Basit Usman's deadly profile

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao ((JOHN UNSON / October 16) — Abdulbasit Usman, the principal suspect in last week’s bombings in Central Mindanao, once served as cook and janitor for policemen holding him in detention for his alleged involvement in a terror attack four years ago.

An ethnic Maguindanaon better known as "Basit," Usman was first implicated in the April 2002 bombing of the Fitmart department store in General Santos City, which led to his detention for a couple of months at the headquarters of the 1206th Provincial Police Mobile Group, then under Chief Inspector Auselito Cabang, in Alabel, Sarangani.

Usman was driving a van, on his way to South Cotabato, when Region 12 police from General Santos City stopped him at a checkpoint in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat and served him a warrant of arrest in connection with the Fitmart bombing.

Usman’s name in the warrant, however, was incorrect, prompting the Region 12 police to put him under the custody of Cabang at the 1206th headquarters while prosecutors were initiating the required amendments to his case.

While in detention, Usman was not regarded as a suspect in an extremely heinous offense. He was free to move around the premises working as janitor, cook, and as "spotter" for other terrorists operating in the South-Cotabato Sarangani-General Santos City (Socsargen) area.

Usman eventually escaped on Oct. 22, 2002 and has since gone underground. A year later, Usman’s custodian, Cabang, then due for promotion as police superintendent, and a subordinate, were found tortured and shot in the back of their heads by unidentified men while allegedly negotiating the surrender of Pentagon gang leader Tahir Alonto in a remote guerrilla enclave at the border of Tulunan, North Cotabato and Datu Paglas, Maguindanao.

Police and Army intelligence communities believe Usman could have set up the surrender of Alonto, wanted for more than 30 kidnappings in Central Mindanao , to lure Cabang and avenge Usman’s detention in Alabel. Usman’s family in Bentong District in Polomolok has since left and is believed to be in hiding somewhere in Maguindanao, where they have relatives both in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front. Usman, his relatives said, was still a member of the MILF when Fitmart was bombed in 2002.

Before Usman’s escape, his family had questioned the legality of his arrest and had even sought the help of the Commission on Human Rights to secure his release.

His relatives in Maguindanao are convinced that Usman may have indeed established a link with the Jemaah Islamiyah through some Indonesians in General Santos City who gave him sanctuary after his escape.

It was in General Santos City where the slain JI operative Fathur Rohman Al-Ghozi was arrested in early 2000 for possession of explosives. Usman was again on the military’s watch list after he was rumored to have been spotted with Abu Sayyaf chief Khadaffy Janjalani and JI operatives Dulmatin and Umar Patek in Maguindanao from June to September in 2004.

There had been talks of Usman’s involvement in the deadly Dec. 23, 2003 bombing in Datu Piang, Maguindanao, which left 18 people dead and more than 20 others wounded.

One of the fatalities in the Datu Piang bombing was Mayor Saudi Ampatuan, son of Maguindanao Gov. Datu Andal Ampatuan. MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said Usman was long dropped from the roster of the front due to his alleged involvement in heinous crimes.

Highly placed sources from the military’s intelligence community said they are now validating reports from civilian informants that months before the Oct. 10 bombings, Usman was in the hideout of a Moro separatist commander and preacher who had trained abroad.

There are also reports detailing links between Usman and Egyptian national Dia Al-Gabre, who was arrested at the Cagayan de Oro airport some three years ago, together with a Maranaw bomb expert Muklis Yunus, while waiting for his Manila-bound flight. Al-Gabre himself has a shady personality.

He resided in Cotabato City in the 1990s and introduced himself to neighbors and friends as a journalist. He was always present in multisectoral peace dialogues then and traveled extensively from Cotabato City to parts of the Zamboanga peninsula.

Al-Gabre made a black umbrella and chessboard handy and played chess with friends in areas he frequented. Region 12 police had said they would file criminal charges against Usman, and Indonesian-born Dulmatin and Patek for the October bombings in Makilala and the cities of Cotabato and Tacurong.

Chief Superintendent German Doria, Region 12 police director, told the Notre Dame Broadcasting Network in Cotabato City that they have gathered enough evidence against the three terror suspects. The attacks, according to Doria, were carried out in retaliation for the arrest in Sulu two weeks ago of Dulmatin’s wife and two sons.

