Palace on record low self-rated poverty: ‘Change has indeed come’ THE Palace welcomed on Monday a record low self-rated poverty rate, saying Filipinos have started to feel the change promised by President Rodrigo Duterte in the last May 2016. “Change has indeed come, and it is being felt by our people,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Martin Andanar said in a press statement. For two consecutive quarters, Filipino families who considered themselves ‘mahirap’ or poor
reached new record low, according to the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey last December 3-6. In the third month of the Duterte administration last September 2016, the average self-rated poverty rate was 42 percent while in December 2016, it was 44 percent, both surpassed the previous record of 47 percent registered in 1987. “On the two-point increase in self-rated poverty nationwide, we take note the survey finding that self-rated poverty rose in Balance
Luzon,” Andanar said. “We thus factor in strongerthan usual typhoons that hit Luzon towards the later part of the year which may have affected the perception of our respondents,” he added. Last year, typhoon Karen damaged thousands of hectares of agricultural lands in Ilocos, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON and Bicol while typhoon Lawin destroyed houses and crops and displaced
thousands in the northern part of Luzon. “The Department of Agriculture has been providing assistance to those affected farmers in the wake of two destructive storms last year,” Andanar said. According to the SWS survey conducted on 1,500 respondents nationwide, the self-rated poverty reading “has been either steady or declining for nine consecutive quarters from 52 percent in December 2014 to 44 percent in December last year. (PNA) DUTERTE
MINDANAO DAILY T H E P U RV E YO R O F T R U T H , J U S T I C E , A N D D E V E LO P M E N T
Volume VI, No. 188
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Tuesday
January 17, 2017
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60 Higaonon families flee As suspected NPA rebels arrive
By Froilan Gallardo, of MindaNews
C
AGAYAN de Oro City-The sight of heavily armed men was enough for some 60 Higaonon families to flee their homes in Sitio Bulahan, Barangay Dansolihon here on Saturday night.
Higaonon bakwits. Some
60 Higaonon families from Sitio Bulahan, Barangay Dansoliho in Cagayan de Oro City seek shelter at their tribes’s meeting hall Saturday, July 14, 2017 after suspected communist rebels allegedly visited and tried to convince them to join the guerilla movement. MindaNews photo by Froilan O. Gallardo
P1,000 pension hike not enough, group says FOR not following through on his electoral promise, the labor group Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) expressed dissatisfaction over the measly additional one thousand pesos monthly pension of 2.2 million pensioners ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte last Monday. In a press statement, the group claimed that the hike is not only short of what was promised to the pensioners but is also “clearly insufficient to cover even the barest nutritional and medical needs of pensioners
and will only be cancelled out as prices of commodities are expected to steadily rise after oil and electricity rates increased December last year. The government’s own economic think tank, the NEDA admitted that the projected inflation rate for 2017 will “likely be 3%” from a mere 1.8% last year, but assures the public that it shall have no significant impact on the gross domestic product targets for the year. “It will only take a few See PENSIOn, page A7
Dansolihon Barangay Chairman Gilbert Nacalaban said the evacuation started Saturday night after residents heard of persistent reports of the presence of suspected communist rebels. “I had to make four trips to the village on my pickup and Isuzu truck to ferry the residents. They all look very terrified Nacalaban said. Two teams from the 58th Infantry Brigade and Cagayan de Oro Police Special Weapons Action Team were on standby at the police station in Barangay Lumbia awaiting orders to go to Sitio Bulahan. Senior Inspector Dennis Ebsolo, Lumbia police station chief said they are still checking whether the armed men were members of the New People’s Army (NPA) as reported by some villagers. See FLEE, page A7
Solon eyes passage of death penalty bill before June 3 House of Representatives justice committee chair Reynaldo Umali said on Monday the bill that seeks to restore death penalty will likely be approved before the end of the first regular session of 17th Congress on June 3. In a press conference, Umali said the death penalty bill, a priority measure of the Duterte administration, is an important reform to pursue in overhauling the criminal justice system of the country. “More importantly in my
own sense, this is the part and parcel of the criminal justice system reforms that we would like to pursue and the death penalty will surely be a factor in strengthening or enhancing the criminal justice system,” he said. Umali shared that he was once against capital punishment, but he saw the need for its reimposition after his committee conducted its hearing on the illegal drugs trade inside the New Bilibid Prison last September. “I am now in favor of death penalty on drug-
related heinous crimes,” said Umali. The Mindoro Oriental lawmaker said the lower chamber will still have to work on the contentious measure “regardless of what action Senate will take on the bill”. Under the proposed measure, the heinous crimes for which the death penalty will be imposed include trafficking in illegal drugs, arson, treason, murder, rape, kidnapping, and carnapping. The mode of capital
INSIDESTORIES
n Duterte confirms arrest, detention of Sema’s son in KL/A2 nHow to become more productive when facing obstacles/A5
See DEATH, page A7
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Duterte confirms arrest, detention of Sema’s son in KL
By Carolyn O. Arguillas of MindaNews
DAVAO City––President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday night confirmed the arrest and detention in Kuala Lumpur of 26-yearold Datu Mohamad Abduljabbar Sema, chair of Barangay Rosary Heights 7 in Cotabato City who is suspected to be among the perpetrators of the September 2, 2016 bombing at the Roxas Night Market here that left 15 persons dead and 69 others injured. Duterte told a gathering of this city’s business sector at the Marco Polo hotel that the perpetrators of the September bombing in the night market near the hotel “have all been accounted for,” including the “anak ni Sema, mayor ng Cotabato.” “Ngayon dito sa — kayong nagputok diyan sa Maute, they have all been accounted for. Nahuli ko na lahat iyan. Iyong isa diyan DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT AMONG HEIRS WITH SALE Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the deceased ESPERIDION P. PASTRANO, being herein the wife and children of the latter who died intestate on October 6, 2009 at Purok 1, Upper Sugod, Valencia City, Bukidnon, hereinafter called to the VENDEE; the said deceased at the time of his death left a certain real