners will be feted at the exclusive Gold & Grand Gala to be held on September 26, 2013 at the Trump Soho Hotel in New York City. Aside from picking the 2013 Best of Show from among all the winners, those who will receive the Platinum and Titanium Achievement Awards will also be revealed during the ceremonies.

Winners of the Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Honors Awards comprised the top 30% of the entries based on the judges’ scores. Each annual report was judged gold | page 13

10

Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

wednesDAY | august 28, 2013

Davao News

Editor: ALLAN M. MEDIANTE Email: amediante@yahoo.com

Dabawenyos: Abolish pork!

By Vanessa L. Almeda

DAVAO CITY – Mindanawons from all walks of life marched together in cities across the island today to express their outrage over the reported misuse and abuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel and to call for its abolition.

The marchers held the protest action in solidarity with the Million People March at Manila’s Rizal Park, an event sparked by exchanges in the social media after reports came out that at least P10 billion from the PDAF had been diverted to bogus projects over a period of 10 years.

In Davao City, among the roughly 1,000 protesters were students, militant groups, “central democrats”, local government officials, ordinary citizens and nuns. Protests also took place in Cagayan de Oro, Surigao, Kidapawan and Iligan cities.

Ateneo de Davao University president Fr. Joel E. Tabora in a prepared statement said the pork scandal “brought the ‘decaying rat’ from the stinking closet in the open” and “exposed the dishonor in the pomp and ritual of the ‘honorables’.”

Tabora challenged President Benigno Aquino III “to report on how you have used your Special Purpose Funds” which according to reports amounts to P449.95 billion or about a fifth of the entire P2.268 trillion 2014 proposed budget.

“If news reports are to be believed, the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) has failed to submit a report on how Malacanang spent its spe-

cial purpose funds. Mr. President, this makes us, your BOSS, very uneasy.

Mr. President we ask you to report on how you have used your Special Purpose Funds.

“When no reports on public spending have been given, we begin to smell the rot of corruption, even where we thought we walked together on the straight and narrow.”

Shoe repairman “Jun P,” who maintains a makeshift stall at the Rizal Park here where the rally was held at 9 a.m., said it’s time that the pork was abolished.

“Anyway, it still goes to their (public officials) pockets. They tell us the government has no funds (to support social services and other programs) but how come there are these b illio n s o f mo n ey, ” h e added.

His buddy Joel Carsonete echoed his stance.

“It should be abolished.

They say it will have a new name but it is still the same. (Abolish) also the President’s (pork). It is the same.”

Fr. Eliseo “Jun” Mercado, a Mindanao peace advocate who came all the way from Cotabato City to Davao to attend the march, said “it is about time we unite for the abolition of

By Joey Sem G. Dalumpines

tion Center in SM Lanang Premier.

Engr. Ramon Allado, event chair and past president of the Davao Constructors Association said more than 180 exhibiting companies are attending the fair to showcase the latest

It Stinks The protesters who gathered at Davao City’s Rizal Park Monday (26 Aug 2013) to call for the abolition of the pork barrel may detest how it smells, but this live pig symbolizes in a way the reasons for their protest.

MindaNews photo by Gigi Bueno

Task Force Davao opens mini-library for orphans

DAVAO CITY-- The military contingent tasked to keep the city safe from terrorism continues with its community outreach program by providing a mini-library at the Bucana Learning Center in Barangay 76-A, this City.

Colonel Casiano Monilla, commander of the TF Davao thanked the sponsors who provided assistance in realizing the project intended for orphans particularly the Bagong Kulturang Pinoy abolish | page 13 (BKP) a non-government

organization in California, United States of America which donated hundreds of books.

Several civic-minded individuals and business institutions also shared their resources for the book shelves, carpets, school supplies and slippers intended for the young beneficiaries of the project.

The shelves were carefully designed by the soldiers with plastic slides to protect the children from getting hurt in getting reading ma-

terials.

Lt. Colonel Roberto Rivas, deputy commander of the TF Davao urged the children to maintain the habit of reading and to be persistent in their studies despite the hardships in life.

He stressed that aiming high will lead the children to finish their respective courses in 20 years.

"They might have finished college by then," Rivas said.

Isabelita Aquilan, purok leader of 76-A Bucana expressed her gratitude and

happiness with the successful outcome of the mini-library.

She said the mini-library will be open to Christians and Muslims alike.

“I believe that this project will be a great help especially to the children whose parents are imprisoned and still in the correctional. This Mini-library is open to all Muslim and Christians and there’s no discrimination to non-Muslims, because we are all equally created in the eyes of Allah," Aquilan said.(RGA/JSD/PIA-XI)

air-conditioning, power tools, safety and security systems, water treatment facilities and more.

Allado said contractors, architects, engineers, interior designers, property developers, specifiers, consultants and consumers are

also invited to witness the world-class construction exhibit.

“This show is about supporting the local industry.

It is taking us a step closer to truly making the regions construction industry globally competitive,” he said.

Teolulo Pasawa, city director of the Department of Trade and Industry welcomed the holding of the exhibition citing that indeed Davao City is a construction market.

He said Davao City offers

Construction industry to hold largest exhibition in Davao City DAVAO CITY (PIA) -- All roads lead to Davao City on September 5 to 7 for all players in the construction industry for the holding of the PhilConstruct Mindanao 2013 at the SMX Conven-

Republic of the Philippines FOURTH SHARI’A CIRCUIT COURT Fourth Shari’a Judicial District Iligan City

Republic of the .Philippines FOURTH SHARI’A CIRCUIT COURT Fourth Shari’a Judicial District Iligan City IN RE: PETITION TO APPROVE AND REGISTER THE DIVORCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN SPOUSES VILLVEZ JAN YEE DIU AND ANA LIZA T. ATAY-DIU

CIVIL CASE NO. 2013-091

VILLVEZ JAN YEE DIU AND ANA LIZA T. ATAY-DIU, Petitioners.

X--------------------------------------------------------------------------/ ORDER

Before this court is a verified Joint Petition for the issuance of Judicial Decree of Divorce filed by their Counsel and alleging among others:

That petitioner and respondent are husband and wife, respectively, in a marriage performed under Civil rite on August 7, 2010 at Ozamis City, they converted to Islam faith, of which conversions to Islam were registered with this Court, both of them can be served with summons and notices at c/o Zaide Law Office, 2nd Flr., Pafs Mejia Bldg., Roxas Avenue, Iligan City;

That said marriage did not last long, due to lack of love and affection until die relationship manifested incompatibility and sustained misunderstanding between petitioner and respondent and reached die point of irreconcilability and they separated in die early part of 2010 they decided to live physically in bed and board thereby executed Divorce Agreement in order to formalize their separation: since their separation in die early part of 2010 or for over three (3) years now, they had never been communicating or supporting either financially or emotionally to each other; neither minding each other’s affairs: petitioner and respondent seek judicial decree of divorce thereby severing their marriage bond on August 7,2010 so that they will have free hand to do what a single man or woman could do without marital burden; reconciliation between them is no longer a remedy, as all efforts accessary for possible reconciliation had already been diligently employed but all proved futile.

