Dongkoy for governor?

By Cris Diaz / November 23, 2006

NOT a few people reacted when we suggested that Mayor Yevgeny "Bambi" Emano of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, should be Padayon Pilipino’s gubernatorial bet next year.

Most of them said that it’s either Bambi or incumbent Vice Gov. Julio Uy who should run for the province’s top post in order for PaDayon to maintain its political dominance in Misamis Oriental.

PaDayon Pilipino is an indigenous political party founded and organized sometime in the late ’80s. From a small group, PaDayon metamorphosed into a "giant in local politics" and ever since, it has rallied around in nurturing the local political atmosphere.

It is no question that incumbent Mayor Vicente "Dongkoy" Emano of Cagayan de Oro City directed PaDayon Pilipino to survive over roughshod political weathers.

In return, Dongkoy, who earned the accolade as PaDayon "icon, mentor and teacher," gained the respect and hatred of political opponents and even supporters.

But to borrow Emano’s own words that "we are getting older," it is only appropriate that an "heir" to his political throne be anointed before it is too late.

Yes, many agree that Bambi is PaDayon’s last hope. On the contrary, many too are frustrated over Bambi’s association with incumbent Gov. Oscar Moreno of Misamis Oriental.

"It appears that Bambi’s going to break the rules (PaDayon rules) by sticking with Moreno," observers say.

However, many also expressed optimism that Bambi is going to part ways with Moreno at the right time. They believe that Moreno is trying to use Bambi as a political leverage with PaDayon Pilipino.

A lot of stories are also filtering that Bambi is going to run for the Congress in Misamis Oriental’s 2nd District with Moreno as his governor.

Political analysts believe otherwise. As a true-blooded PaDayon Pilipino, Bambi will surely abide by party consensus. Whether Bambi likes it or not, the PaDayon Pilipino will have an impact on his political future.

At the moment, out of political protocol, it is only proper for Bambi to support Moreno. After all, the declaration of candidacy starts in December yet. When it comes, one would see a different Bambi coming out of his shell with the burden of PaDayon Pilipino’s political mission on his shoulders.

Be that as it may, some who have political insights are also expecting Mayor Dongkoy Emano himself coming into the picture.

"If Dongkoy runs for governor in Misamis Oriental next year, the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle confronting PaDayon today will automatically be in place," an observer said.

Obviously, a lot of PaDayon political leaders are looking at Dongkoy to come like a knight in shining armor to save PaDayon from crumbling.

While it is true that PaDayon has taken roots in Misamis Oriental’s political soil, there are many who are trying to "uproot" it from where it is now.

Of course, the idea that many are trying to drive a wedge within the PaDayon is not new. In fact, the PaDayon hierarchy knows that some disenchanted leaders are now also making an effort to destroy PaDayon’s political foundations.

With this in mind, it becomes a necessity for Dongkoy to run for governor. This, in order to put PaDayon’s political house in order and to preserve its dominance in local politics.

Opposition vs. Con-ass

By Cris Diaz / September 17, 2006

POLITICAL leaders in the country have banded together again to fight President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s insistence for a constitutional change.

Obviously, the congressional endorsement for "constituent assembly," otherwise known as "Con-ass," before the year ends is a manifestation of GMA’s obsession to change the 1987 Philippine Constitution at all costs.

The Filipino people are apprehensive of GMA’s persistence to amend the Constitution at a time when a local election is scheduled next year.

No matter how good the intentions are, one always put the "constituent assembly" on the back burner.

Yes, GMA and her lackeys in Congress cannot break away from people’s skepticism on the propriety of the "constituent assembly."

This is the primary reason why well-meaning political leaders in the country banded together to manifest their objection to "Con-ass."

It is of note that these political oppositionists who recently pulled together in an expression of unity are close and distant relatives of former Presidents of the Philippine Republic.

There is the granddaughter of President Manuel L. Quezon, the sons of the late President Ramon Magsaysay and former President Corazon Aquino.

The Hyatt 10, GMA’s 10 former cabinet Secretaries who resigned from their posts after allegations that GMA won the Presidential elections in 2004 out of massive electoral fraud, is also active in the campaign against it. The strength of the Hyatt 10 cannot be underestimated as it now spearheads the nationwide "Black and White Movement" in their campaign for "good government."

While the political opposition is amenable to changes in the Philippine Constitution, they believe that changing it now would be "ill-timed."

The opposition is clear that with GMA at the helm, any charter change would be beclouded with suspicions and fears. They expressed the certainty that a change of the Constitution through a "constituent assembly" would be guided by GMA’s long-term political plans.

"A change of the Constitution now can be taken as a manifestation of Arroyo’s personal political agenda and the vested interests of her political allies," assailed a political opposition.

There are fears that once the Constitution is amended, the holding of the local elections next year will likely be moved to some other time and the incumbents serving on an extended capacity.

Under this situation, GMA’s political forces can effectively recoup and all other laws, edicts and orders from the legislative body will always favor their interests. "This is the most likely scenario but Arroyo and her allies will definitely deny," a political analyst said.

There are fears that any constitutional change under the Arroyo government and a subservient Congress will only foment more chaos and destabilization.

