September 2006

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Mindanao coal plant to operate in December

By Mike Baños / September 30-October 1, 2006

VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental - Construction of the Mindanao coal-fired power plant is proceeding as scheduled and should be online by the end of the year, plant officials said.

“We are on the final stage of the power plant’s commissioning. The first unit has passed the guarantee and efficiency test while the second unit is gearing-up for a reliability test in preparation for full operation by yearend,” said Jerome Soldevilla, communications officer of Steag State Power Inc, (SPI), the project company of the Mindanao Coal-Fired Power Plant.

“Commercial operations will begin as planned not later than 31 December 2006 and we will have our official inauguration in January 2007” he added. “As of 27 September 2006, the power plant project attained a weighted progress achievement of 99%. Based on this figure vis-a-vis the timelines, we are on track and confident that it will commence commercial operations as committed.”

Oliver Brock, head of Steag’s commissioning team, has been working closely with his counterpart Y. Onishi, head of the Kawasaki Plant Construction, Inc. (a subsidiary of Kawasaki Heavy Industries) since the first quarter of the year for the commissioning of the first 105MW unit even as the second 105MW unit is being assembled nearby.

That may sound like good news for an island where demand is fast outstripping available power supply, but power supply in the island remains critical, as oil fired plants come down and repairs in its hydroelectric plants continue.

Emmanuel Abellanosa, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Assistant Vice President for Mindanao, said they have been constrained to implement voluntary power curtailment or “power shedding” at various times last summer due to imbalances between the available power from National Power Corporation (NPC) and the demand from residential, commercial and industrial users.

“There’s not enough spinning reserve in the Mindanao grid to address contingencies,” Abellanosa said.

NPC figures show the system gross reserve in Mindanao from the latter half of 2005 to year end 2006 was already insufficient to meet the 11.9-percent load following/frequency and spinning reserve requirements.

NPC president Cyril C. del Callar, earlier warned that “recurring power shortages are expected especially during peak periods, when generators and or associated transmission lines are on forced outage.”

Peak power demand in Mindanao last summer topped 1,100 megawatts but the NPC only managed to supply an average of 1,050 megawatts to the Mindanao Power Grid. As a result, whenever there’s a glitch in the distribution system, power is cut in some areas as the grid seeks to balance the remaining available power throughout the delicately balanced system.

Abellanosa said NPC’s total power generation was curtailed due to rehabilitation works in the 92MW Agus IV Hydro-Electric Power Plant at Iligan City, the 255-megawatt Pulangi IV Hydro Electric Plant in Bukidnon and the 25MW Iligan Diesel Power Plant in Ditucalan, Iligan City, turned over a few years back by independent power producer Northern Mindanao Power Corporation.

As a result, power supply to the Zamboanga peninsula and nearby areas was curtailed by 50MW causing up to three hour power outages although Cagayan de Oro city managed to get by thanks to the 18MW Mindanao Energy Systems (Minergy) power plant which augmented available power to the local utility (Cagayan de Oro Electric Power & Light Co. or CEPALCO).

Rufino T. Magbanua, communications officer for Transco NCMA, said at least 85 percent of Mindanao has already been tapping independent power producers (IPPs) and NPC power barges particularly in key areas.

That’s for the short term. Over the medium and long term, even if only ongoing base load coal-fired power plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental comes online as scheduled by year end, it’s merely going to patch things over but not fix it.

Although the grid is being weaned away from its traditional dependence on hydroelectric power plants, the bulk of generated power in the island is still being sourced from the Agus Hydroelectric Power Plants in Iligan City and Lanao del Sur and the Pulangi Hydroelectric Power Plants in Maramag, Bukidnon.

The Regional Development Council in Region 10 (RDC-10) has sounded the alarm over the deteriorating power situation in Mindanao.

Arsenio L. Sebastian III, RDC-10 vice-chairman and Dr. Modesto Babaylan, RDC 10 infrastructure committee co-chairman, disclosed recently that Pulangi is producing only 100-120MW of its 255MW rated capacity due to accumulated siltation in the Pulangi River feeding its catchment basin.

Besides the lack of available funds to dredge the Pulangi river, Sebastian said they also have no place to dump the dredged silt taken from it.

Sebastian is also concerned the Mindanao Coal ?Fired Power Plant might not be sufficient to meet energy demand in the island, citing Department of Energy statistics show a rising demand for power that the present supply might be unable to meet even with the new base load plant online.

NPC President del Callar earlier said that from 2007 to 2008, power supply in Mindanao would be stable as the system gross reserve remains sufficient to meet the LFFR and spinning reserve with the scheduled commissioning of the 200 MW coal plant.

The average power supply reserve margin in the Mindanao grid from 2005 to 2008 is 7.26% with 2008 having the lowest projected power supply reserve margin of 3.93%. By 2009, peak demand for power in Mindanao will start to exceed the existing power capacity, with additional new capacity of about 57 MW to be needed for the year and an average of 116 MW every year thereafter.

But the environmental advocacy group Task Force Macajalar (TFC) has called on the NPC to review its projections.

TFM spokesperson BenCyrus Ellorin said Mindanao can sustain its power needs without resorting to fossil fuels like oil or coal because its existing hydropower plants are sufficient to meet the island’s needs if their full potential of 12,000MW is tapped.

Latest NPC figures only show an existing power band of 982 -1,500 MW with independent power producers (IPPs) capable of another 543 MW.

NPC expects power demand in Mindanao to grow 11.8 percent from 2005-2011 and would need an installed capacity of 2,830MW by the end of this period with the Mindanao Coal-Fired Power Plant filling the gap.

Ellorin believes Mindanao would be better off if it rehabilitates its present hydroelectric power plants and reforest the watersheds that support them or inter-connect with the rest of the Philippine grid with the Leyte-Mindanao Inter-connection project.

The Mindanao grid is divided into three sub-grids - North, West, and South Mindanao. Of these, only North Mindanao enjoys an excess capacity while the West and South Mindanao grids have to import from the North Mindanao sub-grid to sufficiently address peak power demand in their respective areas.

The country’s Power Development Plan for 2005 to 2014 stresses the importance of putting up more power generating plants in order to avert a power shortfall in the major islands of the country, particularly in Mindanao since the previous surplus has been effectively erased with the reopening of the National Steel Corporation (NSC, now Global Steel International, Inc. or GSII) steel plant in Iligan City.

In a recent forum to determine just how real the Mindanao Power Crisis is, CEPALCO Sr. Vice President David Tauli said there’s no large power plant (e.g.., 100MW or larger) scheduled for construction in Mindanao from 2007-2011 after STEAG State Power Inc’s 210MW coal-fired power plant goes online this year end.

By 2009, Tauli’s projections show Mindanao’s energy demand at 9,150 gigawatt hours while dependable power supply, SPI’s coal-fired power plant included, would only be 9,200 GWh, way below the 11.9-percent load following/frequency and spinning reserve requirements of Transco and a generating system that’s no longer “N-1” reliable.

Tauli said this would result to widespread and lengthy brownouts when a section of the transmission system goes on the blink. A drought like the one expected to hit the island soon would worsen this situation.

In the same forum, former National Power Corp. President Guido Alfredo Delgado concurred with Tauli’s observations, citing how energy prices in Mindanao are too low, hence the lack of an economic incentive to add new capacity to the island’s power grid.

“There are no creditworthy off-takers and no long term market, hence no long term funds available in the local market for investments in power generation, which by its very nature calls for long-term funds,” Delgado noted. “On top of that, there are the stranded costs of Napocor and distribution utilities Mindanao power consumers are mandated to pay under the EPIRA.”

Tauli, Delgado and Ellorin all agree ON the passage of the Renewable Energy Bill which has been languishing in Congress to include a mandatory “renewable power supply portfolio” for distribution utilities should lead to investments in renewable sources of electricity, but chances of the bill’s passage before Congress goes into recess next month look dim.

Moreno hits Olano, calls Abbot an ingrate

By Ben Balce / September 30-October 1, 2006

MISAMIS Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno, yesterday, repeateadly accused provincial board members Henry Clyde Abbot and Butch Olano of orchestrating an alleged demolition campaign against him even as he called Abbot a “traitor” and “ingrate” (walang utang na loob).

Moreno lashed out at Abbot after he received reports that his accusers - radio blocktimers Ronnie Waniwan and Eddie Dangcal - have been frequenting the latter’s office at Stronghold Insurance beside the Cagayan de Oro press club, for the past few days.

“I helped Abbot during the last elections, even campaigning for him just to make himwin. How come he still did all these things, “Wala syang utang na loob,” Moreno said.

Moreno challenged Abbot to “be man enough” and face him openly and prove all his allegations.

“Dangcal was seen at the office of Abbot yesterday (Sept. 29),” Moreno said adding that in the past few weeks Waniwan and Dangcal has allegedly been seen coming “in and out” from Abbot’s insurance office.

“If Abbot has evidences,” let him prove it and he should not use any dummy or other persons for his own personal interest,” said Moreno . He said Abbot should not hit him at theback. “He should face me openly, and squarely, “ Moreno said.

Abbot did nothing at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan until this time, according to Moreno..

“He (Abbot) got angry and offended after his name was not included at the billboard,” Moreno said adding Abbot’s name was not included as he was just one of the SP members who approved the project.

“Billboard is required by law, but placing names on the billboard has two meanings: Credit of the persons who really worked for the projects and the persons responsible of the projects in case of any irregularities,” Moreno said.

“If I included the persons who are really not behind the project,’it loses the value of the recognition,” Moreno said.

Moreno also said that he lost his thrust on Abbot for claiming things that he is not. “I am not comfortable with his (Abbot) attitude anymore.”

Earlier Waniwan and Dangcal, known for buying radio airtime so they could broadcast stinging political commentaries, have filed two complaint for graft against Moreno before the ombudsman. They charged Moreno with graft and technical malversation of funds before the ombudsman here in connection with a controversial audit report. The report showed that the capitol spent some P12.6 million for fuel used by the private vehicles including the alleged shopping of medicine.)

Over DxIF-Bombo Radyo, Moreno denied any wrongdoing. He even reiterated his challenge on Waniwan and Dangcal including Abbot to show their proof instead of inventing stories.

Moreno also explained that copies of the COA findings now in the hands of his accusers are “no basis at all.”

“They are holding documents without exit conference,” Moreno said adding that capitol was already cleared and verified after the said “exit conference” with the COA officials.

Moreno said he had thought of bringing the findings to higher ups as the COA released their findings without any exit conference, but added that he has second thoughts because it would only be a waste of time.

“Many people need the Capitol’s support, and several projects have to be prioritized,” Moreno said.

RP on the throes of El Niño

By Pat Samonte / September 30-October 1, 2006

BUTUAN City – Citing “slightly warmer than normal” sea surface temperatures in the western and eastern Pacific since May 2006, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said there is a “warm episode” or El Niño condition “developing” in the Pacific basin.

In a press release, Pagasa noted what it said “weaker-than-average low-level” equatorial easterly winds (winds blowing from the east) across the equatorial Pacific since July.

These conditions it said have already influenced rainfall conditions in the country during the August 16-31 period particularly in Northern Luzon, Bulacan, Zambales, Bataan, Rizal, Batangas and Laguna, Northern Palawan and Western Mindanao. Rainfall conditions in most parts of the country have been observed to be below average from September 1-17.

Pagasa said the persistence of the present conditions in the equatorial Pacific will affect the rainfall patterns in the country and may adversely affect domestic water supply, agriculture and hydropower generation.

Based on trends and statistical models, it predicted that the “anomalous” warming of the sea surface temperature n the equatorial Pacific will likely continue through the end of 2006 and into early 2007.

Muslim NGOs support Milf, blame gov’t on breakdown of peace talk

By Nora Soriño / September 30-October 1, 2006

MARAWI City- Thirty-six (36) NGOs represented by their respective chairmen, presidents or Secretary General declared their position yesterday, Sept, 28, supporting strongly the MILF’s stand that it is the Arroyo government who must be blamed for the breakdown of the recent peace talks in Kuala Lumpur.

The NGOs are based in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has blamed the Arroyo government for the breakdown of peace negotiations during the 13th Exploratory Talks held, September 6 & 7, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)and Amirul Mujahideen Al Haj Murad Ibrahim, issued an official policy statement on the breakdownand disclosed it to foreign media.

Malaysian peace-brokers, also said that it is clear that GRP must indeed be blamed for the breakdown.

“Contrary to the spirit and letter of the MILF-GRP Tripoli Agreement on Peace of June 22, 2001, GRP has erected a blank wall that impedes the progress of the peace process by imposing unacceptable conditions and invariably claiming no mandate in the formulation of an agreement on the vital issue of Ancestral Domain and its territorial component.” the NGOs said.

“Is the GRP prolonging the peace talks because it is exclusively and continually reaping the pecuniary benefits of foreign assistance intended to keep the negotiations going? Or is it dragging its feet because it has shifted its priorities to what Brother Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the MILF Peace Panel, alluded to as “parallel negotiations” designed to entice MILF military leaders into capitulation and thus reverse the gains of the peace negotiations in Kuala Lumpur?, they added.

The NGOs also lamented that if these were among the reasons for the breakdown , the GRP is not resolving the conflict in Mindanao. “It is solving its own problems at the expense of the Bangsamoro people and other communities in Mindanao directly affected by any outbreak of war,” it added..

The position paper also stated that from the very start of the peace negotiations between the MILF and the GRP in 2001, it has consistently been supportive to the principle, as espoused by its leadership, that the conflict in Mindanao should and can be resolved through a just, peaceful, negotiated settlement. “Towards this end, we have contributed much of our time, effort and whatever meager resources that we possess to the success of the peace process, fervently praying and hoping that this would end the conflict that has already taken so heavy a toll on the masses of our people in terms of lives lost., destruction to property, perennial insecurity and other debilitating social costs that deter the progress and development of our Bangsamoro society,” it said..

In the same statement, the NGOs stressed: “We firmly believe that the MILF is in the right direction when it out-rightly rejected pre-conditions (resorting to constitutional processes) advantageous only to the GRP at the start of the peace negotiations: pre-conditions which the GRP now deviously intends to invoke in the final phases of the peace talks on Ancestral Domain. Acceptance of these pre-conditions would have placed the MILF in a similar position with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) when the latter negotiated with the GRP and concluded those failed agreements in Tripoli in 1976 and Jakarta in 1996.

That the MILF had the wisdom not to fail the same ”hole”, to paraphrase a hadith of the Holy Prophet of Islam (saw), speaks well of the consistent Islamic revolutionary position of the MILF that deserves the full and unswerving support of the Bangsamoro people and nation.

We iterate in no uncertain terms that the peace negotiations must address the root cause of the conflict in Mindanao; the right of the Bangsamoro people and nation to self-determination. This, however, cannot be addressed properly until the issue central and primordial to any political formula designed to end the conflict is finally settled by all parties to the negotiations – the issue of Ancestral Domain which is the Bangsamoro Homeland. And for this to be realized, the GRP must posses the necessary political will.

No enduring peace agreement or meaningful negotiated political settlement can [Q·Lldcome about if the GRP persists on ignoring or downplaying the centrality of the Bangsamoro Homeland to the success of the peace negotiations. The prolongation of conflict or the attainment of a just peace in Mindanao Homeland is the key to all other political issues in the peace process. This should underscore the logic why we are lending our voice to the MILF, and fully support it, in demanding that our Ancestral Domain – our usurped homeland – or what is left of it, be restored to its rightful owners – the Bandsamoro people.”

In his concluding statement, Al Haj Murad Ibrahim, clearly defines the position of the MILF when he said without mincing words that if the GRP maintains its present intransigence and continues to treat the peace process as a “counter-insurgency tool”, no blame should be placed on the Bangsamoro people if they resort to other means to repossess their right of self-determination and freedom. As such, he said, the MILF will have to stand by the Bangsamoro people.

We are in full accord with the spirit and letter of this statement. We subscribe to its logic. And we call on our people, all sectors of our captive nation, to support this position of the MILF. No less that our Islamic faith, the survival of our Muslim and non-Muslim indigenous communities, the future of our children, and the future of peace in our Homeland demand this support.

Therefore, we, the civil society groups of Marawi City, Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte, here and now, by the grace of almighty Allah, declare that we stand firmly behind the Bangsamoro people and the MILF in taking whatever course of action is necessary to regain our freedom and Homeland.

Allahu Akbar wa lillah il-hamd, the position paper ended.:

Oro has 941 prostitutes, 44 cases of abuse: forum

By Mark D. Francisco / September 30-October 1, 2006

A RECENT forum hosted here by Talika Inc, (an NGO dedicated towards gender-sensitivity) bared that Cagayan de Oro has 941 prostitutes, the youngest being 12 years old, and that many of these women suffered mental and physical abuses.

The forum was held at the Cagayan de Oro Press Club on Thursday (September 28) in preparation for the International Day of No Prostitution celebrations set every October 5.

Participants to the forum learned that some 44 cases of woman-abuse among prostitutes has been recorded..

Most of the women were abused psychologically (34 percent), sexually (32 percent), physically (32 percent) and economically (2 percent).

According to the victims’ claims, the top suspects were the following: live-in partners/husbands/boyfriends (30 percent), neighbors (23 percent), police (15 percent), sex establishment owners/pimps/floor managers (13 percent), others (9 percent), family (6 percent), customers (2 percent) and service providers (2 percent).

Honey Mabaylan, spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro-based Talikala, Inc., a non-government organization dedicated to gender advocacy, spoke on the condition of prostitutes here. She said the forum launched a campaign aimed at suspending prostitution activities in the city for a day.

Prostitution may be in the form of pornography, phone sex, cyber sex, mail order bride services, escort services, trafficking, stripping, sex tours and the like.

The campaign also urges men to stop patronizing prostitutes.

Oro students criticize GMA’s re-take order

By Ben Balce / September 29, 2006

NURSING students from Northern Mindanao who passed the controversial June 2006 nursing board examinations from two universities in Cagayan de Oro cried foul yesterday criticizing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's order for a re-take of the said examinations.

“The order of the President is not equal for us here in Mindanao,” spokesman for Capitol and Liceo de Cagayan nursing students, Christopher Abellanosa, said. “Its unfair and unjust.”

Abellanosa added that the re-take order is not in principle only, since secretary Eduardo Ermita disclosed it to media on Wednesday.

“The order is another burden not only to those who passed the board examinations but the entire family including their parents,” Abellanosa said.

Abellanosa said the leakage reportedly took place in Luzon. “Why are they including us here in Mindanao, when we were not party to the anomaly?, he asked.

According to Abellanosa, Capitol and Liceo de Cagayan nursing students who passed the nursing examination are contemplating to take necessary actions so that Arroyo would hear their side and their mental anguish. He adds, they will try to ask the President to reconsider her Order.

Earlier, Arroyo explained through Ermita that a re-take order of the June 2006 nursing board examinations would cover the entire batch of examinees .

Ermita noted that the Chief Executive reached such policy decision during the Cabinet meeting early this week, to reclaim the integrity of Filipino professionals and PRC-administered examinations..

“For us, the order remains unclear, whether the re-take examination will be selective or not, but still the order is an order to re-take and that order is very inimical on our part,” said Abellano.

Abellanosa also criticized the Arroyo administration of “inconsistency,”in its decision.

“The June 2006 nursing board passers already took their oath. How come Malacañang ordered for re-takes? It?s purely a form of harassment to those who honestly passed the examinations without any leakage ,” Abellanosa said.

Abellanosa also said that Malacañang should focus their investigation ongovernment agencies which took part in the alleged irregularities during nursing board examination.

“Why did Malacañang failed to immediately initiate an investigation of officials who administered the examinations? Including those floated to have been involved in the leakage?, he asked.

He said that until now no single official has been named and even punished. “The leakages they were talking about are baseless if no one is investigated or punished,” he commented.

Abellanosa also denied that students in Mindanao benefitted from the leakage, and that the accusation for cheating. should not be generalized. “Why have they not accused the examiners of cheating also?, he asked.

“This is foul. No leakage reached us here in Mindanao and it is not true that some of the students benefitted from it”, Abellanosa said adding that not even a single questionnaire was leaked to examinees here in Mindanao.

“The leakages reportedly started in Baguio and Manila. So the focus of investigation should be there,” Abellanosa lamented.

“The investigators themselves disclosed that based on their computerized investigations, no single questionnaire was used here in Mindanao,” Abellanosa said, adding that the re-take order is not as easy for them even if the government would shoulder the examination fees.

“The problem now is the expenses during the re-take like the board and lodging, especially for examinees who lived in distant places,” he concluded.

Lanao cops nab suspects of Rtmi bus robbery

By Ben Balce / September 29, 2006

POLICE authorities in Bacolod town arrested two of the six (6) suspects in the highway robbery at Sitio Lawian,in said town of, Lanao del Norte, police officials said yesterday.

Police said the suspects were the ones responsible in the robbing of Rural Transit bus number 1134 on September 12, this year.

Regional Police Community Relation's Division chief Police Senior Supt. Rolando Dela Vega identified the suspects as Rodel Labigan, 25, of Brgy Paiton, Tangub City and Cesar Estabas, 20, of Brgy Rebocon, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte.

"The immediate arrest of the two suspects would be a great help to our policemen in looking for the four remaining suspects," Dela Vega said.

Dela Vega said they already increased their personnel securing bus and jeepney terminals in the region to avoid another possible higway robberies.

"Personnel of Regional Traffic Management Group are now guarding highways by tightening their checkpoints," Dela Vega said adding that even management and personnel of bus companies are now cooperating for the immediate arrest of the remaining suspects.

Meanwhile, Northern Mindanao police head Chief Supt. Florante Baguio said the suspects were arrested at Sitio Lawian, Brgy Esperanza, Bacolod, Lanao del Norte by the elements of Bacolod Municipal Police led by SPO3 Candido Briones.

Baguio said the suspects were arrested while they were on board a jeepney where one of the passengers named Richelle Hajiula who was likewise one of the victims during the said RTMI robbery, was present.

“The suspects were positively identified by our policemen as among the robbers that robbed the RTMI bus,” Baguio said adding that a hot pursuit operation is still being conducted for the arrest of other suspects.

Baguio has previously ordered Lanao del Norte provincial director PSSupt. Linog Bagul to conduct investigation right after the incident to identify and file appropriate charges in court against the suspects in order to facilitate their immediate arrest.

Baguio also said that they are still conducting operations for the immediate arrest of suspects in a separate highway robbery incident which victimized a bank in Gusa, Cagayan de Oro. The robbers got P4- million supposedly to be deposited for Ficco, a cooperative.

“We’re still investigating if the suspects arrested in Lanao have some connection to the Gusa highway robbery,” Baguio said.

Baguio said a cellphone, Nokia 6610 which turned-out to be the cellphone of Ritchelle Hajiula was seized from the possession of the suspects during their arrest.

Police said a case for highway Robbery/Brigandage was filed against the suspects docketed as Criminal Case number 12729 dated September 18, 2006 at the 12th RTC, Iligan City with a P30,000.00 bail recommended for their temporary liberty.

Catch gambling operators instead - Gov. Ocampos

By Edgar B. Catane / September 29, 2006

Oroquieta City – Misamis Occidental governor Loreto Leo S. Ocampos has challenged the PNP headed by PNP Provincial Director Minoy Radtu Darimbang not only to arrest “small fish” but to run after big-time financiers of illegal suertres and operators of video “karera” proliferating in the province.

