Mindanao Daily Set A (September 27, 2016)

MindanaoDAILY THE PURVEYOR OF TRUTH , JUSTICE, AND DEVELOPMENT

Volume VI, No. 100

web portal: www.mindanaodailynews.com

Tuesday

September 27, 2016

P15.00

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Zubiri fires provl govt worker nabbed for drugs

By GERRY LEE GORIT Correspondent

CAGAYAN de Oro City-Bukidnon Gov. Jose Maria Zubiri Jr. has ordered the termination of a provincial government employee after he was arrested by antinarcotics agents during a raid in his home Saturday morning.

In a statement, Zubiri said Marlou Madrial is considered out of employment starting Monday.

The governor has also denied Madrial is one of his close-in security members.

“Marlou Madrial is not a bodyguard assigned to provide security to me. I have terminated his service

as Administrative Aide 4 effective [Monday], for loss of trust and confidence, being a co-terminous employee.

He has never been a part of my close-in security group,” Zubiri said.

According to a report, a search warrant was served in Madrial’s residence in Purok 1, Barangay Gutapol,

Kibawe, by PDEA-10 agents Saturday morning.

Taken during the raid was suspected shabu weighing about 25-30 grams with estimated street value of P112,000, the report added.

Zubiri said he wants to be transparent on this issue and reiterated he has never condoned illegal drug

use, abuse and trade in the province.

“My instruction is to arrest all drug offenders, regardless whether the person involved is a part of our family or staff,” he said.

Provincial information officer Hansel Echavez, in an interview Monday, said See fires, page A7

‘Madrial,’ not my bodyguard: Zubiri BUKIDNON Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri Jr. on Monday clarified reports that the latest suspect nabbed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) “is not my bodyguard in Bukidnon. I support the PDEA’s efforts to arrest all drug offenders.”

“Marlou Madrial is not a bodyguard assigned to provide security to me. I have terminated his services as Administrative Aide 4 effective today, Monday, for BRIDGE OF PROGRESS. Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza (center) walks through the newly inaugurated See madrial, page A7

P500-million delta bridge as San Luis town Mayor Ronald Corvera (in white shirt) accompanied him.

Contributed photo from Provincial Public Information Office, Agusan

del

Sur.

Faith leaders unite vs. summary killings

FAITH leaders are joining forces against the spate of summary killings happening in the wake of the Duterte administration’s “war on drugs.”

In Pangasinan, pastors said killings must end as they call for the end to criminality without sacrificing due process.

“The nation must be purged from drug dealers yet the rule of law must prevail and human rights must at all times be respected,” they said in a statement.

17 churches, groups In less than three months under the new administration, about See unite, page A7

Manobos welcome Mindanao lawmaker backs Duterte’s plan to revive PC P500-million Bridge

By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN Contributing Editor

SAN LUIS, Agusan del Sur-Manobo farmers in this sleepy town have welcomed the opening of a new P500

million delta bridge that would make their farm produce more accessible to the market, a long cherished dream they have been waiting to be realized for many

decades.

“We can now easily transport our produce to the market in Talacogon where we can now comSee welcome, page A7

DAVAO City--Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel is backing Duterte’s plan to revive the Philippine Constabulary (PC) as a component of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Duterte on September 20 told soldiers at the 10th Infantry Division camp in Mawab, Compostela Valley that he wants to revive the PC. “Gusto kong ibalik yan sa ano, ibalik ko yang Phil-

ippine Constabulary. Yang pulis na yan, diyan na kayo kung saan kayo (the police, you stay where you are), but I will return the Philippine Constabulary under the (AFP),” Duterte said, See backs, page A2

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Tuesday, September 27, 2016

School head to file charges against parent, teachers CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – City Central School (CCS) principal Dr. Arnold Tejero on Monday said he will file criminal charges against the parent and two teachers for what he called as a conspiracy to kick him out for his anti-corruption crusade at said school.

Tejero was sued for acts of lasciviousness by “Marie” (not her real name), a parent of a fifth-grader at CCS, who alleged that she was brought to a motel by the principal where he committed the act, last week.

In a press conference inside his office Monday, Tejero denied the accusation saying nothing happened between him and Marie and that they were also not in a romantic relationship.

He, however, admitted that they went to a motel together since Tejero claimed Marie wanted to confide about the anomalies being committed by some of the teachers at CCS. Since he was interested in knowing what Marie has to tell him, Tejero said he agreed to take her to a motel, but not the motel that she suggested at first.

Inside the motel room, he said Marie ordered drinks and instead of talking about the anomalies she narrated her personal circumstances to him.

Eventually, she asked him for money since she needed it for personal reasons, which he refused.

“I told her I had no money with me since my ATM card is with my wife.

I only have P1,000 in my wallet at the time,” Tejero

told reporters.

Tejero said if it was indeed true that he committed acts of lasciviousness, Marie would not have boarded his car and asked to be dropped off at a mall and gotten in touch with him after their brief stay inside the motel.

“She even greeted me Happy Father’s Day through text message on June 9, and even went to my office on June 22 to follow up on the P5,000 she asked from me,” he said.

Tejero said it appeared that Marie was being used by some of the teachers who hold grudges against him to get back at him, aside from trying to extort money from him.

But Tejero said he remains unfazed at the accusation against him and is confident that Marie’s

ries of atrocities committed during martial law. The late President Ferdinand Marcos “extensively used the PC as the police force in implementing martial law by arresting, detaining and torturing the victims of atrocities during the martial law regime as well as the takeover of private establishments and media outlets,” he said.

Lagman also said the planned revival is unconstitutional, citing the provision one national police force.

Pimentel said France, Italy and Spain are among countries “with distinct military services that have jurisdiction in civil law enforcement” and that these military branches with domestic responsibilities “are apart from their regular national police forces that are civilian in character.”

He said the country needs

the PC “just like France needs the Gendarmerie Nationale, Italy needs the Carabinieri, and Spain needs the Guardia Civil.”

“As a matter of policy, we understand the President wants the Army, Navy and the Air Force to focus totally on their primary role to secure the national sovereignty and territory against foreign threats,” Pimentel said.

Karapatan said enlisting the AFP in the anti-drugs campaign is “a dangerous proposition, given the role of some of its officers in the web of the drug trade, sordid human rights record and its propensity to use the campaign for counter-insurgency purposes.”

It said the use of “military and other mercenaries” in the war on drugs is “a concept that was peddled by the US

government in countries such as Mexico and Colombia through the Merida Initiative.”

“It is a form of military intervention which justifies American military and financial support for governments to maintain and protect US political and economic influence. It has been proven that US-funded drug wars have not eliminated the drug menace, but have targeted the civilian population in countries struggling for change,” Karapatan said.

National Emergency President Duterte issued Proclamation 55 on September 4, placing the entire country under a “State of National Emergency on account of lawless violence in Mindanoa.”

The Proclamation was issued two days after a bomb exploded at the Roxas night market in Davao City, killing 15 and injuring 69 others.

Duterte also cited other reasons behind his Proclamation 55 — the death of 15 soldiers in a skirmish with the Abu Sayyaf in Patikul, Sulu; the “spate of violent and lawless acts across many parts of Mindanao, including abductions, hostage-takings and murder of innocent civilians, bombing of power transmission facilities, highway robberies and extortions, attacks on military outposts, assassinations media people and mass jailbreaks;” the “audacity and propensity of these armed lawless groups to defy the rule of law, sow anarchy, and sabotage the government’s economic development and peace efforts.”

