January 18, 2007

MEJORADA DENOUNCES FLYING VOTERS IN DIPOLOG

The supporters of GMA’s party KAMPI or Kabalikat sa Mamamayang Pilipino recently expressed doubts as to the truth of the COMELEC Dipolog’s record of new registrants for December 2006.

City Councilor Ricky Mejorada, one of the legal counsels of Kampi, Dipolog Chapter, disclosed that COMELEC has registered more than a thousand new voters for December 2006. This month, Councilor Mejorada disclosed, another 400 new voters believed to be from other municipalities were also registered in the city.

The city councilor pointed out that COMELEC Dipolog has not given the different political parties enough time to verify the new list of voters in order to find out if the said registration has strictly followed what have been stipulated by law. KAMPI, Councilor Mejorada warned, would file a case against COMELEC if it would confirm the registration of the new voters who were reportedly flying voters.

On the other hand, KAMPI’s Provincial Chairman Gov. Rolando Yebes recalled how COMELEC Dipolog refused to register voters whom it believed to be his supporters. He disclosed how the election officer told his supporters to be back this January for registration when he knew that the deadline was December 31, 2006.

Obviously, the provincial governor pointed out, this is an election strategy to discredit the person the election officer does not support. The legal counsels of KAMPI are now preparing legal action against the election officer if the questionable registration of new voters is confirmed. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIXNo. 15)

Credits: Press Freedom is published every Saturday and entered as 3^rd class mail matter in Dipolog City. Printed by Young Printing Press with Editorial Office located at Upper Turno, Dipolog City. Tel. No. (065) 212-4343 or 212-6665

 Internet News: Comelec exec relieved, charged for ‘anti-PI’ stand

A ranking official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has cried foul over his removal from his post and the charges filed against him during the verification of the failed signature drive for the so-called people’s initiative (PI).

“These charges of insubordination and my reassignment are contrary to law; there’s neither legal or factual basis for my transfer,” Comelec-National Capital Region Director Ferdinand Rafanan, said in his motion for reconsideration on the resolution issued by Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. detailing him to other office of the commission. Rafanan’s camp said his enemies plotted his “constructive dismissal” because he is considered an obstacle to their plans regarding the people’s initiative which was sponsored by the government.

Rafanan was placed on a floating status since Dec. 7, 2006 and his motion for reconsideration remains pending before the Comelec en banc. Rafanan noted that “no lawful and reasonable instruction of the Comelec en banc was ever issued regarding the verification of signatures on the people’s initiative.” In March last year, Comelec law department Director Alioden Dalaig said regional directors may order local election officials to go ahead with the verification of the signatures for the initiative gathered by the Sigaw ng Bayan and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines.

On Jan. 2, the commission en banc approved the guidelines for the conduct of a people’s initiative after the Supreme Court ruled that there is a law to back it up. Two days later, Rafanan, however, issued a memorandum to Metro Manila election officers that verification was still not allowed because the high court ruled in 1997 that Republic Act (RA) 6735, or the Initiative and Referendum Act of 1989, was insufficient. He reminded that the verification was indeed allowed by Comelec Resolution No. 2300, but it was also declared null and void by the SCalong with RA 6735. With his memorandum, the verification of signatures in Metro Manila was delayed.

Abalos then scolded Rafanan for issuing the memorandum, saying he should not have raised legal issues because only the law department could do so. The poll chairman said there was no need to issue a resolution to set guidelines in the verification because it was one of the routine activities inherent in the administrative functions of the commission similar to recall exercises. Rafanan, however, argued that he was only quoting the high court ruling and asked for a copy of the en banc resolution allegedly adopting the Comelec law department’s opinion as a Comelec policy or a written order from his superiors, that he supposedly disobeyed. Last Jan. 2, Comelec revised Resolution 2300 and implemented new rules regarding the initiative.

Comelec spokesman James Arthur Jimenez denied that Rafanan’s relief had something to do with his position on the initiative, which was supported by the Arroyo administration. “The election officers have filed a complaint against him. They’re asking that he be released. I think it’s because of attitudinal problems,” he told an interview. (The New Nandau, Vol. XVI No.28)

29 campus writers here make good in regional press confab

Twenty nine students from public and private high schools in Zamboanga del Norte and the two cities of Dipolog and Dapitan made good in the recently held Regional Schools Press Conference of the Department of Education for Region 9, held at Dapitan City.

These local campus writers will represent the region together with the other qualifiers from the other provincial and city divisions in Region 9 in the coming National Schools Press Conference slated sometime in February at Baguio City. Of these, 11 are from the Dipolog City Division, five from Dapitan Division and 13 from the provincial schools division of Zamboanga del Norte, in both English and Filipino categories.

From Dipolog are Feelmore Cadavedo of ZNNHS as 7th in newswriting, Juan Carlo Sayo of SVC as 3rd in editorial writing, Rianne Marie Miranda of ZNNHS as 2nd in feature writing, Kathea Lou Zamoras of ZNNHS as 1st in copyreading and headline writing and Ray Wrexell Olvis of SVC as 7th in photo journalism, all in the English category; and Dwight Daguman of SVC as 6th in sports news writing, Joan Garcia of Galas NHS as 7th in sports writing, Genelou Bubosilla of SVC as 3rd in  editorial writing, Phoebe Lynne Antonio of ZNNHS as 6th in editorial cartoon, Jose Louie Mark Ano of ZNNHS as 6th in copyreading and headline writing and Jean Rose Nericua of Sicayab NHS as 7th in copyreading and headline writing, all in the Filipino category.