Ocampos said he is challenging the PNP after a Consolidated Accomplishment Report from the period August 1 to September 15, 2006 that was submitted in his office by Darimbang dated September 20, 2006, included a list of arrested small-time suetres ushers and another small-time video karera operators.

“I’m not satisfied with the report”, Ocampos said. “What were arrested are small fishes” not the “big fishes”, Ocampos added.

Ocampos further stressed out that the performance report submitted by Darimbang does not meet nor satisfies his order to the PNP early last month to crackdown illegal gamblers and highway robbers.

“Arresting the “small fishes” will not absolutely solve the illegal gambling operation in the province,” he said

Ocampos said he is therefore throwing again his challenge to the PNP to show honest to goodness commitment to their sworn duties by arresting the “big fishes”

Abbot nominated among top board members in the country

By Lito M. Rulona / September 29, 2006

FORMER ally and now political nemesis of Misamis Oriental governor Oscar Moreno, provincial board member Henry Clyde Abbot was nominated as one of the most outstanding Provincial Board Member of the Philippines by the Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines (PBMLP) in a recent convention at Koronadal, South Cotabato.

Abbot was nominated based on his legislative measure legalizing single motorcycles for hire as means of transportation in secluded and far-flung areas of the country.

The measure known as “Habal-habal ordinance” is now about to be passed into law sponsored by Congressman Red Durano as House Bill 5411.

Earlier, Moreno criticized Abbott and other opposition members of the PB for not passing at the SP any legislative measure that could best serve the public.

But among other important measures the opposition has enacted like “Reformation of the Commission on Audit in Safeguarding the Public's Money” is also now in congress sponsored by Congressman Orlando Andaya.

Other local legislative measures include the Investment Code of Misamis Oriental, Provincial Economic Enterprise Council, the Welfare and Benefits of Amerisians for a bilateral talk by and between the Philippine House of Congress and the United States House of Congress.

Abbott also passed an ordinance creating the Provincial Health Board and nominating Moreno to head the special body that is tasked to look after the health welfare of it's constituents.

PBMLP President Vicente Piccio III of Antique during the convention endorsed the inclusion of Abbott during the said convention to represent the island of Mindanao.

PBLMP board of directors also considered Abbott's nomination as among the top performing PB member when he also passed a resolution inviting investors from China to establish their proposed $300-M China Glass Factory in Misamis Oriental.

Other pro-business legislation is the resolution supporting City Mayor Vicente Emano to invite the Pohang Steel Corporation, a $500 Million investment to be put up inside the Phividec Industrial Estate.

The political relationship between Moreno and Abbott went into trash when the latter made a personal initiative distributing medicines to almost all barangays and municipalities in the 1st district of Misamis Oriental.

Abbott's nomination for the national level was endorsed by no less than Vice-Governor Julio Uy and other members of the majority bloc inside the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

NBI arrests man, 53, for raping 7 yr. old girl

By Obet Samonte / September 29, 2006

BUTUAN City – National Bureau of Investigation operatives led by Agent Joel Vernon Fermalino arrested Wednesday, inside a warehouse on T. Calo Street here, a 53-year old man accused of raping a seven-year old girl.

Fermalino said Samuel Bansig alias Lolo Kulas of Purok 8, Barangay 16 Ong Yiu, Butuan City was taken into custody on the strength of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Eduardo Casals based on a rape complaint filed against him.

In an investigation conducted by NBI agent Gabriel Falcon, Bansig allegedly raped Rowena, 7 (not the victim’s real name) at her house in Barangay Ong Yiu on December 3, 2005.

According to the investigation report, Rowena was playing with her friends at around noon when Bansig suddenly entered the house, carried the victim upstairs and started molesting her. It said Bansig kissed and embraced the girl and made her to lie down on the floor. Bansig removed Rowena’s underwear and inserted his finger inside her private organ.

Falcon based his investigation report on the victim’s sworn statements who was assisted by her mother. The victim said Bansig had been inserting his finger inside her private organ for several times before.

Falcon had filed charges against Bansig for violation of Art. 266-A (Rape) in relation with R.A. 7610 Child Abuse).

The suspect is now detained at the Butuan City jail.

Fermalino said that since the charge slapped against Bansig is a heinous crime, the suspect is not eligible to apply for bail.

Tension grips Oro port, violence feared in polls

By Lito M. Rulona / September 28, 2006

VIOLENCE could mar the election of the two warring labor union as tension is expected to rise inside the Oroport Cargohandling Services inside Macabalan port area today (Thursday).

This after Associated of Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) regional vice-president Nicandro Borja assailed the intervention of police officers in what he says is a purely labor union affair.

Borja charged yesterday that at least three police officers were used by the Oroport management in intimidating and coercing members of the Phase II Port Workers Union (PPWU-ALU-TUCP) to shift loyalty to the Macajalar Labor Union-Federation of Free Workers (MLU-FFW).

“The two police officers Vicente Carillo and Lonnie Rementizo were just relieved from their positions and placed under camp restrictions at the Maharlika Rehabilitation and Detention Center. But reports indicated the two were still seen in the area yesterday,” he said.

Aside from Rementizo and Carillo, there were also reports reaching the ALU-TUCP regional office that Oroport management also hired the services of PO3 Labrador Baracuda, who is presently assigned at Macabalan police precinct.

“This is too much. We had already filed a complaint but it seems that the order of PNP Regional Director Florante Bagiou was ignored blatantly,” Borja asserted.

As this develop, more than 400 members of the PPWU ALU-TUCP are bracing to police their own ranks in protecting the integrity of their own labor union from any harassment.

“Magubot man gyud kini kung ilang padayonon ang pag-pangharass sa among mga sakop. Malinawon kami diha og dili kami gusto nga daghan ang mo-intervene sa labor matters,” Borja pointed out.

The election is set today to gauge which labor union would emerge as the dominant force in the local stevedoring industry inside the port area of Macabalan.

Borja said the purely union matters should not be meddled by politicians and scalawags in the police service.

He said they have already manifested their complaint on the intervention made by barangay chairs Alexander Dacer of Puntod and Norbel Saa of Macabalan, before the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Dacer and Saa simply denied the allegations as having no basis and is a sweeping statement coming from disgruntled union officials.

Dacer said Borja is hallucinating by implicating their names in union affairs.

“Nataranta na kini siya. Nakabalo na siguro nga daghan ang mobali sa ilang mga sakop. And there is nothing wrong kung mokampanya kami diha,” he added.

For his part, City Police Director Aurelio Trampe said he will deploy some of his men to maintain peace and order inside the port area.

Trampe said they would not hesitate in arresting any union leader and members who will disrupt and sow trouble during the conduct of the elections today.

Region 10 cops tapped as tourist police

By Mark D. Francisco / September 28, 2006

FIFTY-two Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel based in Northern Mindanao were tapped by the Department of Tourism (DOT) 10 to act as tourist police.

The tourist police project is an initiative of DOT 10 director Catalino Chan III and is still to be replicated nationwide.

Chan has convinced PNP 10 director Chief Supt. Florante Baguio to field some of his policemen to act as tourist police.

The 52 cops come from all the five provinces comprising Region 10 : Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte and Camiguin.

Named by Chan as tourist police on Monday (September 25), the lawmen underwent a 5-day training at the PNP-10 headquarters at Camp Alagar , this city.

Resource person of the training was Eileen San Juan, president of the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (Cohara), while the facilitator was DOT-10 assistant director Ma. Elena Manalo.

During the training, San Juan briefed the cops on the historical landmarks and events in Cagayan de Oro City.

“The training taught me a lot about history. Before sa training, gamay ra jud akong nabal-an sa history sa Cagayan de Oro,” Insp. Wilfrido P. Odchigue, one of the trainees admitted.

The cops will be deployed to various tourist spots around the region, not just to protect those areas but to assist tourists as well.

They will act as tour guides, Chan said.

The training also made the cops well-versed and equipped for conversation whren they are asked to escort VIPs, both domestic and foreign, in this part of the island.

Chan said he expected more batches of tourist police to take up training soon.

On Monday, DOT-10 also held a program culminating the provincial tourism week at one of the malls here.

Farmer sues bgy chair of oppression with Ombud

By Obet Samonte / September 28, 2006

BUTUAN City – A farmer has accused before the Ombudsman-Mindanao a barangay captain in Jabonga, Agusan del Norte, for oppression and abuse of authority in connection with a 3.3-hectare coconut land he claims to have been granted to him earlier by the government.

In a complaint-affidavit, farmer Julius Bucong of Purok 1-B, Barangay Bunga, Jabonga town, charged Bunga Barangay Captain Julieto Rosalin of allegedly denying him justice when he accused Rosalin’s grandson, Anthony Rosalin Beltran of stealing 300 coconut fruits from the land. He said that instead of being the complainant, he became the respondent in the case with the Rosalins who are now claiming the land granted to Bucong on August 24, 1984 by the Office of the President through the Ministry of Natural Resources as shown by a Certificate of Stewardship with CSC No. 100302226.

In his sworn statement, Bucong said that on June 19, 2006, he caught Beltran in the act of stealing 300 coconut fruits from subject land. He reported the incident to Barangay Captain Rosalin and had it recorded in the blotter of the Jabonga police station.

Bucong said he also approached Lupong Tagapamayapa chair Flora Lanquino for “a fair and impartial confrontation” on the case. He said Lanquino told him “bluntly” that she could not have the Lupon meet and investigate the case because of Rosalin’s refusal to convene it.

Bucong said lawyer Aljay Go of the Public Attorney’s Office wrote Rosalin requesting the latter to call for a confrontation between Bucong on the one hand, and on the other, Richard Rosalin and spouses Eufemio and Prosperidad Rosalin, who were laying claim on a lot within the 3.3-hectare coconut land. Go’s letter was “never acted (upon) nor answered” by Barangay Captain Rosalin, Bucong said.

Later, Bucong was summoned by the village chairman to a confrontation on a case where he said that instead of Bucong as complainant, he became the respondent or the one accused for land grabbing and that the 300 pieces of coconut fruits supposedly stolen by Anthony Beltran, belonged to the Rosalins.

During the confrontation, Bucong said he and his wife, Nilda, allegedly received death threats.

After the confrontation, Bucong said he went to the house of Barangay Chairman Rosalin to plead with him to “let the law take its course before the courts of law”. He said Rosalin “refused and denied” his appeal.

Aside from filing a complaint with the Ombudsman, Bucong went to the National Bureau of Investigation-Caraga to file grave threats charges against the Rosalins. The case is being handled by NBI supervising agent Eric Distor.

Pamatong ignores court hearing

By Susan Palmes / September 28, 2006

Controversial lawyer Ely Pamatong did not show up at the hearing yesterday of the injunction case filed by his clients, Monday, at a regional court here

There was also no appearance of the lawyer for the defendant Atty. Marvi Roa.

The court said it issued a notice to lawyers, with dispatch, but only Atty. Leon Gan, collaborating counsel of Atty. Ely Pamatong, appeared. He informed the court that he is not aware why Pamatong did not show up.

But in a text message sent to this paper, Pamatong said he “can’t expect fairness” from persons whom he has filed cases before.

Last Monday should have been the start of the hearing of an injunction under civil case no. 2006-176 filed by 121 plaintiff’s against a sheriff of the city court whom they complained for demolishing their houses. Along the issue, Judge Gregorio Pantanosas denied issuing a temporary restraining order.

It can be recalled that Pamatong has accused the presiding Judge of the Regional Court Branch 20 of soliciting a P1-million bribe in exchange for a favorable ruling in favor of Pamatong’s group - the Discovery Crusade of the Philippines Inc - which figured in a legal battle with a firm over a property at barangay Baloy.

In response, Pantanosas who strongly denied the accusation, sought Pamatong’s disbarment before the High tribunal.

MisOr dads ask Denr to probe P’Kao firm

By Susan Palmes / September 28, 2006

THE Sangguniang Pan-lalawigan of Misamis Oriental has strongly urged the Regional Director of the Environment Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to monitor the operations of Pilipinas Kao within the PHIVIDEC area..

Provincial Board member Francisco Bade, in a special report on Monday, said, the company’s premises is emitting an obnoxious and unsanitary odor. This he said has been a problem in the past and has continued to persist which caused health problems and public nuisance.

This long unsolved problem of the company which began as early as 1990s has affected the residents of Jasaan, Misamis Oriental specifically the residents of barangays Solana, luz banzon and Kimaya, according to Bade..

Bade said he was not satisfied of the answer and assurance of EMB Regional Director Sabdullah Abubacar when the latter was invited by the Sanggunian to shed light on the problem.

Bade now wants honest to goodness DENR Standards and Policies should be implemented and strongly requested the office of the Environmental Management Bureau to monitor the odor emitted by this company.

The problem has long plagued the people of the municipality and nearby towns and the odor is not only obnoxious but its accompanying pollutants are deadly, according to the report.

A wanton disregard for press freedom

September 28, 2006

(The ff is a statement of organizations and the NUJP on the continued represseion of journalists)

The law on libel exists to protect private citizens from unwarranted damage to reputation, but in the Philippines libel has been predominantly used by public officials as a tool to cow an independent press.

The most glaring example is the multiple libel cases filed by First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo against 43 reporters, columnists, editors, publishers, and even a subscription manager, of various publications.

We will not dispute the merits of the cases nor Mr. Arroyo’s right to defend his honor and dignity, as he and his lawyers insist.

What we decry is his propensity to sue journalists so as to muzzle those he does not agree with and sending out a clear signal to others that they risk the same ordeal should they dare cross him.

Mr. Arroyo is, after all, no ordinary mortal. As Presidential husband, he clearly enjoys immense power and influence, not just by his status but also because he does head the Office of the First Gentleman. And many, if not most, of his deeds and pronouncements dwell in the realm of public interest.

He is, therefore, both a public figure and public official.

That he is aware of this status and has no qualms of wielding it against his perceived enemies is evident in the fact that, when he filed his latest suit against the Tulfo brothers, he gave his address as Malaca?ang Palace, as if to stress who he is.

The record number of cases Mr. Arroyo has filed highlight how the powerful in this benighted land regularly abuse libel laws to curtail the democratic right of the press to delve into the truth behind matters of public interest and the people’s right to know.

It is also the best argument for decriminalizing an outdated law that has been used not so much to protect the innocent as to shield the guilty.

We demand that Congress immediately work to repeal the law on libel, to strike it off the book of criminal statutes, as part of its sworn duty to strengthen our badly eroded and still beleaguered democracy.

We demand that Jose Miguel Arroyo cease and desist from this clear abuse of his power and influence and squarely face the issues raised against him where they are properly addressed, in the arena of free and democratic discourse.

We pledge that neither this nor any other attempts by those in power to trample on the freedom of the press and the people’s right to know shall go unchallenged.

We commit ourselves to the continued struggle to realize the true blooming of democracy in our land, when freedom of _expression shall be enshrined not just in our aspirations but in practice. (Signed by: Organizations and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines)

Divide CDO into two? Emano: no; Jaraula: yes

By Ben Balce / September 27, 2006

OPPOSING stance could be a divisive factor among local leaders here that could destroy political alliances.

This was the observation of analysts yesterday as City Mayor Vicente Y. Emano expressed his strong opposition to the plan of the House of Representatives and the Senate of approving the creation of new cities in the country including three towns in Northern Mindanao. Emano and Oro representative Constatino Jaraula expressed differing views on the matter.

Emano, however, did not elaborate on his opposition to the proposal to turn a part of Cagayan de Oro into a separate city as insinuated by his partymate PDP-Lakas-CMD Cagayan de Oro representative Constantino Jaraula.

The municipalities proposed for conversion into cities are: Tubod (Lanao del Norte), Claveria, El Salvador and Opol (Misamis Oriental).

Earlier, Jaraula maintained that his proposal to divide Cagayan de Oro into two cities would not affect any delivery of services but instead could result into “competitive” and strong cities.

“Development would follow if Cagayan de Oro would be converted into two cities. The city is one of the booming cities not only in Mindanao but in the entire country,” Jaraula said.

On the contrary, Emano said, the recent move by Congress and the Senate will have serious effects in the delivery of services and the implementation of projects not only in Cagayan de Oro but elsewhere in the country.

“This will greatly affect the means of existing local government units to deliver basic social services to their respective constituents,” Emano said adding the capabilities including the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) would be greatly affected.

Others proposed for conversion are: San Juan (Metro Manila) Batac (Ilocos Norte), Los Ba?os (Laguna), Tayabas (Quezon), Sablayan (Occidental Mindoro), Pototan (Iloilo), Pontevedra and Binalbagan (Negros Occidental), Bogo, Carcar and Naga (Cebu), Borongan (Eastern Samar), Catbalogan (Western Samar), Baybay (Leyte) Lamitan (Basilan), Tabuk (Kalinga), Cabadbaran (Agusan del Norte), Bayugan, San Francisco (Agusan del Sur) and Tandag (Surigao del Sur).

“The creation of new cities would mean a reduction of the city”s internal revenue allotment by as much as P50 million,” Emano said.

The city mayor pointed out that a P50 Million reduction from the city’s annual IRA will deprive the city residents of the much needed services and development projects.

Emano said that should the creation of new cities be approved, one of the probable effects of the reduction of the city’s IRA is the scrapping of some of the existing benefits enjoyed by city government employees like the monthly rice allowance.

“For the other bigger cities, the latest move of Senate would cost them as much as P200 Million in IRA reduction,” Emano said..

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. yesterday urged Congress to lay down a clear-cut policy on the creation of new cities in view of the proliferation of legislative measures seeking to convert existing municipalities into cities.

Pimentel said this explains why moves in Congress to create new cities are usually met with howls of protests from the existing cities.

Under the Local Government Code, the original requirement on income for municipalities aspiring to become cities was P20 million, which was a “fabulous” sum in 1991 when the Code took effect.

But in implementing the law, the executive department and the LGUs mistakenly interpreted the P20 million requirement as inclusive of the IRA shares of the municipalities concerned, he said.

Benaldo cries foul over ordinance issue

By Ben Balce / September 27, 2006

Cagayan de Oro Councilor Benjamin Benaldo yesterday cried foul over his critics’s interpretation of the City's Appropriation Ordinance Number 103 - 2006 passed early this month.

The Ordinance authored by Benaldo seeks the City Council’s appropriation of at least P788,423.77 to be used as replineshment of the uncollected pledges from sponsors to foot the bills for the Aug. 28. fiesta celebration.

“The said “Appropriation Ordinance” is purely for prizes of winners and individual payables of the recent fiesta celebration,” Benaldo said adding he even maintain that all payables would not pass through his hands but to committees assigned on payments.

Earlier, lawyer and former vice mayor Antonio Soriano criticized the ordinance as morally wrong and even not necessary, as there are still pending pledges to be collected.

Soriano has accused the City government of spending much for fiesta celebration when int the end it is still the people who would be made to pay.

Benaldo denied Soriano’s claim as he (Benaldo) explained that the appropriation ordinance amounting to P 788,423.77 is the likely counterpart of the city government even after some of the pledges are still to be collected.

Benaldo’s ordinance was recently approved by the City Council on first reading on Sept. 11 but is still pending up to now after Monday’s session referred it back to Benaldo?s committee for additional attachments.

The ordinance is to appropriate at least P788,423.77 to be used as replenishment of the uncollected pledges budgeted and expended for the recent fiesta celebration.

“It’s a requiring payment, due and the city need to be paid,” Benaldo said.

City Hall spent at least P1,957,423.77 during the Aug. 28 fiesta and has only collected P1,650,000 from sponsors who pledged and still short of P307,423,77.

However, Benaldo claimed that the said amount spent for fiesta is more than P1,957,423.77 and over P2-million.

“We spent over P2- million,? Benaldo said adding the collected amount from the sponsors go short, as he required asking city’s help.

Benaldo said proper accounting and auditing has been made before he asked an approval from mayor Emano to appropriate the said amount.

“There’s no hiding of documents here”all are properly documented and disbursed,? Benaldo said.

Earlier, Benaldo who was also the chairman of the Fiesta '06 Committee, said he even donated personal money just to meet some emergency expenses like food and transportation.

“We can?t give details of it, but all the amount is separate and not included in the replenishment as it came from my own pocket,” Benaldo said.

Benaldo also said that every year the city passed a resolution and ordinance to accommodate replenishments.

3 kidnap victims freed; PNP says no ransom paid

September 27, 2006

Bacolod, Lanao del Norte – Three kidnap victims who worked as linemen of Lanao del Norte Cooperative (LANECO) were released yesterday at 7 in the evening to their families in the presence of PNP Provincial Director Supt. Linog Bagul, provincial officials and negotiators in this town.

Authorities however, clarified that no ransom was paid to the kidnappers who took captive the three victims for almost a week somewhere in far flung areas of Munai, Lanao del Norte and boundary of Lanao del Sur.

The suspects are not MILF members but lawless elements composed of 6 young men, about 15 to 18 years old. The unnamed “gang” carried high powered firearms when they kidnapped the victims according to a Muslim witness.

Members of Marine Landing Team based in Munai immediately conducted pursuit operations in some areas.

The kidnapping alarmed residents in the rural communities of Munai, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.

Provincial governor Imelda Q. Dimaporo congratulated the PNP and local officials for their efforts which led to the release of the captives. Dimaporo also cited private individuals who helped in the negotiations.

The governor appealed to all authorities to be more vigilant to their areas of responsibility specially the buffer zone of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur where lawless elements are fond of hiding. (raul d. dinapo)

Court metes 20-year sentence to vendor for drugs possession

By Susan Palmes / September 27, 2006

A MARKET vendor, this city, was meted 20 years of imprisonment by a trial court here for possession of dangeruous drugs .

Delfin Canoa of Nazareth this city was sentenced to suffer a maximum imprisonment of 20 years after the court found him guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Section 11 of the Dangerous Drugs Act.

In a five-page decision, Judge Noli Catli of the Regional Court Branch 25, also ordered the accused to pay a fine in the amount of 300,000 and or subsidiary imprisonment . The accused was also ordered to pay the costs of proceedings.

Records showed that on August 1, 2004, at 6:30 in the morning at 31st street , Nazareth , this city, accused Delfin Canoa was arrested as suspect in the killing of a gay at the public cemetery and taken from his possession were 2 rolls of crushed dried marijuana leaves.

PO2 Poe Baguio of the Cagayan de Oro Police Office testified that at 5:00 A.M of August 1, 2004 that he and his fellow police officers received information that Delfin Canoa, the principal suspect in the killing of a gay at the cemetery was seen at Nazareth . It was fortunate that at the same time some police officers were conducting a mobile patrol and the accused was arrested.

Canoa, in his defense questioned the legality of the arrest but the court said “ when accused pleaded not guilty to the crime as charged and therefore waived whatever perceived irregularities in his arrest.”. The arrest was made with a legal basis as the accused was a suspect in a murder case but at the time of his arrest he was committing another crime.

However the decision of the court credited the period of detention of the accused while awaiting trial.

Assistant City prosecutor Gregorio Borja prosecuted the case single handedly.

Police raises security alert for banks, pawnshops

By Ben Balce / September 26, 2006

POLICE authorities yesterday raised security alert levels on banks and pawnshops in the city after the suspects of the Sept. 4 armored car robbery in Barangay Gusa here, had been identified..