The Proclamation also cited intelligence reports that “there exist credible threats of further terror attacks and other similar acts of violence by lawless elements in other parts of the country, including the metropolitan areas.”

Duterte has yet to lift the Proclamation. (MindaNews)

By GERRY LEE GORIT Correspondent

PROMOTING THE CAUSE OF OUR TEACHERS - VICE GOVERNOR JOEY G. PELAEZ paid a courtesy call to Senator NANCY BINAY and discussed his Resolution requesting the Department of Education to postpone implementation of the guidelines on the Daily Lesson Log (DLL) pending review. Most teachers complained of DLL as laborious which takes away valuable time from their family and has caused confusion among teachers as it was implemented without proper orientation, adjustment and transition. Vice Governor Pelaez also discussed his programs and advocacies for the indigenous cultural communities in the province as well as the tourism efforts of the Provincial Government to attract foreign and local tourists to visit Misamis Oriental. Senator Binay is the Chair of Senate Committee in Tourism and Cultural Communities. photo supplied

Backs... from page A1

adding there would be four commands under the AFP: Army, Navy, Air Force and PC “kasi kailangan ko ng tao doon sa urban terrorism like the SAF, iyong mga bata” (I need people in urban terrorism, like the Special Action Force, the younger ones).

In a press statement Sunday, Pimentel, a member of the House committee on national said the country needs “a fourth military branch dedicated solely to quashing internal threats. This way, the three existing service commands — the Army, Navy and

the Air Force can concentrate entirely on external threats.”

Established in 1901, the PC merged with the Integrated National Police to form the Philippine National Police in 1991. Under martial law, the PC was the The 1987 Constitution under Section 16, Article XVI mandates that the State “shall establish and maintain one police force, which shall be national in scope and civilian in character, to be administered and controlled by a national police commission.”

“Our sense is, the President is disinclined to deploy existing military forces to suppress

growing threats from the inside, particularly terrorism and illegal drug trafficking.

This is why he wants to revive the PC as the fourth military group with civil duties,” the Surigao lawmaker said.

The human rights group, Karapatan, in a statement on September 24, said Duterte’s proposal to revive the PC to participate in the war against drugs “is like bringing to life another monster responsible for violence, cruelty and all types of abuses during martial law.”

Martial law memories In a statement, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said the revival of the PC revives memo-

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Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Kill drugs, not to kill people says Gordon WHILE supporting President Duterte’s stand to ensure that the proliferation of illegal drugs is stopped, Senator Richard J. Gordon stressed that there is no need to kill people with impunity which is why he wants to ensure that law enforcement agencies will go by the rules and that the Rule of Law shall always be followed.

During the hearing of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights last Thursday on recent and rampant killings, the first hearing that he conducted after taking over the committee, Gordon said that there is a need to eradicate illegal drugs or a day would come when drug lords and drug pushers would be more heavily armed than law enforcers and cited Mexico and Colombia as examples.

Nevertheless, this cannot be used as an excuse to flout the law and kill people indiscriminately. Hence, Gordon said the hearing would lead to amendments to existing laws or to entirely new legislation.

“Kill drugs, not kill the people. Hindi pwedeng patay ka ng patay ng tao para lang makuha yung mga drug addicts. We do not throw the Rule of Law book out of the window. In getting rid of drugs, we have to go by the Rule of Law. Sir Thomas More, one of the two recognized patron saints of Catholic lawyers, once said, ‘Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?... Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned ‘round on you, where would you hide?’ the senator pointed out.

Gordon said that the committee would focus on creating new laws or injecting amendments to correct flaws in existing laws to prevent incidents like convicts being released to kill people in the same way that EXTRAJUDICIAL AGREEMENT AMONG CO-HIERS WITH ABSOLUTE DEED OF SALE OF A PORTION A RESIDENTIAL LOT

Notice is hereby given that intestate estate of the Late Spouses TEODULO VERGARA and BUENAVENTURA BALANAY, who died on February 11, 2010 and August 1, 1994 respectively in Pagadian City.; described as follows to wit; “PORTION OF LAND of Lot NO. 2990-D, Psd -220772. Bounded on the NE., by the remaining porion; on the SE., by Lot 2990-C, Psd -220772; on the SW., by Lot 2990-A, Psd-220772; on the NW., by Lot No. 2991, Pls119, containing an area of (41.3) Square Meters, more or less, covered

by TCT No. T-2,933” is the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL AGREEMENT AMONG CO-HIERS WITH ABSOLUTE DEED OF SALE OF A PORTION A RESIDENTIAL LOT; made, entered and executed into by and between: VERGIE VERGARA GARVES, Filipino, of legal age, widow, resident of Gatas District, Pagadian City; JULIE B. VERGARA, Filipino, of legal age, married, resident of Tudela, MIsamis Occidental; DAISY VERGARA BULAYBULAY(deceased) represented by her son, FEDDIE MARK V. BULAYBULAY, Filipino, of legal age, single; TEODULO B. VERGARA Jr. (deceased) represented by his wife EVANGELINE VERGARA, Filipino, of legal age, widow, resident of San Francisco District, Pagadian City,

his father was assassinated by a convict who was allowed to leave to assassinate his father and then was returned to prison, to ensure that policemen will strictly follow the rules of engagement, and ensure that more crime laboratories will be established, and that policemen shall be continuously trained, among others.

“The resolution covers the recent and rampant killings in our country. Nakatuon tayo doon para makagawa tayo ng legislation kung sakaling makitang may kinakapos doon, lalagyan natin ng legislation ‘yan.

Hindi ito trial na may hinahanap tayong pumatay ng tao o mga mamamatay tao. Maaaring lalabas sa imbestigasyon ‘yan. Pero ang tinutukoy nito ay ‘yung mga bagong legislation na dapat gawin. This hearing is conducted in aid of legislation,” he said.

Gordon also underscored the need to conduct the hearing by the rules, which is why he firmly imposed rules that ensured an orderly hearing.

This gained approval from both the senators who attended and the public who watched the proceedings live or on television.

These included asking committee members to stand and use the two lecterns set up when it was their time

Charges... from page A2

complaint will not prosper.

Tejero said he has already submitted his counter-affidavit to the City Prosecutor’s Office and his legal counsel is preparing the documents for the complaint that he will file against Marie and two CCS teachers whom he accused of colluding with her so she could sue the principal.

He said will file incriminatory machination and extortion against the said persons within the week. as guardian of their son LHUIGUI VERGARA (incapacitated); MERLY VERGARA MANHUYOD, Filipino, of legal age, married , resident of Tuburan District, Pagadian City; JAMES B. VERGARA, Filipino age, married, resident of Barangay Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur; and NAIDEE VERGARA DERONG, Filipino, of legal age, married, resident of Barangay Balintawak, Pagadian City, Philippines: that for the purpose of his partition agreement and in accordance with the provisions the New Rules of Court, the parties have agreed to settle, partition divide and adjudicate unto themselves their common property as indicated above, in the following manner, to wit.; for Vergie Vergara Garves belongs her 1/7 pro-share; for Julie B. Vergara, belongs his (1/7) por-share; for Daisy Vergara Bulaybulay (deceased) represented by her son Fidde Mark V. Bulaybulay, belongs her (1/7) pro-share; for Teodulo B. Vergara, Jr. (deceased as represented by his wife Evangeline Vergara guardian of their son Lhuigi Vergara , belongs his (1/7) pro-share; for Merlie Vergara MAnhuyod, belongs her (1/7) pro-share; for James B. Vergara , belongs his (1/7) pro-share and Naidee Vergara Derong belongs her (1/7) pro-share respectively; Under Notary Public of ATTY. WILFRENO B. LUZA; as per Doc No. 317; Page No. 92; Book No. XVIII; Series of 2016.