John Felix Unson

Bombing alert up in Oro, region 10

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Karapatan says Ablon, others in military’s list of battle

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (By BEN BALCE/ Oct. 14) -
HUMAN rights group Karapatan, bared over the weekend, that priests from the Philippine Independent Church have either received information that they are in the military’s order of battle or have been harassed by death threats.

The alleged list include Fr. Terry Revollido of Pangasinan, Fr. Romeo Tagud of Negros, Fr. Marco Sulayao of Panay, and Fr. Sonny Teleron of Western Mindanao, and this city’s PIC priest Fr. Roberto Ablon.
The Philippine Independent Church here reported that Fr. Ablon and the four other priests, received death threats following the murder of Bishop Alberto Ramento in Tarlac City.

Karapatan northern Mindanao coordinator Beberly Musni said Fr. Antonio Ablon received the threat through a text message on Friday at 4:45 p.m.
She said that like Ramento, Ablon is an outspoken critic of the Arroyo government , while the other activist priests and pastors are all members of PCPR and connected with the militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).

According to several militant groups, Ramento received death threats before he was found dead from multiple stab wounds in his convent Tuesday last week.

Musni said Ablon is also a secretary general of the human rights group Karapatan in the region and is a member of the Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) National Council based in Cagayan de Oro.

The text message said: “Fr. Ablon patay gani ang supreme bishop ikaw pa kaha, I-sample ka namo dinhi sa CDO” (Fr. Ablon, even the supreme bishop was killed, we will make you an example here in Cagayan de Oro).”

Musni said Ablon also asked the police to blotter the said cellular number for future reference and for possible tracing of the whereabouts of the suspect.

Musni said the message, which was sent from cellphone No. 09203546270, clearly warned that Ablon could be the next victim of extrajudicial killings.

“Still unknown, but at least I have the suspect’s cellular number,” Ablon said
Police on Friday said Ramento was not a case of extrajudicial killing as militants claim, but a simple case of robbery with homicide.

Police said four suspects who were arrested Thursday on Ramento’s killing were members of a criminal gang involved in robbery and cellphone snatching, among others.

Musni, however, said the text message allegedly came from the State Security Forces.

“We strongly suspect that the source of this message could only be the military agents who are dutiful in their mission to intimidate, suppress and brutally silence the voices of dissent that have exposed the fraud, corruption and human rights abuses of the Arroyo administration,” Karapatan said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Musni added that the group Karapatan is still conducting its own investigation on Ramento’s killing and has so far came up with an initial report that may not necessarily tally with the police claims.

“There are still things that don’t add up. There were death threats against Bishop Ramento just before his murder,” Musni said.

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Dog bites increasing, city health office warns

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Committee on health chaired by City Councilor Simeon Licayan is now apprehensive on the tremendous increase of dog bite cases in both urban and rural barangays in the city.

Licayan said that recent report submitted to his committee revealed that no less than three cases of dog bites reported to the City Health Office (CHO).

"This is very alarming. This means that the number of stray dogs are already increasing," he said.

Even with the number of cases brought to the CHO for treatment, Dr. Rachel Dilla said they have enough supply of medicines for cure against possible rabies infection.

"Bisan daghan nadala sa clinic naa pa gihapon ta'y mga tambal nga ikahatag. Pero mas maayo gyud nga masulbad na kining pag-pamaak sa mga iro sa kadalanan," she said.

The recent incident included a government employee assigned at the Hall of Justice who was bitten by a suspected rabid dog several meters from the City Veternary Office (CVO).

The City Veterinary Office is tasked to conduct "Operation Pamatong" against stray and suspected rabid dogs. They are also tasked to vaccinate dogs against rabies disease.

Licayan said his committee has recommended for the massive apprehension of stray dogs within the residential and commercial areas in the city including those in the subdivision area.

He said he received several complaints that residents in the subdivision area were chased by stray dogs who roamed around the streets looking for food.

Kung makapaak kini dili nimo maila ang tag-iya,? he added.

City Veterinary officer-in-charged Dr. Perla T. Asis said they only had one-team who conducted the Operation Pamatong in the entire city.

