Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper
Volume II, No. 063
web portal: www.businessweekmindanao.com
Wednesday
August 14, 2013
Dads to probe irregularities at boulevard port SURIGAO City––The city council here is set to conduct investigations on the supposed irregularities at the Surigao Boulevard Port after a series of mishaps occurred last week, which include trucks and heavy equipment plunging into the sea. The area is being used as docking area for outrigger motorized bancas plying
the Surigao City – Dinagat Island route. City Councilor Jose Begil Jr. told reporters on Monday they would call all the boat transport groups and owners, all concerned government line agencies – which include the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) – and all arrastre and stevedoring services
operating at the boulevard and other concerned parties to shed light on the irregularities. Begil’s announcement came after a series of mishaps that happened at the boulevard last week. One incident involved the unregistered boat M/L Roy Sea Star, whose hull collapsed while loading a 10-wheeler truck full of
construction materials. Yet another passenger boat met the same fate also last week while loading a boom truck and a big engine machine. Last month, two trucks owned by mining companies also plummeted into the sea as these were being loaded on a boat for Dinagat, according to Chamber of Mines president Dulmar
Raagas. Begil, who chairs the committee on transportation of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, said the investigation will also look into reports that some Coast Guard employees are being bribed by some boat owners to clear their vessels for departure. Begil said cargoes such
P10.00
Lawmaker wants life jail term vs smugglers
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto has filed a bill seeking to declare big-time smuggling as a capital offense by imposing the penalty of life imprisonment to anyone See probe, page 11 who will engage in unlawful importation of goods valued more than P1 million. “Smuggling continues to bleed our nation of muchneeded taxes, which is considered to be the country’s lifeblood. It directly deprives the Filipino people of resources that could have been used to improve their quality of life,” Recto said. “I therefore consider smuggling, especially those in unconscionable proportions, to be a grave offense against the nation.” In filing Senate Bill 456, the senator took note of a recent statement made by a former finance secretary that the total value of smuggled commodities in the Philippines is estimated at almost $20 Billion (P800 billion) annually. “The figures are staggering. Imagine how many billions of pesos in taxes can be collected and put to better use if we can curb smuggling,” Recto said. Aside from losing potential government revenues to smugglers and their cohorts at the Bureau BALLOT BOXES. Workers repaint the ballot boxes at city hall ground in preparation for the forthcoming Ba- of Customs (BOC), Recto said that smuggling rangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) election on October 27 2013.
Mining firm wont intrude watershed
By Chris Panganiban Caraga Regional Editor
S
AN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur-A top official of a mining company has allayed fears from concerned residents here that Mt. Magdiwata watershed is definitely not part of their exploration activities. “The watershed is excluded from our exploration because it is a protected area,” said lawyer Raul Villanueva, president of Ph i l s a g a M i n i ng Corporation.
Mindanao Daily News photo by Rolando “Baby Lando” Sudaria
READ FULL STORY/p.2
Lumads caught in AFP-NPA conflict, says international group
By Roel N. Catoto of MindaNews
SURIGAO City––Indigenous people in the Philippines are caught in the middle of the conflict between the military and the
New People’s Army and could hardly “cope with their repeated dislocations and the accumulated effects of property loss or damage and income decline,” according to a recently published report by the Swiss-based
Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC). “Caught between the two warring parties, the Lumads are exposed to high levels of violence and are at risk of abuses by both sides,” the IDMC said in its 42-page
report titled “Living in the Shadows: Displaced Lumads locked in a Cycle of Poverty” released this month in time for the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People on August 9. See group, page 11
See smugglers, page 11
US wanted old Davao airport as drones HQ By EARL O. CONDEZA of DavaoToday.com
DAVAO City--Mayor Rodrigo Duterte revealed that on several occasions, the United States government had sought his permission to make use of the old Davao Airport as a station for its drones or spy planes. Duterte, known for his anti-US pronouncements, told reporters in a briefing Monday, he refused such See drones, page 11
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Caraga news
WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 14, 2013 Editor: JOE DEL PUERTO FELICILDA Asst editor: ARJAY S. FELICILDA • Email: mindanaodailycaraga@gmail.com jayfels30@yahoo.com.ph
AGUSAN DEL NORTE l AGUSAN DEL SUR l SURIGAO DEL SUR l SURIGAO DEL NORTE
Philsaga promises not intrude watershed
S
By Chris V. Panganiban, Regional Editor
AN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur-- A mining company has allayed fears from concerned residents here that Mt. Magdiwata watershed is definitely not part of their exploration activities.
“ T he w ate rshe d i s excluded from our exploration because it is a protected area,’ said lawyer Raul Villanueva, president of Philsaga Mining Corporation, as he explained that the nearest exploration site within the periphery of Barangay Alegria is even seven kilometres from Mt. Magdiwata. Villanueva clarified
this in an interview with Mindanao Daily Caraga in response to the apprehensions aired by concerned residents including the Catholic church that the resolution passed by village officials of Alegria endorsing the exploration activities of Philsaga would encroach the 1,658 –hectare watershed. Father Artemio Ju-
Atty. Raul Villanueva president of Philsaga
sayan, local parish priest, has expressed concern over the resolution, saying it came at a time when illegal mining and logging activities has recured inside and near the buffer zone of the watershed that if left unabated this would result into another natural disaster similar to what happened to the landslide in New Bataan, Compostela Valley at the height of Typhoon Pablo’s fury. He pointed out the PO3 DarlinCabalinan-Migullas improvement of the road network in Alegria which CAMP RODRIGUEZ, Carlos B. Cambray, who the company offered to Butuan City – Repeat- recommended a com- villages officials would edly charged with acts bined bail of P184,000. not in any way part of The suspect, who is a secret deal to intrude of lasciviousness, Jesus S o r o n i o Vi l l a m o r, 3 8 listed as the No. 9 most ye ars oldof B arangay wanted person of Nasipit Camagong, Nasipit, Agu- town, is now under the sandelNorte was arrested custody of Nasipit MPS by the police at Brgy 4 for proper disposition. By Pat Samonte of said town, August 9. (PO3 DarlinCabalinanRegional Editor Villamor was arrested Migullas, PRO-13 Info by virtue of alias warrants Office Duty PNCO, and BUTUAN CITY - City offiof arrest issued by Judges member of MinPressDev/ cials led by Mayor Ferdinand Eduardo S. Casals and MMG/asf ) Amante, Jr. and some chiefs of line agencies in Caraga came in force during the blessing and inauguration of Congressman Lawrence Lemuel Fortun’s constituency office here early Monday morning. Fortun, who represents the First District of Agusan del Norte, said that through his office staff, “The concerns of my Butuan City and Las Nieves constituents will now be attended to.” Aside from Amante, on hand to greet Fortun and his wife, Marie Therese, were Department of Health Regional Director Ariel Valencia, Department of Agrarian Reform Regional Director Faisar Mambuay, Department of
Most wanted person arrested
the protected areas as they recognized that the watershed is the source of potable water to thousands of residents in San Francisco. “We continue to reiterate to protect the environment. We will heed with our slogan that we are socially responsible and environment friendly company,” Villanueva said. The top company executive has emphasized Philsaga’s huge responsibility to environmental protection citing another i mprove m e nt proj e c t within its big mine site in Barangay Coo in Bunawan town where they would introduce zero water discharge towards t he ne ar by r ive r and creeks. “We have an adopt-acreek program that would eventually dewater all particles from our mine operations,” he said adding that the company is also committed to vigorously pursue reforestation program on rubber and other indigenous tree species. (CVP/jdelpf )
PIA News Bits Director Abner M. Caga PIA, R10 & 13 Cluster
Agri electronic services introduced BUTUAN CITY –Director NenitaSumileof the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI-Caraga), during the Consultation Workshop on Maximizing the Services of FCC, through Development of Communication & Advocacy Plan, bared the new electronic services of ATI that provides more efficient alternative of information sharing for agri-fisheries & natural resources section.
