Mindanao Star (October 5-6, 2013)

Volume II, No. 101

web portal: www.businessweekmindanao.com

Sat-Sun

October 5-6, 2013

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Mindanao Star The Purveyor of Truth, Justice and Development

Misuari house raided 2 soldiers killed in Jolo church assault

By AL JACINTO, Regional Editor-Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA City––Police on Friday raided the house of a former rebel chieftain Nur Misuari as clearing operations continue in villages that hundreds of gunmen occupied in the city.

Police said the Misuari’s house in the village of San Roque was empty, but raiders seized many documents.

It was not immediately known whether police forces found any weapons or explosives in the bungalow, but

a police spokesman said a local court issued a warrant to search the house which stands near a creek. “ The subject of the search warrant is explosives, components for improvised explosive devices, unlicensed firearms and documents. We have recovered several items,” Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca told the Mindanao Examiner regional newspaper. destroyed homes. Foreground shows the destroyed homes of Santa Barbara while farther ahead is the See RAIDED, page 7

Govt employees slam creation of new pork barrel fund

By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO of Bulatlat.com

Government employees criticized President Aquino for defending the Disbursement Acceleration Program. These funds, they said, should have been used to fund the much-needed benefits of government employees instead.

“Budget Secretary Florencio Abad even has the gall to say that part of the DAP used to be just bonuses for government employees and now is allotted for more important programs. What

important programs? Bribe and reward for legislators to follow Malacañang’s whims? Taking the money intended to augment state workers’ meager salaries only to squander the same in order to buy the loyalty of lawmakers to the administration is not only illegal, it is criminal,” Ferdinand Gaite, national president of Courage, said.

Aquino’s creation of the Disbursement Acceleration See slam, page 7

commercial district in downtown Zamboanga City. MindaNews photo by Jowel F. Canuday

Missing UP prof found in police custody in Mati hospital, charged A missing University of the Philippines professor who was conducting a study in an area hit by Typhoon Pablo in Davao Oriental was found early Thursday morning in Mati Provincial Hospital under police custody.

According to Juland Suazo, Panalipdan (Defend) spokesperson, Kim Gargar, a physics professor from UP Diliman, was conducting a study in the forested areas in Cateel in preparation for the rehabilitation program of Balsa Mindanao, a nongovernment initiative in doing relief and rehabilitation

to disaster areas.

But Gargar and a companion, Restita Miles from Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, went missing Wednesday.

Gargar was later found in Mati Provincial Hospital by a team led by fellow UP professors, with a fractured leg and injuries in his head and reportedly under custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

He reportedly sustained the injury when he fell in Aliwagwag Falls in Cateel, a landmark that was rav-

Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez pushes for the immediate constitution of the Human Rights Victims’ Compensations Board as mandated by Republic Act 10368 or the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 during the budget hearing of the Commission on Human Rights’ budget. Rep. Rodriguez sees the importance of immediately constituting the Board as the victims have suffered long enough and it is about time that they be given some reparation for what they experienced.

aged by Pablo, and he was later found by elements of the 67th Infantry Battalion conducting pursuit operations against New People’s Army. There is no news on the whereabouts of Gargar’s companion Miles.

Gargar will be reportedly filed inquest proceedings this morning at the Mati court for charges of multiple murder, illegal possession of firearms and violation of the Comelec gun ban.

Suazo said human rights lawyers are now taking up his legal case. davaotoday.com

UP Professor Kim Gargar Photo courtesy of Pinoy Weekly as posted on DavaoToday.com

PNoy signs law postponing SK elections

President Benigno Aquino III has signed into law a bill postponing the Sangguniang Kabataan polls originally set on October 28, Malacanang announced Friday.

At a media briefing, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said President Aquino passed into law “An Act to Postpone the Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on October 28 Amending Republic Act 9340 and for other purposes” on Thursday.

Congress ratified the measure two weeks ago that will reschedule the elections for the youth between Oct. 28, 2014 and Feb. 23, 2015 in order to introduce reforms in the system.

Aquino has earlier signed Proclamation No. 656 declaring Oct 28 as a special non-working holiday to allow the public to participate in the barangay polls. philippine news agency

Editorial E-mail: mindanaostarbalita@gmail.com • website: www.businessweekmindanao.com Advertising: e-mail: mindanaostarbalita@gmail.com Contact cell nos.: 0917-7121424, 0947-8935776

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News

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

Environment reporting workshop—a key to telling boundless ecology stories in Bukidnon

M

ALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — News media in Bukidnon play a vital role in inspiring and moving people to work together in protecting the province’s grand forests, gleaming lakes, rivers, watershed, and wildlife.

They are the key ingredients in raising awareness to save environment as they could adeptly convey messages and shape public opinion about government’s ecological policies.

This, however, posed a challenge for the media as available data appeared that nature stor y-writing and environmental reporting seems to weaken, despite prevailing hydrological and watershed protection issues in the province such as mining, timbering, and a reported surge of unlawful exploration of the wilderness for mineral wealth.

