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guy123456 New updates for February 12!

2012-02-11T23:21:00.000-08:00

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guy123456 New updates for February 01!

2012-02-01T04:21:00.000-08:00

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guy123456 New updates for January 22!

2012-01-22T14:34:00.000-08:00

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guy123456 New updates for January 13!

2012-01-13T13:46:00.000-08:00

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guy123456 New updates for January 03!

2012-01-03T10:04:00.001-08:00

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guy123456 New updates for December 24!

2011-12-24T01:21:00.000-08:00

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guy123456 New updates for December 14!

2011-12-14T01:00:00.000-08:00

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guy123456 New updates for December 04!

2011-12-03T23:35:00.000-08:00

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Joint Venture for swiftlet farming

2011-12-03T06:07:00.000-08:00

Malaysia Swiftlet Farming - Propose Joint venture with land owner

If you have land, we only require 4000 sq ft of the land for building bird house. We would like to propose to lease your land
for 5000 sq ft with long term agreement of 20 years and the land lease value plus cash investment would be your share of the house.
Our newly designed bird house with the same nesting area compare to double storey bird house would produce up to
RM150,000.00 worth of bird nest per month.
Preference would be given to the land owner who are willing to invest at least 50 percent or more of the project cost so that we
both would be sharing the risk.

For further information , please contact : malaysiaswiftletfarming@hotmail.my
Phone Nos. : Harry 012-3220999
Company : Artbuilders Management (M) Sdn Bhd
Address: Lot 3560 , Batu 5 1/2, Jalan Sungei Besi, 57100, Kuala Lumpur.

We manufacture Lab Furniture, Office Furniture , ESD Work Bench & Renovation

2011-12-03T00:17:00.000-08:00

We Manufacture - Lab Furniture, Office Furniture, ESD Work Bench .
We also provide - Interior Design and Renovation

We have 20 years of experiences therefore we are able to provide you with practical solution.
Office Tel : 03-79821300 Fax: 03-79822517
Address : Lot 35605, Batu 5 1/2, Jalan Sungei Besi, 57100, Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia
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guy123456 New updates for November 24!

2011-11-24T15:05:00.000-08:00

guy123456 New updates for November 24!

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guy123456 New updates for November 14!

2011-11-14T16:04:00.001-08:00

guy123456 New updates for November 14!

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guy123456 New updates for November 04!

2011-11-04T10:51:00.001-07:00

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guy123456 New updates for October 25!

2011-10-25T14:46:00.001-07:00

guy123456 New updates for October 25!

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Best Investment - Malaysia Swiftlet Farming / Burung Walet

2011-10-16T19:13:00.000-07:00

guy123456 New updates for October 05!

2011-10-04T22:39:00.000-07:00

guy123456 New updates for October 05!

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guy123456 New updates for September 25!

2011-09-25T11:35:00.001-07:00

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guy123456 New updates for September 15!

2011-09-15T10:35:00.000-07:00

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guy123456 New updates for September 05!

2011-09-05T10:18:00.001-07:00

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guy123456 New updates for August 26!

2011-08-26T03:18:00.001-07:00

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guy123456 New updates for August 16!

2011-08-16T15:34:00.000-07:00

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Malaysia New Design , Office, Laboratory, ESD work bench and renovation

2011-08-12T02:04:00.000-07:00

MALAYSIA PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Office Workstation ESD Work Bench

Lab Furniture Interior Design & Renovation

ARTBUILDERS manufacture Office Furniture, Laboratory Furniture, ESD work bench

& provide services for Interior Design & Renovation of Offices, house, hotel & resort etc.

Contact us for better solution and more competitive pricing.

Regards,

ARTBUILDERS (Malaysia)

Hand Phone: 012-3220999 , Office : 03-79821300

Email: artbuildersmalaysia@gmail.com

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1AxsrEz,a4B,x!Jv!9!wG,yl24d,a,wx2!pGM9!peB!dDL8J7z.PeLGnK!.vO2

guy123456 New updates for August 06!

2011-08-06T16:30:00.000-07:00

guy123456 New updates for August 06!

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Assist Us

2011-08-05T22:01:00.001-07:00

Dear Sir,

It is my pleasure to contact you for a business venture which I and my Son[Konan],intend to establish in
your country.
Though I have not met with you before but I believe, one has to risk confiding in someone to succeed
sometimes in life.

There is this amount of Fifteen Million Five hundred US Dollars ($15.500.000.00)which my late Husband
deposited with a security company in Europe which he wanted to used for his politicalreason in our Country
before he was assassinated.

Now I and my son have decided to invest these money in your country or anywhere safe enough outside
Africa for security and political reasons.We want you to help us claim and receive the consignment which
will be sent to you through diplomatic means to your address to avoid any traces of the funds and to enable
you plan for the investment in your Country:

I will like to invest part of the money into these three investment in your Country but, if there is any other
business that is better than what I am suggestion, I will be very glad to follow your advice.

1). Real estate
2). The transport industry
3). Five star hotel

If you can be of an assistance to us we will be pleased to offer to you 20% Of the total fund while the
balance will be invested by you.

I await your soonest response at :lindrogba012@gmail.com

Respectfully yours,

Mrs.Linda Drogba

Best Investment - Malaysia Swiftlet Farming / Burung Walet

2011-08-01T05:46:00.000-07:00

guy123456 New updates for July 28!

2011-07-28T11:16:00.001-07:00

guy123456 New updates for July 28!

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2011-07-28T11:05:00.001-07:00

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Office Design & Build , Office furniture, Laboratory Furniture , ESD work bench

2011-06-29T00:55:00.000-07:00

MALAYSIA PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Office Workstation ESD Work Bench

Subscribe This Mail / UnSubscribe This Mail

ARTBUILDERS manufacture Office Furniture, Laboratory Furniture, ESD work bench

& provide services for Interior Design & Renovation of Offices, house, hotel & resort etc.

Contact us for better solution and more competitive pricing.

Regards,

ARTBUILDERS (Malaysia)

Hand Phone: 012-3220999

Email: artbuildersmalaysia@gmail.com

dA,mcr,8s!i3zpyrwlG,.B4c!hjw,,z,eo3B,NpP!AgA!!1IA7,D6,7qFlpFd!

Office Design & Build , Office furniture, Laboratory Furniture , ESD work bench

2011-04-10T18:17:00.000-07:00

Office Workstation ESD Work Bench

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ARTSYSTEM manufacture Office Furniture, Laboratory Furniture, ESD work bench

& provide services for Interior Design & Renovation of Offices, house, hotel & resort etc.

Contact us for better solution and more competitive pricing.

Regards,

Artsystem (Malaysia)

Hand Phone: 012-3220999

Website: http://www.artsystem.com.my

Email: harry@artsystem.com.my

eJHe,4zje!!sC!8k!gaB.L86F.CEuG84q.PsNCtzzLs.6ofK3EF88.g75M1HeP

Malaysia Office Design & Build Services , AND Manufacturing of Lab furnitures, ESD work bench and Office Furniture

2010-04-22T15:44:00.000-07:00

Direct Manufacturer

Artsystem is the manufacturer of modular workstations and office furniture, as well as an interior design consultant. We are one of the leading manufacturers in the region. We are manufacture a wide range of office furniture,office desks, workstation desks, mobile pedestals, cabinet and steel furniture and etc.

Workstation : Simple, compact and durable design. It is a practical working solution for a growing organisation. Laboratory : Combination of flexibility, performance, and aesthetic appeal to meet your critical application needs.We have experience and expertise in designing and building lab benches for energy,education, government, and a wide variety of healthcare applications.

Click here to unsubscribe from this Artsystem(M) email list

We are speacialist in interior design , project management, exhibition and booth display design. We can design and build for the interior of your :

* Office

* Residence

* Factory

* Hotel & Resort

Lot 35605, Batu 5 1/2,
Jalan Sg. Besi,
57100 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.

Tel:
+603-7982 1300

Fax:
+603-7982 2517

Email: artsystemharry@gmail.com

Malaysia Manufacturer of Lab furniture & ESD work bench

2010-04-19T00:11:00.001-07:00

Direct Manufacturer

Click here to unsubscribe from this Artsystem(M) email list

We are speacialist in interior design , project management, exhibition and booth display design. We can design and build for the interior of your :

* Office

* Residence

* Factory

* Hotel & Resort

Lot 35605, Batu 5 1/2,
Jalan Sg. Besi,
57100 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.

Tel:
+603-7982 1300

Fax:
+603-7982 2517

Email: artsystemharry@gmail.com

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About Us

Our Services

Our Works

Laboratory Furniture

Artsystem designs and builds a complete line of practical laboratory furniture, offering a combination of flexibility, performance, and aesthetic appeal to meet your critical application needs. We have experience and expertise in designing and building lab benches for energy, education, government, and a wide variety of healthcare applications.

Industrial Workbench

		Single Workbench		An "L" shape configuration

Workstation Manufacturer:Office Furniture:Interior Designing Consultancy:Office Desks:Workstation Desks:Mobile Pedestals: Cabinet:Steel Furniture:Home Decor:Interior Design:Workstation Design:Laboratory Design:Residential Interior Design

Malaysia Lab furniture and ESD work bench manufacturer

2010-04-19T00:09:00.001-07:00

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		Single Workbench		An "L" shape configuration

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2010-04-19T00:08:00.001-07:00

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Laboratory Furniture

Industrial Workbench

		Single Workbench		An "L" shape configuration

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2010-02-16T23:24:00.000-08:00

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Pasko Nato '09 finishes off with Awards Night

2009-12-28T21:51:00.001-08:00

FOR another year, Margosatubig edged 26 other participating LGU booths
in the AHC LGU Christmas Bazaar Contest after it was chosen as the
winner in the ZamboSur Christmas Festival, better known as Pasko Nato
'09.

The 10-day Christmas affair concluded with the awarding of winners of
the different competitions and the Agro-tourism and Heritage Center in
Dao.

Following Margosatubig, in order, are Dumingag, Dimataling, which
likewise received the Topseller Award, then Dinas and Molave.

Like Dimataling, Margosatubig is a consistent winner in the past AHC
booth contests, with its previous winnings as Most Artistic booth and
as Best in Tourism Showcase in Megayon 2007 and 2008, respectively.

In other competitions, like the Dao Christmas Lights Contest, first
prize went to Purok Militar, followed by Purok Patag and Purok
Mahayahay.

In the AHC Light–A–Tree Competition, J. H. Cerilles State College
(JHCSC) Dimataling came first while JHCSC–Vincenzo Sagun is second and
JHCSC–Pagadian Campus came third.

The DepEd–2nd District, Division of Zambosur bagged the top spot in
the AHC Belen Contest, followed by PNP-Zambosur in second place and
Zamsureco–I.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Red Cross–Zamboanga del Sur Chapter
is first in the AHC Hanging Christmas Symbols Contest, followed by the
Three Blind Mice and the Paklian Architects.

Governor Aurora Cerilles showed her appreciation and praised the
Provincial Tourism Office headed by Anthony Frederick Padayhag for the
well-organized events.

"Thank you so much for your ingenuity and hard work in support to our
continuing development of the Agro–tourism and Heritage Complex,"
Cerilles said.

Padayhag, for his part, also thanked the assistance from the different
committees and participating agencies and sectors that made Pasko Nato
'09 successful.

Also timed with the awarding night is the grand final of the 3rd Wild
Z Dance Challenge Showdown, with the Mix Stylers sweeping off the
competition, Next Page in second and Headmix in third.

REPORT BY ZAMBOSUR PROVINCIAL PRESS BUREAU

At last, Pagadian airport will open in January

2009-12-28T21:49:00.001-08:00

FINALLY and irrevocably, the Pagadian City Airport in Muricay will be
opening up for air traffic on January 2010, Mayor Samuel Co disclosed.

Speaking over the radio last Wednesday during his weekly program, Co
said he was in high spirits after receiving favorable responses from
various air transportation companies he invited to open their flights
here.

Co explained the recent completion of the asphalt overlay, concrete
runway widening with shoulder grade and apron repair has paved way for
the airport opening last Dec. 20.

The mayor added that the travelling public will only have to wait for
the official announcement of the flight schedules from the three
airline companies—Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines and Cebu
Pacific— which showed commitment to fill the Pagadian-Cebu route by
February.

Co said he has finally ascertained the airport's opening after he
received the "Notice to Airmen" (NOTAM), a transmitted dissemination
from the aviation authority addressed to all civil public use airports
that its landing field is already usable.

"So dili na maguol para sa tanan natong mga katawhan nga kanunayng
gasakay og eroplano nga sa dili madugay maabri na gyod ni atoang
airport," Co assured.

He predicted that the resumption of air traffic would increase
business and tourism activities in the regional center again as it
will likely be timed during the city's Pasalamat Festival 2010 which
falls in the third week of January.

The P379.46 million newly upgraded airport development project is one
of the major Mindanao Super Region projects which underwent
improvement since 2006. Last October, President Gloria Arroyo
inaugurated the airport after it was completed two months earlier.

A source from the Air Philippines said their company will probably
operate a Bombardier turboprop aircraft for the Pagadian-Cebu route
while a Cebu Pacific official told this paper they will be having a
probing flight using their A319 planes.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Irish leader hosts big reception for Sinnott

2009-12-28T21:45:00.000-08:00

FATHER Michael "Mick" Sinnott celebrated his 80th birthday last Dec.
17 in his hometown in Ireland, a day after Irish President Mary
McAleese held a reception in his honor at the Irish leader's residence
in Áras an Uachtaráin, Dublin, Fr. Seán Coyle, editor of Misyon
magazine, said in his blog.

Sinnott left for Ireland last Dec. 3, weeks away in freedom from his
still unidentified armed kidnappers who snatched the cleric from his
home in Pagadian City and held him captive for a month.

Coyle wrote that McAleese has been close to the Columbans since
childhood when the Irish official "used to sell our magazine, Far
East."

During the reception, McAleese praised the "quiet and modest work" of
Irish religious missionaries and paid tribute to a member of the
Kiltegan Fathers who was robbed inside his home in Kenya and brutally
murdered last Dec. 11.

The Columban Fathers and the Kiltegan Fathers were both founded in
Ireland and are societies of secular priests - not religious.

McAleese said some of the stories of 2009 had brought triumph in the
face of adversity and Sinnott's was a glowing example of that, adding
the story of the priest's captivity "started out very badly; It did
not start out a good story."

"It was a very bad story, the kidnapping of a priest of almost 80 who
was not in the full of his health. It had the potential to be a real
tragedy, with at times it seemed, small chance of a happy ending," the
president said.

Yet, McAleese said, Sinnott had come home fresh and well and was with
his family in the Áras just days before the celebration of his 80th
birthday. "It really is a privilege for this house to welcome a man of
such courage, faith and grace under fire," she remarked.

The President explained it was ironic that Sinnott's kidnapping
provided a chance to learn about the work which Irish priests "do so
quietly and modestly" and that "wonderful work which brings huge
benefit to the people [they] help and [it] also brings rightly high
regard for the Columbans."

"But it also brings, importantly, very high regard for Ireland. You
are the hands of very important work and you are the heart of that
work," she added, recognizing likewise Ireland's Ambassador, Dick
O'Brien and everyone from the Irish, European and Philippine
governments "who had worked so hard to secure Fr Sinnott's release."

McAleese then wished Sinnott "the happiest of birthdays" while Coyle
wrote a message to his fellow priest: "I thank him for his example,
his integrity, his prayerfulness and his total dedication as a priest.
I see in him a man who is truly 'configured to Christ'."

"He is a light in these dark times for the Church in Ireland," the priest added.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Health, peaceful polls top media wish for 2010

2009-12-25T20:55:00.001-08:00

THE year 2009 has brought drama and achievement in the lives of
journalists too. This is the year when media personalities—for their
part—cement their evolution and unity as they are becoming prominent,
making themselves part of the news they impart.

But accustomed to such good (or bad) moments or not, several of them
contend 2009 was such an awful year, with all the problems besetting
the industry as well as their personal lives.

Apparently, the ones who replied to this paper's text survey all
together agree, given their answers and their tone for this year's
wishes was probably to set a new mood for 2010 when they see a new
bailout.

And while it seems to go beyond their desperation and awareness of
their immense role as a committed partner in the community, their
retrospection of next year's general elections is first on their list
of wishes.

Appreciating what the automated election has brought in terms of
modernizing the country's electoral process, it is sad to know that
still several, if not, many of the provincial journalists has to find
time to learn the automated election system (AES).

"Peaceful polls," was RMN-DxDR Ramil Bangues' text message to this
paper when asked of his wish for 2010. Charnyl Albarracin of the
Pagadian Express seconded.

"Peaceful, orderly elections," was DxOC-AM reporter Reynaldo Rosal's
absolute reply.

"Peaceful, clean elections in May," Ping Deliverio, editor of the
Sibugay Express, makes another inclusive answer.

"Maturity among politicians to stop killing media people," Vic del
Pilar of Mindanao Balita Local and Frontline Mindanao Online
recommended the most suitable setting.

"Good health and no more media attack," said Neptalie Batolenio of
Malindang Herald, leading the pack of mediamen who wanted to grasp
favorable vigor and wellbeing.

"More blessings, good health and success," replied Jong Cadion of
Mindanao Balita Local and Frontline Mindanao Online.

"Maintain a happy family," also said Marive Jongco of DxBZ-Radyo
Bagting, waxing her maternal instincts.

"Financial stability and salary increase," this one from Lea Agonoy of
Ummah Fi Salam while Divina Suson of RMN-DxIC wished for a car and
another raise in her salary.

For Elmer Maghanoy of RMN-DxPR, he wants "continued blessings and
guidance in relaying the truth and God's protection in times of
trouble."

John Mark Cocos of DxWO-FM may sound funny when he wished for a
"sports car and to become the president of ABS-CBN," but he later set
it right with the words "Good relations with other mediamen."

Reflecting on what worked in 2009, what didn't, what media loved and
hated and what they could have done better, Wendell Talibong of CBCP
News and DxDD-AM told this paper: "Daghang patay ug katalagman.
Naghari ang mga tikasan sa gobyerno ug midaghan ang nag-antos sa
kalisod."

Agonoy butted in, "Maguindanao massacre, a president who is not
willing to retire, typhoons, volcano eruption, climate change, MILF
and global financial crisis.'

"Worst year, full of disasters and tribulations—a sign that Jesus is
coming," quips Mark Laride of DA-RAFID.

For Ryan Rosauro of Philippine Daily Inquirer, it is because of the
upcoming political exercise in May that the social atmosphere is ripe
for intrigues, mudslinging and double talk.

"The year 2008 is better than 2009 as the latter is marred by bloody
events and calamities. People wanted better life in 2008 after the
elections but their hopes dimmed when politicians reneged on their
promises," said Ellen Ajijul of MIT-RTVN.

"These trials and challenges will be an eye opener to the people and
will reflect in their decision come 2010," explains Cadion.

Albarracin, on the other hand, observed that there was little
upliftment of economic stability in the country from the recession and
only boxer Manny Pacquiao only got richer and more famous.

"The year was full of hardships and success. Nevertheless, its time
nga magpasalamat kita sa kahitas-an sa mga kaayuhan nga gihatag ug
sugaton nato ang bag-ong tuig nga puno sa paglaum," ended Maghanoy.