Police named the “Waray-Waray” group as responsible of the armored car robbery incident which took place near a gasoline station in Barangay Gusa at noon of said date.

China Bank, which owned the armored car, issued a statement that armed thieves carted away at least P4 million cash from the bank van.

The criminal group’s identification prompted Northern Mindanao police Chief Supt. Florante Baguio to order policemen to tighten security over banks and pawnshops in the city.

Baguio said they also urged all bank employees and security guards to be on high alert even as police are still on a dragnet operation against the suspected Waray-Waray Group.

Cagayan de Oro’s Anti-Theft and Robbery Section chief Senior Police Officer 3 Mario Pelaez identified a certain Gary Iludo, as one of the suspects and a member of “Ilorete Gang” which is a splinter group of the Waray-Waray Group.

The city police earlier admitted that they are looking into the possibility of an inside job on the armored van robbery as it pointed out some inconsistencies of the accounts given by van driver Bonifacio Contejos on the incident.

But Pelaez said some witnesses through cartographic sketch closely identified Iludo’s group who is a native of Ilorete town in Samar, as the one responsible of the bank van robbery.

“Iludo was identified by some witnesses during the incident. The cartographic sketch matches his identity,” Pelaez said.

Earlier, bank driver Contijos said the robbers drove the van to the Gusa eastbound terminal. He said he didn’t know what happened next but that he sensed the robbers were taking the money and speeding off on their motorcycles.

But one of the security guards claimed that the vehicle’s back door automatically locks itself up, contrary to Contejos’s claim that the back door needs to be locked up from the outside.

Contejos also failed to give the physical description of the robbers who held him up.

Earlier, the Oro Bankers Association of the Philippines called on the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office to immediately resolve the armored car theft case and immediately arrest the suspects.

Oro Bankers Association president Ella Yu said the group voices its concern over the case and added it is standard procedure for all banks to follow stringent security measures to protect the deposits of its clients.

Pelaez said that they are still investigating whether the Ilorete Waray-Waray group was also responsible for the series of abductions and payroll robberies this year.

Pelaez said they are still tracing the whereabouts of Iludo including his members after the suspects proceeded to eastbound terminal in the bank van robbery.

Pelaez also said that China Bank, the complainant has already filed cases against the suspects including Iludo.

“The Gang brandishing long and high-powered firearms as they waylaid the China Bank armored car, easily threatened accompanying guard and driver of the vehicle,” Pelaez said.

Two-hour fire razes Denr bldg in AgSur

By Avel Galorio / September 26, 2006

Agusan del Sur - A blaze wrought a P2.8 million damage to government property after the office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bayugan town was burned September 24. No one was killed.

The fire occurred at about 11:55 p.m. but was controlled nearly two hours later, police said yesterday.

Reports indicated that the fire started at the office of CENRO Officer Jaime Acebu, and spread throughout the whole premises. The DENR building is located along the National Highway, at Purok 8, Maygatasan, Bayugan, this province..

According to the town’s fire marshall, Avelino B. Cortez, one Vilma Catague who lives nearby, shouted the fire alarm upon seeing the blaze, but accordingly two unidentified persons responded saying there is no real problem.

Cortez added that somebody reported the fire to the Police Station and not directly to the adjacent Fire Department, thus causing delay to the response of proper authorities. He said that when they responded to the fire scene the blaze was already uncontrollable.

The town of Bayugan has only one fire truck and lacks capacity to deliver sufficient water to stop the fire at first chance. When the firemen refueled for water after their first encounter, five minutes later, the blaze grew bigger.

Cortez told Gold Star Daily that the cause of the fire could be electrical short circuit, but adds that they will still conduct further investigation on the incident.

Cellphone call leads to arrest of rob suspect

By Obet Samonte / September 26, 2006

BUTUAN City – A call by a robbery victim in Surigao del Norte to his lost cellphone number led authorities here to the arrest and detention of the suspect.

Caraga National Bureau of Investigation agent Eric Distor said victim Reynante Patindol’s call was answered by the new mobile phone user, a certain Mike, who revealed the name of one Juleto Arisgado who facilitated the cellphone’s sale. Arisgado, in turn, pointed to Roland Celerez as the source of subject cellphone.

Distor said Patindol complained with the NBI in Caraga that sometime in the first week of September, 2006, his house in Purok 4, Sta. Cruz, Placer, Surigao del Norte was burglarized lost an undetermined amount of cash, a DVD player, and a Nokia 8210 cellphone with simpack, and a Siemens cellphone with a simpack.

Distor said Patindol contacted one of the numbers of his lost cell phones and convinced the new “owner”, a certain Mike of Barangay Ambago, Butuan City, for them to meet at a certain store. When the two met, Mike told Patindol that Juleto Arisgado of Barangay Doongan facilitated the cellphone’s sale. Arisgado, a friend of Mike, pointed to Roland Celerez as the one who sold the Nokia 8210 cellular phone.

Some NBI agents led by Distor and Mayor’s Action Network members led by PO3 Lucio Datahan, Jr. then swooped down on Celerez’s house in Purok 8, Barangay 18 Obrero and nabbed the suspect.

Distor said Celerez will be charged with robbery.

Former vice mayor criticizes Oro ordinance as morally-wrong

By Ben Balce / September 26, 2006

LAWYER and former vice mayor Antonio Soriano, has criticized Cagayan de Oro City Council’s “Appropriation Ordinance Number 103-2006” passed by the body on September 11, as “morally wrong.”

This as he even accused the Oro City government of spending much for the fiesta celebration, saying that in the end it is the people who would be made to pay.

The said appropriation ordinance, which was originally authored by councilor Benjamin Benaldo, is asking an approval from the office of mayor Vicente Emano to appropriate P788,423.77 to be used as replenishment of the uncollected pledges budgeted and expended for the city’s recent fiesta celebration.

City Hall spent at least P1,957,423.77 during the Aug. 28 fiesta and has only collected of P1,650,000 from sponsors, and is still short of P307,423.77, according to Soriano.

“It is legal but morally wrong,” Soriano said adding the ordinance is not the answer to the problem of paying the city’s debts, by relying on uncollected pledges.

Soriano added that the city did not specify if there are other pledges to be collected.

City hall insiders who refused to be identified said some pledges would not be collected and are still subject for collection process.

City councilors who approved the ordinance yesterday were still keeping mum on the ordinance as they refused to give comments when asked by this paper.

Soriano said “pledge” means something delivered as security for the keeping of a promise or the payment of a debt or as a guarantee of good faith.

“When we say, ‘pledge,’ this is a promise to donate money, meaning the amount is still to be collected, and passing such an ordinance is not yet timely,” Soriano said.

Soriano also accused the city government of spending more than the city earned. “The city should not spend more than they earn. The expenses should depend on their supposed collection from the pledges.”

Meanwhile, DxCC , anchorman Nitz Arancon criticized the ordinance as illegal, because the money to be used to replenish the still-to-be-collected pledges would come from the coffers of the city.

“This is “people’s money” and should not be used as payment for unnecessary accounts,” Arancon said.

“The amount they collected from pledges is P1,650,000” and the fiesta budget was supposedly short of only P307,423.77. Why are they appropriating P788,423.77?,” Arancon asked.

Based on records, City hall collected as pledges from companies and individuals that has dated official receipts from August 11 to August 31, from the following: Globe Telecom, P1,500.00 with official receipt number 9111422; E Buss. Western Union, P20-thousand; Councilor Benjamin Benaldo, P25,000 with OR number 9111426;

Koresco Hotel, P50,000 with OR Number 9111728; 141 Worldwide, P5,000 with OR # 9111437; Star Big City, P10,000; Stronghold Insurance, P30,000; and Sterling, P10,000.

Oro Cops relieved over waterfront dispute

By Lito Rulona / September 26, 2006

ORO CITY Police Director Chief Supt. Aurelio Trampe has ordered the immediate relief of two police officers, earlier accused of meddling in the current labor dispute between two warring labor unions at Macabalan wharf, this city..

Ordered relieved were police officers Vicente Carillo and Lonnie Rementizo, both assigned at Police Precinct No. 5 in Barangay Macabalan.

Carillo and Rementizo were placed under camp restriction under the City Mobile Group (CMG) pending the resolution of the complaint filed by Associated Labor Union (ALU) Trade Union Congress of the Philippines regional vice-president Nicandro Borja.

The two cops, however, denied the charges in an initial investigation conducted at the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office headquarters in barangay Carmen.

Borja in his complaint letter claimed that Carillo and Rementizo were intimidating members of the Phase II Port Workers Union (PPWU) ALU-TUCP) living at barangays Puntod and Macabalan.

“These police officers have been going house to house since September 21, and with the use of their being in the police force, coerced, intimidated and pressured our ALU members to support the Macajalar Labor Union-Federation Free Workers in the forthcoming Certification Election at Oroport,” he said in his letter.

Another complaint was also lodged before the office of the Police Regional Office 10 Chief Supt. Florante Baguio at Camp Alagar in barangay Lapasan.

Baguio immediately ordered Trampe to place both police officers under camp restriction as he directed the PNP’s R2 to investigate the matter. (R2 is the intelligence and operations branch of the PNP regional director’s office.)

“Police officers like them committing horrible acts. such as going house to house to ‘terrorize ‘ our members, is clearly outside their sworn duties to protect civilians and maintain peace and order in the community,” Borja commented.

Reports reaching this paper disclosed that both Carillo and Rementizo were allegedly acting as personal bodyguards of Oroport manager Franklin Siao despite their regular duties at police precinct no. 5.

Borja said the police should refrain from escorting barangay officials or people who are partisan or stakeholders of a union firm.

“The city’s finest (Oro police), should not be tarnished by some officers doing unlikely errands outside their official duties,” said Borja.

He said several members of the union can testify that both Carillo and Rementizo were seen in the company of Oroport management official during weekdays and office hours.

“They can be charged for moonlighting. They were paid by the people’s taxes and then they are working outside their tasked,” Borja added.

Oca: Butch, Clyde behind smear drive

By Ben Balce / September 25, 2006

MISAMIS Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno has accused provincial board members Alejo ‘‘Butch’’ Olano Jr. and Henry Clyde Abbott of orchestrating an alleged demolition campaign against him even as he tongue-lashed two radio blocktimers, short of calling them mercenaries masquerading as media practitioners.

Over DxIF-Bombo Radyo, Moreno dared his accusers to ‘‘be men enough’’ and substantiate their charges with hard evidence and not mere words.

“All these demolition campaign against me will fail’’ and would boomerang because the accusations ‘‘are baseless and unfounded.’’

Moreno said he had thought of bringing radio blocktimers Ronnie Waniwan and Eddie Dangcal to court but added that he started having second thoughts because he considered it to would be a waste of time.

Waniwan and Dangcal, known for buying radio airtime so they could broadcast stinging political commentaries, have filed two complaints for graft against Moreno before the ombudsman.

Late last week, they accused Moreno of receiving favors from Pryce Gases which allegedly shoulders his bills at Pryce Plaza Hotel in Cagayan de Oro.

Moreno denied any wrongdoing. He challenged Dangcal and Waniwan to show their proof instead of subjecting him to trial by publicity.

“It’s so easy to say ‘we have the documents to show’ or ‘we have documents to prove....’ Show all these documents to prove it,” said Moreno, a lawyer by profession.

Moreno accused Waniwan and Dangcal of selling themselves to politicians with vested interests.

Moreno called Waniwan and Dangcal ‘‘small timers’’ who can be bought ‘‘even for P2 thousand.’’

Early this month, the two radio blocktimers started a radio program in Bukidnon and started hurling sharp criticisms against Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri.

Zubiri, who admitted challenging Dangcal to a fight for allegedly calling him a homosexual, said the radio blocktimer told him during a confrontation that he (Dangcal) and Waniwan were being backed by someone from Manila.

When Dangcal called Gold Star Daily last week from Bukidnon, editor-in-chief Herbie Gomez asked if it was true that someone was really behind the radio blocktimers’ attacks against Zubiri. Dangcal replied: ‘‘Secret.’’

Moreno called Dangcal and Waniwan “media for hire.”

Later, Moreno said, “I don’t really think Waniwan and Dangcal are mediamen. Nagpa-media-media lang.”

There is an ongoing debate in the country on whether or not radio blocktimers can be considered broadcast journalists. One group, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), does not allow radio blocktimers to become its members.

Dangcal and Waniwan are not members of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC). When they dropped the bombshells against Moreno, an alliance of media groups in the city made it clear that the act of filing complaints against Moreno was not a media function and that the radio blocktimers did that as mere citizens.

Moreno also lashed at provincial board members Olano and Abbott for engaging in “too much politicking” and for “inventing stories” against him.

A number of local journalists have seen Dangcal and Waniwan frequenting the office of Abbott at the Cagayan de Oro Press Club Building near the capitol. On one occasion before Waniwan and Dangcal dropped the bombshell against Moreno, Olano was seen coming out of that office together with Abbott.

He said Olano and Abbott were pretending to be “clean” and “honest” men. ‘‘They are not,’’ said Moreno.

Moreno said Olano was involved in many irregularities at the capitol-run Misamis Oriental Telephone System (Misortel) during the previous administration.

In fact, he said, Olano signed documents for a number of anomalous projects of the administration of the then governor Antonio Calingin, including the questionable purchase of Misortel equipment.

Moreno said malice can easily be established in the Dangcal-Waniwan campaign. Malice is an element of libel.

The governor said Waniwan was trying to hit two birds with one stone. Aside from the money, he said the radio blocktimer was planning on seeking a public office in Gingoog city where he (Waniwan) became popular for his style of broadcasting. Dangcal, on the other hand, is known for getting medicine supply contracts from local governments, said Moreno. "He (Dangcal) is doing this for his group."

Jacnet back online

September 25, 2006

THE Journalists Against Corruption Network (Jacnet) website is back online. The URL is http://www.jacnet.blogspot.com/ and for now the featured story is Allan Mediante’s “Lord of the Flies.”

Jacnet was originally conceived to be the “virtual newspaper” for investigative stories of the Journalists Against Corruption Network (Jacnet), a pet project of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC). Jacnet is tasked to promote investigative reporting.

The original site received financial and technical assistance from the Australian Assistance for International Development (Ausaid) but failed to sustain itself after it was hit with a couple of shutdowns by a local Internet service provider (ISPs) hosting the site. As a result, all the materials collated at both sites were lost and the project languished in the doldrums.

Early this year, the COPC board of directors took another look at the project and appointed director Mike Banos to head the committee to see if the project could be resuscitated.

With materials provided by former COPC president Herbie Gomez, the remaining hard copy of the Jacnet materials were painstakingly encoded back into the computer by Banos’ children at their residence during their free time.

Next, Banos recruited newly installed COPC director Ben Balce to remake the Jacnet site which was originally made by COPC member Ruel Pelone. The site is still under construction and more materials are lined up for inclusion.

With the new site up and running, the COPC board will consider in its next meeting to reorganize the Jacnet editorial board, and directors Banos and Balce have already informed COPC president Uriel Quilinguing and the board of their willingness to continue serving as the representatives in the Jacnet editorial board.

Ombud orders Advincula to answer graft charges

By Lito Rulona / September 25, 2006

THE Office of the Ombudsman in Davao has ordered Councilor Reynaldo Advincula to answer the complaint for graft filed by former mayor Manolo Tagarda Sr.

In a two-page order issued by Ombudsman director Maria Corazon Arancon, Advincula was told to submit his answer within 10 days. He was also told to submit his evidence.

Tagarda and Nestor Isiderio, a city resident, complained that Advincula grossly abused his authority by engaging in business at the city hall-run Cogon public market.

Tagarda said Advincula continued to engage in business at Cogon despite the approval of Ordinance no. 8931-2003 on Oct. 6, 2003 that authorized the mayor to strike a deal with UKC Builders, the firm that redeveloped Cogon market. Advincula was one of those who voted in favor of the ordinance.

‘‘Not long after the Cogon public market was operational, Councilor Advincula occupied the 3rd floor for business purposes, putting 15 billiard tables, 4 units of coin-operated videoke machines and 34 units of videogames machines,’’ said the complaint.

They also alleged that Advincula had operated the business for a time without securing a business license from city hall.

All these, the complainants said, were violations of Section 3 of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

They said the acts are a clear case of conflicts of interest on the part of Advincula.

The complainants claimed that after Advincula realized that his act was unlawful and immoral, the councilor made it appear that his daughter Rowena Sabanal took over the business.

Nene faults govt over breakdown in peace talks

September 25, 2006

SENATE Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. traced the repeated failure to break the stalemate in the Mindanao peace talks to the government’s ‘‘lack of a definitive plan’’ to meet the demands of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for limited self-rule without going beyond the bounds of the 1987 Constitution.

Pimentel issued the statement after the latest round of peace talks between the government in Kuala Lumpur ended without resolving the issue of the scope of ancestral domain that should be placed under the control of the regional government in Muslim Mindanao.

He also maintained that the talks will remain stalled unless the government formally offers the establishment of a BangsaMoro federal state as a component of a federalized Republic of the Philippines.

“I think the primary reason why the peace negotiation is not getting anywhere is that the government does not have a gameplan for a definitive solution to the problem of the MILF rebels,” the lone senator from Mindanao said.

The government, according to Pimentel, is caught in a bind because if it grants to the MILF benefits or concessions that are higher than those granted to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) under the 1996 agreement, the MNLF would feel offended.

On the other hand, he said if what the government is offering is inferior to what the MNLF received, the MILF may say “we don’t need the negotiation if you have nothing new or higher to offer.”

“The government’s approach is therefore fundamentally flawed in that respect. There is no strategic objective. And the strategic objective I want to propose, and that I have long been proposing, is the adoption of a federal system of government, including the creation of a federal state in Muslim Mindanao.”

Due to the lack of progress in resolving the ancestral domain issue, specifically the parcels of lands being claimed by the MILF, the Malaysian representatives acting as facilitators of the talks reportedly criticized the government peace panel for “lacking the mandate” to make commitments on the contentious points of the ancestral domain issue during the negotiation.

This prompted Silvestre Afable Jr., head of the government panel, to appeal to Malaysia, Brunei and Libya to keep their contingents in the International Monitoring Team that is watching over the implementation of the ceasefire in Mindanao.

Pimentel said the impatience of the Malaysian government is “valid” because it has been brokering the peace talks, and maintaining a 60-man contingent of ceasefire monitors at a huge expense but the talks are “apparently not moving anywhere” contrary to the Arroyo government’s claim that these are “on track.”

He reminded Malacañang that the peace talks with the MILF have gone long enough, having been started by the Ramos government in July 1997, and continued by the Estrada government and later on by the Arroyo government––spanning a period of nine years.

Pimentel noted that talks bog down because the government panel “has no definitive response” to what the rebel panel would propose and has to consult with its principal, Malacañang, on contentious to ancestral land issue.

“It looks like a very ad hoc kind of panel. Even the membership of the panel come and go, and there is no sign of its being a permanent negotiating panel at all,” he said.

On the proposed federal system, Pimentel said practically all known leaders of rebels he has talked to, notably Nur Misuari, the late Hashim Salamat and Ibrahim Murad, spoke in favor of the adoption of this system of government.

If the creation of a BangsaMoro Federal State will materialize, Pimentel said the Muslim Filipinos will attain their aspiration to lead a Islamic way of life, although their system of justice and of punishing offenders should be subject to the overall constraints of the Philippine Constitution.

For instance, he said, the cutting off of the hands of convicted thieves as practiced in Islamic countries should not be allowed in the Philippines.

“Other than subjecting their own custom of punishing offenders to the refining restraints of modern penology, I think they should be allowed to enhance their own culture or way of life,” Pimentel said.

Pantanosas, Pamatong see each other in court today

By Susan Palmes / September 25, 2006

FIREWORKS are expected in the courtroom of regional Judge Gregorio Pantanosas today when the magistrate and his accuser, lawyer Elly Pamatong, meet face to face for the first time since the two traded charges before the Supreme Court.

Pamatong is expected to be in the city today for a hearing on a petition for injunction in the sala of Pantanosas.

Last week, Pamatong accused Pantanosas of soliciting a P1-million bribe in exchange for a favorable ruling in favor of Pamatong’s group, the Discovery Crusade of the Philippines Inc. (DCPI) which figured in a legal battle with a firm over a property in Baloy.

In response, Pantanosas, who strongly denied the accusation, sought Pamatong’s disbarment before the High Tribunal.

Pamatong has reportedly prepared for a showdown. Over a hundred of his followers in the DCPI, a religious group, are expected to flood the courtroom.

Before the judge and the lawyer traded charges, Pantanosas denied the motion of Pamatong that he (Pantanosas) inhibit from hearing the petition. The judge said the court is impartial.

Union accuses cops of scaring members

September 23-24, 2006

THE tension at the Macabalan port worsened yesterday after a labor union accused police officers of scaring its members into betraying their group in favor of another in the workers’ upcoming balloting.

In a complaint sent to regional police director Chief Supt. Florante Baguio, the Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said at least two police officers were identified as using scare tactics in an effort to influence the outcome of the Sept. 28 election of the group that would serve as the port workers’ representative.

Nicandro Borja, the union’s vice president for northern Mindanao, said the officers––Vicente Carillo and Lonnie Rementizo––were going from one house to another house to pressure members of the ALU-TUCP-affiliated Phase II Port Workers’ Union (PPWU) into voting for a rival union.

On Thursday, Borja said, the officers went to the houses of PPWU members and ‘‘coerced, intimidated, and/or pressured’’ the workers.

PPWU and the Macajalar Labor Union (MWU), an affiliate of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), are both seeking to be the sole bargaining agent of the workers of the city’s premier stevedoring firm.

‘‘For the police officers like them to do such horrible acts of going house to house to the terror of our members is clearly outside of their sworn duties to protect people and maintain peace and order in the community,’’ Borja wrote in his letter to Baguio.

Borja cleared Camp Alagar, saying his union was certain the seat of the police in northern Mindanao has nothing to do with the alleged scare tactics ‘‘because this is not a police matters but union affairs.’’

Borja added: ‘‘As to who ordered them, we cannot determined (sic).’’

He asked Baguio to order the local police to keep off the workers’ election.

The police, he said, should even refrain from escorting barangay officials or people who became partisans or stakeholders.

‘‘The city’s finest, should not be tarnished with our police officers doing unnecessary jobs outside of their duties,’’ said Borja.

Borja also said his group would not hesitate in filing charges against police officers who try to influence with the result of the Sept. 28 certification election.

Foreign ship crew illegally sell rice in Agusan Norte

By Garry Cruz and Pat Samonte / September 23-24, 2006

BUTUAN City––A foreign vessel is now anchored off Vinapor, Carmen town in Agusan del Norte with its crew allegedly disposing its rice cargo illegally to barangay residents for cash or in kind.

According to Caraga National Food Authority director Antonio Yumang, the vessel, M/V Xuan Viet Haiphong, has just unloaded 67,337 bags of rice at Surigao City port. He said the vessel was supposed to unload a total of 68,000 bags of imported rice from Saigon.

The vessel arrived in Surigao City on Sept. 13 and left the port on Sept. 16 after unloading its rice cargo. Yumang did not say if the vessel had fully unloaded its rice cargo when it left the port.

PO3 Resin Pasa of the Carmen police reported that the foreign ship arrived at Vinapor coast around 6 a.m. of Sept 18. Its crew allegedly sold to town residents bags of rice marked “NFA” in exchange for cash, chickens or goats.