WHEREFORE, finding this Joint Petition to be sufficient in form and substance, set the initial hearing of this case on August 29, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. at which time, date and place, any interested party may appear and show why the petition should not be granted. Let copy of this Order be published in 3 newspaper of general circulation in the City of Iligan once a week for the three (3) consecutive weeks at the expense of the petitioner.

SO ORDERED.

Iligan City, Philippines, this 9th day of August, 2013.

(Sgd.) HON. OSOP M. ALI

Presiding Judge MDN: Aug 19, 22 & 28, 2013

products in building and construction industry.

He said the Philconstruct Mindanao 2013 will comprise of suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and providers of top brands in heavy equipment, hardware products, paints, cements,

IN RE: PETITION TO APPROVE AND REGISTER THE DIVORCE OF SPOUSES CRISALDO R. NACUA AND JENNY VI H. TAPIA-NACUA.

CIVIL CASE NO. 2013-095

industry | page 13

Republic of the Philippines FOURTH SHARI’A CIRCUIT COURT Fourth Shari’a Judicial District lligan City IN RE: PETITION TO APPROVE AND REGISTER THE DIVORCE OF SPOUSES ALVIN L. ALCOSEBA AND EASTER JOY M. CORTES-ALCOSEBA,

CIVIL CASE NO. 2013-094

ALVIN I. ALCOSEBA AND EASTER JOY M. CORTES-ALCOSEBA, Petitioners.

X--------------------------------------------------------------------------/

CRISALDO R. NACUA AND JENNY VI H. TAPIA-NACUA

Petitioners, X---------------------------------------------------/

ORDER

ORDER

Before this court is a verified Joint fed don for approval and registration of die divorce between herein spouses CRISALDO R, NACUA and JENNY VI H. TAPIA-NACUA, and alleging among others;

That petitioners are husband and wife, respectively, both Muslim converts and residents of lligan City and Camella Classic 2, Las Piñas, respectively, their marriage was performed under Civil rite on January 19, 1998 at Carmona, Cavite, they converted to Islam faith, of which conversions to Islam were registered with this Court:

That said marriage did not last long, due to lack of love and affection until the relationship manifested incompatibility and sustained misunderstanding between petitioner and respondent and reached the point of irreconcilability and they separated in the early part of 2002 they decided to live physically in bed and board thereby executed Divorce Agreement in order to formalize their separation; since their separation in the early port of 2002 or for over eleven (11) years now. they had never been communicating or supporting either financially or emotionally to each other; neither minding each other’s affairs; petitioner and respondent seek judicial decree of divorce thereby severing their marriage bond on January 19, 1998, so that they will have free hand to do what a single man or woman could do without marital burden; reconciliation between them is no longer a remedy, as all efforts necessary for possible reconciliation had already been diligently employed but all proved futile.

WHEREFORE, finding this Joint Petition to be sufficient in form and substance, set the initial heating of this case on August 29, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. at which time, date and place, any interested party may appear and show why the petition should not be granted. Let copy of tins Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Iligan once a week for the three (3) consecutive weeks at the expense of the petitioner, SO ORDERED.

Iligan City, Philippines, this 9th day of August, 2013.

Before this court is a verified Joint Petition for approval and registration of die divorce between herein spouses ALVIN I. ALCOSEBA and EASTER JOY M. COR TES-ALCOSEBA, and alleging among others:

That petitioners are husband and wife, respectively, both Muslim converts and residents of lligan City and Davao City, respectively, their marriage was performed under Civil rite on May 18, 2004 at Davao City, they converted to Islam faith, of which conversions to Islam were registered with this Court:

That said marriage did not last long, due to lack of love and affection until die relationship manifested incompatibility and sustained misunderstanding between petitioner and respondent and reached die point of irreconcilability and they separated in die early part of 2006 they decided to live physically in bed and board thereby executed Divorce Agreement in order to formalize their separation; since their separation in die early part of 2006 or for over seven (7) years now, they had never been communicating or supporting either financially or emotionally to each other: neither minding each others affairs; petitioner and respondent seek judicial decree of divorce thereby severing their marriage bond on May 13, 2084, so that they will have free hand to do what a single man or woman could do without marital burden; reconciliation between them is no longer a remedy, as all efforts necessary for possible reconciliation had already been diligently employed but all proved futile.

WHEREFORE, finding this Joint Petition to be sufficient in form and substance, set die initial hearing of this case on August 29, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. at which time, date and place, any interested party may appear and show why the petition should not be granted. Let copy of this Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of lligan once a week for the three (3) consecutive weeks at the expense of the petitioner.

SO ORDERED.

Iligan City, Philippines, this 9th day of August, 2013.

(Sgd.) HON. OSOP M. ALI

Presiding Judge

(Sgd.) HON. OSOP M. ALI

Presiding Judge

MDN: Aug 19, 22 & 28, 2013

MDN: Aug 19, 22 & 28, 2013

wednesday | august 28, 2013 EDITOR: CHENG ORDOÑEZ e-mail: cheng.ordonez@gmail.com

Environment

Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

Higalaay icons highlight Kagay-an Festival 2013

11

By Cheng Ordonez

KIMBERLITE PAWNSHOP MALAYBALAY BRANCH

Kimberlite Pawnshop will be having an AUCTION SALE on all items that expired on July 2013 AUCTION DATE: September 19, 2013 Estrada Bldg., Fortich-Don Carlos Sts., Malaybalay City, Bukidnon CAGAYAN de Oro City’s sidewalks were filled with people who want to witness the events that unfold during the last two days of the city festival, dubbed as “Higalaay: The Kagay-an Festival 2013,” also intended to drum up tourismbased economy.

City Mayor Oscar Moreno made sure there is something new in this year’s celebration, and this the reason why the word “Higalaay” (Making Friends) comes to form by making it as the main attraction in Tuesday’s street parade.

At least, 19 huge icons with deference to saints and people, who in one way or another had made connections with the people of CDO, were paraded in the main thoroughfares in the commercial district of this city during the street parade, a day before the fiesta. The icons, mostly measuring 14 feet high, have been created by selected artists through paper mache with close reference to the features of the 19 selected CDO icons.

City Mayor Oscar Moreno said his administration is re-launching the concept of City of Golden Friendship in this year’s fiesta celebration.

“The celebration this year is to seek out friends, make new friends, and going beyond self-interests to be friends for others. Let us speak one language and that is not ‘red alert’ but peace and festivity,” Mayor Moreno said.

Aileen San Juan, overall committee overseer, said the icons represent the “pride of CDO” and every year more and more icons will be paraded “to give them honor and to remember the great deeds they did for the city.”

San Juan said: “Higalas is culled both from our history and complexity of our contemporary life.

The presentation was accompanied by contingents from schools and barangays, which offered performances that give a sense of who or what these icons are and what they stand for.