Well said, the next step now is to see media's goals and wishes come
in the upcoming year. Inevitably, the future is moving in that
direction.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Sammy Co’s ‘Fantastic 4’

2009-12-24T20:52:00.001-08:00

IN the potpourri of old timers, veteran lawyers and successful
entrepreneurs completing the local slate of Mayor Samuel Co, four new
faces did not escape the eye of the media.

Who are they? Will they hog the headlines and squeeze for voters'
preference in the next year's elections just like the old timers and
the veterans?

First is Alexander "Jun-Jun" Co Jr. The 23-year old is a hotelier and
Mayor Sammy Co's nephew. He is said to be a "substitute" for his
uncle, incumbent councilor Wilson Co, who opted not to run again owing
to health concerns.

A business administration and computer application graduate of La
Salle University in Cebu City, Jun admits he's a greenhorn in politics
and was hesitant at first.

"My uncle taught me the importance of coming out of my comfort zone
and start serving other people. It was an insight and from that time I
thought I am capable of becoming a humble servant," he added.

"In life we had to be determined. Achieving things does not depend on
age but on determination."

"Business wisdom is my forte that I can apply in the political arena
in the interest of public service and maximized potential and develop
to gain more business investors in the city," Co said.

Jun notes that he can make breakthroughs in the tourism, business and
youth sectors.

Next in Co's list is Aniceto Galon, a retired judge and former city
councilor who wants to make a comeback from his long respite.

He says he has reached the highest point of his career and wants "to
go back to his first love," which he mean as the city council.

As a young lawyer then, Galon has served for two terms in the
pre-martial law years before he shifted career and worked his way up
in the judicial courts.

"Akong gibati nga ang pagserbisyo sa lungsod walay kinutuban. Kung
nangandoy ko sa pagserbisyo sa publiko niadtong batan-on pa ko nga
kulang pa ko og kasinatian, labaw na siguro karon mapuslan ang akong
kasinatian nga edaran na ko," he said.

"Kung magustuhan sa katawhan akong tanyag kanila, ang akong gisaligan
sa akong pagpapili ug ang igarantinya ang akong tiunay nga
pagserbisyo," Galon added.

For lawyer Carlos "Caloy" Madarang III, taking his sights on public
service will be a specialty since as a lawyer, for example, he can
offer his services to the council and to the people.

"Being a rookie in the political arena I don't want to brag myself.
The task and work of a councilor will not be new to me. So far I'm
still hopeful and continue to pray for the blessing of the Almighty
and the people so that this bid will be successful," the former
provincial legal counsel said.

Last but not the least is businessman and contractor Roque "Nonoy"
Yamba, who is also the president of the Baganian Broadcasting
Corporation and general manager of DxBZ-AM and DxCA-FM.

"Kung unsa man gani ang tahas nga ihatag sa katawhan, akoang himuon
alang sa kalambuan sa siyudad," was his no-nonsense words.

On the sideline is incumbent board member Baldomero "Baleleng"
Fernandez—a private lawyer and formerly the provincial and city
prosecutor of Zamboanga del Sur.

Banking on his vast experience in law practice and as a seasoned
legislator, Fernandez said that he will focus on the needed
regulations and policies for a more progressive regional center.

"Nagtan-aw ko nga taga-dinhi man gyod ta ug basin aduna tay dako nga
mahimo ug ikatampo sa pagpanday sa balaod alang sa kalambuan sa
siyudad," he stressed.

Fernandez added that he wants to initiate laws that will benefit the
senior citizens, revenue collections and the poor.

For his part, Co said that their lineup went through the rigorous
selection process of their party and that he believes this chosen crop
will help propel the city to make more progress.

The mayor calls them a "teamwork of young, energetic and committed
people" that can lend a hand in propelling the city to sure
development.

"With this lineup, we will try our very best nga modaug gyod ang
tanan," the mayor added.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA & JONG CADION

RP rebels eye deadlock with government

2009-12-24T19:25:00.001-08:00

OZAMIZ CITY—Maoist rebels in the country has vowed to achieve a stage
of "strategic stalemate" between its strength and government's within
the next five years as the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)
observes on Saturday its 41st year of founding as a revolutionary
organization.

In its traditional anniversary statement, the CPP's Central Committee
said that if this goal is carried out successfully, "we can look
forward to still greater revolutionary possibilities within the next
ten years…"

The CPP's pronouncement mocks the 2010 deadline set by President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to reduce into insignificance the communist
insurgency in the country.

A yearend statement of the Armed Forces of the Philippines has placed
the current number of New Peoples Army (NPA) rebels on a decline.

"The CPP/NPA's strength in January 2002 was pegged to be around
12,000. Today, their strength is down to 7,100; a reduction of about
5,000," the statement reads.

"With the sustained operational gains and momentum against the
communist terrorists, the AFP is optimistic of the CPP/NPA's eventual
defeat as their political and military influence continues to
dwindle," the statement continued.

But the NPA counters the Arroyo administration "has utterly failed to
realize its pipe dream of destroying or reducing the armed
revolutionary movement of the people to inconsequentiality."

The rebel group also crowed about its ability to prevail over 14 years
of Ferdinand Marcos' strongman rule "and all the succeeding regimes
that have pretended to be liberal democratic…"

The CPP said its "revolutionary optimism" is based on the lingering
crisis affecting "the world capitalist system," referring to the
global economic depression, and its corresponding burden imposed on
"the domestic ruling system."

The CPP also claimed it has "the sufficient strength and critical mass
to carry out the tasks and plans for advancing from the strategic
defensive to the strategic stalemate (of) the people's war within the
next five years."

The CPP leadership emphasized the need to increase its number of NPA
units and guerrilla fronts "from around 120 to 180 in order to cover
the rural congressional districts and gain the ability to deploy armed
city partisan units in the urban congressional districts."

To achieve this, it said the rebel group "must intensify the
recruitment and the politico-military training of the Red fighters" as
well as "intensify our tactical offensives…"

"The weapons for arming new units of the NPA at the levels of the
district, province and region must be obtained mainly from the enemy
through ambuscades, raids and other operations," the CPP anniversary
statement read.

The local communist leadership also pointed out the key role of land
reform campaigns "to win the steadfast support of the poor peasants,
farm workers and lower middle peasants" and so provide it foothold
into the rural communities.

Organized in 1968, the CPP has been waging four-decade warfare against
the government to impose its socialist-oriented economic ideology and
has since engaged in an on-and-off negotiation for a political
settlement.

REPORT BY RYAN ROSAURO, PECOJON

ZPPO conducts 12th leg of ‘makeover caravan’

2009-12-24T06:53:00.001-08:00

THE Zamboanga Del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZPPO) recently
conducted the 12th Leg Transformation Caravan participated by staff
officers, respective police chiefs in the province and their
personnel, members of the Pagadian City Hikers Joggers Association
Inc., and the PNP Retirees Association of Zambosur.

Police Provincial Director S/Supt. Ramon Ochotorena presently heads the ZPPO.

The 12th Leg of the PNP Transformation Caravan is hosted by PNP Region
9 after which will pass on to PNP Region 10 with the "Transformation
Torch."

This torch symbolizes the changes undertaken by the present PNP
administration in an effort to transform the organization into a
capable, effective and credible law enforcer, Ochotorena said.

"The torch of the PNP symbolizes the continuity of the PNP
transformation Program which aims to resolve organizational
dysfunctions and improve the quality of police services; to strengthen
law enforcement capabilities; and to enhance the welfare and benefits
of our personnel and dependents," a ZPPO press statement emailed to
this paper said.

"Likewise, it also promotes the culture of reform in the PNP personnel
and stakeholders through advocacy programs and development updates of
the Integrated Transformation Program (ITP)," the press statement
continued.

The caravan started with the torch run at the Balintawak junction
going to the city proper and culminated inside Camp Abelon, followed
by an integrated transformation briefing at the ZPPO conference room.

There, Ochotorena turned over the transformation torch to all chiefs
of police, represented by P/Supt. Ranulfo Sinajon of PNP Molave.

The PNP Transformation Torch run covers 17 regions around the country
and 20 National Support Units and was conceptualized by Police Chief
Jesus Verzosa, who said that he will make effective leadership "a way
of living in the PNP."

The PNP aims that by 2015, it will no longer have reasons for not
making any part of this country a more peaceful, orderly, and safe
place to work, invest, and do business.

Cerilles leads Pasko Nato ’09 opening

2009-12-24T06:32:00.001-08:00

GOVERNOR Aurora Cerilles led the formal opening of the Pasko Nato 2009
last Dec. 16 at the Agri- Tourism and Heritage Complex (AHC) in Brgy.
Dao amid a big crowd of eager spectators who wanted to take a glimpse
of the blinking fairy lights of the Giant Christmas tree located
within the area.

The Pasko Nato '09 is the third ZamboSur Christmas Festival initiated
by the Provincial Government.

As usual, the lighting of the Giant Christmas Tree coincided with the
AHC Kids Caroling Contest and the first judging of the AHC LGU
Christmas Bazaar Contest that evening.

Cerilles, who is in her last term as the province's chief executive,
said she was happy with the fortitude shown by Zambosurians and
expressed her gratitude to the people for all the support she got.

"Your love, respect and cooperation have been my strength to pursue
big dreams and work even harder for the good of us all," Cerilles told
the crowd.

The governor added that despite the struggles she confronted during
her three terms, these were all conquered and she prevailed because
"we all worked together with one vision and one purpose."

She then congratulated all the Capitol employees, even calling them as
her "extended family who gave their best at the frontlines of
service."

The governor then reiterated her advocacy against illegal drugs and
mentioned her strong condemnation of the Nov. 23 massacre in Ampatuan,
Maguindanao, which killed 57 people including some 30 journalists.

"Let us therefore renew our commitment to work together in restoring
the dignity and peace in Mindanao, making it a land of fulfilled
dreams," she urged.

The opening and lighting activity at the AHC ended with a grand
fireworks display.

Meanwhile, Provincial Tourism Officer Anthony Padayhag said everybody
is welcome to visit the Provincial Government Center's nightly
activities of Pasko Nato '09.

Most of these activities are in collaboration with the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts under the Dance Season program of
the Provincial Tourism Office, he added.

REPORT BY PROVINCIAL PRESS BUREAU

NUJP-Misoc Statement on "Analysis" broadcaster Danny Pilar: Ang pagpapili ug ang kagawasan sa pagpadayag parehong hulagway sa pagtunhay sa demokrasya

2009-12-21T22:14:00.001-08:00

Disyembre 22, 2009

Ang NUJP hilabihang naalarma ug naguol sa pagpangatake kang Danny
Pilar pinaagi sa usa ka granada nga gilabay sa iyang panimalay didto
sa Taboo, Jimenez niadtong adlaw'ng Dominggo, Disyembre 20, 2009. Si
Danny kabahin sa komunidad sa mga tigbalita sa Misamis Occidental.

Bisan paman nga ang usa ka halalom nga imbestigasyon ang kamulo'ng
gipahigayon kalabot niini, among gipasalamatan ang Philippine National
Police (PNP), ilalom sa liderato ni Supt. Leonilo Cabug, provincial
director sa Misamis Occidental, sa paspas nga pagresponde sa
panghitabo. Hinaut nga masustenir kining paningkamot sa pagsulbad sa
kaso aron makaangkon og hingpit nga hustisya si Danny Pilar.

Dili madiskwento ang posibilidad nga ang pagpangatake adunay
kalambigitan sa pulitika ug ang trabaho ni Danny isip tigbalita.
Nahitabo kini human maplastar ang kandidatura sa mga pulitiko alang sa
nagkadaiyang posisyon. Gani, matud ni Danny, kung adunay nag-interes
sa iyang kinabuhi tungod sa lain pang rason, kaniadto ra siya hamyang
kaayo sa pagpangatake.

Tungod niini, among gihangyo nga unta malinawon nga pamaagi ang
ipatuman sa mga pulitiko subay sa ilang personal nga interes nga
maagni ang katawhan sa pagdapig sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka kandidatura.

Sa maong panghitabo, among giawhag ang mga pulitiko nga mosaad
atubangan sa katawhan nga magdumili sa dugoon nga mga paagi aron
mapalawig ang kinaugalingong pulitikanhong interes.

Ang pagpapili sa pulitikanhong posisyon usa sa mga hulagway sa
pagtunhay sa demokrasya. Kaubang hulagway niini ang kagawasan sa
pagpadayag.

RYAN D. ROSAURO
Chair,
NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES (NUJP)
Misamis Occidental Chapter

Driver dies in foiled robbery

2009-12-17T18:09:00.000-08:00

A driver was killed and his lady co-worker wounded, Wednesday, Dec. 16, when two muggers tried to rob and shoot them in the process.

City Police Chief Inspector Michael Palermo narrated that the foiled robbery occurred at the PAFCPIC office, located along Lawiswis Drive in Sagun St., this city, just about 500 meters from the PNP Provincial Headquarters.

Initial investigation by Palermo revealed that Jocelyn Sacurom Tañola, cashier of PAFCPIC, and her driver, identified as Reynaldo Francisco Noble, has just arrived from the bank when the two muggers suddenly showed up and declared a stick-up.

Noble accordingly tried to push Tañola away from the robbers in an effort to let her sprint out of the area but the hold-uppers started shooting at the two.

Some witnesses in the area told police they saw the hold-uppers get on a waiting Honda Civic with plate number WDS 431 after the incident at the same time as both victims were rushed to Metro Hospital.

Noble sustained three gun shot wounds at his body and was later pronounced dead while Tañola only sustained a slight wound at her right arm.

Palermo said they are coordinating with the LTO to check out who owns the Honda Civic and possibly identify the unknown robbers.

In related news, that evening, a total of P28,500 worth of assorted goods were carted away by the still unidentified persons who ransacked a stall inside the covered court in Plaza Luz.

The stall owner, Maria Dona Anoling Koyme, reported to the city police station the next morning that she discovered her stall’s wooden window destroyed and her place burgled.

Koyme claimed several assorted items like 15 pieces of pants, 15 pieces ladies sandals, assorted watches, 20 pieces short pants, 30 pieces polo shirts and one MP3 player were taken away by the burglars.

The side of the covered court along Benigno Aquino St. is just in front of the City Police Station and some businesses there are open until the wee hours of the morning because of the Paskuhan fair.

REPORT BY JONG CADION

BKD to perk up fight on drugs

2009-12-16T22:31:00.001-08:00

THE launching of the Barkada Kontra Droga (BKD) here is a sure boost in the Provincial Government’s efforts to eradicate the illegal drug menace in Zamboanga del Sur, Gov. Aurora Cerilles said.

Launched by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), the BKD anti-drug campaign aims to utilize peer pressure in enabling students to stay away from drugs and lead productive lives.

BKD is a national program that aims to employ peer pressure in enabling students to live a productive, drug-free life.

DDB officials led by deputy executive director for administration Asec. Rommel Garcia, legal officer Ana Romela Yap and public information officer Ella Marie Dimaculangan visited Pagadian to give their respective messages on BKD as well as orient the participants on the salient provisions of RA 9165.

Garcia talked on the physical, psychological, legal and moral damages cause by illegal drug use, quoting a 2004 survey whjich reported that two-thirds of mental patients are drug users and that more than half of those employed got fired or decreased their productivity due to habitual drug abuse.

He added that still more than 50 percent of jailed persons admit they were into drugs before being arrested and another 70 percent of all crimes today are drug-related.

“We are inviting people like you to join us in the fight against drug abuse because we adhere to the fact that we could not do it alone without the help of the community. Kailangan natin ang bawat isa,” Garcia said.

“Everyone only needs to have a positive mind in the fight against illegal drugs. And I’m sure that with your commitment our province will achieve its drug-free goal,” he added.

Cerilles, in her speech during the program, admitted there were some obstacles at first in containing the proliferation of illegal drugs in the province but because of the unrelenting efforts of fellow provincial and city officials and the support of the community, illegal drug trading was curbed.

She likewise reiterated she received numerous threats because of her aggressive campaign against drugs.

“Ang nahitabong pagpanglugos, kawat, tulis ug pagpatay adunay kalabutan sa ginadiling droga ug dili kita motugot nga ang inyong kaugmaon gun-ubon lamang niining salot sa katilingban,” the governor said.

“It is for this reason that my leadership waged an all-put war against illegal drugs. We need to counter and stop this stubborn enemy. I am confident that if we are united in this cause, we will sin this fight,” she said.

Also, board member Ernesto Mondarte, action officer of Task Force Kontra Droga, who was also present during the activity, commended Cerilles and called her war against illegal drugs “a heroic act and a show of political will.”

In a conversation, Mondarte said the provincial government is making all effort to achieve the promise of making Zamboanga del Sur a drug-free province by 2010.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Pagadian displays PECOJON’s war photos

2009-12-16T21:51:00.001-08:00

THIRTEEN panels of war photos taken from conflict-ridden areas in Mindanao arrived in Pagadian City last week and were toured around campuses and parishes for display.

Entitled “Today as the Past: Telling the Story of Mindanao and Imagining its Future,” the exhibit recounts the escalation of the war in Mindanao arising from the debacle over the Memorandum of Agreement on ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) and its subsequent impact.

The photos, which have already toured around several cities in the archipelago were brought in by the city chapter of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in collaboration with the Interfaith Forum for Peace and Solidarity.

Ryan Rosauro, PECOJON resource person, emailed this paper and showed his gratitude to the organizers of the photo exhibit for their concern in helping people read the island’s history and its critical point through the snapshots of professional photojournalists.

“We hope many people would be able to see it and hopefully also take a different view of the year-long war between MILF and government forces beginning last year as a fallout of the aborted MOA-AD,” said Rosauro.

The photo exhibit, he added, is a photo essay that presents how conflict-sensitive reporting should be practiced, without losing sight of the violence while painting the context why such happened.

“Because of the violence focus in reporting war and conflict, only the 'official' sides of conflict parties are accorded opportunity for airing sentiments. Hence, public understanding about the incident or series of incidents is limited to these views,” Rosauro added.

Five Mindanao-based photojournalists put up the entire exhibit: Froilan Gallardo, Charlie Saceda, Richel Umel, Rommel Rebollido and Mark Navales—with footnotes by Rosauro.

The PECOJON resource person then appealed never to forget the indispensable role played by photojournalism and photography in depicting the real images of war and conflict.

Quoting photographer James Nachtwey, Rosauro ended his message: “Why photograph war? For me, the strength of photography lies in its ability to evoke a sense of humanity. If war is an attempt to negate humanity then photography can be perceived as the opposite of war.”

“And if it is used well, it can be a powerful ingredient in the antidote of war. If everyone could be there to see for themselves the fear and grief just one time then they would understand that nothing is worth letting things get to the point that this happens to one person, let alone thousands.”

“But everyone cannot be there. And that is why photographers go there. To create pictures powerful enough to overcome the deluding effects of the mass media and shake people out of their indifference,” he concluded.

Founded in 2004 as a Philippine-German partnership project, PECOJON at present has developed into an international network with members from the Philippines, Indonesia, East Timor, Australia, Africa and Germany.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Dolorfino calls for unity among society stakeholders

2009-12-16T20:45:00.000-08:00

MAJOR General Benjamin Dolorfino of the Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM) has said the armed forces can truly carry out its mandate when there’s committed support among society's basic stakeholders.

Taking his turn to speak during the joint meeting of the Regional Development Council (RDC) and the Peace and Order Council (RPOC) last Dec. 10, he explained he is exhorting the military, local government units and the people in general.