Yumang did not say if the rice was part of the 663 bags at the Surigao port.

Pasa reported that the crew sold the imported rice at P750 per bag and later raised the price at P850 per bag.

Yumang said that selling imported rice as what the vessel’s crew were doing was unauthorized and in violation of NFA rules and regulations.

The Bureau of Customs office here said the vessel arrived off Vinapor coast without information and ‘‘would be dealt with accordingly.’’

BOC-Butuan OIC operation officer Josefa Villaseñor has left for Vinapor to investigate the matter.

‘Copycat coup’ not likely to succeed in RP

September 23-24, 2006

A SENATOR has expressed doubt whether a “copycat coup” will succeed in the country after mutinous soldiers seized power in neighboring Thailand.

“First, we have reason to believe that what we have is a constitutional military. If our soldiers were not, then they could have taken matters into their own hands when the political climate reached boiling point in the aftermath of the Garci case and the resignation of the Hyatt 10,” said Sen. Ralph Recto in a statement sent to Gold Star Daily.

“Katulad ng ordinaryong tao, mukhang may coup-fatigue na,” he said.

Second, he said, there is no opposition leader charismatic enough to bring the soldiers out of the barracks.

‘‘In Thailand, there is their king who’s the constant symbol of stability. Dito wala na si Da King,” he said, referring to the the late Fernando Poe Jr..

Opposition Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said the country should learn lessons from the Thailand case.

The Thailand case, according to Pimentel, only shows that the form of government is no guarantee against corruption, against a coup or against an easy removal of an abusive and corrupt leader.

‘‘That is why if Arroyo is to be ousted, it should be in accordance with the Constitution,’’ said Pimentel. ‘‘If she can’t be impeached, she should be pressured to resign.’’

Recto said the hugely popular Poe could have been literally the man on the horseback who, if alive, would have posed a serious problem to the Arroyo administration. In his almost 50 years as an actor, Poe often played horse-riding gunslingers.

Recto said Thailand’s economy will be “strong and resilient enough to weather an extra-constitutional change in government.”

An attempt of a similar kind in the Philippines will “badly affect our fragile economy,” he said. “First sign of disturbance and the fiscal turnaround will be halted.”

“A coup to them will just be a hiccup. If it happens here, it will knock us out cold for a long time,” he said.

Recto said it will be “foolhardy” for those eyeing to oust President Arroyo from power to get inspiration from events happening in Bangkok today.

“Thailand may have started the Asian flu in 1997, when regional economies were hard hit. I don’t think that this time it’s spreading a coup contagion in the region,” he said.

He said the cure to “inept governance” should be elections or such constitutionally-prescribed changes such as impeachment, “but please, not this Bangkok pill.”

Protesters in 15 countries condemn RP killings

September 23-24, 2006

THOUSANDS of Filipino immigrants and migrant workers together with foreign nationals in 15 countries across the globe marked the 34th anniversary of the declaration of martial law on Sept. 21 with protests highlighted by pickets and rallies in front of Philippines embassies, consulates and other sites.

Called the “global day of action,” the Sept. 21 protests centered on condemning the Arroyo administration as repressive reminiscent of the Marcos dictatorship and for its responsibility in the extra-judicial killings of 755 activists and the enforced disappearances of more than 181 others.

Organized by the International League of People’s Struggle (ILPS), initial reports said the condemnations were heard in the United States, Canada, The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Great Britain, Austria, Norway, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Indonesia. Pickets, demonstrations and candle-lighting ceremonies honoring activists killed allegedly by the government’s security forces were held in at least 27 cities.

In the United States alone, the protest actions, led by Bayan-USA and allied organizations, took place in eight cities including San Francisco and Los Angeles in California; Washington, DC; New York City; and Honolulu in Hawaii. Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto were the sites of similar protests in Canada.

The anti-Arroyo and anti-martial law mobilizations followed closely the Philippine president’s visits last week in Europe and Hawaii which prompted spontaneous rallies and pickets by Filipinos, Dutch, Belgians, British and other nationals denouncing the recent political killings in the Philippines.

Arroyo was rebuked by the Finnish president and the head of the European Commission for the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines. Leaders of Amnesty International in London also asked the President to ensure that the Melo Commission, which she formed to probe into the killings, remains independent and impartial.

Meanwhile, representatives of cause-oriented and rights groups in the Philippines have begun filing complaints with the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. The working committees and Rapporteurs of the UNHRC are deliberating on the complaints with the sessions expected to last until the next few days.

Similar suits will be filed with the International Labor Organization (ILO) and other international institutions.

Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law on Sept. 21, 1972 citing the “clear and present danger” posed by the left and rightist oligarchs who wanted him ousted from the presidency. Lasting until the dictator’s fall in the February 1986 Edsa I people’s uprising, martial law led to the killing of thousands of activists, the disappearances of thousands others and the displacement of at least five million other Filipinos.

Except for Marcos who was found guilty post-mortem by a Hawaiian court in a class suit filed by 10,000 martial law victims, not one of Marcos’s martial law co-conspirators and executioners have been prosecuted through the country’s judicial system until today. In fact, many of them remain in power.

Several of his presidential decrees (PDs) remain in effect and used as grounds by the present government to effect what is increasingly seen by many Filipinos as a de facto martial law. bulatlat

‘Pryce takes care of Moreno’s bills’

By Ben Balce / September 22, 2006

MISAMIS Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno has virtually turned Pryce Plaza Hotel into a home away from home and the hotel’s sister company has long been footing the bill, the governor’s accusers alleged on Wednesday.

"He (Moreno) has a very extravagant lifestyle and this does not speak well of his call for austerity measures in the provincial government,’’ said Ronnie Waniwan, one of the radio blocktimers who filed two complaints for graft against Moreno before the ombudsman.

Eddie Dangcal, another Moreno accuser, said he and Waniwan can support their claims with documents.

Waniwan said the documents would show that Moreno has been receiving favors from Pryce Gases, a sister company of the city’s premier hotel. The firm operates a plant in Barangay Baliwagan, Balingasag, Moreno’s hometown.

He said documents he and Dangcal have show that Moreno’s hotel bills reached some P200 thousand and that Pryce Gases was supposed to shoulder it.

Waniwan said he and Dangcal scrutinized the documents, and discovered that Moreno has been frequenting if not, staying in the hotel for quite some time already.

‘‘He usually stays at Room 202," said Waniwan, citing the alleged documents he and Dangcal unearthed.

Moreno’s press officer Maricel Casiño-Rivera said the capitol has yet to release an official statement.

‘‘It’s not clear what documents they (Waniwan and Dangcal) are referring to. Unless they make it clear, it would be difficult for us to comment,’’ said Rivera in a phone interview.

Rivera said Moreno has not discussed the matter with her.

‘‘Personally, I don’t know anything about it so it’s really hard to comment,’’ said Rivera.

Rivera however said she was certain that neither Pryce Gases nor any of its sister companies was doing business in the capitol and therefore, no conflicts of interest.

No one from Pryce Plaza Hotel agreed to be interviewed by this paper yesterday.

Waniwan said Moreno should explain this in public.

‘‘Even if he (Moreno) says that he is paying for it from his own pocket, still it doesn’t look good because he is a public official who should have a simple lifestyle,’’ said Waniwan.

He said he and Dangcal were studying the possibility of pressing another charge against Moreno based on the documents they recently discovered.

GSD editor to attend US program for journos

September 22, 2006

GOLD Star Daily editor-in-chief Herbie Gomez will leave for the US next week to attend a program on investigative journalism.

Gomez will join 21 other journalists from other countries in participating in the 60-year old program that is being administered in cooperation with private, non-profit organizations with the assistance of volunteer community organizations from across the United States. These groups receive grants from the US State Department.

The journalists are scheduled to visit Washington D.C., San Francisco, California; St. Louis, Missouri; and New York. Gomez will join a smaller group in Cleveland, Ohio, before proceeding to Missouri, and then to New York where the program will be concluded.

The group will participate in various fora to examine and discuss investigative journalism in the US and in their respective countries with American journalists, academics and students, among others.

Early this year, Gomez was in Brisbane and Melbourne in Australia, and Honiara in the Solomon Islands where he served as a trainer in a media project that received support from the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) and the Australian Assistance for International Development (Ausaid).

The Gold Star Daily editor is the only Filipino journalist chosen to attend the US program from Sept. 28 to Oct. 19. Filipino media practitioners who participated in the program in the past include Sheila Coronel, Malou Mangahas, Marites Vitug, Rina Jimenez-David, Nestor Mata, Cipriano Roxas, Korina Sanchez, Ramon Tulfo and Nestor Torre, among others.

Each year, more than 4,400 visitors from around the world participate in the program, according to the US State Department.

The program was designed to increase mutual understanding through communication at the personal and professional level. Participants in the program are established or potential foreign leaders in government, politics, media, education, economics, drug and crime prevention, science, environment, labor, human rights, women’s issues, arts management, and a variety of other fields.

During the 60 years of the program, hundreds of former participants have risen to important positions in their own countries. Among the alumni of the program, there are over 200 current and former chiefs-of-state or heads of government, and more than 1,500 alumni are cabinet-level ministers.

The State Department said many other alumni are changing the face of their own country and of the world as journalists, government officials, educators, judges, economists, environmentalists, and activists.

Union may seek suspension of port polls

By Lito Rulona, Dante Sudaria and Manuel Aleman / September 22, 2006

THE Phase II Port Workers’ Union (PPWU) yesterday said it was contemplating on asking the labor department to suspend the Sept. 28 balloting that would determine the labor union to represent port workers following reports of vote buying and political intervention.

The offers range from P20 thousand to P30 thousand, said Nicandro Borja, vice pre-sident for northern Mindanao of the Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) . PPWU is an affiliate of ALU-TUCP.

Councilor Alexander Dacer, barangay chairperson of Puntod, cried foul over the accusations made by Borja.

Dacer and Macabalan barangay chairperson Norbel Saa were accused of meddling in the purely union affairs of workers at the city’s premier port.

PPWU’s rival, Macajalar Labor Union (MLU), strongly denied the group has become a ‘‘puppet union’’ of the present management of Oroport Cargohandling Services Inc. MLU is an affiliate of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW).

Lorenzo Tongco, MLU president, said his union was only misunderstood because it has maintained a good labor-management relations with the Oroport management.

Despite the good ties with the management, Tongco said MLU has made itself independent from the company’s management and has remained free from political attachments.

With only about 20 more votes to win, MLU said it was optimistic it would be chosen by the workers to be their sole bargaining agent.

Borja however said money has started to flow because some Oroport executives want MLU, widely perceived to be ‘‘pro-management,’’ to win.

Dacer, an employee of the Gold City Integrated Port Services (Inport) before the Oroport merger, dared Borja’s group to prove allegations that he and Saa were meddling in the workers’ affairs.

He said he has been going to the port area not to campaign for MLU but to visit old friends at the Oroport.

Besides, said Dacer, it is his duty to look after the welfare of many residents of Puntod who are working in Oroport.

Saa, for his part, denied that he was interfering in the port workers’ pre-election activities.

Saa said if ever he goes inside the port area, it is because the pier is located in his barangay.

‘‘It is my duty and obligation to enter the port area since many of my constituent are working in that place,’’ said Saa.

Saa also lashed at Borja, saying that he (Borja) is also a politician like him. He said Borja is a councilor in El Salvador who is eyeing the town’s vice mayoral position.

‘‘Nan kon mahimo kana niya (Borja) alang alang di sad namo mahimo nga may katungud man usab kami sa paghisgut-hisgot sa management sa pantalan kay nasulod man kana sa among area of responsibility,’’ said Saa.

Borja said there were reports that some barangay officials were the ones offering money to workers so they would vote for MLU.

"Suko man gani kanang miembro sa MLU-FFW ngano nga ang offer para ra sa ALU-TUCP members. Mi-ingon hinoun sila nga sila ang mobali kay gikalimtan sila sa management," said Borja.

Other PPWU members, according to Borja, were offered by as much as P30 thousand each just to boycott the Sept. 28 election.

Dacer called the allegations ‘‘black propaganda.’’

"Binuang kini. Nagpa-klaro lang nga sila wala’y kasigurohan nga modaug," said Dacer.

However, Borja said a number of port workers can testify that there were attempts to bribe PPWU members.

Borja said his group was preparing a complaint against some barangay officials before the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). The same complaint, he said, may be used if ALU-TUCP decides to ask the labor department to suspend the election.

"What we want is a politician-free election so that all the port workers can vote according to their will," said Borja.

Enteria body trashes anti-Emano motion

By Ben Balce / September 22, 2006

THE city council’s committee on laws and rules on Wednesday rejected opposition Councilor Zaldy Ocon’s proposal to declare Mayor Vicente Emano persona non grata.

Ocon’s proposal was thrown out despite the documents he brought with him to support the proposal before the committee chaired by Emano ally Councilor Mary-anne Enteria. The committee’s members include councilors Edgardo Cabanlas, Reynaldo Advincula and Jerico Goldmar Ebabacol, all closely identified with the mayor.

The committee declared the proposed resolution to be baseless.

The rejection would mean the proposal would not be endorsed by the committee for discussion in the plenary.

Cabanlas said the proposed resolution was unfair to Emano.

It was impossible because Emano is the city’s chief executive. "We can’t declare him (Emano) persona non grata because he has the immunity as ambassador of this city," Cabanlas said.

"How can we declare the chief executive persona non grata?" Enteria said.

Advincula said Ocon’s proposal was "unfair" to Cagayanons who voted to make Emano their mayor.

Ocon lashed at the committee, saying its members only showed the extent by which they were willing to defend Emano.

Without elaborating, he said the committee on rules ‘‘exploited the rules.’’

He said the move to reject his proposal was without basis.

Ocon said he would prusue a signature campaign in the city so the public would declare Emano persona non grata.

His proposal stemmed from Emano’s memorandum that prevented city hall’s department heads and employees from appearing in investigations without his green light. Ocon has long been accusing Emano of keeping the public in the dark in regard to city hall’s finances and multimillion-peso transactions.

Tension brewing at the waterfront

By Lito Rulona / September 21, 2006

TENSION has gripped Cagayan de Oro’s premier port again as two rival labor unions prepare to slug it out––this time, through the ballot––next week.

The fight is on which labor union would emerge as the dominant force in the local stevedoring industry.

The situation at the Macabalan port is volatile and is threatening to snowball into a crisis similar to last year’s labor unrest at the port area.

Blame politicians, said Nicandro Borja, vice president for northern Mindanao of the Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP).

Politicians, he said, have started meddling with purely labor union affairs.

This early, Borja said, politicians have reportedly exerted pressure on port workers into voting in favor of the Macajalar Labor Union (MLU), the rival of the Phase II Port Workers’ Union (PPWU).

PPWU is an affiliate of ALU-TUCP while MLU is an affiliate of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW).

The MLU has been accused of being a ‘‘puppet union’’ of the group that runs the Oroport Cargohandling Services Inc. (Oro-port), the city’s premier stevedoring company.

Borja said ALU-TUCP has received reports that officials from barangays Puntod and Macabalan have been interfering in union activities apparently to influence the outcome of the Sept. 28 balloting.

The secret balloting, set next Thursday, would determine which of the two rival labor unions would be the ‘‘sole bargaining agent’’ of Oroport workers. The balloting would be supervised by representatives of the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole).

But Borja cried foul over the alleged use of political influence. He said he feared that barangay funds could end up being used to influence the outcome of the balloting.

Borja identified two barangay officials––Norbel Saa of Macabalan and Alexander Dacer of Puntod––as among the officials who have allegedly been applying pressure on port workers.

Both barangay chairpersons are closely associated with Mayor Vicente Emano, a close friend of Oroport head Franklin Siao.

"They should stay away and refrain from interferring in the workers’ activities. There are reports that say they are campaigning against PPWU-ALU-TUCP. If this is true, I am warning them," he said.

Borja also questioned the presence of barangays officials in the Macabalan port area. This, he said, has added to the tension.

He warned that his group would not hesitate to press charges against erring officials, adding that they could be administratively charged before the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Borja also called on the Oroport management to keep off. ‘‘The management must stay neutral in this election," he said.

"They should respect the right of the workers to choose as they please and there should be no political pressure," Borja said.

He said the Thursday balloting should remain ‘‘free, honest, independent, democratic and should be a purely union affair.’’

This paper tried to contact Saa and Dacer for comment but to no avail.

In 2005, a labor unrest resulting from a power grab at the Oroport resulted in millions of pesos in loses at the Macabalan port.

Oroport is a merger of two big stevedoring companies––Continental Arrastre and Stevedoring Co. Inc. (Casco) and Gold City Integrated Port Services (Inport)––that was agreed on in 1995.

But the relations between officials of Casco and Inport subsequenty turned sour.

Nacaya body looks into discrepancies in fuel prices in C. de Oro

By Eric Turrecha Jr. / September 21, 2006

A CITY council committee has initiated an investigation into the discrepancies in the prices of fuel in some Caltex, Shell and Petron stations in the city.

The discrepancies were revealed during a meeting called by the public utilities committee chaired by Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya.

During the meeting on Tuesday, three gas station owners in the city––ex-vice mayor John Elizaga, lawyer Leon Gan and Roy Tancinco––admitted that the prices of fuel in their stations slightly differ from other stations offering products of the same brand outside Cagayan de Oro.

Elizaga owns Caltex stations, Gan owns Petron stations while Tancinco owns Shell stations in the city.

Elizaga said the prices of fuel in his stations differ compared to other Caltex outlets.

For instance, he said, the price of diesel in his stations are lower compared to Caltex stations in Manila, Davao and Cebu.

The average price of diesel in Elizaga’s, Gan’s and Tancinco’s stations is P33.92 per liter. In Manila, Davao and Cebu, diesel is being sold from P36.78 to P37.3 per liter.

The gas station owners however failed to present a list of prime fuel prices.

The difference in prices is so because of the stiff competition in the city, Elizaga said.

He also complained about the prices of fuel being offered in the outlets of a newcomer in the local oil industry, saying the prices were too low.

But as for prime gasoline, Elizaga admitted that prices were not rolled back based on Caltex rates in Manila.

Instead, Elizaga said his stations lowered the gasoline prices through a ‘‘discounting scheme.’’

The scheme, according to Elizaga, enabled his stations to compete with gas outlets of the oil industry newcomer.

Elizaga said the discounting scheme was given a green light by Caltex.

Even before the September rollback, Elizaga claimed his stations have lowered the prices of fuel to a competitive level.

But Councilor Simeon Licayan, a member of the committee, said the local Caltex, Shell and Petron stations should check if they can still lower their prices.

Nacaya said the committee would meet with the gas station owners again next Tuesday.

Emano leads opening of big infotech meet

September 21, 2006

MAYOR Vicente Emano yesterday led local officials and key information technology players in the region in formally opening the exhibition and trade fair of the 5th Mindanao Information and Communications Technology Congress at the Limketkai center.

Emano expressed optimism that the event would boost the city’s position as the next ICT investment destination in the country.

Emano cited the city’s ‘‘investor-friendly’’ policies, stable peace and order condition, infrastructure facilities and amenities, fair weather and affordable cost of living as among the reasons why domestic and foreign investors are locating their investments here.

Today, Emano is set to welcome the ICT delegates from all over Mindanao who will attend the 5th MICT Congress which will be held at the Grand Caprice Restaurant and Convention Center.

Emano assured participants of the 5th MICT Congress that the city government will do its best to help make the event a truly meaningful and productive experience for them.

Among the topics that will be discussed in the two-day congress are ‘‘Paving the way for Mindanao ICT potentials: Benchmarking for innovation and collaboration,’’ ‘‘The Mindanao ICT Action Agenda’’ and ‘‘Transforming Mindanao through ICT.’’

The Congress will also be divided into three sub-groups for specific and relevant topic discussions, namely: e-business track for the business sector, e-knowledge track for the academe, and the e-governance track for the government sector.

The 5th MICT Congress is organized by the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc. (Oro Chamber) and the Mindanao Business Council (MinBC). It is co-hosted by city hall and the Regional Information Technology and E-Commerce Committee of Region 10.

Emano was joined by Gov. Loreto Ocampos of Misamis Occidental who also chairs the Regional Development Council 10, Romeo Serra, chair of the Mindanao Business Council; Arsenio Sebastian III, regional governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Uundersecretary Virgilio Leyretana of the ICT Commission; Engr. Elpidio Paras, vice president for chamber relations of the Oro Chamber; Engr. Dimnatang Radia, regional director of the Telecommunications Office-10 and Ruben Vegafria, president of the Oro Chamber and host of the 5th Mindanao ICT Congress. cio

Fresh docs show guv got favors: Moreno accusers

By Ben Balce / September 20, 2006

RADIO blocktimer Ronnie Waniwan yesterday claimed to have uncovered damning evidence that Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno violated the anti-graft law by allegedly receiving favors from a group of companies that has been running a famous hotel in the city.

Waniwan also said he and another radio blocktimer, Eddie Dangcal, are preparing to file four more graft charges against the Misamis Oriental governor.

Waniwan confirmed his and Dangcal’s plan to file more complaints yesterday, a day after the duo lodged a second graft complaint against Moreno before the ombudsman.

Waniwan said new documents he and Dangcal supposedly uncovered were ‘‘damaging.’’

The documents, said Waniwan, would show that the Moreno violated a law that prohibits public officials from receiving gifts or favors.

Waniwan did not elaborate.

But the four additional complaints, he said, would be based on the findings of the Commission on Audit (COA) which looked into the finances of the capitol as of 2005.

On Monday, Waniwan and Dangcal filed a second complaint against Moreno for allowing the capitol purchase of medicines allegedly without a bidding.

The complaint came a week after the two accused Moreno of graft in connection with the COA’s findings that the capitol spent some P12.6 million for fuel provided to private vehicles in 2005.

Last Monday, they accused Moreno of ‘‘shopping’’ for medicines allegedly to avoid biddings.

The complaint was filed before the ombudsman around 4 pm on Monday.

Charged with Moreno were acting provincial budget officer Elmer Wabe, acting provincial accountant Divina Bade and provincial treasurer Amelita Pacuribot.

Waniwan and Dangcal, registered residents of Gingoog City and El Salvador town, respectively, alleged that Moreno conspired with Wabe, Bade and Pacuribot in purchasing medicines and other medical supplies through ‘‘shopping’’ without competitive biddings.

In a three-page complaint, Waniwan and Dangcal alleged that the officials violated Republic Act 9184 that requires for competitive biddings and released payments to suppliers to the the detriment of the province.

They said the act was also a violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Reads a portion of the Waniwan-Dangcal complaint: "In order to get away from public bidding, the province of Misamis Oriental purchased the medicines and medical supplies by splitting the purchase requests and purchase orders in order to reduce the amount per purchase order to below P250,000 in order to avail the alternative mode of shopping.’’

To avoid biddings, Waniwan said the capitol officials limited the purchase of medicines to P50 thousand a day.

But this was done daily, he said.

In one instance, they said, the capitol made several purchase requests and orders. Collectively, the medicines would cost P250 thousand.

"The only logical conclusion for this is because they were trying to evade competitive public biddings," said Waniwan.

He also said the capitol should have bought the medicines in bulk after a bidding so the prices would be advantageous to the province.

In their complaint, Waniwan and Dangcal asked the ombudsman to suspend Moreno and the other officials to ensure a no-nonsense investigation into the alleged irregularities.