"This is the thing that we want to avoid. We want to get rid of the idea that changes of constitutional laws under the Arroyo government are designed to benefit the common good. But, under the present set-up, we cannot but express dismal anxieties," they said.

Whether the opposition’s contentions are valid, only the turn of events in the coming days can provide appropriate answers.

The Rulona case

By Cris Diaz / September 14, 2006

LAST Monday, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan invoked Resolution 69-2006 which purportedly "banned" a journalist from covering the SP’s regular sessions. The subject was Lito Rulona, a correspondent of this paper.

During the opening of SP’s regular session, Provincial Board Member Oliver Actub rose on a question of privilege to invoke the resolution banning Rulona from covering the regular session.

Oliver reminded the august body about the resolution passed some time in February this year prohibiting Rulona from covering any of its meetings.

But on Monday, Provincial Board Member Clyde Abbott, who was one of the signatories to the resolution, defended Rulona’s privilege to cover the regular session as a member of the press.

Abbott then reminded Actub that the SP cannot prevent any member of the press from covering proceedings of SP’s regular sessions since it is open to the public. Abbott succeeded in convincing his colleagues to allow Rulona to stay.

Abbot’s sudden change of heart, being one of the signatories to the resolution, fueled speculations of an irreparable rift among provincial board members in Misamis Oriental.

Abbott later told this writer that he originally manifested his opposition to the resolution when it was introduced and brought by SP member Frank Bade to the august body.

Bade sponsored the Rulona resolution seconded by Board Member Arsenio Kho Jr.

Despite the fact that Rulona was allowed to cover the ongoing session, members of the local press cried foul.

In a hastily called forum among local practitioners last Tuesday at the Cagayan de Oro Press Club building, members of various press organizations assessed the implications of the Rulona resolution with so much apprehension.

Liza Amarga, chief of reporters of Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro, described the Rulona Resolution as "unconstitutional" and a violation of Article IV of the Constitution’s Bill of Rights.

Herbie Gomez, editor-in-chief of Gold Star Daily, said the SP has no right to dictate newspapers, particularly on the assignment of reporters.

The Rulona Resolution was actually a ‘‘formal request’’ to Gold Star Daily to assign reporters other than Rulona to cover SP’s regular session. In effect, the resolution asked Gold Star Daily to ban Rulona from covering the proceedings of SP’s regular session.

In response to the resolution, Gomez said, the request was denied. "It is an editorial prerogative and nobody can dictate us’’ in the deployment of reporters, Gomez said.

Susan Palmes, chair of the National Union of Journalist in the Philippines (NUJP) in Cagayan de Oro, said her group, along with other local press organizations, was planning on pressing charges against the capitol officials who approved the resolution.

Participants to the Tuesday forum also agreed that if unchecked, the Rulona resolution could be a precedent to gag journalists and prevent them from covering SP sessions in the future.

But Vice Governor Julio Uy says Rulona was never banned from covering the SP proceedings. In a talk with this writer, Uy said the resolution was only a "request" to ban Rulona to cover future SP session. "Since Gold Star Daily denied the request, we cannot do anything."

To win an enemy's trust

By Cris Diaz / September 13, 2006

THE Misamis Oriental capitol has started to simmer these days. No, it’s not about politics. It’s about anomalies and alleged graft involving the incumbent administration of Gov. Oscar Moreno.

One day, Moreno was heard in an interview expressing remorse because of what he got in spite of the fact that he "tried to work hard to regain Misamis Oriental’s ‘glory’’’ and in trying to depict a "graft-free" administration.

Moreno was insinuating that the previous administration, (of course, he was referring to former governor Antonio Calingin’s) was graft-ridden and his (Moreno’s) is not.

But, in the end, Moreno said, he is frustrated because all the things that he accomplished went to naught.

That is the problem with elective public officials who tend to think highly of themselves. They have forgotten that it is the electorate, the public at large, who will judge them for all the things they have done or did not do.

Perhaps, this is what happened to Moreno. He had thought that his administration has done something worthy of public praise and acceptance. However, he found out later that the public, especially his critics, were not at all happy with what he has been doing, his accomplishments, if any.

We could only say that something must be wrong elsewhere. Isn’t it a fact that Moreno hired people to make him look good, to defend him at all costs and to portray him as someone who has ‘‘clean hands’’?

Honestly, sometimes I think that Moreno’s horrid public image in Misamis Oriental these days is the product of his own people.

One of the principles of public relations is to create an amiable relationship with the community and the press. But in the case of Moreno’s people, we have observed that they’re attacking media personalities who could have become their allies.

Moreno should think that in politics, winning in an election is only part of the process.

We know that Moreno understands pretty well that the greatest victory is winning and getting the loyalty of an enemy. In public relations, winning an enemy’s trust and support are the primordial objectives. On the contrary, Moreno’s group is driving a wedge between political allies and media people.

If this is the kind of strategy that Moreno is employing, then, we can only say that he is speeding up his political demise.

Moreno should remember that his call for sympathy and public support are futile when his men are working to destroy him wittingly or unwittingly.

Thus, it came not as a surprise when a graft complaint against Moreno was filed before the ombudsman. And I think that more graft charges are coming.