Dolorfino scored the need for mutual support and collaboration among the three stakeholders, emphasizing on logic that it's no use solving the problem without giving attention to the cause first.

“There's no use cutting the branches and leaves if we do not address the roots. We have to work together,” he said as he explained that the military is “in the process of revising the internal security campaign.”

What he meant was their combat against domestic enemies, their dealing with domestic disturbances and anti-insurgency movement within WESMINCOM’s jurisdiction.

He then revealed their six lines of operations: promoting peace and order, good governance, socio-economic development, cultural harmony, environmental management, and public information.

Dolorfino added that they are exerting all efforts to neutralize lawless forces operating in Western Mindanao and to date they have identified four local terrorist groups operating with 136 members in 17 terrorized barangays around Zamboanga Peninsula.

In Zambosur, he identified the place as Bayog, Mahayag, Josefina, Molave, Guipos, Tigbao, Pitogo, San Pablo, Kumalarang, Lapuyan and Margosatubig.

On the issue that the military gave special treatment to foreign kidnap victims, Dolorfino responded that they have conducted several rescue operations on kidnapped victims in the past that were not announced by the media.

Furthermore, he said that the police and military do not act with favoritism in solving abduction cases based on the nationality of the victims. “We are not only warriors, we also lead the way to peace and development,” was his parting words.

WITH REPORTS FROM ZAMBOSUR PROVINCIAL PRESS BUREAU

Four LTO offices get ISO approval

2009-12-16T20:14:00.000-08:00

FOUR LTO regional offices recently passed the third external party appraisal conducted by auditors and are now ISO classified or that which complied with the International Organization for Standardization consulting and assessment.

An ISO classified agency means that it has eliminated red tape, bureaucracy, reduced the time taken to acquire a certification and reduced management time required.

Land Transportation Office assistant regional director Mohammad Yusop Lamping, in a visit at his office, identified the LTO regional agencies as the district licensing offices of Pagadian, Ipil, the Driver License Renewal District Office in Zamboanga City and the LTO extension office in Molave, this province.

These offices, Lamping added, composed the first batch that sought the regulatory ISO compliance.

This leaves the district offices of Dipolog and Isabela cities as well as the extension offices of Sindangan in Zamboanga del Norte and Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay as the ones left without an ISO quality management and control system certification at present.

But Lamping assured these offices will go through various auditing process before the third party ISO external audit by January, next year.

Two audits—the first one, also called gap assessment, will be conducted by LTO central office while the second, which is the internal audit, will be performed by LTO-9 Regional Management Office and LTO Central Office Manila before the final assessment will be made.

In Pagadian alone, Lamping said the ISO certification will boost LTO’s capability in servicing the public since city is a regional center and this means a lot in standard of quality, professional service.

It was learned that both Gov. Aurora Cerilles and Mayor Samuel Co will be attending the awarding ceremony later this month at the Department of Transportations and Communications (DOTC) office in Manila.

In more news, LTO regional director Aminola Abaton disclosed their office has surpassed target collections leading to an increase of 10 percent as compared to last year’s.

Abaton said the overall figures relate to the registration of motor vehicles and issuance of driver’s licenses.

“This is a good indication that the motor vehicle owners are responding well in our campaign against unregistered motor vehicles,” Abaton beamed.

Likewise, the LTO Pagadian District Office improved their target collection by 15 percent for the period of November and December alone as compared to 2008.

Abaton attributes these developments to the implementation of ISO system in their district and extension offices around the region.

REPORT BY JONG CADION

Muslims see clear danger with ML

2009-12-15T22:54:00.000-08:00

MUSLIMS in Zamboanga del Sur lead by the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) and the Ummah Fi Salam (UFS) have raised their objection in the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao because of a “clear and present danger.”

In a press conference, CBCS secretary-general Sammy Maulana explained to journalists that placing Maguindanao under martial law to effect warrantless arrests, search and seizures clearly violated human rights.

President Gloria Arroyo signed Proclamation No. 1959 last Dec. 4 proclaiming a state of martial law and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the province of Maguindanao, except for certain areas.

The said move, according to Arroyo is in pursuit of the prosecution of those responsible for the gruesome massacre last Nov. 23 which resulted to the gruesome death of 57 people which included not only political personalities, 31 media practitioners but also several bystanders.

After concluding that the government had achieved its main objectives in Maguindanao province, Malacañang lifted martial law imposed last Saturday.

But Maulana believes the same can still be attained under existing laws and that to declare martial law in Maguindanao to suppress lawless violence is “overkill.”

“Martial law was not needed because the government has enough forces to deploy in Maguindanao, about four battalions of military troops were already there plus the police,” he said.

He added that the peace and order situation Maguindanao at present is fragile and there’s still sporadic fighting between government troops and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and this might be aggravated with martial law.

Arguing against his own perception, Maulana then commented that the martial law imposed in Maguindanao could have been made on the basis of “political expediency.”

“We do not know if martial law served well for the Ampatuans or to the government. One doesn’t need to be a lawyer to see if there is an actual rebellion happening in the said place,” he said.

“We would like to think that this (martial law) has connection with the NO-EL (no election) scenario to perpetuate Arroyo’s stay in power,” he added, saying what happened in Maguindanao may have been another scheme of the government to replicate the 12-0 victory in the last election.

He explained that Arroyo may be simply trying to flush out an abusive ally and courting a “disciplined monster” who is learning from the excesses of his enemy.

“No matter how much the government washes their hands, they could not get out of it,” he said.

As for Sultan Maguid Maruhom of UFS, he declared that there’s a long, thin line in the imposition of martial law and that they are calling for its lifting rather than questioning it because whatever happens, it would still favor the government or the Ampatuans.

“The Ampatuans are charged with rebellion instead of murder. Knowing how our justice system works, I believe they can get easily out of it since nobody was ever punished with rebellion in the Philippines,” Maruhom said.

Latest reports obtained by this paper revealed that 24 people were slapped with rebellion charges, while 638 other rebellion cases had been referred to the DOJ.

Sixty two people had been arrested for rebellion, 128 members of the Civilian Volunteer Organizations had surrendered, while 339 others had been placed under the custody of authorities.

Meanwhile, board member and lawyer Boy “Baleleng” Fernandez shared to this paper his notions on martial law.

“The martial law of former President Ferdinand Marcos declared in the early 70’s of which I am quite familiar with was in no way akin to the Maguindanao martial law under the 1987 Philippine Constitution,” he said.

“As aptly said by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, martial law administrator during the Marcos regime, President Arroyo’s Proclamation 1959 should not be feared. Comparing Marcos’ Proclamation 1081 declaring martial law in September 1972 with Mrs. Arroyo’s Proclamation 1959, Enrile said “The tiger of martial law has been defanged. There is no more teeth, since the 1987 Constitution provides enough safeguards against abuse,” he continued.

“Enrile urged the public not to worry about the Arroyo martial law. “Look at the situation. When you declare martial law today, nothing will happen. Now even if suspend the writ of habeas corpus, you arrest without going to court and get a warrant of arrest but within 36 hours you are mandatorily required to charge the person otherwise he is released. Once you charge him he can bail.”

“Moreover, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, once so vocal against military abuses and violations of human rights, supports martial law in Maguindanao with Bishop Nereo Odchimar, conference president saying, “We stand by the position taken by the Archdiocese of Cotabato within whose ecclesiastical jurisdiction the tragedy occurred and martial law was imposed.”

“Obviously he was referring to Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo’s pastoral letter saying that the massacre of 57 civilians in Maguindanao on Nov. 23 called for an “extraordinary measure,” as well as Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaporo’s pastoral letter which said, “Most people in Maguindanao and [Central Mindanao] favor the declaration of martial law,” Fernandez concluded.

With Maulana and Maruhom during the press conference are George Sampang of the Western Mindanao Federation of Peace and Development Advocates alliance Inc., Bai Labi Sumalumbay Macaumbang of the Royal House of the Sultanate of Pagadian, Ferrer Marcaban, UFS human rights coordinator, and DILG provincial director Abcede Asjali.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA & JONG CADION

Guns, groans and goad

2009-12-15T20:23:00.000-08:00

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has described the Philippines as the world’s “most murderous” country for reporters. But this does not cite a position that any media member under threat may own and carry a gun.

Journalists allowed to carry guns for self-defense in the wake of a growing number of murders of reporters and editors in the country does not in any way score, decrease, cut down or diminish the aggression against members of the fourth estate.

Even the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) could only tell its press members that there are provisions for safety and assistance to media workers under threat but carrying a firearm is practically not one.

The International News Safety Institute (INSI) explains it well. Journalists increasingly are being targeted in conflict largely because they have lost, in the eyes of certain elements, their status as neutral observers.

A journalist with a gun may have removed himself from this premise, as he unbuckles his cellular phone and exchanges it for a holster with .45-caliber pistol and some bullet clips. This clearly breaks the entrenched taboo against journalists carrying—and using—guns. Such a move is not beneficial to the press—or the threatened journalist—it will only place their lives and their peers further in danger.

True, we journalists have to protect ourselves because the government does not protect us anymore and so the need for guns protruding in our shirts. But wait, this will only open the floodgates of never-ending cycle of attacks against us. Somehow, there are media people also who are slack, immature and reckless, and arming them might only bring harm or injury to their colleague seated next to them.

Canon lawyer is new Ozamiz vicar-general

2009-12-15T20:17:00.001-08:00

REVEREND Father Maximino “Boy” Naron Jr. is the new vicar general of the Ozamiz archdiocese, replacing the late Msgr. Emie Bienes who died of liver cancer.

Archbishop Jesus Dosado announced his appointment of Naron last Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the clergy meeting held at St. Vincent Parish in Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental.

In the Roman Catholic Church, a vicar general is appointed by the bishop as the highest administrative officer of the diocese, with most of the powers of the bishop.

The 50-year old Naron is a canon lawyer and chancellor, with duties related to justice. He hails from Pangabuan, Tangub City.

He was ordained priest in April 19, 1985 and took his specialized studies on the laws and legal systems of the Roman Church at the Faculty of Canon Law; Licentiate of Philosophy faculty and Bachelor of Sacred Theology in the University of Sto. Thomas, Manila.

After ordination, he was appointed as assistant parish priest in the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish and in 1987, he was appointed as assistant parish priest at the Holy Child Parish in Oroquieta City.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA & WENDELL TALIBONG

Non-stop rains flood MisOc

2009-12-15T19:45:00.001-08:00

STEP aside Charter Change, here comes Climate Change.

Non-stop rains that lasted overnight flooded several towns in Misamis Occidental, Wednesday, Dec. 16, damaging crops, vegetations and washed away small houses in the coastal areas, Gov. Loreto Leo Ocampos said.

Speaking over the radio, Ocampos said floods rose in seven municipalities due to continuous rains, which also submerged several urban villages in Ozamiz and Oroquieta cities.

There was no weather disturbance felt the day before and the governor surmised the unexpected rains may have been caused by a fast rising warm air and an unstable sinking cool air mass. This kind of weather is most often met when a cold front is passing.

He noted the overflowing of Layawan River in Oroquieta City and Labo River in Clarin as well as the flood-prone areas in Panaon, Aloran, Jimenez, Tudela and in Sinonoc and Cagay-anon, all in Sinacaban, where schoolchildren refused to attend classes because of the flood.

The Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park (MOAP) in Tigdok, Sinacaban was also affected and some of its fish pens were destroyed, Ocampos said. Several guests in the MOAP Hotel were likewise stranded after their walkway was washed out by rainwaters.

“Kalooy sa Diyos walay kinabuhi nga nakalas pero dako kaayo ang damage sa mga fishponds, basakan ug mga balay nga nangaanod,” Ocampos said.

Such a sudden occurrence, according to Ocampos, left them with no recourse but to prioritize relief and rescue operations and the delivery of food, medicines and provisions.

Also, Ocampos assured he will call an emergency meeting with members of the Provincial Disaster and Coordinating Council (PDCC) today and tackle the issue of whether to declare the province in state of calamity.

He said the PDCC will try to assess the damages on agriculture, fisheries and infrastructure and will submit this to the media in two days time.

As of press time, the governor reported a zero casualty from the flood as he emphasized that the water level will likely subside by noontime.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA & NEPTALIE BATOLENIO

DTI tells public to buy fairy lights with ICC seal

2009-12-15T03:13:00.001-08:00

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) last week has warned consumers from buying substandard Christmas lights sold at cheaper prices.

“The DTI Provincial Office reminds the public to see to it that these should carry the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker, which ensures the product’s quality and safe use,” a DTI press statement said.

It was learned that substandard Christmas lights can be easily identified because of its thin wires and short temperature tolerance.

When these products are turned on for a considerable time, it should be able to withstand the increase in temperature or it may cause untoward accidents like overheating, electric shock and fire.

Even the Bureau of Fire Protection has joined the DTI in its campaign to ban the sale of substandard Christmas lights because these are potential fire hazards.

DTI provincial director Marichu Malate-Atay, in a visit at her office last October, said their office is continually mobilizing their personnel to inspect city establishments and make sure that Christmas lights bear the ICC sticker.

Atay added that the public should be doubly watchful on the mentioned products since even the ICC sticker can still be counterfeited.

Last August, the DTI reported that it has improved the security features of the ICC mark to deter the influx of uncertified imported items that bear a fake ICC seal.

The DTI, under the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS), issues ICC certificates to all importers of Christmas lights.

According to the DTI, before these stickers are given, importers are required to have their import shipments to sampling and testing based on the requirement of Philippine National Standards (PNS) on Christmas lights before these are offered for sale in stores.

A product that passes the PNS safety test and inspection based on a specific standard are then affixed with the ICC mark.

Atay urged consumers to refer the authenticity of the ICC marks to a list of certified Christmas lights which is displayed at different business establishments in Pagadian and at DTI-ZDS Provincial Office.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Muslims call for truth in Sinnott kidnapping

2009-12-14T21:46:00.001-08:00

THE safe release of Fr. Michael Sinnott one month after he was abducted last Oct. 11 has left a cloud of doubt and a dent on law enforcement capabilities in handling such crisis, as well as suppressed the truth on what really happened and how.

This statement is from the 48 signatories composed of Muslim heads, religious scholars, advocacy leaders and Sultans from around Zamboanga del Sur, who released the same to the media last Dec. 10.

The statement was distributed during a press conference with Sultan Maguid Maruhom of the Ummah Fi Salam last Thursday.

In it, they jointly said that, like their Christian counterparts, they too “celebrate the triumph of truth against evil once more, we are all aware of the potential ill effects of this unfortunate event to upset gains in the relationship of our people of different faiths.”

“Thanks to the timely action of the many that were conscious of their responsibility for justice and compassion, what could have been a situation which can bring wide ranging and costly outcomes was marvelously turned into an opportunity that only strengthens the bonds and solidarity of Christians and Muslims in this part of the world,” the statement said.

To recall, the National Ulama Conference of the Philippines (NUCP) with the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy (PCID) has joined calls to appeal Sinnott’s captors to grant the Columban priest his unconditional freedom as they stressed that kidnapping is contrary to the teachings of Islam and Christianity as well as with other faiths who promote good deeds towards one’s neighbors.

The Muslim leaders adjoined that Sinnott’s abduction not only caused unnecessary sacrifice for the priest and to the organizations he belong, his family and friends but likewise created miseries and hardship to a lot of innocent Muslims.

“As government forces resorts to blockading many areas especially in the Yllana Bay and several municipalities, out of fear, hundreds of Moro farmers and fisher folks were deprived of their means of livelihood for days which left many impoverished families in suffering,”

Muslim civilians in remote areas were wrapped with fright as military troops combed rural villages in the province, they continued, scoring there were human rights violations committed.

But these were only ignored and forgiven by the victims apparently “because of their desire not to divert attention at the more imminent effort of securing the safe and immediate release of Sinnott.”

Yet, at present, a weighty and collective issue to the Muslims remains, the statement added, which tarnished the image of Islam again because Muslims were initially suspected as the kidnappers of Sinnott, just like in past occasions when somebody is snatched in Mindanao, Muslims in general “were virtually put in bad light and paradoxically Islam is dragged into the issue.”

To recall, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) released a statement complaining about the pronouncement of DILG Sec. Ronaldo Puno blaming them for Sinnott’s kidnapping.

According to Puno, the MILF’s 113th Base Command, led by Al Ashree, are responsible for the kidnapping of Fr. Sinnott.

Also, the NUCP, in a report dated Oct. 19, has appealed to the media to exercise vigilance against maligning the name of Islam.

“In the same spirit, we also call on the media to exercise vigilance against maligning the name of Islam by employing emotionally and politically-charged terms such as ‘Islamic militants’ and ‘Muslim terrorists’ in reference to the abductors of Fr. Sinnot,” the NUCP said.

The Islamic scholars said name labeling will result in a widened rift especially between Muslims and Christians, and perpetuate hatred and misunderstanding.

“Whilst we similarly condemn these acts of harassment against Islam, we are cognizant and highly appreciative of a tradition held in media practice which in nature is remarkably Islamic – that of actively and courageously speaking out against injustices in the preservation of the integrity of the Ummah or the larger community, one that derives its strength from finding unity in diversity,” it said.

Back to the statement by Zambosur Muslims, they reiterated that such a tag has “caused immeasurable damage to society that it is hard for the Muslims particularly of Mindanao to condone it and leave it to be repeated again.”

“The vast majority of Muslims cannot afford to be silent anymore and evade from their moral responsibility to stand for truth. Hence, we reiterate our strong condemnation not only for Fr. Sinnott abduction but all kidnapping incidents in the past, as well as, all forms of terrorism and banditry especially if these acts were done in the name of Islam or used to justify the cause of ‘jihad,’” the statement reads.

“It is for these reasons that we, the concerned Moro elders, civil society organizations and others join hands with our Muslim religious leaders in calling upon government to ferret out the whole truth related to this case and release it to the public in due time.”

“We also demand that justice be done to the victim of this heinous crime and those who were affected by the crises by making every person responsible for this crime answerable to our laws.”

“If indeed the perpetrators of this crime were members of the MILF, as claimed by some quarters, we strongly call upon the leadership of the movement to investigate and initiate their own action towards the cause of truth and justice. The continuous suspicion of the public on MILF members being responsible for the crime only erodes the reputation of the entire organization.”

On the day he was released, Sinnott was asked by reporters about his kidnappers and he replied it wasn’t the MILF, contrary to the claim of the government.

“I don’t know who kidnapped me, it was not the MILF. We were very sure of that,” he said, adding that he knew that the Muslim secessionist rebels “condemned kidnapping because it is against the Quoran.”

Sinnott declared his captors could have been a local group based in Pagadian City who not only wanted to earn money through kidnap-for-ransom activities, but also carried “separatist" sentiments.

The government, however, is not convinced that the MILF doesn’t have a hand in Sinnott’s kidnapping.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA & JONG CADION

Pneumonia beat cancer, TB as Zambosur’s top killer

2009-12-14T20:50:00.001-08:00

PNEUMONIA, or the inflammation of the lungs caused by infection, has overtaken injuries from accidents as Zamboanga del Sur’s leading cause of death, beating even other lifestyle diseases.

Lifestyle diseases include Alzheimer's, atherosclerosis, asthma, cancer, cirrhosis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), diabetes, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, nephritis or chronic renal failure, osteoporosis, acne, stroke, depression and obesity.