From Dapitan are Darl Christine Joy Dagpin of Aseniero NHS as 6th in sports, English category; and Junny Organiza of Sulangon NHS as 1st in sports, Roda Mae Baldomar of Ilaya NHS as 2nd in sports, Norma Tagupan of Ilaya NHS as 2nd in editorial and Lovely Cenas of Potungan NHS as 2nd in feature, all in Filipinocategory. From Zamboanga del Norte Division are Rosevilla Abne of Gutalac NHS as 4th in newswriting, Dennis Evangelista of Gutalac NHS as 3rd in sports, Jenefer Gemodo of Bartolome Luis NHS as 4th in sports, Rosevilla Abne again of Gutalac NHS as 4th in feature, Elemarie Patagoc of Salug NHS as 2nd in copyreading and headline writing and Emjay Kim Tutong of SNAS Sindangan as 7th in editorial, all in English category; and

Reynold Nini of Colegio de San Francisco Javier of Rizal as 3rd in sports, Jayne Torayno of Sindangan NHS as 6th in photo journalism, Melody Sandana of Kipit Agro-Fishery of Labason as 7th in editorial cartoon, Fatima Hadji of Salug NHS as 2nd in news writing, Geron Marticio of Siocon NHS as 4th in news writing, Geron Marticio again of Siocon NHS as 4th in feature and Bridget Lumanta of Colegio de San Francisco Javier of Rizal as 5th in copyreading and headline writing, all in Filipino category. (Dipolog Chronicle, Vol.VI No.29)

 Mayor Uy wins church’s nod

The 40,000 members of the Zamboanga del Norte Evangelical and Pentecostal Church (ZNEPC) recently declared their support for Dipolog City Mayor Roberto Uy who is reportedly running for governor opposite Gov. Rolando Yebes.

City Councilor Roberto Pinsoy disclosed that it is the vision of ZNEPC in which he is a member to come up with a provincial leadership characterized with good governance. The backing of this religious group, the councilor stressed, stemmed from the mayor’s strong campaign for better governance. Aside from his religious group, councilor Pinsoy believed that the Catholic Church also had plans to back up the candidacy of Mayro Uy for governor.

He believed the recent action of Bishop Manguiran of inviting Mayor Uy’s group to his residence is a gesture of political support.  Together with Mayor Uy were Rosendo Labdlabad running for congress in the second district; Supt. Prospero Noble Jr. reportedly running for congress in the third district and former governor Isagani Amatong. However, Bishop Manguiran’s group did not yet openly declare the candidate they would support. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIXNo. 15)

PGMA to push for the establishment of a truly compassionate ASEAN

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to make a strong push for the establishment of a truly compassionate ASEAN in line with the theme, “One Caring, One Sharing Community,” which she herself chose for the 12th ASEAN Summit that formally starts in Cebu City Saturday, Jan. 13.

The President, chairman of the Cebu Summits, will arrive here before noon Friday to begin a hectic schedule that will keep her “very busy” until Jan. 15, a presidential aide said. At the Summit, the President will push for greater cooperation and networking among the 10 member states to achieve ASEAN’s goal of building a stronger and borderless regional community.

The President has underscored the need to push for greater trade and security among the ASEAN countries to eradicate poverty in the region. “The Philippines hosts the ASEAN Summit at a time that the whole region is taking stock of the present and planning ahead for the future,” the President said in a statement Wednesday.

“Great stakes are involved in the continuing integration of the entire East Asia, which is driven by strong centripetal forces to close ranks for a safer and more secure community, more open and equitable trade, cooperation in all fronts of energy development, and the prosperity of it diverse people,” she added. This year’s summit theme was chosen by the President among the three pillars of ASEAN—ASEAN Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

She said the meetings among the ASEAN leaders and their dialogue partners from Australia, China, Japan, India, South Korea and New Zealand will be another “golden opportunity” to discuss plans and strategies to develop new directions in intra-regional cooperation, including fighting poverty and promoting sciences and technology. “We stand at a threshold of great challenges and opportunities, and timely decisions will enable ASEAN and East Asia to seize the moment and the momentum to achieve broader human security, peace and prosperity at the grassroots of every village and community,” the President said.

Shortly after her arrival here Friday, the President will attend the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa at 2 p.m. The BIMP-EAGA meeting is expected to discuss means to accelerate economic development in the region’s growth area through increased investments, the development of human resources, effective use of natural resources and strengthening security measures.

Later in the afternoon, the President will meet with former President Fidel V. Ramos, the Philippine representative to the Eminent Persons Group (EPG), before she proceeds to the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) for the unveiling of the center’s commemorative marker.

At the CICC, the President will welcome the heads of state of the nine other ASEAN member countries and their dialogue partners to be followed by informal meetings among the visiting leaders. The Chief Executive is also expected to meet with Timor Leste Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta on Friday night on the accession of the former Portuguese colony to ASEAN, the first step before becoming the youngest member of the grouping.