Significant performance were made at the end of the parade that

tried their best to bring to life the memories of the icons.

Department of Tourism 10 Regional Director Catalino Chan III said this year’s celebration provides avenues for education, even as he said that students learn about history and the people behind historical events that occurred in the city through the presentation of important people during the Higalaay event.

“The festival comprises of different core events and culminates on August 28, the feast of the city’s patron, St. Augustine. Core events of the festival are the rallying points for a campaign to promote Cagayan de Oro City and the surrounding areas globally as an investment and tourism destination, Dir. Chan said.

One of the old events, which dates back to 2003, is organized by the Cagayan de Oro Horsemen Inc. and this is the “Horseshow and Competition,” the competition of which is on its 11th staging. Cagayan de Oro Horsemen Inc. is a member of the Philippine Horsemen Federation, and the Horseshow and Competition is part of and sanctioned by it. It is part of a season of competitions, where there are five major legs sponsored by the different clubs in the country, namely, Cebu, Davao, Malaybalay, Impasugong, and Cagayan de Oro. This year member-clubs of the federation have fully participated in the Cagayan de Oro leg, as well as Horsemen Clubs for Bohol, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Negros, Clark, Subic, Butuan, Maonolo Fortich and Libona, Bukidnon. Some 80 competing horses and about 130 riders from all over the country race it out for prizes and bragging rights.

The competition attracted mostly families with an added attraction for the-none competing guests. Festival tents were set-up, where guests and visitors enjoy a western

“cow-boy” atmosphere.

This year’s festivities has the theme: “Duyog sa Dungog, Kuyog sa Kusog.”

Today, August 28, 2013, religious processions will prevail the events, starting at 4:00 a.m. and another at 7:00 p.m. from Fernandez Street to the Cathedral.

There is also the Fluvial Procession at 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. from Macabalan Cala-Cala to Duaw, which marks the Feast of St. Augustine.

The fluvial procession is the community’s effort to continually bless the river as well as promote the endeavors of the stakeholders in the preservation of Cagayan River. In 2011, the city was hit by deadly typhoon Sendong, killing thousands of people while several hundred others remain missing due to the swelling of Cagayan River.

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

Bodyflex Massage Therapy Services (Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Davao, Cebu, Camiguin, Iligan & Gingoog City)

Services Offered: Shiatsu, Swedish, & Sensual Massage.

By:

trained ,

& gorgeous male/ female massage therapist.

HOME / HOTEL SERVICE ONLY (088)5886363/ 09061149906/ 09187958578 / 09061149906 - REY email ad: bodyflex@yahoo.com

Republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registry Office Province of Misamis Oriental Cagayan de Oro City NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 10172, a NOTICE is hereby served to the public that JERRY FE BIAES WASLO has filed with this Office a petition for the correction of clerical error in the entry of the child’s SEX from “FEMALE” to “MALE” in the Certificate of Live Birth of JERRY FE BIAES WASLO who was born on April 7, 1990 at Cagayan de Oro City and whose parents are JERRY MABAYLAN WASLO and ESTER FE JUIT BIAES. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than August 30, 2013.

ROLA

photos by: SUDARIA NDO “Baby”

(Sgd.) NORMA S. DIPUTADO

City Civil Registrar MDN: AUG. 21 & 28, 2013

12

Fun Page

Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

Mindanao Daily News’

clifford’s

If you like to greet your friends or just wanted to have some text mates through our publications, just text this number : 09269919077 or you can message it to our FB Fan Page ( Mindanao Daily Fan Page )

AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18) - Your job is more important than you realize -- so take it seriously today, even if it’s limited to a job search. That can be especially fruitful if you look further afield than usual.

PISCES (February 19 – March 20) - You are a bit fuzzy-headed today, but that doesn’t mean you need to sit out any complicated dealings. Your good energy is a good substitute for knowing all the facts, so more forward now!

ARIES (March 21 – April 19) - All the most important interpersonal stuff is going on between the lines today, so try to ensure that you’re paying close attention! You may not figure it all out until tomorrow, but that’s okay.

TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) - Life is getting pretty intense for you today, so make sure that you’ve got the time and energy to handle all that comes your way. It’s not as hard as it sounds, and is likely quite rewarding!

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21) - Help those who need it most today -- even if you have to leave your own projects for the time being. You rack up all kinds of bonus karma, which is sure to come in handy in the near future.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22) - You’re presented with two or more appealing options, and you may not be sure how to proceed. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you do need to make up your mind pretty soon.

-- Gud pm dha mdn hanap po ako boy kanang 45 to 50 i.m kris my #09997993200

mga ta0 greatings fr: EDUARD0 ZANJ0EY RAZALO JR

-- hel0W p0 i w0uld lyk t0 great my mtherjing2,my fther 2tong, bro. caspr&kyle&my sis kyla & 2 all RAZALO, MALATE, RANOA FAMILY fr: STIPHANIE RAZAL0 MY # 09355678228

-- hai. po gd mrning ako po si maricel great ko sa ako mga frnd sa mexitalian. my frnd na si dar mariel rezalyn mariz nereza.ivy.?

-- Gud afternon mnd henge aku nang txt frnd txtmate...im jaymark (09268230227) -- hel0w po e great nak0 tanan loader sa lagindingan airp0rt ug taga pal divisoria sa ilaq c0c0y da c0c0y ug c 2t0ng nga gwap0 sa una kat0ng wla pa na us0 anq

-- Hi po gud evening, ako po pala c alynmar , fr0m_cagayan de oro. . E publish ko po # ko 09161510919- hanap po ako ng katxtm8 b0y lang po 20-25 yrs. Old ,iyong mabait ,mapagmahal, faithful at totoo sa kanyang sarili. .Tnx po

CIRCLE A WORD hot lot

afire aglow cooking defrosts de-ice ember fever fiery

flare flash fried convectional geyser ignite infra-red ingle klins

kindled parch poach radiant range fuse roar sauna scald

sear stars stew stoke sultry thawing vapour redness ardours

Editor : Clifford Santillan

-MovieWatch-

Social Section

Daily HOROSCOPE

wednesday | august 28, 2013

arson balefire blasting branded burner cinder coals furnace

This movie, Closed Circuit, looks like a hightech remake of the 1990s movie Sliver.

In the international thriller, Closed Circuit, two ex-lovers, Martin (Eric Bana) and Claudia (Rebecca Hall), find their loyalties tested and their lives at risk when they are joined together on the defense team in a terrorism trial.

- In Theaters August 28, 2013 CLOSED CIRCUIT

SUDOKU How to play the game?

Fill in completely every rows, columns and diagonals of each puzzle without repitition

Yesterday’s Answer

of the same digit.

LEO (July 23 – August 22) - You’ve got to take certain issues more seriously today -- but that probably just means asking the right questions.

You get the info you need after you show that you’re interested.

VIRGO (August 23 – September 22) - Try harder to figure out what’s really going on under the surface. You may not understand the deepest levels yet, but you should still be able to make some headway with the rest of it.