MDN: Sept. 27, Oct. 4 & 11, 2016

to question witnesses. This prevented unruly behavior when the proceedings tensed a bit and got out of hand such as what happened in other hearings.

Senator Leila De Lima commented that Gordon was very firm and fair in conducting the hearing and that he was in command and in control of the proceedings.

Even netizens had only high praise for the way Gordon conducted the hearing.

“Yan ang Chairman... Fair lang... hindi na one sided at kampi sa Sinungaling na Witness... kung Sabagay!!!

Birds with the same feathers? Are the same birds... another Big Salute to You Senator Gordon,” a netizen EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH ABSOLUTE SALE OF A PARCEL OF LAND Notice is hereby given that the intestate estate of the deceased Macaria D. Tabamo-Bayson died without leaving a Will nor incurred indebtedness during her lifetime and who remains the declared owner of parcel of land known as lot 940-b under T.D No. 13095 with an area of 319 square meters embraced under OCT No. P-4738, Located at San Jose, Mahinog, Camiguin which property has been inherited by my deceased husband Wilfredo Bayson; is the subject of EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH ABSOLUTE SALE OF A PARCEL OF LAND, made and entered into by GENARA A. Bayson, Legal age, widow, Filipino citizen and a resident of Kitamban, Binuangan, Misamis Oriental; that for and in consideration of the sum of FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (Php. 50,000.00) Philippine Currency, to me in hand paid by spouses CARLOS L.ABAO and LUTCHIE D. ABAO, Filipino citizens and residents of sdan Jose, Mahinog, Camiguin receipt is hereby acknowledged to my full satisfaction, by these presents, I hereby absolutely SELL, CEDE, TANSFER and CONVEY Lot 940-B with an area of 319 square meters to the vendees, free from any lien or encumberance; Under Notary Public of ATTY. Vito M. CARRILLO; as per Doc No. 517;Page No. 100;Book No. 88;Series of 2016.

MDN: Sept. 27, Oct. 4 & 11, 2016

commented.

“What I like about the way Sen. Gordon being the chairman is that he is not biased, instead he is looking at all aspects of the cases no

judgment being done during the hearing,” another one said.

“Congrats Sir Richard Gordon. Great job as the new chair of Justice and

Human rights committee.

That is how the chairman should handle the committee hearings. Very organized and very professional,” one netizen also remarked.

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Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Who watches the watchmen?

All fatalities combined, a near total of 3,000 deaths have summed up with an average 44 each day.

Although the police may claim that the killings were imperative responses to the assaults by the suspected criminals in their arrests, the case of Guihulngan City’s Althea Fhem Barbon could have been contradictory based on the initial reports by the Commission on Human Rights in Negros Occidental.

Seated in front of her father on a motorcycle while he was on his way to meet with undercover cops who disguised to buy P500 worth of shabu but purposefully planned to arrest him, a bullet reached Althea’s spine after it pierced through her father’s back and chest as their backs were on the range of fire. While the police recovered five sachets of shabu and a .38 calibre from Althea’s father in the aftermath, Althea’s lifeless

body was far from recovery. The four-year-old was another minor recorded as one of the fatalities in the Drug War. Prior to her death was that of Danica Garcia in Dagupan City. But unlike Danica’s case, the bullet that ended Althea’s fragile life came not from vigilantes, but from officers who swore to protect the innocent and uphold justice in a society where public safety is of prime importance.

Dear Editor,

She got interested with one of the booths for kids so I left her there and preceded at the center to listen to what the speaker has been saying. Bingo! Its worth of my time and the topic was relevant.

The Pillars of Peace were discussed and have learned the following: Sound Business Environment, High levels of Human Capital, Low Levels of Corruption, Free Flow of Information, Good Relation with Neighbors, Acceptance of Rights of Others, Well-Functioning Government, and Equitable Distribution of Resources.

As defined, pillar means support in which case, those (8) mentioned are requisites so peace could be attained.

But looking into what we have in our society, the ques-

tion where are we now in our attainment of peace or are we at least 50% compliant with the (8) pillars plays on my mind. Honestly, I do not think we are or we have all these (8) and am worried, how can we attain peace?

The good thing is, at least I am imparted with the idea on how to attain peace and what are the necessary things we should do or have to attain it. Having this idea gives me another opportunity to think and rethink what would be my participation as a citizen of this country to at least in the best way towards peace.

Also, part of the topics discussed during the peace fair are where we are now in the peace talks between the government and NDFP. The statement that really made me think hard is that, why are we talking too much

about Matobato, about De Lima when we have much more important issue and that is PEACE and the peace talks that are happening now between the (2) parties.

I do not say that what the House of Representatives and Senate has been discussing now isn’t important. I am also supporting that the issues they are tackling now be resolved in the soonest possible of time. However, I think this is high time that we Filipinos should decide which is more important and what our priority is because for me, the issue of Peace is far more important that the controversies opened in Congress.

Personally, I think that the controversies that have been tackled in Congress could side track or worst disrupt the ongoing talks on

Kakampi mo ang batas

dently silent now, lest he be similarly investigated for his possible involvement in drugs, in the brutal and humiliating manner that his erstwhile Secretary of the Department of Justice, Sen. Leila De Lima, and another official of his who is said to be higher than her, are being accused of having coddled drug lords and drug pushers during his term.

-oooMARCOS VIOLATED THE CHARTER? AQUINOS DID, TOO! Also highly noticeable from Aquino’s appearance at the St. Theresa’s College on Friday was his unrelenting and continuing attack on former President Marcos, though Aquino carefully avoided mentioning the name of the former strongman. Again, I would like to say, in response to Aquino’s charge that Marcos abused the Constitution for

his interests, “look who’s talking”.

Did not the first Aquino president, the mother of Benigno Aquino III, violate the Constitution when she ruthlessly killed the newspaper Daily Express, depriving its 300 or so employees (which included some 50 journalists and photographers), of their right to free press and free expression?

Sure, the Daily Express served as a propaganda machine during the time of Marcos, but was it not, as a newspaper, its right pursuant to the very Constitutions---Freedom and 1987---to print whatever its owners and editors wanted to publicize? Was it not the right of the journalists that wrote for it entitled to freely express their opinions even if they were in favor of Marcos and opposed to

I AM an avid reader to the Opinion portion of every ALLAN M. MEDIANTE newspaper. I find most of Editor-in-Chief the opinions published

ruel pelone CRIS DIAZ interesting and amazing,

Managing Editor Executive Editor though I must admit that some of those I have read CHENG ORDOÑEZ MARK FRANCISCO JOEL ESCOL are annoying. Even so, I Associate Editor Lifestyle Editor Feature Editor dreamt that one day I get to read my own thoughts gerry lee gorit

GILBERT Y. CHAO

Motoring Editor Photo Journalist in the newspaper, but I am still waiting for the right

PAT SAMONTE CHRIS PANGANIBAN time. Right time means Regional Editor Caraga Regional Editor-Davao having a something nice

to write, something that Rene Michael BaÑos uRIEL C. QUILINGUING interest the readers or the Regional Editor Northmin Contributing Editor Editors, perhaps.