NCCA urges promotion of local products BUTUAN CITY - Prof. Felipe M. De Leon Jr. of National Commission for Culture & the Arts (NCCA) has encouraged Caraganons to promote own cultural products for tourists’ souvenirs. “Travellers will never forget your respective areas when they witness & experience your culture,” he said.
Gender equality advocacy enhanced BUTUAN CITY - Paz y Desarrollo (PyD) National Coordinator Clementine Louise Novalesand company met with local media practitioners to enhance advocacy on Gender Equality and other gender related issues and concerns. 1 of its plans include the conduct of Gender Sensitive Training.
NCCA supports individuals and organizations BUTUAN CITY - Through the National Endowment Fund for Culture & the Arts, the National Commission for Culture & the Arts (NCCA) Grants Program, provides support to individuals and organizations in fields aligned with the Philippine Culture & Arts. This, in accordance with defined priorities of each of the national committees.
Solon’s office opened
CONSTITUENCY OFFICE INAUGURATION. Butuan City and Las Nieves Rep. Lawrence Fortun (3rd from left) says the concerns of his constituents will now be attended to by his office staff on a daily basis. This, during the blessing and opening of his Butuan constituency office, recently, witnessed by Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr., DOH Regional Director Ariel Valencia and Councilor Virgilio Neri Jr. Right photo shows (from right) Fortun’s wife, Marie Therese; Mrs. Ivy Amante; DTI Provincial Director Gay Tidalgo; and DAR-13 Director Faisar Mambuay (behind Tidalgo) during the blessing rite. ( Photos by Pat Samonte/asf)
Trade and Industry Provincial Director Gay Tidalgo, City Councilors Rema ErigbuagasBurdeos, Ferdinand Nalcot, Dr. Virgilio Nery, Jr., Derrick Plaza and several guests.
According to Fortun, his constituents will now be served by his office staff on a daily basis. Outreach programs to rural barangays will also be a part of his activi-
ties when in town, he added. He assured that he would be in Butuan City “as often as possible” as he left for Butuan Airport for his plane trip to Manila.
wednesday | august 14, 2013
Across Mindanao
Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper
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Public soon to view preserved body of ‘Lolong’ The preserved body parts of the world’s biggest saltwater crocodile in captivity that died in February, will soon undergo the process of taxidermy for its preservation and exhibition at the National Museum. Lolong’s head and skin had been preserved separately in two freezers at Davao Crocodile Park here for six months. It has been pulled out from the crocodile park on Monday following the formal arrangement between the National Museum and the local government of Bunawan, Agusan del Sur.
Businessman Philip Dizon, owner of the crocodile park, said it is a good move that the National Museum and the local government of Bunawan, Agusan del Sur have already agreed on stuffing Lolong. He said under the agreement, “Lolong” would end up at the National Museum to be preserved and undergo the process of taxidermy then put on display in the same place. But in April 2014, the “Lolong’s” preserved body will be brought back to Bunawan, Agusan del Sur. He
said, the final homeground of Lolong would still be in “the municipality of Bunawan.” Before Lolong was turned over to the representatives of Bunawan government, Dizon and his team from Davao Crocodile Park checked on its head and skin. Dizon said a small portion of Lolong’s head suffered freezer burn. “The longer you keep it in the freezer, the more damaged it will be,” he said. Dizon also said Bunawan town Mayor Edwin Elorde allowed them to take silicon mold from the crocodile to make an exact replica.
“We’ll have a perfect replica of Lolong. So people can still enjoy it and admire the size of the beast,” he said. The Bunawan Municipal Government asked Dizon to temporarily preserve Lolong’s body due to frequent brownouts in Agusan del Sur sometime last February. Lolong was caught in a Bunawan creek in the province of Agusan del Sur on September 3, 2011. It was the largest crocodile in captivity. He was an Indo-Pacific or saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) measured at 20 feet 3 inches (6.17 m),
making him one of the largest crocodiles ever measured from snout-to-tail. However, Lolong was found dead at around 8:00 p.m. on February 10, 2013. Meanwhile, Dizon will donate at least four crocodiles to the local government of Bunawan, Agusan del Sur for its eco-tourism park next year. “If allowed by PAWB (Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau) I can donate two porosus (saltwater crocodile) and two mindorensis (Philippine crocodile),” he said. Dizon suggested at least three things that Bunawan
government should consider. They will remove the palm oil plants around the pen, render a fine finish concrete and never drain the pond’s water. He said, during the time of Lolong, palm oil grew fast and covered the basking area of Lolong. “Kailangan ng buwaya ng sunshine (Crocodiles need sunshine),” Dizon said. Dizon said Lolong’s tooth was worn out due to the rough concrete of the pool. Thus, to avoid this, he said the local government must smoothen this. (PNA)
Candidates of Miss Kagay-an 2013 take a pose with Cheng Ordoñez, BWM Media Center Director, Businessweek Mindanao (BWM) publisher and CEO Dante M. Sudaria (center) and BWM Marketing Ed Mainit at Businessweek Mindanao Media Center (BWM-MC), Tan Leh Building Abellanosa Street Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro. Miss Kagay-an 2013 coronation night is on August 24, 2013, Saturday, 7:00 p.m. at Limketkai Center Atrium. Photo By Ronald Mastail
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wednesDAY | august 14, 2013
DEVELOPMENTS
Editor: ARJAY S. FELICILDA • Email: msbmdn@yahoo.com.ph jayfels30@yahoo.com.ph Editorial : mindanaodailynews@gmail.com Advertising : mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com
Globe Telecom mobile subscriber base reaches new record high
G