She said for the month of August alone, they had able to apprehend some 132 stray dogs from the area of barangays Kauswagan, Iponan, Carmen, Lapasan, Consolacion, Patag, Bulua and Upper Balulang.

Of the 132 apprehended only 15 were claimed by the owners after paying administrative fine of P250.00. Those unclaimed were being subjected to euthenasia.

During the committee meeting, De Asis suggested that those dogs remain unclaimed would be sold to the crocodile farm owned by the Limketkai located at Opol, Misamis Oriental.

"Mas maayo na lamang nga ibaligya para maka-collect of revenues ang siyudad," she said.

Mindanao Gold Star Daily

IMT Expresses Satisfaction on Ceasefire, Peace Process

CAMP ALAGAR, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – (By Mike Banos / Oct. 5) - The International Monitoring Team 3 (IMT-3) overseeing the GRP-MILF Peace Process today expressed satisfaction over the progress of the peace process, and in particular on how the ceasefire mechanism has managed to keep the peace between the two factions.

Maj. Gen. Dato Md Ismail bin Ahmad Khan of Malaysia, head of mission, IMT-3, said his country remains committed to overseeing the peace process for the Philippines in general, and Mindanao in particular, to help Filipinos attain "everlasting peace."

Ismail was accompanied by Brig Gen Edgardo M. Gurrea, chairman of the GRP Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and his counterpart in the MILF, Mr Von Al Haq.

Gurrea said the purpose of the IMT-3's visit was to orient Ismael, who is the third head of mission of the IMT overseeing the GRP-MILF peace process since 2004.

"Our purpose is to orient Gen Ismail and introduce him to the various heads of the LGUs, AFP and PNP commands covered by the GRP-MILF conflict areas," Gurrea said. "Despite the impasse in the peace panel talks, we are happy to note the ceasefire mechanism at all levels is still in place and discharging its intended purpose to keep the peace."

The IMT-3 was on the second leg of its orientation tour which included the two Lanao provinces, Cagayan de Oro and was scheduled to visit Bukidnon province later the same day to meet with Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri,Jr. before proceeding home to Cotabato city. During the first leg of its visit, the team toured Cotabato city, Davao city and the Socsksargen region. The final leg of the tour will cover Western Mindanao including Zamboanga City and Sulu.

Gurrea clarified that while the ongoing peace talks were focusing on three main talking points (security, rehabilitation and development of conflict areas and ancestral domain, or the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity), the ongoing orientation tour was more focused on the former, including the monitoring of the peace and order situation in the identified conflict areas, to ensure that criminal activities of alleged mujahideen would be properly addressed by anti-crime elements of the AFP and the PNP and not deteriorate into a wider conflict involving forces of the GRP-MILF and possible jeopardize the ongoing peace talks.

Gurrea said that prior to the start of the peace process and the organization of the IMT, the GRP-MILF conflict areas had over 700 violence-related incidents. After the tour of the IMT-1, this was reduced to approximately 500, and went down further to only 10 last year under the tour of IMT-1.

"We are happy to note that there has been no incidents reported under IMT-3, and our fighting target is to maintain this zero level for the duration of the one year tour of Gen. Ismael,"he added.

Ismail also noted that the present areas of disagreement between the GRP and MILF peace panels were focused on "political and diplomatic" issues and not conflict related, which demonstrates that the CCCH mechanism is working to prevent violent conflict from breaking out between the AFP and MILF armed forces.

For his part, Al Haq expressed satisfaction that all parties involved in the peace forces were facing and working towards one direction, which is the attainment of a just and lasting peace in Mindanao.

"The essence of Ramadan is sacrifice, and all of us should offer a measure of sacrifice for the greater good of a just and lasting peace," Al Haq said.

Not the least, Gurrea cautioned that despite the zero incidence of GRP-MILF violence-related incidents under IMT-3's stewardship, "We must continue to be vigilant against those who seek to disrupt the ongoing peace talks."

"What's important is the mechanism of the CCCH is holding and keeping the peace, to allow the GRP-MILF peace talks to continue under an atmosphere conducive to negotiation and settlement," he added.