Ecology news and media A random quick response survey showed that deeper understanding on environmental issues is one of the core problems why some shy away from telling ecology stories, noting that nature writers and broadcasters must have a deeper understanding of scientific language, knowledge of historical environmental events, the flair to keep abreast of environmental policy decisions, and the ability to communicate scientific language and information to the public, in such a way that it can be easily understood despite its complexity.

The partnership In a move to secure greater environmental news cover-

age, the Bukidnon Press Club (BPC) through its president and online news publisher Walter I. Balane teamed up with the Decentralized Framework for Sustainable Natural Resources and Rural Infrastructure Management, Philippines (TA 7716-PHI) project in the conduct of a two-day seminar-workshop on environmental reporting at Pine Hills Hotel in Malaybalay City.

The seminar, titled “Reporting the Environment in Bukidnon: Issues and Opportunities for the News Media,” aims to encourage stories and more reports on floods and denuded forests, garbage mismanagement, mining issues, climate change adaptation, and watershed management.

Telling the story of environmental reporting In his lecture, science columnist and Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) consultant Dr. Crispin Maslog, emphasized the best ways of telling ecological stories and how these relate to Bukidnons in order to track environmental trends overtime and make informed decisions.

Maslog, a retired journalism professor at the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) and environmental activist, imparted

practical tips for covering press conferences and panel discussions that could outline reporting details. He cited real-world examples to illustrate the techniques needed in writing complex but compelling stories. This ought to provide vital primer for newcomers to the field, and veterans alike, he said.

He provided the format and style, explaining that reporters should avoid scientific terms so that readers will not be forced to consult a dictionary every now and then because one of the responsibilities of a reporter is to make it easy--for his readers-- to read his story.

Gender specialist Dr. Carolyn Sobritchea of the Asian Center, University of the Philippines also discussed Gender and Indigenous People (IP)-sensitive reporting.

She stressed the importance of considering policy guidelines in technical reporting citing the core principle of ethics in language to “Do no harm” in communicating women and IPs. “In producing Gender and IP-fair stories, the content, accuracy, balance, sources, and integrity are factors to

be considered thoroughly.

The 1987 Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, expression or of the press but that can be subjected to some regulations of the state.

Hence, we should advocate the need for self-regulation in the practice of our profession,” Sobritchea said.

Likewise, “Datu Sangkuan” Jemuel Perino, Bukidnon Umayamnon Tribe Kapoonan To Mga Datu (BUKDA) Chair, conveyed how to produce IP-fair stories in Bukidnon tribes’ context.

Dr. Rex Navarro of the Decentralized Framework for Sustainable Natural Resources and Rural Infrastructure Management also talked about the Social Mobilization for Environmental and Watershed Management in Bukidnon, which seeks to do more in-depth reporting taking in the voices of those most affected by environmental degradation.

The key focus are writing, broadcasting, and reporting, but participants also dived into all forms of modern journalism, from social media to books, blogs, and video presentations, all prepared in close collaboration with

highly accomplished professors who are leaders in science journalism namely: Climate change specialist Dr. Rosa Perez, watershed management specialist Dr. Manuel Bonita, and Louie Tabing, chairperson of the Philippine Foundation for Rural Broadcasters.

For his part, online news publisher Walter Balane facilitated the action planning workshop for wider and deeper environmental news coverage. He presented a quick review of the “ecology” content in newspapers circulating in the province and suggested that news outlets set up an environment beat to come up with special reports aside from daily stories.

Sponsored by Primex and Asian D e velopment Bank, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Bukidnon, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, ARMDEV, and Bukidnon Press Club, the activity is another step taken towards equipping journalists with guides and techniques to produce unlimited ecological news.

(RLRB/PIA 10-Bukidnon)

Turnover of Electric Patrol Motorcycle in Puerto Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez turns over one electric motorcycle to Puerto Barangay Chair Christopher Ian Achas that will be used in responding and maintaining peace and order in their area. The electric motorcycle cost P35 thousand taken from Cong. Rodriguez PDAF. Witnessing the turn over ceremony are City Councilors Enrico Salcedo, of the second disrtric; Zaldy Ocon, Candy Darimbang and Roger Abaday of first district and other barangay officials.

READ! www.businessweekmindanao.com

DTI urges consumers to assert their rights

By RUBY LEONORA R. BALISTOY

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon —The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) urged the buying public to be more assertive of t h e i r r i g ht s a g a i n s t unfair sellers and traders who want to take advantage especially that the yuletide season has started.

Ermedio J. Abang, DTI B u k i d n on pro vincial director, said data monitored from the business establishments’ log showed common complaints such as shoddy goods and defective products.

He encouraged buyers to ask official receipts or any proof of p ay m e nt t o h e lp both buyer and seller to speed of grievance redressing process in case disagreement crops up.

“When buying, even from the sidewalks, always demand a receipt to protect you in case you bought defective or substandard goods and products,” Abang said.

In Bukidnon, consumers could report or file complaints through DTI - B u k i d n on h ot line number (088)8132101, 09273381291 and 09292138476.

Abang, however, encouraged consumers to complain directly in the customer ser vice counters or consumer welfare desks of the stores where the purchas e w as m a d e for faster and easier action.