lobe Telecom’s total mobile subscriber base reached a fresh record high, exceeding 36 million at the end of the first half, driven by the success of its customizable and value-based product offer-
ings amid rising demand for mobile browsing services. The company’s total subscriber base of 36.1 million at the end of June this year is a 14% increase from a year earlier and a 3% improvement from the
previous quarter. “The company’s robust revenue growth in the first half was driven by strong performance of all our business segments complemented by the strong subscriber growth during the
BusinessWeek Mindanao Media Center (BWM-MC) conducts training on JOURNALISM (Radio Broadcasting, Editorial Cartooning, Photojourn, Sportswriting,Feature Writing & Layouting, among other) to pupils/students, professional & interested individual. Please contact mobile # 09997990008, 09493284099, 09173077126, 09262553215 or 09493284099. BWM-MC is located at Tan Leh Bldg., North Abellanosa St., Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro City
SCHOOL PAPER ADVISERS Nieve Irene V. Ares of Alubijid Central School, Misamis Oriental, pose with their pupil-broadcasters after the Radio Broadcasting Training at BWM Media Center on August 10, this year. Also in photo is BWM-MC Broadcast Training Director Joe del Puerto Felicilda (standing 1st from right) CEO & Training Manager Dante M. Sudaria (standing 1st from left). (Arjay S. Felicilda photo)
period, stemming from aggressive acquisitions in both the postpaid and prepaid business,” Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu said. Overall subscriber net additions remained robust with close to 3 million in the first half, a 76% surge from a year earlier, while keeping blended churn to 5.6%, a slight improvement from 5.7% a year earlier. Globe Postpaid subscribers are now approaching the 2 million mark, as subscribers reached 1.9 million at the end of the first half, an 18% increase from a year earlier and a 2% hike from
the previous quarter. On the other hand, Globe Prepaid subscribers reached a total 16.9 million at the end of the period, a 5% rise from a year earlier while TM subscribers totaled 17.2 million, a 23% jump from a year earlier. On a year to date basis, gross acquisitions increased by over 2.4 million subscribers, a 20% increase from a year earlier. The company said subscriber acquisitions in the second quarter alone remained strong at 7.4 million subscribers, over 85,000 SIMs higher than previous
quarter’s level, which came mostly from the company’s mass market brand TM. According to Mr. Cu, the company’s modernized network infrastructure, which is now approaching completion, will lift capacity and boost network performance and thus further enhance Globe branding moving forward. Globe sustained topline growth momentum in the first half, reporting total revenues of P44.5 billion, a 9% jump from a year earlier, resulting in a core net income of P6.4 billion, a 13% rise from a year earlier.
Fibr, PLDT HOME’s most powerful broadband, was recently launched in Buddha Bar, Makati City. The ultra-fast broadband is now further enhanced by movies-on-demand and Cignal Digital TV service that runs on the Fibr network. Seen in photo from left are Gary Dujali, VP and head of PLDT HOME Fibr broadband; Napoleon Nazareno, president and chief executive officer of PLDT and Ariel Fermin, EVP and head of PLDT HOME business.
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EDITOR: CHENG ORDOÑEZ, e-mail: cheng.ordonez@gmail.com
Budget friendly options for college students
H
eavy school work loads are not the only thing stressing out college students today. The increasing costs of student living are also becoming a big factor. Every day, students spend for transportation, food, photocopying services for their required readings and school supplies, to name a few. Not to mention, they would also need to keep enough pesos for emergency expenses, gimik funds and mobile phone loads. And these mobile phone loads would not just go for calls and texts, more often than not, students already spend more for mobile internet and social media usage. Summing these up and then matching them to the average student allowance, it could be quite a challenge to do all the budgeting. Good thing, Sun Cellular offers mobile internet services which are easy on the student budget and definitely give more bang for the buck. Coined as “iLoads”, students get to be online through their mobile phones for as low as P15 for one hour access and up to P999 for 30 days of unlimited internet access. Between these denominations, students may also enjoy internet for three (3) hours for just P25, one (1) day unlimited for only P50 and even at the unbeatable rates of just P100 for three (3) days unlimited and P250 for seven (7) days unlimited. To avail any of these, students would just have to text the syntax <iLoad of choice: i25, i50,
i100, i250, i999> to 247, e.g. i25 to 247. They may also opt to visit the nearest Sun Xpressload retailer and automatically top-up their accounts with any of these iLoads. And the best thing about Sun Cellular’s iLoads i50 and i100 is that students can register to facilitate automatic load conversion to iLoads at regular intervals. For example, they can choose to register to the i50 every Monday by texting i50 ON to 2300 instead. Absolutely, there are no free cuts here! In addition, for students who want to access specific online pages, Sun presents the “Forever Loads”. Through these best-value online content loads, students can enjoy unlimited access to social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! Messenger, and even lifestyle sites like ClickTheCity and Sulit.com. ph for just P10 a day. They simply have to text FB10, TWITTER10, YAHOO10, CLICK10 or SULIT10 to 247. Begin surfing by texting NET to 2300 to get free internet settings and then text SETTINGS to 2300 to get free handset configuration settings for mobile internet access. For more information on Sun Cellular iLoads and Forever Loads, visit www.suncellular.com.ph , call hotline 200 for free through a Sun mobile phone or (02) 395-8000 via landline. Sun Cellular is a member of the PLDT Group.