AL JACINTO JOE FELICILDA Yesterday was a loose day Regional Editor-WestMin Editorial Consultant for me and daughter, so we opted to go to the mall. As felix santillan EDSEL BANTOL we are bumming around, we

Layout Artist Layout Artist noticed displays in the activ

ity center and the decoraATTY. MARIO T. JUNI NOTARY PUBLIC- JUNI LAW OFFICE tions says, Davao Peace Fair CELL NO: 09352379999/ (088) 8573595 2016 in Celebration of the CRUZ TAAL ST., CAG. DE ORO CITY International Day of Peace.

EDITORIAL

bureau and mktg staff

candy macabale - 09161326483 ED A. MAINIT - 09156590273 RIZA O. ARES - 0915-9753-277/0926-2242-653 MISOR - LOLONG NABONG - 0906-875-8650 GINGOOG CITY-MANNY ANSIHAGAN-0936-287-7788 North Buk. - DAHLIA S. BENEMERITO-0936-303-0410 VALENCIA CITY - PHILIP PHIL CALUMBA-0905-652-5407 MARAMAG - TITA FINA CUALES - 0926-336-1585 quezon, buk. - ROSE GENON Iligan City - JEFFREY OPONDA-0936-1174378 tangub city - bobby mag usara OROQUIETA CITY - PJ TREMEDAL-0919-3452375 OZAMIZ CITY - VICTORIO D. ESTUDILLO - 0926-321-9389/0923-839-5137 ARMM - Sony Sudaria-0947-4810371 cotabato - ANALISA ESPAÑOLA-0916-9351714 davao - MARLON GAYOG-09276314995 davao - tom a. caballero-09756023684 davao - tomas canoy avancena jr.-09177017010 davao del norte - sarah castor - 09263988293 davao occidental - alma ORTIZ - 09058532215 davao city/island samal - jessie palabao -0935-874-9825/ -0946-242-6672 digos city, dvo sur & kidapawan - romeo d. sanchez davao city - flaviano mahinay davao city - rene s. arias (Photo Journalist,) mati, davao - ronald “sanchez” sicad - 0936-704-2580 tagum city, davao del norte - rhodel javier - 0939-509-2970 comval province - mike sumapig lupogan - 0926-182-3005 Davsur, davao occ., gensan and saranggani province: butuan - PAT SAMONTE-0912-8091093 san frans - CRIS PANGANIBAN-09277974193 San Francisco - deding PANGANBAN-0927-7974193 Pagadian City - GRACE FRANCISCO ZAMBOANGA - AL JACINTO

Member: ORO CHAMBER Philippine Press Institute

Pensaber

Angelo Lorenzo

See lorenzo, page A7

Peace talks vs. Congressional inquiry

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Legal Counsel ---------------------------------------------------------------

While this war can be commendable to eradicate drugs that fuel criminality in this country, how many innocent lives must suffer the same consequence intended for the punishable, liable and guilty? The licensed armed officers may have to sharpen their sight over the real targets rather than to abruptly pull the trigger without focusing on the real aim, causing collateral damage to anyone not connected to the committed crime present in the vicinity.

Sharpening the sight may involve seeing the criminal validated by the genuine due process and credible evidences, and not by suspicion or by tactless naming.

While Althea and Danica’s deaths have made headlines in national and international news, how many more like them had been part of the recorded 3,000 deaths? As the nation

THE question, “Who watches the watchmen?” has been popularized by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon’s critically acclaimed graphic novel published by DC Comics in the 1980s. Although its idea was originally taken from a Latin phrase by Roman poet Juvenal which can be translated closely to English as “Who will guard the guards themselves?” this question may pose significant relation with the nation’s present War on Drugs.

Since President Rodrigo Duterte took his oath on June 30, his vow to stop criminality and the distribution of illegal drugs has been made effective by members of the armed police force.

R e c e nt p ol i c e d at a show the number of deaths have reached 1,033 with an alarming additional 1, 894 committed by hired assassins or vigilantes of unknown identities not connected to the police force.

MailBox

See peace, page A7

Why PNoy avoided talking about Duterte

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… Do not love the world or anything in the world.

If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them…” (1 John 2:15, the Holy Bible).

-oooWHY PNOY AVOID ED TALKING ABOUT DU TERTE: A c are f u l analysis into what former President Benigno Aquino III spoke about when he appeared in a forum at the St. Theresa’s College in Quezon City Friday night (September 23, 2016) will readily show his refusal to say anything about President Duterte and the Duterte government’s fierce campaign against illegal drugs.

Aquino talked about Marcos and his declaration of martial law in the 1970s, about his love-life which didn’t really matter, and about how Filipinos

Atty. Batas Mauricio

can become good citizens which, undeniably, he failed to achieve during his own presidency, but noticeably, not a word was mentioned by him on the burning issues of the day, like the supposed extra-judicial killings arising from Duterte’s campaign against drugs.

This was of course not surprising. Indeed, it was even expected of him to be pru-

See batas, page A7

Forum A5

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Tuesday, September 27, 2016

A time of war, a time of peace

By Karl M. Gaspar of MindaNews

DAVAO City--Early morning of Friday, September 23, 2016 I went to Mass and was pleasantly surprised to hear the words of the First Reading read by the lector from Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8. These were the words I heard: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from

embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”

The words were so appropriate owing to some events that took place during the week. In the midst of “wars” that have raged across the country (drug war), in Mindanao (the AFP-Abu Sayaff encounters) and in Davao City (the bombing) in the month of September – which is also the month to commemorate the unlamented martial rule of the late dictator, Ferdinand Marcos – the cry for peace has been reverberating.

First event was the

meeting of the BishopUlama Conference (BUC) at Mergrande, Davao City.

I would have wanted to attend this gathering to have a update on what are the latest concerns of the BUC – since it seemed to have become inactive during the Pinoy administration – but I had a previous engagement. But from someone who was there, I was told that only three Mindanawon bishops – Archbishop Fernando Capalla, Archbishop Antonio Ledesma and Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar – were able to join the gathering.

There were the usual Muslim ulamas, again mainly the Maranaws and a few other interested persons. ExPresident Gloria Macapagal-

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Arroyo was expected to attend and there was talk that President Rody Duterte was going to deliver a keynote speech. The former made it only for a breakfast date and the latter did not appear in the forum although Malacaňang had earlier assured the group that he would come.