LIBRA (September 23 – October 22) - Your ability to focus on work and business is enhanced today so you can get more done -- and you might spot some new opportunities that would not have occurred to you otherwise.

SCORPIO (October 23 – November 21) - You feel a wave of healing energy crash over you -- and it feels great, of course! You may feel better physically, but it goes deeper than the flesh and should repair old psychic wounds as well.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – December 21) - Your dreams are much more vivid tonight -and if you can’t remember them, that means their messages have been fully absorbed. If you do remember pieces, chew on them until they’re digestible.

CROSSWORD puzzle across 1. Footwear 6. Fools 11. Brahma believer 12. Each 13. Part of the psyche 14. Vase 16. _Brockovich 17. Mesh 19. Judicious 21. Cobalt’s symbol 22. Jacob’s twin 24. Geometric constant 25. Plug 26. Location system 28. Comparative ending 31. Live 33. Hello 35. Dillon the actor 38. _Bamba 39. Achievement 41. _alai

CAPRICORN (December 22 – January 19) What’s really going on inside you? Today brings the chance to really look deep within yourself and see what you’ve been missing. You may be really surprised -- and you’re not alone!

Amazing Facts!

Did you KNOW?? ..

See the rings of Saturn while you can. They slowly wobble up and down over the years as Saturns poles point away from then towards the sun. The rings disappear when edge on to our line of sight. Currently they are almost at their widest point and can be seen even in binoculars and small telescopes.

42.

44.

46.

47.

49.

51.

52.

Mr. Stravinsky This moment Note Fresher Big property Verdant Corrects DOWN 1. Glow 2. Keeps 3. Not off 4. Luis’s dad 5. Big shore wave 6. _Colores 7. Above 8. Each 9. Jong the writer 10. Church meeting 15. Siesta 18. Label 20. 3 in Roman 23. Skyward

27. Pronoun 29. Print measure 30. Rule, in Delhi 31. Jewel 32. Avid 34. Mr. Fleming 36. Fortune telling cards 37. Rows 39. Gratis 40. Big book 43. Be in debt 45. Bunch of bills 48. Nurse’s title 50. Metallic symbol Yesterday’s Answer

SUPERTRES II UNLEASHED: THE WINNING GUIDE LET’S PLAY LOTTO. SUPPORT PHILIPPINE CHARITY SWEEPSTAKES OFFICE!

N U M B E R A N A LY S I S Mga Higala, GAHI gyud pagawason ang syndicate pair nga 2-5.

•• Karong adlawa kusog kaayo ang pasakay nga 4 ug 5. Ang 8, 7, ug 1 usab maayo pareson unya dugangan sa bisan hain sa 4 ug 5.

---------------------------------

ANGLE GUIDE

2 5 6 9 3

0 2 462-247-428 5 526-275-285 Supertres team 8 2

3 4 7 5 2

1 0 8 1 4

7 3 9 2 5

6 5 0 3 6

PREVIOUS ANGLE

1 3 6 4 1

4 9 7 0 3

3 2 8 1 4

1 5 9 2 6

T O D AY ’ S H O T

428-520 483-215 648-527 849-590 589-850 T O D AY ’ S P A I R

46-47-48 56-75-85

ta k e - 1 • ta k e - 2

4-5

syn guide ( T o d a y )

1-0

3-8 2-5

ANGLE GUIDE

4 -7

SYN WATCH

25

6-9

Today’s probables

25+38 47+69

Mindanao Daily NEWS 13

wednesday | august 28, 2013

northmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

Fund...

“Ina-update natin ito ever y quarter. Makikita d o on for t he O f f i c e of the President, magkano ang a l l o c ate d n a p e r a , mag k ano ang b a l ans e, mag k ano n a ‘y u ng n a obligate, and this is also t he s ame for t he ot he r l i ne d e p ar t me nt s ,” she

s a i d . Un s p e n t m o n e y i s ro l l e d ov e r t o n e x t ye ar, Va lte a d d e d.

T h e Pa l a c e o f f i c i a l a ls o explaine d t hat t he President’s Social Fund i s a t r ust f u nd and not f u nd e d by t he G e ne r a l Appropr i at i ons Ac t (GAA), the Internal Revenue Collections or Customs D ut i e s .

Va l t e p o i n t e d o u t

that the Executive department does not prop os e an amount for t he President i a l S o ci a l Fu n d e v e r y y e a r. T h e money is supported and replenished by a percentage of the profits f rom t he Phi lippine Amus e me nt and G am i n g C o r p. ( PAG C O R ) a n d P h i l i p p i n e C h a rit y Swe e p st a ke s O f f i c e

ed three separate times during the preliminary rounds with a certain minimum score needed to qualify for an award. Only one Gold, Silver, Bronze and Honors Award was given in each classification.

Preliminar y judging was carried out independently by panels of judges representing leaders in

the fields of investor relations, writing, design and photography from over 90 different agencies and corporations all over the world while final judging was made by presidents, CEOs and other senior executives of corporations, agencies, and design firms.

The ARC Awards, established by MerComm,

Inc. in 1987, were created to honor overall excellence in annual reports, and to encourage noteworthy and vital writing, as well as imaginative and original design. Being the world’s only independent awards organization, MERCOMM, Inc. does not solicit advertising, membership dues, or outside sponsorships.

vote for them.”

“This is the source of the feudal system that has ruled the country for many years and so I think it is high time that we put an end to this,” he said.

Mercado dismissed the President’s announcement on Friday to abolish the pork but create a “new mechanism” to avoid a repeat of a Napoleslike scandal as nothing new.

“Do you remember the Countrywide Development Fund which the president then decided to change and put a new mechanism because it smelled rotten? It is the same thing as what it is now,” he said, adding the “better mechanism” is hypocrisy.

Sr. Noemi Ligaya of the Sisters Association of Mindanao said there should

be “no more compromises” because “we want change now.”

SAMIN also called for transparency in the audit of public funds.

City Councilor Leo Avila, who was joined by his staff, said he is “one with the people in showing disgust” against the pork barrel scandal.

“I am also a taxpayer. If I won’t pay my taxes I will get penalized. But now there is so much abuse… It’s not just the legislators but it is also the bureaucracy like the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Interior and Local Government and other agencies,” he said.

Avila voiced support to Aquino’s move for a system that aims to prevent future abuse of PDAF. But

he clarified that the government should listen to what the people really wanted.

Tabora, on the other hand, said another mechanism is not what the people need.

“We demand change. Not just perfume on the stinking rat.”

The rally in Davao ended with a pledge of commitment led by lawyer Fatima Irene Adin to continue the vigilance against PDAF and press the Aquino administration to abolish it.

Adin, the spokesperson of the Pagbabago Movement, allayed fears that abolishing the PDAF might affect thousands of scholars supported by the fund. She said money from the pork barrel was better channeled to the education department to realize free education for all.

ranging from being one of the competitive cities from page 10 in the country; No. 1 for fers a lot of opportunities two consecutive years as for the construction in- cited in the study by the dustry with many factors Asia Institute of Manage-

ment, very large land area which is seven times larger than Cebu and three times larger than Manila, reliable power supply, reliable water supply, internet connec-

tion and highly skilled manpower.