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Opinion
wednesday | august 14, 2013
Editor: RUEL V. PELONE Email: ruel_pelone2002@yahoo.com
Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper
The Mindanao Daily nORTHMIN, Mindanao Daily CARAGA and , Mindanao Daily DAVAO newspapers are published daily by MINDANAO DAILY NEWS at Door 2, Tanleh Building, Abellanosa St., Brgy. Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Region 10 with Certififcate No. 01791042, and with Business Permit No. 2013-13231, TIN No. 209-980-927, Tel. Nos: (088) 856-3344, (08822)72-33-44, Cell nos.: 0917-7121424, 0947-8935776 E-mail: mindanaodaily.ads@gmail.com, mindanaodailynews@gmail.com Website: www.businessweekmindanao.com MINDANAO DAILY NEWS Publisher MER M. SUDARIA Manager ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA, Ph.D. Finance Manager ALLAN M. MEDIANTE Editor-in-Chief ruel pelone Managing Editor Cheng Ordonez Associate Editor Nelson v. constantino Business Editor melanie rivera Advertising
Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin Email : -mindanaodailynews@gmail.com -crisguardian@yahoo.com CRIS DIAZ Executive Editor ROLANDO SUDARIA Assistant Editor
gerry lee gorit Photo Journalist
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Resist state-led regulation of the press Predicating the recent spate of killings and harassment of journalists and media workers as his pretext, Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada has filed the Magna Carta for Journalists (SB 380). Under this measure, “legitimate” media organizations will be organized into a body—Philippine Council for Journalists (PCJ)—who will give “Professional Journalist Examinations” and will therefore, be “accredited,” and “non-accredited journalists” who fail the examinations but will ostensibly be “allowed” to continue their practice. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines welcomes efforts to protect and promote freedom of the press and of expression, and to ensure the safety and welfare of the country’s media practitioners and workers. However, while recognizing the good intentions behind the move, we respectfully again beg Sen. Estrada to withdraw the bill. We have said it before, when
Guest editorial
Think a minute
Joe del Puerto Felicilda Executive Editor Arjay Felicilda Assistant Editor PAT SAMONTE- 0912-8091093 CRIS PANGANIBAN-09277974193 Regional Editors Bureau Chiefs deding PANGANBAN-San Francisco Cell No. : 0927-7974193 GEN CANTOR- Tandag City Cell No.: 0929-5817116
Jhan Tiafau Hurst
What’s good Mindanao Daily NEWS davao enough? Email : - mindanaodailydavao@gmail.com - ruel_pelone2002@yahoo.com RUEL PELONE Executive Editor felix santillan Assistant Editor Bureau Chiefs MARLON GAYOG - 09276314995 tom a. caballero - 09105783126 JOY MONTEZA -09479662790 LINDO G. TAGABUNLANG JOMBRE P. VERGARA MICHAEL P. LAMODOC Member: ORO CHAMBER Philippine Press Institute
Legal Counsel : ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI NOTARY PUBLIC- JUNI LAW OFFICE CELL NO: 09352379999/ (088) 8573595 CRUZ TAAL ST., CAG. DE ORO CITY
Mr. Estrada filed this same bill during the 14th Congress, we cannot subscribe to the notion of subjecting journalists to accreditation for purposes of regulating the profession. Obviously not by any state agency and no, not even through peer accreditation. We find it equally disturbing that under SB380, only accredited journalists shall be entitled to all benefits and privileges accorded them by the law, their employers and the PCJ. This, to say the least, is a frightening possibility and one that would see journalists, wittigly or unwittingly, discrimating against each other. And given the deteriorating state of media welfare, we also fear this would give employers even more leeway to reduce or even deptrive their media staff of the wages, benefits due them and the right to collectively bargain through a union. Journalism—as a profession—
THINK a minute. Is your voice go o d enough to sing a solo on television or radio? If you’re like me, you’ll stick to singing in the shower only! So what are you good at? And compared to whom? If golf is your sport and you can beat your buddies in a round, how good are you compared to Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, or Veejay Singh? You and I cannot begin to measure up their worldclass standard of golf ! See good, page 8
should be as independent as possible because of journalists’ role as a watchdogs in the service of the people’s right to know and to free expression. The same goes for media as an institution of a democratic society. Thus, the only qualifications journalists are subject to are those imposed by the outfits that hire them. As a media organization, the NUJP—which Mr. Estrada proposes for membership in the PCJ—works for the safety and welfare of Filipino journalists and media workers. We have never seen it as one of our role to judge who is fit or unfit to be a journalist. We do thank Sen. Estrada for his continued concern for ensuring an independent Philippine media but we respectfully urge him to withdraw his bill, and to instead support the clamor for the enactment of more important measures such as the muchdelayed Freedom of Information Act.
P-Noy’s big challenge
EVEN his political foes and those who do not believe in him could not deny how much President Aquino had done to elevate the country’s economy but making the economic growth inclusive is his administration’s biggest challenge. It was no less than World Bank country director, Motoo Konishi, who pointed out the flaw of the unprecedented 7.8 percent growth rate posted by the country first quarter of the current year by saying that 78
A deeper view Jesse E.L. Bacon II percent of such growth is enjoyed by 41 families only. Making any growth inclusive is the biggest obstacle faced by the Aquino
administration. And this task is not easy to accomplish granting it is feasible and possible. See challenge, page 8
Plunder for P900 million Malampaya fund misuse
LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come…” (Ecclesiastes 12:1, the Holy Bible). -oooPLUNDER FOR P900 M MALAMPAYA FUND MISUSE: Justice Secretary Leila De Lima hit the nail on the head by summoning the mayors, past or present, whose names appear
Kakampi mo ang batas Atty. Batas Mauricio as having requested for, or intended to rehabilitate received, parts of the P900 towns and cities devastated million from the Malampaya by Typhoons Ondoy and gas fund which, though See Plunder, page 8
Mindanao Daily NEWS
wednesday | august 14, 2013
Editor: RUEL PELONE Email: ruel_pelone2002@yahoo.com
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PARENT – TEACHER RELATIONSHIP DOST 10 awards scholar achievers By NAZAREN A. ROMANO
Parent and teacher relationships have long been viewed as important and necessary within the field of education. Interaction and collaboration with an adult who spends at least 30 hours a week with the child is fundamental to
establishing a successful parent – teacher relationship. When the parent – teacher relationship is strong, the child will flourish. Christopher Daddis, an expert in child – parent relationships at Ohio State University, believes
children get better grades when parents participate in their education. Sara Lawrence – Lightfoot believes teachers need to develop strategies, tools, and skills for supporting productive dialogue with parents.
CAGAYAN de Oro City-The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) region 10 recognized and awarded achievers in their list of scholars in the recent National Science and Technology Week here.
Out of the 145 graduates in the Academic Year 2012 to 2013 in Northern Mindanao, 44 of them have topped and graduated cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude. These students have
courses in Chemical Engineering, Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Math, Computer Science, Mathematics, Agriculture and Information Technology. See scholar, page 6
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Mindanao Daily NEWS
wednesday | august 14, 2013
northmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper
Challenge... from page 6
The Philippines until today is basically an agricultural country. But what is inexplicable is that the Aquino administration for the last three years never exerted any serious effort at making this sector an economic growth center. If the current hullabaloo about the P10 billion pork barrel fund scam involving businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles is made as yardstick where the bulk of the scammed funds were intended for the agricultural sector, it can be safely said the uplift of this sector is not seriously taken by previous and present administrations. To recall, the P782 fertilizer fund that was scammed in 2004 during the incumbency of Gloria Arroyo was intended for fertilizer and other farm implements as support for the agricultural sector to make that sector more productive. But the fund was alleged to have ended up in the presidential campaign kitty of Arroyo. When two strong typhoons successively hit the country in 2009, P900 million of the Malampaya funds, referring to the roy-
alty paid by the Shell Oil company drilling natural gas off Palawan, were reportedly released to several towns affected by the storm supposedly upon the request of their respective mayors but ended up as part of the P10 billion scammed fund. The amount was supposedly for the rehabilitation of destroyed farmlands. But the mayors of the concerned municipalities in Luzon denied ever asking for funds in writing much more receiving calamity funds from the Department of Agrarian Reform out of the P900 million Malampaya fund. It is claimed by the mayors that their signatures were forged. What do these scammed figures and incidents tell us? They tell us that crooks in government do not look at agriculture as a vital component in accelerating economic growth in the country. As if they want to disprove the established theory that no economy will ever grow without developing first its agriculture. Many in government would like the people to believe that by simply enticing foreign direct investments into the country, voila, economic growth
HOME SCHOOLING By NAZAREN A. ROMANO
Home Schooling, the practice of teaching in the home as an alternative in attending public or private elementary or high school. In most cases, one or both of the children’s parents serve as the teachers. Like the charter School movement, home schooling usually arises from religious or other disenchantment with conventional public schools. Home schooling may also include full – time education
at home by hired tutors. During the late 20th Century, the fastest – growing approach to home schooling was generally called “unschooling”. In this system, which arose largely from educator John Holt’s books, How children Fail (1964) and How children Learn (1967) teaching responds to the child’s talents and interests rather than adhering to a conventional curriculum.