Second meeting was the Mindanao-wide Interreligious Dialogue Solidarity Conference sponsored by the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) with the theme – “A NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that the estate of ALBERTO M. PEGARIT, who died intestate n August 8, 2011 in Butuan City, consisting of a parcel of residential land situated at Barangay 17, Port Poyohon, Butuan City, bounded on the: W., along line 1-2 by lot 7, Blk-9, Pcs-13-000891, N., along lines 2-3-4 by Alley, E., along line 4-5 by road lot 2, S., along line 5-1 by lot 1, Blk.-9, Pcs-13-000891, containing an area of 61 square meters, more or less, is the subject of an AFFIDAVIT OF SELF-ADJUDICATION WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS made and executed by deceased Alberto M. Pegarit’s widow, Wetiza E. Pegarit, adjudicating unto herself abovedescribed real estate, and agreeing and covenanting to cede, transfer and convey unto Lynna Mae S. Lastimosa, married to Lance Darryl D. Lastimosa the full ownership and possession of above-described property, and therefore, waived and renounced her shares, rights and participation over above-described property, per Doc. No. 673; Page No. 133; Book No. VIII; Series of 2016 of the Notarial Registry of Reggie E. Morales-Saludo, Notary Public in Butuan City.

MDN: 13, 20 & 27, 2016

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that the estate of ADELBERTO A. AMORA, married to Mercelyn F. Amora, who died intestate at Block 13, Lot 8, Barangay 17, Port Poyohon, Butuan City on July 19, 1996, consisting of a parcel of residential land together with improvement thereon, situated at Barangay 17, Port Poyohon, Butuan City containing an area of 79 square meters, more or less, bounded on the: W., along line 1-2 by Lot 7, Blk13, Pcs-13-000891, N., along lines 2-3-4 by alley, E., along line 4-5 by Road lot 3, S., along line 5-1 by lot 1, Block 13, Pcs-13-000891, is the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF REAL ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS AND RENUNCIATION OF RIGHTS made and executed by Adelberto A. Amora’s legal heirs and legitimate children, namely, Loudemer F. Amora, Loida Mira A. Mendoza and Rechilla A. Usami, adjudicating unto themselves aforesaid property in pro-indiviso sharing and ceding, transferring and conveying unto their mother, Mercelyn F. Amora, and waiving and renouncing their shares, rights and participation over above-described property, per Doc. No. 674; Page No. 133; Book No. VIII; Series of 2016 of the Notarial Registry of Reggie E. Morales-Saludo, Notary Public for and in City of Butuan.

MDN: 13, 20 & 27, 2016

Common Word Among us in Mindanao: Love of God, Love of Neighbor, Love of Earth.” Close to a hundred people from various parts of Western and Central Mindanao – including peace advocates, civil society leaders, academicians, churchpeople and a few millennials both Muslim and Christian – came to this meeting which was

held at the Mandaya Royal Hotel on 21-22 September, 2016. This conference consisted of talks on the theme (resource persons included Fr. Larry Sabud SM, Dr. Hamid Aminoddin Barra, Ustadz Muhammad Ambod, Bro. Karl Gaspar, Mr. Guiamel Alim, Fr. Bert Layson OMI, Archishop Fernando Capalla and Bishop See war, page A7

Republic of the Philippines 4th SHARI’A CIRCUIT COURT 4th Shari’a Judicial District Iligan City IN RE: JOINT OF PETITION TO APPROVE AND REGISTER THE DIVORCE SPOUSES CHRISTOPHER M. RESOSO AND PEACHY MAY A. ROA,

CIVIL CASE NO.2016-074

CHRISTOPHER M. RESOSO AND PEACHY MAY A. ROA,

Petitioners.

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

Before this Court verified joint petition for the approval and registration of the Divorce filed by the petitioners and alleging among others.

That petitioners are husband and wife respectively in a marriage performed under Civil rites on October 11, 2006 at Cagayan de Oro City, they converted to Islam faith, of which conversions to Islam were duly registered with this court ,both of them can be served with summons and other legal processes relative to this case at B34L34 Pintakasi St., Greater Lagro, Subd. Quezon City and Jamille St. San Miguel, Iligan City respectively;

That said marriage did not last long due to lack of love and affection until the relationship manifested incompatibility and sustained misunderstanding between petitioners and reached the point of irreconcilability and they decided to separate for more than thirteen (13) years since 2012, they decided to separate live physically in bed and board thereby, executed Memorandum of Agreement in order to formalize their separation.

Since their separation, they had never been communicating or supporting either financially or emotionally to each other,neither minding each other affair’s; Petitioner’s seek judicial decree of divorce, thereby, severing their marriage bond on October 11, 2006, so that they will have free hand to do what a single man or woman could do without marital burdens. Reconciliation between them had already been diligently employed but all proved futile.

WHEREFORE, finding this petition to be sufficient in form and substance, set the initial hearing of this case on October 7, 2016 at 9:00 a.m at which time, date and place. Any interested party may appear and show why the petition should not be granted. Let copy of this Order be published in a news paper of General Circulation in the City of Iligan once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at the expense of the petitioners.

SO ORDERED.

Iligan City, Philippines, this 8th day of Setember, 2016.

MDN: Sept. 13, 20 & 27, 2016

HON. OSOP M. ALI Presiding Judge

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 10th Judicial Region Branch 28 Mambajao, Camiguin IN THE MATTER OF PETITION FOR DOMESTIC ADOPTION OF A MINOR SHAYLLA FABE PAYOT

SPECIAL CASE NO. 2016-499

SPOUSES ELVIS COLOMA ABCEDE and ROSITA CALUB ABCEDE,

Petitioners, x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -/ ORDER This is a petition for the adoption of minor Shaylla Fabe Payot by petitioners spouses Elvis and Rosita Abcede.

Finding the petition in form and substance, the same is hereby given due course. Let the hearing be set on OCTOBER 26, 2016 at 8:30 AM. At the expense of the petitioners, let a copy of this Order be published once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the province of Camiguin.

The Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Region 10, Cagayan de Oro City, is directed to assign a Social Welfare Officer to conduct a home and child study on the adopting parents, the natural parents and the child to be adopted, including the conduct of counseling sessions with the biological parents of the child to be adopted The report thereof shall be submitted to the court within sixty (60) days from receipt of this Order.

Petitioner is likewise directed to make arrangements with the assigned Social Welfare Officer for the scheduling and incidental expenses in conducting the case study.

The petitioners are further directed to furnish copies of this Order and the petition to the Local Civil Registrar of Mahinog, Camiguin, the Office of the Solicitor General, Provincial Prosecutor of Camiguin SO ORDERED August 30, 2016 at Mambajao, Camiguin (SDG.) NANNETTE MICHOTE E. LAO Presiding Judge

MDN: Sept 13, 20 & 27, 2016

Republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registry Office Province of Bukidnon Municipality of Kibawe

Republic of the Philippines LOCAL CIVL REGISTRY OFFICE PROVINCE OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL Cagayan de Oro City

Republic of the Philippines LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE PROVINCE OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL Cagayan De Oro City

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. Act No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that CIRILO SR. D. ELIAS has filed with this Office a petition for Changed of First Name from “JESUS” to “CIRILO” in the birth certificate of JESUS ELIAS who was born on August 4,1955 at Kibawe, Bukidnon and whose parents are Climaco Elias and Catalina Dagasdas.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition within this Office Not later than 0ctober 13, 2016.

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 10172, a NOTICE is hereby served to the public that KIRK JAMES N. MINDAJAO has filed with this office a petition for the correction of clerical error in his SEX from “FEMALE” to “MALE” in the Certificate of Live Birth of KIRK JAMES N. MINDAJAO who was born on SEPTEMBER 9, 1993 in Cagayan de Oro City and whose parents are VINCENT MADRONERO MINDAJAO and MA. FIONA YAMUT NONATO Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than _______.