Other members of the IMT-3 team accompanying Ismail were Lt.Col. Nazeri bin Ismail, Maj. Mustaffa bin Ibrahim, Lt. Cmdr. Muhd Shakir bin Salleh, Capt. Azuan bin Salehuddin, Capt (DR) Amran bin Amir Hamzah, Cpl. Zainal bin Othman, and Encik Hisham bin Rosle, all of Malaysia.

MIKE BAÑOS
501 V. F. Cabaraban St., Cabaraban Subdivision,
Puntod, 9000 Cagayan de Oro City
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PNP Claims 19 of Militants Killings Solved

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MIKE BAÑOS / Oct. 4) - The Philippine National Police Task Force Usig claims it has solved 19 of the extrajudicial killings in the country, well ahead of the 10 cases target President Gloria Arroyo tasked them to solve by October 10, this year.

PNP Dir. Gen. Oscar C. Calderon said during a speech at the PNP Regional Office 10 yesterday: “On October 10, the 10-week deadline set by our President to solve at least 10 cases of militant and media killings will expire. With these, I am happy to announce that as of today (Tuesday, October 3, 2004), there are already 19 cases solved, way past our target.”

However, Calderon cautioned the PRO-X personnel present that they must remain vigilant and pro-active in preventing more slayings in order to restore order in the streets and maintain stability in peacekeeping and law enforcement.
During a press conference held later the same day at a local hotel, Calderon said by “solved”, he meant the appropriate cases have been filed and the suspects arrested.

“We have arrested 12 suspects and 70% of the cases involving journalists have been solved,” he said.

Calderon attributed the relatively higher solution rate in the solution of the killings of journalists to the cooperation extended to the PNP by the victim’s families and the ability of the media community to encourage key witnesses to come forward to identify the perpetrators of the crimes.

“We have also found that most of the killings involving the media people are not job-related,” Calderon added, meaning the motives for the murders were not related to the stories published or investigated by the victims.

However, he admitted having a hard time getting the cooperation of the families of militants since they don’t trust the motives of the PNP in helping them solve the murders of their kin.
“There are presumptions already existing about the PNP so it is quite difficult to convince the families of militants’ victims we are here to help them, and protect their kin from being harmed,” Calderon said.

After a pass-in review at the PNP PRO-10 headquarters, Calderon also graced the groundbreaking for the housing project of the Cagayan de Oro Police Office (COCPO) at Bgy Canitoan and the blessing of the new Cugman police station donated by the Misamis Oriental Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Alwana Business Park, before proceeding to Bukidnon to continue his inspection.

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Jaraula pushes split of CDO into two districts

CAGAYAN de Oro Lone District representative Constantino Jaraula pushed House Bill No. 5658, an act creating a second congressional district in Cagayan de Oro City by splitting the present lone district.

Jaraula’s bill was recently approved in the House committee on local government.

But the National Statistics Office until now does not specifies whether the present population of the city has reached to at least 500,00. A new census that would justify creation of one legislative district, under constitutional provisions, is 250,000 population.

Jaraula’s proposed legislation aims to address the city’s phenomenal growth by providing more funds in addition to a more effective bureaucracy by establishing another representation at the house of representatives.

Jaraula clarified that he has been moving for the division of Cagayan de Oro into two congressional districts, and not two cities.

In his explanatory note, Jaraula said the Bill was filed with the 12th Congress and approved as House Bill No. 1195 but was not acted upon by the Senate at the time of its adjournment.

The City of Cagayan de Oro was chartered on June 15, 1950 under Republic Act No. 521. It has since become the center of commerce, economic growth, investments, and industrialization.

Jaraula said the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) rates Cagayan de Oro as having the highest percentage of growth throughout Mindanao.

House Bill No. 5658 under Section 1 states that “there is hereby created a Second Congressional District in Cagayan de Oro City by splitting the city into two districts, with the Cagayan de Oro River as the natural boundary running from north to south.”

The bill also states that the first district shall comprise the territory west of Cagayan de Oro River and all the barangays located therein, while the second district shall comprise of the territory east of the Cagayan River and all the barangays located therein; provided that those living within the islands or sandbars shall belong to the District where their Precincts are located without prejudice to the effects of dredging and reclamation.