After all, it is the right of ordinary citizens to file a complaint––criminal and/or administrative––against public officials.

Realignment of forces

By Cris Diaz / September 11, 2006

TODAY, the United States of America will commemorate the attack on the World Trade Center’s twin towers in New York on Sept. 11, 2001, the worst terrorist attack in the US in recent history.

In the coordinated attacks targeting civilians and commercial centers waged by 19 suicide bombers of the terrorist Al-Qaeda, about 3,000 people perished. The United States considered the attack as a Declaration of War reminiscent of the attack by the Japanese Imperial Navy on Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941.

While the US government today will conduct a serious look at security breaches and possible realignment of security forces to preempt similar incident in the future, the Philippines is keeping itself busy with other matters––politics.

Yes, folk, politicians across the country’s 117 cities and 75 provinces are now realigning political forces in their political turfs.

The province of Misamis Oriental and its capital city of Cagayan de Oro cannot be far behind.

In fact, Mayor Vicente "Dongkoy" Emano of Cagayan de Oro City has already announced the completion of his political slate. However, Dongkoy, the political guru of PaDayon Pilipino, an indigenous political party in the locality, is known to have mastered the art of political psychology.

The announcement that he (Emano) is ready and has already a complete political slate could be a bait to provoke political adversaries into his trappings.

Political observers know that the political opposition in Cagayan de Oro City cannot pull together. One way of drawing them together is to fire them in a way that Emano wants to see this early.

In other words, once Emano determines the strength of his political adversaries, he can switch his line-up to make it formidable. At the moment, Emano is trying to assess the political atmosphere and he cannot afford to be wrong.

At the moment though, with or without an election, Emano’s political line-up in Cagayan de Oro City remains uncontested.

It’s simply because Cagayan de Oro City’s political opposition remains at large. It’s sad that until now the political opposition in the locality has not come together much less identified probable bets.

Yes, there are talks about a number of personalities considered to be material candidates for the opposition. Yet it’s like a roll call! In other words, we just mention their names out of probability.

It is unfortunate that the local opposition is in a state of political interregnum. In other words, they cannot identify possible opposition leaders who could effectively control and exude authority as Emano does to his political party.

In the words of Antonio Soriano, former Cagayan de Oro City vice mayor, who is eyeing a political seat in the 2007 local elections, "we deserve our leaders."

Political observers consider Soriano’s statement as a clear indication of political frustration and desperation. Obviously, it gives an impression that Emano’s political line-up already won even before an election is held.

Con-ass

By Cris Diaz / September 8, 2006

THE Lower House this week approved a resolution for the convening of the Constitutional Assembly (con-ass) that would amend or revise the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

With the approval of "Con-Ass," any amendment or revision of the Constitution will no longer be submitted to the Senate for final approval.

Congressmen, identified with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, knew that the "Con-Ass" resolution will be sailing in rough waters once elevated to the Senate for final approval.

The likehood that "Con-Ass" will be disapproved in the Senate is the fear hounding Arroyo and her lackeys in the Lower House.

Thus, majority of the congressmen, identified with the Arroyo administration, will work to justify their action to take the sole responsibility to amend the Constitution.

If ever, this is a clear railroading of the procedural process for constitutional amendment.

Apparently, the rubber stamp Congress is going to revise provisions of the Constitution that would suit the whims of Arroyo’s administration.

The puppet Congress is going to make sure that Arroyo will continue to be in power and that any move to impeach her now and in the future will prove futile.

The Lower House will also see to it that the incumbent elective officials who are subservient to the Arroyo government would remain protected in power.

Woe to elective officials perceived to be Arroyo’s political enemies since they will be the first to go under a constitution.

If this process is upheld, that would make the constitutional revision void ab initio. The Constitutional Assembly will turn itself into a "Con-Ass (hole)." Without the Senate approving or disregarding it, any amended constitutional provision, no matter how good the intention, will be marred with political ill-motive.

Of course, Malacanang is very happy with Rep. Constantino "Tinnex" Jaraula of Cagayan de Oro. Jaraula is the principal sponsor of the "Con-Ass" resolution in the rubber stamp Congress. For his ‘‘Con-Ass’’ brain, the congressman from Cagayan de Oro may be reaping laurels now. After all, Jaraula has proven his unswerving loyalty to Arroyo and has kept his promise to be subservient to her at all cost. Jaraula deserves Malacanang’s praises and, perhaps, an additional countryside development fund (CDF) in the coming days. Or, a windfall of cash incentives out of fertilizer budget for the countrysides?

The truth is, Cagayanons and the silent majority abhor Jaraula and his "Con-Ass" resolution. Jaraula’s resolution has sparked talk anew in regard to the P6 million an elective official supposedly received after the House voted against the impeachment last year. The rumor is that Mayor Vicente Emano got part of the "fertilizer money" allegedly distributed by former undersecretary Joc-joc Bolante so congressmen would trash the impeachment complaint last year.

Emano has denied this, of course, but he claimed that somebody had forged his signature.

Who could have forged Emano’s signature apparently to get Bolante’s alleged grease money? Your answer is as good as mine.

