Mindanao Star (June 6-12, 2015)

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Volume III, No. 8

website: www.mindanaostarbalita.com

june 6-12, 2015

MindanaoSTAR

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T H E P U R V E Y O R O F T R U T H , JU S T I C E A N D D E V E L O P M E N T

Himugso Heritage Feature:

Cagayan de Oro's Square Garden

Gaston Park

By Dr. Blas Ch. Velez (In commemoration of the 65th Anniversary of the City Charter of Cagayan de Oro, we are bringing back these stories on “Birthing the City”)

D

id you know our pre-Spanish Kagayanon ancestors once had their own version of the famous Madison Square Garden? Present-day Kagay-anons will be proud of the fact that they share a common bond with their 15th century forefathers-they all have, at one time or another, taken a stroll along our local square.

Our square was once one of these things: an arena similar to Blasco Ibañez's Blood and Sand epic, a baseball park, a military camp, a place of Catholic worship, a battlefield, and a dreaded execution site. It is now a lovers lane, a place for evening meditation, a jogger's delight, and a place where a royal prince fell in love with a Moro princess-thus giving the town its name, Cagayan. If a tape recorder were available during these dif-

ferent eras, we would be able to hear the different events that transpired at the Square. The "hisses", the "boos", the thunderous ovations, the sobs, the laughter, the "vivas!", the groans of deep pain, the religious hymns. What a delight it would have been to be able to "hear" history in the making! During the pre-Spanish era, the Square was a fortified place where the royal family of Cagayan lived. It was here where the Higa-

cases from 15 to 20 years to allow government prosecutors to build stronger cases and give witnesses more time to come forward. Establishing a solid and winnable case against a corrupt public officer or employee may ordinarily take a longer time compared to other crimes,” Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, sponsor of Senate Bill No. 2422, said. Senate President Franklin Drilon said that the measure was "a manifestation of the determination of Congress to stamp-out corruption in the country, by making sure that time does not hinder our quest for justice nor provide a loophole for the corrupt.”

"Our justice system can only be a strong deterrent against possible malfeasance if we demonstrate that no matter the passing of years, a crime remains a crime and those who committed them must answer for them," he stressed. Drilon a lso said that the proposed measure will complement the amendments to the Sandiganbayan Law passed and signed into law last April “as necessary reforms that will strengthen the nation’s justice and legal system.” Pimentel noted that under the current system, a 15year prescription is being observed in the filing of

onon chieftain, Bagani, and the Maranaw princess, Bai Lawanen, met and fell in love at first sight. The legend dwells on the shame the loving pair brought on their tribes-a shame, locally translated as kagayha-an. Voila! The settlement finally had a name! Then the Spaniards came. As usual, the fair-skinned colonizers started bastardizing the local names of places. Finding "Kagayhaan" a tongue-twister, the

kastilaloys chose the sexysounding "Cagayan." The name has stuck to this day. Now when you think Spanish, you usually think matador. The Spaniards, naturally, inf luenced our fashion, manners, our religious beliefs, our culture, and our hobbies. The most popular sport during that era was the Juego de Toro. Not the toro-toro some present Pinoys enjoy but the real thing! A bullfight dur-

Governor’s presence in project turnovers pleases Misamisnons Since he assumed offices as mayor in the Municipality of Tagoloan within three terms, congressman in the second district of the Misamis Oriental within two

terms and governor of the province at present, Gob. Bambi Emano’s way of personally handing over his projects to the communities remains. It is the major concern and intent of the Governor

See feature, page 4

Senate OK’s bill increasing prescriptive Governor’s presence in project turnovers pleases Misamisnons period for graft cases to 20 years The Senate passed on third and final reading today an amendment to the Anti-

Sen. Koko Pimentel

Graft and Corrupt Practices Act which will extend the prescriptive period for graft

See bill, page 6

See presence, page 6

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Mindanao Star (June 6-12, 2015) by Mindanao Daily News - Issuu