Me anw hi le, Er iberto Taban-ud Jr, Trade and Industr y Development Specialist of DTI’s consumer welfare division said that it is t he consumers’ re s p ons i bi l it y to b e alert and nosy about the quality and price of goods bought and services availed in order to act and ensure that we get a fair deal.

“As long as we remain ‘passive consume rs,’ we c ont i nu e to be always exploited,” he s ai d. ( R L R B / PIA 10-Bukidnon)

sat-sun | october 5-6, 2013

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Opinion

sat-sun | october 5-6, 2013

FROM THE MAILS House Speaker’s Statement on the Zambo Crisis

W

e at the House of Representatives condemn the needless violence taking place in Zamboanga initiated by the Nur Misuari led Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which is definitely not at all the solution to achieve the peace sought by our brothers in Mindanao and by the Aquino government.

While there are reports that six hostages have been released by the MNLF there have been at least 20 more taken hostage in Santa Catalina. At least six are dead, most of whom are civilians. Former Deputy Speaker and now Zamboanga Mayor Beng Climaco has already set a curfew in the city to protect the thousands of individuals and families affecting six districts.

Earlier Atty. Emmanuel Fontanilla, Misuari’s spokesman denied the MNLF initiated the attacks and claimed this was a diversionary act of the Palace, which is utterly ridiculous as statistics of the thousands affected by the infiltration of the MNLF do not lie and the current crisis is serious.

Currently, peace talks are taking place with the MILF, as the government is still very determined to achieve a just and lasting peace in Mindanao. Whatever needs to be discussed with the MNLF, on the other hand, can be brought to a negotiating table and congress can be the third-party venue for the Executive and the MNLF to come to terms for our nation.

There is no need for an international body to mediate on the matter but sincerity and calm from all parties involved.

Violence has never been a solution to what the MNLF admitted is a political problem. There is no need for casualties and displace thousands of our people and disrupt their lives in an ironic fight with peace as supposedly the end product.

SPEAKER FELICIANO BELMONTE, JR.

Mindanao STAR , Door 3, Tanleh Bldg, Abellanosa St., Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Region 10 with Certififcate No. 01787396. and with Business Permit No. 2013-10945, TIN No. 311-832910, Telefax Nos: (088) 857-8447, Cell nos.: 09177121424, 0947-8935776 Editorial E-mail: mindanaostarbalita@gmail.com website: www.businessweekmindanao.com MINDANAO STAR BALITA Publisher RUEL PELONE editor -in-chief rolando sudaria Executive Editor ARJAY FELICILDA Associate Editor JOY ANN BOLOTANAO shiela sudaria Advertising CRIS DIAZ ruel pelone Cheng Ordonez Nelson v. constantino Editorial Consultants Legal Counsel : ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI NOTARY PUBLIC- JUNI LAW OFFICE CELL NO: 09352379999/ (088) 8573595 CRUZ TAAL ST., CAG. DE ORO CITY Member: ORO CHAMBER Philippine Press Institute

A lonely World Teachers Day celebration What good news is there for the World Teachers Day celebration for teachers? None!

This was the statement of the organizers of the teachers’ protest during the observance of World Teachers Day Celebration (WTD).

C e l e b r at i o n s fo r WTD were held in schools simultaneously in trying to emphasize the role of teachers in moulding the youth, their sacrifices, their greatness and their heroic acts and deeds.

Teachers are heroes indeed. In the hinterland schools, they walk to their schools in

the mountains rain or Alliance of Concerned shine, sometimes with Teachers. no sufficient foot gears Congress has just apor shoes to use in such proved the 2014 national terrains. budget. However, teachTeachers ers said Editorial are asking – they were What good dismayed. is the World Teachers In the Dep Ed budget Day celebration? Do we of P336.9 billon from have salary increases? Is the P293.4 billion in there an increase in our 2013, not a even a single clothing allowance or cent was appropriated even chalk allowance? for additional clothIs there a medical allow- ing or chalk allowance, ance now for us? Why none for salary increase, are our salaries delayed? no funds whatsoever These are the realities for medical checkup of that cannot be erased teachers which is even even with a jubilant, emphasized in the Magjnoyful and massive na Carta for Teachers.

Teachers’ Day celebraBillions of pesos are tion, according to the set aside for Pork Barrel

and Disbursement Acceleration Program or DAP by the President, yet nothing has been programmed for the teachers, because allegedly there are no funds available for it.

Is this not exploitation? That instead of the P4,000 pesos given to teachers as honorarium for poll duties, now only P2,000 has been set aside for the coming barangay elections, and its up to the LGUs to provide the additionalP500 for the teachers’ transportation allowance.

How long will administrations treat our teachers humanely?

Global Filipinos: A Sleeping Giant

The origin and formation of the Filipino people dates back at least 50,000 years ago, long before the development of the Austronesian languages.

Fast forward to March 16, 1521, when the Philippines was discovered

by Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan.

Filipinos, in general, have always excelled wherever they were.

One such Filipino was our national hero, Jose Protacio Rizal, an FMG, yes, a foreign medical graduate, who obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree in Madrid, Spain, in 1885, 128 years ago.