property particularly described as follows: TRANSFER CERTIFICATER OF TITLE NO. A-7317; Lot 127-F, Psd-10-029264 (AR) A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 127-F, Psd-10-029264 (AR), being a portion of Lot 127, Pls-279, (F-V-53939), situated in the Barrio of Bagon- Taas, Municipality of Valencia, Province of Bukidnon, Island of Mindanao.; containing an area of NINE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED FIFTY FOUR (9,254) square meters more or less; is the subject of DEED OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT AMONG HEIRS WITH SALE; made and executed by and between namely: GENIE A. PASTRANO, Filipino, of legal age, widow and a resident of Brgy. Sugod, Valencia City, Bukidnon, hereinafter called to the HEIR-VENDOR; ALGENE A. PASTRANO, Filipino age, single/ married and a resident of Brgy. Sugod, Valencia City, Bukidnon, hereinafter called to the HEIR-VENDOR; ERIC A. PASTRANO, Filipino age, single/ married and a resident of Brgy. Sugod, Valencia City, Bukidnon, hereinafter called to the HEIR-VENDOR; ROBERT A. PASTRANO, Filipino age, single/ married and a resident of Brgy. Sugod, Valencia City, Bukidnon, hereinafter called to the HEIR-VENDOR; LEONARD A. PASTRANO, Filipino age, single/ married and a resident of Brgy. Sugod, Valencia City, Bukidnon, hereinafter called to the HEIR-VENDOR; EDUARD A. PASTRANO, Filipino age, single/ married and a resident of Brgy. Sugod, Valencia City, Bukidnon, hereinafter called to the HEIR-VENDOR; MEYNARD A. PASTRANO, Filipino age, single/ married and a resident of Brgy. Sugod, Valencia City, Bukidnon, hereinafter called to the HEIR-VENDOR; and EDWIN O. MIAGA and ARICEL O. MIAGA, both Filipinos, of legal ages, both single and both residents of Poblacion, Valencia City, Bukidnon, hereinafter called to the VENDEE; That for and in consideration of the sum of EIGHTY THOUSAND PESOS P80,000.00) Philippine currency, receipt of which in full is hereby acknowledged by the HEIR-VENDORS, the Heir-Vendors do hereby SELL, TRANSFER , CEDE and CONVEY in a manner absolute and irrevocable, to the VENDEE their heirs and assigns the above described property containing an area of THREE HUNDRED (300) square meters more or less, including all the improvements existing or found thereon free from all liens and encumbrances; Under the Notary Public of ATTY. OLIVER OWEN L. C. GARCIA; as per Doc No. 278; Page No. 56; Book No. CXLI; Series of 2016. MDN: Jan. 17, 24 & 31, 2017
FLOWERS AND CANDLES. Students of the Ateneo de Davao University and other Dabawenyos offer flowers, candles and prayers at Ground Zero of the Roxas night market on Monday, September 5, three days after an explosion that killed 14 persons and injured 70 others. One of the injured, a pregnant woman, expired in the hospital days later. MindaNews photo by Carolyn O. Arguillas anak ni Sema, mayor ng Cotabato. He is now detained diyan sa Malaysia” (Now here — those from the Maute [group] who perpetrated the bombing, they have all been accounted for. I caught all of them. One of them is the son of Sema, mayor of Cotabato). The arrested suspect is a son of Muslimin Sema, chair of a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) who served
as mayor of Cotabato City (1998 until he was unseated in March 2001 and was reelected mayor from 2001 to 2010) and Bai Sandra Ampatuan Sema, three-term 1st district Representative of Mindanao and one of three Deputy Speakers from Mindanao out of 14 Deputy Speakers nationwide. The son, according to a VERA Files report published on its website on January 13, was arrested on Nov. 24,
2016 at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport upon his arrival from Bangkok aboard Air Asia flight AK 891. It is not clear what the young Sema’s role in the Davao bombing is. VERA Files’ police sources “declined to give specifics … pleading lack of authority to speak to the media.” Fifteen persons were killed and 69 others injured when an improvised explo-
sive device went off at the massage services area of the Roxas night market evening of September 2. Duterte verbally placed the country under a state of lawlessness when he visited the blast site dawn of September 3 and on September 4 signed Proclamation 55 declaring a “state of national emergency on account of lawless violence in Mindanao.” The declaration has not been lifted. Police filed multiple murder charges against nine suspects – three of them women — in midSeptember. On October 7, three suspects, allegedly members of the extremist
Lanao del Sur-based Maute Group, were arrested in Cotabato City on October 4 were presented to the media by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. Among those taken from the suspects were a video footage on the explosion taken from a mobile phone focusing on what would shortly be the blast site. Fours others were arrested on October 29 at the alleged hideout at the Southern Philippine Development Authority compound in Cotabato City. Good working relations with Malaysia, Indonesia Duterte credited his “good working relations with (Malaysia’s) Mahathir and (Indonesian President Joko) Widodo,” although apparently he was referring to the current Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak when he mentioned former long-time Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad)” in his fight against terrorism. He said the Philippines has yet to await the arrival of the naval fastcraft so if there is a pursuit of kidnappers from either Malaysia or Indonesia “inside my (Philippines) waters,” either Malaysia or Indonesia could “go ahead and blast them off.” “Ako ang order ko talaga sa Navy, sa Coast Guard, basta nag-kidnap, tapos trying to escape, pasabugin mo na silang lahat. Sabi nila, ‘hostage po.’ Sorry, collateral damage” (My order to the Navy, the Coast Guard, is if there is a kidnap incident, and kidnappers are tyring to escape, blast them off. They will say ‘but there are hostages.’ Sorry, collateral damage), Duterte said. “Now, if they are blasted everyday, that would stop or at least place us See ARREST, page A7
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The Nation
Presidential Communication Office Secretary Martin Andanar answers reporters’ questions at the launching of Philippines’ chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2017 on Sunday (January 15, 2017) at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
Chinese envoy welcomes PH’s ASEAN chairmanship China to remain supporter of ASEAN
By Lilian C. Mellejor of PNA
DAVAO City––The People’s Republic of China will remain a firm ally of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as it welcomed the Philippines taking the leadership of the ten-member group. This support even extends to the maritime security and cooperation that the ASEAN included in its six thematic priorities. This was emphasized by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua in an interview on the sidelines of the launching of the Philippines chairmanship of the ASEAN 2017 being held on Monday afternoon at the SMX Convention Center in this city. The Chinese envoy said China will always pursue sea disputes by peaceful means and consensus-based between China and ASEAN.