The latest Regional Development Council (RDC) report under the health indicators for Zamboanga Peninsula, as submitted by the DOH-Center for Health Development, said that overall, the top ten leading causes of mortality showed a 15.80 percent increase in 2008.

Pneumonia, according to the said information paper, registered an increase of 226 deaths in 2008, from its record of 990 the previous year.

For infant mortality, pneumonia is also first with 120 while it placed as seventh leading cause of morbidity for the region with an overall tally of 14,088 patients sick in 2008.

Following pneumonia is Ischemic Heart Disease with 1,135—a big increase—compared to its 973 figure in 2007.

Cancer (all forms) is third, with 1,128, jumping from 916 in the previous year.

Injuries (all types), which used to be the top one for two straight years since 2006, is now fourth with 1,113.

The Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) explains most of the recorded injuries are intentional and motor vehicle crashes. This is attributed to inadequate road signs, lack of knowledge on road safety, poor enforcement of laws and driving under the influence of alcohol.

The IPHO added that the peace and order problem is also a factor that brought about high incidence of injuries and accidents.

Other forms of heart disease, meanwhile, dipped to 894 in 2008, as compared to 1,050 in 2007 while hypertensive disease posted 770 in 2008.

Again, the IPHO said that hypertensive diseases as well as other forms of cardiovascular diseases and ischemic heart disease increased enormously for men and women, largely attributed to lifestyles becoming a major health problem in the province.

Tuberculosis (all forms), which considerably decreased between 2001 to 2005, registered 642 as cardiovascular disease more than doubled in 2008 with 575.

Kidney disease, the ninth killer, increased slightly with 470 and COPD is listed with 436.

With the changing lifestyle of Filipinos, public health concerns regarding chronic degenerative diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer are becoming too significant to ignore.

That is why healthy diets, regular exercise, abstinence from smoking and moderate alcohol intake were recommended for one to develop or have a healthy lifestyle.

Creating a healthy lifestyle is making small changes in how one live each day and be healthy; this is the message of the Provincial Nutrition Committee (PNC).

Governor Aurora Cerilles, for her part, said she wants everybody’s participation in achieving proper nutrition in the prevention and control of diet-related lifestyle diseases, also known as non-communicable diseases (NCD).

The four major NCDs, branded as the leading causes of death in the country, are cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes mellitus and COPD.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

ZPPI to induct new officers

2009-12-14T19:19:00.001-08:00

OUTGOING ZPPI PRESIDENT ELMER MAGHANOY (LEFT) AND ALBARRACIN

THIS Saturday’s induction of new officers of the Zamboanga del Sur-Pagadian City Press Club Inc. (ZPPI) will pave the way for a new breed of proficient and service-oriented journalists, said Charnyl Albarracin, president.

Albarracin, who admitted that he was also concerned with the local organization’s attempt to further media’s economic rights and progress, added his leadership will be a “working management” with other officers, members and partners.

He added in a conversation that he will bring about a leadership by example that will set aside self-interest and produce impressive programs and projects for the good of all.

For 2010, much work needs to be done to improve journalists’ economic rights as well as advance media’s interests with other groups in the region, he explained.

The ZPPI changed guards last Dec. 5 with the election of its news officers headed by Albarracin who manages and edits the Pagadian Express.

He replaced Elmer Maghanoy of RMN-DxPR who served his full term while ex-board member Dinah Marasigan of RMN-DxPR was chosen executive vice president.

The vice presidents who will sit in the respective media divisions are Leo Santillan (MIT-RTVN) for broadcast; Jong Cadion (Mindanao Balita Local-Frontline Mindanao Online) for print; and Michael Medina (Zamboanga Peninsula News) for online.

Provincial press officer Radem Gutang was re-elected secretary while Vanessa Cagas of Baganian Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) is the new treasurer and Zamsureco information officer Levi Cabatcha as auditor.

Tony Bayamban (Mindanao Biznews), freelance journalists Leah Agonoy and Lualhati Belen, and Vic del Pilar (Mindanao Balita Local-Frontline Mindanao Online) compose the members of the board, in addition to the three past presidents: Marive Jongco of BBC, Remai Alejado of DA-RAFID and Maghanoy.

The induction ceremony will be held on Dec. 19 at Café Ilang-Ilang at 6:00 in the evening with Judge Benjamin Lanzaderas as inducting officer.

Mayor Samuel Co, wife Ilang-Ilang, and other invited provincial and city officials confirmed they will attend along with other veteran media personalities.

Meanwhile, Ann Lu, editor of the Pagadian Times, sent in her wish to the new officers and congratulated Alabarracin through a text message to this paper.

“As a neophyte, it is not easy running an organization like ZPPI. I congratulate him for his courage to lead the group, even with the conflicting views and attitudes of members,” Lu said.

“He may be new to this responsibility but I’m sure he will be able to lead ZPPI with the help of the committed members and the veteran media personalities in the locality,” she added.

More wishes for ZPPI, this time from Marasigan: “Malaumon ko nga mamahimong usa ka malambuong organisasyon ang ZPPI ug mapadayon ang nasugdan na sa grupo.”

Del Pilar butted in: “Charnyl is the timely guy to rule the club. With him, we hope a new image and new challenge will emerge.”

For Julius Breva of Mindanao Chronicle and Agonoy, both recognized the fresh and unsullied personality of Albarracin, who, they said, will bring innovation to ZPPI.

“This is a welcome development and Charnyl has integrity to lead. Mas makaayo kini alang sa media in Zambosur. May we practice this sense of volunteerism and always think of development for the group and not for personal interest,” they said.

Jong Cadion of NUJP-Pagadian City-Zamboanga del Sur Chapter also said that he is 100 percent supporting Albarracin’s leadership. “Aduna siya’y aggressiveness ug isip batan-on pa, he will be idealistic but nevertheless I will support him.”

After the induction, ZPPI will start working on the compliance of the Securities and Exchange Commission annual report, create a constitutional amendments committee, clean its roster of members and occupy the office space in Agora, as pledged by the mayor, according to Albarracin.

The ZPPI is an accredited non-government organization in the city.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Agora execs seize tampered weighing scales

2009-12-14T03:12:00.001-08:00

THE city market monitoring team headed by Enrique Alawi, market superintendent, warned fraudulent vendors of stiff sanctions should they fail to stop using defective and unsealed weighing scales to sell their consumable items.

Monday, Dec. 14, Alawi’s team conducted their surprise random inspection at the meat and rice sections inside the Agora and confiscated a total of 16 tampered and unlicensed weighing scales.

Alawi informed this paper that the scales were called “tampered” because of the falsified actual measuring read-out or purposeful incorrect measurement as a result of a maneuver in the instrument by the dishonest vendor.

The market official said this practice has caused several consumers to lodge repeated complaints to their office, urging them to conduct inspections every now and then.

It was also learned that last Monday’s surprise inspection was the second conducted by Alawi and his group, just a week after they confiscated 20 tampered weighing scales at the fresh fish section.

Alawi explains tampered scales can be easily detectable by their office because of the use of a calibrated weight tester.

He said he was surprised that after conducting such method, he found that most of the weighing scales tipped to about one gram to one-fourth heavier than the normal.

Alawi laments that aside from scolding, they can only slap erring vendors P50 for the calibration fee and another P200 as penalty for violating RA 7394, known as the Consumers Act of the Philippines.

In a separate conversation with Joseph Sapong, assistant market superintendent, he said that some crooked market vendors were making a heyday with such malpractice after the Timbangan ng Bayan was destroyed by fire last year.

Last September, acting on the complaints of consumers, the inspection team of the City Treasurer’s Office conducted their own surprise inspection on weighing scales used by vendors inside the city market and confiscated about 30.

Alawi said that because of repeated gripes from consumers victimized by this rampant modus operandi of market vendors, he will ask the city government to again install the Timbangan ng Bayan.

REPORT BY JONG CADION

Slowly digging one’s own grave

2009-12-10T17:10:00.000-08:00

THE ones responsible for the Maguindanao massacre should be arrested and castigated to the highest terms. Theirs deeds are too barbaric to contemplate, with no human sense and very hideous in the eyes of a civilized nation.

Imagine the new statistics of journalists killed in the Nov. 23 massacre is now at 37 with one more missing and unaccounted. All over the world, the Philippines stand embarrassed with this unfolding within our very eyes—the scattered bodies of innocent civilians, lawyers and journalists—some of whom were tortured, raped before being killed and a handful were buried alive.

We admit that many members of the fourth estate are affected by the deaths of our colleagues. We are not acting pretentious this time nor make exaggeration of this issue. Such deaths deserve our anger and indignation. It deserves our united call for justice.

Since we, as pillars of information, only work for the good of the public, we strive to give professional service for the community’s collective interest in knowing what is happening around the world, in our country and our respective neighborhoods. No more, no less, not even politics.

Like our counterparts in other parts of the planet, we express their collective outcry to demand justice for the 31 journalists and media workers killed in Maguindanao. To this administration, let us once and for all stop this culture of impunity in our country, which is contributing to the string of deaths of media practitioners.

We send this statement of protest to President Gloria Arroyo for her to see the persistent episodes of this social malady. It doesn’t need to have more than 100 journalists killed in their work desks or beats to rally support for our poor circumstances.

If the Philippines is one democratic country, why are there so many journalists being threatened and killed? We have been expressing this question and outrage for a long time already to no effect despite the fact that we who are left behind find it unpleasant that we too had to slowly dig our own graves. God forbid. God help us.

Pagadian, Ozamiz media light candles for fallen peers

2009-12-10T00:13:00.000-08:00

JOURNALISTS pledging memberships with the provincial chapters of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and the Zamboanga del Sur-Pagadian City Press Club Inc. (ZPPI) recently held its candle-lighting tribute to the fallen journalists in Maguindanao.

NUJP chapter president Hirohito Cadion said the activity also called to mind the lives and advocacy of the five Pagadian journalists killed in the line of duty since the 1990’s.

Cadion identified the five as publisher Billy Yu (1998), Olympio Jalapit (1999), Edgar Damalerio (2001), Edgar Amoro (2005) and Rolly Cañete (2006).

The lighting of candles was done in front of the Jose Rizal Monument near Plaza Luz and joined by members of the Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace, students, churchgoers and some media members from Ozamiz City.

The activity form part of the week-long annual celebration of the Mindanao Week for Peace, which ran from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2.

Cadion, in a statement relayed to this paper, said the condemnation and the protest of Pagadian journalists will not end up with the burial of the 30 working journalists slain in Maguindanao but will continue until justice will be served.

It can be recalled that of the five media practitioners killed in the Pagadian City, only the case of Edgar Damalerio earned justice with the arrest and prosecution of the supposed suspect.

Meanwhile, Ozamiz journalists were also indignant over the killing of their colleagues in Maguindanao and called for the need to initiate a treaty among politicians as a promise not to repeat the gruesome incident.

Led by NUJP chapter president Ryan Rosauro of Philippine Daily Inquirer and Jovencio Godoy Jr. of the national directorate, the journalists gathered for a 30-minute prayer vigil outside the city metropolitan cathedral and voiced out their call.

“Let us try hard not to sacrifice innocent lives in the political process or action. With what was happening in Maguindanao, I think there should be distinction but we saw none,” Godoy said.

“Atoang iampo nga maundang ni kay kung magpadayon ni, nagtoo ko nga wala nay mag-media pa nga mubarog ug modala sa tingog sa katawhan kay lungguan man sa ulo og dili mauyunan ang ilang baruganan,” he added.

“Atong panawagan ngadto sa mga politiko: di magdayon ang panagbingkil. Mahimo nga ang manag-away karon managsuud sa sunod ug vice versa. Hunongon na nato kini nga cycle of violence nga maoy nagpatigbabaw dinhi sa ato,” Godoy continued.

“After all, sa mga politiko, ang pagpapili para man mangalagad, dili ang mohawod sa katilingban. Himuon nato nga matarong. Ang pagpatay s mga kaaway sa politika pagpangalagad lamang sa atong kaugalingon ug sa atong katuyan.

The journalists then called on the community to exercise the same vigilance. “Tabangan ninyo kami kay kung mawala na ang mga mensahero nga nagdala sa inyong mga tingog, mahimo na nga walay bili ang atong pagpuyo niining kalibutan,” they said.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Famed anti-gambling bishop dies of liver cancer

2009-12-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

A bishop based in Ozamiz City who once spoke his piece vocally against illegal gambling has died of cancer, reports the Malindang Herald website.

News of Monsignor Emie Bienes’ death was announced, Dec. 7, by Ozamiz Clergy President Fr. Edgar Canama, who said the 63-year old prelate died in Cebu City last Dec. 4 due to complications of liver cancer.

Bienes is the vicar general of the Ozamiz archdiocese and formerly the parish priest of St. Michael Parish in the neighboring Tangub City.

January, this year, the bishop was suddenly rushed to the hospital after he complained of abdominal pains and blurred vision while in the middle of his homily.

A source from the Bishop’s Palace said then that Bienes once confided he has diabetes which also affected his liver.

“The Catholics of the Archdiocese of Ozamiz have lost a kind and dedicated priest, a good friend and trusted member of the board of consultors,” Canama followed up his brief announcement.

Born on Sept. 3, 1946, Bienes was ordained priest on April 21, 1976. In his early years as a seminarian, Bienes volunteered as one of the teaching staff of St. Mary’s Theologate Seminary in Gango, Ozamiz City.

The late bishop once hogged headlines for his stand against the so-called Small Town Lottery (STL), stating that “gambling breeds laziness and dependence on luck rather than hard work for livelihood.”

The archdiocese will offer a nine-day requiem mass for the vicar general in all parishes and has called on priests and religious to include in their intentions the eternal repose of his soul.

At present, the bishop’s remains lie in state at the St. Michael Archangel Parish in Tangub and will be brought to his hometown in Tudela on Dec. 14, where a concelebrated funeral mass will be held.

He will be interred on the same day at the San Isidro Labrador Catholic Cemetery.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

MisOc gets a taste of 3-in-1

2009-12-09T23:56:00.001-08:00

THE battle lines in the top political echelon in Misamis Occidental have been drawn and it’s a toe-to-toe, three cornered fight among incumbents who are former allies and acquaintances.

Pitching in for the royal rumble for the congressional seat of the second district is incumbent Gov. Loreto Leo Ocampos, Ozamiz mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. and Tangub mayor Jennifer Wee-Tan.

Also courting the votes of some 321,843 Misamisnons for their gubernatorial bid are Rep. Herminia Ramiro, Vice Gov. Francisco Paylaga Jr. and Ozamiz Vice Mayor Carlos Patricio Bernad.

Except for Ramiro and Parojinog who retained their loyalty with the ruling party, the other politicians mentioned in this report are once strong movers of Lakas-Kampi coalition.

Both Ocampos and Bernad are now pledging memberships with the Liberal Party (LP) while Paylaga opted to be a Nacionalista (NP) and Tan is in the Nationalist Peoples Coalition (NPC).

Cracks in the Lakas-Kampi in Misamis Occidental started to show when Paylaga jumped overboard last March after being recruited by Sen. Manny Villar, followed by Bernad who tied up with Sen. Noynoy Aquino’s group last November and Tan crossing towards Danding Cojuangco’s camp. Lately, Ocampos’ took his turn to bolt out from the ruling party and into LP, joining the surprised Bernad.

Even with this unexpected change, records from the provincial Comelec office shows Lakas-Kampi still reigning with 14 bets, followed by NP with 12, PMP with 8, LP with 4, 6 independents and a lone NPC candidate.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

ZPPI changes guards

2009-12-09T23:56:00.000-08:00

AS a matter of urgency and necessity, the Zamboanga del Sur-Pagadian City Press Club Inc. (ZPPI) met last Saturday, delivered all the reports and elected its new set of officers.

Charnyl Albarracin of Pagadian Express was elected president, replacing Elmer Maghanoy of RMN-DxPR who served his full term. Albarracin’s executive vice president is ex-board member Maria Dinah Marasigan, also of DxPR.

The vice presidents who will sit in the respective media divisions are Leo Santillan (MIT-RTVN) for broadcast; Jong Cadion (Mindanao Balita Local-Frontline Mindanao Online) for print; and Michael Medina (Zamboanga Peninsula News) for online.

Provincial press officer Radem Gutang was re-elected secretary while Vanessa Cagas of Baganian Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) is the new treasurer and Zamsureco information officer Levi Cabatcha as auditor.

Tony Bayamban (Mindanao Biznews), freelance journalists Leah Agonoy and Lualhati Belen, and Vic del Pilar (Mindanao Balita Local-Frontline Mindanao Online) compose the members of the board, in addition to the three past presidents: Marive Jongco of BBC, Remai Alejado of DA-RAFID and Maghanoy.

In a huddle after the election, Maghanoy told this paper his wishes to the new officers as he exhorted other fellow members: “Unta suportahan nato sila aron mapakita nato nga nagkahiusa ta bisan pa man ug managlahi ang atong outfit nga gitrabahoan.”

For Albarracin, Maghanoy has these words: “Normal man sa usa ka organization nga adunay mga miyembro nga dili nato ma-satisfy, kinahangalan nga dawaton nato sa dakong pagpahiubos.”

“Usahay lisod lang kayo dawaton ang kamatuoran, pero bisan pa ug unsaon nimo, mangayo lang ta ug pasaylo nga wala nimo mahatag ang tahas isip usa ka leader,” he added.

More wishes for ZPPI, this time from Marasigan: “Malaumon ko nga mamahimong usa ka malambuong organisasyon ang ZPPI ug mapadayon ang nasugdan na sa grupo.”

Del Pilar butted in: “Charnyl is the timely guy to rule the club. With him, we hope a new image and new challenge will emerge.”

For Julius Breva of Mindanao Chronicle and Agonoy, both recognized the fresh and unsullied personality of Albarracin, who, they said, will bring innovation to ZPPI.

“This is a welcome development and Charnyl has integrity to lead. Mas makaayo kini alang sa media in Zambosur. May we practice this sense of volunteerism and always think of development for the group and not for personal interest,” they said.

Jong Cadion of NUJP-Pagadian City-Zamboanga del Sur Chapter also said that he is 100 percent supporting Albarracin’s leadership. “Aduna siya’y aggressiveness ug isip batan-on pa, he will be idealistic but nevertheless I will support him.”

In response, Albarracin said he will try his best to bring together the local media and run ZPPI for the good of all.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Huge crowd witness Paskuhan ’09 opening

2009-12-09T00:47:00.000-08:00

CITY officials led by Mayor Samuel Co kicked-off the activities presenting the Paskuhan 2009 and formally opened the month-long festivities last Dec.8 with fanfare albeit in simplicity.

The program was held at the Taklobo Stage in Plaza Luz, attended by officials and employees of the city and provincial governments.

Governor Aurora Cerilles, Major General Romeo Lustestica of the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division were there also.

Like in the past Paskuhan, the opening was coincided with the lighting ceremonies of the giant Christmas tree installed inside the plaza, the Christmas countdown and simultaneous lightning of all Christmas décor contest entries and a grand fireworks display.

Co earlier had a conference with the media in the afternoon before the program opening.

A nightly Christmas variety show until Dec. 31 will have local bands and performers from the academe and NGOs showing their singers, dancers in various musical performances.

The mayor mentioned many as he expressed his appreciation, which included Priscilla Fernandez of the City Tourism Office, the City Council and the Green House personnel headed by his wife and First Lady Ilang-ilang Co, who is in-charge of the Christmas decoration around city streets and Plaza Luz.