In compliance with Section 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a NOTICE is hereby served to the public that FELY MAR LINCARO GRANADEROS has filed with this office a petition for the change of first name from “FELY” to “FELY MAR” in the Certificate of Live Birth of FELY FEDEBINO LINCARO who was born on MAY 11, 1968 in Cagayan de Oro City and whose parents are ROLANDO SENO LINCARO and THELMA JICALI PEDEBINO. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than September 29, 2016.

(SGD.) ENGR. RUFINA R. BUTRON, CE

Municipal Civil Registrar

(SGD.) NORMA S. DIPUTADO

City Civil Registrar

(SGD.) NORMA S. DIPUTADO

City Civil Registrar

MDN: Sept 27 & Oct 4, 2016

MDN: Sept 20 & 27, 2016

MDN: Sept 20 & 27, 2016

A6 Feature

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The Pinoy Is a Maya

By Mike Baños

THE Maya Pula should be restored as the Pilipino national bird.

Symbols such as these are important, because they represent the heart and soul that drive a nation and its people.

Thus, when Fidel Ramos decreed that henceforth, the Philippine Eagle should be the Filipino national bird instead of the lowly Maya Pula, many Filipinos were heartened.

Already suffering from a depressed national psyche as the derided The Sick Man of Asia in a sea of roaring Economic Tigers, the Haring Ibon’s appointment was a timely boost to the Pinoy’s bruised national garbo.

Here, at last, was a symbol every Filipino could be proud of---Pithecopaga jefferyi, last survivor of the fierce raptors of the Dinosaur era, with the secondlongest wingspan among the world’s great eagles.

Yet, the high-flying Haribon is also symbolic of many

things which are not right with our country.

It is a solitary patrician, soaring among the lofty mountains where it is rarely seen, beyond the reach of ordinary mortals like you and I. Unlike the small and plebian Maya Pula, it is big, white and proud. Like the multinationals and oligarchs who continue to hold the masses in their grasping claws.

In contrast, the black and red Lonchura atricapilla jagori lives close to the ground, humbly sharing its abode with the small and sundry.

The Haribon has a lavish, luxurious lifestyle. It is a predator high in the food chain, preying on lesser animals below it on the social totem pole, and needing an inordinate amount of forest to survive.

Compare that to the frugal Maya Pula, contentedly subsisting on the crumbs that eagles and kings casually brush off tables of

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Unite... from page A1

3,500 drug suspects have been killed, mostly by unknown assailants and the others in legitimate police operations.

More than 700,000 selfconfessed drug pushers and users have surrendered to authorities.

The leaders from at least 17 churches said extrajudicial executions must stop “and the voice of those who are in pain must be heard.”

“The threat of criminality and violence must now give way to the ministry of mercy and compassion,” they added.

Church leaders are also growing increasingly concerned about political wrangling that is sowing greater division and dissension in society.

According to them, the words of hate must stop and give way to hope and Maya Pula (Lonchura atricapilla jagori) was the Philip- brotherhood. pine’s national bird until 1995. (@Jimboy Muñoz) “The bickering and quar-

reling must cease and let the balm of kindness now flow,” they said.

These churches/groups include: -Catholic Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan - Un i t e d Me t h o d i s t Church -Iglesia Filipina Independiente -Muslim Community in Dagupan City -Christian Evangelical Ministries Federation -Dagupan Chinese Baptist Church -Radha Krisna Hindu Temple -Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Philippines Urdaneta Mission -Bugallon Christian Church -Jesus Christ Saves Global Outreach Ministry -Good News Community Church -New Life in Christ Foursquare Gospel Daily prayer They also enjoined See unite, page A7

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A7

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Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Lorenzo... from page A4

grieves and sympathizes over these innocent lives, it also hopes for those in power as well as for those who are licensed to possess weapons, which are detrimental when used abusively, to handle their authority in accordance with the Bill of Rights under the 1987 Constitution.

As Supt. D’Artagnan Denila Katalbas Jr., Guihulngan police chief regretted over Althea’s death, he also remarked that the police are also humans and not animals.

Just as humans are capable of making mistakes, humans are also capable of instilling dignity and honoring the incomparable value of the right to live. As the nation’s safety is upheld by their protective authority, a similar question may redirect to the phrase mentioned earlier if more cases similar to Althea’s would emerge in the coming days: Who guards the nation when the guards themselves abuse their authority?

Peace... from page A4

on the insurgency problems of this country especially that it is capitalized in the media. Worst may come after the result of the Congress inquiries, but the discussion for peace and in peace should continue and should be supported.

As what I have learned yesterday, Tayo ang Pagbabago, Tayo ang Kapayapaan.

Thank you.

Respectfully,

Rodney Santos

Batas... from page A4

his critics, particularly the Aquino Family?

-oooPNOY VIOLATED THE CONSTITUTION, TOO: And, did not President Benigno Aquino IIII himself blatantly violated several provisions of the 1987 Constitution---the very Constitution that his own mother dictated to be promulgated by her partisans who called themselves with the pompous appellation “Constitutional Commission” during his own term?

Let me point some of these violations, with due respect.

The very first one was his government’s refusal to obey a Supreme Court order that allowed former President Arroyo to travel abroad for treatment. Was the Supreme Court not entitled to respect and obedience by each and every official and employee of government? Why then did Aquino, through De Lima, refuse to obey the Supreme Court?

The second Constitutional violation of Benigno Aquino III was his (and his government’s) disbursement of government money as priority development assistance fund (PDAF) for lawmakers who belonged to Aquino’s political party, and as disbursement acceleration program (DAP). Did not the Supreme Court strike down

these disbursements as violative of the Constitution? There are more violations, and we will try to list them here next issue, God willing.

-oooPLEASE WATCH OR LISTEN: “Tambalang Batas at Somintac”, a news-commentary radio program, aired at DZEC 1062 kHz and other Radyo Agila provincial stations nationwide, and is aired live by Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ RadyoAgila1062/?fref=ts, 6 to 7 in the morning, Philippine time. Phone: 0922 833 43 96, 0918 574 0193, 0977 805 9058. Email: batasmauricio@ yahoo.com.

War...

from page A5

Lampon OMI), group discussions involving various interest areas, e.g. IRD (inter-religious dialogue) for millennials, Transitional Justice and IRD, education processes in IRD, and the like. While there were “old” faces in the crowd – that is, peace advocates who have been active in IRD for almost four decades now, there were also new faces, a sign that the movement continues to draw more advocates.

The talks and discussions covered various issues impacting on the inter-religious dialogue movement in Mindanao including the global ramifications of the rise of militant Islam and the ISIS, the movement among Muslims throughout the world for the peace alternative, the lessons learned through the peace negotiations in the past regimes, the current State initiative to pursue peace in the post-Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) era, the status of IRD in Mindanao and the difficulties it is still facing and what can be done to pursue both inter-faith and intra-faith religious dialogue.