can be had already. They seem out to defy the established economic logic that agriculture is the base for any manufacturing effort, hence, their gall to allow billions of public funds intended to help boost the growth of agriculture lost to corruption. This is the basic disconnect why the economic growth posted by the country has not been inclusive. The bulk of the populace dependent on agriculture is engaged in subsistence farming that is not enough to produce raw materials for manufacturing purposes. If Aquino is bent on addressing the problem of non-inclusiveness of the country’s economic growth, he should seriously consider aligning so much of government resources to address the concerns of the agricultural sector. The government should provide farmers with their biggest need, a land to till. The farmers should be made to plant crops according to national objectives of producing raw materials that could be churned into manufactured goods by the factories. Unless such a purposeful effort is put in place, no matter how the government is bent on distributing land to the landless farmers, agriculture will remain in its current subsistence state thus not contributing significantly to the country’s economic growth. Aquino should put a stop to the practice of subjecting government allocations for agriculture to various forms of corruption. This practice only shows how low the government’s regard for agriculture is. This sector should not be taken for granted for it is in agriculture where we can have food security and the base of any manufacturing effort. Agriculture is as important as life. Without NOTICE NOTICE OF DEED OF SELF ADJUDICATION OF FOUR (4) PARCEL OF LAND AND AN OLD BUILDING OF JOSEPHINE NAYVE MARRIED TO THE LATE WILLIAM NEWTON WHO DIED ON DECEMBER 26, 1997. “A PARCEL OF LAND COVERED TCT NO. T-44590 AND TAX DECLARATION NO. G-201711 SITUATED AT CAMAMANAN, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, CONTAINING AN AREA OF EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY SEVEN (867) SQUARE METERS MORE OR LESS. “A PARCEL OF LAND COVERED TCT NO. T-41704 AND TAX DECLARATION NO. G-201712 SITUATED AT CAMAMANAN, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY., CONTAINING AN AREA OF EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY SEVEN (867) SQUARE METERS MORE OR LESS WITH A BUILDING TAX DECLARATION NO. G-201713. “A PARCEL OF LAND COVERED TCT NO. T-44741 AND TAX DECLARATION NO. G-004689 SITUATED AT MACAHAMBUS STREET, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY., CONTAINING AN AREA OF THREE HUNDRED ONE (301) SQUARE METERS MORE OR LESS. “A PARCEL OF LAND COVERED TCT NO. T-44604 AND TAX DECLARATION NO. G-066628 SITUATED AT KAUSWAGAN, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY., CONTAINING AN AREA OF THREE HUNDRED FIFTY FOUR (354) SQUARE METERS MORE OR LESS. PER DOC. NO. 143; PAGE NO. 29; BOOK NO. XM; PER NOTARIAL REGISTRY OF ATTY. CANCIO P. GUIBONE. MDN: AUG. 7, 14 & 21, 2013
agriculture no nation can ever survive. Allocations for agriculture should be treated as sacred thus reach its intended beneficiaries not in the bank accounts of unscrupulous public officials and heartless private citizens masquerading as business people but who are in reality wolves in sheep’s clothing. •• (Reactions at jelbacon@ yahoo.com or at jelbaconii@gmail.com. Read me also at www.raconteurme. blogspot.com)
Plunder... from page 6
Pepeng in 2009, were allegedly stolen by a businesswoman and her family. When the mayors appear either before the Department of Justice or the National Bureau of Investigation, their statements could already be taken, and then utilized as evidence in any criminal case that maybe filed against the businesswoman and her family, and all the government officials who may have conspired with them in pocketing the P900 million. The case that could be filed is plunder, under Republic Act 7080, which, because it is punishable with life imprisonment, is non-bailable, and would ensure the imprisonment of all those involved while the case is being tried. In particular, pocketing millions from the Malampaya gas fund constitutes “misappropriation, conversion, misuse, or malversation of public funds or raids on the public treasury” under Section 1 (d) (1) of the law. -oooDE LIMA MUST SUMMON MANY MORE: But then, if De Lima wants a wider probe, she must also summon former mayors and congressmen whose names were also included as recipients of the P750 or so million agricultural fertilizer fund from the Arroyo government in 2004. Since the DOJ and the NBI have already started investigating the misuse of billions in government funds under the former regime, they might as well cast a wider net. I am sure that these former mayors and congressmen could provide a wealth of evidence that would unlock the doors to more misuse of government funds under the Arroyo
presidency. The fact is that, there is a list of these former mayors and congressmen from the Commission on Audit (if my memory serves me right), complete with the amounts they were supposed to have received. I am aware of this list because I was given a copy, which I used to write columns naming the congressmen and mayors at that time, together with the fertilizer money that they were supposed to have received. The list scandalized many of those named therein, including then Quezon City 3rd District Rep. Maria Theresa Defensor, who was said to have received P5 million for fertilizers in “farms” in the city. Defensor is a sister of Mike, a close political ally of President Arroyo. -oooMODERATING GREED IN GOVERNMENT: When the late Sen. Raul Roco asked me to run for the Senate under his Aksiyon Demokratiko Party in 2004--his second attempt for the presidency---he gave me that list, together with other documents which could be used to jumpstart an investigation. Faced with stonewalling officials, I filed a petition with the Supreme Court to compel the Arroyo government to make available copies of those documents. That petition was dismissed by the court, but then, it was actually overtaken by other developments that led to the murder of a woman journalist from Mindanao. Now, with De Lima and the NBI pursuing the investigation of these fund scandals, the death of the woman journalist may not have been wasted after all. In fact, if De Lima plays it right, it might even make her president of this country some day. In the meantime, it is well for everyone---in government and in the private sector---to remember that it does not pay to be too greedy, especially with respect to government funds, for sooner or later, we will have to account for what we have done. According to Ecclesiastes 12:14, “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” -oooREACTIONS? Please call me at 0917 984 24 68, 0918 574 0193, 0922 833 43 96.
Republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registry Office Province of Misamis Oriental MUNICIPALITY OF CLAVERIA NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION In compliance with Section 7 of R.A. 10172, a notice is hereby served to the public that JERAH AMELANO EJEM has filed with this Office a Petition for Correction of Clerical Error in her GENDER from “MALE” to “FEMALE” in the Certificate of Live Birth of JERAH AMELANO EJEM who was born on NOVEMBER 18, 1994 at CLAVERIA, MISAMIS ORIENTAL and whose parents are RICARDO A. EJEM and LETECIA A. AMELANO. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this Office not later than AUGUST 15, 2013.
(SGD.) ANNA VICTORIA A. EVANGELISTA Municipal Civil Registrar MDN: Aug. 7 & 14, 2013
Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com, mmauriciojr111@ gmail.com.