“Christmas and new year is also a time for us to evaluate the year-ending and make plans for the coming year. We should therefore be thankful that the year 2008 and 2009 has been generous to Pagadian City,” Co said in his speech.

The mayor likewise thanked President Gloria Arroyo and provincial officials for the continued and effective transfer of the regional offices from Zamboanga City to Pagadian, including the multimillion airport and wharf projects in the city.

“We have also seen the improvement of our business climate here with the introduction of the City Council’s investment incentive where many entrepreneurs have invested in the city,” Co said.

He also noted the increasing tourist arrivals in Pagadian as a result of the peaceful atmosphere. “Let us always give our best ug magtinabangay ta tanan,” Co urged his constituents.

“We are also thankful to Almighty God that no major calamities occurred in our city so that funds that should have been spent for calamities can now be spent for more infrastructure projects in the city,” he concluded.

As for Cerilles, she said that by seeing the gathering of people of all walks of life in Plaza Luz, “We are breathing the air of the yuletide.”

“This gesture embodies of wishes, hopes and aspirations of a joyous season and a bountiful and a peaceful year 2010, commemorating the birth of our savior Jesus Christ who carries the tidings of peace and goodwill toward man,” she added.

“It is an act of faith that should encourage all of us to world for peace and harmony that empower us to achieve great things and win over the many challenges of life.”

“The decorations we put on the tree signifies the message of regeneration that in God’s grace and mercy, we shall attain genuine renewal in our lives, in our society and our country at large.”

“Ang tinuod nga kausaban sa katilingban nga atong gipangandoy matuman lamang kung kita naumol dira sa gugma sa Dios. When there is love we can conquer every problem, hardship and trials. We are in the winning side when we have the love of god in our hearts,” said the governor.

“This festive atmosphere is our way of demonstrating our love and thanksgiving to God. This is our way of believing that with god’s and providence we could get by with all the circumstances we are facing and once more bind ourselves together in building a peaceful and progressive city and the province,” Cerilles ended.

The Paskuhan ‘09 is also a kick-off activity of the Pasalamat Festival 2010, the city’s fiesta that gives honor to its Patron Saint, Sto. Niño.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA & JONG CADION

Journs honor fallen colleagues at massacre site

2009-12-08T23:19:00.000-08:00

AMPATUAN, MAGUINDANAO—Amid the mid-day heat, a dozen journalists covering the unfolding events in Maguindanao province took time off to remember the plight of fallen colleagues 16 days after the grisly Nov. 23 massacre that claimed at least 57 lives.

The journalists offered flowers, prayers and lit candles in a spot between two grave sites were victims of the massacre were dug together with several vehicles.

The offering consisted of 30 white roses and a similar number of candles for the slain journalists and media workers whose bodies were recovered from the scene. A pinkish red rose and a blue candle was also offered for local reporter Reynaldo Momay and for the rest of the massacre victims.

Until today, Momay’s body is yet to be found; only his denture was recovered from the massacre scene.

A button pin was left among the circle of flowers and candles. It bears the message “Fight Impunity, Stop Media Killings.”

Journalists from around the world joined Filipino colleagues on Wednesday for the Global Day of Action against Impunity.

Throughout the country, media groups have launched specific activities in support of the call by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) which represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries.

As a solidarity action, media associations and news organizations in major world capitals are expected to troop to Philippine embassies and register their call on government through various forms of protest.

Since Dec. 1, news organizations in Manila have been holding candle-lighting rites to remember the fallen colleagues. The Inquirer held one on Dec. 4.

In the western Mindanao cities of Ozamiz, Tangub and Pagadian, several broadcast stations carried an emotional appeal by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines for wider public support for protecting journalists from further attacks as a way of their giving importance to democracy.

The message is then followed by a one-minute silence in the airwaves at 12 noon and 3pm. Earlier at 7am, the broadcast stations throughout the country staged a similar one-minute of silence symbolic of the continuing demand for justice to the massacred media workers per campaign call of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP).

“Filipino journalists need to hear our voices expressing solidarity with the victims and anger at the Philippine government that allowed this to happen,” a statement from Aidan White, IFJ secretary-general said.

“(Some) 106 journalists have now met violent death since President Arroyo (assumed power) in 2001. Her government has created the circumstances for this massacre by allowing a culture of impunity to flourish,” White stressed.

According to the IFJ, the November 23 incident “is the biggest single atrocity against journalists on record.”

“It is six months before the May 10 elections and the mission hopes that this horrific start to the electoral process is countered by a determination from the President and her administration to ensure that justice and journalism will be allowed to flourish without impediment,” said Australian journalist Mike Dobbie who heads the Mission.

“Until those things are done, then the perpetrators of this mass murder will be considered to have achieved some of their aims. That is, to intimidate by multiple acts of violence the people of their community,” Dobbie added.

The NUJP had earlier expressed fears government “will continue to take insufficient action to end a culture of impunity in relation to the killing of journalists.” More than a hundred journalists have been killed in the 23 years prior to the Ampatuan massacre.

The IFJ has led a four-day International Solidarity Mission in the country that kicked off in General Santos City on December 6 to bring support to the victims’ families and probe the circumstances of the massacre.

The Mission includes representatives from the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) of Indonesia, Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance of Australia, the Thai Journalists’ Association (TJA), Southeast Asia Press Alliance (SEAPA), the Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ), International News Safety Institute (INSI), International Media Support (IMS), the Institute for Studies on the Free Flow of Information (ISAI), and Union Network International (UNI).

Joining the international protest actions, journalists belonging to the Peace and Conflict Journalism Network (PECOJON) in Indonesia has called on government to create an independent body to probe the Nov. 23 incident. In a statement, they also committed to help keep track of the case through its resolution process as an assurance of

In an editorial last week, the Thai newspaper Bangkok Post have urged for a similar action by President Arroyo. It said the probe body should “not (be) answerable through the usual chain of command.”

“In order to prevent a climate of fear swift action is needed to show not only journalists, but also common citizens, that such acts will not go unpunished,” the Bangkok Post said.

In an “open letter to my friends and fellows who are not journalists,” German journalist Antonia Koop, PECOJON international coordinator, said that as a result of the Nov. 23 massacre, “it is time to protect your journalists; or you will lose us, one after the other.”

“If we journalists fail, you live your lives blindfolded. By keeping all stakeholders of society accountable, journalists protect your rights,” Koop reminds.

REPORT BY RYAN ROSAURO, PECOJON

Jenny favors friendship over political career

2009-12-08T23:18:00.000-08:00

TANGUB CITY—For Mayor Jennifer Wee-Tan, friendship goes beyond politics and that is why she preferred to follow her best friend’s advice to walk off from her party of more than ten years and key in her loyalty to the Nationalist Peoples Coalition (NPC).

She told journalists in a press conference her move was not borne out of ill feelings but of personal preference coupled with a nonviolent attitude.

“It was cordial and decorous,” the mayor said, describing her actions.

The NPC’s deputy chair for Region 10 further explained that having had friendship with Loren Legarda for a long time has endeared her to the other NPC members, who are also her friends, and inclined her to run for congress under the said party.

“I cannot bear staying with Lakas while maintaining my friendship with Loren. I consider Loren as my best friend and I was invited by her to join the NPC and since I am all out in support for her, I might as well join her,” she declared.

However, Tan added that since NPC is neutral and flexible, she will accommodate some Lakas-Kampi bets in the province to be under her ticket but her mind will be focused on the victory of Legarda, who is the guest candidate for vice president of Manny Villar.

Jenny’s husband, Philip, by the way, is the Lakas-Kampi bet for mayor.

“There’s nothing wrong when we can offer an alternative leadership. I don’t see anything wrong with (crossing party lines) as long as your intention is for the welfare of the people,” said Tan.

Why did she run for congress? “I just want peace and order in Misamis Occidental. The province deserves a breather (from political brick brats and criminalities),” was her reply.

To other politicians, Tan has this advice: “Let us refrain from hurting our own people. When we say bad words against each other we are not hurting ourselves but also our families. Wala lang ta’y labayay og lapok para atong mga tawo dili maipit ug masakitan.”

“Let us maintain peace and goodwill even as the election fever is heating up,” she said.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Open letter from PECOJON

2009-12-08T23:05:00.000-08:00

30 Journalists died in an ambush on November 23,2009 in Maguindanao, Central Mindanao, Philippines, along with 27 other people who joined the family of a local politician for the filing of candidacy for the upcoming 2010 elections. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) qualified the incident as the worst attack on journalists recorded so far in journalism history. The event has come to be known as the Ampatuan or Maguindanao Massacre.

The brutal and brazen attack once more raises the most crucial questions we as journalists have to face:

Is there any story worth dying for? And for what do we journalists risk our lives?

Being a good journalist has never been easy. In many countries the job is poorly paid, journalists are harassed or threatened. And in too many places reporters get killed, such as in the Philippines.

Journalists often work in areas known to be dangerous. We ask questions that put us into trouble, that leave us hated and disliked by those who attempt to hide their actions and intentions from public.

Many people look at us as if we were leeches who crave for the blood of others to feed their newspapers’ sales. We are seen as tool, easy to abuse for polishing an image, for gaining fame, for outing an opponent by spreading scandals.

Even our own business driven companies often treat us journalists as cheap producers of reality entertainment for bored and disinterested masses waiting to be fed with delusion and potato chips on their living room sofa.

And then once in a while we become essential as instrument to be used to gain political power in the campaign for an upcoming election.

What a dirty business. What a poor job.

So, why do we risk so much, risk our lives our families, our personal well being to do that?

Many believe journalists are natural adrenaline junkies, adventurous, restless folks who crave for experiences beyond the limit. And to a certain extend those people are right. But one can satisfy those needs by other less dangerous means, such as bungee jumping or sky diving. So there must be more to the journalism profession than adventurism.

The good ones among us deeply believe that journalism is a damn important profession.

In this interconnected interdependent world we live in, information is power and those who control information control the world.

In this world journalism is the only institution that has the single task to provide the public with independent, reliable information. Our task as journalists is to allow everybody access to vital information, because only if each member of society truly knows what is happening out there, people have a chance to make good choices for their own lives. We believe that journalism as an institution is essential to keep every member of society accountable for their actions and is thereby crucial defense for the people in our modern interest driven societies against abuse, lies and manipulation.

We have painfully experienced what happens if this important instrument of accountability fails; in Rwanda where the media became agitator for the genocide, in fascist Germany, where people were all too willing to believe a propaganda that paved the way for killing Millions and devastated not only Europe but affected large parts of the world. In war zones all over the world journalists got targeted and killed to shut out the worlds attention. Until today we have seen an increasingly sophisticated propaganda machinery driving some of the most suppressive or problematic situations in the world.

Without the courageous efforts of independent journalism we have no chance to distinguish between what is true and what is fake, what to believe and what to question.

This is why being a journalist is so challenging. Why we always have to do our best despite danger, difficulties and dislikes. Despite being harassed and threatened and having missed another birthday of our kids because of a road accident, a bombing, a political clash, a burning chemical factory. Despite becoming ourselves victims of a system that doesn’t like to have reporters around to tell the truth.

If we journalists fail, you live your lives blindfolded.

We are not journalists for our own fun, for travel and adventure.

We do this job for you people out there.

For the politicians who try to truly lead their cities, regions and countries. For business that aims to be successful without leaving burned earth behind. For public administration that truly aims to serve the peoples needs. And for each and every member of a society that tries to exist in abundance, peace and security.

By keeping all stakeholders of society accountable, journalists protect your rights.

And now we need you to protect us.

Do you choose to be a bored and disinterested mass that doesn’t care? Or do you choose to claim your right to be concerned about what is happening around you, willing to ask who defines the rules, willing to claim your right to speak out?

The killing of a journalist is not an internal problem of the media.

It is concern for each and every member of the public, of a society that chooses to have a say.

So now is the time to claim back your right to know and your right to be heard.

It is time to protect your journalists.

Or you will lose us.

One after the other.

To danger or temptation wrapped in bribes, political power or the promise of an easier way of life and earning.

Now it is time also for you to stand up and say: STOP KILLING JOURNALISTS!

BY ANTONIA KOOP
International Coordinator,
Peace and Conflict Journalism Network (PECOJON)

12 slain journs laid to rest in Gensan

2009-12-08T19:29:00.000-08:00

GENERAL SANTOS CITY—December 6 is the day when 20-year old McDelbert Arriola was supposed to be married with his live-in partner. But that Sunday, he faced the altar lying in a coffin.

Arriola, a UNTV cameraman, was among the 31 journalists killed in the infamous Maguindanao massacre that claimed at least 57 people.

On Monday, foreign journalists and colleagues from around the country shed tears in an emotion-filled tribute at the graves of 12 media practitioners from this city, including Arriola, who died from the Nov. 23 Ampatuan massacre.

Bouquets of flowers and lighted candles were offered at each grave. The 12 journalists are buried near each other at the Forest Lake Memorial Gardens.

Eight of their comrades were earlier buried last Dec. 4, one on Dec. 5, and the remaining three on Dec. 6.

Candles and white roses were also offered for 19 other journalist victims from Koronadal, Tacurong, Cotabato and Davao cities.

Last Dec. 9, journalists throughout the world expressed their collective outcry to demand justice for the 31 journalists and media workers killed in the massacre.

Dubbed the “Global Day of Solidarity for Filipino Journalists,” the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) seeks to heighten the campaign against a culture of impunity in the country blamed for the string of deaths of media practitioners.

The IFJ has put to task the Arroyo administration for the persistence of this social environment.

As a solidarity action, media associations and news organizations in major world capitals are expected to troop to Philippine embassies and register their call on government through various forms of protest.

“Filipino journalists need to hear our voices expressing solidarity with the victims and anger at the Philippine government that allowed this to happen,” a statement from Aidan White, IFJ secretary-general said.

“(Some) 106 journalists have now met violent death since President Arroyo (assumed power) in 2001. Her government has created the circumstances for this massacre by allowing a culture of impunity to flourish,” White stressed.

According to the IFJ, the November 23 incident “is the biggest single atrocity against journalists on record.”

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) had earlier expressed fears government “will continue to take insufficient action to end a culture of impunity in relation to the killing of journalists.”

It noted that more than 100 journalists had been killed in the 23 years prior to the massacre in Ampatuan town on November 23.

The IFJ, which represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries, is leading a four-day International Solidarity Mission in the country that kicked off here December 6 to bring support to the victims’ families and probe the circumstances of the Nov. 23 massacre.

The Mission, organized as an emergency response to the recent killings, was scheduled to meet with authorities especially those responsible for bringing to the bar of justice those involved in the crime.

“It is six months before the May 10 elections and the mission hopes that this horrific start to the electoral process is countered by a determination from the President and her administration to ensure that justice and journalism will be allowed to flourish without impediment,” said Australian journalist Mike Dobbie who heads the Mission.

“Until those things are done, then the perpetrators of this mass murder will be considered to have achieved some of their aims. That is, to intimidate by multiple acts of violence the people of their community,” Dobbie added.

The Mission includes representatives from the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) of Indonesia, Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance of Australia, the Thai Journalists’ Association (TJA), Southeast Asia Press Alliance (SEAPA), the Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ), International News Safety Institute (INSI), International Media Support (IMS), the Institute for Studies on the Free Flow of Information (ISAI), and Union Network International (UNI).

REPORT BY RYAN ROSAURO, PECOJON

Fr. Mick to celebrate birthday in Ireland

2009-12-08T19:05:00.000-08:00

Fr. Michael Sinnott with his sisters, Aine Kenny (LEFT) and Kathleen O'Neill. This photo was taken during Sinnott's arrival at Dublin Airport last Dec. 3. (PHOTO CONTRIBUTED)

KIDNAPPED missionary Fr. Michael “Mick” Sinnott has flown to his native home in Ireland to celebrate his 80th birthday there, according to the Columban’s website.

Sinnott’s birthday will be on Dec. 17.

The elderly priest was abducted in Pagadian City last Oct. 11 and released a month after as a result of government negotiation with his abductors.

“I feel fine going back home and looking forward to the weather (in Ireland). It’s windy, wet and cold,” Sinnott told journalists in Manila who accompanied him to the airport.

The clergy’s superior, Fr. Patrick O’Donoghue, regional director of the Missionary Society of St. Columban (MSSC), accompanied Sinnott for his five-week vacation in Ireland.

Sinnot will return to Pagadian City on Jan. 15, O’Donoghue said.

“I wish my friends in Pagadian will have peace and no more kidnapping,” Sinnott left this message to his friends.

“I hope the Filipino people and the Catholic Church in the Philippines will be able to obtain peace in Mindanao without any bloodshed. We hope the elections will be successful and we’ll have an honest president,” he added, as his Christmas wish for the Filipino people.

The 79-year old priest was greeted by his family, fellow MSSC priests and Department of Foreign Affairs officials in Ireland when he arrived Thursday, Dec. 3.

He then met with local journalists there and told them: “I hope to go back to Pagadian to continue the work I have been doing for the last few years.”

“Why wouldn’t I want to go back? I’ve been working all my life in the Philippines, and I’ll continue to do so for as long as I can,” he added.

Sinnott said he never felt in any danger from his captives and they had told him they'd never kill a priest. His only fear was that he might be hurt if the military had tried to release him by force.

The Irish Examiner, a newspaper based in Ireland, described Sinnott as “looking remarkably better than he did on his release on November 11.”

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Ugly face of drugs make studes crusade

2009-12-08T18:40:00.000-08:00

SEEING the ill effects of habitual use and misuse of illegal drugs, students of the JH Cerilles State College pledged they will not let the menace enter their college grounds.

Some 300 students from the five campuses of JHCSC aired their pledge last Dec. 2 during the launching of the Barkada Kontra Droga (BKD) program of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) at the Amusement and Events Center, here.

The BKD is a program which aims to utilize peer pressure in enabling college students to live a drug-free life.

The students said they understood the consequences of illegal drugs like health and social problems, injuries, violence, accidents and even deaths, including dependence or mental illness.

The students are from the JHCSC campuses of Margosatubig, Lapuyan, Sominot, Dumingag and Pagadian City. They said they were in high spirits while taking part in the discussions and open forums facilitated by DDB officials.

Assistant Sec. Rommel Garcia, DDB deputy executive director for administration, and party led the whole day affair at the AEC along with officials of the Parole and Probation Administration (PPA) of Justice Department-9 led by Reg’l Dir. Rosa Lacang-Lacang.

Other PPAs from Regions 10, 11, 12 and CARAGA, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) headed by Drug Enforcement Officer Romel Torres were likewise present.

Governor Aurora Cerilles, who likewise showed support and attended the affair, said the event “helped intensify the advocacy on dangerous drugs at the local level, particularly among the high school and college students.”

It was also a good venue in discussing face-to-face the concerns about illegal drugs with the youth, whom are said to be the hope of the Fatherland, as well as the “drug targets,” the governor added.

In line with the programs of the Provincial Anti-Dangerous Drug Advocacy Council (PADDAC) headed by board member Ernesto Mondarte, he disclosed that a random drug–testing is conducted among high school and college students, including, provincial employees and officials.

The governor retorted that the program will help in determining the degree of drug abuse in certain areas and serve as a basis for DDB and other agencies in conducting and implementing policies that will address the problems on dangerous drugs.