Timor Leste is scheduled to sign the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation on the sidelines of the 12th ASEAN Summit. (PIA-ZN)

Cebu, RP and region’s progress, security to be enhanced by Cebu summits

With concrete benefits already in the pipeline for Cebu and the Philippines as a result of the international attention and interest generated by Cebu’s hosting of the 12th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo expressed confidence that even more tourists and investors will go to Cebu after the summit meetings.

Romulo said the hosting of the ASEAN Summit Meetings underscored “the strengths of key Philippine industries and generated keen interest in the application of Filipino ingenuity, creativity and skills, particularly in the information and communications technology sector.” “I have been told that as a result of the activities and attention given to Cebu because of the Summit, two Indian businessmen have already decided to invest in Cebu,” Romulo said.

Cebu, with its educated and highly trainable manpower pool, has gained recognition as a busi-ness process outsourcing (BPO) center outside of Metro Manila. “This presents a valuable opportunity to further highlight Cebu and the Philippines’ traditional and emerging strengths, in particular BPO, tourism, health care and diagnosis, furniture design and animation,” Romulo pointed out. Romulo explained the interest is due in large part, not only to the attention brought in by the summit, but also by the confidence of foreign investors in Philippine abilities and skills and the efforts of the private and public sectors in the region to improve continuously.

The Philippines’ ICT industry continues to carve a niche in the global industry with its highly-trained professionals and is touted as second only to India in BPO performance. Cebu, on the other hand, leads the Philippines in sustained tourism industry development and contemporary furniture design. Hotel and hospitality industry officials here noted the strong performance and high occupancy rates at the beginning of the year, with the ASEAN Summit and related meetings held in advance of the traditional Sinulog festival.

Romulo said that Cebu’s MICE sector (Meeting, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibits) would also greatly benefit from the international attention generated by Cebu’s hosting of the summit meetings. Romulo said that key Philippine officials have already received assurances of other investments, particularly in Cebu. “I have been told by several knowledgeable people, including Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Francisco Benedicto, that solid contacts have been established and firm expressions of interest were received by Cebuano business leaders,” the Secretary said. Benedicto is a former ambassador and a noted business and industry pillar based in Cebu.

“It is opportune that the ASEAN Summit is now held in January when it promises to kick off a year of robust interest and growth in Cebu and the Philippines,” Romulo said, adding “we are confident that with our hosting of the ASEAN Summit meetings, we will reap the windfall of the sustained interest in Cebu and the Philippines.” (PIA-ZN)

Nasayod ka ba? (Do You Know?)

The unorthodox style of Bertos’s bid for Governor against the popular incumbent in the May elections has put in focus the might of his vaunted weapon in winning all his political battles, money, the art and mechanism of vote-buying, even as he keeps everyone guessing how much is his budget? Reports have indicated the family of Berto’s wife Evelyn, herself a candidate for Dipolog City Mayor, as being more affluent than Isaias Uy. Be that as it may, the folks of Evelyn in Camarines Norte are too elated and overwhelmed by the thought of their daughter elected City mayor of Dipolog with the son-in-law as chief executive of Zamboanga del Norte, a province much larger than their native Camarines Norte.

And so the story goes, it was the Tang family that provided the breakthrough in Berto’s decision to go all the way, against all odds and come what may after being assured by his in laws, the Bicol express will take care of the rest, do what is necessary to win and finish off the election with unlimited resources. But amids fantastic tales of abundance, wealth and surplus resources abounding Berto and Evelyn’s families, tidbits of validated information have started to surface that dirty money, lots and loads of them make the bigger bulk of Berto’s budget but never the less generated by shadowy characters within his family who were mentioned in the national dailies to be involved in illegal gambling and related activities.

An older brother of Evelyn is Alex Tang. His name gained notoriety in the illegal game of Jueting during the impeachment trial of Erap. He was tagged as the go between of big time financiers in the distribution of payola to Police officials and politicians in the Bicol region as well as the collector in the art of Jueting star witness Chavit Singson. Not to be outdone of prominence in the illegal trade activities is Mayor Berto Uy’s own balae, the popular character in the Jai-Alai Sports camp pseudo games, Vicvic Yu, who’s daughter is married to the son of Berto. Vicvic Yu has been a long time associate of Atong Ang and again during the impeachment trial of Erap, an Indian national who claimed to have been once associated with them, squilled on them and exposed their illegal activities.

Dili malayo sa tinuod, lobby money from Jueting apil sa budget ni Berto sa katuyoan nga inig daog niya, mag operate sila dinhi, whether this is accurate or not, apan dili malalis ang naglibot niya. (Mindanao Star, Vol.II No.52)

Credits: Mindanao Star is published once a week and is circulated to the 25 Municipalities and 2 Cities of the province of Zamboanga del Norte. Mindanao Star can be reached through the following contact info: #096 C.M. Montaño Building, Gen. Luna Street, Dipolog City; Phone/Fax No. (065) 212-6460

28 brgy capt. pledge support for KAMPI

Of the 31 barangay captains of Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte, 28 formally pledged their support of PGMA’s party KAMPI, Kabalikat sa Mamamayang Pilipino recently.