“I congratulate the Philconstruct for organizing and holding the exhibition,” Pasawa said. (PIA XI-)

Pork...

“Kaka” Bag-ao of Dinagat Island, said that the passage from page 8 of the FOI has not become an on behalf of the people?” imperative given the extent he asked. of the pork barrel scam.

One of the FOI champions “Enacting the Freedom in Congress, Rep. Arlene of Information Law is an

imperative to ensure that public funds are spent properly,” she told Business Daily. The FOI Law “will empower people in being involved in participatory governance initiatives.”

Aside from abolishing the PDAF and all forms of pork barrel, Bag-ao also called for the institutionalization of “mecha n isms for transparency and accountability.”

Bill...

Edwin Lacierda dismissed calls for the President to also do away with his own discretionary funds.

Lacierda said abolishing the President’s social fund, for example, is unrealistic given the frequency of calamities in the country.

“I f we c a n a b ol i sh calamities, then maybe we can abolish the fund,” he said in Tagalog.

He added the social fund is where the President gets money for assistance to the victims of calamities and to the families of soldiers who are killed or wounded in action.

He explained these are among the “uncertainties” that the socia l fund is intended for.

The rally was described by local media as “the first biggest protest against the Aquino administration.”

The protesters came from various social sectors including relig ious,

professional, business and even civil servants. They shouted t he slogans of “Scrap the pork barrel now” and “Punish the corrupt.”

“It is not only for one day, today’s march is just the beginning,” the organizers said.

In his statement yesterday, President Aquino vowed to punish those who were allegedly behind the misuse of multi-billion pork barrel fund.

“We will do everything to determine and to punish those who connived to smear the supposed good purpose of PDAF,” he said.

Aquino assured to use rightly the people’s money.

The protest rally was triggered by the discovery of at least P10 billion in pork barrel funds were allegedly pocketed by some corrupt government officials in connivance with fake nongovernment organizations during the past 10 years.

from page 7

Gold... from page 9

against itself, based on its success in communicating the company's story.

Criteria included Cover Design, Chairman’s Letter, Writing, Interior Design, Financial Presentation, and Overall.

Each entry was evaluat-

Abolish... from page 10

pork and join this indignation of the people against it.”

Mercado, who is also the director of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance, said the PDAF has long been misused and has been the primary source of corruption in government.

“Napoles is just the tip of the iceberg…hundreds of millions of pesos is annually allotted for pork and our legislators know this.

Nagma-maang maangan lang sila (They just try to appear dumb),” the priest said.

Aside from corruption, Mercado said the pork barrel has become the primordial cause of political patronage in the country. “You will not be given pork if you will not

Industry...

from page 8

those held responsible; Scrap the PDAF or pork barrel fund and create an effective method to deliver socia l ser v ices t hat is corruption free.; and pass the Freedom of Information Bill that promotes public transparency and accountability.

The interfaith group said all past and present congressmen of Cagayan de Oro City who received their respective PDAF to show an accounting as to how they spent the public fund.

“We want congressmen Benjo Benaldo, Tinnex Jaraula, Klarex Uy and Rufus Rodriguez to show an accounting of their PDAF or pork barrel so that the people would know if their money was allocated to meaningful projects,” said Monsignor Rey Monsanto of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro and a

member of the Interfaith Group in city.

A citizens group called Kagayanon Kontra sa Mga Korap (Cagayanons Against the Corrupt) pushed for the creation of an “independent investigation panel” to ferret out the truth about the PDAF and so-called discretionary funds.

The group said all those involved in the alleged PDAF scam should be held accountable for their acts and prosecuted.

In Surigao City, some 300 protesters likewise marched to join calls for the abolition of PDAF. Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco Matugas (1st district) and former congressman Robert Ace Barbers (2nd district) have been named as among the lawmakers that allegedly caused the release of pork barrel funds to dubious NGOs. In Malacanang, presidential spokesperson

(PCSO).

The public can see the percentages by looking at the laws that created the charter of PAGCOR

and P C S O, w h i ch c on tain the amount remitted by the two bodies to t he President i a l S o ci a l Fu nd, Va lte s ai d. PN D

www.johndprovoice.com

Pryce Plaza Hotel Carmen Hill, CDO, Tel. No.722791 to93/858-4537 E-mail:reservations@pryceplaza.ph

---------------------------------

CHANANTHON BED & BREAKFAST CM Recto Avenue, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. #: 856-81-89 / 309-3095 / 231-2103 Email ad : chananthonbb@yahoo.com Room @ P800.00

COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR RENT

CONTACT PERSON: RAYLYN LANTACA

---------------------------------

NEW DAWN PENSIONNE Velez-Macahambus Sts, CDO Tel Nos. 8571776, 721776 email : gchreservation@yahoo.com Republic of die Philippines FOURTH SHARI’A CIRCUIT COURT Fourth Shari’a Judicial District Iligan City IN RE: PETITION TO APPROVE AND REGISTERED THE DIVORCE OF SPOUSES PRINCE M. GARLIT AND PAMELA E. GIO-GARLIT,

CIVIL CASE NO. 2013-092

PRINCE M. GARLIT AND PAMELA E. GIO-GARLIT, Petitioners.

X-------------------------------------------------------------------------/ ORDER

Before this court is a verified Joint Petition for approval and registration of die divorce between herein spouses PRINCE M. GARLIT and PAMELA E. GIO-GARLIT, and alleging among outers:

That petitioners are husband and wife, respectively, both Muslim converts and residents of Phase 2, CMS, Bara-as, Iligan City c/o Mrs. Helen Pardillo and Poblacion 2, Clarin, Misamis Occidental, respectively, their marriage was performed under Civil rite on April 22, 2002 at Cebu City, they converted to Islam faith. of which conversions to Islam were registered with this Court;

That said marriage did not last long, due to lack of love and affection until die relationship manifested incompatibility and sustained misunderstanding between petitioner and respondent and reached die point of irreconcilability and they separated in the early part of 2008, they decided to live physically in bed and board thereby executed Divorce Agreement in order to formalize their separation; since their separation in die early part of 2008 or for over five (5) years now, they had never been communicating or supporting either financially or emotionally to each other; neither minding each other’s affairs; petitioner and respondent seek judicial decree of divorce thereby severing their marriage bond on April 22,2002, so that they will have free hand to do what a single man or woman could do without marital burden; reconciliation between them is no longer a remedy, as oil efforts necessary for possible reconciliation had already been diligently employed but all proved futile.

WHEREFORE, finding this Joint Petition to be sufficient in form and substance, set the initial hearing of this case on August 29, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. at which time, date and place, any interested party may appear and show why the petition should not be granted. Let copy of this Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Iligan once a week for the three (3) consecutive weeks at the expense of die petitioner.

SO ORDERED.