This paper tried to ask capitol officials for their comment in regard to the complaint but to no avail.

Bade declined to comment, saying she was leaving matters to the office of the governor.

Moreno was not in his office when this paper tried to ask him to comment.

Moreno’s press office chief, Maricel Casiño Rivera, told reporters earlier that the governor welcomed any complaint against him and that the official was ready to defend himself before any court.

Moreno, in earlier interviews, claimed the accusations hurled at him by Waniwan and Dangcal were part of a demolition job launched by his political enemies.

Ocon starts sign drive to declare Emano persona non grata

By Lito Rulona and Ben Balce / September 20, 2006

OPPOSITION Councilor Zaldy Ocon yesterday said he would launch a citywide signature campaign to declare Mayor Vicente Emano persona non grata due to his failure to win the support of the PaDayon Pilipino-dominated city council.

Ocon has moved to declare the mayor persona non grata because of a controversial memorandum that prohibits city hall’s department heads and employees from appearing in investigations without the mayor’s green light. Ocon’s motion has been referred to a city council committee.

But Ocon said he was certain the motion would be rejected because pro-Emano councilors like Councilor Edgar Cabanlas were against it from the beginning.

"There are only two of us fighting. We would be lucky to get three votes,’’ said Ocon.

During his DxCC program, Ocon started calling on residents to support his cause. He said he would work to win the support of at least half of the city’s population for his signature campaign.

Ocon said barangay-based leaders who are disappointed with the Emano administration would help him carry out the citywide signature campaign.

For starters, Ocon’s campaign centers would be at radio station DxCC and the capitol grounds near the Cagayan de Oro Press Club Building on Apolinar Velez St..

On Monday, Ocon moved to declare Emano persona non grata because of the administration’s policy which the councilor said was against transparency and good governance. He alleged that the alleged graft and corrupt practices in city hall have become ‘‘uncontrollable.’’

Ocon reiterated his call for Emano to explain and show documents in regard to multimillion-peso projects, including the market and terminal construction projects in Bulua and Gusa, and the build-operate-transfer scheme for the Cogon and Carmen markets.

Ocon also called for transparency in regard to the construction of the Pelaez Bridge and the multimillion-peso road projects.

Ocon’s motion is set for discussion in the council’s committee on laws and rules chaired by Councilor Maryanne Enteria, another Emano ally.

Councilor Cabanlas said the proposed resolution is tainted with political motives. He argued that Emano cannot be declared persona non grata because he was elected mayor of the city.

Ocon’s motion would be the main agenda of the Enteria committee this afternoon.

"The resolution filed by councilor Ocon will be deliberated Wednesday," Enteria confirmed.

Enteria said members of the committee would focus on the legitimacy of the proposed resolution. If approved, the motion would be discussed by the council on Monday.

But earlier, Enteria called the proposed resolution "baseless." She said it was an ‘‘accusation’’ and not a ‘‘resolution.’’

Enteria said the committee would determine if the Ocon proposal should be calendared for council discussion.

Vice governor says bloated figures used for bill to split Surigao Norte

By Nonoy Lerio / September 20, 2006

THE vice governor of Surigao del Norte has expressed opposition to the proposal to turn Dinagat Island into a separate province.

Vice Gov. Rodolfo Navarro also questioned the basis for the move in the Lower House to split Surigao del Norte into two.

"The population data presented in the Lower House is based on the special census of population in the island in July 2003. The undertaking is highly questionable. Where in the world can you find a population increase of 247.73 percent in just three years?" said Navarro.

He quoted administrator Carmelita Ericta of the National Statistics Office (NSO) as saying that the total population of Surigao del Norte as of May 2000 was 481,416, including Dinagat Island’s 106,951.

Navarro said the July 2003 special census in Dinagat was not sanctioned by the NSO.

Because of this, he said congressmen cannot use the July 2003 data to support House Bill No. 6095, the proposal to create the ‘‘Province of Dinagat."

The bill was filed by Rep. Glenda Ecleo of Surigao del Norte’s 1st District.

Navarro said that in July 2003 census, Dinagat Island’s population ‘‘skyrocketed’’ to 371,570. He said the figures presented were ‘‘unbelieavable’’ considering that these show a 247.73-percent increase compared to the May 2000 census figures.

Navarro said, ‘‘If we are to believe this, it means Dinagat Island’s population increased by 88,206 per year for a period of three years. This population increase in Dinagat Island, as reflected in that special census, is bloated and, therefore, incredible and unbelievable––even unprintable in the Book of Guinness."

Navarro said the figures were intentionally bloated to comply with the basic requirements of the Local Government Code and that is, a province must have a population of at least 250,000.

He called on Surigaonons to oppose the Ecleo bill.

"Should we allow this to happen? Let’s be united and defend our integrity and dignity,’’ he said.

Hotel planning to open Oro casino

By Susan Palmes / September 19, 2006

THE Korean-run Hotel Koresco is planning on housing a casino in the predominantly Roman Catholic Cagayan de Oro, a city that pressured the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) into aborting casino operations in a nearby hotel in the ’90s.

Koresco operations manager Emelinda Olarte confirmed the plan to reporters during a recent meeting of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) board in the hotel.

Olarte said Hotel Koresco executives were enthusiastic about the idea of a ‘‘mini-casino’’ that would cater to their guests. A casino, she said, would be an attraction given the distance of the hotel to the city proper.

"Actually, it’s going to be a mini-casino,’’ said Olarte. ‘‘Koreans love casinos [which are part of] their night life."

Olarte said the mini-casino would be exclusively for Hotel Koresco’s ‘‘guests and friends.’’

She said preparations are now being undertaken for the opening.

Earlier, Mayor Vicente Emano said he told President Arroyo about plans to open a casino in the city when the Chief Executive came last Aug. 28. He said Arroyo was not enthusiastice about the plan and so he did not force the issue.

Unlike the city’s previous leaders, Emano has not taken a hard-line stance against plans to operate a casino in the city. Emano said casino operations, if regulated, would be good for the city’s tourism industry.

In the ’90s, a series of street demonstrations led by the then mayor Pablo Magtajas and other city officials, and the local Roman Catholic Archdiocese forced Pagcor to stop the operations of a casino at Pryce Plaza Hotel. The Pagcor pullout came despite a Supreme Court ruling that gave Pagcor the go-ahead.

The new four-storey hotel, which opened late last year, is owned by Infinite Forest (IF) Koresco Corp., a local subsidiary of Korean Resort Service Corp. (Koresco). The same firms operates several resort complexes in Korea and other key vacation areas, consisting of vacation hotels and condominiums.

SP rejects move to scrap resolution against reporter

By Mark Francisco / September 19, 2006

THE provincial board yesterday rejected a proposal by one of its members to scrap a resolution it approved in February that sought a ban on a journalist covering its meetings.

Provincial board member Henry Clyde Abbott asked the lawmaking body to take back the resolution that ‘‘requested’’ this paper to send a reporter other than correspondent Lito Rulona to cover the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s sessions.

Abbott was among those who voted in favor of the February resolution that caught the ire of local media groups after a lawmaker asked Rulona to get out of the SP session hall two Mondays ago. Organized journalists said the resolution and the attempt to send Rulona out was a violation of the Bill of Rights, specifically the freedom of the press.

However, in a prepared speech, Abbott said if "the SP (Sangguniang Panlalawigan) was wrong" in approving the resolution, it should collectively be "man enough to admit" it.

Abbott also said that if Rulona erred in his reportings, the provincial board must forgive him because "to err is human and to forgive is divine."

Rulona has maintained the accuracy of a story he wrote about provincial board member Alejo Olano criticizing the use of capitol funds. The story and Olano’s subsequent denial resulted in the passage of the February resolution.

Abbott’s proposal was blocked by Vice Gov. Julio Uy who hastily called for a recess in the middle of the meeting.

Uy called Abbott and provincial board member Oliver Actub privately apparently to settle the issue.

It was Actub who stirred the controversy in last week’s SP session when he reminded his colleagues about the February resolution. He had also asked Rulona to get out based on the resolution.

Abbott said the resolution was not just meant to ‘‘request’’ Gold Star Daily to ban Rulona. He said the resolution was also for the provincial board to ban the correspondent.

Uy told Abbott that the resolution was moot and academic since this paper denied the ‘‘request.’’

Abbott agreed and withdrew his motion.

Rulona, for his part, said he was not satisfied with the action of the provincial board.

"Even if the issue is moot and academic, the damage has been done. It will still be reflected on their record that I was at fault," Rulona said.

Susan Palmes, the chairperson of the National Union of Jounalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in Cagaayan de Oro, said the provincial board should scrap the resolution.

Normin registers highest per capita GRDP in Vismin

By Mike Banos / September 19, 2006

NORTHERN Mindanao has the highest per capita gross regional domestic product in the Visayas and Mindanao area, and remains to be the biggest regional economy in Mindanao, latest GRDP figures from 2005 released by the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) Region 10 office show.

Region 10 retains the biggest Gross Regional Domestic Product in Mindanao at P58.138 billion, some P2.293 billion clear of Davao’s (Region 11) P55.845-billion, still widely believed to be Mindanao’s biggest and most active economy.

Nationwide, Northern Mindanao was the sixth largest regional economy in 2005, trailing the National Capital Region (P385.663 billion), Calabarzon (P150.870 billion), Central Luzon (P102.456 billion), West Visayas (P88.187 billion) and Central Visayas (P85.944 billion).

Davao ranked seventh (P55.844 billion) followed by Soccsksargen (P41.571 billion), Ilocos (P36,183 billion) and Bicol (P34,419 billion) to round out the top 10.

With a per capita GRDP of P14, 829 (at constant 1985 prices) Northern Mindanao enjoyed the top spot not in Mindanao but in the Visayas as well, outranking other regional powerhouses like Calabarzon (P14, 159), Davao (P13, 892), Cebu (P13, 518) Negros (P12, 825) and Mimaropa (12,735).

In fact, only Metro Manila (35,742) and the Cordillera Administrative Region (17,919) outranked Region 10 in the entire country in 2005. Northern Mindanao also enjoys a higher per capita GDP than the 2005 national average of P14,186.

However, Region 10 failed to break the top 10 regions in terms of growth rates compared to 2004, its 3.8 percent only good for 11th place behind the Armm which ranked tenth at 3.9 percent.

Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9) was the surprise leader with 7.2 percent, edging NCR’s 7.1 percent. Rounding out the top 10 regions in terms of GRDP growth rates were Mimaropa (6.5), Central Visayas (6), Ilocos (6), West Visayas (5.9), Bicol (5), Davao (5), and Eastern Visayas (4).

Engr. Clark Clarete, head of Neda-10’s macro-economic technical working group for the Regional Development Council for Region 10, told participants of the Quarterly Regional Economic Situationer (QRES) that all three sub-sectors of the economy recorded slower growths compared to 2004.

The service sector, which accounted for the 39.39 percent of the regional economy in 2005, slowed down to six percent from 6.4 percent the previous year. The top sub-sector performers included finance (8.3 percent), trade (6.9 percent) and private services (5.6 percent)

The industry sector, which made up 30.73 percent of the regional economy, was down to 3.1 percent compared to 2004’s 5 percent. Manufacturing was the top performing sub-sector with 4.3 percent while construction remained flat at 1.1 percent due to a decline in public construction. Electricity and water (-1.7 percent) and mining and quarrying (-.2 percent) both posted negative growths for the period.

Agriculture, fisheries and forestry was the sector most affected by the slowdown, shrinking to only 1.7 percent mainly due to the slowdown in the agriculture and fisheries sector which declined to only 2.1 percent from 10.3 percent in 2004.

Clarete attributed the decline to the decrease in the production of two major regional crops, sugarcane and corn.

Pamatong files more charges against Pantanosas

By Dante Sudaria / September 18, 2006

CONTROVERSIAL lawyer Elly Pamatong has filed graft charges against regional Judge Gregorio Pantanosas before the ombudsman.

The graft complaint was filed on Friday, the same day Judge Pantanosas slapped the lawyer with a disbarment case before the Supreme Court, it was learned yesterday.

Pamatong earlier filed a complaint against Pantanosas before the High Tribunal, accusing the judge of violating the code of conduct for judges.

Specifically, Pamatong accused Pantanosas of soliticiting P1 million in exchange for a favorable ruling on a petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO). Pamatong is lawyering for the Discovery Crusade of the Philippines Inc. (DCPI), a religious group that is contesting a property in Baloy that is being claimed by Kimwa Construction.

In his complaint filed before the ombudsman, Pamatong accused Pantanosas of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt practice Act.

He alleged that Pantanosas asked him to facilitate the ‘‘donation’’ of P1 million from the heirs of the late DCPI founder, Edmundo Pamintuan a.k.a Commander Lahi.

Pamatong alleged that Pantanosas assured him that he would risk his career by issuing a freeze order if the Pamintuans would ‘‘donate’’ P1 million.

Pamatong also accused Pantanosas of asking and receiving P2 thousand as a supposed payment to expedite the delivery of summons through sheriff named Johnson Tan Jr. The money was allegedly divided among Pantanosas and his staff.

Pantanosas has strongly denied the accusations, and called Pamatong a ‘‘psychiatric patient.’’ The judge said Pamatong’s claims were all lies.

The judge said he suspected Pamatong fabricated stories against him because he ordered the lawyer to remove his fez during a hearing.

A clerk of court laughed off Pamatong’s allegation that Pantanosas and his staff divided the P2 thousand among themselves. He said what Pamatong paid for was a legal fee being imposed by the judiciary.

Meanwhile, Pamatong also pressed charges of human rights violation against Pantanosas before the ombudsman and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

Also charged municipal Judge Romualdo Galarita, city police deputy director Antonio Montalba and sheriff Dreyfus Acenas.

Pamatong said Pantanosas humiliated him before a crowd of about 200 during the hearing of his petition by ordering him to remove his ‘‘Muslim hat.’’ He said the wearing of a fez is a matter of religious and because of his stature as ‘‘international spokesman of the Bangsamoro people.’’

The other respondents were accused of causing the demolition of ‘‘houses of God.’’

Pamatong said that under the law, a demolition can only be undertaken through a special order, and a clearance from the Presidential Commission on Urban Poor. In the case of the Baloy demolition, Pamatong said there was none.

‘‘Three inter-faith houses of prayer (including a Roman Catholic chapel) have been forcibly demolished by the combined efforts of the sheriff, police officers, and Kimwa Construction security guards,’’ alleged Pamatong.

Pamatong added: ‘‘Since it appears that both the judicial system and the law enforcement agencies of this country are hopelessly corrupt, the herein complainant most respectfully prays that this complaint be given prompt attention and that the matter be immediately set for a thorough review and investigation.’’

Presumption of innocence favors judge, says Villaroya

By Susan Palmes and Ben Balce / September 18, 2006

A PROMINENT Cagayan de Oro lawyer who caught the ire of judges when he publicly expressed his concern over allegations of corruption in the city’s courts several months ago said the accuser of regional Judge Gregorio Pantanosas would need to work harder to substantiate his claim that the magistrate asked a P1-million bribe.

‘‘The presumption of innocence favors the judge more so as the complainant is a publicity seeker,’’ said lawyer Roderico Villaroya.

Pantanosas’ accuser, Elly Pamatong, has been described by some lawyers here as ‘‘sharp’’ but ‘‘weird.’’

Pamatong is the same lawyer who was barred by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from running for President in 2004 because he was a ‘‘nuisance candidate.’’ That same year, he was linked to a group that scattered metal spikes on the streets and roads of Manila.

Pamatong is also known to be advocating to make the Philippines one of the states of the US.

Villaroya said he witnessed when Pantanosas ordered Pamatong to remove his fez inside the courtroom. He said he did not find the incident ‘‘alarming.’’

‘‘What transpired after is beyond my knowledge,’’ said Villaroya.

He added: ‘‘If a judge accepts a bribe, the lawyer is the bigger thief. Lawyers should not offer bribes as normally judges do not demand unless tempted."

Former vice mayor Antonio Soriano, a lawyer by profession, said he doubted if Pantanosas did what Pamatong claimed the judge did.

"I don’t think judge Pantanosas would do that," Soriano said.

"I know Judge Pantanosas personally, he is a good judge," Soriano said.

As for Pamatong, Soriano said, "I really don’t know him. It’s hard to describe him. I don’t even know if Pamatong is really a Muslim or a Christian."

But at the end of the day, Soriano said the question of who is really telling the truth would be decided by the Supreme Court.

The case against Pantanosas has become the talk of the town insofar as the city’s legal community is concerned. But most lawyers have opted not to speak on the record.

Even at the Hall of Justice, court employees opted to keep mum.

Pantanosas seeks Pamatong's disbarment

By Susan Palmes / September 16, 2006

REGIONAL Judge Gregorio Pantanosas yesterday filed a disbarment case against his accuser, controversial lawyer Elly Pamatong.

Pantanosas wasted no time in filing the disbarment case before the Supreme Court as an offshoot of a complaint for corruption filed against him by Pamatong, the leader of the religious group Discovery Crusade of the Philippines Inc. (DCPI).

Earlier, Pamatong filed a complaint against Pantanosas before the High Tribunal, accusing the judge of soliciting a P1-million bribe in exchange for a favorable ruling.

Pamatong had asked Pantanosas to inhibit from hearing a petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO) he filed on behalf of DCPI which is contesting a property in Baloy that is being claimed by Kimwa Construction. Authorities earlier demolished DCPI structures within the compound on orders of another judge.

Pantanosas, the presiding judge of the 20th branch of the Regional Trial Court here, said he filed the disbarment case because Pamatong "for degrading the dignity and falsely accusing the court" and to give the lawyer a dose of his medicine.

He said also that Pamatong maligned him and his family.

Pantanosas claimed he was never accused of corruption in his 23 years in the judiciary. He said the case that were filed against him in the past were on matters of procedures and all were dismissed by the High Tribunal.

Pantanosas called Pamatong ‘‘a psychiatric patient and is not fit to continue as a lawyer.’’

He repeatedly denied having solicited P1 million, saying he and Pamatong only talked for about two minutes when the lawyer paid a courtesy call on him before the hearing of the petition.

‘‘In fact the only topic mentioned was about the roots of the maternal family of Pamatong here in the city," said Pantanosas. ‘‘His own complaint speaks for itself."

Pantanosas described Pamatong to be ‘‘meek and innocent’’ in court but ‘‘shrewd.’’

" I am not afraid of his case. The truth will come out anyway and that is, Pamatong is a liar," said Pantanosas.

He said he suspected that Pamatong was angered when he ordered the lawyer to remove his fez in his courtroom during a hearing last Sept. 8.

Pantanosas said he reconsidered when Pamatong appealed and intimated that he was bald.

Pantanosas also said Pamatong took it personally when he ordered another lawyer, Leon Gan, to present the case because he ‘‘was of the impression that Pamatong does not know his procedure.’’

Regional Executive Judge Edgardo Lloren declined to comment, saying the case was filed before the SC. But he said he received the copy of Pamatong’s complaint against Pantanosas.

Lloren said he was waiting for an instruction from the SC.

Meanwhile, Deputy clerk of court Taumatorgo Macabinlar denied Pamatong’s claim that Pantanosas and his staff divided among themselves P2 thousand that was allegedly given by the lawyer to expedite the delivery of summons.

"What was given was payment of service," he said, adding that the fee is mandated by law. ‘‘There is nothing illegal or unusual about it.’’

Lawyer accuses Judge Pantanosas of asking P1-m bribe

By Dante Sudaria / September 15, 2006

A CONTROVERSIAL lawyer has accused a regional judge of corruption before the Supreme Court, claiming that the magistrate asked P1 million in exchange for a favorable decision in connection with a case involving a property in Baloy here.

Lawyer Elly Pamatong charged Judge Gregorio Pantanosas with solicitation of a P1-million bribe before the High Tribunal. The complaint was notarized in Arayat, Pampanga, last Tuesday and was received by the Office of the Court Administrator on the same day.

Pamatong also alleged that he was asked P2 thousand on another occasion as payment for the speedy delivery of summons. The money, he said, was supposed to be divided between Pantanosas and some court employees.

Pantanosas strongly denied Pamatong’s accusations.

Pamatong is the same lawyer who tried to run for President in 2004. He was barred by the elections commission because he was a ‘‘nuisance candidate.’’ He was also accused of being behind the group that scattered metal spikes that resulted in over 150 flat tires in Manila on June 21, 2004.

Pamatong’s complaint sprung from a dispute over a property in Baloy between the firm Kimwa Construction and the Discovery Crusade of the Philippines Inc. (DCPI), a religious group which he (Pamatong) heads.

He accused Pantanosas of violating provisions in the Code of Judicial Conduct, specifically canons 1, 2 and 3. The Code requires judges to be the embodiment of competence, integrity and independence; to promote public confidence in the integrity and impartality of the jucidiary; and to take no part in a proceeding where their impartiality might be questioned.

Pamatong alleged that the bribe solicitation took place after the Sept. 6 raffling of the case his group filed against Kimwa Construction.

Pamatong said he went to Pantanosas’s office to ask that the defendants be summoned the soonest. He said he was subsequently told by clerk of court Taumaturgo Macabinlar that Pantanosas was inviting him to the judge’s chamber.

He said he and Judge Pantanosas ‘‘had a brief one-on-one private, confidential conference.’’

Pamatong said Pantanosas asked him to arrange a ‘‘donation’’ of P1 million from the heirs of the late Edmundo Pamintuan a.k.a Commander Lahi, the founder of DCPI which, at that time, was seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) against a writ issued by Judge Romualdo Galarita.

Galarita’s writ, against DCPI, was the basis for the recent demolition of four houses within the Baloy property.

Pamatong said Pantanosas told him that if the money was delivered the following day, ‘‘he (Pantanosas) would risk his life and career...’’ to grant the petition.

In exchange for P1 million, Pamatong said he was assured that the judge would grant the TRO and order the return of residents who were evicted from the Baloy property.

Reads a portion of Pamatong’s complaint: ‘‘Judge Pantanosas... (said) that he heard about the alleged demise of Commander Lahi; that at one time Commander Lahi..., as a philanthropist, even donated two service vehicles to the City of Cagayan de Oro as a gesture of goodwill; and that if I could arrange for his heir to donate one million cash the following day, he would risk his life and career...’’

He added ‘‘...since this type of judicial corruption is pervasive in the Philippines, and since I did not want to jeopardize the application for TRO, I told Judge Pantanosas I would see what I can do to reach the ‘heirs’ of Commander Lahi.’’

Pamatong said Pantanosas made a follow-through shortly before a court hearing. He said the judge acted like he did not know him and with a menacing look, ordered him to remove his fez.

‘‘You, there, with a Muslim hat, what is your name and will you please remove your hat?’’ said Pamatong, quoting Pantanosas as supposedly telling him.

Shocked, Pamatong said he approached the bench. He said Pantanosas, ‘‘while somewhat muttering under his breath,’’ asked if he had told Pamintuan’s heirs about the money.

After he shook his head, he said Pantanosas then told him: ‘‘In that case, you cannot argue without taking off that hat, you understand that, counsel?’’

In his complaint, Pamatong admitted that the truth about his accusation that Pantanosas asked a P1-million bribe would depend on credibility in that it supposedly took place during a one-on-one meeting inside the judge’s chamber.