The 28 barangay captains together with their barangay kagawads took their oath before Gov. Lando Yebes, KAMPI Provincial Chairman BM Cedric Adriatico and Atty. Ricky Mejorada. Roxas councilor Nick Carbonel disclosed that the three who did not show support of the administration party included Socrates “Emong” Feras, president of League of Barangays, Walter Azcuna of Langatian and Charles Magsayo of Galukso.

Those who took their oath included; Alejandra Noot (Balubo); Dhalia Calimot (Banbanan); Vilerma Generoso (Canibongan); Joel Calubag (Capase); Florentina Manuales (Dohinob) and Perpetua Montemayor (Cape). Others were: Crispino Baidiango (Gubat); Josechu Aseniero (Lower Irasan); Gina Verzano (Upper Irasan); Simplicio Oberos Jr. (Labakid); Ignacio Ondin (Lipakan); Jose Kilop (Marupay); Uldarico Lugo (Minang); Amando Manta (Moliton); and Gilberto Lagutin (Nabilid).

Marcos Balawag (Panampalay); Melodencio Maguinsay (Pangulogon); Librada Magcanta (Piao); Domingo Vallecer (Piñalan); Helena Vallecer (Piñamar); Epifancio Ricaberte (Pongolan); Joel Villaester (Salisig); Leopoldo Latian Sr. (Sebod); Mardoni Tagad, Sr. (Sibatog); Hipolito Bularon (Situbo); Rosalino Antiquina (Tanayan); Joel Santiago (Tantingon); and Esperato Quintero (Villahermoso). (Press Freedom, Vol. XIXNo. 15)

City Hall comes to Kalawit

The health care assistance program of Dipolog City mayor Roberto Uy has finally reached one of the farthest municipalities of Zamboanga del Norte.

Ronilo Pacilan of CDAU disclosed that City Hall had recently distributed free medicines to the people of Kalawit. “I’m happy that the city mayor went beyond his boundaries and helped the indigents of the province,” Pacilan said.

However, he disclosed, he was sad because this manifested the mayor’s initial work that would pave the way for his running for governor. Pacilan observed that the city mayor had followed Gov. Rolando Yebes’s footsteps when the latter organized the Community Development Assistance Unit (CDAU) and Barangay Indigent Beneficiaries Organization (LANDO BIBO).

The CDAU chief recalled how the city mayor threatened some leaders of the BIBO; in fact, ousted some of them from work when they joined the governor’s assistance program. But recently, Pacilan observed, the city has a van going around the barangays to pick up indigent patients for hospitalization.

“Just like Lando BIBO”, Pacilan observed, Lando BIBO and CDAU are legitimate programs of Gov. Yebes which started in 2005 yet, Pacilan pointed out. “They are not organized recently as a front for anyone’s candidacy,” he added. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIXNo. 15)

DIPOLOG BIZMEN DISMAYED OVER TEAM DAVID

While Team DAVID (Development Against Vices in Dipolog) was organized to support the Dipolog PNP against crimes and during emergency cases and calamity, some concerned businessmen were worried about the role it has recently played.

They pointed out that Team DAVID has not been working for the welfare of the Dipolognons. Instead, they criticized, the members have become the security personnel of City Mayor Roberto Y. Uy,. And they have been constantly seen in his residence rather than with his constituents, they added. It could be remembered that after Lovely Bazaar had been robbed of cash and dollars, the businessmen here became fidgety and so they came up with a Statement of Concern addressed to the city mayor.

Acting on the said letter, Mayor Uy worked for the ouster of the PNP chief and welcomed Supt. Romeo Macapaz to the city.  Moreover, he approved the organization of Team DAVID. However, it turned out that the group worked for the mayor’s interest only as its members became personal escorts of Mayor Uy and his family.

“It has become a private army,” one businessman commented. The more worried they have become when they knew that 14 Bushmaster Armalite rifles were taken from the PNP’s possession to be used by Team DAVID. “They were purchased in order to combat terrorism and crimes in the city, but look…,” another businessman observed. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIXNo. 15)

Hearing the homily of the priest last Sunday made my psyche reflect the value of the three wise men who paid visit to the newly-born child in the manger. As narrated by the priest to the parishioners, he pronounced that there were not just three wise men but originally there were four of them who scheduled themseles to visit Christ. It was kind of fateful and providential to the fourth man, albeit he was not able to join the three wise men in their visit to the newly-born child yet he was able to help the sick man he had seen while he was on his way. The priest enunciated that the fourth man carried silver and pearls with him ready to offer to the holy infant however the stuff was not delivered because of his concern to the sick man.

Accordingly he brought the man to the nearest physician and gave his supposed offering to the physician as payment for the services rendered. Though the latter did not join the three but he was able to show his altruistic deed to the sick man. The story of the fourth man touches my innermost thoughts and feelings. An ordinary fate turned to a very positive kismet seemingly because of the idea of assisting the neediest one. Helping people is truly an excellent feat!