Maritime security and cooperation is the third agenda of the ASEAN that will be pursued this year with the Philippines taking the helm of the organization. The agenda adheres to the rule of law for the peaceful resolution of disputes and the preservation and protection of maritime resources. Mr. Zhao admitted they like the way how the current administration is treating the arbitral victory of the Philippines on the West Philippines Sea to maintain stability in the area. The Duterte administration has been pursuing the West Philippine issue through discrete, low-key and face-to-face talks with China. “I like it very much,” he said, stressing on China’s respect to the Philippines’s position. Mr. Zhao also welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for non-interference in regional peace and stability.
“We appreciate the ASEAN has been developing the ASEAN way characterized by non-interference…by doing things by consensus. That also fits our principle,” he said. In his speech at the launching of the Philippines’ chairmanship, President Rodrigo Duterte emphasized on the principles stated in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation including noninterference in promoting regional peace and stability through abiding respect for the rule of law. Peace and stability was also emphasized as one of the agenda of the ASEAN aiming to uphold peaceful coexistence and regional cooperation among the member states. The President even called on the ASEAN member states to strive for a region that promotes and maintains peace, security and stability. He also called on all ASEAN member states to
HAPPY GOLDEN HARVEST FESTIVAL AND 16TH CHARTER DAY CELEBRATION
rededicate themselves and commit anew to the principles and purposes behind the establishment of the association’s adherence to the rule of law.
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Priest: ‘We want Duterte to succeed’
TACLOBAN City--A retired formator in the Archdiocese of Palo called on the faithful to pray for President Rodrigo Duterte that he succeeds as president amid intense criticism the latter has been receiving. In calling for prayer for Duterte, Fr. Oscar Lorenzo, a resident priest in Tacloban’s Sto. Niño Parish, said in his recent homily, “Since he is our president, we want him to succeed, we want him to do what is best for the Philippines, if not for this problem in himself.” Noting Duterte’s positive points, he is convinced that with guidance and wisdom from God, he will be able to lead the country while upholding the rights and dignity of Filipinos. ‘Iglesia ni Duterte’ According to the priest, since Duterte is not god, he has to be guided by the wisdom of the God of Christians, whom he adored when he was still a Catholic. He likewise urged the churchgoers to pray for the members of Duterte’s cabinet, who technically are his alter egos, that they properly advise him on various issues. Lorenzo, who does not fear criticizing what he believes are the government’s misguided policies, recently condemned some of Duterte’s pronouncements, including the creation of “Iglesia ni Duterte” where men can marry up to five times. This cleric opposed Duterte’s inclination towards divorce, his alleged defilement of the Holy Host, his maligning of the Holy Water, and the government’s war on drugs that he said brought on a spathe of extrajudicial killings, debasing “the sanctity of life.” Very recently, the head of state threatened to kill off barangay officials involved in the illegal drug trade and the “narco-mayors” who will not resign from their posts. Call for prayers Since the declaration of an all-out war on drugs last November, about six thousand men and women were killed in either drug buy-bust operations, in legitimate police operations, and summary executions. He also said Duterte should be cautious of what he says in public. Lorenzo likewise feared Dr. Natividad Dayan’s declaration in the annulment case of Duterte and his former wife Elizabeth Zimmerman that alleged See succeed, page A7
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Opinion
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Daily inspiration The Mindanao Daily is pubished by MINDANAO DAILY NEWS PUBLISHING CORPORATION. It is Registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with Reg. No. CS201531735. With Business Plate No. BP-28984, Under Business License Certificate No. 2015-15224, BIR-TIN No. 464682-324-000. Main Business address at Tanleh Building, Abellanosa St., Brgy. Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro City. Tel. Nos: (088) 856-3344, 857-8447, 0917-7121424, 0947-8935776 E-mails: Advertising:mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com, Editorial: mindanaodailynews@gmail.com DANTE M. SUDARIA Publisher and President TERESA ZAFRA PELONE Comptroller melanie rivera SAIRA E. GUMISING Advertising WEMALYN GARCIA Marketing Rolando sudaria Production felix santillan Layout Artist manila marketing office 9th Flr, Unit 918, CityLand Herrera VA Rufino cor. Valero St. Salcedo Village, Makati City TEL. #: 5555392, Cell No.: 0977-152-8860 lani vallido Marketing and Sales Manager
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Expectation
JOY is closely connected to our expectations (what we think and believe). In other words, the more you expect good things to happen to you, the more joy you will have. What are you expecting right now? If you’re expect-
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dantly, above and beyond anything you could possibly imagine. Expect Him to do great things in your life, not because you deserve it, but because He is good! God is good all the time. #Thankful
Questions for Duterte
LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… the angel said to her, `Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus’…” (Luke 1:30-31, the Holy Bible). -oooTHE ANNUNCIATION CONFIRMS JESUS IS THE FATHER: The announcement of the angel Gabriel to Mary that she was the chosen “virgin” who will conceive and give birth to God as a baby boy can be read at Luke 1:26-38 of the Bible. That event---called the Annunciation by some--confirms once more that God, whose Name is Jesus, was the One who came down to earth from heaven, in flesh and blood. -oooQUESTIONS FOR DUTERTE: Leslie Bocobo, a Facebook friend and a socio-civic-political commentator in various social networking sites, posted this on January 15, 2017: “Allow me to complain this time to this administration. “1) Why is Leila De Lima still NOT in jail, considering
the evidences against her? 2) Why are Noynoy Aquino, Mar Roxas, Butch Abad, Dinky Soliman, Jun Abaya, and others, still NOT tried in court for crimes against the Filipino nation? 3) “Why is the Supreme Court SLOW in acting on Bongbong Marcos’ electoral protest? 4) Why are certain bishops NOT charged in court for engaging in a conspiracy to overthrow Duterte? 5) Why HASN’T Kr is Aquino returned Imelda Marcos’ jewelries yet?” I hope answers can be given by the personalities and agencies concerned, and even by President Duterte himself. -oooSALT AND SALIVA AS INSTRUMENTS OF THEFT: There is a Facebook post that is being shared and re-shared and is thus going viral once again. This is about the video of a person who apparently was caught breaking into closed cars and vehicles using salt and saliva (yes, salt and saliva). It appears from the video that the thief mixes the salt in his hands with his saliva
and then throws it into the glass window. Somehow, the salt and saliva could cause the glass window of the cars or other vehicles to become soft, and then easily smashed into pieces. Two things struck me in this post: first, the ingenuity of man (imagine, salt and saliva as instruments of robbery?) and, second, his capacity to do evil, perhaps in the face of great deprivation and want. This is a fulfillment of prophecies that as the end of the world comes nearer, man will become greatly evil. -oooTHE VISIT OF THE ANGEL GABRIEL TO MARY: In a nutshell, Luke 1:26-38 of the Bible tells us this story: the angel came to a virgin who was already pledged to be married, telling her that she was full of grace and that the Lord was with her. This kind of a greeting gave fear to Mary, but the angel, Gabriel, assured her that there was nothing to be afraid of. What Gabriel said next to her fulfilled what the Prophet Isaiah foretold in
Brew Point
been kept in the vain hope of chipping away at the President’s popularity. In his first six months, Mr. Duterte undertook initiatives that might otherwise be deeply divisive. In foreign affairs, he created space with our ally of long standing to chart a truly independent course. On the peace process, he bent over backwards to accommodate what might seem to be excessive demands on the part of the communists to keep the peace negotiations moving. He met with all the Moro leaders personally to keep peace prospects bright. He has, of course, been unremitting in the war on drugs , adverse commentaries notwithstanding. On all these initiatives, the President had to expend political capital. The surveys, however, show that his immense political capital has hardly been diminished. That means he has enough political capital to fuel change in other areas of governance. The President reacted rather nonchalantly when presented with the latest survey results. More than any of us, he must have realized instantly that the high
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the Book of Isaiah in the Bible---that a virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, who was in reality the “Mighty God, Everlasting Father”. In fine, the Annunciation is but another confirmation that Jesus is God and Savior, and is God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. -oooPLEASE LISTEN: “Ang Tanging Daan” (The Sole Way): a Bible study and prayer session online could now be heard, 24 HOURS a day, in the Philippines and the world at www.facebook.com/angtangingdaan. Phone: 0917 984 24 68, 0918 574 0193, 0977 805 9058. Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com.