But Pamatong said there were two witnesses who can testify that he was asked P2 thousand on another occasion just to expedite the serving of summons.

The witnesses, he said, can testify that a sheriff, Johnson Tan Jr., asked him P2 thousand allegedly on behalf of Pantanosas.

Pamatong said the money, based on Tan’s claim, was to be divided among Pantanosas and some court employees.

‘‘He (Tan) said that P1,000 would routinely go to... Pantanosas... while the other half would be divided among his co-employees,’’ said Pamatong.

‘‘To avoid jeopardizing the case, I gave P2,000.00’’ to Pantanosas through Tan, alleged Pamatong.

Pantanosas: The truth lies in credibility

By Dante Sudaria and Lito Rulona / September 14, 2006

REGIONAL Judge Gregorio Pantanosas yesterday laughed off accusations that he asked a P1-million bribe from a religious group even as he cast doubts on the credibility of his accuser.

Pantanosas, the presiding judge of the 20th branch of the Regional Trial Court here, also said he was preparing charges against Elly Pamatong, the leader of the religious group Discovery Crusade of the Philippines Inc. (DCPI) and a controversial lawyer who attempted to run for President in 2004.

Pantanosas questioned Pamatong’s mental health. "I believe that he is suffering from a mental imbalance, that he is mentally unstable. He is bent on destroying any person that goes against his desires.’’

He belittled Pamatong’s charges, saying the lawyer’s complaint lacked evidence.

Pantanosas strongly denied he asked Pamatong to arrange a P1-million donation from the heirs of the late DCPI founder Edmun-do Pamintuan a.k.a. Commander Lahi, in exchange for a freeze order against the demolition of houses in a property in Baloy. The property is being contested by DCPI and the firm Kimwa Construction.

‘‘I am now preparing a case against him for his malicious accusation, falsity and lies,’’ said Pantanosas.

Pantanosas also called Pamatong irresponsible.

‘‘According to him, the solicitation of a P1-million bribe took place inside my chamber, (and that it was a) a one-on-one conversation. In other words there is no witness... The truth lies in his credibility,’’ said Pantanosas.

The judge mocked Pamatong, saying the lawyer even submitted attachments to his complaint in an attempt to make it appear that he is closely associated with ex-president Joseph Estrada and US President George W. Bush, among others.

‘‘In other words, he is trying to convince the Supreme Court, by means of this attachments, that he is credible. I don’t think the Supreme Court will believe him,’’ said Pantanosas.

The judge said Pamatong’s credibility further suffered when the lawyer was linked to a group that scattered metal spikes on the streets and roads of Manila a few years back.

"So I am not really affected by these accusations... These are all lies," said Pantanosas, adding that he was even thinking of not giving Pamatong any importance.

However, Pantanosas said Pamatong should be punished because ‘‘his abusive attitude should not be tolerated.’’

"The charges hurled by Pamatong has downgraded the judicial system considering that he generalized his complaint (and said) that the whole judicial system in the country is corrupt," said Pantanosas.

Pantanosas said he does not know Pamatong personally and that the first time he met him was when the lawyer filed a petition for a TRO.

"I immediately scheduled to hear his petition the following day as proof of my impartiality," said Pantanosas.

He said he remembered telling Pamatong to present his evidence and witnesses.

Despite what the judge said was a display of impartiality, Pamatong moved that he (Pantanosas) inhibit from hearing the case because of the judge’s alleged prejudice toward people who dress like Filipino Muslims.

Pantanosas said he denied Pamatong’s motion and then required the lawyer to explain why he should not be cited for contempt within 10 days.

The next thing he knew, Pantanosas said Pamatong already filed a complaint against him before the Supreme Court. He said he was furnished a copy of the complaint.

Cabanlas wants Ocon punished

By Lito Rulona and Susan Palmes / September 14, 2006

COUNCILOR Edgar Cabanlas wants the city council to punish opposition Councilor Zaldy Ocon for allegedly maligning Mayor Vicente Emano and other city hall officials.

"What he has been doing is too much. He acts like he’s a judge,’’ said Cabanlas.

Cabanlas has publicly apologized for nearly exchanging blows with Ocon during a city council session on Monday afternoon. The near slugfest at the city council happened after Ocon lambasted Emano and sought that the mayor be declared persona non grata for what has been widely perceived as a gag order on city hall department heads and employees.

Cabanlas, the majority floor leader, said he had no intention of attacking Ocon from behind. He said Ocon’s proposal was unclear to him. ‘‘Mao nga ako siyang gi-apas kay among klarohon og unsa gyud iyang gusto."

But Ocon said he only took a defensive stance after an angry Cabanlas walked toward him at the session hall.

He said what really angered Cabanlas was when he (Ocon) moved that Emano be declared persona non grata.

Cooler heads in the city council prevented the near violence.

Cabanlas said Ocon maligned local officials during a privilege speech. But Cabanlas said privilege speeches are also governed by house.

‘‘One cannot just lambast anybody especially if the persons concerned are also government officials,’’ said Cabanlas.

Under the council’s house rules, Cabanlas said Ocon can be charged with conduct unbecoming, and the opposition councilor can be reprimanded for maligning persons in authority.

Cabanlas said the accusations were ‘‘malicious.’’

Cabanlas said he was offended when Ocon took matters personally and even discussed Judge Anita Lucagbo’s ruling that cited him (Cabanlas), Emano and other local officials for contempt. Lucagbo, in her decision, said Cabanlas deceived her into deciding a case in favor of Emano and company.

"Maayo unta nga magtu-on gyud si Ocon para dili mabulilyaso," said Cabanlas.

But Ocon said he expected to be "presumed guilty" by his colleagues who are mostly allies of Mayor Emano.

"With this kind of public officials, anyone who’s with the opposition would not be given the opportunity to defend himself,’’ said Ocon.

Cabanlas said he would rather fight Ocon in the 2007 elections. He challenged Ocon to run for congressman. Cabanlas is said to be eyeing the city’s lone congressional seat.

‘‘Dili na lamang unta kita magbinata. Gusto niya og maayo nga challenge? I challenge him to run for congressman," said Cabanlas.

An angry Ocon said he would not back out from any fight, adding that he was even willing to fight Cabanlas in a gun duel.

"Dili taka sibugan maskin usa ka tikang. Tan-awon nato kung kinsa ang mabilin," Ocon said.

Ocon has vowed to pursue his crusade against corruption.

"Gubat na gyud ni pagpangita sa kamato-oran," he said. "Tiwason ko kining krusada batok niining mga tulibagbag."

Zubiri challenges radio blocktimer Dangcal to a fight

By Gemma Tenorio / September 14, 2006

BUKIDNON––A radio blocktimer has threatened to sue the governor of this province for allegedly threatening him inside a radio station.

During a radio program hosted by Eddie Dangcal and Ronnie Waniwan, they said lawyers were already studying the possibility of bringing Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri to court for alleged oral defamation and grave threats.

Zubiri, for his part, said he merely challenged Dangcal to a fistfight.

"It’s true that I challenged Dangcal to a fight because he called me a coward. I apologize to the people but I was really insulted because it was an attack on my manhood,’’ said Zubiri.

The incident reportedly took place last Thursday when Zubiri and Dangcal chanced on each other inside a radio station. Zubiri said he was on his way out while Dangcal was about to start his radio program.

Dangcal and Waniwan were hosting a new radio program over Radyo Abante. The first few days of their programs were focused on criticizing Zubiri over the capitol purchase of a tomato paste plant in Manolo Fortich town. The duo also lambasted Zubiri’s congressman-son, Miguel, in connection with the fertilizer scam.

Zubiri said he confronted Dangcal and asked them their purpose in Bukidnon. Zubiri said he asked Dangcal: "Unsay inyong tuyo dinhi sa Bukidnon? Kinsay nagsugo sa inyo nga dauton ninyo ang akong pagkatawo sa kahanginan nga walay valid facts and documents?" ‘‘Taga Manila daw,’’ Zubiri quoted Dangcal as saying.

Dangcal and Waniwan have continued criticizing the Zubiris on air. The two radio blocktimers are also the same ones who filed a complaint for graft and malversation of funds against Gov. Oscar Moreno of Misamis Oriental.

Scribes close ranks vs. scheming politicians

September 13, 2006

CAGAYAN de Oro’s journalists yesterday grumbled about what they called creeping threats to press freedom here even as they denounced attempts in the provincial board to stop a correspondent of this paper from covering the local legislative body.

Local politicians have resorted to subtle ways of harassing the media, said Susan Palmes, chairperson of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) for Cagayan de Oro.

Palmes yesterday facilitated an emergency meeting among journalists, a day after provincial board member Oliver Actub publicly asked Gold Star Daily correspondent Lito Rulona to get out of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s session hall. Actub invoked SP Resolution no. 69-2006 that ‘‘requested’’ this paper to prohibit Rulona from covering the provincial board.

The journalists called it ‘‘foul.’’

The February resolution, authored by provincial board member Francisco Bade, was based on an allegation made by provincial board member Alejo Olano Jr. that Rulona fabricated a story that quoted him as criticizing Gov. Oscar Moreno over the way the capitol’s internal revenue allotment (IRA) was being spent. Olano denied being interviewed by Rulona.

Rulona, however, maintained that he interviewed Olano and that his story was accurate.

During yesterday’s meeting, two reporters from other newspapers––Liza Amarga and Nilo Abroguena––corroborated the Gold Star Daily story, saying the things Rulona wrote about were things discussed with them by Olano.

‘‘He (Olano) discussed those things with me,’’ said Amarga.

Abroguena also said the same thing.

‘‘The sad thing,’’ said Gold Star Daily editor-in-chief Herbie Gomez, ‘‘is that the provincial board members passed the resolution without checking if Olano was telling the truth.’’

He said the provincial board members did not bother to initiate an investigation before they decided to pass the controversial resolution.

‘‘But assuming for the sake of argument that there were lapses on the part of the reporter, still, it was wrong to pass a resolution like that because it goes against the Bill of Rights. From all angles, the passage of that resolution cannot be justified,’’ said Gomez.

Jerry Orcullo, a former president of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC), accused Bade’s committee of violating basic constitutional rights when it recommended the approval of Resolution no. 69-2006.

‘‘It’s ironic because it’s called the Committee on Human Rights, Public Information, Good Government, Public Ethics and Accountability. Where is human rights there given that Rulona was not given due process? Where is good governance there when the resolution is obviously against the principles of transparency? That committee violated all the rights that it should have upheld,’’ said Orcullo.

Lawyer Rogelio Bagabuyo said he was discussing with Rulona a possible lawsuit against all the officials who approved the Bade resolution. The journalists who attended the meeting said they were planning on joining Rulona in questioning the resolution in court.

Officials of the NUJP, Association of Women Journalists, PNP Press Corps, Diamond Defense Press Corps, Media Health Advocates, Alsa Media, and some officers of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) who attended the meeting called the resolution ‘‘unconstitutional,’’ ‘‘discriminatory,’’ ‘‘harassment against media,’’ and a ‘‘clear affront to press freedom.’’

The media groups also closed ranks in an effort to protest the tendency of local officials to associate journalists with their enemies whenever stories not favorable to them are reported.

One of the groups, the local chapter of NUJP, said many of the city’s journalists who have been labeled by politicians have started to complain.

‘‘When a journalist writes or airs a story that’s not favorable to a politician, he or she would immediately be labeled as a spin doctor of a politician from an opposing camp. That’s unfair,’’ said NUJP's Palmes.

Palmes said the act was an insult to independent journalists and should not go unchallenged by the city’s media.

Local politicians are experimenting on a way to restrain some journalists from performing their watchdog role, she said.

‘‘That is by making up nasty stories about how crusading journalists supposedly received payoffs to take part in smear campaigns. It’s all part of the politicians’ strategy of making a journalist think twice before he makes an expose. Knowing that he risks becoming the subject of a nasty rumor, even a well-intentioned journalist would think twice before going public with his story,’’ said Gomez. ‘‘Sadly, almost all, if not all, of our politicians are guilty of doing this.’’

The media groups described this as a ‘‘creeping threat to press freedom’’ that must be exposed and challenged.

Columnist Cris Diaz agreed, saying journalists should be discerning and should refrain from casting aspersions against fellow media practitioners based on perceptions.

Journalist Liza Amarga said politicians who resort to this tactic should be taught a lesson.

‘‘For starters, we can blacklist them,’’ said Amarga.

DxIF-Bombo Radyo’s assistant manager, Michael Bustamante, said the city’s media practitioners should close ranks and not allow politicians to sow intrigues against the media.

Bustamante said politicians were also resorting to ‘‘divide-and-rule’’ tactics by spreading rumors against journalists whom they perceive to be ‘‘unfriendly’’ to their causes.

‘‘They (politicians) want us to attack each other,’’ said Bustamante. ‘‘If we allow this, we will self-destruct.’’

Let's take lie-detector test, Waniwan dares Moreno

By Ben Balce / September 13, 2006

ONE of the accusers of Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno has dared the province’s leader to take a lie-detector test.

Ronnie Waniwan, who was among those who filed a complaint for graft against Moreno before the ombudsman, also threatened to file libel charges against the governor for accusing him and two other complainants––Eddie Dangcal and Rey Abaca-hin––of being used by his (Moreno’s) political enemies.

Waniwan and Dangcal are known to be television and radio blocktimers while Abacahin is a TV program segment producer. Yesterday, media groups in the city said the act of Wani-wan, Dangcal and Abaca-hin in suing Moreno is not a media function. But the groups said the three complainants have the right to do what they did as citizens.

Waniwan called More-no’s statements over a radio station last week ‘‘irresponsible.’’

"Oca (Moreno), as lawyer, should stick to the issues, and he should not drag the names of other politicians," said Waniwan even as he accused the governor of trying to divert the issue on graft to partisan politics.

Waniwan said he was willing to take the lie-detector test together with Moreno ‘‘so we will know who is really telling the truth.’’

Moreno has accused Waniwan and company of taking part in a ‘‘demolition job’’ against him. He said it was clear to him that his accusers were being backed and funded by his political enemies.

Waniwan was accused of trying to ask P30 thousand in exchange for a news blackout on the Commission on Audit’s 2005 annual audit report. He was also accused of asking for an endorsement in preparation for his likely bid for a city council seat in Gingoog next year.

Waniwan denied all these, including the claim that he was merely sourgraping because Moreno did not help him when he (Waniwan) was arrested and detained in a Gingoog prison in connection with a libel case.

"Personally, I filed the case to right the wrong. There are extravagant expenses and Oca should realize that he does not own the money of the people of Misamis Oriental," said Waniwan, denying that he had ‘‘handlers’’ and ‘‘financiers.’’

Misor lawmakers try to bar reporter from session

By Mark Francisco / September 12, 2006

MISAMIS Oriental board members tried to bar a correspondent from covering its session yesterday, angering organized journalists who called the attempt an affront to press freedom.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) quickly issued a statement condemning what it called the tendency of the provincial board to trample on basic civil liberties.

Journalists were irked after provincial board member Oliver Actub stood up during the session and reminded the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) that it passed a resolution in February ‘‘banning’’ correspondent Lito Rulona from covering its sessions.

Actub then said: ‘‘May we ask Lito Rulona to get out of get out of the session hall.’’

Rulona, a correspondent of this paper, disregarded Actub’s request and stayed on his seat.

Rulona said he felt embarrassed but stayed put, knowing that there was no law that prevented him from doing his work as a journalist. He said he had thought he would be literally carried out of the session hall.

Actub was invoking Resolution no. 69-2006 that requested Gold Star Daily to assign a reporter other than Rulona to cover the provincial board. The February 27 resolution asked this paper ‘‘to send another news reporter in covering the Sangguniang Panlalawigan sessions-plenary or to ban the subject news writer, Mr. Lito Rulona, from covering the same.’’

The resolution was authored by provincial board member Francisco Bade, chair of the SP’s committee human rights, public information, good government, public ethics and accountability, in response to provincial board member Alejo Olano Jr.’s denial that he lambasted Gov. Oscar Moreno for the alleged mishandling of the capitol’s internal revenue allotment (IRA).

During a ‘‘privilege hour’’ in February 20, Olano vehemently denied the report written by Rulona, saying he was never interviewed by the journalist.

Rulona, for his part, stood by his story and maintained that he interviewed Olano.

But without an investigation and based on Olano’s statement and the Bade committee’s recommendation, the provincial board passed the resolution.

The resolution was passed by Vice Gov. Julio Uy and provincial board members Actub, Olano, Bade, Arsenio Kho Jr., Pepito Gambe, Norris Babiera, Santiago Sabal, Henry Clyde Abbott, Jimmy Caina, Jeremy Pelaez, Eduardo Ayunting, Enerito Acain Jr. and Criseldes Cailing.

Gov. Moreno approved the resolution.

Provincial board member Abbott, who voted in favor of the resolution in February, had a change of mind. He asked that the board’s resolution not be implemented.

Bade, who was author of the measure, was willing to compromise.

He said Rulona could be allowed to sit in the session hall provided that the correspondent would be held liable if he wrote stories about the provincial board.

In an interview after the session, Actub said Rulona should not be angry because the provincial board was only implementing the resolution.

‘‘Stupid,’’ said Gold Star Daily editor-in-chief Herbie Gomez of the provincial board resolution. ‘‘A resolution like that can only be passed by a provincial board that has no respect for basic constitutional rights.’’

In regard to the provincial board’s February resolution, Gomez said, ‘‘Their request, which is really very stupid, is denied.’’

Gomez warned that the officials were courting a lawsuit.

Susan Palmes, NUJP chairperson for Cagayan de Oro, decried the move.

‘‘NUJP condemns the resolution. It is a violation of the freedom of expression and the right to have access to information on matters of public concern,’’ said Palmes.

Palmes also called an emergency meeting of NUJP officers to discuss the provincial board’s action against Rulona.

Cabanlas, Ocon in near fisticuffs

By Lito Rulona and Manuel Aleman / September 12, 2006

COOLER heads prevented Councilors Edgar Cabanlas and Zaldy Ocon from exchanging blows during a session of the city council yesterday afternoon.

The two councilors were on the verge of throwing punches at each other but were prevented by Councilors Alfonso Goking, Ian Mark Nacaya and Simeon Licayan.

The near fisticuffs came after Ocon delivered a speech attacking Mayor Vicente Emano’s controversial Memorandum no. 374-06 that prevents city hall employees and officials from attending meetings intended to investigate matters involving city hall without a clearance from the mayor’s office.

Ocon moved that Emano be declared ‘‘persona non grata.’’

But Cabanlas, a political ally of Emano and the council’s majority floor leader, protested and called Ocon’s motion ‘‘out of context,’’ ‘‘unfounded’’ and ‘‘baseless.’’

Ocon insisted, saying he had the right to author a resolution like that.

He then described Emano’s memorandum to be like a martial-law policy. "Maayo kini si Dongkoy nga papahawaon dinhi sa dakbayan kay labihan ka bakakon," he said.

Irked, Cabanlas asked the presiding officer, Councilor Juan Sia, to stop Ocon’s speech.

Cabanlas argued that a resolution like that would be baseless because Emano was elected by the majority of Cagayan de Oro’s voters.

Hearing this, Ocon criticized his fellow councilors and told them to stop protecting Emano.

Just as Ocon was about to take his seat, an angry Cabanlas walked towards him. Sensing danger, Ocon positioned himself, facing Cabanlas.

Goking, Nacaya and Licayan who were sitting near Ocon stood up and pacified.

Licayan and other councilors later asked the city council’s secretary to strike the incident out of the minutes of the meeting.

Maya admits going under Belo's knife

By Susan Palmes / September 12, 2006

COUNCILOR Maryanne Enteria has admitted spending a fortune just to undergo liposuction.

‘‘For health reasons,’’ said Enteria.

Liposuction is a procedure that can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas, including the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck.

Enteria admitted that she did it to boost her self-confidence. She said her fats had reached a ‘‘dangerous level’’ and faulted her ‘‘love for cooking and eating’’ and her ‘‘lonely childhood.’’

Enteria also admitted that she was having problems with her metabolism.

The councilor said she had been scheduled for liposuction as early as November last year but only decided to go under the knife last July.

Enteria said some 7.4 gallons of fat were removed from her stomach and 3.2 liters were taken from her back.

She said she was happy because she could now easily move her arms.

Enteria did not give exact figures but she said that each arm cost her P25 thousand.

She said she sold a piece of land to pay the medical group of famous Dr. Vicki Belo.

It was worth it, said Enteria, because now, it would be easier for her to visit the barangays and work harder in authoring city laws especially those that would benefit women and children, and the local economy.

‘‘I feel good about my body now,’’ said Enteria.

Capitol fuel recipients face charges

By Ben Balce / September 11, 2006

ONE of the three accusers of Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno has threatened to file charges against the owners of private vehicles who allegedly received fuel from the capitol last year.

‘‘They have no right to get a supply of fuel from the government,’’ said RMN TV-8 segment producer Rey Abacahin who was the first to press charges against Moreno in connection with the findings of the Commission on Audit (COA).

The COA, in a report, questioned the capitol’s P12.6-million fuel expenses in 2005. It said the capitol provided fuel to private vehicles. Capitol officials later claimed they were able to justify the fuel expenses, and that the provincial auditor was satisfied with their explanation.

But Abacahin said he was not satisfied with the capitol’s claim and that its officials need to be held accountable.

He said he was looking into the COA report and was contemplating on filing more charges, this time against those who received fuel from the capitol.

Abacahin said a broadcaster is one of the fuel recipients. He however declined to identify the broadcaster, saying he was still gathering more evidence against him. He said he was still discussing the matter with his lawyer.

He claimed the broadcaster’s name surfaced when capitol documents were leaked as a result of the 2005 audit.

Based on the information he gathered, Abacahin said the broadcaster received a supply of fuel from the capitol ‘‘quarterly.’’

Abacahin and two others––television and radio ‘‘blocktimers’’ Eddie Dangcal and Ronnie Waniwan––have accused Moreno of graft and technical malversation of funds before the ombudsman on separate occassions a week ago. The three strongly denied Moreno’s accusations that they were being backed by ‘‘handlers and financiers’’ and that the complaints were part of a supposed smear campaign.

"If Moreno is telling the truth and if he has committed no wrongdoing, then he should prove that he is, in the proper forum. If he is on the side of truth, then the truth would set him free," Abacahin said.

Moreno, over DxIF-Bombo Radyo late last week, strongly denied any wrongdoing on his part. He said his accusers were being used by his political enemies who supposedly launched a demolition campaign against him.

Moreno alleged that his accusers were being backed by ‘‘handlers and financiers’’ who are supposedly out to carry out a demolition job against him.

Moreno said it was unlikely that his accusers were acting on their own when they field complaints for graft against him before the ombudsman on separate occasions.

"Their intentions are very obvious," said Moreno over DxIF-Bombo Radyo, adding that the complainants were merely being used.

Moreno said he feared the image of the province would be adversely affected by the accusations. ‘‘It’s not me, it’s the province that will really suffer.’’

He faulted his political opponents, saying they resorted to using ‘‘dummies’’ to press charges against him because they were supposedly running out of issues for the alleged demolition job. "All they are after is to demolish me, even to the extent of using dummies."

Abacahin, a local TV segment producer who is one of the complainants, strongly denied Moreno’s accusation.

"I filed the complaint against the governor because of principles. I have no financiers or handlers,’’ Abacahin said.