He was a Europeantrained ophthalmologist, one of very few specialists at the time, when specialization was not even popular.

Rizal, believing in the brilliance of his people, exhorted the Filipinos to regain the pride in themselves and in their race.

Some say the history of the Filipinos in the United States dates back to 1763, when the Manilamen, as

Our Appointment with Destiny Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS*

Filipinos were called then, all sailors on the Manila Spanish Galleons, jumped ship and settled in the bayous and villages at St. Malo and Barrataria Bay, Louisiana, just outside New Orleans.

That popular historical version puts it at 250 years ago, but actually records show that Filipinos, then known as “Luzonians,” first set foot in 1587 on Morro Bay San Obispo, now known as California — 13 years before the considered first settlers, who were from the Great Britain, arrived in the 1600 in what we now call the USA. So, to set the record straight, they were Filipinos, and not British or American Indians who first set foot in America,

some 426 years ago.

We, Filipino, are therefore technically not foreigners in the United States!

Today, there are more than 3 million of us in America and about 11 million overseas, comprising about 14% of the total population of the Philippines, which is almost 99 million.

Remittances from all us this year is expected to be 22.5 Billion, US dollars.

Without this infusion of money to the Philippine economy, the government would literally shut down.

If all of us stop these remittances even for a few months, the country would go bankrupt.

The global Filipinos are indeed a vital and powerful lifeline for the Philippines, its government and

its people.

Filipinos have a literacy rate of 96-98% and majority of us are fluent in English.

No less than 47.9 % of us in the United States have at least a Bachelor’s Degree.

Twenty percent of the world’s seafarers are Filipinos. There are 1.2 million sailor and cruise employees around the world.

In the USA alone, there are 22,000 physicians and more than 50,000 Registered Nurses and caregivers, thousands in businesses, electronics, media, law, art and sciences…the rest in stores, restaurants, casinos, and in almost every facet of the economic and social infrastructure of the nations they live in, serving their communities.

Indeed, the more the world knows about Filipinos, the more they’ll love us….except, of course, our corrupt politicians and some snakes in our won forest.

So, imagine a world without Filipinos!

In the United States alone, most hospitals and See chua, page 5

Opinion

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sat-sun | october 5-6, 2013

Talking To the Dead Think a minute…A cemetery in Indiana, America has a gravestone with these words on it: “Stop stranger, when you pass me by. As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you will be. So prepare to die, and follow me!” A person walking by added these words underneath: “To follow you I’m not content, until I know which way you went!” Do you sometimes wonder where your family and friends who’ve died are now? Do they want you to come where they are? Don’t you wish they could talk to you? Where are all those people now who suddenly died in the World Trade

Center in New York City on September 11, 2001?

Jesus Christ made it very clear that we already know where we’re going after we die, since it’s only now that we can choose where we’ll live after we die. He warns us that it will be too late after we die to choose or change our mind. Jesus said there are only two choices: to completely believe Him and live His way everyday, or, to keep living our own way. Heaven or hell. Jesus said there’s no in-between place for nice, good people who won’t ask for His gift of forgiveness and live for Him every day. None of us is perfect. We’ve all done

Biblical reflection Bro. Edcel L. Closas

Difficult

Fresh Gospel of the day: Luke10:1316(October4, 2013-Friday) Luke 10:13-16-Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me: Take note, wearing sackcloth in the ancient times

Chua...

from page 4 clinics, factories, casinos would be handicapped severely, if not paralyzed and close, without Filipinos.

We, Filipinos, are indeed a Sleeping Giant, and we have every reason to be proud as Filipinos.

All we, global Filipinos, need today is to wake up from our slumber, unite, and claim the glory of a people long victimized and dominated, no longer by past foreign powers and conquerors, but by our fellow Filipinos themselves, our very own elected officials in the government, whose plunder of our nation, through pork barrel and other means of robbing our national treasury, has disenfranchised, marginalized and neglected our people, more than 30% of them now languishing in the gutter of poverty, robbed not only of clothing, food, and shelter, but of their dignity, honor, pride, and a future.

As these corrupt leaders fill up their pockets and bank accounts, the poorest of the poor Filipinos go to bed at night hungry, not only with empty stomach but with empty hope and empty dreams.

Fortunately, in 2010, the Filipinos at home and abroad have elected by an impressive landslide a man of integrity and honor.

While the progress of fighting the deeply-rooted culture of corruption is slower than we all would like to see, there are many encouraging signs of the change we all dream and hope for, like the arrest of former

president Gloria Arroyo, who is facing several criminal charges, the impeachment and forceful removal from office of former Chief of the Supreme Court, Renato Corona, who is also facing charges for unexplained wealth and tax evasion, and about 4 weeks ago….the incarceration of Janet Lim Napoles, apparently the mastermind behind the ten billion-peso pork barrel (Priority Development Assistance Fund) scam.

She is expected to turn state witness against 37 others implicated in this scam, including Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile, Senators “Jinggoy” Estrada, Bong Revilla, Gringo Honasan, and Ferdianad Marcos, Jr. More than 4,000 vigilant Filipinos marched and rallied against the Pork Barrel scam near EDSA, which has led to the surrender of Janet Napoles and the ongoing investigation today.