Jaraula’s Bill also stated that the first separate election for each District shall coincide with the regular elections of 2007 and the incumbent Representative shall continue to represent the entire city until his term expires.

Jaraula also clarified that the city would be divided by two and not by CDO-1 and CDO-2, but two representatives and under one mayor and one vice mayor.

The Mindanao Gold Star Daily

Moreno hits Olano, calls Abbot an ingrate

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mindanao Gold Star Daily

Mindanao coal plant to operate in December

VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental (MIKE BAÑOS/Sept. 30) - Construction of the Mindanao coal-fired power plant is proceeding as scheduled and should be online by the end of the year, plant officials said.

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

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

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

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

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

"There's not enough spinning reserve in the Mindanao grid to address contingencies," Abellanosa said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MIKE BAÑOS501 V. F. Cabaraban St., Cabaraban Subdivision,Puntod, 9000 Cagayan de Oro CityPhilippines Primary Mobile 0906-889-8484 (Touch Mobile)Secondary Mobile 0921-469-6305 (Smart)IM mike_banos_2000@yahoo.comalternate email : mike_banos@walla.com

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Oro students criticize GMA’s re-take order

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“For us, the order remains unclear, whether the re-take examination will be selective or not, but still the order is an order to re-take and that order is very inimical on our part,” said Abellano.
Abellanosa also criticized the Arroyo administration of “inconsistency,”in its decision.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Mindanao Gold Star Daily

Lanao cops nab suspects of Rtmi bus robbery

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mindanao Gold Star Daily

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "MAYAMAN" AND "MAHIRAP"

Kung mayaman ka, meron kang "allergy"
Kung mahirap ka, ang tawag dyan ay "galis" o "bakokang"

Sa mayaman, "nervous breakdown" dahil sa "tension and stress"
Sa mahirap, "sira ang ulo"

Sa mayamang "malikot ang kamay", ang tawag ay "kleptomaniac"
Sa mahirap, ang tawag ay "magnanakaw" o "kawatan"

Pag mayaman ka, you're "eccentric"
Kung mahirap ka, "may toyo ka sa ulo" o "may topak" o "may sayad"

Kung mayaman ka at sumakit ang ulo mo, ikaw ay may "migraine"
Kung mahirap ka naman at sumakit ang ulo mo, ikaw ay "nalipasan ng gutom"

Kung mayaman ka, you are referred to as someone who is "scoliotic"
Pero kung mahirap ka, ikaw ay "kuba"

Kung ang señorita mo ay maitim, ang tawag ay "morena" o "kayumanggi"
Pero kung isa kang domestic na maitim, ikaw ay "ita" o "negrita" o "baluga" o "tsimay

Kung nasa high society ka at ikaw ay maliit, ang tawag sa iyo ay "petite"
Kung mahirap ka lang, ikaw ay "pandak" o "bansot" o "unano" o "jabbar"

Kung socialite ka, ikaw ay "pleasingly plump"
Kapag mahirap ka at ika'y mataba, "tabatsoy" o "lumba-lumba"... pagminamalas ka, "baboy"

Kung well-off ka at date ka rito, date ka roon, ang tawag sa iyo ay "game"
Kung mahirap ka, ikaw ay "pakawala" o "pam-pam"

Kung mayamang alembong ka, ang tawag sa iyo ay "liberated"
Pero kung isa kang dukha, ang tawag sa iyo "malandi"

Kung may pera ka, ang tawag sa iyo "single parent"
Pero kung wala kang trabaho, ang tawag sa iyo "disgrasyada"

Ang tawag sa mayayamang puro gulay ang kinakain, "vegetarian"
Habang kakaawa ang mahirap na " kumakain ng damo."