Read the provincial auditor's story

By Cris Diaz / August 18, 2006

MISAMIS Oriental provincial auditor Florentino Nueva has to explain his clearing of Gov. Oscar Moreno from alleged questionable dealings at the provincial capitol.

In the report ‘‘Audit Agency Clears Capitol of Irregularity Raps," published by another paper last Wednesday, Nueva reportedly cleared Moreno of irregularities.

This column is quoting part and portion of the news story bylined by Liza Amarga with Nueva as the principal source.

"On the issue of purchase of medicines and medical supplies without public bidding, Nueva said the General Services Officer recently had a ‘consultative talk’ with their technical team from COA-Northern Mindanao to get help in the implementation of the Procurement Act.

"Nueva further told Moreno in her letter that COA has been ‘religiously monitoring’ the Provincial Capitol’s contributions to the corporate agencies and ‘had known all along your vigilance in the remittance of such contributions.’

‘‘Nueva said she also finds as ‘justifiable enough’ the subscription of five mobile phone lines under one name and with a residential address instead of an address at the Provincial Governor’s Office.’’

Commenting on the alleged procurement of cellular phone, the same story quoted Nueva as saying: "With your justification that it is being distributed to four different individuals and one being terminated this year, the use of such mobile phones can be justifiable enough."

Nueva said they have ironed out the matter with the Provincial Accountant on the use of Account 969 for expenses that can be classified under specific Expense Accounts 751 to 950.

"The deficiency had been resolved this fiscal year," she said.

Lastly, Nueva said they have already talked with the Provincial Treasurer and had put in place "certain arrangements."

If this story is true, then Nueva practically cleared capitol of any questionable dealings in relation to the controversial COA audit report for the calendar year 2004-2005.

But there are some statements in the news story where Nueva have to explain convincingly.

For instance, the statement "Nueva already talked to the Provincial Treasurer and had put in place certain arrangement" is highly questionable.

What are these "certain arrangements"? And what have they ironed out with the Provincial Accountant on the use of Account 969 classified as specific Expense Accounts 751 to 950?

For Nueva’s information, his statements lead to more questions than answers. Is Nueva part of these transactions that he has to controvert the findings of an independent audit team from the COA’s regional office?

It can be noted that the report mentioned key departments at the provincial capitol which could have been part in all these questionable transactions noted by the COA regional office.

Nueva talked about conferring with the offices of the general services, provincial accountant and provincial treasurer.

Yes, there are five important switches at the provincial capitol with a direct hand in all transactions involving the Provincial Governor’s office. These are the GSO and the offices of the provincial accountant, provincial treasurer, provincial budget officer and the provincial governor.

The governor’s office is the main switch while the four others are subsidiary switches. Once, the main switch is on, the four other subsidiary switches are also on.

In other words, the four minor switches will not act without the main switch giving the go signal.

By the way, is Florentino Nueva a man or a woman? It looks like his/her name is that of a male but she was referred to as a woman.

Washing dirty linens in public

By Cris Diaz / August 17, 2006

POLITICS started to sizzle in Misamis Oriental. There are now indications that politicians are starting to position themselves in the province.

At the moment, it is almost certain that Rep. Jun Baculio of Misamis Oriental’s 2nd District is running for governor. Baculio has been sponsoring trips abroad for local officials under the guise of "educational tours." There are reports that Baculio sponsored the travel of almost all of the town mayors in Misamis Oriental to an ‘‘educational tour.’’

Two months ago, public school teachers were reportedly treated to a tour in Luzon. Baculio must have plenty of money to finance all these travels here and abroad.

Of course, as a congressman closely identified with the Arroyo administration, Baculio is among those who have been enjoying Malacanang’s special treatment.

During the first impeachment of Arroyo last year, Baculio abstained from voting and left for abroad under pretext of an ‘‘official tour’’ the day the Lower House decided on whether or not to impeach Arroyo.

Well, there was a wide perception then that Baculio was among the congressmen who accepted Arroyo’s lobby money to make sure the impeachment was killed in the Lower House. Talking of lobby money is talking of millions that may have changed hands in the process.

Now, another impeachment complaint against Arroyo is being deliberated in the Lower House. As usual, talks have started to circulate that Malacanang is employing every means to, again, kill the impeachment before it could move to the Senate.

Obviously, Malacanang’s lobby money would be very tempting again. The money is primarily intended to sway the majority of congressmen into succumbing to Malacanang’s caprices.

Wasn’t it timely then for Baculio to sponsor the travel abroad of almost all 24 town mayors of Misamis Oriental?

Gov. Oscar Moreno is aware of Baculio’s tactical offensives. At one time, Moreno commented that a "demolition job" against him is now in motion. Moreno is not surprised to read and hear something that sharply criticize the way he has been running the affairs of the province.

As a matter of fact, the series of exposes hurled against Moreno, including the possible filing of graft charges against him, are suspected to be the handiwork of Baculio’s camp.

Moreno is not about to be intimated by Baculio’s political overtures. In fact, Moreno is now believed to have launched his own offensives against those he suspected to be after his neck. As a result, a series of exposes against Baculio’s alleged graft and questionable dealings also reverberated in the media.