Linking the story to our community, it is without doubt that the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Norte is heeding this kind of endeavor. During the assumption of Atty. Rolando Yebes as the Provincial Governor of the Province of Zamboanga del Norte, he had formulated a one-of-a-kind pro-poor program. The creation of LANDO-BIBO or the Barangay Indigent Beneficiary Organization made the three year term of the Governor stunning and stood out with flying colors. An incredible feat of giving medical supplies, ample medical assistance to the Lando-Bibo beneficiaries, livelihood programs and other pro-poor services that continuously offered to the poor people in the hinterlands.

With these, truly the Governor is playing the role of the fourth wise man showing selfless concern to his fellow Zanorteans, giving help without asking for a return. (Mindanao Star, Vol.II No.52)

Credits: Mindanao Star is published once a week and is circulated to the 25 Municipalities and 2 Cities of the province of Zamboanga del Norte. Mindanao Star can be reached through the following contact info: #096 C.M. Montaño Building, Gen. Luna Street, Dipolog City; Phone/Fax No. (065) 212-6460; Email: mindanaostar@zamboangadelnorte.com

Final screening Jan. 27
Dipolog lass finalist in nationwide search for outstanding studes 2006

Priscilla Gail U. Aquino, a talented Grade Six pupil of DIPOLOG COMMUNITY SCHOOL reaped laurels for having been chosen one of the top 20 finalists in a nationwide search for the “Ten Outstanding Filipino-Chinese Students of the Year 2006.”

In a communication recieved here from AH-SHIN Educational Foundation, the sponsoring agency of the search, Priscilla will undergo the final screening set in Manila on January 27. She will be joining finalist coming from the National Capital Region for the final phase of selection. The criteria in selecting the best students include potentially excellent in essay-writing, consistency in scholastic standing, involvement in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and commendability of moral standards.

Priscilla is the daughter of proud parents Peter Aquino and Dra. Germaine Uy-Aquino. (Dipolog Chronicle, Vol.VI No.29)

GUTALAC VICE MAYOR SUSPENDED

Councilor Mejorada: punished?

City Councilor Ricky Mejorada recently declared his candidacy for board member in the second congressional district under Kabalikat sa Mamayang Pilipino (KAMPI), an administration party. However, such disclosure gave him the sting when City Mayor Roberto Uy withdrew 11 members of his staff this January leaving him with only two.

As member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, he stressed, he was privileged to have seven staff members and additional members for People Law Enforcement Board (PLEB).

With this new development, supporters of the city councilor asked if this was an action of a mayor who claimed to be ‘makatao, maka Diyos and makabayan.’ (Press Freedom, Vol. XIXNo. 15)

To Mejorada: Dili ko traydor! –Mayor Uy

Board Member Uldarico Mejorada recently spilled his ire against Dipolog City Mayor Roberto Uy when the latter declared his candidacy for governor and his support for Dodoy Labdlabad who is running for congress this year’s elections.

BM Mejorada pointed out that Uy took his oath of allegiance for the Alliance of Parties for Progress (APP) sometime last year but recently broke away from the group, instead ran against his group and supported another candidate who is running for congress, a position that BM Mejorada was supposedly seeking for in 2007 elections. However, Mayor Uy reasoned that what he did was not treachery because he and BM Mejorada had never been together in the same party since 1998.

Moreover, he claimed that APP is not a political party, it is just an alliance, so he has never been affiliated with it. When he ran for governor opposite Gov. Yebes, he pointed out, there had never been ill will because Gov. Yebes belonged to a party different from his. When he supported Labadlabad, he added, it was because they both belonged to the same party. Looking back, he claimed that when he was running for mayor, he was under the Lakas group while Mejorada under Partidong Masang Pilipino of former governor Roldan ‘Brogs’ Dalman.

This means, he added, there was never a time that Mejorada and he were working under the same political group; therefore, he concluded he could not be a traitor as claimed. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIXNo. 15)

COMELEC ready to face accusations

As regards accusations fo registering flying voters, Dipolog City Election Officer Rogel Bengua recently challenged accusers to come up with witnesses with affidavits to prove his alleged crime.

Recently, Election office Bengua was accused of allegedly registering “ghosts” in Dipolog City which would total to more than a thousand flying voters.

Moreover, he was accused of reportedly conniving with a local official in order for this politician to earn bigger margin of votes over his opponent during this year’s elections. “If this was true,” Bengua countered, “they would produce witnesses and let NBI do the investigation.”

On the other hand, Provincial Election Officer Atty. Jay Balisado recently disclosed that he found no anomally in Bengua’s action. He challenged Bengua’s accusers to file the complaint against Bengua and assured them he would readily take action upon it. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIXNo. 15)

Gun ban starts today

Atty. Jay Balisado, Provincial Election Supervisor of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) recently warned gun owners of the gun ban period which starts today January 14, and ends on June 13, 2007.

Within this period, anyone is prohibited from bringing firearms even if they are licensed or holding any permits. Those who wish to carry, the election supervisor informed must first secure a permit from COMELEC Manila.