Furthermore, Cerilles urged the youth to shy away from illegal drugs and join forces with the government in its fight to make Zambosur a drug-free province by 2010.

REPORT FROM THE ZAMBOSUR PROVINCIAL PRESS BUREAU

Farmer tries gahong method to all his plants

2009-12-08T17:50:00.000-08:00

DUMINGAG, ZAMBOSUR--If the use of organic fertilizer and the hole method of planting works well with cassava, then so it must be with other plants and vegetation, a farmer shares what he learned with the gahong-gahong method.

Simply put, “if A is equal to B, which is also equal to C, then A has to be the same as C,” thus explains Robert “Toto” Biadog, who tried the Cerilles method in his farm located in Lower Timonan.

Actually, Biadog was just following Mayor Jun Pacalioga’s directive to his constituents to try digging a few holes in their backyard and copy the Cerilles method of planting the cassava root crop.

Pacalioga has said been repeating that cassava is a sure earner and with the use of the application of the new method, Biadog and his brother-in-law, Gerry Albite, benefited a lot in terms of livelihood since they tilled their farm.

In the past, farmers in the area used to harvest only about three kilos but ever since Pacalioga introduced the gahong-gahong, harvested cassavas now weight an average of 20 kilos or more.

Gahong-gahong is done by digging of a hole, then filling it with organic fertilizer, before planting anything on it.

Biadog tried to experiment. He wanted to make sure the Cerilles method is not only good for cassava planting but also in his other root crops, believing this contributes a lot in providing the needed nutrients to make the soil fertile.

So he planted half of their four-hectare with corn, rubber, cassava, monggo, coconut, taro and banana using the Cerilles method and the rest of the land using the ordinary technique.

He then filled the holes with rice straw plus a little topsoil. For his coconut trees, he put in two man loads of rice straw, but for the rest of his crops, he only put in one load then left it to decompose for a month before planting.

Seven months passed and Biadog could see his banana growing three times its normal height and already has three offshoots compared to the 5-feet banana in the land where gahong-gahong was not applied

All of his other crops like corn, rubber, cassava, coconut and taro grew well because of his method applied.

Biadog explains he intends to learn more on the procedure on how to process different kinds of organic fertilizers, like the one taught in trainings by the LGU organic farming committee (OFC).

The OFC, led by Jesus Semine, regularly conducts trainings on how to make organic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides in different barangays as part of the LGU campaign to install an organic farming system in the entire municipality.

REPORT BY JULIUS BREVA

RP has 15 corn post-harvest centers

2009-12-03T20:42:00.000-08:00

ZAMBOANGA CITY—There are 15 corn post-harvest processing and trading centers (CPPTC) nationwide and two of these are found in Sergio Osmeña, Zamboanga del Norte and Ramon Magsaysay, Zamboanga del Sur, announced Dennis Araullo, agriculture assistant secretary.

Scattered strategically, seven of these centers are located in Luzon; two in the Visayas; and six in Mindanao, he added.

Araullo was here during the 3rd quarter national Corn Program held at the Garden Orchid Hotel and participated in by banner coordinators, report officers and stakeholders.

He added that the 15 CPPTC are projects funded and counter parted by and among the DA, National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR) and LGUs who wanted the address postharvest losses among farmers.

NABCOR operates and matches DA’s thrust in the development of innovative agribusiness enterprises in the countryside and in helping improve yield as well as boost the incomes of small farmers and fisher folks.

Araullo, who is also the national coordinator of the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) Corn, was quoted in another report by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) that the corn centers are located within the GMA Corn Program cluster areas or within GMA Corn Program new areas of at least 1,000 hectares, and are accessible to transportation, communications and market center.

Aside from the ones in Ramon Magsaysay and Sergio Osmeña, other corn facilities placed in Mindanao are in Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte, Alamada, North Cotabato, Tupi, South Cotabato, Talakag in Bukidnon, and Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur.

The PIA further reported that NABCOR and its joint venture partners are now operating four corn centers in Kabacan and Banga in North Cotabato and Malungon, Saranggani.

Araullo said the DA and NABCOR will continue investing in these facilities in 2009, with 15 priority sites being targeted, including those in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte; Pangantucan, Bukidnon; Claveria, Misamis Oriental, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay and Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur, all of Mindanao.

Zamboanga del Sur has a total corn land of 88,209 hectares while Zamboanga del Norte has 49,975.

Araullo said that these facilities will allow for continuous supply of corn, produces premium quality grains at 14 per cent moisture content and reduces drying and processing costs by half.

Corn is the second staple food among Filipinos and is being utilized as a source of carbohydrates, vitamins, folic acid and insoluble fibers, among others is also an important ingredient in hogs and poultry feeds.

Hogs and poultry industry need corn as the main ingredient for feeds while some sectors used it as a source of ethanol, a blend for gasoline.

“The opportunities for the corn industry are boundless that is why we encourage corn farmers to produce more and get the highest benefit of this crop,” Araullo said.

The CPPTC alone needs 200 tons of corn on cobs at least every three to four days, having four drying bins of 50 tons capacity per bin.

It was learned that some 4.8 million hectares around the country remain idle and are seen as potential areas for expansion of the corn crop based on ideal agro-climatic conditions.

These are regions of Zamboanga Peninsula, Mindoro Island, Western Visayas, Comval and Caraga, Central Mindanao and ARMM.

WITH REPORTS BY MELBA WEE, DA-9

Timely CA order saves Jon Jalosjos

2009-12-03T19:41:00.000-08:00

A Court Injunction issued by the 22nd Division of the Court of Appeals and delivered just in the nick of time saved the day for Tampilisan mayor Romeo “Jon-jon” Jalosjos, Jr.

In a meeting with members of the press last Nov. 28, Jalosjos described his timely receipt of the court injunction as “a divine intervention” which paved way for his filing of candidacy for the congressional seat of the second district of Zamboanga Sibugay.

The young Jalosjos will be squaring off in next year’s poll with Provincial Administrator George “Jet” Hofer II.

It was learned that the court injunction ordered for the re-instatement of the name of Jalosjos in the official voter’s list in Precinct 51-F in Barangay Veterans Village in Ipil.

September 11, 2009, the Regional Trial Court of Pagadian City has ordered for the exclusion of Jon-Jon’s name as a registered voter in the said barangay.

The decision stemmed from the petition of Veterans Village punong barangay Dan Erasmo Sr., who sought for the exclusion from the voters list Jon-Jon’s name, alleging, among others, that Jalosjos was not an actual resident there since he is presently the incumbent mayor of Tampilisan in Zamboanga del Norte.

The court decision of RTC Presiding Judge Aniceto Galon, being final and executory, was enforced by the Election Registration Board of Ipil in its resolution dated Sept. 30, 2009, ordering for the deletion of Jalosjos’ name in the official list of voters in the mentioned barangay.

Jalosjos then petitioned the Court of Appeals for a certiorari and prayed for an issuance of temporary restraining order (TRO).

The appellate court refused to issue right away the TRO pending comments from, among others, the Office of Solicitor General.

But the office of the Solicitor General moved for an extension of time to file the said comment on January 2010. But the CA held that Jalosjos has “satisfactorily shown the existence of an extraordinary situation which call for the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction,” hence the issuance.

Lawyer Richard Rambuyong, counsel for Jalosjos, said the writ was issued last Nov. 26 by the 22nd Division of the Court of Appeals based in Cagayan de Oro City and was received by the mayor the next day and forwarded the same to Ipil’s Election Registration Board, which reinstated Jalosjos’ name in the voters list.

November 27, Jalosjos filed his certificate of candidacy for congressman of the second district of Zamboanga Sibugay.

REPORT BY PING DELIVERIO

Jalosjos wrestles control for Sibugay away from Hofer

2009-12-03T19:07:00.000-08:00

THE Jalosjos siblings are now following the footsteps of their daddy in politics, attempting this time to wrestle control of Zamboanga Sibugay away from the clutches of the long-reigning Hofer family.

Last Saturday, Nov. 28, Rommel Jalosjos, son of jailed Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Romeo “Nonong” Jalosjos Sr., filed his certificate of candidacy for governor under the Lakas-Kampi CMD.

Rommel’s half brother, Romeo “Jon-jon” Jalosjos Jr., also filed his candidacy for congressman in the 2nd district of Sibugay while incumbent board member Boyet Yambao, son of Rep. Belma Cabilao, filed his for congressman in the first district.

Rommel’s slate are lawyer Rey Andre Olegario for another term as Vice-governor, Hadji Said Ajeron, Flor Coliba, Editha Colanghe, Eric Palma and Cris Jore for board members in the first istrict.

Ipil councilor Joel Ebol, Eric Cabarios, Boyet Abalde, Wilborne Danda and Sonny Dacula are the candidates for the provincial board in the second district.

Sunday, Nov. 29, the Hofers filed their respective candidacies, witnessed by hundreds of supporters and led by the three-termed Gov. George Hofer who wanted to be the mayor of Ipil. Punong Barangay Susing Tiu of Sanito is Hofer’s vice mayoralty bet.

At the provincial level, incumbent Rep. Ann Hofer filed for governor while Provincial Administrator George “Jet” Hofer II listed his name as representative for the second district.

Early on, board member Lycel Castor-Tan submitted her COC for congresswoman in the first district of Zamboanga Sibugay.

Board member and former Imelda mayor Juanito “Igsoon” Gonzales is Ann Hofer’s is vice-gubernatorial bet while lawyer Quirino Esguerra Jr., Vic Javier, Rodrigo Belosillo, Gani Balladares and Jessie Sali are the candidates for the provincial board in the second district.

This paper failed to get the names of provincial board candidates in the first district.

Both the Hofers and Jalosjos claim to be supported and running under the administration party. Media pundits see their stand-up fight in next year’s elections a “head-on collision.”

Meanwhile, Ann Hofer told media that the Hofers are the “official” bet of the ruling party, having had the blessings of party stalwarts DILG Sec. Ronaldo Puno and presidential candidate Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr.

She further said that the Lakas-Kampi’s national headquarters has already “terminated the names of the Jalosjoses as official candidates of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD.”

In the nearby Misamis Occidental, Nonong Jalosjos’ daughter, Svetlana, was reported to have filed for the mayoral seat of Baliangao.

REPORT BY PING DELEVERIO

Archie D. moves December concert

2009-12-03T17:37:00.000-08:00

FILIPINO-AMERICAN hit maker Archie D. announces that he is rescheduling his upcoming concert this Dec. 18 and 20 “due to extraordinary circumstances beyond control.”

In an email message sent to this paper, concert coordinator Helene Romarate explained Archie D.’s reason for doing so has something to do with his circumstances at present.

She, however, declined to give details saying it’s too personal.

“He is extremely saddened about having to postpone the December tour and looks forward to rescheduling his tour and returning to the Philippines in 2010,” Romarate said.

Both his “Built To Sound Good” Matinee Show at the SMC Gym and Gala Show at the “10” Disco has to be moved indefinitely till next year and the exact date is yet to be announced, Romarate added.

“Archie D. believes in pure fun but also puts divine intervention a huge signal for any of his successful endeavors. He is sending all his show giveaways to Pagadian in advance and plans to treat them another set of giveaways on 2010,” ,” Romarate said in behalf of the singer.

“I believe in the words ‘give and rapport’ and these little token of stuff should be in their hands already and not to be hoarded because by holding them I might lose my only outcry which is to perform for them,” Romarate quoted Archie’s message to his fans.

Born and raised in Pagadian City, Archie D. left the country in 1992 and settled in Queens, New York where he studied music production, synthesis and audio engineering.

A seasoned professional arranger, composer, producer, engineer, songwriter, singer and musician, Archie made waves in the 80’s with his contemporaries like Gretchen Barreto, Randy Santiago, Pops Fernandez and Regine Velasquez, among others.

For further information about the cancelled concert dates in Pagadian City, please contact: helene_romarate@yahoo.com or Mobile No. 09063131396.

REPORT BY REMAI ALEJADO

Lawyers, bizmen fill Sammy’s ‘Magic 10’

2009-12-03T17:35:00.000-08:00

A potpourri of old timers, veteran lawyers and young and successful entrepreneurs complete the local slate of Mayor Samuel Co when they presented themselves to the media after they simultaneously filed their certificates of candidacy at the City Comelec office, Tuesday.

Leading the pack is Vice Mayor Romeo “Tata” Pulmones, followed by incumbent councilors Jesus “Idol” Bajamunde Jr., Eric Bersales, Bienvenido Culve, Arnold “Glavys” Gavenia and Frank Jefferson “JP” Villegas.

The newcomers are incumbent board member and lawyer Baldomero “Baleleng” Fernandez, colleague Carlos “Caloy” Madarang III, Sunjay Galon, son of Judge Aniceto Galon, hotelier Alexander “Jun-Jun” Co Jr., the mayor’s nephew, and Roque “Nonoy” Yamba, president of the Baganian Broadcasting Corporation and general manager of DxBZ-AM and DxCA-FM.

Co, in a meeting with journalists, said that their lineup went through the rigorous selection process of their party and that he believes this chosen crop will help propel the city to make more progress.

Talking about his plans and programs for his third and last term, Co outlined his continuity of his agenda in education, tourism, economic enterprise, infrastructure, housing, fisheries and agriculture and keep up the reputation of Pagadian City as the regional center of Zamboanga Peninsula.

“Kung unsa man ang nakita nga kalambuan karon sa siyudad, I will make sure nga mahuman ug makumpleto kini tanan before I step down in 2013,” Co said.

On the question of the new faces in his lineup, Co called it a “teamwork of young, energetic and committed people” that can lend a hand in propelling the city to sure development.

“With this lineup, we will try our very best nga modaug gyod ang tanan,” the mayor added.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA & JONG CADION

Auring, Tony to switch places

2009-12-03T00:22:00.000-08:00

GOVERNOR Aurora “Auring” Cerilles said she is looking forward to returning to her seat at the House of Representatives in next year’s polls, having had served for one term in the 11th Congress.

Her vacated position will be taken by husband, Rep. Antonio “Tony” Cerilles, who is also set to finish his third term next year and wants to render executive service to the probnsiyanos.

The Cerilles couple have announced last Saturday their respective intentions to media in a gathering inside their residence few hours after they filed their certificates of candidacy at the Comelec office.

Auring is running under the Lakas-Kampi CMD coalition while Tony is from the Nationalists People’s Coalition of Danding Cojuangco, chairman of San Miguel Corp. and NPC's chairman emeritus.

With the couple are their slate in the provincial board: incumbents Ramon “Doki” Blancia Jr., Flaviano “Nonong” Fucoy Jr., Ernesto Mondarte, Rogelio Saniel and newcomer Pepito “Dodong” Degamo, outgoing provincial administrator, for the first district.

Incumbent Dinas mayor Wilfredo “Fred” Asoy, Miguelito “Nonoy” Ocapan, Edward “Dodong” Pintac, Vicente “Dodo” Cajeta and Eriberto “Ribe” Sumalinog will also run for the provincial board in the second district.

Tony Cerilles’ bet for vice governor is senior board member Juan “John” Regala, also a third termer and former civil-military officer of the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division.

Auring once served as a representative of the second district from 1998 to 2001 under the leadership of then Speaker Manny Villar Jr. where she held the tourism committee as vice chairperson and as deputy speaker of the appropriations committee.

In her term, Cerilles filed 28 local measures and seven were acted into law, which included those that established the national high schools in Dimataling, Dinas, Vincenzo Sagun, and the law converting the JH Cerilles Polytechnic College in San Miguel into a state college and that which created a separate engineering district in the second district.

Meanwhile, Tony Cerilles said there will be a continuation of honest and conscientious service to Zambosurians in his term where he will continue to provide the needed access to support infrastructures to remote villages and maintain the established linkage with other government and non-government groups for smooth implementation of projects in the province.

As an environmentalist and former secretary of the DENR, the congressman added that he will strongly support the national government’s programs on agriculture and provide livelihood projects and employment opportunities for young professionals.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Tony wants review of capital punishment

2009-12-03T00:19:00.000-08:00

CONGRESSMAN Antonio “Tony” Cerilles has aired his call anew for review of the death penalty as a punishment to future atrocities committed by public officials who maintain private armies and who kills innocent civilians and members of the press.

All those talk about the rule of law taking course over the perpetrators of the Maguindanao massacre for justice to reign in the end will be made more forceful once the death penalty has been restored, he explained during a meeting with several journalists at his residence last Saturday.

Put in plain words, Cerilles said the impact of the revolting and gruesome incident in Ampatuan, Maguindanao even solicited his own condemnation in the highest terms.

“The United Nations, European Union hasta ang America, halos ang tibuok kalibutan nagkondenar sa maong aksiyon. I think we should share with this sentiment of the people around the world. Kinsa may malipay anang ilang gihimo. That’s not the work of a civilized people,” Cerilles said.

“Ang media is supposed to be impartial and igo ra na sila mo-record og mga events nga tan-aw nila importante kaayo. The media should be protected and be given a kind of protection that anybody will be discouraged to harm them,” added the congressman.

He further said that as a peace-loving person and an advocate for press freedom, such an incident perpetrated by persons who think they are above the law is an eye-opener for lawmakers to consider the merits of reviewing the death penalty.

“Ang nahitabo sa Maguindanao daghan pang angay tan-awon, daghan pang angay i-review alang sa kalinaw sa Mindanao. Hinaot unta nga kini mahimong leksiyon aron sab mahimong malampuson ang pagpuyo nato dinhi sa Mindanao,” he stated.

Cerilles articulated his uncompromising support of the death penalty for the mentioned wrongdoing especially that it smacks of the country’s democratic ideals, violated human rights, promoted armed confrontation and contributed more to the tension happening in the area.

However, Cerilles, who is a three termed representative at present, did not specify if he will campaign for the revival of the said law, which was abolished by President Gloria Arroyo in 2006 after experiencing pressure from the influential Roman Catholic Church.

Capital punishment was originally abolished in 1987, but it was reintroduced in 1993. Since then seven people have been executed.

The congressman, by the way, is running for governor in next year’s polls.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

City registered voters breach 100T mark

2009-12-03T00:14:00.000-08:00

PAGADIAN City has a total of 109,339 registered voters who are eligible to cast their ballots in next year’s automated elections, a Nov. 24 quarterly report forwarded by city election officer Dinah Cagampang-Sapong stated.

Sapong said the list of voters is now completely updated and comprises their fourth quarter report in the system of continuing registration.

She added that the list came a little bit late because of the cleansing of the voter’s list of those who did not participate in the last two elections which were removed.

She noted that the updated figures exceeded their target and said that there is an increase of the voting populace.

The total number of registered voters is actually the difference of the subtracted 1,220 voters from the 110,559 who were classified as those with multiple registrations along with others who transferred to another municipality or city.

So far, there were no names, which have been deactivated from the voters list, as contained in the report submitted by the Comelec.

First-time voters, meanwhile, totaled 5,592, even as the Comelec office has to contend with residents who went to their office at the last minute of the registration deadline last Oct. 31.

All in all, there are 143 clustered precincts out of the established 724 in 54 barangays all over the regional center.

Last Dec. 1, the final day of filing of certificates of candidacies, Sapong lauded the peaceful and orderly conduct of filing of candidacies in the light of excitement and apprehensions in the coming automated general elections next year.

She hopes this will continue until voting day.