Baculio is accused of owning expensive mansions in upscale districts in Manila. Aside from this, Baculio also reportedly owns another mansion in an exclusive subdivision in the locality. The two elective public officials, apparently, are washing their dirty linens in public.

True or not, the allegation can only be proven in court. However, there is no formal charge against any of them at the moment.

Malacanang to probe Moreno

By Cris Diaz / August 16, 2006

MALACANANG has reportedly taken steps to conduct a full-blown investigation into the alleged graft in the Misamis Oriental capitol, sources closed to the Palace informed me. This must have something to do with the annual audit report of the Commission on Audit (COA).

The COA report, released mid this year, pointed to various alleged anomalies at the capitol in the procurement of supplies and the so-called incredible expenditures.

On the procurement of supplies, the report specifically pointed out the "shopping" of medicines by capitol officials instead of employing the usual public biddings as required by law.

Although capitol officials explained why they resorted to "shopping" of medicines and defended that there was nothing wrong with the transactions, the "higher ups" must not have been convinced by their explanations.

COA also indicated incredible expenditures involving the use of mobile phones. It was reported that Gov. Moreno’s office bought five mobile phone charged to his office.

Four of the cellular phones were reportedly issued to Gov. Moreno’s staff while the fifth could not be accounted for. COA later intimated that the fifth cellular phone, which could not be accounted, had a billing of more than P300,000 charged to the office of Moreno.

If the COA’s report is true, then something really smells fishy at the governor’s office. Could this be among the reasons why Malacanang is now dipping its fingers into the provincial capitol?

We also hear that Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is spearheading a graft investigation against Moreno based on the COA report. Talk has it that two broadcast journalists are going to file charges against Moreno with the support of Sen. Estrada. If ever, there must be some truth to this story given that the Estradas have an ax to grind against Moreno. The Estradas abhor Moreno because of his role in the aborted impeachment trial of then-president Estrada as one of the prosecutors. If the reports are true, then we are given the impression that ex-president Estrada has been closely monitoring those, in whole or in part, who took part in prosecuting him that led to his unceremonious ouster in 2001.

But for Malacanang to instigate a graft investigation against Gov. Moreno is another thing. There must be something deeper.

Apparently, the coming in of Malacanang may have something to do with Moreno’s unguarded comments when the issue of "shopping" of medicines snowballed. If I could remember right, Moreno once described the Philippine International Trade Center (PITC) as a corrupt government agency. Under Executive Order 442, the government has designated the PITC as the "government’s lead coordinating agency to make quality medicines available, affordable and accessible to the greater masses of the Filipino people."

The PITC, by virtue of E.O. 345 (s. 2004), ibid. has been placed directly under the Office of the President to ensure "the effective and efficient implementation of this priority program under the President’s 10-Point Legacy."Accusing PITC as a corrupt government agency is tantamount to accusing the Office of the President as corrupt and graft ridden.

Keeping our fingers crossed

By Cris Diaz / August 10, 2006

THE result of the initial congressional hearings on the impeachment complaints filed anew against President Arroyo proved dismal.

Once again, congressmen in the bag tried to protect their "Master" at Malacanang by killing all the seven charges, except one.

Only the charges filed by the Black and White movement were approved for deliberations by the Committee on Justice.

The Committee on Justice will now hear on whether an impeachment against Arroyo is substantial and should go directly to the Senate.

Wait! Proceed to the Senate? That is incredible! Assuming that the Committee on Justice will find substance for the impeachment of Arroyo, there is a tendency that it would throw the final option to Congress to decide as a whole.

Get the rub? The game of numbers will again play a critical role since Congress would proceed to use its rule of dividing the house. Again, expect the house to kill the impeachment!

Notwithstanding, the Filipino people were initially led to believe that Congress had treated the impeachment charges with fairness.

Isn’t it unusual for the House Committee on Justice to consider only the Black and White movement’s impeachment charges?

While opposition congressmen argued that the rest of the impeachment could be taken as one, Arroyo’s decoys were like "mad dogs" arguing that only one impeachment complaint can be considered.

Of all the charges, why single out the Black and White Movement’s charges? You see, this is another collegial resolve of a subservient Congress. It means the selection of Black and White’s charges that would supposedly undergo the scrutiny of the Lower House were pre-planned for some reasons.

• One, to give credence to the Black and White Movement’s impeachment charges in order to appease the restless lawmakers who worked for its filing.

• Two, to create an atmosphere of fairness––to make it appear that congressmen are not subservient to Arroyo and they are fair in dealing with the opposition-sponsored impeachment complaint.

Well, these requisites were accomplished when Congress heard the impeachment charges on Tuesday. What’s next?

As we’ve argued earlier, the Committee on Justice would toss it to the Lower House which would likely kill the impeachment.

What are the expected repercussions after the impeachment is, again, killed? We are now playing a guessing game.

Some believe that the local elections in 2007 will not push through since the plebiscite on "Charter Change" will take place as scheduled in November. Arroyo’s parliament is formed. Now, she will infinitely continue to serve as President for as long as she controls the Parliament.