Iligan City, Philippines, this 9th day of August, 2013.

(Sgd.) HON. OSOP M. ALI

Presiding Judge MDN: Aug 19, 22 & 28, 2013

14

Mindanao Daily NEWS

tuesday | august 27, 2013

northmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

Rage... from page 6

fund were not included in the investigation.

The hard projects ate the bulk of pork barrel-funded projects. But why the focus is only on the soft projects is beyond me. But I do understand that most, if

not all of the soft projects, were ghost deliveries. In the case of hard projects, it is hard to construct ghost infrastructure projects such as pedestrian or vehicular flyovers.

But just like the soft projects, hard projects are not immune to corruption by the solons whose pork barrel

fund had been allocated for any of these infrastructure projects. It is still the solon who identified what hard project to undertake, who should be the conduit line agency or local government unit and who should be the contractor for such project.

Truth of the matter is that the difference between a soft and a hard project is the percentage of the kickback a solon can squeeze from his pork barrel funded project. In the case of soft projects, as revealed by the whistleblowers and confirmed by the National Bureau of Investigation and the Commission on Audit, 60 to 70 percent goes to the sponsoring solon while in hard projects 20 to 30 percent goes to the solon as kickback.

Since hard projects cost more, allocations for such type of projects are bigEXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH ABSOLUTE SALE

Spacious Rooms Approx. 4m x 5.5m • Fully Airconditioned • Cable Ready • 21” LCD/24” LED TV • Personal Refrigerator • Hot & Cold Shower • Kitchenette • Intercom • Cabinets/Closets • Free wifi internet • Business Center with Terlephone, Computer & Fax Machine Open for Short Term & Long Term Lease For Reservations Contact Us: 09351842333

facebook.com/jerggyp • jerggy_p@yahoo.com

Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the late spouses Eriberto M. Gualberto and Marianita P. Gualberto, who died on July 9, 1987 at Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, and November 14, 2006 at New York City, United States of America. That the said descendants died without leaving a will or testament, more particularly described as follows: “A parcel of land (Lot No. 408, Pls-854) situated in the Municipality of Manolo Fortich, Province of Bukidnon. Containing an area of SIXTY THREE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY ONE (63,151) square meters, more or less, is the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH ABSOLUTE SALE, made and entered into by and among: RAMON P. GUALBERTO, of legal age, Filipino, married and a resident of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental; RAMID P. GUALBERTO, of legal age, Filipino, married and a resident of 124 Pacana Compound, Zone II Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City; CLARISSA MAE G. SUAN, of legal age, Filipino, married, and a resident of Apitong Street, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City; ANNALIZA MAE G. DIAZ, of legal age, Filipino, married, and a resident of Libra-Aquarius Street, Villa Ernesto, Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City; and ERIBERTO P. GUALBERTO, JR., of legal age, Filipino, married, and a resident of River Grand, Camella Subdivision, Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City;are the sole lawful heirs. For and in consideration of the sum of TEN THOUSAND PESOS (P10,000.00) Philippine Currency, is hereby acknowledged in full from Spouses Ramid P. Gualberto and Fara P. Gualberto, both of legal age, Filipinos, and with residence address at 124 Pacana Compound, Zone II, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City, we do hereby SELL, TRANSFER, CONVEY and DELIVER, by way of ABSOLUTE SALE unto said spouses Ramid P. Gualberto and Fara P. Gualberto, their heirs, assigns and successors in interest the property above-described.

As per Doc. No. 160; Page No. 32; Book No. 82; Series of 2013; under Notary Public of ATTY. AUGUSTO P. GERE, JR. MDN: AUG. 28, SEPT. 4 & 11, 2013

ger while the allocations for soft projects such as medicines, farm inputs and implements, educational materials such as anti-drug charts are smaller.

I don’t know if the focus of the investigation into the abuse by solons of their pork barrel fund is deliberately done to hide the bigger allocations spent for hard projects. But I am personally puzzled why no mention had been made about the corruption of the hard projects that because of kickbacks oftentimes are substandard.

If all these years you have been wondering why cemented roads or highways that are meant to last for a lifetime already have cracks on the surface just a few months after their completion, corruption through kickbacks is the culprit or the reason for this. In the entire world, perhaps we are the only country that constructs cemented roads that are meant to last for five years only. Other countries undertake road cementing projects to last for a lifetime but not in our case.

The pork barrel fund of each solon is also peanuts compared to the allocations they are able to corner for their respective congressional districts under what is known as budget insertion. Solons during budget deliberations outsmart each other in getting secretaries of line agencies or heads of bureaus to allocate a certain part of their budget for their pet projects. And like their pork barrel they get to name the contractor of these projects thus assured of kickbacks also.

The problem actually is not just the misuse of the pork barrel fund but corruption itself.

•• (Reactions at jelbacon@ yahoo.com or at jelbaconii@gmail.com. Read me also at www.raconteurme. blogspot.com)

Freedom... from page 7

distance call (no fax or emails yet at that time), worrying that a looming big rain could abort the rally and the speech -- a contingency that enterprising reporters must face. Come to think of it, I cannot remember now having checked if Ninoy got to actually deliver the speech as indeed a big rain came that night. But I had a spare copy of his prepared speech

Republic of the Philippines Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 10 RECEPTION AND STUDY CENTER FOR CHILDREN Masterson Ave., Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City PANAWAGAN GIPANAWAGAN ANG GINIKANAN O MGA KAPARENTIHAN SA BATANG BABAYE GIBANA-BANA USA KA SEMANA PA GIKAN GIANAK NGA GIBILIN DIDTO SA TERMINAL SA RURAL BUS TRANSIT SA VALENCIA CITY, BUKIDNON NIADTONG APRIL 22, 2013.

ANG MAONG BATA NIA KARON SA BUHATAN SA DSWD- RECEPTION & STUDY CENTER FOR CHILDREN NGA NIA MAHIMUTANG SA MASTERSON AVENUE, UPPER CARMEN, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY. KUNG KINSA KADTONG NAKA-ILA SA INAHAN O KABANAYAN NIINI NGA BATA, PALIHUG SA PAGBISITA SA MAONG BUHATAN O PAGPAHIBALO KANG MRS. VIRGINIA M. CARDONA- CENTER HEAD O PAGTAWAG SA TELEPONO NUMERO 08822-858-8959 DAGHANG SALAMAT! VIRGINIA M. CARDONA Center Head

that the senator handed to me, just in case.

The following morning, the TIMES printed my bylined story in screaming headline: ‘MARCOS UNEXPLAINED WEALTH EXPOSED”. Malacanang’s retort was swift and furious.

President Marcos himself announced he would file libel cases against NINOY, the MANILA TIMES and “that Davao reporter.” I was already in 2nd year law at the Ateneo Law School at that time and I had the biggest scare of my life when Dean PANYONG ESTRELLADO told me: “ Jess, kiss your plans of being a lawyer goodbye.” A libel case, even pending would be a problem in qualifying to take the bar examinations or taking the lawyer’s oath.