Approval translates to expectation
PAT SAMONTE CHRIS PANGANIBAN Regional Editor Caraga Regional Editor-Davao THE yearend surveys gave Rene Michael BaÑos uRIEL C. QUILINGUING President Duterte “excel Regional Editor Northmin Contributing Editor lent” job approval ratings. AL JACINTO Regional Editor-WestMin
ing nothing, that is probably what you will get. Don’t look to the world to form your hopes, dreams, and expectations, because even if you get them, they won’t be fulfilling. Look to God, who is able to do exceedingly, abun-
Although all the top government officials shed points—an understandable adjustment from the phenomenally high postelection ratings—the President shed the least. This happens despite his stirring up a storm of controversy at every turn and being the focal point of criticism. Survey numbers show the people strongly approving of the campaign against illegal drugs and corruption that the President has waged with passion since he took office. That campaign brought down the volume of index crimes dramatically in just six months. People now feel safer in the streets and in their homes, although much more has to be done. It might seem ages since Rodrigo Duterte took office, although he has been there only six months. When it comes to the energy he brings to his post, little comparison may be drawn with his predecessor. There is no real yearning for the previous administration and its laid-back style of public management—although a small army of trolls has
Martin Andanar
“A measure to reinstate the death penalty has moved at the House of Representatives. This, too, will entail passionate debate. If the President truly feels this is a necessary measure, he will invest his political capital in getting this done.’
approval ratings translate to even higher expectations from his administration. That, in turn, means we have to work even harder in the coming period to sustain the searing pace set during the past six months. Last June, weeks before the inauguration, we knew the Duterte team would hit the ground running. We hardly expected hitting the ground sprinting. Working for the President is a test of endurance as well as inventiveness. This year, expect the Duterte administration to focus on a number of new initiatives. These other initiatives tended to be overshadowed in the past few months by the color and intensity of the war on drugs. Although the campaign against illegal drugs will be sustained, there are other aspects of the reform program that will be highlighted. Constitutional reform will likely headline the next few months. The mechanism for framing a new constitution that will move us from unitary to federal government will no doubt entail much public debate See APPROVAL, page A7
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Tuesday, January 17, 2017
A5
How to become more productive when facing obstacles THESE days, I juggle between business administration being an adjunct professor, and visual arts. My greatest challenge is how to handle both with outcomes that really encourage. I have learned that it takes a deliberate effort to concentrate on a task. For instance, painting needs an attempt to become spontaneous, especially amid responsibilities I need to fulfill as a mentor. With a brush and paint ready for a canvas, the process does not seem to flow like a leisure-walk or a dance. Many times, an artist confronts an empty space, but
Lucell Larawan
still the concept does not come after an hour. For creatives like artists and musicians, the innovative ways to journey for a masterpiece vary. No strategy works for everyone that is why each must discover
his tipping point. I then realize that to get closer to my masterpieces, I need to paint for hours—even while thinking and feeling that the effort is stressful—until I begin to trek as if it is not work but a journey to dreamland. Once I reach that point, it is easier to work with my other sculptures and paintings. Otherwise, doing them is like tying my hands with a ton of metal. Based on that experience, a work of art should, therefore, be done in a time that I do not think of tasks that disrupt and where there is no noise. Such disruptions steal my journey and
it will take hours to process another trek towards a commendable output. If I do not make artworks consistently, the energy seems to come after several hours of attempting. Universally, it is still important to set clear goals and put them into writing. These goals should include long-term and daily targets. After creating them, I urge myself to write steps to reach these goals. My passion is ignited by having goals and doing the steps to get closer to them. Proofs that this strategy works: my fruitful endeavors span between fine arts
Of landings and sentimental journeys By MIKE VILLAREAL
HAVING attended the Lingayen Gulf Landing ceremony for at least 7 years now every January 9th, I’m already a familiar visitor or tourist in this annual gathering. This year is particularly special, being the 70th anniversary of the day that the Allied Forces led by the US Sixth Army held the biggest naval landing in World War II in the Pacific. For the US, it was known as the “Luzon Landing” and paved the way for US and Filipino forces to take over Manila and eventually the entire country in less than nine months. I have to hand it to Governor Amado Espino Jr. – he really has full respect for the veterans and their contribution to shaping our country. With my job, I meet LGU Executives all over our country and he is one of the very few who walks the talk when it comes to our veterans. During the event, the Provincial Government recognized the oldest Filipino veterans present. There also was a medical mission for the veterans present courtesy of a tie-up with the Provincial Health Office, Veterans Bank and the Board of Trustees of the Veterans of World War II. During the program, I had the privilege of meeting Jay Gruenfeld, an American World War II veteran who took part in the Luzon (Lingayen Gulf ) Landings 70 years ago. He belonged to the 103rd Regiment of the 43rd Infantry Division which landed in San Fabian, specifically in White Beach 3, just adjacent to San Fa-
bian Town. To the best of my knowledge, he is the only Veteran at the event who actually participated in the Landing. But for some reason, there wasn’t much attention given to this living hero of the very event we were commemorating 70 years ago. I felt they should’ve called him to the stage and given recognition – at the very least, realizing that at 90 years old, he journeyed all the way from the US East coast just to be there at his own expense. He tells me this is his fifth trip to the Philippines, the last two being the 50th and 60th Lingayen Landing ceremonies. In the last one, he was recognized as the only Veteran of the Lingayen Gulf Landing and was called to the stage to be recognized.