Abacahin, the first to press charges against Moreno, said he filed the complaint with the intention of knowing the truth and to pressure the governor to be accountable for the use of P12.6 million of capitol funds to provide private vehicles fuel last year.

Abacahin said the owners of all the private vehicles who were given fuel by the capitol in 2005 should also be investigated and subsequently charged in court, too.

Flashflood washes away family of four

By Mike Banos / September 11, 2006

VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental––A family of four was washed away early Saturday morning when a flashflood hit their riverside dwelling in this municipality, barely a month after rampaging floodwaters and storm tides brought by the southwest monsoon lashed 10 towns of the province.

Ma. Cecilia Casino-Rivera, provincial information officer, identified the victims as the family of Ernesto Yacuna of San Roque Village, Relocation Site, Barangay Dayawan.

Their dwelling was washed away by raging floodwaters which hit the area around 2 am Saturday.

Rescuers immediately recovered the bodies of two children––Marylose, 8, and three-month old Jessabel. As of Saturday morning, rescuers were looking for the remains of the mother, Annalyn, and her youngest child Jessamie, 2.

An undetermined number of other dwellings have also been reportedly swept away by the flashflood.

Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council executive officer Teodoro Sabuga-a has mobilized the PDCC Quick Reaction Team (QRT) and the Philippines 2000 Rescue Team to help in the search as well as bring relief goods to affected families.

Earlier last month, Sabug-a appealed to the respective municipal councils recently hit by similar flashfloods and storm tides to pass an ordinance prohibiting the construction of human dwellings in vulnerable areas such as shorelines and riverbanks.

Sabugaa said continuous heavy rains that lasted for four hours caused the floodings.

The head of the Yacona family, Ernesto, said he and his family woke up after a wall collapsed.

"I woke up to see my house was already floating,’’ he said.

Sabuga-a said displaced families evacuated to public schools, and to a gymnasium in Dayawan.

Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno said the capitol would help the Yacona family. He said town and barangay officials have also met and were helping in relief operations.

Emano dares Calingin: Sue me

By Susan Palmes / September 11, 2006

CAGAYAN de Oro Mayor Vicente Emano has dared Councilor Alvin Calingin to sue him in connection with the alleged overpricing of the construction costs of the Carmen-Macasandig bridge.

Over local radio, Emano said Calingin should have the "decency to tell the truth,’’ saying that the councilor authored an ordinance in 2002 that gave the green light to the project. ‘‘He forgot that he is the author of that ordinance.’’

Emano said the government would spend some P140 million just to link the bridge to a road network. This excludes the construction of the bridge which is estimated at P250 million, he said.

The entire project would be funded through a loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines. President Arroyo has also pledged P130 million for the project.

Calingin earlier said the project would prove to be disadvantageous to the city in that the project costs were increased. He said the Emano administration accommodated a ‘‘defaulting party.’’

Calingin argued that the project cost dramatically increased because the project was not started immediately.

"The ordinance should have been amended before the contractor was allowed to start the project this year,’’ said Calingin.

Normin's GDP down to 3.8%

By Mike Banos / September 11, 2006

THE National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) said the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) in Northern Mindanao had skidded to a 3.8 percent in 2005, substantially lower than 2004’s 7.2 percent growth.

"Lower growth was observed across all sectors," said Engr. Cecilio Clarete, head of Neda-10’s Macro Economic Technical Working Group (TWG).

Growth in the agriculture, fishery and forestry sector, which had the biggest share of the region’s economy at 39.39 percent, was virtually at a standstill at 1.7 percent, after leading the Region 10 economy last year with a 10.5 percent growth the previous year.

Data presented by Clarete to the QRES multi-agency technical working group during the 2nd Quarter Regional Economic Situationer (QRES) on Friday show agriculture and fishery slowing down to 2.1 percent after leading all sectors in 2004 with a hefty 10.3-percent growth.

Clarete attributed this to the decrease in the production of corn and sugarcane, two of the region’s major crops. Forestry which roared to a 49.2-percent growth in 2004 did a complete turnaround with a negative 54-percent deceleration last year.

The service sector, which had the lion’s share of the regional economy with 39.4 percent, also decelerated from 6.4 percent to only six percent in 2005. Although finance led growth in all services sub-sectors with 8.3 percent, it only made up 0.77 percent of the regional economy, compared to trade’s 22.78 percent which nevertheless towed the entire sector along with a still respectable 6.9 percent growth compared to 6.8 percent the previous year, and private services, which had a 3.31-percent share on 5.6 percent growth.

The industry sector, which made up 30.7 percent of the region’s output, also slowed down with a 3.1-percent growth, following a five-percent growth in 2004. Manufacturing, which has the largest sub-sector share of the region’s industry with 22.9 percent (P13.3 billion) likewise slowed down from five percent to only 4.3 percent last year. Electricity and water shrunk 1.7 percent as did mining and quarrying (0.2 percent).

Moreno says accusers backed by 'handlers, financiers'

By Ben Balce / September 9, 2006

MISAMIS Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno yesterday accused his accusers of being backed by ‘‘handlers and financiers’’ who are supposedly out to carry out a demolition job against him.

Moreno said it was unlikely that his accusers––Eddie Dangcal, Ronnie Waniwan and Rey Abacahin––were acting on their own when they field complaints for graft against him before the ombudsman on separate occasions.

"Their intentions are very obvious," said Moreno over DxIF-Bombo Radyo, adding that the complainants were merely being used.

Moreno said he feared the image of the province would be adversely affected by the accusations. ‘‘It’s not me, it’s the province that will really suffer.’’

Abacahin, a local TV segment producer who is one of the complainants, strongly denied Moreno’s accusation.

"I filed the complaint against the governor because of principles. I have no financiers or handlers,’’ Abacahin said.

Abacahin said the owners of all the private vehicles who were given fuel by the capitol in 2005 should also be investigated and subsequently charged in court, too.

No nuclear waste, says chief mate of seized tugboat

By Obet Samonte / September 9, 2006

SURIGAO City––The chief mate of the tug boat Jacob I that was pulling the barge that contains more than 1.6 million liters of used oil said the reason they reached Surigao Straits was because of an "emergency centering" measure.

He claimed the tug-boat’s engine shaft was damaged when the rope used in pulling the barge Cherry Anne got entangled with one of the tugboat’s propellers.

The chief mate, who agreed to speak on condition that he won’t be identified, vehemently denied that the barge was carrying nuclear waste as reported by some national and local media outlets.

"If our cargo is nuclear waste, we would now be victims of radioactivity," he said.

According to the chief mate, they were to transport the used oil from Palau to Malaysia where it would be refined.

He said the damage on the engine’s shafting occurred on Aug. 22, the day the Coast Guard found them.

The two vessels were inspected Tuesday by a National Anti-Environment Crime Task Force team led by lawyer Dennis Guerrero.

The Coast Guard’s marine environmental protection officer Allison Tindog said samples were already sent to Manila for examination. The crew of the tugboat also told this reporter that their families and relatives panicked due to reports that they were supposedly bringing nuclear wastes.

Because of the damaged shafting, he he had planned to take the shorter route to Malaysia through the Surigao channel instead of taking the 14,000-mile Hinatuan route. He said this would shorten their travel to 6,000 miles.

Monsod optimistic SC would uphold Comelec ruling

By Mark Francisco / September 9, 2006

ONE Voice convenor Christian Monsod is confident that the Supreme Court (SC) would uphold the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in denying the petition of the Sigaw ng Bayan for a people’s initiative as a mode of changing the Constitution.

Speaking here on Thursday, Monsod said it was also an SC decision in 1997 which was the basis of the Comelec decision.

Given this, Monsod said it was time for the Charter change fight to move to another level, referring to the plan of the Arroyo administration to change the Constitution through a constituent assembly.

"This will be a make or break move for the administration. Because once the constituent assembly has been convened, it will be too late for us," Monsod said.

Monsod also admitted that his group, One Voice, was having difficulties convincing the masses to go along with them, attributing it to the relative demography of the convenors of the group.

"’Pag kami na mga mapuputing buhok ang magsasalita sa harap, wala nang makikinig," he said.

Because of this, Monsod said he was tapping the youth for subsequent speaking engagements so that the people will be informed.

As of the moment, only the Cagayan de Oro chapter of One Voice led by local convenor Ed Montalvan is active outside of Metro Manila.

Despite the uphill battle, Monsod, in his speaking engagements, is still trying to convince the administration to side with them.

He suggested that the Arroyo administration must address social reforms in the country instead of focusing on Charter change.

He said there is no need for a constitutional provision to address these social reforms because it has already been stipulated under Article 13 of the present Constitution which was adopted in 1987.

Monsod also urged citizens to appreciate the current presidential system and the rest of the democratic institutions in the government––Congress, the justiciary and the local governments.

"Presidents come and go but our democratic institutions are our lifeline," he said.

Monsod served as Comelec chair during the Aquino administration.

Fire destroys 50 houses in Oro

By Lito Rulona, Ben Balce and Manuel Aleman / September 8, 2006

OVER 50 houses were destroyed and no less than P5 million in property went up in smoke when a fire broke out in an urban barangay shortly after 9 am here yesterday.

It all started with an argument, said investigators, quoting witnesses.

Authorities are looking for Taroy Saluaga, 43, because witnesses said he threw a gas stove at his brother at the height of a fight.

Investigators said the gas stove may have caused the fire that struck the thickly populated community in Barangay 15, between Kalambaguhan and Burgos, this city.

Cagayan de Oro fire marshall Oscar Abecia said the fire razed to the ground over 50 houses and other establishments. At least 200 families were left homeless.

Badly hit areas were the interior areas of Makahambus, Kalambaguhan, Burgos and Capistrano streets.

A woman, Irene Miranda, was hurt when the 25-year-old jumped from the 2nd level of a burning house.

A two-door apartment owned by ex-vice mayor Antonio Soriano was destroyed.

Fe Licayan, a witness, said she saw the Saluaga brothers exchanging blows. Shortly after, she said she heard an explosion and then the fire spread.

Others said the fire started from the house of Joaquin Saluaga.

Abecia ordered arson investigators to dig deeper and see if the Saluaga brothers were really responsible. He said the local fire bureau would press charges if a case is established against the Saluagas.

"We are still verifying the reports. But this early, it really looks like an arson case based on what residents are saying," Abecia said.

It took more than two hours for firefighters to extinguish the fire. Abecia said the absence of protective gears such as gas masks made it difficult for firefighters to contain the fire that quickly spread because the houses were mostly made of wood.

Abecia said firefighters could not penetrate because of the absence of a pathway.

Curious onlookers and affected residents also gave firefighters a difficult time because it took time before they cleared the streets.

The fire alarm reached 4th level, prompting fire volunteers from private companies and from Misamis Oriental towns to respond.

Abbott to Moreno: Just answer the complaint

By Lito Rulona / September 8, 2006

PROVINCIAL board member Henry Clyde Abbott yesterday dared Gov. Oscar Moreno to answer the complaint for graft filed against him before the ombudsman on Monday even as he commended the provincial chief executive’s accusers for coming forward.

‘‘Answer the charges fairly and squarely,’’ said Abbott who strongly denied any hand in the filing of the complaint for graft and malversation of public funds against Moreno in connection with the capitol’s provision of P12.6 million worth of fuel to private vehicles in 2005.

Abbott said Moreno was ‘‘barking up the wrong tree’’ by accusing his political enemies of being behind the complainants, Eddie Dangcal and Ronnie Waniwan.

Abbott, perceived to be behind the Dangcal-Waniwan complaint, said he would not get anything by bankrolling a case against Moreno even in the event that the governor is suspended.

Based on the law on succession, he said, Vice Gov. Julio Uy would replace Moreno and Arsenio Khu, being the provincial board member who bagged the highest number of votes in the last elections, would take over as head of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Abbott said he would ask the provincial board on Monday to ‘‘reactivate’’ the nine-person committee to look into the alleged misuse of funds.

Abbott said the committee’s main task would be to conduct a deeper investigation into the spendings of the capitol ‘‘in aid of legislation.’’

He also called on other provincial lawmakers to keep their independence and to stay away from political manueverings.

Abbott commended Dangcal and Waniwan for ‘‘seeking the truth’’ in regard to the capitol’s spendings.

"This is just the tip of the iceberg. Ang gisumbong nila ni Waniwan og Dangcal tumoy-tumoy lamang sa pipila ka mga kahiwi-an nga nahitabo karon diha sa kapitolyo," said Abbott.

Abbott also laughed off capitol’s claims that Moreno was able to justify the way he has spent public funds and that the provincial auditor has cleared the office of the governor. He said only the central office of the Commission on Audit (COA), not the provincial auditor, can clear Moreno.

What is really at stake, according to Abbott, is the credibility of the province’s leadership. He said Moreno, one of those who prosecuted the then president Joseph Estrada for alleged corruption, has long been portraying himself as ‘‘Mr. Clean.’’

‘‘They can only be cleared through a proper forum, before an audit team headed by the chair of the COA and two other commissioners or their representatives," said Abbott.

Alvin seeks regulation on local govt borrowings

By Susan Palmes / September 8, 2006

COUNCILOR Alvin Calingin yesterday urged Congress to regulate the borrowings of local governments.

To do this, Calingin said Congress would need to review and subsequently amend a provision in the Local Government Code of 1991.

Calingin stressed the need to amend the Code even as he cited the case of Cagayan de Oro’s debts which, he said, have ‘‘ballooned to unimaginable proportions.’’

"Grabe kaayo ang utang sa syudad," said Calingin without citing figures.

Calingin said he was disturbed because under the 1991 Code, the authority of local governments to borrow money ‘‘is almost absolute.’’

And because local governments need to pay debts, he said local officials, in most cases, are left with no option but to increase taxes and cut on spendings at the expense of basic services.

He cited the Cogon public market project, saying it was a ‘‘big blunder’’ on the part of the Emano administration. Because city hall could not afford to spend for the project, he said the Emano administration opted to give the contractor control over the operations of the market under a build-operate-transfer scheme ‘‘at the expense of the people.’’

Calingin also decried the ‘‘sorry state’’ of the Bulua market where "vendors are outside and animals are inside."

Moreno cries foul over accusers' call for bishop's help

By Ben Balce / September 7, 2006

MISAMIS Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno yesterday cried foul over his accusers’ appeal for support from the local Roman Catholic Archdiocese, calling it ‘‘absurd’’ and ‘‘hypocritical.’’

On Tuesday, complainants Eddie Dangcal and Ronnie Waniwan called on Archbishop Antonio Ledesma to support their cause against Moreno whom they charged with graft and technical malversation of funds before the ombudsman here in connection with a controversial audit report. The report showed that the capitol spent some P12.6 million for fuel used by private vehicles last year.

Dangcal said it was Archbishop Ledesma’s call for citizens to be involved in a ‘‘social audit’’ that prompted them to file a complaint against Moreno.

"The bishop’s call for a social audit is noble and proper," Moreno said.

But Moreno said that while he supports Ledesma’s call for citizens’ involvement in ensuring good governance, ‘‘it’s foul’’ for ‘‘ill-meaning individuals... with political interests’’ to exploit the archbishop’s call for a ‘‘social audit.’’

Despite the complaint, Moreno said he would remain steadfast and stay focused in performing his job as Misamis Oriental’s leader.

He said he would not allow himself to be weakened nor distracted by ‘‘this poor attempt" to distract him.

"I am convinced that this is politically motivated," Moreno said.

Moreno said he was unmoved. "For the sake of truth and as a public servant, I will face them squarely and fairly."

He said he was saddened over how his political enemies were supposedly trying to discredit him. The accusations, he said, are baseless and unfounded.

"I know the persons, even the groups, behind all these allegations," Moreno said.

Capitol press officer Maricel Casiño-Rivera said the capitol has already explained and justified the use of the fuel to government auditors.

"The issue was resolved already. Why is it that the issue is still being exploited?" Rivera asked rhetorically, adding that the provincial auditor has already cleared the office of the governor.

‘‘Everything was documented, there was nothing illegal,’’ said Rivera.

She said the capitol has yet to receive the Dangcal-Waniwan complaint, including the one filed earlier by local TV segment producer Rey Abacahin.

She added: "The governor is confident that these politically motivated cases filed against him won’t destroy his legacy."

Rivera said Moreno welcomes the complaints and the governor was prepared to face his accusers in any court.

Meanwhile, the capitol released yesterday an official statement of Moreno in regard to the the Dangcal-Waniwan case.

The full text of Moreno’s statement:

‘‘The agenda of Roni Waniwan and Eddie Dangcal and their handlers and financiers is very obvious. All they are after is to demolish me and they are running out of issues. They are now using the COA report that has already been sufficiently clarified but they chose to disregard the clarification. Their using of the call of Archbishop Antonio Ledesma for a ‘social audit’ is absurd and hypocritical.

‘‘I am deeply saddened by how some individuals resort to employing foul tactics to discredit and besmirch my person by hurling baseless and unfounded allegations against me.

‘‘But I am confident that these politically motivated cases filed against me can not easily destroy my legacy that had brought back the glory of Misamis Oriental for the past two and a half years of my administration.

‘‘I had vowed to remain steadfast and stay focused for the sake of the people of Misamis Oriental. I can not allow myself to be weakened by this poor attempt to distract my focus because it is the welfare of the people of Misamis Oriental which is largely at stake. "Pait kaayo nga taliwala sa akong paningkamot, buntag, udto ug gabii aron lamang mahatagan sa tiunay nga serbisyo ang katawhan sa Misamis Oriental, adunay pipila nga ang agenda mao lamang ang pagguba kanako aron isulong ang ilang political nga interes. Wala nila lantawa nga ang labawng maapektahan mao ang kabus nga katawhan sa lalawigan nga uhaw sa tinuod nga serbisyo.

"Apan ang kalipay sa katawhan nga akong naserbisyuhan maoy nakahatag kanako sa kusog ug kadasig sa pagpadayon sa pagserbisyo aron lamang malipay ang katawhan bisan pa man sa pagbutang-butang kanako."

Calingin won't join Dongkoy in questioning Lucagbo ruling

By Susan Palmes and Dante Sudaria / September 7, 2006

COUNCILOR Alvin Calingin yesterday said he would not join Mayor Vicente Emano and other local officials in questioning Judge Anita Lucagbo’s order that cited them for indirect contempt.

Instead, Calingin said he would ask the regional judge to exclude him through a motion for reconsideration.

" I am not a party to the case," said Calingin, referring to the lawsuit filed against local officials in connection with the controversial Cogon market project.

Calingin claimed that he never voted in favor of an ordinance that authorized Emano to strike a build-operate-transfer deal with the Cogon developer, UKC Builders.

He said he was out on official business when the ordinance was approved, and he walked out of the city council session hall when a related ordinance was subsequently approved by local legislators.

Based on these, Calingin said he was confident Judge Lucagbo would reconsider.

The councilor, once a political ally of Mayor Emano, also said he was thankful that Emano included him in the payment of the fines but added that it was ‘‘not necessary.’’

Former vice mayor Antonio Soriano called the move by a city hall lawyer to charge Judge Lucagbo administratively because of her decision a "foul move."

"They have to respect the decision of the judge. To file a case and to ask for her desmissal is a foul move on their part. Lisod man kaayo kun dunay decision against sa imo, unya mo-file ka dayon ug administrative case," Soriano said.

Soriano said the move was a threat against the administration of the justice here.

But he said he doubts if Lucagbo’s decision would be reversed, saying ‘‘her decision was right on target.’’

‘‘The respondents lied about the contract,’’ said Soriano.

Meanwhile, Councilor Calingin has denied a report that he was contemplating on rejoining Emano’s party, the PaDayon Pilipino. "I have no intention of going back."

Calingin said the report published by another paper ‘‘is not true.’’

‘‘I never said that,’’ said Calingin.

Dongkoy tells cops to shoot robbers

By Lito Rulona / September 7, 2006

MAYOR Vicente Emano yesterday ordered the city’s police officers to intensify their operations to catch robbers and to shoot those who show signs of resistance.

Emano said this a day following the broad daylight robbery in Gusa where China Bank employees lost the money deposited by clients.

Emano said the suspects were members of an organized crime syndicate operating in Mindanao. He said the group is known to be heavily armed. ‘‘Kung mosukol pusi-la. That is my order," said Emano.

Emano said authorities were coordinating with officials of other local governments in Mindanao in hopes of tracking down the suspects. "Naa ra kini sila sa palibot. Nagpalamig sa kay grabe man karon ang pagpangita sa ila. Pag-musokol ayaw na pagduha-duha, pusila gilayon," said Emano.

Emano also said he doubts reports that only three robbers staged the Gusa robbery, adding that there were lookouts.

‘‘They had monitored the armored car and its schedule," said Emano.

The bank’s employees and guards had just collected the deposits of seven establishments, including that of a cooperative’s, when the armed men staged the robbery near the Alliance Fellowship Church in Gusa.

A manhunt has been launched by the police in Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon and even in Butuan.

Deputy city police director Antonio Montalba said police teams have been deployed in hopes of catching the suspects who fled with some P4 million.

"We have reports that the suspects were in Bukidnon and that the others have gone into hiding in one of the towns of Misamis Oriental,’’ said Montalba.

Montalba said there were reports that the suspects used a sports utility vehicle in tailing the armored car from Cugman.

He said there were also indications that the group planned the robbery well and that the group was well-organized.

Authorities hold tugboat, barge with used oil from Palau

By Nonoy Lerio / September 7, 2006

SURIGAO City––Fearing a Guimaras-like disaster, authorities held a tugboat, and a barge here following the discovery that the barge was loaded with used oil, reports said yesterday.

Authorities said the documents presented by officers of the vessel were questionable. They said the barge would remain under the custody of officials because they were looking for more violations.

The tugboat Jacob I was also ordered held by the local customs bureau after investigators found many erasures in travel documents.

Officials said the barge came from Palau. Its destination remains unclear.

Officials also said the route of the vessels was suspect.

‘‘There were suspicious entries,’’ said officials.

The vessels, first believed to be bound from Palau to Cebu and then from Manila to Malaysia, were reportedly under tight watch by the Anti-Environmental Crime Task Force.

The vessels were cornered by a task force composed of members of the of the Coast Guard, port police and the Bureau of Customs.

The Coast Guard which is holding the barge and the tugboat, said the owner and officers of the vessels could be charged for not having a transport permit and deviating from its route.

It said 14 crew members also had expired contracts and expired exemption certificates from the International Convention for Safety of Life.

Officials said the vessel posed a threat to the country’s environment, particularly the seawaters.

Surigao Mayor Alfonso Casurra has called on the public to stay calm, saying authorities were on top of the situation.

Local port police chief Froilan Caturla said Coast Guard members were keeping an eye on the vessels to make sure it stayed in the Surigao port.

In another development, President Arroyo yesterday declared that the oil spill "disaster has been effectively contained."

Despite this, Arroyo called for intensified and continuous clean up operations in areas that have been affected by the oil spill.

She urged Petron Corp. and government agencies concerned to "double the number of men and materials that they have committed" to prevent the further spread of the oil slick.

Arroyo said Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets from Panay and Negros islands should now be mobilized together with the college students who render community service under the NST program.

In addition to the various efforts geared at cleaning up the areas affected, Arroyo pledged that the rehabilitation efforts of the province would be fasttracked. This is simultaneous with the attempt to "bring to the halls of justice the responsible parties."