Good... from page 6
Years ago I had to learn a new language. After three months of study and practice, I felt quite good about my progress. Compared to the tourists, I was a whiz and very fluent. But compared to the locals, I talked like a fiveyear-old little boy. In the same way, we may look at some really bad people and feel quite good about ourselves. Compared to them, we almost look like saints! But compared to God, how good do we look? Well, who doesn’t look like dirt compared to our perfect Creator! Even if we locked ourselves away from all temptation and prayed all day for the rest of our lives, we still could not come even close to being as pure and perfectly good as God is. So because we want to feel we’re still OK and good enough, we choose to compare ourselves to those really bad people. But there is only one way that God can accept you and me so we can live in a right relationship with Him. God has to give us the gift of His own perfect goodness. That’s why God the Son became a human being to pay the penalty of death for all our wrongs and sins. Not His, since he has no wrongs to die for. Jesus wants to give you His perfect goodness free, so you can be good enough to become God’s child and enjoy His life with Him—both now and in heaven after you die. But it’s up to you to ask Jesus for His free gift of forgiveness and new life. Just ask Him to forgive you for all your wrongs and living your own way. Then ask Him to take full charge of your life and start changing your character with His kind of goodness inside every day, for the rest of your life. Just Think a Minute.
Scholar... from page 7
According to Teresita Baluyos of DOST 10, to avail of the scholarship, the student applicant must be natural-born Filipino citizen; poor, talented and deserving student who belongs to a family whose socio-economic status does not exceed the set values for certain indicators; top five percent of the regular high school graduating class or member of the graduating class of a DOST-Science Education Institute (SEI) identified or Department of Education (DepEd) recognized science high school, among others. Privileges of this scholarship include tuition and other school fees, book and transportation allowance, monthly stipends as well as uniform and monthly allowance added Teresita. The DOST-SEI undergraduate scholarship program aims to develop a scientifically and technologically literate citizenry and accelerate the development of Science and Technology human resources needed for socioeconomic development. Currently, there are 373 ongoing scholars under DOST region 10. (JMOR/PIA10)
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AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18) - Your need to be of some use to the world is stronger than ever today, so get out there and volunteer or get active in local politics. You may run into someone whose views are exactly in sync with your own. PISCES (February 19 – March 20) - You’re in the middle of some important business, yet you may not feel entirely sure that you know what’s going on. Things are sure to clear up soon, so you can sign documents with confidence, if need be. ARIES (March 21 – April 19) - Things are getting harder for you, and that may result in you turning inward somewhat. Don’t fret -- you should be out of this funk in just a couple of days. You can use this time to figure stuff out!
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TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) - Your nerves are a bit frayed, but that can actually be a good thing! You may find that you are more sensitive to subtlety than usual, so pay attention and see what you’ve been missing.
CIRCLE A WORD run away
brunch brunette brunt crunch disgruntled drunk
GEMINI (May 21 – June 21) - Think things through more carefully -- you’ve got to make sure that you’re not simply going through the motions. Your mental energy is a bit scattered, but if you focus it, you can win big!
drunkard forerunner grunt gunrunner outrun overrun
prune pruning rerun running runny runt
Editor : Clifford Santillan
-MovieWatch-
Social Section
Daily HOROSCOPE
wednesday | august 14, 2013
runaway scrunch shrunk truncated truncheon trunks
The movie poster for future Razzi Award winner Scary Movie 5 is finally here. Scary Movie 5 proves that no movie is too recent to be made fun of. Even though it came out just a few months ago, the hit thriller Mama is being skewered in this spoof comedy, along with the yet-to-be-released Evil Dead remake, The Cabin in the Woods, and of course, the Paranormal Activity franchise. Our sources also say that Lindsay signed onto the film with the privilege of having final approval on jokes about her. (Who the fuck in their right mind would give that cunt that much power?) This edit in the movie may be cause for Miss Blowhard to launch a breach of contract lawsuit against the producers of Scary Movie 5.
PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS
SUDOKU How to play the game? Fill in completely every rows, columns and diagonals of each puzzle without repitition
Yesterday’s Answer
of the same digit.
CANCER (June 22 – July 22) - Certainty may be hard to come by today -- but when you know something for sure, act on it quickly! You’ve got what it takes to push through this haze toward something really solid. LEO (July 23 – August 22) - What seems like a troubling issue at first glance turns out to be little more than an ego clash. Try not to take it seriously, but do make sure that you find a way to put it to rest before evening. VIRGO (August 23 – September 22) - Your emotions are stronger than ever -- and they seem to be calling the shots! Don’t let them drag you too far down in the mud, but do see if you can get yourself back where you need to be. LIBRA (September 23 – October 22) - You’re feeling a bit stingy today -- but there’s nothing wrong with that! Sometimes you need to hang onto what is yours even if you feel selfish or otherwise uncool about it. Take it easy! SCORPIO (October 23 – November 21) - You feel reborn today -- things are just perfect for you, even if it may feel that this has been too long in coming. Try to just kick back and enjoy the new energy without expectations.
CROSSWORD puzzle across 1. Very 3. LRT stops 10. Hole in one 12. Past 13. Container 14. Cracker dish 16. Reject 17. Unpaid 18. Marshland 19. Library item 21. Type of fruit flakes 22. Atlanta’s state: abbr. 24. Uncooked 25. Mongrel 26. Useful set 27. Either’s partner 28. Total 29. Harvard’s competitor 30. Take 31. Auto 32. Whitish
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – December 21) - Your unconscious mind rears up and takes action again -- but this time shouldn’t be embarrassing! It might get weird, but you should come out ahead when all is said and done. Trust your gut. CAPRICORN (December 22 – January 19) - Your greatest hopes are out in the open today -- it’s hard to keep a secret! That’s okay though, because your energy is simply better spent on making your ambitions a reality. You can do it!
Amazing Facts! Did you KNOW?? .. The earliest fossil cockroach is about 280 million years old – 80 million years older than the first dinosaurs!