Others are skeptical and predict a political scenario pregnant with a military coup. The final option is a bloody military takeover! This time, civilians are taken off guard to avoid the leak reminiscent of the Feb. 24 coup attempt. In the event of a military takeover, civilian key players are then called up to establish a "transition government."

Dongkoy: I am not Moreno's friend

By Cris Diaz / August 4, 2006

"MY options are open," Mayor Vicente "Dongkoy" Emano of Cagayan de Oro said when he was asked on the possibility that he would run for governor of Misamis Oriental again.

Emano, over the state-run DxIM last Wednesday, said he can run for governor without hitches since the problem of residency is a moot and academic issue.

He says there is a ruling that residency ceases be a legal question when you run for public office in the place of your birth.

If I am right, Emano is referring to the "Tolentino Doctrine." The late Arturo Tolentino, a senator-statesman and a noted constitutionalist, once argued before the High Court that an individual may have a dual residency. One is the place of birth or the provincial residency and the other is the address nearest to the individual’s place of work. In both cases, Tolentino said, the individual is considered a legal resident.

For instance, under the "Tolentino Doctrine," Emano, as mayor of Cagayan de Oro City, can legally claim legal residency in Cagayan de Oro. On the other hand, Emano can be a legal resident, too, of Tagoloan, his place of birth in Misamis Oriental.

Consequently, Emano can qualify and legally run for elective post either in Cagayan de Oro or Misamis Oriental.

Asked if had thought that a run for the gubernatorial post would strain his relationship with Oscar Moreno, Dongkoy said it won’t have a dent. "After all, I am not a friend of Moreno," Dongkoy said.

One can only figure how Emano must have mastered the art of argument when he replied "I am not Moreno’s friend." It only showed that right from the start, Emano thinks he never made anything that would have hurt Moreno’s ego. On the contrary, reading between the lines, Emano is saying that it is Moreno who did him wrong––that he (Emano) was the one insulted, affronted and slighted. That’s how I interpret Dongkoy’s statement that "he is not a friend of Moreno."

Dongkoy went further––he said in the same interview that he owes Moreno nothing. "I am not indebted to Moreno."

With Emano’s statements, political analysts could only say these are ‘‘loaded statements with undefined implications."

At a time when people in Misamis Oriental are a bit disgruntled over the leadership of Moreno, Dongkoy’s statements are shots on their shoulder.

Dongkoy is projecting his Robin Hood image again. Robin Hood is a legendary character who almost always appear from nowhere to defend and rescue the downtrodden and the oppressed. But whether Emano is going to make a comeback in Misamis Oriental in the 2007 elections remains uncertain.

If and when, will Emano’s comeback in Misaims Oriental mean the end of Moreno’s political career?

Village leaders want Moreno out

By Cris Diaz / August 3, 2006

PERSONALLY, I have no idea on how Gov. Oscar Moreno of Misamis Oriental is running the affairs of the provincial capitol. But I have heard that Moreno is unpopular even among provincial capitol employees these days. I had thought that the revulsion was only confined inside the capitol. Obviously, I was wrong.

I have talked to people from various barangays of Misamis Oriental and I found out that Moreno has become even more unpopular in the villages. For what reason, I didn’t want to guess. But it seems people in the villages already have reservations insofar as the present Misamis Oriental leadership. One thing is sure: they don’t like Moreno at all!

It may sound incredible but it sends a strong message to Moreno that his leadership is now on a rancid trail.

I am not in the position to judge Moreno as a person but I have some presupposition of him as a public official. With his current friction with members of the provincial board, one can only surmise that Moreno’s leadership is getting awry. It’s just a consolation that he still has some remaining loyal provincial board members with him. But as the political storm gets rough, most of Moreno’s loyal friends now are likely to jump overboard. Reason: political survival.

Even Moreno himself is unsure on what to do as the current squabbling among his provincial board members sizzle. In fact, one of his trusted lieutenants has unwittingly told a capitol client that Moreno is no longer yearning for reelection in 2007.

Perhaps, Moreno himself must have felt that the people of Misamis Oriental are now getting cold. Maybe, this is one reason why Moreno, supposedly, has lost interest to serve his constituents in the province.

My guess is that Moreno feels threatened with Rep. Jun Baculio’s overtures to run for the gubernatorial seat next year. Yes, despite issues hounding Baculio, many believe the 2nd district congressman, and not Moreno, would be the preferential choice in next year’s gubernatorial race. But if a credible and stronger force surfaces as a "dark horse," both Baculio and Moreno will likely end up in the dustbin. Political observers say the "dark horse" is something both Moreno and Baculio are now trying to figure out.

With both of them (Baculio and Moreno) caught in the quagmire of alleged anomalies, their fate in 2007 hangs in the balance. This probably explains the Moreno lieutenant’s declaration that the governor is no longer interested to run for governor in the 2007 elections.

What will Moreno do? The guessing game starts. Moreno may consider, again, running for congressman in the first district of Misamis Oriental. This is Moreno’s likely retreat.

But incumbent Rep. Danilo Lagbas is only too willing to welcome Moreno as a worthy opponent. In case this happens, Lagbas says his option would be to make sure that Moreno will have a run for his money. Well, let’s wait and see.