However, he disclosed, members of the PNP, AFP and the Bureau of Jail management and Penology are not covered by this ban period if they are on duty. He disclosed further that candidates are discouraged to have bodyguards except those allowed by COMELEC. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIXNo. 15) 

Credits: The New Nandau is a member of the Publishers Association of the Philippines (PAPI). Editorial office is located at 076 Quezon Avenue, Dipolog City with Tel. No. (065) 212-3794; Cell No. +639205201041

   DIPOLOGNON TODAY

PRESS FREEDOM: Machiavellian Theory
By Tyrone Jay V. Samson
Still a bad state for RP basketball

Last week, I promised to give my take on two of the Filipino’s two favorite basketball leagues – the national Basketball Association and its local counterpart, the PBA. First off, I would like to condemn to eternal damnation the politicians running the feuding Basketball Association of the Philippines and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP). Their continued ego-driven bickering has already caused us numerous international basketball tournaments as the FIBA ban on the Philippines is still on.

Last week, I wrote of a breakthrough in Philippine basketball as then BAP president, Senator Jinggoy Estrada made an agreement with the SBP to abide by the wishes of the FIBA to form a truce between the two warring parties. This is FIBA’s requirement for the ban on RP basketball to be lifted. On the following day, Graham Lim, Fritz Gaston and the other officials of the so-called “BAP Execom” announced that they are relieving Senator Estrada from his post as BAP president for “acting without consulting the BAP Board.”

What? Talk about personal interests before the country! Such a shame. Every single Filipino basketball fan knows that this is the right time for RP Five to compete internationally. We have the right players (good shooters and defense-oriented athletes), the right coach (Chot Reyes), a winning formula based on a fluid running game, willing sponsors (San Miguel Corporation, among others), we definitely have what it takes to compete with China for Asian supremacy in basketball.

But that dream came to a halt with the BAP officials’ continued show of politicking. There are no winners and losers here, the Filipino people are the ones who lost in this power-struggle. Just a thought though, Lim is known to be a Chinese citizen. What’s a Chinese dude doing in Philippine basketball affairs? I’m having this conspiracy theory here that Chinese basketball officials, fearing of the growing threat for Asian cage supremacy that is the RP Five, sent their covert agent ala James Bond to infiltrate Philippine sports governing bodies and cause the RP basketball association to implode! So far, mission accomplished by “Lim, Graham Lim.”!

Kidding aside, I was personally dejected as a basketball fan. I was in high spirits that the good senator finally put some sense into the BAP by making a gentleman’s agreement with Manny Pangilinan in Hong Kong last week, as reported, to form the SBP with Pangilinan as president and Senator Estrada as chairman. Estrada guaranteed that the BAP officials will not be put in a disadvantageous position because he will give them good positions despite the merger and the change of name. But it was not to be. The good senator was hoping to come to an agreement, to make peace, to make amends, to have the ban on RP lifted, all for the sake of all basketball-loving Filipinos – and the BAP politicians terminated him for that! Ain’t that some gigantic form of unpatriotic **** to the max! (cussing is such a hard thing to hold back).

The PBA and PBL have both condemned such shameful act on the part of the BAP politicians and I hope these politicians realize that if they are to compete internationally, the players should come from the PBA or the PBL. Without the blessing of both leagues, RP Five will never beat even the lower-level basketball squads in Asia. They should stop all these politicking and uphold what’s paramount in sports – sportsmanship. Please, for the sake of all Pinoys, stop the selfish politicking.

Now, for my 10 wishes for the NBA and the PBA:

1. That Allen Iverson can finally win an NBA title now that he is with the Denver Nuggets. The odds are against The Answer on this one, though. Many skeptics have questioned his ability to make his teammates better and share the team’s offense with Carmelo Anthony. But, I’m a huge fan for the biggest Little Man in basketball and I’m hoping he can silence all doubters. He is the most deserving player now to win the NBA title. Iverson, for all his hard work and years of trying in Philadelphia to win that elusive crown, is my favorite guy to win it all this year.

2. That Baron Davis can finally end the Golden State Warriors’ playoff drought. Davis is one, if not the best combo point guard (scorer and passer) in the league if healthy and, thus far, he has shown that he can run the system of Coach Don Nelson. Nelson, the former coach of Steve Nash then in the Dallas Mavericks and Tim Hardaway in the Warriors during the late 80s and early 90s, likes his point guards to run the show for him. He likes his point guard to lead the team to run and run in fastbreak, and Davis has made a good account for himself on that.

3. That Nash of the Phoenix Suns is next only to Iverson in terms of being the most deserving player to win an NBA title. He already has two MVP awards, he is already recognized as the best passing point guard since John Stockton and he has made his teammates better this year. I just hope that this year’s NBA Champions would be either the Nuggets of the Suns. Winning a third straight MVP award is on the horizon with the way Nash is playing.

4. That the PBA media people should focus their interviews on sports and game-related questions. I noticed that interviewers, who are often female personalities, too often ask about personal questions. Who cares if Marc Pingris is set to marry a known showbiz personality? Who cares of what James Yap and Kris Aquino do in the holidays? I don’t watch the PBA to watch who’s who in the attendance. I don’t watch the PBA to see the player’s faces. I watch the PBA because it is basketball. Interviewers would be better of asking questions about the game of other players, the scoring increase, the decrease in rebounding tally of the team, what’s the coaches’ focus in team practice, the player rotation and team chemistry. Showbiz na kaayo, makawala ug gana.