My brief time with Mr. Gruenfeld was meaningful because this is the first time I am hearing first-hand accounts from an American point of view on the Lingayen Gulf Landing, having been very familiar than most of this historic event from historical documents and interviews with historians, survivors and veterans. In his book, it says that before they landed on San Fabian on LSTs (Landing Ship, Tank) on January 9, 1945; they were told to “expect heavy casualties” and rumors went around of “stiff Japanese resistance on the beach.” Their mission as the 103rd was to neutralize the pillboxes on the beach. An excerpt from his book “Commissioned in Battle” says it all: “Our immediate objec-
tive was to charge 100 to 200 yards up the beach and attack enemy pillboxes. There were none, so we entered battered San Fabian, which was still smoldering from the shelling of our Navy guns. The only dead we saw were Filipino. Wails of grief from mothers and wives drifted in the air with the smoke.” (Chapter 4, Luzon Beachhead) This verifies the accounts of the Filipino survivors we’ve interviewed, that the majority of the casualties of the Lingayen Gulf Landings were the civilians of towns along the shore: San Fabian, Dagupan, Binmaley and Lingayen. On January 19, 1945, the 103rd’s mission was to help take over Japanese troops at “Hill 600” located a few kilometers north of Pozzorubio. Gruenfeld’s encounter at Hill 600 saw nine Japanese and one American killed in the process of taking over this hill. In one of his trips in 2005, he had a marker erected at the same spot with no fanfare. Earlier, I offered to go with him and visit San Fabian White Beach 3 but says he didn’t think much about their landing because there wasn’t any resistance at all. He did want to visit Pozzorubio and see the marker he put there 10 years ago. After the Battle See journeys, page A7
and business management arenas. I have had three solo exhibits even when I was working full-time during exhibitions. I already published eight research articles—five of them in the international publications-in both business and fine arts fields. By God’s grace, I availed a competitive individual competitive grant in research from the National Commission for culture and the Arts. I did not also exclude community outreaches as trainer, curator and hosting partner of visual arts development projects sponsored by a Makatibased foundation and an-
other local non-government organization. Productivity is a matter of strategy. There was a big lumberjack who bought a brand new chainsaw and was told it could cut down at least 100 trees a day. But on the first day, he only felled 25 trees. Then he tried harder and finally cut down 33 of them in the forest. On the third day, he started early, and even shortened his lunch break, and he still managed to cut down 48 trees. He went back to the store and complained
THE justice for City Mayor Celso G. Regencia, which was once so elusive during the previous administration, the Aquino administration, so to exactly say, now being tamed and shined brightly like the noonday sun, untarnished by deceit and cunning, of course, under the present administration, the Duterte administration. Yes, justice is now restored in the Philippines in its totality. City Mayor Celso G. Regencia has been incarcerated for more than one (1) year now, which could be horrible to consider, considering that the accusations leveled against him was only fabricated. His integrity that he has nurtured and guarded with utmost vigilance was jeopardized by said fabricated accusations by the then former Congressman Vicente Belmonte, Jr., which catapulted him to the experience of what we all call human disaster that lasted too long to be endured. Yet, with humility, he endured without rancor or regret. Now is the time to say more candidly, “that no tendency of reason can alter the truth, for the truth will always prevail in the end. That a lie cannot be made true by another lie. And no amount of lying can stand to the truth that one proclaims by a good and honest life. We, Christians, know for a fact that God is truth, and for His being as such, He knows how to put a proper prize upon the truth. And it would be strange indeed if so celestial the article of justice, based on truth, should not be highly considered.” God will not abandon those who are victims of injustice and those who relies on Him like City Mayor Celso Regencia. Which is why he was exonerated of the alleged fabricated cases filed against him by the then former Congressman Vicente Belmonte, Jr. He endured the suffering from the lies and deceit and fabricated accusations by former congressman. His endurance from the injustices by his political
Agree or disagree
See OBSTACLE, page A7
Elusive justice before now tamed
Demosthenes P. Maglasang Sr.