Fissure at the capitol evident

By Cris Diaz / August 2, 2006

THE hostility between the legislative and the executive departments at the provincial capitol is getting hotter by the day.

Last week, Gov. Oscar Moreno and provincial board member Clyde Abbott exchanged barbs over Bombo Radyo. Abbott was the guest of Joel Jacobo in his evening program "Sona Libre" when Moreno called up to air his side on the controversial issue regarding the Philippine International Trade Center (PITC).

Abbott expressed dismay over the capitol’s refusal to buy medicines from PITC which offers drugs at lower prices. "I cannot see any valid reason on why capitol refuses to buy medicines from PITC which offers low prices compared to the medicines capitol has been procuring," Abbott said.

The PITC issue came to the picture after the Commission on Audit censured capitol’s manner of procuring medicines. The COA annual report pointed to capitol’s usual practice of buying medicines through "shopping."

For instance, the governor is allowed to buy items without public bidding on certain amounts. Once, the amount exceeds the limit, a bidding is then required.

In the case of the capitol, it bought medicines not by the bulk apparently to make the prices not exceed the amount that would require a public bidding. What was improper was that the split prices were presented in one voucher apparently to facilitate easy collection.

COA defined this transaction as "shopping" which is a violation of procurement procedures.

Moreno, who was obviously monitoring the radio program, reportedly called up to reprimand Abbott. He tried to rebut Abbott’s argument, saying the capitol did not buy medicines from PITC because he (Moreno) was allegedly offered commissions by a PITC official. Moreno accused PITC to be a "corrupt" government agency which he could not deal with.

Furious over Moreno’s allegations, Abbott said he would bring the matter to PITC officials and let them handle the issue at hand.

Abbott was the one who sponsored a resolution with the provincial board identifying the PITC as supplier of medicines for Misamis Oriental. The provincial board reportedly approved Abbott’s resolution but Moreno did not act on it.

Moreno’s accusation that the PITC is a corrupt government agency is very serious, Abbott said. He said PITC is attached to the President’s office in Malacanang. In fact, Arroyo signed an executive order requiring local governments to buy medicines from PITC since the agency offers lower prices.

Whatever, the rift between Moreno and Abbott is indicative of a crack as far as the relationship of the capitol’s executive and legislative departments are concerned.

Spying on media?

By Cris Diaz / August 1, 2006

THE killing of Ernesto Ladica, 47, of Looc, Salay, Misamis Oriental Wednesday last week added the list of victims of alleged summary killings since 2001.

According to Karapatan, a total of 714 killings believed summarily executed under Arroyo’s administration have been reported from 2001 to 2006.

The police reported that Ladica was sipping coffee on the porch of his house past six in the evening when one of the three unidentified armed men riding tandem on a motorcycle pumped bullets into him.

Although hit by the first volley, Ladica managed to come down and sprinted toward the house of the barangay captain. However, the suspects pursued him and pumped more bullets hitting him in the head. Ladica died on the spot.

Witnesses in the neighborhood alleged that the suspects were intelligence operatives of an army battalion who sped toward the direction of Cagayan de Oro City after the incident.

Police reported that Ladica was an organizer of the militant Bayan Muna and an officer of Misamis Oriental Farmers’ Association, an affiliate of Buklod ng Samahang Magsasaka sa Pilipinas.

Karapatan condemned Ladica’s killing and suspected the government of summarily executing personalities opposed and critical to Arroyo’s administration to stifle dissent.

It charged that Ladica was the 114th victim of summary execution out of the total 714 killings under the Arroyo administration.

Included in the statistics were the unsolved killings of print and broadcast journalists known to be critical to the Arroyo administration, Karapatan said.

By far, Ladica’s killing has sent disturbing signals in Misamis Oriental. Was Ladica’s killing a strong message that Arroyo has already given marching orders to silence dissent in Misamis Oriental?

Before Ladica was shot dead, he reportedly joined an indignation rally in Cagayan de Oro City during Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address (Sona). Ladica was the first victim of summary execution in Misamis Oriental involving militant leaders, Karapatan lawyers said. "We express the fear that more militant leaders and critical personalities are being targeted in Misamis Oriental as the Arroyo government steps up political repression against legitimate dissent," a lawyer said.

Perhaps, this contention could be true since we have information that the intelligence unit of the army’s Fourth Infantry Division is now also undergoing background check on the working press in Cagayan de Oro City.

If the information is true, the local press in Cagayan de Oro City, particularly the Cagayan de Oro Press Club and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP), should take a serious look into this information and file a formal protest with the AFP and Malacanang.

It is about time that the COPC and KBP fight for their legitimate right to dissent against a repressive regime. For what is the motive of the army checking on activities of legitimate members of the press but to harass and intimidate them? Worst, a reporter or broadcaster is tagged as communist and therefore, subject of elimination under the AFP’s Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL). Yet, we have fears that the local press is being cowed on matters when the state is involved, much more, when the state’s killing machine runs wild.

Arroyo is honored of Dongkoy

By Cris Diaz / July 28, 2006

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente "Dongkoy" Emano must have buried the hatchet.

To recall, it was widely perceived that Emano fel from Arroyo’s graces after the 2004 local and presidential elections.