5. That Coach Tim Cone of the Alaska Aces can finally put a good rotation for a winning team. His current rotation obviously does not work. Why not give guys like Eddie Laure, Aaron Aban and Rensy Bajar some more playing time. Guys like Jeffrey Cariaso and Poch Juinio have had their share of PBA wars; it’s time to give the younger guys a chance to compete.

6. That the PBA should provide features on basketball stars of the past like the ones the NBA makes like NBA Overtime, Basketbal-lography, etc. The younger generations should know that while the NBA had their Bill Russell, the PBA also had our Caloy Loyzaga. The NBA had Kareem Abdul Jabbar; we had Ramon Fer-nandez, so on and so forth.

7. That Arwind Santos can overcome the slight early lead of Kelly Williams to win the Rookie of the Year award. I’m a big fan of homegrown Filipino talent compared to foreign-bred Pinoys.

8. That Dondon Hontiveros will finally be recognized for his defensive prowess, not just for his smooth shooting and great passing. It must be noted that Chot Reyes once said that he picked Hontiveros for the RP team for his defense, on-ball and off-ball, which is really helpful especially when you compete in international basketball.

9. That guys like Lamar Odom, Carlos Boozer, Elton Brand, Baron Davis, Chauncey Billups, Grant Hill, Joe Johnson, Andrei Kirilenko, Chris Paul, somehow get to the All Star Team. This is definitely a pipe man’s dream considering that these are not popular players but if you watch the NBA regularly, you know that these guys have what it takes to be All Stars.

10. That PBA jerseys will be as fashionable to wear as that of NBA jerseys. Our movie and singing personalities, especially rap stars, should start using PBA jerseys in their videos as opposed to wearing NBA jerseys and start the trend.

(Your thoughts and views will be highly appreciated. Just write me at my e-mail address, tjpac@tupacnet.org or text me at my mobile phone number 0927-9963920) (Press Freedom, Vol. XIXNo. 15)

Credits: Press Freedom is published every Saturday and entered as 3^rd class mail matter in Dipolog City. Printed by Young Printing Press with Editorial Office located at Upper Turno, Dipolog City. Tel. No. (065) 212-4343 or 212-6665

Rural Bus falls prey to holduppers

The 40 passengers of Rural Bus Transit plying the Pagadian-Zamboanga City route could not believe that four passengers among them would declare holdup last Friday, January 5. The men armed with pistols divested them of their cash, jewelry, cellphones and other valuables amounting to P75,000.00.

Police investigators disclosed that this was the first bus robbery to happen in the Zamboanga Peninsula but the sixth including last year’s incidents. Furthermore it was disclosed that the same style of previous holdups was shown by the culprits.

First, they would pose as passengers but when they pass by a marked area, they would start the operation which would last only for a few minutes the holduppers would then leave the bus immediately. The passenger told investigators that the holduppers wore army uniforms and they spoke fluent Visayan dialect. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIXNo. 15)

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  Press Freedom Editorial
Drive the ghosts away

In this part of the world, we see a country where names of voters swell into the Commission on Elections’s list like a swarm of ants during election time.

Certain names may be repeated in another place, who would have a way of knowing? Even the names of dead persons resurfaced in the sacred list. Many wondered why names of those who were unable to vote by reason of health and why those who opted to stay home for good on election day had record of voting during that day.

Others even wondered why some names could not be found in the COMELEC list when these voters are still alive and kicking and very noisy over election issues. This is something that Dipolog COMELEC officer Rogel Bengua could offer to the electorates of Dipolog City: the truth.

With the administration noisily harping on his alleged anomalous registration of voters, it is time that he should come up with a clean list, honest and true listing of qualified voters and clear his office from the accusations hurled against him. . . . and of course work for the welfare of the thousands of Dipolognons rather than for the caprices of the few politicians.

How about it, Election Officer Bengua? You can make it our post Christmas gift. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIXNo. 15)

Credits: Press Freedom is published every Saturday and entered as 3^rd class mail matter in Dipolog City. Printed by Young Printing Press with Editorial Office located at Upper Turno, Dipolog City. Tel. No. (065) 212-4343 or 212-6665

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For ordinary persons and under ordinary circumstances, it is generally easy to determine what does or doesn’t make sense. But this is certainly not the case at this time when the air is abuzz with the political machineries of political parties starting to cough up smoke and their engines slowly chugging its way towards the synchronized local and national elections a few months away.

For one, local radio airtime is suddenly filled with practically unknown and previously unheard of analysts/commentators purporting to be experts or authority on local politics who, in a no-hold-barred fashion, lambaste anyone resembling a threat to the throne held by their political benefactor. In another, some political figures themselves can be heard to have uttered vicious attacks on the person and character of their possible rivals for an elective post.

There are, of course, expected events in a highly-politicized society such as the Philippines in general or the Province of Zamboanga del Norte in particular. Some people have become resigned to the fact and most have come to accept this horrid state of affairs of what was once a sacred political exercise.

Yet as ugly as the political maneuverings in our locality may have become, nothing, could have prepared the sensibilities of our people to the baseness of one local politician who tried to propagate bigotry and racial discrimination within our peaceful society. In trying to capitalize on the known Chinese ancestry of his strongest political rival, this politician let loose his media dogs and propagandists to create prejudice and hatred against those of Chinese descent in a chilling manner reminiscent of Adolf Hitler’s inciting, hatred for the Jews among the German people.