More so that the President of the Republic, no less, was the one suing. I spent many sleepless nights after that.

I never got to know what exactly happened with the case after I sent to Manila my written statement in my defense. I was so troubled I personally appealed to CHINO to please do something. I was told later that somehow President Marcos dropped it after a muchpublicized “gate crash” event where CHINO although uninvited, attended one of the former strongman’s parties where they were seen on a close huddle and serious talk. Some settlement must have been made. I was too far remote down south to know and an insignificant player just caught in the crossfire. But I recall having thanked and expressed my great relief to CHINO when I saw him later.

Yes, I was able to take the bar exams, although another unforgettable episode took place later: that of transferring to Manila to join the Philippine Press Institute (again, with CHINO ROCES) and the sudden declaration of Martial Law forcing me to go back to law school and finish my law.

(READ “WATCHING THE WATCHDOG” June 2013).

But that was not the end of that episode. One day during Martial Law, a delegation of Davao media men went to Malacanang to meet with President Marcos.

I recall it was arranged by businessman-logger JOHN HOFER. In tow were Davao newsmen SERAFIN “JUN” LEDESMA, the fiery JOE JISON and others. When I was introduced to Presi-

dent Marcos (who already looked sick), he immediately noticed my name and first asked whether I was related to his private nurse from Iloilo BELEN DUREZA, and when I said she was my cousin although I resided in Davao City he remarked: “Ah you are the one with the MANILA TIMES. I remember you.” I was not sure whether he remembered me for being “that Davao reporter” who wrote the Ninoy Aquino story. But there could be no other reason for the former President to remember me by. That was then my only closest call to fame! (Lawyer Jesus G. Dureza was government peace panel chair in the negotiations with the MILF under the Arroyo administration from 2001 to 2003 and was later named Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (2005 to 2008). He heads Advocacy MindaNOW Foundation, Inc. and was recently named publisher of the Davao Citybased Mindanao Times.

This piece is from his syndicated column, Advocacy MindaNOW).

Russian... from page 15

industria l activ it y in this area, the government has granted illegal drilling licenses to Rosnef t a nd Ex xon that overlap with the park’s boundaries; and those companies haven’t hesitated one bit to take up those licenses and begin making preparations to drill.

Oi l compa nies t hin k they can operate in remote places like the Russian Arctic without scrutiny. They think they can gamble with the future of places like this one and condemn ever y person on t he planet to dangerous climate change without obstacle or consequence.

And if we remained silent, they’d be right. But three and a half million people are refusing to rema in si lent. The A rct ic Sunrise will cross into the Kara sea despite the Russian government’s attempts to keep us out. And alongside activ ists and supporters around the world, we will continue to confront reckless Arctic oil operations wherever we find them.

•• Editor’s note: Christy Ferguson is a Greenpeace Arctic Campaigner aboard the Arctic Sunrise.

NorthMin

wednesday | august 28, 2013

Mindanao Daily NEWS

15

‘Corpus Christi’ faces P14.5m tax evasion case THE Bureau of Internal Revenue on Thursday last week filed a P 14. 5-million tax evasion case against Corpus Christi School, Inc. a private school in Cagayan de Oro City, its officials, and its certified public accountant with the Dept. of Justice.

Charged were the Corpus Christi School, Inc. and its president Alfonso Del Fierro, Jr. and chief financial officer/treasurer Mark Alfonso Del Fierro.

Time... from page 1

pork barrel (It’s fun and inspiring to see a lot of people are united to abolish pork barrel)” For biker William Lutz, he was invited by his friend to join the rally. “Actually first time nako ni kay naimbitahan ko sa akong amigo,gwapo kay daghan kag matun-an sa mga nag speech (Actually this is my first time because a friend invited me to come. This is good because there are a lot of things you could learn from the speeches).”

Speakers included Ateneo de Davao University President Fr. Joe Tabora SJ, Sisters’ Association in Mindanao’s Sr. Noemi Degala SMSM, Professor Caesar Billones from Philippine Centrist for Democracy, Davao Association of Colleges and Schools, Pagbabago Movement, and Assumption College of Davao.

A student leader, Gelyn Alapag, chair of UP Mindanao College of Humanities and Social Science Student Council said she supports the abolition of the PDAF and to re-channel it to education and other services.

Alapag said students like her in state universities are suffering from budget cut.

The Aquino government slashed the UP system budget by 1.4 billion pesos.

“Dapat i-abolish na ang pork barrel at ilagay sa social services ang budget, panahon na ang pera na ginagastos ng mga taong nakikinabang sa pera ng bayan (The pork barrel system should be abolished and rechanneled to social services budget. It’s time the people benefit from their money)” she said.

Arian Jane Ramos, a senior communication arts student and chair of AnakUPMin coalition of UP Mindanao, said she joined the protest as she finds it revolting that the family of Janet Napoles, the woman involved in the bogus NGOs that siphoned 10 billion pesos from PDAF, is bragging their luxurious lifestyle.

“Hi n d i m a g a n d a n g

Also charged was Elpedio D. Cuay in his capacity as the independent CPA of the said school.

BIR Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares said in a press conference they charged the CCSI officers for willful attempt to evade or defeat tax for taxable year 2010 under Section 254 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 and for deliberate failure to supply correct and accurate information in CCSI’s

tingnan na nagpaparty lang at bumibili ng mamahaling gamit ang anak ni Napoles samantalang milyun-milyong kabataan ang hindi man lang makakuha ng dekalidad na edukasyon (It was disgusting to see Napoles’ daughter partying and buying luxurious things while there are many youths who couldn’t afford quality education).”

For Kenneth Nab o, spokesperson of Anakbayan Univeristy of Mindanao, this event was successful.

“Kadtong mga ubang pundok nga naa diri nisuporta nga mosupak sa pork barrel, nasinati nila nga isa ni ka dako nga isyu (There are other groups here that support the call to abolish the pork barrel. They know this is a big issue in the country).”

He also added that “dakong pangutana gikan sa mga tao nganong dili man gyud I abolish sa presidente ang pork barrel og gi-ilisan lang ang dagway ani (the big question which the people ask is why the President himself won’t abolish the pork barrel and why he only changed its form).”

Social media played its role in spreading the issue of the pork barrel and calls for mass protests. In Davao, journalists hurriedly posted a Facebook page Million People March Davao that had close to 700 people who confirmed to join the rally, and many expressed their disgusts on widespread corruption existing under President Aquino’s daang matuwid administration.

In the page, people expressed their anger and calls for change, such as Gylord Mason who posted “Untiunting pagbabago ay hindi masama..tulungan natin ang bansang ibangun muli mula sa pagkakabaon sa putik na pinag-gulungan ng PORK BARREL. (Gradual change is not bad, let us help our country rise from the quagmire of pork barrel).”

Angel Achacoso Bisares said “Honestly, gusto ko rin makita ang totoong daang matuwid (I want to see the real righteous path)!”