The Comelec is targeting about three million new registrants after the Oct. 31 deadline on top of the 2.8 million people partially counted as having registered already while roughly 45.6 million of the country’s estimated 91 million population are qualified to vote on May 10, 2010.

In Comelec’s calendar of the 2010 National and Local Elections, Feb. 9, 2010 is the start of the campaign period for candidates for President, Vice-President, Senators and party-list groups participating in the party-list system of representation.

March 26 also is the start of the campaign period for candidates for the House of Representatives and elective provincial, city and municipal officials.

May 7 will be the last day for testing and sealing of Precinct Count Optical Scan and May 10 will be the day for the casting of votes.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Pagadian media decry Maguindanao massacre

2009-12-02T23:30:00.000-08:00

AS the death toll in the Maguindanao massacre climbs to 57, more journalists are ventilating their indignation of last Tuesday's carnage that killed 21 of their colleagues who were out to cover the filing of the certificate of candidacy of a political candidate for governor in the area.

“The NUJP-Pagadian City-Zamboanga del Sur Chapter strongly condemns the killing in the highest terms,” Hirohito Cadion said in his text message sent to this paper.

Cadion added that the gruesome death of the 21 media men likewise ended the struggle for true democracy in the country and worsened the violence against journalists.

Cadion and other media practitioners attended mass together last Nov. 25 at the San Jose Parish to pray for the souls of the victims while some media offices hanged streamers expressing their disapproval of the killing.

A candle lighting activity is also set on Monday, Nov. 30, for a prayer and vigil dedicated to their fallen comrades. Cadion said all media will be wearing black shirts or armbands to mourn the deaths and show solidarity with other chapters doing the same.

The brutal killing suffered by the journalists was a result of a political war led by powerful men and their clans and this should have been prevented by those in powers themselves, declared Ping Deleverio, editor of the Sibugay Express.

“Hindi sila dapat pinatay. Sometimes, may mga media naman na mag-take sides pero hindi dapat ginamitan ng dahas especially if the media is only there to cover an event,” he said.

“Dili pwede idamay ang mga media sa political enmities tungod kay ang media maoy mata sa katawhan ug tigpalapnag sa kamatuoran alang sa tanan,” seconded Ellen Ajijul of MIT-RTVN.

For Vic del Pilar of Frontline Mindanao Online, he said:“The media is supposed to be neutral at all times. They may be associated with politicians during elections or in normal times but that doesn’t mean they’re already one-sided. They are there to get reports and there’s no reason for them to be included in political enmities.”

In saying his piece that the Maguindanao massacre will have a long-lasting impact on journalists, Provincial Information Officer Allan June Molde said that the state should make sure to respect and protect media practitioners at all times.

“Such an inhuman act only shows that there was no respect for the media who are the pillars of information,” he added.

Some of the local journalists who requested that their names be withheld collectively said that they were shocked and outraged over the killings and demanded that justice should be served.

All in all, they agreed that government should ensure that there will be no retaliation against the Ampatuans by the Mangudadatus in order that more violence will be prevented and no more innocent civilians will lose their lives.

As this developed, the NUJP-Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi (Zambasulta) Chapter also issued their statement, “expressing our most extreme outrage and horror over the massacre of probably as many as a dozen of our colleagues while in the course of their work in Ampatuan, Maguindanao.”

“Words fail to convey the enormous condemnation we heap upon this barbaric deed and its barbarous perpetrators, whose descent into moral monstrosity has no parallel in Mindanao’s troubled history,” the statement continued.

“Lest the world will erroneously perceive Mindanao’s as a dangerous society because of this tragic incident to our common communal discredit, we the Zamboanga mediamen are obliged to hasten to tell this truth: The primitive, savage practice of blood feud and vendetta behind the massacre of our colleagues – and the other civilians whose political activity they were covering on that fateful day- is solely the special characteristic of a few ethnic tribes now existing amid our civilized, democratic society in Mindanao.”

“We take this opportunity to appeal to these our tribal brothers and sisters to seriously re-examine their anachronistic and destructive sense or system of justice.”

“We ask the government to swiftly arrest and punish the perpetrators of this mass murder…Without such a categorical closure, we in Mindanao will continue to bleed and suffer from this systemic culture of violence and death. With hope we say, God forbid!” the statement concluded.

As for the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) it called the Maguindanao massacre the single deadliest event for journalists in history. This is the same group which earlier labeled the Philippines as the second most dangerous country for journalists, second only to Iraq.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Prov’l engineer bares Auring’s infra projects

2009-11-26T00:46:00.000-08:00

PROVINCIAL Engineer Antonio Laurenciana says all the improved road networks and other important infrastructure projects in Zamboanga del Sur bear the signature of Gov. Aurora Cerilles’ productiveness.

The completion of all these projects consisting of roads around and within the province, including electricity, water, sewage and health facilities, is included in Cerilles’ 7-Point Executive Agenda.

Laurencia said that ever since Cerilles started her term in 2001, attention on the concreting, repairs and maintenance of the provincial road network has been given by the governor.

Cerilles, herself, once said that she also concentrated on improving and rehabilitation of farm-to-market road projects because these are essential components for agricultural development.

She added that since Zambosur dominantly produces agricultural products such as rice, corn, coconut and other high-value fruits, mobility and transport of these should be taken into consideration.

At present, Zambosur has 430 kilometers of provincial roads undergoing rehabilitation and maintenance, said Laurencia, while about 80 kilometers are already concrete.

As to the provincial road leading towards San Pablo, the provincial engineer said that the provincial government is focusing on this even with the problems of unpredictable weather conditions and the lack of supply of gravel and other materials for concreting in the area.

But he assured that a portable stone crushing plant is being installed in Guipos to help solve the problem, as well as provide for the on-going concreting of the roads in Lapuyan and Vincenzo Sagun.

He added that P20 million has been allocated for the improvement of the road in San Pablo, which was noticed by President Gloria Arroyo during her recent visit here.

He disclosed that two of the finest road network completed is the San Miguel–Dinas–Dimataling road and the road from Ramon Magsaysay to Sominot.

To recall, the president released P45 million out of the proposed P119 million for the road concreting of Bobongan in Ramon Magsaysay to Midsalip.

Laurenciana also bared the ongoing road concreting of Dumalinao-Rebokon highway that will traverse the San Pablo coastal road, funded with P100-million from the National Disaster and Coordinating Council.

Aside from provincial roads, some 42 road bridges under the President’s Bridge Program are now in place all over the province.

REPORT BY ZAMBOSUR PROVINCIAL PRESS BUREAU

Bernad surprised on Ocampos’ name in LP ticket

2009-11-25T23:51:00.000-08:00

PHILIPINE politics really has a way of making even classmates and bosom buddies become strange bedfellows and for Vice Mayor Carlos Patricio Bernad, it may take a while before he gets used to shaking hands with his friend and former ally, Gov. Loreto Leo Ocampos.

Ocampos, who was formerly a staunch Arroyo supporter and the titular head of the provincial council of Lakas Kampi, recently bolted out of the administration party and joined Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino’s Liberal Party in his quest for the congressional post in next year’s polls.

Sworn in with Ocampos is mayoralty candidate and Ozamiz councilor Maria Constancia Lim.

“Ocampos may have gained the backing of Senator Aquino but not mine,” said Bernad, who is LP’s current provincial chair.

The vice mayor added that he was “surprised and disappointed” of Ocampos’ membership in LP, adding he was not consulted by it and was only informed last Wednesday that the governor has taken his oath as the province’s standard bearer for congressman in the second district.

Ocampos’ decision in defecting was said to be borne out of his displeasure on the selection process of the ruling party which rejected his demands that all “favored candidates” in his faction “must be included” in the 2010 elections under Lakas Kampi.

Ocampos, in his earlier disclosure to the media, said that he pushed for Lim to be the mayoralty standard bearer for Lakas in accordance with party principles and guidelines but it was not granted. He also recommended several names as candidates for the two districts but again it was not approved.

It was also learned that the governor’s decision to bolt out of Lakas came four days after Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and his daughter, Nova Princess Echavez, received their respective certificates of nomination as Lakas’ official candidate for congressman and mayor.

“Nalipay na lang sad ko nga gipahibalo ko nila. Sa ato pa, wala na pangayoa ang akong recommendations ug diretso na lang gidawat didto,” Bernad told this paper, saying further that had he been given time to evaluate Ocampos’ request for affiliation with LP, he will give his negative views and a two thumbs down to the governor.

Saying likewise that it did not go into normal procedures, Bernad surmised that Ocampos was readily accepted because “he is the incumbent governor” and “the president of the governors’ league.”

To recall, Bernad has said that Ocampos “has a loyalty problem” with Lakas Kampi and he doesn’t want that the same will happen to the LP.

Although he said he will not question Ocampos’ entry to LP, Bernad asserts he has already committed his full support to both Parojinog and Echavez.

REPORT BY NEPTALIE BATOLENIO & MICHAEL MEDINA

Lanao redistricting results to more gains

2009-11-25T21:43:00.000-08:00

GOVERNOR Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo said Lanao del Norte has a lot to gain with the ratification of Republic Act 9774 in terms of economic benefits, political stability and security.

Talking with journalists from Iligan and Ozamiz cities last Wednesday, Dimaporo said that the ratification of House Bill 4053, authored by his father, Rep. Abdullah Dimaporo of the second district, will actually provide their province an opportunity to grow, bond Muslim and Christian community ties as well as resolve political matters fast.

Approved last Nov. 17, RA 9774 is an act providing for the apportionment of legislative districts in Lanao del Norte. Under the ratified bill, the province’s 22 municipalities are reapportioned into two legislative districts.

The first district will cover Baroy, Tubod, Kolambugan, Maigo, Bacolod, Kauswagan, Linamon, Tagoloan, Baloi, Matunggao and Pantar.

The second district will now include Pantao Ragat, Poona Piagapo, Munai, Tangkal, Magsaysay, Salvador, Lala, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Kapatagan, Sapad and Nunungan.

RA 9774 allows the incumbent representatives of the first and second legislative districts of the province a status quo until new representatives will be elected in next year’s national elections.

“The Provincial Board carefully studied the reapportionment bill of Congressman Dimaporo and saw it has a very good application that is why we issued a resolution signifying our strong support,” Dimaporo said.

“The reapportionment was fair and there was equal division. You know, we in Lanao del Norte always wanted to maintain the policy of joint leadership by Muslims and Christians. We all saw the spirit of HB 4503 and so all the provincial officials and mayors supported it,” the governor added.

Dimaporo then said that as of the moment, they are still in the process of contemplating whether to increase or decrease the number of public servants of the newly reapportioned district.

He also dispelled reports which said that the redistricting favored the Dimaporo family, saying his mother even has difficulty in convincing a number of voters from the municipalities included in the first district to vote for her when she ran for congresswoman in the last elections.

But Dimaporo admitted their family has political clouts in more than half of the listed towns in the newly reapportioned district.

With these developments, residents of Lanao del Norte could elect their first congressman next year who is entitled to P70 million in pork barrel funds.

Meanwhile, Congressman Vicente Belmonte also authored another bill, HB 4054, in a bid to create the lone district of Iligan City, separate from the seven municipalities of Lanao del Norte.

The bill was approved last Oct. 20 and is now called RA 9724, an act separating the city of Iligan from the first legislative district of Lanao del Norte to constitute the lone legislative district of the city of Iligan.

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA

Hard-working chieftain raises goats as a sideline

2009-11-25T20:47:00.000-08:00

ASIDE from raising chickens and pigs in one’s own backyard, a farmer can build a shed and get a couple of goats as an addition to his versatile livestock.

A homestead goat can be raised for meat, cheese and milk, which is becoming a favorite among people since goat milk has a more easily digestible fat and protein content than cow milk.

Other popular goat-based enterprises are goat milk-based personal care products such as soaps and lotions; processing of organic fertilizers from goat manure; production of flavored yogurt, pastilles and milk gelatin, feed materials.

Take for example Juanito Bala Jr., who is determined to raise goats as his sideline, aside from leading his village as punong barangay.

Bala’s determination is inspiring, said Dr. Darwin Lloyd Sulay, focal person of GMA-Livestock program of the Department of Agriculture regional field unit IX (DA-RFU9).

In the near future, the village chief will be able to produce a herd of dairy goats, according to Sulay, when Bala uses the loan from DA’s Community Goat Production Enterprise (CGPE) under the Small Ruminant Genetic Improvement Program (SR-GIP).

First among Bala’s breed is a Boer Anglo Nubian, crossbreed oriental buck and one of the five principal breeds of dairy goats propagated abroad.

This was given to Bala in April, last year, by DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) nucleus farm located in Bagalupa, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.

Based on his loan contract with DA, Bala will settle up the Nubian buck with two female offspring less than eight months old within two years.

At present, Bala owns 30 offspring and 15 does are pregnant. He claimed that soon he will have a viable enterprise with these because goat buyers from Misamis Oriental are interested in his breeds and are willing to procure these in volume.

But Bala’s goat raising livelihood is limited only to raising and selling goats for slaughter.
Indeed there is money in raising goats as a sideline and Bala, along with his wife, Aida, proved it by grossing big earnings with their goats and having sent their two children to school.

Meanwhile, the DA is continually expanding its goat production program to meet the increasing demand for goat meat locally and overseas.

DA’s goat production technologies such as the selection of breeds, housing, nutrient and health management practices are already available for duplication and adoption by interested farmers.

REPORT BY REMAI ALEJADO, DA-9

DA hands over corn drier, shredder to Dinas farmers

2009-11-25T03:34:00.000-08:00

ENSURING that necessary infrastructure are in place in order that good quality harvested corn are traded by Dinas farmers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) recently provided them a corn-on-cob (COC) dryer and shredder machine.

These facilities form part of DA’s organic fertilizer production program community-based composting facility worth P950,000.

Regional Technical Director Constancio Alama, who represented RED Oscar Parawan, turned over the amenities to Mayor Wilfredo Asoy Sr. during the town’s 59th founding anniversary last Nov. 9.

The COC dryer is a DA funded project under its Diversified Farm Income and Market Development Project (DFIMDP) and counterparted by the local government.

The total project cost is P600,000. This dryer is capable of six metric tons or 6,000 kilos of COC. With this, farmers will have easier capability to process, store, and guarantee good quality corn for the local market.

At the same time, the DA, through the Bureau of Soils and Water Management headed by Florentino Agustin, regional coordinator, likewise provided one 6.5 horse power shredder, two tea brewer, three vermi beds and 15 kilos of cultured worms worth P350,000.

Cultured earthworms are used in the so-called vermi technology utilized for composting and fish feeding.

In his message, Alama challenged the beneficiaries to maximize the full potential of the corn facility in order that their farming ventures will be sustained and attain significant success, a statement which Neda Corativo, DFIMDP finance officer, seconded.

Asoy responded that aside from corn, their town also produce cassava and coconut in big numbers aside from abundant sea products.. He then assured DA that they will reciprocate the gifts received through continous productivity.

REPORT BY MARK LARIDE, DA-9

Ocampos bonds with Noynoy’s Liberal Party

2009-11-24T18:57:00.000-08:00

BARELY two days after he announced that he has defected from the ruling party, Gov. Loreto Leo Ocampos is back in the limelight, this time, declaring he is now allied with Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal party.

“Yes, take oath mi this morning with Noynoy and Mar. Connie Lim was there too,” was the governor’s text message to this paper when asked of the developments.

Last Monday, Ocampos surprised his constituents with his pronouncement over the radio that he has bolted out of Lakas Kampi CMD over some disagreements.

Ocampos, who heads the 80-strong governors’ league, has been known to be one of the high-profile politicians “very close” to President Gloria Arroyo.

He explained his unexpected decision was borne out of his frustrations when the administration party rejected his demands that all “favored candidates” in his faction “must be included” in the 2010 elections under Lakas.

Ocampos’ faction in Lakas Kampi included Councilor Maria Constancia Lim who signified her intention to run for mayor in Ozamiz. Lim is set to square off with fellow councilwoman Nova Princess Echavez, the nominated candidate of Lakas and under the faction of 2nd District Rep. Herminia Ramiro and Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog.

Ocampos, who is eyeing the congressional seat of the second district, has been pushing for Lim to be the mayoralty standard bearer for Lakas in accordance with party principles and guidelines but it was not granted. He also recommended several names as candidates for the two districts but again it was not approved.

The governor was a show stealer during Liberal party’s oath taking ceremony last Wednesday, Nov. 24, at the LP headquarters in Cubao, Quezon City where he joined 100 other defectors and new members ushered by Aquino and vice president candidate Sen. Mar Roxas.

An ABS-CBN report said that several showbiz personalities, local officials and candidates of Manila, Valenzuela City, Caloocan City, Aurora, Laguna, Camarines Sur, Albay, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Compostela Valley also took their membership with LP that day.

As this developed, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan commented that the 2010 presidential election “is no longer a battle for supremacy between the administration and the opposition but a battle between change or the old bankrupt ways.”

Both Ocampos and Lim are carrying genuine reforms as their platform and have enjoined the electorate to join their efforts for real change for Misamis Occidental.

REPORT BY NEPTALIE BATOLENIO & MICHAEL MEDINA

A Day of Infamy for Philippine Democracy

2009-11-24T00:15:00.000-08:00

The entire community of journalists in Misamis Occidental expresses our outrage over the gruesome fate suffered by our colleagues who were reportedly part of a group of some 50 people massacred in Maguindanao on Monday, November 23, 2009.

Some 20 of our colleagues were merely covering what should have been the filing of a certificate of candidacy of an aspirant for Maguindanao governor. It was just horrible that in the course of doing their work, they also become secondary targets, if not collateral damage, in the clash of people gunning for control of political power.

Such a highly abominable act of slaughtering scores of innocent people should be utterly condemned in the strongest sense. It is a conduct not befitting civilized society.

Suffrage is a Constitutionally-guaranteed right of everyone that provides the underpinnings of elections as a democratic exercise. Press freedom, which is equally sanctioned by the Constitution, guarantees unhampered chronicling of the travails of this political activity through the news media.

But last Monday’s Maguindanao carnage showed how brute force was employed to replace civilized and dynamic interaction in the political and social communication platforms in order to maintain hegemonic dominance over local fiefdoms. No doubt, this practice is further undermining the state of democracy which is still fragile throughout the country, and a seeming failure in Maguindanao.

By the sheer brutality of the incident, we will forever consider this date a day of infamy for Philippine democracy.

We demand justice and full responsibility by the perpetrators no matter who they are. We ask the government to do a no-nonsense probe into the incident and bring those responsible before the bar of justice.

(SGD) RYAN D. ROSAURO
Chair, NUJP-Ozamiz City Chapter

Leo Ocampos bolts out of Lakas

2009-11-23T22:03:00.000-08:00

MANY of his constituents were surprised last Monday after Gov. Loreto Leo Ocampos revealed over the radio that he has bolted out of the ruling Lakas-Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) party over some disagreements.

Ocampos, who heads the 80-strong governors’ league, has been known to be one of the high-profile politicians “very close” to President Gloria Arroyo.

When pressed on his unexpected decision, Ocampos said that he saw the opportunity of taking off from the administration party after his terms and conditions were rejected by Lakas, explaining later that he only demanded that all “favored candidates” in his faction “must be included” in the 2010 elections under the ruling party.