34. Whimper 37. Utilize 38. Bogotajs country: abbr. 39. Land measure 40. Outbursts 41. Commercial DOWN 1. Body pouch 2. Mr. Orbos 4. Recording medium 5. Ripen 6. Enroute for 7. Unwrap 8. Negative prefix 9. Pen 11. Give 15. Sea bird 16. Moisture 18. Distant 19. Male title: abbr. 20. Paddle
21. Buzzing sound 22. Rosemarie of film 23. Consumed 25. Slice 26. Fate 28. Church district 29. Gabi in English 30. Campbell or Capacio 31. Tranquil 32. Place 33. Film speed letters 34. Pronoun 35. Stage 36. Carmine 38. Chromium’s symbol Yesterday’s Answer
SUPERTRES II UNLEASHED: THE WINNING GUIDE LET’S PLAY LOTTO. SUPPORT PHILIPPINE CHARITY SWEEPSTAKES OFFICE! A N A LY S I S Mga Higala, gI-EXTEND nato ang atong mga numero kay nagpabilin nga 5 ug 0 maoy atong pasakay para karong adlawa. Posible pud ang 4-5 ug 4-0 nga pairing karong adlawa. Ang 043 ug 460 nga naa sa atong Angle Guide maayo nga bantayan. Ang pairing nga gikan sa 1, 0, 7, ug 8 maayo nga duigangan sa bisan hain sa 4 ug 5 o ba kaha ang 45 dugangan og usa gikan sa 0, 7, 1 ug 8. Supertres team
ANGLE GUIDE
9 5 2 8 5
8 0 3 1 6
7 6 4 7 0
2 9 5 8 1
3 0 6 9 2
PREVIOUS RESULTS
11PM 253 301 688 950 227 915
4PM 245 272 035 603 784 285
9PM 108 221 585 884 187 361
eXTENDED
048-075 058-067 049-068 059-087 079-098 T O D AY ’ S P A I R
15-25-58 01-20-80
ta k e - 1 • ta k e - 2
5-0
syn guide ( T o d a y )
1-0
3-8 2-5
ANGLE GUIDE
4-7
SYN WATCH
25
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Today’s probables
25 + 01 • 47 + 38
Mindanao Daily 11 NEWS
wednesday | august 14, 2013
northmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper
Rights... from page 1
Minority Floor Leader Teodulo Lao, announced that he was severing ties with Moreno and the Liberal Party, after Vice Mayor Ian Acenas exposed the alleged “tampering” of the appointments of “all officials and employees” under the city’s legislative department. City Councilor Zaldy Ocon was furious over Acenas disclosure and announced his severing with Moreno and the Liberal Party, too. City Councilor Eric Salcedo of Gusa reportedly joined Lao and Ocon while Roger Abaday and Candy Darimbang tried to pacify the enraged party mates. Abaday and Darimbang asked for an impartial investigation of the Acenas expose. Acenas, Chairman of the City Council, had to relinquish his seat to Majority Floor Leader Ramon Tabor during the regular session on Monday to deliver a “special report” regarding the scandalous tampering of the appointments that he had approved for employees of the city ‘s legislative department. Acenas made an emotional special report about the alleged tampering of status of appointments of legislative workers he has approved to take effect from July 1, 2013 to December 31,2013 which clearly violated the powers of the legislative council. The city’s human resource department allegedly returned the approved appointment papers to the City Vice Mayor with the erasure of the status of the appointment which became effective only from July 1 to 31, 2013. Acenas said that the despicable act of tampering the duly approved appointment of legislative personnel has mocked and put the legislative department to shame in the highest degree. “The disrespect to the legislative body is unpardonable,” Acenas blurted. Acenas promised to file administrative and criminal charges against the suspects in the tampering of the appointment papers. Article 90 of the Local Government Code said that the city vice mayor has “the power to appoint all officials and employees under the Sanggunian Panglungsod (City Council), the legislative department of the city government.” City Councilors Zaldy Ocon and Eric Salcedo reportedly joined Lao and announced their departure from the administration’s Liberal Party headed by Moreno. City Councilor Candy Darimbang who insinuated her “independence” and Roger Abaday might join the bandwagon of Lao, Ocon, and Salcedo in due time, observers at the City Council told the MINDANAO DAILY NEWS.
The city councillors were flabbergasted of the expose since they have accused Acenas of political partiality when the appointment of their staff was only effective from July 1 to 31, 2013 instead of from July 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013. The city councillors also urged the City Council to file charges against those suspected of tampering the appointment papers. City Mayor Oscar Moreno, chair of the LP in Cagayan de Oro City, reportedly authorized the changing of the status of appointments. However, Moreno reportedly denied knowing of the “tampering” of the appointment papers allegedly by some workers in the city’s human resource department. The MINDANAO DAILY NEWS on Tuesday contacted Acenas and Moreno’s staff by phone to shed light of the alleged controversy but they did not answer.
Group... from page 1
Frederik Kok, IDMC senior country analyst, said in an email to MindaNews that in this year’s occasion, his organization gave special attention to the plights of the Lumads in Mindanao. The report is the highlight in the IDMC’s website (internal-displacement.org) as of this writing, occupying the topmost spot. The group noted that many of the NPA fighters are Lumads recruited in their communities in the mountains. “As a result the military tend to perceive and suspect Lumads of predominantly being NPA insurgents or supporters. As part of its counterinsurgency strategy the Army is also encouraging Lumad communities to form or join civil defence militias or paramilitary groups to help fight the NPA,” the report added. “There are reports of violations of a number of human rights and of international humanitarian law (IHL). These include indiscriminate bombardments, the use of schools as barracks and command centres, harassment, threats, forced labour, restricted freedom of movement and extra-judicial killings that are contributing to a climate of fear and insecurity and leading to displacements,” the report’s executive summary noted. The IDMC noted that when the Lumads are displaced, their fields become neglected, leading to crop losses and failures. “Their homes are looted or destroyed during the fighting or immediate aftermath, and on returning, they are forced to rebuild from scratch. This cycle of violence and displacement is eroding their asset base and driving them deeper into poverty,” it added. The group noted that while government agencies attend to displaced
Lumads, “assistance tends to be short-term and often inadequate.” Among the IDMC’s recommendations is for the government and the communist rebels to resume formal peace talks and thus spare the Lumads from the effects of war. It likewise advised the military to regulate its entry to Lumad communities, and refrain from setting up camps within the communities or using schools as barracks or command centers.