I am sure more heads will fall.

There are several other investigations on corruption going on the Philippines…courtesy of the Aquino administration.

All these could NOT, would NOT, have happened if we had a president who was corrupt.

The impressive economic boon in the Philippines and the excellent international credit rating of the country today are the impact and fruits of an honest and transparent leadership from the top.

I only hope and pray that the one who succeeds Noynoy Aquino in 2016 is equally a leader of integrity, honesty, and transparency.

Otherwise, we shall be back to square one and waste all the changes and progress achieved

Think A Minute Jhan Tiafau Hurst some things wrong that we need Jesus to forgive us for and start changing in our character and way of living.

So we don’t need to talk to the dead to find out about life after death. Jesus Christ has already told us the truth and everything we need to know to go where we want to live after we die—together

with Him and His true family in heaven. So for your own peace of mind and safety, won’t you ask Jesus to forgive you for living your own way before it’s too late? Then ask Him to take full charge of your heart and help you start living His way every day, for the rest of your life.

Just Think a Minute…

was a sign of great penitents and mourning to escape from the “anger” of God. In Jonah 3:8-But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn everyone from his evil way, and from the violence that [is] in their hands. But unfortunately, Chorazin and Bethsaida never repented and accepted the preaching of Jesus Christ. In Sirach4:20- grab if there is an opportunity. This was the scenario of the gospel that great opportunity was given to the two towns but it was rejected. This reality is also happening to our lives that we never internalize the learning and teaching we heard due to the hardness of our hearts. Hardening of heart is a sin against the Holy Spirit. In Matthew 12:32-And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the [world] to come. Therefore, repent and come back to our Almighty God in heaven: SPONSORED:Neneth - Bobong Balino- Dr. Edith, PhD- Tony Jordan - CDO. St. Peter Calungsod, pray for us! Listen: Radio Ultra AM-1188-3:30 PM - Sunday: #09284149490-09266607505: Question – Prayer request so far.

Filipinos around the world, must come together, even in our diversity, even without unanimity, and unite for a common cause, and inspire our people towards responsible citizenship, and our nation, towards good governance and ethical leadership.

When united, this sleeping giant could harness super power and clout.

Just think about it: If each of the 14 million of us outside the Philippines contributes just one single dollar, we shall easily and painlessly have $14 million as our war chest overnight……. for the humanitarian programs of many organizations like the PMAC and their medical missions, the Gawad Kalinga, and several others.

What we need is a revolution…… not a revolution of arms where blood shall be shed, but a revolution of principles, priorities, attitude, and discipline, where sweat and tears INSTEAD shall be shed to bathe our nation clean.

All the little miracles and providential omens developing in our country and among Filipinos around the world today are a manifestation of positive things to come.

You, who are here today, leaders of our people in your own right, embolden my sustained faith in the Filipino people.

You represent what is best in humankind, and your nobility and compassion towards our fellowmen ensure the Filipino a rightful place in history.

You are not only the source of hope for our people but the foundation of dignity and pride

for the Philippines.

I have an abiding faith that the Filipinos are destined for greatness.

Leaving this world after this life is not a tragedy. Dying without making a difference, without significance, without leaving an inspiring legacy behind, is.

I am, therefore, making this clarion call to all of you within the reach of my voice, and to all within the reach of yours tomorrow, to unite and join the crusade, the revolution, and come together for a noble cause, to serve our poor, to renounce corruption, to reclaim our lost glory of the 1950s and ‘60s, and recapture our dignity, honor, and pride as a people and as a nation.

Ladies and gentlemen, with all these signs and symptoms and heartaches of our suffering fellowmen back home, let us not wait for SURGERY to open our heart.

Let us come together now as our brothers’ keepers, as our nation’s loving patriots, to serve a cause nobler and greater than our individual selves, and, someday soon make OUR appointment …..with destiny. *** * Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, is Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and Chairman of the Filipino United Network (USA). He was Chairman of Cardiovascular Surgery at Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital, and former president of the Association of Philippine Physicians in America and the Society of Philippine Surgeons in America. His website is philipSchua.com and his email address is scalpelpen@gmail.com

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News

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sat-sun | october 5-6, 2013

NDF consultant urges military to surface scientist, dev’t worker

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AVAO CITY —A peace panel consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF) has urged the military to surface a scientist and a development worker suspected as members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

NDF consultant Randy Felix Malayao asked the military to present Kim Gargar and Restita Meliz to the media so they can present their side.

“It’s easy to say that they are members of a rebel group. As far as I know, Gargar is a scientist and Meliz works for [a project

funded by] the European Union (EU) as a development worker,” he said in a phone interview.

Malayao said that Gargar hails from Iligan City and has studied at the University of the PhilippinesDiliman as well as the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, where

he took up his doctorate on chronobiology, a field of biolog y that studies internal biological clocks.

Gargar is connected with the Center for Environmental C oncerns (CEC), he added.