It can be learned that the Lakas-Kampi party in Misamis Occidental is torn between the faction of Ocampos, whose preferred mayoralty candidate is Councilor Maria Constancia Lim, and that of 2nd District Rep. Herminia Ramiro, where Ozamiz City mayor Reynaldo Parojinog’s daughter, Councilor Nova Princess Echavez, was nominated as the official candidate of Lakas for mayor.

Ocampos said that he pushed for Lim to be the mayoralty standard bearer for Lakas in accordance with party principles and guidelines but it was not granted. He also recommended several names as candidates for the two districts but again it was not approved.

The governor, who is eyeing the congressional seat of the second district, said he was persistent with his demands even putting a condition that he will not accept any Lakas nomination if even one member of his camp will be left behind.

“It’s a matter of principle nga dili angayang himoong kandidato ang mga tawo nga walay pagsalig ang katawhan. Tungod niini, akong gibati nga wala nila tan-awa kung kinsa ang angayan nga kuhaon, nga wala silay hanaw sa realidad ug sa tinuod nga sitwasyon, ug dapat lang nga mobulag ako ug ang akong mga kauban sa Lakas,” Ocampos said.

Another reason he parted ways with his party for almost ten years, Ocampos admitted, is the “dismal performance” of their presidential bet, resigned Defense Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr., in presidential surveys.

True enough, Teodoro has been getting poor ratings in the latest Pulse Asia presidential survey with only two percent approval rating, which the former secretary dismissed as his lack of public exposure, not his links with President Gloria Arroyo.

A source from Malacañang, meanwhile, said the president doesn’t mind Ocampos’ defection, and that she doesn’t see it as an act of betrayal but that such “is expected in these situations because not all of the aspirants can be accommodated.”

The governor’s decision to bolt out of Lakas came four days after Parojinog received his certificate of nomination as Lakas’ official candidate for congressional post in the 2nd district.

As of the press time, media sources from Manila said Ocampos has sought affiliation with the Liberal Party, the party of Vice Mayor Carlos Patricio Bernad, a gubernatorial aspirant and a close friend of Parojinog.

REPORT BY NEPTALIE BATOLENIO & MICHAEL MEDINA

Statement on the death of 21 journalists in Maguindanao

2009-11-23T20:36:00.000-08:00

THE hostage-taking and killing of 21 media members in Maguindanao last Nov. 23 is a horrible illustration of a social order gone awry, an inhumane act and unequalled in recent history.

Those working journalists killed in the line of duty were only doing their job as correspondents, innocent of the political rivalry and were not even partakers of the culture of violence already happening in the territory.

We, who felt no safer even as we are away from the same danger, are also distressed and mourn the death of our colleagues who have become victims of this senseless violence and carnage.

We are also alarmed that media can now be a target of blatant assault of political enmities. The fact, that 21 of our colleagues are dead and others still missing highlights the state of political warlordism and their ugly grapple for power still being observed in some areas of the country.

We hope that government authorities will go after the persons responsible for the acts, charge and prosecute them for the crimes. May there be no more knee-jerk response but a permanent commitment by this regime to uphold our democratic ideals and protection of all working journalists.

The media, however passionate we are of our work in spreading news and information, is always neutral. We are public servants and even unfortunate volunteers who sometimes become victims of warring people of influence and power who espouse the culture of impunity, with no sense of responsibility and respect for human life.

MICHAEL MEDINA

Online editor

The Philippine Preview

Board of director, NUJP-Ozamiz City

Pioneer, Misamis Occidental News Bloggers atbp.(MONBA)

Message of thanks from Fr. Michael Sinnott

2009-11-23T01:03:00.000-08:00

November 20, 2009.

Writing the date above was the easiest part of writing this note. I am trying to think where to begin and how I can possibily find words to thank adequately all the people who prayed for me while I was in captivity and worked to help to get my release.

I have bee amazed since I came out to learn about the amount of coverage my kidnapping got - not only in the Philippines and Ireland but in many other countries as well. And by coverage I mean not only the publicity but especially the number of people who were praying for me, organising rallies, prayer vigils, Masses and other activities - and that the Columbans even fasted and prayed for a day ! I am truly humbled by it all as I don't feel I did anything that any other Columban would not have done in the same circumstances. It must have been harder on those who, like Fr Pat O'Donoghue (Columban superior in the Philippines) and Bishop Manny Carbajar CSSR (of Pagadian) and others, worked so tirelessly my release. My ordeal lasted only a month while many Columbans, like those in Pakistan, are working in a constant state of tension which must be much worse.

I am afraid I have not conveyed the thanks I feel but in summary let me simplly say a very, very sincere thank you to all who prayed and helped to get my release. I hope I may be able to do so personally to many of you when we meet.

Again, many, many thanks,

Fr Mick Sinnott.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Fr. Mick Sinnott was released last Nov. 12, a month and a day after he was kidnapped in Pagadian City. A simple solidarity and thanksgiving program is being prepared by the Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace and the staff of Hangop Kabataan Foundation on Nov. 26, timed on Fr. Mick's homecoming arrival.)

Zambosur readies for Pasko Nato ‘09

2009-11-19T20:56:00.000-08:00

CELEBRATING Christmas is a way of life for Filipinos every December and the tradition of the Nativity of Jesus is widely observed all over the country.

In Zamboanga del Sur, one of the popular festivity held every December is the “Pasko Nato” which will mark its third year and still to be held at the Agro-tourism and Heritage Complex (AHC), Provincial Government Center in Dao.

Provincial Tourism Officer Anthony Frederick Padayhag said that like in the past celebrations, this year’s Pasko Nato will provide a venue of probinsiyanos and visitors to enjoy during the yuletide season in the spirit of giving and harmony.

The AHC, being a renowned tourist destination, will again be fitted with Christmas themes and its booth displayed with various decorations; including the Christmas tree, lights and nativity scenes.

Also, there will be a Christmas Lights Competitions like the AHC Belen Contest, Hanging Christmas Symbols Contest and the Light–a–tree competition to be participated by the academe, including the 22 campuses of JH Cerilles State College, private organizations, regional and government offices.

For Barangay Dao, all its puroks will compete in the Christmas Lights Contest.

The usual booth décor contest will now be called as LGU Christmas Bazaar Contest, which will showcase various saleable products, lanterns, unique gifts and personal accessories from the 26 municipalities of Zambosur and women’s organizations.

Pasko Nato 2009 will run from December 16-25 and the AHC will be open daily from 5:00 in the afternoon until 10:00 in the evening with cultural and Christmas recitals and presentations by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts under the Dance Season program of the Provincial Tourism Office.

Governor Aurora Cerilles, who is in her last term as this province’s chief executive, hopes this year’s Pasko Nato 2009 will be as memorable as the rest.

REPORT BY ZAMBOSUR PROVINCIAL PRESS BUREAU

DIPO-WESMIN cites Auring’s leadership

2009-11-19T18:35:00.000-08:00

FOR their commendable contribution and support to peace and development work, the Directorate for Integral Police Operations (DIPO) in Western Mindanao has awarded Gov. Aurora Cerilles and 24 others.

The awarding activities were made during the DIPO’s first founding anniversary last Nov. 14 at Garden Orchid Hotel in Zamboanga City where PNP Chief Dir. Gen. Jesus Versoza presented the award along with DILG Sec. Ronaldo Puno and Police Director Felizardo Serapio Jr.

Serapio, who heads DIPO, cited the governor’s leadership and direction during the abduction and subsequent release of Columban missionary Fr. Michael Sinnott.

Serapio was referring to Cerilles’ exemplary contribution displayed when after less than a day from Sinnott’s abduction; she immediately convened the Executive Committee of the Provincial Peace and Order Council, and created the Crisis Management Committee (CMC) to speed up rescue operations for the abducted priest.

Cerilles and the CMC have been keeping an eye on the matter personally, in close coordination with the PNP and Columban regional director Fr. Patrick O’Donoghue.

It was learned also that President Gloria Arroyo phoned Cerilles a few hours after Sinnott was released last Nov. 12 and congratulated the governor and CMC for a job well done.

Puno, in his message, said that the president has directed the PNP to create the DIPO-WESMIN to work hand in hand with local government units nationwide, the military and the people to mount stronger and broader pursuit operations against criminals, lawless and terrorists.

Other awardees include Governors Jum Akbar of Basilan, Jesus Sacdalan of North Cotabato, Miguel Rene Dominguez of Saranggani, Abdusakur Tan of Sulu, George Hofer of Zamboanga Sibugay, Jesus Sacdalan of North Cotabato, Rolando Yebes of Zamboanga Del Norte and Vice Governors Al-Rasheed Sakkalahul of Basilan, Steve Solon of Sarangani.

Meanwhile, Mayors Celso Lobregat of Zamboanga and Muslimen Sema of Cotabato were also given awards along with M/Gen. Ben Dolorfino of Wesmincom, Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer Eastmincom and Rear Admiral Alexander Pama of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, M/Gen. Romeo Lustestica of the 1st Tabak Army Division and PNP-9 Director C/Supt. Angelo Sunglao, among others.

REPORT BY ZAMBOSUR PROVINCIAL PRESS BUREAU

Crisis group donates reward money to Hangop Kabataan

2009-11-19T18:00:00.000-08:00

NEARLY half a million pesos will be given by both the provincial and city governments to the special children’s center founded by kidnapped Columban priest Michael Sinnott here.

The total amount is P400,000—half of which was supposedly the reward money for informants who could tell where Sinnott and his abductors were after the 79-year old priest was kidnapped last Oct. 11.

Sources from both the military and the MILF said that the Irish cleric was somewhere in the boundaries of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur the whole time.

Governor Aurora Cerilles said the provincial government counterparted another P200,000 after concurrence with the Crisis Management Committee (CMC) she created to supervisor rescue efforts for the priest.

Actually, it was upon the request of Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar during CMC’s meeting with the media that the unused reward money is given instead to the Hangop Kabataan Foundation.

It was learned that Hangop Kabataan has been relying mainly on financial donations from generous organizations and individuals from the locality and that Sinnott’s kidnapping has temporarily affected its daily plans and programs.

Last Tuesday, the City Council amended its resolution authorizing Mayor Samuel Co to utilize the P200,000 not as monetary reward anymore but as financial assistance to the Hangop Kabataan Foundation.

Given the Columban priest’s old age and delicate heart condition, he founded and served as coordinator of Hangop Kabataan as his advocacy for the welfare of children with disabilities, especially those with hearing and learning difficulties, to lead productive lives.

REPORT BY JONG CADION

Youth, army desire better living for Pinoys—Lustestica

2009-11-18T23:23:00.000-08:00

THE youth of today are the voices and leaders of the future therefore they should be instructed to perform their roles and recognized for their successful experiences in the fields of youth policies and programs.

One big step in achieving that is by giving the youth proper forum where they show initiatives and build their reputation for knowledge sharing, said M/Gen. Romeo Lustestica, commanding general of the First Infantry ‘Tabak’ Division, as he declared that he values youth dominance.

“No matter how young they are, their views and opinions are always counted. The military shares their aspiration of a better life for our countrymen,” he said during the closing ceremony of the Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) held at Philippine Science High School in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte last Nov. 12-14.

The army general added that the youth in Mindanao, for example, always face the challenges of diverse environment in terms of belief, ethnicity and origin.

Thus, he stressed that behind such big numbers of the youth all over lies a lot of power and influence in determining the political direction in the country and synergizing these elements is a task waiting to be toiled by them, being the future leaders.

And since the YLS is a place where ideas and perceptions of the young are developed, analyzed, evaluated and disseminated, Lustestica challenged the graduates to advocate peace as well as participate in government programs which aim for peaceful solution to the problem in the island.

During the program, Lustestica also acknowledged the contribution of LGUs to peace and developmental efforts, citing their support as a big inspiration.

“But we cannot do this alone. We need the support of the community and the people especially the youth,” he added.

For her part, YSL guidance counselor Dorothy Drilon thanked Lustestica and company for conducting the activity and hopes there will be more youth forums in the future.

One of the participants, Arthur Gregory Virata, a senior student from Pagadian, described the activity as real fun as it enhanced the synergies among the young students for the greater benefit of all.

The YLS is a program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, represented in this part of the region by the Tabak division, more particularly by the 104th (Sultan) Brigade led by Col. Benny de Leon, the National Youth Commission and local government agencies.

In YLS, youth participants are taught on how to develop their leadership potential, protect them from being recruited by the communist insurgents, preempt their exposure to illegal drugs, inculcate the values of nationalism and love of country and teach them the spirit of voluntarism and social work, among others.

REPORT BY JUN CORGUE, PIA-9

City execs itching to see planes in airport

2009-11-18T21:53:00.000-08:00

ONE month after President Gloria Arroyo unveiled this city airport as a signal of its formal re-opening to the public, the landing strip is still inoperable and city officials, by now, are starting to get impatient.

This is the reason why councilors called on the attention of Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) manager Jose Bodiongan and asked him to attend last Tuesday’s session to shed light on the airport opening’s delay.

It was learned that this city’s airport in Muricay has an area of 1,800 meters long and width of 45 meters plus another 75-meter on both edges towards its perimeter fences, a bit longer than that of the Benigno Aquino Airport in Gango, Ozamiz City.

The airfield here is one of the 15 airports in Mindanao classified as priority infrastructure projects that are calendared for completion before 2010.

During the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo)’s 12th Mindanao Super Region (MSR) inter-agency meeting here last July, Usec. Virgilio Leyretana Sr. told media that the airports of Zamboanga, Dipolog and Pagadian cities, presently undergoing repairs, have a combined funding of P1.28 billion.

Works of the project components of the mentioned airports include the continuation or completion of the asphalt overlay of runways, rehabilitation or construction of terminal and fire station buildings and the procurement of air navigational facilities, among others.

Of the total amount, the Dipolog airport gets the biggest chunk with P478.05 million, followed by Zamboanga City with P428.5 million and Pagadian with P379.46.

The status report paper of the MSR stated that total funding requirements for both Dipolog and Pagadian airports have already been released while that of Zamboanga City has a total of only P127 million or 29.64 percent released.

Bodiongan explains that construction of the city airport is done in four phases. At the moment, works are in the last phase, which includes the construction of a grave extension and the vertical rehabilitation on the terminal and pre-departure area, control tower and administration building.

As to the runway, Bodiongan said the clearing of small rocks and sediments including the removal of small debris and compacting are being rushed.

He added that this type of work is customary to make the surface less slippery though the process is a bit time-consuming but is a must especially that wide bodied aircrafts like Airbuses will land on the runway and that such work will prevent the planes from getting damaged travelling over the surface or from sucking the scattered fragments.

The airport manager told councilors that he has already talked with the mayor on the postponement of the airport’s opening and promised that all works will be finished on end of November so that operations will then start by next month.

As the commercial flights, Cebu Pacific and Zest Air are the two airline companies so far who have signified to service the Pagadian-Cebu-Manila routes while other airline companies are yet to announce theirs.

The airport’s completion will not only complement Zambosur’s much touted tourism destinations but will also serve the urgent need of air travelers for a convenient transport facility for their trip towards premier cities in the North, Gov. Aurora Cerilles once told this paper.

REPORT BY JONG CADION

Pagadian City excited on Fr. Mick’s return

2009-11-18T20:43:00.000-08:00

AFTER all the tears and united prayer vigils for kidnapped Columban Father Michael “Mick” Sinnot, city residents are now preparing to wave their flags and roll the red carpet for the priest who is set to arrive here next week.

Accompanying Sinnott will be his superior in the Missionary Society of St. Columban (MSSC) Fr. Patrick O’Donoghue.

Sinnott was freed by his captors last Nov. 12 in Zamboanga City. He flew to Manila for a series of medical tests and is presently resting at the St. Columban House in Singalong.

The Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace, the same group that held a sequence of prayer rallies during Sinnott’s captivity and the staff of Hangop Kabataan Foundation said they are very happy on news of the Irish priest’s homecoming.

Bishop Emmanuel “Manny” Cabajar said Sinnott will be here on Wednesday, Nov. 25, and will then proceed to the Hangop Center in Aquino St., a stone’s throw from the San Jose Parish, where his well-wishers will render a short program for him.

Cabajar added that he is set to give his welcome address, to be followed by an interpretative singing performance by the children of Hangop, then a reading of the Bible by Fr. Dodo Suarin and the Koran by Sultan Maguid Maruhom.

Maruhom is the chairperson of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society in Pagadian and executive director of Ummah Fi Salam, a Muslim faith-based organization working with the Catholic faith-based Socio-Pastoral Institute (SPI) implementing a Christian Aid funded interfaith program entitled “Building Darusalam or Peace Communities” in urban poor Moro communities in Zamboanga del Sur.

After the scripture readings, representatives from the tri-peoples group—Subanen, Muslim and Christian—will share their stories and encounters while Sinnott was in captivity for 31-days.

Governor Aurora Cerilles, who created and chaired the Crisis Management Committee tasked to look for Sinnott, will likewise deliver her message. Sinnott will then give his response and O’Donoghue, his closing remarks.

Cabajar commented that the incident befalling on Sinnott, his safe release and his homecoming played a part in giving a moral lesson to the faithful in their everyday experiences, in their effort for solidarity, the hope for lasting peace in Mindanao and as an inspiration to help and promote Sinnott’s selfless mission to Zamboanga del Sur.

Meanwhile, the MSSC in Ireland, through Fr Malachy Smyth, who is based in Dalgan Park, Navan, Co Meath, thanked the role played by the media in covering the abduction and subsequent release of Sinnott.

“Even though the ordeal happened on the other side of the world, people in Ireland were able to stay in touch with events through the competent way the press dealt with the kidnapping. This was a great relief to his family, to his Columban colleagues, to his friends and to a large segment of the Irish public who showed such sympathetic interest in the plight of this courageous missionary,” Smyth said in the Columban’s blog.

“We believe that this sustained coverage by the media helped in no small way in bringing the kidnapping to a peaceful resolution. As missionaries we knew from the previous kidnapping of the late Fr Desmond Hartford (1997) and the late Fr Rufus Halley (2001) that the kidnapping could have ended in great pain or even death. A happy ending, without violence or any loss of life, was our fervent wish and prayer,” he added.

“We are also grateful that the media brought to the attention of the Irish people the sterling service that Fr Michael and missionaries like him have given in economically poor communities in Asia, Africa and Latin America for decades,” Smyth wrote.

REPORT BY JONG CADION & MICHAEL MEDINA

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Pasko Nato '09 finishes off with Awards Night

At last, Pagadian airport will open in January

Irish leader hosts big reception for Sinnott

Health, peaceful polls top media wish for 2010

Sammy Co’s ‘Fantastic 4’

RP rebels eye deadlock with government

ZPPO conducts 12th leg of ‘makeover caravan’

Cerilles leads Pasko Nato ’09 opening

NUJP-Misoc Statement on "Analysis" broadcaster Danny Pilar: Ang pagpapili ug ang kagawasan sa pagpadayag parehong hulagway sa pagtunhay sa demokrasya

Driver dies in foiled robbery

BKD to perk up fight on drugs

Pagadian displays PECOJON’s war photos

Dolorfino calls for unity among society stakeholders

Four LTO offices get ISO approval

Lot 35605, Batu 5 1/2,
Jalan Sg. Besi,
57100 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.

Tel:
+603-7982 1300

Fax:
+603-7982 2517

Lot 35605, Batu 5 1/2,
Jalan Sg. Besi,
57100 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.

Tel:
+603-7982 1300

Fax:
+603-7982 2517