enemy is worthy to emulate his courage, which is now rewarded with victory in the end. He abates nothing of his just demand and that is his exoneration and, in that instant, his freedom is now shining brightly, and no hell could bar his way to be free again. The very hour in that event to come soon will, most assuredly, restores his dignity, virtue and moral values that he have cherished so much not to be tarnished. The dignity of man cannot be found on his possession, his position in government, his power, his overbearing arrogance and his influence of the power that be especially from former President Noynoy Aquino, from former DILG Secretary Mar Roxas and from former Secretary of Justice Leila De Lima that helped former Congressman Vicente Belmonte, Jr. twists the truth in its totality, which made us inclined to believe as a glaring miscarriage of justice. His dignity then as a man and as former public official, a congressman at that, ought to rest on his right treatment to his political adversary, and by humbly accept defeat of his political protégées, never vengeful and to act rather as role model in our society as public servant before, by giving City Mayor Celso G. Regencia the opportunity to serve the people that elected him rather than hinders by accusing him with fabricated crimes devoid of legal propriety. There is no reason therefore which can excuse the Department of Justice to deny of that See elusive, page A7
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Tuesday, January 17, 2017
DSWD’s IP beneficiary levels up to become govt community facilitator
inspired me to continue my studies notwithstanding the imminent hardships.” ST O. T OM A S , D av a o Driven Del Norte, Jan. 10 (PNA) Bobit entered college at -- Persistence begets triage 26. “I was very much umph. This is one mantra unsure then if I could surthat 33-year-old Bobit O. vive without any financial Dalatag believes. Indeed help from my parents,” he his persistence to lead a said. good life paid-off. However, Bobit’s dream “From dawn to dusk, I to survive the tertiary level witnessed my father day started to become a realin day out tilling the land. ity through a scholarship That never-ending grind from a national government pushed me to persevere organization. He received and now I am the person PHP 5,000.00 every semesI never imagined I could ter to augment his funds become,” Bobit related. for school needs. Bobit graduated BachWhen life in college was elor of Science in Elemengetting harder, Bobit knew tary Education from Liceo he could not pull through de Davao in Tagum City if he could not earn extra with flying colors. For over income to cover his ada year now he has served his ditional school expenses. community in Sto. Tomas “One day, I was inas Department of Social formed that our school Welfare and Development was looking for a part time (DSWD) Community Fajanitor. I immediately apcilitator under the Modified plied so that my 18 units Conditional Cash Transfer every semester will be paid for Indigenous Peoples structures. Government attend his classes. “This off,” Bobit said. (MCCT-IP). Realizing that his extra services could not even and all the sacrifices we A member of the Ata make it to our community. have mustered in the family effort was not enough espeManobo tribe, Bobit is a My six siblings died of illsingle parent and was a ness due to poverty,” Bobit Pantawid Pamilya benefi- recalled. ciary before he got hired at “I did not want to end DSWD. He has nine siblings up a farmer, thus I decided and both his parents are and determined to pursue farmers. schooling,” he said. Hard life From g r a d e s cho ol “My family life was never through high school, Boeasy. We lived in a very re- bit said he endured hiking A measure was filed with the protection of the mote village sans neighbors eight kilometers to and in the Senate on Monday voters’ registration proand far from community from school every day to seeking a probe on the cedure and all pertinent current state of the voters’ information. database in the custody of It also aims to assure DEED VOLUNTARY TRANSFER the Commission on Elec- that Filipinos’ right of sufKNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: tions (Comelec) that was frage is free of all threats This DEED is made and entered into by and between: reportedly hacked March and malicious interven GEORGETTA P. MACASERO, Filipino, of age, married and a resident of Poblacion Mambajao, last year. tions from any foreign or Camiguin herein referred to as the transferor; JOSE INTING, Filipino, of age and a resident of Tagdo, Mambajao, Camiguin herein referred to as Under Senate Resolution domestic sources. the transfere; No. 260, Sen. Leila de Lima, WITNESSETH De Lima said that the That the subject matter of this DEED is Lot No. 8071 declared in the name of transferors father chair of the Senate electoral extent of its damage not BERNARDO PACON, containing an area of 0.1976 ha., and is situated in Quibaong, Bayloa, Mambajao, Camiguin. reforms committee, sought only on its voters’ database for an investigation into the but also on the integrity of That transferor inherited this parcel from his father APOLONIO PACON. However, the transferee is a long time tenant of Lot No. 7041. The said parcel situated in Tagdo, Mambajao, Camiguin with an Comelec data leaks which the ordinary people’s perarea of 6704 square meters. allegedly affected 55 million sonal information should That the transferor sold Lot No. 8071 in favour of JOUBERTA GASENDO. This she did without having informed the transferee about in for him to exercise his right to pre-emption or redemption. In registered voters in the last be looked into. exchange of Transferee’s waiver and voluntary surrender of his tenancy rights, the transferor GEORGETTA P. MACASERO, by this DEED, hereby TRANSFERS, GIVES and CONVEYS Lot No. 8071 with an area elections. “The rising number of of 0.2056 ha., to the transferee JOSE INTING, his heirs, assigns and predecessors – in – interests. The measure is meant Internet vigilantes who That because of the TRANSFER and CONVEYANCE of Lot No. 8071 in Favour of JOSE INTING, he, now, FORMALLY WAIVES, RENOUNCES, SURRENDERS and QUIT ALL HIS CLAIMS, RIGHTS and to preserve the sanctity tamper with our people’s INTERESTS as tenant over Lot No. 7041 in Favour of GEORGETTA MACASERO. and integrity of the entire right to privacy should be That this DEED OF TRANSFER is knowingly and faithfully executed with the parties having been sufficiently explained on the matter. electoral process starting everyone’s cause for worry. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have affixed our signatures this 7th day of November , 2016 in Mambajao, By Carmela C. Duron of PNA
cially in his course, Bobit decided to work in a bar as a singer and guitarist receiving PHP 300.00 for five hours. “I was a janitor in the morning, student in the afternoon until evening, and acoustic singer and guitarist from late night until dawn,” Bobit proudly narrated. “There were times when I almost gave up but I knew I will be just like everyone else in our community tilling the land until the end of time just to survive. I badly wanted to finish college so that I could offer a better life to my family,” he added. Life goals After graduation, Bobit decided to apply at DSWD with the goal of helping his fellow Ata Manobos, especially the children in his community. He wanted them to value education and to inspire them to pursue their own dreams. Since then, Bobit has influenced many children in