Sa exclusive school, "assertive" ang mga batang sumasagot sa mga guro
Pero pag ang mga mahihirap na bata ang sumasagot sa mga guro, ang tawag sa kanila ay "walang hiya"

Ang mayamang tumatanda, "are graduating gracefully into senior citizenhood"
Ang mga mahihirap ay "gumugurang"

Ang anak ng mayaman ay "slow learner"
Ang anak ng mahirap ay "bobo" o "gung-gong"

Kung mayaman ka at marami kang kumain, you flatter your host who says, "masarap kang kumain and I like you, you do justice to my cooking"
Kung ghastly peasant ka eating the same amount in the same house, your host will say to himself na ikaw ay "patay-gutom" o "hampaslupa" o "masiba"

Kung boss ka at binabasa mo ito sa PC mo, "okay lang"
Pero kung ikaw ay hamak na empleyado lamang, ikaw ay" nagbubulakbol"... kaya forward mo na agad ito dahil nasa likod mo ang boss mo!

HOME (Jacnet)

‘Pryce takes care of Moreno’s bills’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rivera said Moreno has not discussed the matter with her.

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

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

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

Waniwan said Moreno should explain this in public.

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

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

Mindanao Gold Star Daily

JACnet's back online

By MIKE BAÑOS

THE Journalists Against Corruption Network (Jacnet) website is back online! The URL is http://www.jacnet.blogspot.com/ featuring Allan Mediante's "Lord of the Flies", the first ever investigative story approved by the JACNet Editorial Board for publication way back in 2004.

Jacnet was originally conceived to be the "virtual newspaper" for investigative stories of the Journalists Against Corruption Network (Jacnet). The original site received financial and technical assistance from the Phil. Australian Governance Facility (PAGF) project but failed to sustain itself after it was hit with a couple of shutdowns by local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) hosting the site. As a result, all the materials collated at both sites were lost and the project languished in the doldrums.

Early this year, the new Board of Directors took another look at the project and appointed yours truly to head the committee to see if the project could be resuscitated. With materials provided by past president Herbie Gomez, the remaining hard copy of the Jacnet materials were painstakingly encoded back into the computer by my kids Miguel and Leon at our residence during their free time.

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

With the new site up and running, the Board will consider in its next meeting to reorganize the Jacnet editorial board. Ben and I have already significed to COPC Pres. Uriel Quilinguing and the Board of Directors our willingness to continue serving as the Board representatives in the Jacnet Editorial Board, at the same time acting as its Online Management Team.

The PAGF project report recognizes the efforts of Ruel as the the web developer and first administrator of the Jacnet website. It says "He was particularly effective, not only in constructing the website, but working closely with the website subcommittee of Jacnet. He was open to suggestions and at the same time maintained the design and structural integrity of the site.

One pleasing side-effect of the training and Mr. Pelone's management of the process is that a number of the training participants have started to develop their own sites. He was happy to support them in this."

Jacnet also previously extended an invitation to Sangga Kagayanon to host the SG website on the Jacnet website until they are able to go 'independent'. The invitation was accepted and the project funded the additional costs for developing the site and for the additional domain name www.sanggakagayanon.com.ph . This was done to preserve the independence of the organization's identity. The resuscitation of the Sangga website will also be taken up during our next board meeting to complete the original foundation for Jacnet.

Good governance principles were used as a guide in all the considerations that led to the formation, structure and rules for JACnet. The key considerations in organizing the Editorial Board were to ensure an editorially mature and legally aware Board to guide JACnet; ensure quality stories are produced without putting the COPC at unreasonable risk of legal action, and at the same time, to ensure that JACnet is editorially free from any editorial or other inappropriate pressures from the COPC Board or from outside.

There is a separation of powers between the COPC Board of Directors and the Jacnet Editorial Board. Legal guidelines and protocols are in the process of being drafted by the Project lawyers to minimize the possible legal risks top the COPC as well as the Editorial Board and the contributing journalists.

The COPC Board of Directors has been mandated to automatically set aside a budget for Jacnet at the start of their office, even if the new Jacnet Editorial Board members have not been elected yet.