“If you’re with the CEC, the issues that you are studying are not in the city, you have to go to the countryside,” Malayao said.

The CEC, bas e d in Quezon City, is a nongovernment organization representing fisherfolk, farmers, indigenous peoples, women, urban poor and professional sectors,

according to the cecphils. org website.

Meliz, on the other hand, is a bookkeeper of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), an EU-funded school, according to Hanimay Suazo, Karapatan secretary general, Malayao said that Karapatan alerted him about the incident.

He added that the incident “should alert the Philippine government’s peace panel to resume the peace talks with the NDF” that were stalled since February 2011.

“It is incidents like this that both parties should reconsider having peace talks again,” Malayao said.

Negotiations bogged down after the NDF demanded the release of all political prisoners, a precondition the government rejected.

Meanwhile, Karapatan has organized a quick response team to go to Mati City to investigate the incident involving Gargar ad Meliz.

Suazo said they got information that the two suspected NPA rebels are in the custody of the 701st

Infantry Brigade and the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Capt. Raul Villegas, 10th Infantr y Division spokesperson, said that Gargar was found wounded by soldiers of the 67th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Aliwagwag in Cateel, Davao Oriental hours after a 30-minute clash with the NPA’s Guerilla Front 25 last Tuesday.

Five government troops were wounded in a landmine explosion while a rebel was killed during the encounter, Villegas said. (MindaNews)

Socoteco 1 guarantees shorter rotational brownouteffective today

By DANILO E. DOGUILES

Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez expresses his support for the ongoing peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the MILF during a recent briefing conducted by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process headed by Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles. Rep. Rodriguez values the importance of peace in the Mindanao region and sees how it can improve the lives of the people of Mindanao.

METROBANK employees build school in Zambo & Cotabato

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n an effort that started in 2012 as a legacy project to mark its 50th Anniversary, Metrobank employees united to raise funds for the building of new classrooms for select schools nationwide.

For the Mindanao region, there are finished schools already in the cities of Zamboanga and Cotabato, with more being constructed across the island, all to better accomodate the educational needs of the young learners there.

Located more than thirty kilometers away from Zamboanga City proper, Panubigan Elementary School caters to the education needs of children, whose families rely on subsistense agriculture and fishery as source of income. A 2-classroom, one storey school building was built by Metrobank to provide the students in Panubigan with a more pleas-

This Metrobank-type school building will help DepEd address classroom shortage in Pebpoloan, Tamontaka and Zamboanga City. Below, school children and some teachers of Pebpoloan Elementary School who are among the beneficiaries of the project

ant learning environment.

Presently, the school has a total enrolment of about 223 students; with the Grade III and IV pupils occupying the new Metrobank building.

“The school building is really a great help to the pupils. Its wider room structure is very conducive for class activities. Better

classroom environment encourages desirable learning outcomes. I am confident that our academic performance will increase given this opportunity from Metrobank,” Criselda Fernando, Panubigan school principal said.

In Pebpoloan, Carmen, North Cotabato; students

like Omar Kadi will no longer be worried everytime it rains. Metrobank also constructed a one storey, two classroom school building to address shortage of classroom among the kids.

“We hold our classes in makeshift school house made of bamboo, lumber See employees, page 7

KORONADAL CIT Y, South Cotabato -- “We are taking a risk,” South Cotabato 1 Electric Cooperative General Manager Santiago Tudio, said in an interview yesterday morning.

Tudio was referring to the decision of the local power distributor and Mapalad Power Corporation to go on with the commissioning of the 12 megawatt (MW) modular generators sets around 10 a.m. today despite lack of needed permit from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

The Alcantara Groupowned Mapalad Power Corp. owns the modular gensets that Socoteco 1 has rented until 2016 when the power supply in Mindanao is expected stabilize.

Asked how the operation of the gensets would affect the current power situation, Tudio replied, “the rotational brownout in our service area would only be 30 minutes up to 1 hour.”

The decision to go on with the commissioning, he reasoned, is necessary to address the very low power supply from the Mindanao grid.

On regular days, he explained, Socoteco 1’s service area requires about 32 MW of power supply but the current allotment for the cooperative from the Mindanao is only at 18 MW. Supposedly, he noted, the problem should have been addressed since Mapalad had committed to reroute to Socoteco 1 the 10MW originally assigned to Holcim

Philippines Inc. while waiting for the gensets to be operational.

However, with the unexpected toppling of Tower No. 141 in sitio Malabuaya, Kayaga, Kabacan in North Cotabato on Thursday last week, resulted in tripping of Kibawe-Tacurong and Tacurong Sultan Kudarat 138 kilovolts transmission .

He pointed out further that the supply cannot delivered via Davao and General Santos because the transmission line there is congested.

Since Monday, Socoteco 1 has implemented two sets of three-hour power curtailment in its service area, starting from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 midnight.

Tudio explained in a press release issued on the same day that the strict implementation of the 6-hour rotational brownout was advised by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.

On Tuesday evening, Socoteco 1 decided to test run the modular gensets to augment inadequate power supply.