his area of responsibility. He also supports his relatives who are in school so that they would also succeed in their different endeavors. MC CT-IP c aters to families belonging to the Indigenous Peoples living in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA). “I hope this MCCT-IP program will continue so that indigenous peoples in the Philippines would still have a chance to change and improve their lives through giving importance to education and health,” Bobit urged. Poverty will always be, yet people who persist will always triumph, he said. And Bobit lives by this quote. Pantawid Pamilya has been helping 233,864 families in Davao Region attain their dreams and gain better opportunities. The program is also assisting 29,884 IP beneficiaries thru MCCTIP. A report culled from the Philippine News Agency
The need to preserve the right to privacy should be paramount,” De Lima said. She explained personal information should be guarded against “unlawful access and manipulation, fraudulent misuse, authorized usage, unlawful destruction, alteration, interference with, and contamination.” “There is no denying that the Comelec data breach that occurred is indeed unacceptable, and that those responsible should be fully prosecuted and punished, whether they are foreign or domestic actors,” she added. In its 35-page decision last December 28, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) said Comelec violated Sections 11, 20, and 21 of the Data Privacy Act when it failed to protect the privacy of the voters’
data in its role as “personal information controller.” The ruling also recommended the criminal prosecution of Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista for failing to ensure the privacy of the voters’ database. Hackers group, Anonymous Philippines, hacked the website of the Comelec and defaced its contents last March 27, 2016. Another group, LulzSec Pilipinas, leaked online millions of voter registration data, including names, addresses, and birthdays, among others. (PNA) JBP/ ANP and Jake M. Castillo (OJT)
Investigation sought on Comelec voters’ database leak
Camiguin, Philippines. GEORGETTA MACASERO Transferor I. D. No. Issued by: Issued on:
JOSE INTING Transferee I. D No. Issued by: Issued on:
Signed in the presence of: OFECIA Q. VALDEHUEZA 1 See attached Tax Declaration Republic of the Philippines ) Province of Camiguin ) Municipality of Mambajao ) S. S.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
BEFORE ME, this 7th day of November, 2016, personally appeared the transferor, GOERGETTA P. MACASERO and JOSE INTING exhibiting their proof of identification above – indicated. They are known to me personally to have executed the foregoing DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE in two (2) pages, signed each and every page and acknowledged to me that they executed the same freely and voluntarily. Witness my hand and seal on the above date and place written. AVELINO P. ORSENO JR. Doc No. 888 Notary Public Page No. 48 Until December 31, 20017 Book No. XI IBP # 895418 05-13-16 Series of 2016 PTR # 1009685 05-13-16 MCLE Compliance V 0009446 MDN: Jan 10, 17 & 24, 2017
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Obstacle... from page A5
to the manager. He told him about his efforts and the results. The manager could not quite understand what had gone wrong, so he asked to take a look. He grabbed the starter rope and pulled hard, and the motor started with a roar. The lumberjack jumped back in surprise and yelled, “Hey, what’s that big noise?” That is a humorous account of not knowing what method to use for increasing productivity. Sometimes, however, we also rely too much on our methods which is risky. So I should still exercise faith in the journey or else fall prey into the inevitable as quoted by George MacDonald: “In whatever man does without God, he must fail miserably or succeed more miserably.”
Approval... from page A4
and even controversy. But in the President’s mind, this is something that needs to be done now. A measure to reinstate the death penalty has moved at the House of Representatives. This, too, will entail passionate debate. If the President truly feels this is a necessary measure, he will invest his political capital in getting this done. Then there is the comprehensive tax reform package that will, on one hand, bring down our income tax rates to match regional averages and, on the other hand, introduce new revenue measures to avert a massive budget deficit. There will hardly be debate on reducing income tax rates. But there surely be much resistance to the introduction of new tax measures. Again, political capital will have to be invested here.
Elusive... from page A5
right as a consequence of lies and deceit and fabricated accusations leveled against him. It is devoid of moral issue so to speculate. It is wrong—deadly wrong to deny City Mayor Celso G. Regencia to serve the Iliganons as their local chief executive. Because the Iliganons love him very much. In fact, for several instances, they put their shoulder to the wheel to root out the injustices committed by Congressman Vicente Belmonte, that by now, the now God’s time, has ultimately yielded victory, victory for the truth, victory for City Mayor Celso G. Regencia and victory for the Iliganons. Very soon, he will be back to personally rule with order and reason as City Mayor of Iligan City. In that instant then, the development initiative of his administration will be accelerated in a booster like pace of implementation that will ultimately change the physical structure of Iligan
City, in much too soon, and be envied rather by other cities, most probably. The people of Iligan City welcome the decision for the dismissal of the cases filed against City Mayor Celso Regencia by Department of Justice. This is the dispositive portion of the Resolution of the said Department of Justice dated December 9, 2016, to wit: “WHEREFORE, it is respectfully recommended that the foregoing resolution finding the motion for reconsideration of respondent Amador B. Baller a.k.a. “Dongki” and respondent Celso G. Regencia’s “Urgent Motion and Manifestation” be GRANTED. Accordingly, the Resolution dated July 6, 2015 issued by this Office is hereby recommended REVERSED AND SET-ASIDE. The complaints for murder (3ounts) and frustrated murder (4 counts) against all respondents are likewise ordered DISMISSED. The office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City is hereby directed to CAUSE the WITHDRAWAL of all the Information’s filed in Court in this case and is further directed to REPORT the action taken 10 days from receipt hereof.” SO ORDERED. December 9, 2016, Manila. SGD. RASSENDELL REX F. GINGOYON Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Recommending Approval: SGD. LILIAN DORIS S. ALEJO Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Officer-In-Charge, per D.O. No. 817 dated 17 November 2016) APPROVED: SGD. CP JORGE G. CATALAN, JR. Officer-In-Charge Prosecutor General (Per D.O. 853 dated 29 November 2016) Thanks be to God of subject decision. God bless Iligan City. AGREE OR DISAGREE. Demosthenes P. Maglasang Sr., City Information Staff, Office of the City Mayor, City of Iligan.