The Editorial Board will also administer the budget to take care of the Website.
Income generating activities will be pursued by COPC to sustain the grants for investigating stories. This will be done through the Business and Marketing Plan.
Jacnet is governed by a seven-member Editorial Board. The roles of the Editorial Board have been defined and documented with the assistance of the legal advisors. This was deemed necessary in the light of the Jacnet commitment to fund and encourage publication of investigative stories, especially against corruption, on their own website.
The Editorial Board members take an oath of commitment to uphold the COPC Code of Ethics. It reviews and approves story proposals based on set criteria. The Board meets as the need arises – regular meetings, review and approval of story proposals, monitoring the progress of an investigative story, and review and approval of stories for publishing.
Board members are bound by oath to keep any information gained from the investigative stories confidential until Jacnet approves the stories for release. The members take their oath of commitment before the COPC Board of Directors.
The Editorial Board appoints the members of the Online Management Team for the Jacnet website. As of the moment, Director Ben Balce and myself are also serving in the capacity.
The Editorial Board is accountable to the COPC General Assembly. Its members are appointed by the COPC Board of Directors each year, three months after the COPC' elections.
The Editorial Board appointments will be based on the following criteria:
Four senior journalists – three to represent each of the print, radio and television media, one to be a senior journalist either from print, radio and television;
Two COPC Directors to be the COPC Board's representatives in the Jacnet Editorial Board;
A lawyer who may or may not be a COPC member, and
The COPC President may sit in the Jacnet Editorial Board but shall have no voting powers
Criteria for membership
PRINT JOURNALIST – Regular journalist of a newspaper, whether employed or not, as long as he/she is a regular columnist/ contributor; at least five (5) years experience in print media; must be a member of the COPC.
RADIO JOURNALIST –Regular radio broadcaster, whether news editor, reporter or commentator; with at least five (5) years experience in broadcast media; must be a member of the COPC.
TV JOURNALIST –Regular TV broadcaster, whether news editor, reporter or newscaster; with at least five (5) years experience in broadcast media; must be a member of the COPC.
TWO (2) REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COPC BOARD OF DIRECTORS –Appointed by the COPC President or the Board of Directors.
LAWYER –Must have an understanding and knowledge of media and journalism and its dynamics; does not necessarily have an experience in media practice; may or may not be a COPC member.
JOURNALIST –May be from the print, radio or TV industry; with at least five (5) years experience in broadcast media; must be a member of the COPC.
COPC PRESIDENT –Must be the elected incumbent President. The Press Club President is an immediate member of the Editorial Board. The President is an ex-officio and will not exercise any voting powers in the Editorial Board.

Comments to mike_banos@walla.com

Enteria body trashes anti-Emano motion

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

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

The committee declared the proposed resolution to be baseless.

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

Cabanlas said the proposed resolution was unfair to Emano.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mindanao Gold Star Daily

Fresh docs show guv got favors: Moreno accusers

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

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

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

Waniwan said new documents he and Dangcal supposedly uncovered were ‘‘damaging.’’
The documents, said Waniwan, would show that the Moreno violated a law that prohibits public officials from receiving gifts or favors.

Waniwan did not elaborate.

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

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

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

Last Monday, they accused Moreno of ‘‘shopping’’ for medicines allegedly to avoid biddings.
The complaint was filed before the ombudsman around 4 pm on Monday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

But this was done daily, he said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Moreno was not in his office when this paper tried to ask him to comment.
Moreno’s press office chief, Maricel Casiño Rivera, told reporters earlier that the governor welcomed any complaint against him and that the official was ready to defend himself before any court.

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

Mindanao Gold Star Daily

Ocon starts sign drive to declare Emano persona non grata

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enteria said members of the committee would focus on the legitimacy of the proposed resolution.

If approved, the motion would be discussed by the council on Monday.

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

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

Mindanao Gold Star Daily

Presumption of innocence favors judge, says Villaroya

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Susan Palmes and Ben Balce / Sep 18) - A prominent Cagayan de Oro lawyer who caught the ire of judges when he publicly expressed his concern over allegations of corruption in the city’s courts several months ago said the accuser of regional Judge Gregorio Pantanosas would need to work harder to substantiate his claim that the magistrate asked a P1-million bribe.

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

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

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

Pamatong is also known to be advocating to make the Philippines one of the states of the US.
Villaroya said he witnessed when Pantanosas ordered Pamatong to remove his fez inside the courtroom. He said he did not find the incident ‘‘alarming.’’

‘‘What transpired after is beyond my knowledge,’’ said Villaroya.
He added: ‘‘If a judge accepts a bribe, the lawyer is the bigger thief. Lawyers should not offer bribes as normally judges do not demand unless tempted."