Emano, the head of the PaDayon Pilipino party, allied with Arroyo during the 2004 elections. Arroyo was subsequently clobbered in Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental in the elections.

Reports had it that the dismal election results in the city and province had Arroyo distancing from Emano. Perhaps there was some truth to the observation because Arroyo suddenly became cold to the Laguindingan international airport project immediately after the 2004 elections. Arroyo reportedly realigned the budget for the construction of the Laguindingan International Airport in favor of Iloilo.

There were many other instances when Arroyo reportedly gave Dongkoy the cold shoulder. Several times, Arroyo barnstormed Northern Mindanao and Caraga without seeing Emano.

But what happened during the State of the Nation Address (Sona) last Monday tells us that things may have changed for the better as far as the political ties of Emano and Arroyo are concerned.

During her 6th Sona, the whole nation heard as Arroyo thanked Emano for the supposed reduction in the reports on corruption in Cagayan de Oro City from 65 percent last year to 38 percent this year.

Arroyo reportedly lauded Emano, too, for reducing the poverty level in Cagayan de Oro to 27 percent.

Many were surprised with Arroyo’s pronouncements. Her announcement could be an indication that the two have kissed and made up.

Of course, anti-Emano groups viewed Arroyo’s pronouncement, made during the Sona which was televised nationwide, as a confirmation that Dongkoy’s administration is corrupt. Some even doubted Arroyo’s intention. Was her announcement a way to embarrass Emano?

But, unknown to most of us, the corruption Arroyo spoke of was not about how Emano was running city hall but on how the mayor was fighting graft in his administration. Emano reported that the corruption he was fighting focused mainly on transactions at city hall. These transactions mostly involved contractors who have been bribing local officials and city hall employees.

Maybe it was only taken out of context by Emano’s detractors who now say that the prevalence of graft at city hall has become too glaring even the President noticed. But actually, Arroyo recognized Dongkoy’s efforts in fighting graft in his administration. In fact, the President was elated of Dongkoy’s admission that graft and corruption has been pestering his administration and that he (Dongkoy) was bent on fighting it.

Is there any other government official in the country who has openly admitted to having problems on corruption in his or her administration?

Arroyo is honored of Dongkoy and she wants other public officials to do the same.

Bodoy

By Cris Diaz / July 26, 2006

CITY Councilor Reynaldo "Nanding" Advincula is recently making waves.

Before, Nanding was only known as a member of the "Committee on Silence" at the city council. Now, Advincula, who has been in the city council for quite a time, finally caught the limelight.

For several weeks, Nanding tried to expose some fishy dealings at the City Hall while at the same time defending himself.

One of the issues raised against Nanding is that of a city-owned lot in Indahag, a suburb barangay, intended for a housing program.

The city government acquired the 15-hectare property some time in 1998 during the administration of then-mayor Ambing Magtajas. Nanding was a city councilor then representing the market vendors.

Though the farm had a number of fruit-bearing trees such as mangoes, it remained underdeveloped.

Nanding, who won a seat in the city council again under Mayor Vicente "Dongkoy" Emano in the 2001 elections, reportedly volunteered to be the caretaker of the farm lot.

Nanding’s occupation of the farm would have been discreet had he distanced himself from issues confronting city hall. But as a veteran councilman, Nanding is joining the political fracas exposing a lot of things during his term in 1998 of which he himself was part of.

One issue raised by Nanding was the alleged acquisition of a lot by Magtajas in a supposed government reservation area in Indahag.

Magtajas denied Advincula’s accusation saying he legitimately acquired farm lots by buying it from original owners.

"As indicated in the Deed of Absolute Sale, I bought the farm lots from original owners," Magtajas said.

Magtajas even challenged Advincula and the council to invite Carmelito Damo, barangay chairperson of Indahag, to shed light on the issue if the councilors really want to ferret out the truth.

The city council, however, has yet to officially invite Damo. In the meantime, Nanding continues to harp on the issue.

Obviously, Nanding was peeved by accusations that he has abused his position as city councilor by using the city-owned lot for his personal gain.

Information have it that the fruit-bearing trees at the farm lot could produce as much as P4 million during harvest. Again, Nanding denied this but confided that he earned only a little less than a million peso.

Whether the farm lot is earning or not, that is not the issue. The issue is whether Advincula violated the rules on decorum and propriety as an elective official using a city-owned property for personal gain.

Some time this week, the police reported that a man was stabbed dead at a bar owned by Advincula at the third floor of the new Cogon Market building. Cagayanons now suddenly realized how influential Councilor Nanding Advincula may have become.

All we know of Advincula is a guy who hails from Leyte. In fact, Nanding admitted he is a "waray."

Well, Nanding, as a nickname, is inappropriate. Nanding should have been called "Bodoy’’ or ‘‘Intoy," the nickname usually used for "waray-waray" guys.

Hinya irok, Bodoy, don kana ngay-an? Amo gad iton kon konsehal kay damo gad it negosyo kung kasangkay mo it mayor. Pero akon siring ha imo Bodoy ayaw gad pagmalabyaw. Siguro, Bodoy, maupay maghilom ka.