(Earl O.Condeza/davaotoday.com)

Income Tax Return for taxable year 2010 under Section 255 of the Tax Code.

Henares added they charged Cuay for certifying the 2010 financial statement of CCSI despite essential misstatement of facts related to his client’s corporate landholdings and the clear omission or misrepresentation of its actual taxable income.

CCSI is registered as a nonstock, non-profit domestic cor-

Grades... from page 1

criticized Aquino’s “matuwid na daan” (straight path) campaign now that he has failed to heed the call to abolish the pork barrel.

She also chided the Aquino government for its failure to alleviate the economic conditions of teachers in private schools.

“Pila nako ka-tuig nagtudlo sa private schools, pero kining gobyerno ni Aquino wala gyud nakahatag og pagtagad sa problema sa mga magtutudlo sa private schools hilabi na sa mga isyu kabahin sa security of tenure, sweldo, social benefits ug uban pa, nga gina-enjoy sa mga public school teachers, (I have been teaching in private schools for years, but the Aquino government has never addressed our problems like security of tenure, salaries, social benefits–things which the public school teachers are already enjoying),” Bancale lamented.

Bancale was among the group of educators under the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines and Davao Association of Catholic Schools (CEAP-DACS) who joined the rally. Teachers as well as students from the Ateneo de Davao University, Holy Cross of Davao College and Assumption College of Davao displayed colorful placards and tarpaulin calling for government accountability and abolition of the PDAF. DACS Executive Director Jimmy-Loe Dela Vega, who spoke on stage during Monday’s rally, called the Aquino’s announcement on the abolition of pork barrel as a “sham”, noting that the system has just been repackaged and renamed to another scheme but would operationally “remain the same.”

Student leader Grace Monreal supports the call to abolish the pork barrel, saying that only rich people benefitted from it and majority of poor Filipinos were still deprived of basic social services.

northmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper

poration primarily engaged in the business of providing elementary and secondary education, among others, located at Tomas Saco St., Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City.

Investigation showed CCSI acquired a 10,000 square-meter property in Cagayan de Oro City for P23 million evidenced by a Deed of Sale dated Feb. 18, 2010 and annotated in the cancelled Transfer Certificate of Title No.

“Samtang ang pork barrel funds muabot og bilyones, unya nawaldas ra, ang kahimtang sa edukasyon labi na sa private schools, hastang mahala sa tuition ug ubang school-related fee. (While pork barrel funds reach billions and go to waste, private schools charge us high tuition and other school-related fees),” she said.

Monreal also scored the Aquino government for allowing tuition fee hikes in private-owned colleges and universities.

Monreal asked: “Dili man gani ma regulate sa gobyerno ang pagtaas sa tuition fees. Asa naman ang ginaingon sa balaud nga ang edukasyon us aka katungod?(The government can’t even regulate the skyrocketing tuition fees. Didn’t the law say that education is a right?)”

Meanwhile, DACS’ Dela Vega encouraged school administrators, teachers and students to continue the campaign to press the Aquino government for greater transparency and accountability.(Mart D. Sambalud/davaotoday.com)

Pork... from page 1

“Perhaps, there is a Congressman who squandered his pork barrel regrettably.

However, the fault of one Congressman is not the fault of all Congressmen, “ Rodriguez said.

“Kining pork barrel mao kini ang equalizing force bisag layo ta sa Manila, like taga Mindanao, makakuha ug P70 million, dakong tabang kini alang sa mga projects sa atong distrito,” (The pork barrel is an equalizing force because even if a Congressman is in Manila, like a Congressman from Mindanao, who gets a P70 million, the amount would already be a big help for various projects in the Congressman’s district), Rodriguez added.

Rodriguez said that he used his PDAF not only to help marginalized people but also from small construction of schools’ pathways to bigger infrastructure

T-170366 in the name of previous owner Pueblo de Oro Dev’t Corp.

Henares said however, despite such acquisition, CCSI only declared a net income of P2.175 million in 2010 and a combined net income of not more than P15 million for the past several years.

She added CCSI was sued for a total deficiency income tax liability for taxable year 2010 amounting to P14.5 million.

PNA report

projects.

“Dili nato malikayan na naay mo-critizise niana, pero ang sa ato tinooray na pagserbisyo man,” (It is inevitable for some to criticize the pork barrel, but in our case, we used it to sincerely serve our constituents,), Rodriguez said.

To prove his point, Rodriguez enumerated the various important projects that his office have initiated under Cagayan de Oro City’s 2nd district.

“We have concreted almost all of the barangay roads under the 2nd district.

Apart from the continuous infrastructure projects, the Congressional office of the 2nd district in Cagayan de Oro City also extends daily medical assistance to patients at the governmentowned Northern Mindanao Medical Center here,” he said.

He said that his office extends P 500 to P 1,000 daily cash assistance to indigent constituents for their medical needs.

Rodriguez also said that his Congressional district has sent 3,000 scholars to various state and private run colleges and universities here and abroad. “What would happen to them if the PDAF is abolished,” he asked.

Rodriguez expressed the apprehension that if the PDAF is abolished, the development plans for Mindanao would be in chaos.

He said that the abolition of the PDAF would be unfair for the people of Mindanao in terms of sharing of development assistance coming from the national government.

“It’s not the right time to abruptly abolish the PDAF,” he added. CD with PNA report

Russian... from page 1

have heard of, but which is now one of the world’s largest oil companies and one of the world’s largest source of oil spills on land.

• American oil giant Exxon. Famous for the devastating Exxon Valdez spill, this profit hungry monster

has partnered with Rosneft to take advantage of weak legislation and a lack of accountability in Russian waters.

• The Russian Arctic National Park. A critical habitat for narwhals, bowhead whales, polar bears, and walruses, and now also the site of an illegal drilling lease held by Rosneft and jointly explored with Exxon.

• Vessels carrying out preparations for these companies, mapping oil deposits with sound blasts loud enough to kill a whale and testing the seabed by driving heavy metal cylinders into the ocean floor.

It’s a nightmare, and if things don’t change it can only get worse.

But there’s a difference between knowing something’s happening and seeing it with your own eyes. The Russian government and the oil companies know that just as well as we do; and we believe that’s why they’re trying to keep us out.

As we approached Novaya Zemlya, the high north archipelago that separates the Barents Sea from the Kara Sea, schools of whitebeaked dolphins swam and played in the bow-wave of our ship against a backdrop of rainbows and snow-capped mountains. We saw whales surfacing in the distance, puff ins and gulls f lying overhead, and a spectacular Arctic sunrise.

If this is the outskirts, I can only imagine what magic awaits within the bounds of the Arctic National Park.

What magic and what darkness.

Within that park, formally recognised by the Russian government as ecologically sensitive and in need of protection, are narwhals, bowhead whales, dolphins, polar bears, walruses, and countless other Arctic species.

If an oil spill happens in this area - that supposed sanctuary for creatures that cannot withstand an onslaught of industrial activity - it will devastate this place in an instant. Despite Russian laws prohibiting industrial See URGED, page 14