Drones... from page 1
a request. “Yung airport na yan, gusto nilang lagyan [ng drone]. Ako hindi. Ana ko, wag kayong maglagay dyan kasi puputok ito at puputok ang Davao kung andyan kayo. (They wanted to place drones at the old airport. I refused. I said, don’t put it there because when that thing blows up, Davao will also blow up),” Duterte said. He added that allowing the presence of US facilities would make Davao a target of attacks. The mayor did not say when these negotiations started. Back in 2002 the US launched a campaign against alleged Al Qaeda networks in Southeast Asia and launched US-PH Balikatan Exercises mostly in Muslim areas in Mindanao. In 2003, the twin bombings of the Davao International Airport and Sasa wharf killed a total of 30 people and injured 202 others. Mosques were also bombed. Duterte refused entry of US troops amidst these incidents. He criticized US meddling such as what happened with US agent Michael Terrence Meiring who was injured after a bomb he carried exploded at the city’s Evergreen Hotel; he was later ferried off by US FBI agents from the hospital. The mayor said requests from the US kept coming even at the time when his daughter Sara was mayor from 2010 to 2013. He said Sara Duterte also refused their request. “Kasi ayaw ko ng gulo, ayaw ko lalaki pa ang gulo. Gusto ko sa Davao, tayo lang, kung may problema tayo, tayo lang. Let’s try to solve it. ‘Wag nating guluhin ang Davao (I don’t want trouble, I don’t want more troubles. I want that in Davao, if we have problems, we handle it, let’s try to solve it. Let us not make more trouble in Davao),” Duterte said. Duterte criticized how the US has been pressuring the government to support its campaign against terror. “Hindi naman tayo nakikipagaway, pinapadala tayo ng mga tropa sa labas. Ayaw naman natin pero pinipilit tayo kasi may utang tayo na malaki dun sa malalaking bansa at pag hindi mo gawin yan, hindi ka makisama, hindi ka magkontribute ng tropa, bayaran mo ang utang. Wala naman tayong pambayad. Ngayon may gulo, wala naman tayong kaaway. Ang kumuha nito CIA, ang nagbayad nito CIA.” (“We don’t want to fight, but they want us to send troops. We refuse but we are forced to accept because we have huge debts to big countries; and if you don’t cooperate, if you don’t contribute your troops, you have to pay your debts. We don’t have money to pay. Now there’s trouble, even if we don’t have enemies. It’s the CIA who hired them, it’s the CIA who’s paying for this.”) Sheena Duazo, spokesperson of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Southern Mindanao lauded the mayor’s stance. “We commend and firmly support the decision of the mayor not to allow
drone operations in the city.” Duazo said “the use of unmanned aerial vehicles/drone is a clear violation of our national sovereignty.” “The problem with US drones is that they can be used for surveillance and they can be used for actual combat operations. This is due to the proposed access agreement which will allow US troops to be present all over the country including Davao City,” she added. In related news, Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Luzviminda Ilagan warned that the US is pushing for stronger presence in the Asia Pacific following its global terror alert. “The United States global terror alert appears to be setting the stage for further US military deployment and intervention in the Philippines and Asia Pacific,” the Davao-born legislator said. “We find it suspicious that the terror alert comes amid global condemnation of massive spy drone deployment and attacks that have killed tens of thousands in Pakistan, Yemen and Afghanistan, including civilians and children,” Ilagan added. Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Neri Colmenares also criticized the Aquino government for using its territorial dispute with China to justify more US troops presence in the country as it violates the Constitution and adds more tension in the region. (Earl O. Condeza/davaotoday. com)
Probe... from page 1
as machines, vehicles and construction materials are not supposed to be loaded on the passenger boats based on the certificate on public conveyance issued by MARINA. He said the boulevard is not under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Port Authority but by the city government. “As far as safety of lives and properties at the seas is concerned, we should look at it seriously,” the councilor said. He said he was surprised why unlicensed boats are allowed to take in passengers at the boulevard. Zenmond D. Duque, station commander of the Philippine Coast Guard in this city, denied that his office and his men are taking bribes. But he admitted that there are some boats plying the route without license, but these are operating mostly at night. “I call on the public to help us find these unlicensed or undocumented boats,” Duque said, at the same time urging passengers to avoid those boats.
Smugglers... from page 1
also hinders the economy’s growth. “The business sector considers smuggling as a major concern because it weakens the domestic market for manufacturers and for importers who pay duties and taxes,” he said. “Experts said that for as long as smuggling provides better profits than manufacturing, the economy will be one of traders and smugglers rather than manufacturers.” Entitled “Anti-Smuggling Act of 2013,” the bill seeks to address the smuggling problem in the country by amending pertinent provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1464 or the Tariff and Customs Code.
First and foremost, the measure aims to make smuggling a much more serious offense by imposing a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if the amount of goods smuggled into the country exceeds P1 million, plus a fine in an amount equal to the appraised value plus fifty percent thereof. It also provides for graduated penalties to be imposed depending on the value of the goods illegally imported. Furthermore, the bill empowers the Commission on Audit (COA) to ensure transparency and accountability in the BOC by conducting a post-entry audit on the operational processes, collection and financial reporting, fiscal and personnel performance, system efficiency, internal control, information and communication flow, and fraudulent and illegal practices upon the recommendation of the Bureau or petition duly made by the local industry. The COA, in the conduct of its audit and investigations, is also given the authority to issue subpoenas duces tecum and ad testificandum or require the production of documents and require Bureau personnel to respond to its inquiries. The bill also increases the penalties for statutory offenses of government officials and employees by increasing the fine to a maximum of P1 Million, imprisonment to a maximum of 12 years and forfeiture of separation and retirement benefits. On the other hand, the measure also provides rewards and incentives to be given to BOC lawyers who actively prosecuted a smuggling case that resulted in the recovery of revenue, surcharges, and fees, or imposition of fine or penalty or offer of compromise by the offender, or conviction of the offender. “This piece of legislation also updated the list of acts that constitute smuggling and expanded the definition of technical smuggling to include other acts not otherwise defined and punished under present laws,” Recto said. Under the bill, the following acts are deemed as smuggling punishable under Sections 3601 and 3602 of the Tariff and Customs Code: - Breaking of customs seals or unauthorized removal of articles from bonded warehouses; - Submission of incorrect or false information by the bonded warehouse; - Warehousing of the following shipments: 1. Finished articles, except in the textile and garments industries and semi-conductor and electronics industries. - finished articles, as used in this section, shall refer to scientifically or technologically processed articles in final state such that no other product can be manufactured therefrom unless its principal character is first destroyed. 2. Articles not declared in the import entries or in excess of the volume and quantity allowed under the license of the customs bonded warehouse. 3. Prohibited articles and regulated articles without the corresponding clearance and/ or import authority duly issued by a competent authority. - Unauthorized transfers from the customs zone of warehousing articles imported by the bonded warehouse; - Unauthorized withdrawal from a bonded warehouse without payment of duties and taxes; - Except for the garments and the shipbuilding industries, failure to liquidate imported articles withdrawn from the bonded warehouse within six (6) months, extendible for another three (3) months, from issuance by the bureau of the certificate of loading in a vessel destined to a foreign port;” and - Failure to pay duties and taxes on the remaining (not exported) imported materials within thirty (30) days from lapse of the period for re-exportation.
Biblical reflection
Bro. Edcel L. Closas
Strong in spirit Special Gospel of the day: Luke1:57-66,80(August13, 2013-Tuesday)Luke1:5766-Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, Not [so]; but he shall be called John. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue [loosed], and he spake, and praised God. And all they that heard [them] laid [them] up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. Luke 1:80-And the child grew, and waxed “strong in spirit,” and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel:In our gospel for today, we can see that St. Elizabeth delivered John the Baptist after 9 months. In Wisdom7:12-a child can live only 9 months in a woman’s womb. This scenario is reminding us, that all of us soon, will be delivered to our different destinations, “Heaven, Purgatory and Hell.” Take note, “John was born for a reason” and this is our lives here on earth that all of us have “individual purpose” in our existence.” In Ephesians 2:10-For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Are you doing good? Remember that, “Serving God is the fulfillment of our existence.” SPONSORED:Neneth Bobong Balino- Dr. Edith, PhD- Tony Jordan - CDO. St. Peter Calungsod, pray for us! Listen: Radio Ultra AM-1188-3:00 PM Sunday: #0928414949009266607505: Question – Prayer request