And this he did at a time when our country is still struggling for unity among its people who are still in the process of learning to live together peacefully despite its diverse cultures and different religious beliefs. This politician, who is ironically a Chinese-looking mestizo, tried to make a political issue out of the Chinese ancestry of his rival and succeeded only in shocking the conscience of the peace-loving and decent people of the community. But what could have driven this supposedly brilliant and astute politician to act the way he did? To try to make sense out of the situation admits only of one explanation – and that is FEAR.

In sensing that his days at the helm of power may very well be numbered, this politician has felt the iciness of fear creeping into the core of his being. Coleridge aptly describes it in this manner. “In politics, what begins in fear usually ends in folly.” (The New Nandau, Vol. XVI No.28)

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ASEAN determined to establish regional community by 2015, says Romulo

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is determined to transform ASEAN into a regional community that is pro-active and responsive to an increasingly global environment by 2015.

This was disclosed Wednesday by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo who underscored the urgency of accelerating ASEAN’s emergence as a regional community. “We are determined to hasten the realization of our community and it is for this reason that our leaders will sign the Cebu Declaration on the Acceleration of an Establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015,” Romulo said in a statement read by Ambassador Vic Lecaros during a press conference Wednesday afternoon at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

Romulo, who is also the chair of the ASEAN Standing Committee, stressed the need to move the regional community concept forward. “In so doing, we will be worthy heirs of the visionaries who created ASEAN and we will be enhancing their legacy for generations to come,” he added. Romulo described the ASEAN community as one that will be able and willing to engage the rest of the world.

He cited the case of Timor Leste and European Union member France which are set to formalize their commitment to a peaceful and secure South-east Asia with their accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. “Clearly, there is urgency in our efforts to accelerate and to deepen our regional community-building. Whatever successes we have had, we must now move even further forward,” the Foreign Affairs Secretary pointed out.

Romulo had earlier emphasized that the “caring and sharing community will stand firmly on three pillars: The ASEAN Security Community, the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Social and Cultural Community. (PIA-ZN)

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“FIGHTING THE WAR AGAINST POVERTY”
By Ike Señeres

The government is organizing a “Poverty Summit” which is a very good move, except that the chosen theme seems to be off tangent. According to news reports, the summit will report on the supposed gains of the government in its “war” against poverty. Upon heating this theme, a radio commentator in a popular station reacted by saying that instead on trying to highlight the supposed gains, the government should instead go into a reality check, and recognize the overwhelming challenge that it still has to meet, in effect admitting what it still has to do in order to win the said “war”.

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As far as I know, the government has not yet a realistic and credible poverty reduction target, in relation to the actual resources that are needed in order to meet these targets. Sad to say, it is very evident that the government has not even sorted out its manner of distinguishing poverty reduction from poverty alleviation, very crucial definitions that have to be outlined first, to show that it really knows what it is up against.

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In the present definition that is used by the government, it appears that it is looking at poverty alleviation as one and the same as poverty reduction. This is not just a misleading approach; it is also a dangerous perspective, because it could mean life or death to the unwitting victims of this wrong analysis. In the absence of an official government definition, I have come up with my own definition, clearly distinguishing poverty alleviation from poverty reduction.

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Going straight to the point, I have defined poverty reduction as the process of numerically reducing the number of households that fall below the poverty line. Conversely, I have defined poverty alleviation as the process of making poverty more bearable among those who are below the poverty line, but not necessarily removing them or graduating them from the said imaginary line.

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Benchmarking is another problem that the government with, as there seems to be very serious faults in its statistical reports and its planning assumptions. While the government says that the incidence of poverty is only around 38%, the Catholic Church through Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales says that the poverty incidence is about 78%, showing a wide discrepancy in the two data sets.

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What is the reason for the big difference of the government and that of the Church? For one thing, I think that the culprit could be the factors that the government is using in determining what goes into the imaginary “basket of goods” that the government is using to estimate how many households are below the poverty line, in relation to the question of how many households could afford this imaginary “basket of goods”.

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Sad to say, the government appears to have a built-in instrument that it could use in “adjusting” the real poverty picture, since it has the prerogative of determining what goes into the “basket” and how the goods are to be valued, for purposes of making the statistical estimates. The government also has the option of how often these values are to be adjusted, thus we see that the said adjustments are not being done as often as necessary, in order to be more in tune with the actual changes in the cost of these goods.

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To illustrate what I mean by rationalizing targets against resources, it would be more practical for the government to set a goal for instance that it would reduce the incidence of poverty by 20% in ten years time, at the same time coupling it with actual resources that would be budgeted for this purpose. In reality however, the challenge to defeat poverty is more than just a question of money, because we also have to reckon with the question of whether the government as a whole could put its act together in meeting the goal.

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While the government may be correct in saying that the economy has improved to a certain extent, it needs to conduct another reality check, to find out whether these gains are actually felt by those who are below the poverty line, or better still, whether these gains have actually reduced the number of people who are below the poverty line, in real numbers. I wish the summit good luck, but I hope that it will not become an occasion for the government to brag about how much it has alleviated poverty, while missing out on the more important challenge of actually reducing the number of households that fall below the poverty line.

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