Arrest... from page A2
in a very — and into a parity. Hindi ka lalamang sa kalokohan mo, talagang pasabugin kita. Kaya huwag kayong magpa-kidnap sa totoo lang,” the crowd laughed. He said he vowed the bombers would be caught “and we were able to.” Thanking Americans Duterte also thanked the Americans for their assistance in getting the bombers through drone cameras. President Rodrigo Duterte visits the blast site at the Roxas night market early morning of September 3, 2016. MindaNews photo “And also I’d like to thank, of course, the Americans. I am not saying that’s
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Tuesday, January 17, 2017 a…Their imperialism days, it’s different from the… Huwag kayong magkumpiyansa ngayon. When you go out of ano…Aside from my camera, iyong sa siyudad natin, may ibang camera pa so ‘yung mukha mo nakikita talaga. You know one thing with this drone, anak ka ng…Sa gabi hindi mo makita, nandiyan lang pala sa tuktok ng Marco Polo. They can take pictures. So we have their faces. So it was very easy for us to catch them.” “Iyong iba (The others) … I am sorry may mga Moro tayong kapatid dito. Talagang pinatay ko. It’s not easy to just bomb a place and say…At least safe in the sense that we can prevent it, if you’re on time ‘coz we are able to almost all kinds of tao dito nakunan na ng picture eh. But sometimes it cannot be prevented but…” Duterte said. Tracked down Citing a well-placed source, VERA Files reported that the young Sema, an Islamic scholar, had been tracked traveling to and from Bangkok, exiting to Cambodia and that when his 30-day visa free entry was about to expire, “he decided to go to Malaysia, intending to return to Thailand after three days. But he was arrested upon arrival in Kuala Lumpur.” “He is now under Malaysian custody in an undisclosed location that is reportedly not a police facility. The Philippine government sent law enforcement representatives to Malaysia to take his deposition last month,” VERA Files reported. VERA Files also cited an unnamed source that “the mother is working for the release of her son through a pardon from President Duterte” while another source “confirmed to VERA Files that the father sought the assistance of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza on this case. The mother has also been following up the case with Dureza.” MindaNews asked Muslimin Sema and his wife in text messages last Friday on the report that their son was arrested in KL in connection with the Davao bombing. The father replied “not true” while the mother said “negative.” “No comment,” Dureza said in a text message to MindaNews. MindaNews sought the comment of the Sema couple Sunday morning, on the President’s confirmation of the arrest and detention of their son. They have not responded as of 10:40 a.m. PH to seek custody VERA Files reported that during a chance interview on Dec. 16 at the sidelines of Pilipinas Conference at The Peninsula, Defense Secretary Lorenzana said the Philippines will request custody of Sema. “Of course, of course, we will request so that we
can bring him back to the country,” Lorenzana told VERA Files. VERA Fi les adde d: “When asked about the implications to the peace process, as he is the son of an MNLF leader who will soon be appointed as BTC (Bangsamoro Transition Commission) member, the Defense chief said, ‘So what? (Still we will insist custody) because he is a criminal.’” The elder Sema is not going to be appointed as BTC member as he cannot qualify for an appointment for now. He ran but lost in the mayoralty election in May 2016. It is lawyer Omar Yasser Crisostomo Sema, his son with his first wife, who has been nominated to the BTC, not the elder Sema. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
Journeys... from page A5
for Manila in February, his unit, now with new soldiers who replaced those who died or were wounded, was seeing action in the Battle of Ipo Dam in May 1945. He was promoted to 2nd Lt in the battlefield which was the basis of the title of his book. In Ipo Dam, he gets his fifth injury and is finally sent home. For these, he gets three purple hearts. During our brief encounter, he tells me, “I’m supposed to give you this.” And he takes a copy of his book “Commissioned in Battle (2012)” and signs it for me. That made my day.
He dedicates his book to “the brave Filipinos who resisted the Japanese occupation” and says that his experiences in the Philippines were “the greatest, most enriching time” of his life. As we parted, I all the more felt disappointed Gruenfeld wasn’t recognized in the Lingayen Gulf Landing rites. In almost a decade of attending this annual event, this was the only time I’ve actually talked to a soldier who was there in the midst of the action. It was brief talk over brunch but was very meaningful to me. I don’t think I or our people would ever have this chance again. I hope I am wrong.
Flee...
from page A1
“We have a ceasefire with this group. It is not easy just to confront them because we may violate any standing agreements,” he said. The government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) have yet to sign a bilateral ceasefire agreement but each declared a unilateral ceasefire shortly before the first round of formal peace talks under the Duterte administration in August. The two parties will hold their third round of formal talks in Rome next week, where they are hope to sign a bilateral ceasefire agreement. Joel Manuel, a farmer
from Sitio Bulahan, said he was walking along a creek when he heard one of the armed men whistle at him and ask for directions. “They told me their group is the army of the poor and they do not want to harm me or the villagers,” Manuel narrated. After talking with the armed men, Manuel said he returned to his house and gathered his family to flee, fearing for their safety. Along the way, he told his neighbors of the presence of the armed men. “We were scared that we maybe caught in a crossfire between government troops and the rebels. The armed men numbered around 60,” Manuel said. Capt Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of the Army’s 4thInfantry Division said it is highly unlikely that there will be a gun battle between soldiers and the suspected rebels. He said under the ceasefire agreement, the instruction on incidents like will fall under the jurisdiction of the Philippine National Police. Martinez said Army units will be on standby and will just provide support to the police. (Froilan O. Gallardo / MindaNews)
Pension... from page A1
months or even maybe only weeks before pensioners and their families realize that the pension hike will have no impact at all. And to make matters worse, the take-home-pay of our current national work force daily will decrease as they shall bear half or 0.75 percent increase in contributions,” said Luke Espiritu, BMP spokesperson. The group proposed that if Duterte really intended to alleviate the plight of our poor pensioners and allow the workers to retire with dignity, he should make employers pay the full 1.5% increase in the contribution to the state pension fund. “He could have at least matched his anti-oligarch rhetoric by liberating the workers from further pay slip deductions.” The labor leader also suggested that besides the pension increase, the chief executive could have also installed necessary reforms to plug the holes in the operations of the heavily criticized Social Security System (SSS). Espiritu was referring to the reported mismanagement of the state pension investments, the scandalous, self-rewarded bonuses of SSS officials and the rampant non-payment by employers of SSS contributions despite being automatically deducted from workers’ weekly pay slips. He insisted that, “In order to once and for all free the SSS from corruption and ensure efficiency, it is essential for government to guarantee pensioners’ welfare by heavily penal-
izing liable SSS officials for mismanaging investments and employers who fail to remit contributions”. “This is the moment he should wield the necessary political will, he has been bragging about during the campaign period, Duterte must force employers to bear the entirety of the contribution increase and rid the agency of abusive officials.” “Duterte and his economic managers have only displayed their true colors, nothing but rabid guardians of the interests of oligarchs and not of the marginalized majority,” he said.
Death... from page A1
punishment could either be through hanging, by firing squad or lethal injection. The imposition of death penalty has been suspended since 2006 with the enactment of Republic Act No. 9346, or “An Act Prohibiting the Imposition of Death Penalty in the Philippines.” However, President Rodrigo Duterte has publicly declared that he wanted capital punishment reimposed on heinous crimes, especially on criminals involved in drug-trafficking. Apart from the death penalty bill, Umali also hopes that the measure seeking to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to nine years old will also be approved for third reading before Congress concludes its regular session in June. (PNA)
Succeed... from page A3
the president suffers from anti-social narcistic personality disorder. The doctor further said Duterte’s condition is characterized by “gross indifference, insensitivity, and self-centeredness,” among other unwholesome personality traits. The media hyped this psychiatric finding as a national problem, which Lorenzo said should motivate Filipinos to pray for Duterte as the country’s chief executive. (Eileen NazarenoBallesteros / CBCPNews)
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