It has been a rocky road since the beginning of the attempts of the State of the Republic of the Philippines to negotiate peace with Moro rebels since the Moro National Liberation Front during the Marcos dictatorship to the recent Aquino administration that tried to push for the passage of the BBL in Congress. In between these two administrations, other Presidents from Fidel Ramos through Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo tried their best to deal with the longfestering Moro rebellion in Mindanao involving first the MNLF and then later the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, to no avail. While the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was set up in 1990, this inadequate response to the “historical injustices against the Moro people” (the words of President Rody R. Duterte) proved precarious. When peace negotiations collapsed, allout wars were declared by the State against the Moro rebels resulting in more deaths and thousands of civilians evacuating their abode for safer grounds.

President Duterte’s campaign promise was that once ensconced in power he will

make sure that peace negotiations will resume and finally succeed to end this rebellion so that, finally, peace will then reign in Mindanao.

Even before he was formally inaugurated, he appointed Secretary Jesus Dureza to head the peace panel and a few meetings had taken place to pursue peace with the MILF. There are ticklish issues that need to be dealt with. For there is the question as to how the proposal for a federalist State would impact the negotiations. Another contentious issue is: if the BBL is still part of the roadmap, what objectionable provisions that violate the Constitution could be deleted and agreed on by both parties? As to how Congress will proceed with a revised BBL remains a question.

Most important is how the local Mindanawon citizenry’s hearts and minds – especially the descendants of migrant settlers who harbor deep prejudices against the Moro people – could be convinced of the need to recognize the Moro people’s struggle for self-determination.

Which is why at the IRD Conference, the participants once more pledged to reach out to the citizenry to expand the mass base of those who are willing to support such peace initiatives through peacebuilding and interreligious dialogue activities.

However, on the part of the State there needs to be an urgent need for it to deal with its own contradiction. In the words of the historian, Dr. Vincent Rafael – the noted author of ADMU publications such as Contracting Colonialism and Motherless Tongues – at a public forum held the University of the Philippines – Mindanao on 19 September 2016, it is counter-productive for the State to work for peace but at the same time, wage war that already took the lives of more than 3,000 Filipinos, mostly belonging to poor families.

Instead of the Ecclesiastes’ “ time for war and a time for peace” what we have now is a TIME for both peace and war. One prays that at a notso-distant future, we Mindanawons will be blessed with peace at all fronts so that in our land, we will enjoy a time “to plant rather than uproot, to heal and not to kill, to build rather than tear down, to dance rather than mourn, and to love rather than hate.”

[Redemptorist Brother Karl Gaspar is Academic Dean of the Redemptorists’ St. Alphonsus Theological and Mission Institute (SATMI) in Davao City and a professor of Anthropology at the Ateneo de Davao University.

He is author of several books and writes two columns for MindaNews, one in English (A Sojourner’s Views) and the other in Binisaya (PanawLantaw)]

Fires... from page A1

Madrial was not one of the four provincial government employees who were tested for illegal drugs during the

massive testing conducted in Malaybalay City on orders of Zubiri last week.

Echavez said Madrial was detailed at the local government unit in Kibawe town since he is from there.

“He was not there during the drug testing since he was on field assignment,” he said.

The arrest of Madrial, said Zubiri, just proves that everyone must be vigilant and be on the lookout for drug personalities.

“We have to take all measures so that the tentacles of the illegal drug trade will be cut. We can never be too sure with regards to the reach and depth of the drug problem in our midst,” he added.

The arrest, he said, also underlies the urgency of the drug-testing of all officials and employees of government agencies, in all levels down to the barangay even in government-owned and controlled corporations.

“We all recognize the gravity of the drug problem, but still, we are surprised when it reaches our own offices and neighborhoods,” Zubiri said.

“I count the arrest as a good sign that the PDEA has responded to calls for timely use of intelligence reports, the proper implementation of arrests and correct handling of evidence,” he added.

The governor has assured the public that he will extend full assistance to the PDEA, the Philippine National Police and the courts in order to stamp out illegal drugs.

“With everybody’s support, we hope that President Duterte’s war on illegal drugs will succeed throughout the country,” Zubiri said.

Madrial... from page A1

for loss of trust and confidence, being a co-terminous employee. He has never been a part of my close-in security group,” sai Zubiri in a press statement.

He said: “For the benefit of our allies in Bukidnon, my son’s colleagues in the Senate and the country in general, I will be transparent on this issue. We have never condoned illegal drug use, abuse and trade, and my instruction is to arrest all drug offenders, regardless whether the person involved is part of our family or staff.”

“This proves that we all have to be vigilant. We have to take all measures so that the tentacles of the illegal drug trade will be cut. We can never be too sure with regards to the reach and depth of the drug problem in our midst. My son, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, last July led his staff in voluntarily submitting themselves to voluntary drug-testing conducted at the Senate Medical & Dental Clinic by an accredited laboratory. He was the author of R. A. No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act,” the governor pointed out.

“This arrest also underlines the urgency of the drug-testing of all officials and employees of government agencies, in all levels

down to the barangay and even in government-owned and controlled corporations.

We all recognize the gravity of the drug problem, but still, we are surprised when it reaches our own offices and neighborhoods,” Zubiri, who already conducted mandatory drug-testing in his office, said.

“I count the arrest as a good sign that the PDEA has responded to calls for the timely use of intelligence reports, the proper implementation of arrests and correct handling of evidence,” he said.

Governor Zubiri assured the public that he will “extend full assistance to the PDEA, the Philippine National Police and the courts in order to stamp out illegal drugs. With everybody’s support, we hope that President Duterte’s war on illegal drugs will succeed throughout the country.”

Welcome... from page A1

higher prices,” said Antonio “Datu Malinaw” Cullantes, a tribal leader tending a rice land in old San Luis village.

The 163-meter span bridge implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways which was constructed over a year ago will connect a shorter road network between the San Luis and Talacogon towns thus making it more accessible to hundreds of hectares of rice and corn farms in the area.

To realize the project, DPWH has earmarked P450 million fund while the municipal government secured a P45 million loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines while the provincial government chipped in P5 million fund.

With the completion of the bridge, traveling from Poblacion Talacogon towards Doña Maxima, the town center in San Luis, would just entail a fivekilometer 15-minute travel time which is way much better from what used to be 15-kilometer more than an hour ride in the old rugged road route.

“We, including provincial officials and our congress representatives, have done everything to realize this project, so there’s no reason that our town will not progress,” said Mayor Ronaldo Corvera.

Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza however has exhorted local residents to take the opportunity to help themselves improve their lives.

“The challenge now lies on you people of this town, if ever you will do your part and help yourselves,” he said during the inauguration of the bridge on September 8.

S ay i ng ag r i c u ltu r a l development is the most sustainable program for the landlocked province of Agusan del Sur to fully develop, Plaza said that the presence of the bridge will encourage many of the lowly lumad farmers to attend to their farms now that prices of their produce can be eas-

ily transported with decent prices.

Apart from drug reform program as his centerpiece initiative, Plaza has been actively pursuing agricultural development thrust that the provincial government has given much focus to implement Upland Sustainable Agro-forestry Development Program.

Cullantes admitted they have hard time bringing their palay to Talacogon with the absence of the bridge since the produce would usually got soaked with water when they crossed it through the river thus reduce the prices because of the moisture content.

He said this early some rice buyers from Davao already even assured them that they will bring along their trucks to buy their harvest right on their rice fields.