“Ye s t e rd ay ( Tu e s day) we called Alcantara Group to ask for clearance (to operate the gensets) and to tell them that the Socoteco 1 management and its board of directors are willing to take risk,” Tudio said.

Socoteco 1 serves Koronadal City and the municipalities of Tampakan, Tantangan, Norala, Banga, Surallah, Lake Sebu, T’boli, and Sto. Nino in South Cotabato as well as Lutayan in Sultan Kudarat.

(DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

News

sat-sun | october 5-6, 2013

Slam...

7

DAP, stop mocking us, they’re all pork and they reek of the same stench of corruption,” Gaite said.

For benefits of workers Abad, in a news report, said a portion of the savings of government agencies was “used for mere bonuses but we allotted them to more important programs which needed funding. That is one of the reasons for the establishment of DAP.” “The president is given the power to identify proj e c ts t he f unds for w hich will b e s ourced from savings that could otherwise end up as bonuses. That is provided in the Constitution and the General Appropriations

Act,” Abad added.

C onstitution exper t and priest Joaquin Bernas said no law has been passed to authorize the creation of the DAP and that it is a violation of the constitution and an impeachable offense. He added that savings must be used by the same agency where it came from.

Government employees agree with Bernas.

Gaite said employees also work hard so government agencies would have savings without sacrificing public service. This includes cutting costs on operations, efficient use of office supplies, among others.

Benefits, however, of government employees,

a s s t ipu l at e d i n t h e i r C ollective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) and the Magna Carta for Scie nt i st s and Te ch nol o gists, health personnel and social workers are hardly provided to them, Courage said. Under the Aquino administration, their benefits, the union added, were capped, disallowed and withheld. Some were even ordered to refund the disallowances.

Gaite said, “This administration treated us as if the crumbs we get to feed our families were stolen from much needed publ i c f u nds . O n ly to find out that they were the ones stealing from us big time.” (http://bulatlat. com)

ari’s supporters led by his lieutenant Ustadz Khabir Malik stormed several villages and took more than 200 people hostage.

The fighting left more than 400 people dead and wounded that resulted in a humanitarian crisis following the exodus of more than 100,000 villagers.

In downtown Jolo, two marine soldiers guarding a Catholic church were killed and three civilians wounded in a daring broad daylight attack by a lone man, police said Friday.

Police said the unidentified man managed to sneak Thirsday inside the

compound of the Mount Carmel Cathedral Parish in downtown Jolo and grabbed the M16 rifle of the guard and shot him several times.

The man then ran inside the kitchen behind the church and shot dead another soldier before escaping, but two children, aged three and six, and an adult woman were also wounded in the shootings, according to the police.

It was not immediately known how the attacker managed to get inside the compound undetected and then assaulted the soldiers.

Jolo Mayor Hussin Amin has confirmed the attack

and said authorities are searching for the assailant. “We don’t know the motive of the assault, but authorities have launched an investigation into this and are searching for the assailant,” he told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

He said there were reports that the attacker is suffering from a mental illness and that he frequented the church, which had been previously attacked many times by rebels. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the latest attack. (Mindanao Examiner)

and cogon grass. When it rains, we get wet including our notebooks. The floor becomes muddy, so we take shelter in the classroom of Kindergarten kids,” Omar said in vernacular. “God might have seen our situation, Metrobank came to our assistance even if we are very far,” he added. Grades III and IV have occupied the new Metrobank school building. Pebpoloan Elementary School has a student population of about

367 students.

Similar type of school building was also built for school children of Tamontaka Central School in Cotabato City. For School Year 2013-2014, the school has a student population of 1,724.

“Out of the 27 classrooms being occupied, 8 are for demolition but still being used,” Guiamel Abad, the school principal disclosed.

“We thank Metrobank for helping us,” Abad added.

Implemented by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the Metrobank Build-A-

Classroom Project aims to assist the Department of Education in addressing classroom crisis in the country.

“The Build-A-Classroom Project is the Metrobanker’s way of giving back to the community we serve,” says Executive Vice President and HRMG Head Vivian Lee-Tiu. “It is a part of our commitment to nation building, as we strive to make helpful contributions for the social development of our country.

Dr George S.K. Ty’s legacy of philantropism, seeking to always promote the welfare

of Filipinos, continues to live on through the commitment and efforts of his employees.”

The bank’s employees, through the Build-A-Classroom Project, have made personal contributions to raise part of the cost needed to build the classrooms.

Funds that are raised by the group will be matched by a donation from the bank.

The project aims to build 24 classrooms in 9 public schools in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao directly benefiting 1,080 students upon implementation. (dannyescabarte)

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Region X, Cagayan de Oro City

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Region X, Cagayan de Oro City

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Region X, Cagayan de Oro City

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Region X, Cagayan de Oro City

POMPEY SASUMAN0 Case No; 2012-10- 1719 Applicant/s

PATROCENIO/ALELI ALCANTARA - Vendor Case No; 2013-10- 1696

ALGIERICO BAINO - Vendor CASE NO; 2013-10-1694 ROBERT G. SABUGA -Vendee 2008-10-2151

from page 1

Program (DAP) has surfaced after Sen. Jingoy Estrada and later S en.