She added that "the effective handling of the Solar 1 oil spill shall be sustained."

"We’re here again today this time to make this pledge. Guimaras would be great again. Its future will be as bright as its beaches, like the one right outside, will be clean," she stressed. "It will take more than oil slick to sink this island. We based this optimism on the fact that the people of Guimaras are resilient and their national government is resolute."

Arroyo assured that the taint brought by the oil spill will be wiped out "to bring back the smile on the face of the people of Guimaras."

She vowed that the government, together with the various communities working for the rehabilitation of the province, will make sure that the tragedy will not hurt the reputation and the future of Guimaras. with reports from PNA

Moreno accusers seek archbishop's help

By Lito Rulona / September 6, 2006

THE accusers of Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno yesterday sought the support of Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, saying it was the Roman Catholic leader’s call that prompted them to file a complaint against the province’s chief executive.

The complaint for graft and malversation of funds was filed against Moreno in response to Archbishop Ledesma’s call for citizens to be involved in a ‘‘social audit,’’ said Eddie Dangcal, one of the complainants.

Dangcal and another complainant, Ronnie Waniwan, pressed charges against Moreno before the ombudsman on Monday based on a report on alleged irregularities at the capitol released by the Commission on Audit (COA).

The two accused Moreno of allowing the capitol to provide some P12.6 million worth of fuel to non-government-owned vehicles in 2005, a violation of graft laws.

Dangcal said what he and Waniwan did was a response to Ledesma’s call on citizens to be involved by making local officials accountable so corruption in government can be minimized.

Dangcal and Waniwan said they hoped the local Roman Catholic archdiocese would give them moral support.

"Mihangyo kami ni Bishop Ledesma nga iya kaming supportahan kay sibo man kini sa iyang panawagan nga ‘social audit’ and citizens participation for transparent government," said Dangcal.

Dangcal and Waniwan’s complaint was not the first against Moreno, who first rose to national prominence when he, as a congressman, prosecuted the then president Joseph Estrada in an impeachment court for alleged corruption. Last Friday, a similar complaint was reportedly filed against the governor before the ombudsman by Rey Abacahin.

The three complainants have one thing in common: they are known media personalities. Dangcal and Waniwan are known radio blocktimers––they buy radio airtime for their programs that are known for stinging political commentaries––while Abacahin is a segment producer at a local television station owned by Radio Mindanao Network (RMN). Dangcal and Waniwan are also hosting a program called ‘‘Sumbonganan’’ in the same TV station.

Dangcal and Waniwan are also known for their political leanings. Dangcal once ran for vice mayor in El Salvador town and lost, while Waniwan is said to be planning on seeking a seat in the city council of Gingoog where he registered as a resident. The two are often seen frequenting the office of a known insurance company near the capitol that is being run by provincial board member Henry Clyde Abbott, a critic of the Moreno administration.

For his part, Abacahin denied that his decision to press charges against Moreno was politically motivated. He said he felt it was his responsibility as a citizen.

He also said he based his complaint on the COA’s 2005 annual audit report on the accounts and operation of the capitol.

Dangcal and Waniwan also denied that partisan politics was behind their joint complaint against Moreno.

They said they felt that the issues raised in the COA report must be brought to court ‘‘to settle the issue once and for all’’ and to give Moreno the chance to clear his name.

"Wala na kini’y atrasay padayon na nia hangtud ma-resolve sa korte ang issue," said Dangcal.

But Moreno maintained that the issues were being exploited by the local opposition. He has been crying foul against an alleged smear campaign supposedly launched against him by his political enemies.

"Wala man kini sila’y nahimo diha sa SP (provincial board) apan sige lamang og pangdaut sa akong administrasyon," Moreno was quoted as saying in a report.

Meanwhile, copies of yesterday’s issue of this paper were reportedly distributed for free by a still unknown group near the Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (Mogchs) and in other areas. This paper bannered yesterday the story on the Dangcal-Waniwan complaint against Moreno.

The same thing was done at the capitol grounds when a weekly paper published the COA report conspicuously in time for Moreno’s State-of-the-Province-Address.

This paper strongly denies any hand in the free distribution of copies of the paper yesterday.

Calingin may support or run against Bambi

By Herbie Gomez / September 6, 2006

THE Calingins would either become Tagoloan Mayor Yevgeny Vincente ‘‘Bambi’’ Emano’s allies or bitter foes in the 2007 elections.

‘‘If he (Emano) decides to run for governor, we’d likely support him,’’ said former governor Antonio Calingin in an exclusive interview over the weekend. ‘‘But if he runs for congressman, he’d have to run against me.’’

This was the first time for Calingin, who failed to finish his 2nd term as governor of the province because of a 2003 suspension order, to go public with his political plan for 2007.

Calingin said he would likely field his son, Andy Paul, as a candidate for congressman in the 2nd District of Misamis Oriental if the son of Cagayan de Oro Mayor Vicente Emano decides to run for governor.

‘‘But if he (younger Emano) runs for congressman, then I’ll also run for congressman. Alang isak-ripisyo ko akong anak (I won’t sacrifice my son),’’ Calingin told The Gold Star Daily.

The congressional seat would be left vacant by Rep. Augusto Baculio Jr. who is constitutionally barred from seeking another term as representative of the 2nd District in May next year. Baculio is said to be preparing for next year’s gubernatorial race and this early, he has been wooing town mayors to his camp by giving them free tours abroad.

Calingin opined that a bid by another Baculio for the district’s congressional seat would give him or his son Andy Paul an edge.

Talk has it that a son of Rep. Baculio, Rex, is being groomed to succeed the congressman. But this is reportedly straining family ties because the congressman’s brother, Pedrito, is said to be eyeing the position, too.

Calingin said a fight between the Baculios and the Emanos, allies of President Arroyo, would weaken the administration party and strengthen the opposition in the province.

Calingin is the local head of the opposition Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP). He claimed that another opposition party, the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), has asked him to lead its group in the province.

He also laughed off reports that his son, Paul Douglas or Rocky, was contemplating on quitting politics.

‘‘That is his opinion,’’ said the elder Calingin, adding that Paul Douglas would likely seek a 3rd and final term as mayor of Claveria, the Calingins’ hometown.

Karapatan links military to another slay

By Ben Balce / September 6, 2006

A HUMAN rights group un northern Mindanao yesterday linked the military to Sunday night’s killing of an urban poor organization leader in Valencia city.

The victim was identified as Candelario Ayuda, 42, chair of the Kilusan ng Mamamayan in Valencia.

Ayuda was shot dead while driving a "motorela" at the Valencia city proper around 10 pm, Sunday. He was on his way home.

Karapatan regional coordinator Beverly Musni alleged that the assailants were members of the Military Intelligence Company (Mico) based in Bukidnon.

Musni said Ayuda was an organizer of the party-list group Bayan Muna.

The army’s 4th Infantry Division spokesperson, Maj. Nathan Sagun, strongly denied Karapatan’s allegation.

"That is a hasty conclusion by Karapatan, a fallacy," said Sagun.

Sagun then lashed at Karapatan. ‘‘When the NPA (New People’s Army) carries out a killing spree, they are silent.’’

However, Musni said the denial aired by Sagun would be measured against the unsolved killings of 745 other militants, activists and journalists in the country.

"Witnesses can prove that it was the military," Musni said.

Police said Ayuda’s killers used a caliber .45 pistol. They said two gunshot wounds in the back killed the militant leader.

"He died on the spot," police said.

Investigators reportedly recovered six slugs at the crime scene.

Police said they were still looking into the case and were trying to identify the suspects. They did not rule out the possibility that he was killed because of his involvement in militant activities. But they said there were other factors to be considered.

Moreno slapped with graft plaint

By Nelson Constantino and Mark Francisco / September 5, 2006

MISAMIS Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno was slapped with a graft complaint before the
ombudsman yesterday in connection with the capitol’s use of over P12 million worth of fuel for private vehicles last year.

The complaint for graft and corruption and malversation of public funds was filed by two radio blocktimers––Ronnie Waniwan and Eddie Dangcal, registered residents of Gingoog city and El Salvador town, respectively.

The complainants said they were also seeking the suspension of Moreno.

The complaint was based on the Commission on Audit’s report that called the capitol’s attention in regard to its findings that it supplied P12.6 million worth of fuel to private vehicles last year.

In their joint sworn statement, Waniwan and Dangcal said that by allowing public funds to be used for private purposes, Moreno violated Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. They also accused Moreno of engaging in the malversation of public funds, a violation of Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code.

"[The move] cause (sic) undue injury to the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental and gave unwarranted benefits and advantage to the owners of the private vehicles," reads a portion of the Waniwan-Dangcal complaint.

The COA report on the accounts and operations of the capitol for 2005 stated that the capitol provided gasoline and other fuel and lubricants to at least 47 private vehicles last year amounting to P12,628,728.31.

‘‘This is in flagrant violation of the Manual of Audit for Fuel Consumption,’’ the complainants said.

On Moreno’s culpability, the complainants opined that "the supply of gasoline to the private vehicles were made with the authority of Governor Oscar S. Moreno because purchases by the Provincial Government can and could never be done without the approval of the Governor."

They said a state audit rule clearly prohibits the disbursement of fuel for private vehicles ‘‘as it should be exclusive only to government vehicles bearing government plates only.’’

It is, they said, ‘‘a prohibited act based on Section 340 (e) of COA Circular No. 91-368 which provides that under no circumstances should fuel be issued for privately owned vehicles.

‘‘Neither a reimbursement for the cost of gasoline or diesel fuel is allowed where a private vehicle is issued.

"There is no amount of explanation that would merit the use and supply of fuel to private vehicles because under the listing of the Provincial General Services Office of the Province of Misamis Oriental, there were (sic) more than 40 vehicles owned by the Provincial Government," they said.

Maricel Casino Rivera, capitol’s press office chief, said Moreno welcomed the complaint.

‘‘Walay kaso daw ingon si gov. He welcomes their move,’’ said Rivera in a text message sent to this paper.

In earlier interviews, he said a complaint would give everyone the opportunity to ferret out the truth in the proper forum.

Moreno has faulted his political enemies for allegedly exploiting the COA report and pointed at them as supposedly the ones behind a smear campaign against him.

Robbers strike in Gusa; bank loses coop's money

By Mark Francisco / September 5, 2006

UNIDENTIFIED men yesterday staged a broad daylight robbery in Gusa and fled with a still undetermined amount of money from a van being uised by Chinabank.

Police said the suspects carted away money belonging to the First Community Cooperative (Ficco) which was entrusted to bank personnel.

Police said the suspects were armed with machine guns and pointed the firearms at the driver and the guard at the vehicle’s front seats.

The van was on its way to Harbor Lights Hotel purportedly to collect money when the robber struck.

City police deputy director Antonio Montalba quoted bank employees as saying that they only realized that they were robbed after the incident.

"Wala g’yud mi kabalo nga gi-hold-up na diay mi kay closed baya ang armored car ug n’a ra gud mi sa likod," police quoted them as saying.

Montalba said the suspects managed to flee with a still undetermined amount of cash which was placed at the front seat.

Ironically, the robbery was staged at a time when the local police was undergoing an annual general inspection.

The incident occurred shortly after 12 noon at a place some three kilometers from where police Inspector General Irving Malunda, regional police director Chief Supt. Florante Baguio, Mayor Vicente Emano and city police director Senior Supt. Aurelio Trampe were holding a conference.

The robbery also occurred an hour after the newly created Cugman police precinct was inaugurated by Malunda.

In an interview with The Gold Star Daily an hour before the robbery was staged, Trampe said he pulled out 20 police personnel from the various precincts and divisions of the city police office so they could man the newly created precinct.

Trampe has yet to name the Cugman precinct commander.

Tanduay, Ginebra bring 'liquor war' to Misor

By Mike Banos / September 5, 2006

THE "Liquor War" for control of the country’s alcohol market has found a new battleground in Misamis Oriental.

Bitter corporate rivals Tanduay Distillers Inc. (Tanduay) and Ginebra San Miguel Inc. (GSMI) are both putting up new plants in this Northern Mindanao province to consolidate their forces for control of the lucrative hard liquor market in the Visayas and Mindanao, as well as nearby markets in Asean.

GSMI drew first blood when it took an option for 30 hectares of the Phividec Industrial Estate in Misamis Oriental on Aug. 27, 2004. Company sources said a P1.4-billion alcohol distillery with a capacity of 75,000 liters of hard liquor a day will be built on what will eventually be a 100-hectare property. SMC said production from the distillery will primarily be used to support its export operations. GSMI is 79.6-percent owned by food and beverage conglomerate San Miguel Corp.

Ginebra San Miguel, Inc. (GSMI) is a diversified alcohol-based beverage company owned by San Miguel Corp. Originally known as La Tondena Distilleries Inc., it was founded by the late Carlos Palanca, its main products are basically hard liquor.

It claims to be the largest producer and distributor of alcoholic beverages in the Philippines. In each of its product categories, Ginebra San Miguel is the market leader, with over 70% share of the gin market. The company supports these brands through a nationwide distribution network that includes 500 beer distributors owned by San Miguel Corp., a leading multinational in Asia that is the largest food and beverage producer in the Philippines.

GSMI said its net income fell 40 percent to P331.9 million in the first half, from P552.8 million in the same period last year.

But Tanduay now appears to have taken the initiative from GSMI when taipan Lucio Tan announced Saturday at the 15th Mindanao Business Conference in Zamboanga City that the wholly owned subsidiary of Tanduay Holdings Inc. has already started construction for a P1-billion Tanduay factory besides Asia Brewery Inc.’s existing brewery in El Salvador, Misamis Oriental.

"Seeing the great potential in Mindanao as a growth area, we are expanding our presence here by investing P1 billion for Tanduay’s facility beside Asia Brewery’s plant and another P250-million for a soft drinks facility also in Cagayan de Oro," Tan said.

The tycoon said the liquor facility would be one of his company’s biggest investments in Mindanao. "Our group’s (Lucio Tan Group of Companies) biggest exposure in Mindanao is the state-of-the-art brewing facility of Asia Brewery Inc. (ABI) in Cagayan de Oro, and it is the first brewery to invest in Mindanao," he said.

What Tan was referring to was actually the ABI brewery in the town of El Salvador, some 20 kilometers west of Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental and the first ever brewery in Mindanao.

Rated to produce approximately two million hectoliters of beer per annum, the brewery boasts of fully computerized state-of-the-art brewing facilities and fills ABI’s need to supply the growing demand for its products in Mindanao and the Visayas.

The new Tanduay plant will produce 400,000 cases of rum a month, which together with its other plants in Manila, Laguna and Bacolod, would give Tanduay a combined monthly output of 1.3 million cases.

The new facility will be constructed on two hectares within the ABI complex in El Salvador and would include a warehouse, packing facility, distillery and aging plant. It will be built in a year with mostly internally generated funds.

Sources from the ABI plant in El Salvador conform construction has already been going on for two months on the Tanduay plant as well as an adjacent factory for ABI’s Absolute Pure Distilled Drinking Water.

Absolute goes through state-of-the-art distillation process employing vapor compression and ozonation and is the first bottled water company to receive NSF certification.

However, there is still no company information available on when construction would start for a P250-million soft drinks factory (also announced by Tan) which will reportedly manufacture the branded Virgin Cola within the same ABI complex.

Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno welcomed the entry of the two rival liquor companies in the province and believes the intense competition between the two firms would serve as a catalyst for further growth and development in the region.

"We would like to stress laissez faire or free enterprise in Misamis Oriental, and allow the investor to go about his business with a minimum of interference but maximum support from local government," Moreno said.

Besides the ABI brewery and the upcoming Tanduay, Absolute, Virgin Cola and GSMI plants, Misamis Oriental also hosts other fruit and other beverage plants in Cagayan de Oro City like Coca-Cola, Pepsi Cola, Nature’s Spring and Del Monte.

Another cop dies in Puerto checkpoint mishap

By Lito Rulona / September 5, 2006

ANOTHER police officer was killed in a road accident at a police checkpoint in Puerto on Sunday.

City police director Aurelio Trampe quickly blamed the failure of the Puerto police to put in place early warning devices before the checkpoint.

SPO3 Romulo Salva was the second police officer killed during a road accident at the Puerto checkpoint in less than a month.

Following the Sunday accident, Senior Supt. Trampe immediate ordered the ‘‘restructuring’’ of all police checkpoints on the city’s highways.

On Sunday dawn, police arrested 17-year old driver Louie Albert Chong of Villa Ernesto Subdivision in Barangay Gusa after he killed SPO3 Salva in the accident.

Chong was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser bearing license plates KCZ-207 and was bound to the city proper when he accidentally hit Salva.

Investigators said Salva had just flagged down a truck loaded with fish and was checking the truck driver’s license when the accident happened.

The victim was thrown several meters and died instantly due to the impact.

The driver of the fish car, Denvic Silwa, was also hit by the same vehicle and was rushed to a hospital.

Salva died on the same side of the road where SPO4 Luisito Igot was killed after being hit by a speeding car last Aug. 16.

Investigators said the suspect was under the influence of liquor when the accident happened.

Trampe said he wanted to know why the 17-year old Chong was issued a driver’s license. He is a minor under the country’s laws and is not supposed to drive a car.

Trampe ordered a thorough investigation into the case even as he directed police precinct commanders to quickly put in place early warning devices near checkpoints.

"This should serve serve as a lesson to everybody," he said.

Sia attacks Emano memo, council inaction

By Lito Rulona / September 4, 2006

COUNCILOR Juan Sia has become an unlikely critic of Mayor Vicente Emano’s controversial Memorandum no. 374-06, saying the order has given city hall’s department heads a license to snub the city council’s investigations.

"‘‘Mahitabo ani sige na lamang kita nga delay ug postpone. Kung wala gyu’y mahimo, hulatan na lamang nato ang sunod nga mayor basin i-lift ra kini (If this is the case, expect a lot of delays and postponements in the meetings. If nothing can be done, then we’ll just have to wait for the next mayor who may opt to lift this order),’’ said Sia.

Sia’s pronouncements surprised political observers in the city who have long viewed him as an Emano yes-man like most members of the city council. He has been with Emano’s party, the PaDayon Pilipino, since 1998 when the mayor first sought and grabbed the city’s top post.

In the Aug. 22 memorandum, Emano ‘‘reminded’’ that city hall’s department heads and employees should not be invited or summoned to appear during investigations without his approval. He also ‘‘reminded’’ the city council that all invitations should be sent to his office first.

But Sia, a known political ally of Emano, maintained that Memorandum no. 374-06 would adversely affect the outcomes of city council and committee meetings.

He said the memo would disrupt ongoing investigations being carried out by councilors.

Because of the memo, Sia said, officials who need to shed light on public matters may as well snub the meetings called by councilors.

As a result, he said the council’s committees would not be able to decide or act immediately.

Sia also expressed disappointment over the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s failure to thoroughly discuss Emano’s memorandum during its last session. He said he had expected councilors to scrutinize it.

It was not even included in the council agenda, said Sia.

"It is a matter of procedure. Some issues and concerns must be answered," he said.

Emano, for his part, said all he wanted was courtesy to the Office of the City Mayor. He said the memo was not a gag order contrary of wide perceptions.

He said the order was issued because he did not want department heads to appear during investigations without him be informed about it.

Councilor Maryanne Enteria, another politician who is widely perceived to be an Emano political ally of unquestioning obedience, defended Memorandum number 374-06 . She called the memo’s critics ‘‘unfair,’’ adding that the criticisms were n"an insult to the credibility of the city council."

"They (critics) did not get it right. Their criticisms are purely an observation and have no legal basis at all," Enteria said.

Enteria said Emano’s controversial memo has a legal basis. She said the department heads are all under the executive department and therefore, "protocol and courtesy dictate that the mayor should be informed."

"We have nothing to do with the memorandum. It’s the mayor’s prerogative to issue this to his heads of offices and employees,’’ said Enteria. ‘‘It is not purely a reminder to the councilors."

She said she doubts if the memo would adversely affect the functions of the city council. "There’s nothing wrong with the order."

On the part of the city council, Enteria said the memo was just a reminder about the mayor’s policy in regard to investigations.

She said Emano’s memo ‘‘is like the Executive Order 464’’ issued by President Arroyo.

In the memo, she said, Emano only asked that he should be notified three days before councilors investigate department heads or employees. She said it was not issued to prevent the officials from appearing in city council investigations.

"That means we should respect the time-honored constitutional provisions of the independence of the executive from legislative branches of the government," said Enteria.

An Emano critic, lawyer Frederico Gapuz, called Emano’s memo "arrogant." He said the issuance of the memo was a violation of graft laws.

"Like President Arroyo’s order, it is a tool to suppress truth and hide graft," said Gapuz.

Jaraula hints at likely run for mayor

September 4, 2006

CAGAYAN de Oro Rep. Constantino Jaraula hinted that he was entertaining the possibility of a mayoral run in the city next year, saying a group of businessman and professionals has been prodding him into making a bid for the city’s top post.

Speaking to reporters, Jaraula said the group has even went to the extent of offering to bankroll his mayoral campaign if he decided to seek the position that would be left vacant by Mayor Vicente Emano. He declined to identify members of the group.

But he said his choice was between running for mayor or retiring from politics. But at this time, he said it was more likely that he’d quit politics.

City hall insiders said Emano, leader of the PaDayon Pilipino, has listed Jaraula as among his choices for a successor.

Based on the scenario, Emano would ‘‘anoint’’ and successor and the mayor would seek the vice mayorship.

Emano’s candidate for congressman would likely be one of the PaDayon Pilipino councilors, the sources said. This early, a number of councilors are reportedly positioning themselves in preparation for the congressional race.

On local radio, Emano hinted that he has a list of probable candidates for mayor, congressman and other city hall positions. He said he would discuss this with his partymates soon.

While bent on retiring, Jaraula said he would not hesitate to seek an elective position again if the PaDayon Pilipino still needed his services.

"I had enough with my political career pero kung kinahanglan pa sa partido atong serbisyo, dili ta kini mabalibaran," Jaraula said.

Aside from Jaraula, another PaDayon Pilipino member said to be being considered for the mayoral race is Vice Mayor Michelle Spiers. The name of Councilor Juan Sia and Simeon Licayan also surfaced.

Councilors Edgar Cabanlas, Maryanne Enteria and Jose Benjamin Benaldo are reportedly eyeing the congressional post while Ian Mark Nacaya, Reynaldo Advincula are said to be considering a run for the vice mayoral post.

Tagarda set to file more charges

September 4, 2006

FORMER mayor Manolo Tagarda Sr. said he would file a ‘‘supplemental case’’ against four city hall lawyers in view of the decision of Judge Anita Lucagbo to cite two of them for indirect contempt.

Tagarda, a lawyer, said he would file the case before the Supreme Court.

He said the new case would support the disbarment complaint he earlier filed against lawyers Edgar Cabanlas, Mart Damian Maandig, Guerrero Adaza and Reynaldo Llego.

Two of the lawyers––Councilor Cabanlas and assistant city legal officer Maandig––were fined by Judge Anita Lucagbo for ‘‘misleading’’ her into deciding a case in favor of Mayor Vicente Emano and company in connection with the multimillion-peso Cogon market redevelopment project. Lucagbo said the two deceived the court when they withheld a vital document in relation to the case.

Tagarda said city hall’s lawyers