Local officials are now bent on allocating funds and lobby additional budget for the elevated all-weather road projects that will connect the two towns and fully develop the neighboring areas situated along the Agusan river.

Unite... from page A6

believers to join them in a prayer for peace in Pangasinan and for the whole country at 9:00 p.m. everyday.

Aside from the victims of summary executions and other crimes, prayers must also be offered for police officers and the military who, in the call of duty, put their lives in danger to maintain peace and order.

“That power is prayer.

Our weapon against violence is prayer. There is no peace without prayer. There is no peace without God,” they said. (CBCPNews)

Maya... from page A6

conspicuous consumption, generously sharing in its poverty the little it has with the members of its flock.

Unlike the Haribon who would die without his forests, the Maya Pala is equally at home in the boondocks and the city, gracefully coexisting in the buildings and rice fields which men build, on what were once its home and playground.

The Filipino is neither proud nor patrician. He doesn’t need either mansion, car or mistress beyond his simple needs to be happy.

He is humble. He is frugal. He is generous. He is a survivor.

And it is in being small, dark, and humble that he is strong.

We are not Haribon.

We are Pinoy.

And the Pinoy is a Maya.

As the good book says in the Gospel according to St. Mark, chapter ten, verse 31: But many that are first shall be last, and the last first.

Let’s put the Maya Pula back into the Pinoy’s heart and soul, where it rightly belongs.

A8

Bank News: ALLAN M. MEDIANTE. MDN editor in chief

FOR ADS PLACEMENT CALL OR TEXT: 0917-712-1424 • 0947-893-5776 E-Mail: mindanaodailynews@gmail.com

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

EastWest Bank’s ‘Expansion to Significance’ on track; 1st semester 2016 profits up 55% MANILA - East West Banking Corporation (EastWest Bank) posted a first semester net income of Php1.56 billion, 55% higher than the Php1.01 billion profits booked in the same period last year, on the back of sustained growth in its core business of loans and deposits. The bank attributes its continued growth momentum to its bigger store network, now 440 nationwide to date—the 5th largest in the industry, excluding subsidiaries, and 7th overall, including subsidiaries.

“We are happy to note that what we communicated to our stakeholders when we started this ‘expansion to significance’ in 2012, is moving according to script. We believe the worst pain is over and we should see better results starting this year,” said EastWest Bank President and CEO Antonio C. Moncupa, Jr. Eastwest embarked on an aggressive expansion of its branches, which they call stores, in 2012.

It saw it’s unibank store network grow from 122 as of end-2011 to 245 in 2012 to 382 today. Its rural bank subsidiary, meanwhile, now has 58 stores. Due to the heavy costs of this expansion, the bank’s profits have been flat in the last 3 years at around Php2.0 billion. During its IPO in May 2012, the bank told investors to expect subdued profitability in the next few years as it builds scale and bears the upfront costs of the expansion plan.

It also mentioned that it is something it has to do as retail banking is a business of scale. After initially going to as high as Php37.00, the listed bank’s share price has gone down to as low as Php14.34. It now trades at Php20.65.

Loans grew 36% year-on-year to Php177.55 billion. Consumer loans continued to drive loan

growth, rising 50% to Php111.90 billion. Corporate loans increased 17% to Php65.65 billion. Deposits increased 30% to Php206.27 billion, supported by a 24% growth in low-cost checking and savings deposits.

Core recurring earnings, which is income before trading and one-off income and expense items, increased 29% to Php9.49 billion. Net interest income grew 26% to Php7.35 billion amid the robust increase in loans and bigger and better deposit profile which allowed EastWest Bank to retain its industry leading net interest margin of 7.8% as of end-June.

Non-interest income rose 47% to Php3.06 bil-

lion, buoyed by higher trading gains, which grew 71% to Php918 million as the bank was able to take advantage of market developments.

“We have yet to optimize our infrastructure and our much bigger organization to improve productivity. At the front and center of this effort is to continue to offer better value and great services to our customers. We now have completed our product menu as our bancassurance, non-life insurance, and wealth management, are in full operating mode and leasing will soon be

offered,” said Moncupa.

The bank’s joint venture with Belgium-based Ageas Insurance, now branded ‘Troo’, had begun its bancassurance operations last April. EastWest also formed an insurance brokerage, EastWest Insurance Brokerage, Inc., and had recently secured BSP approval to operate a leasing subsidiary, EastWest Leasing and Finance Corporation.

Last May, EastWest Bank entered into an agreement with Standard Chartered Bank Philippines (SCB PH). Under the agreement, the retail banking business of SCB PH which includes credit cards, personal loans, wealth management and retail deposits, will be migrated to EastWest Bank.

EastWest Bank gets BSP nod for leasing company EAST WEST Banking Corp. (EastWest Bank) has secured regulatory approval for its initial equity investment in its planned wholly owned leasing company.

The banking arm of the Gotianun-led Filinvest Development Corp. told the Philippine Stock Exchange yesterday that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), in a letter dated July 26, already “approved and confirmed” the proposed initial equity investment of EastWest Bank in its proposed wholly owned financial leasing firm, subject to the listed bank’s compliance with regulatory conditions set by BSP. “We shall inform the Exchange as soon as we receive approval of the registration of the financial leasing company by the Securities and Exchange Commission,” the bank said in a brief disclosure.

EastWest Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Antonio C. Moncupa, Jr. said in a text message yesterday that the leasing firm will be called EastWest Leasing and Financing Corp.

“EW will put an initial P100 million [equity investments]. This completes the lending product menu of EW and gives us the opportunity to serve all the financing requirements of our customers,” Mr. Moncupa said. EW is the ticker symbol of EastWest Bank.

SCALE UP Mr. Moncupa earlier said that as banking systems in the region integrate, local banks will need to scale up to compete.

He said that EastWest Bank, to prepare for stiffer competition after rules regulating entry of offshore lenders were liberalized last year, aside from beefing up its main businesses and expanding its footprint, is also looking to venture into leasing, brokerage and wealth management businesses.

Earlier this year, the bank obtained the green light from the BSP to engage in bancassurance venture with the Belgium-based Ageas Insurance International NV, EastWest Ageas Life Insurance Corp.

EastWest Bank posted a P2-billion net income for 2015, down by 3% from the P2.073 billion it earned in

2014 due to lower trading gains, higher credit provisions, and higher tax expense.

In the first quarter, it posted a record first quarter net income of P786.6 million, 31% higher from the same period last year, driven primarily by its strong operating performance.

Shares in the bank ended trading at P20.40 apiece, down by 1.45% from the previous day’s close of P20.70 per share.

WHOLLY OWNED Gotianun-led East West Bank is also setting up its wholly owned financial leasing subsidiary as part of efforts to diversify its earnings stream as a universal bank.

The new unit will be called EastWest Leasing and Financing Corp. (EWLFC), bank president Antonio Moncupa Jr. said .

Moncupa said EastWest would put an initial equity of P100 million to set up the new venture.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, EastWest said the BSP had allowed the bank to infuse the initial equity investment to set up the new unit.

“EWLFC completes the lending product menu of EastWest and gives us the opportunity to serve comprehensively the financing requirements of our customers,” Moncupa said.

EastWest Bank President and CEO Antonio C. Moncupa, Jr.

The next step for EastWest is to await approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission to register the financial leasing company.