Miriam Defensor-Santiago and former Senator Joker Ar royo re ve a le d the illegality of the said funds, which was reportedly used as incentive for legislators who supported the impeachment of former Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Aquino, who has been branded by progressive groups as “Pork Barrel King,” dared his critics to impeach him.

“Priority Development Assistance Fund, Special Purpose Fund, President’s S o c i a l Fu nd, and now

Raided... from page 1

He said police forces set off a charge on the front gate of the house to be able to enter the sprawling compound which was heavily guarded by former rebels in the past. Several towers could be seen from the outside the house despite its tall wall.

Inside the compound were several small buildings and a basketball court and MNLF streamers and tarpaulin signs.

The area has been under tight guard since September 9 when hundreds of Misu-

Employees... from page 6

NOTICE OF HEARING

APPLICANT request authority to amend his present authorized route to operate UV service on the line ;Gingoog City to any point in the Province of Misamis Oriental and vice versa with the use of one (1)unit/s.

This application will be considered by this Board on October 10, 2013, 2013, 10;00 A.M. at its Office, Apovel, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City, on which date applicant shall formally submit his/her evidence.

At least TEN(10)days prior to the date of hearing applicant shall publish its notice once in one(1) DAILY newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao Island.

Parties opposed to the granting of the application must file their written opposition with documentary evidence submitted by the parties; unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence to be submitted by the parties.

N.B. FAILURE TO APPEAR AT THE SCHEDULED DATE AND TIME OF HEARING SHALL MEAN DISMISSAL OF THE APPLICATION.

WITNESS THE HONORABLE MANDANGAN P. DARIMBANG, CESO V, Regional Director, this 4th day of October, 2013.

MARIANNE C. ULEP Records Officer/Acting Docket Officer MS: Oct. 5, 2013

ROSALINDA SALES -Vendee

2008-10-1934

NOTICE OF HEARING

APPLICANT request authority for approval of sale and transfer with extension of validity to operate PUJ service on the line ;Cogon Market to Terryhills and vice versa with the use of one (1) unit/s.

This application will be considered by this Board on October 10, 2013, 10;00 A.M. at its Office, Apovel, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City, on which date applicant shall formally submit his/her evidence.

At least TEN(10)days prior to the date of hearing applicant shall publish its notice once in one(1) DAILY newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao Island.

Parties opposed to the granting of the application must file their written opposition with documentary evidence submitted by the parties; unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence to be submitted by the parties.

N.B. FAILURE TO APPEAR AT THE SCHEDULED DATE AND TIME OF HEARING SHALL MEAN DISMISSAL OF THE APPLICATION.

WITNESS THE HONORABLE MANDANGAN P. DARIMBANG, CESO V, Regional Director, this 4th day of October, 2013.

MARIANNE C. ULEP Records Officer/Acting Docket Officer MS: Oct. 5, 2013

JONIE L. MACABODBOD

Applicant/s

NOTICE OF HEARING

APPLICANT request authority For approval of sale and transfer with extension of validity to operate TAXI Airconditioned service on the line;within Cagayan de Oro City to any point in Region X with the use of one (1)unit/s.

This application will be considered by this Board on October 10, 2013, 10;00 A.M. at its Office, Apovel, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City, on which date applicant shall formally submit his/her evidence.

At least TEN(10)days prior to the date of hearing applicant shall publish its notice once in one(1) DAILY newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao Island.

Parties opposed to the granting of the application must file their written opposition with documentary evidence submitted by the parties; unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence to be submitted by the parties.

N.B. FAILURE TO APPEAR AT THE SCHEDULED DATE AND TIME OF HEARING SHALL MEAN DISMISSAL OF THE APPLICATION.

WITNESS THE HONORABLE MANDANGAN P. DARIMBANG, CESO V, Regional Director, this 4th day of October, 2013.

APPLICANT request authority for issuance of certificate of public convenience to operate SHUTTLE service on the line;Magsaysay, Mis. Or. To Cagayan de Oro City and vice versa with the use of one(1)unit/s.

This application will be considered by this Board on October 10, 2013, 10;00 A.M. at its Office, Apovel, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City, on which date applicant shall formally submit his/her evidence.

At least FIVE(5)days prior to the date of hearing applicant shall publish its notice once in one(1) DAILY newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao Island.

Parties opposed to the granting of the application must file their written opposition with documentary evidence submitted by the parties; unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence to be submitted by the parties.

N.B. FAILURE TO APPEAR AT THE SCHEDULED DATE AND TIME OF HEARING SHALL MEAN DISMISSAL OF THE APPLICATION.

WITNESS THE HONORABLE MANDANGAN P. DARIMBANG, CESO V, Regional Director, this 4th day of October, 2013.

MARIANNE C. ULEP Records Officer/Acting Docket Officer

MARIANNE C. ULEP Records Officer/Acting Docket Officer MS: Oct. 5, 2013

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

CASENO;2013-10-1695

NOTICE OF HEARING

MS: Oct. 5, 2013

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8 sat-sun | october 5-6, 2013