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

"I don’t think judge Pantanosas would do that," Soriano said.
"I know Judge Pantanosas personally, he is a good judge," Soriano said.

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

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

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

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

The Mindanao Gold Star Daily

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mindanao Gold Star Daily

Capitol fuel recipients face charges

ONE of the three accusers of Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno has threatened to file charges against the owners of private vehicles who allegedly received fuel from the capitol last year.

‘‘They have no right to get a supply of fuel from the government,’’ said RMN TV-8 segment producer Rey Abacahin who was the first to press charges against Moreno in connection with the findings of the Commission on Audit (COA).

The COA, in a report, questioned the capitol’s P12.6-million fuel expenses in 2005. It said the capitol provided fuel to private vehicles. Capitol officials later claimed they were able to justify the fuel expenses, and that the provincial auditor was satisfied with their explanation.

But Abacahin said he was not satisfied with the capitol’s claim and that its officials need to be held accountable.

He said he was looking into the COA report and was contemplating on filing more charges, this time against those who received fuel from the capitol.

Abacahin said a broadcaster is one of the fuel recipients. He however declined to identify the broadcaster, saying he was still gathering more evidence against him. He said he was still discussing the matter with his lawyer.

He claimed the broadcaster’s name surfaced when capitol documents were leaked as a result of the 2005 audit.

Based on the information he gathered, Abacahin said the broadcaster received a supply of fuel from the capitol ‘‘quarterly.’’

Abacahin and two others––television and radio ‘‘blocktimers’’ Eddie Dangcal and Ronnie Waniwan––have accused Moreno of graft and technical malversation of funds before the ombudsman on separate occassions a week ago. The three strongly denied Moreno’s accusations that they were being backed by ‘‘handlers and financiers’’ and that the complaints were part of a supposed smear campaign.

"If Moreno is telling the truth and if he has committed no wrongdoing, then he should prove that he is, in the proper forum. If he is on the side of truth, then the truth would set him free," Abacahin said.

Moreno, over DxIF-Bombo Radyo late last week, strongly denied any wrongdoing on his part. He said his accusers were being used by his political enemies who supposedly launched a demolition campaign against him.

Moreno alleged that his accusers were being backed by ‘‘handlers and financiers’’ who are supposedly out to carry out a demolition job against him.

Moreno said it was unlikely that his accusers were acting on their own when they field complaints for graft against him before the ombudsman on separate occasions.

"Their intentions are very obvious," said Moreno over DxIF-Bombo Radyo, adding that the complainants were merely being used.

Moreno said he feared the image of the province would be adversely affected by the accusations. ‘‘It’s not me, it’s the province that will really suffer.’’

He faulted his political opponents, saying they resorted to using ‘‘dummies’’ to press charges against him because they were supposedly running out of issues for the alleged demolition job.

"All they are after is to demolish me, even to the extent of using dummies."
Abacahin, a local TV segment producer who is one of the complainants, strongly denied Moreno’s accusation.

"I filed the complaint against the governor because of principles. I have no financiers or handlers,’’ Abacahin said.

Abacahin, the first to press charges against Moreno, said he filed the complaint with the intention of knowing the truth and to pressure the governor to be accountable for the use of P12.6 million of capitol funds to provide private vehicles fuel last year.

Abacahin said the owners of all the private vehicles who were given fuel by the capitol in 2005 should also be investigated and subsequently charged in court, too.

That can be read at Gold Star Daily

Fire destroys 50 houses in Oro

OVER 50 houses were destroyed and no less than P5 million in property went up in smoke when a fire broke out in an urban barangay shortly after 9 am here yesterday.

It all started with an argument, said investigators, quoting witnesses.

Authorities are looking for Taroy Saluaga, 43, because witnesses said he threw a gas stove at his brother at the height of a fight.

Investigators said the gas stove may have caused the fire that struck the thickly populated community in Barangay 15, between Kalambaguhan and Burgos, this city.

Cagayan de Oro fire marshall Oscar Abecia said the fire razed to the ground over 50 houses and other establishments. At least 200 families were left homeless.

Badly hit areas were the interior areas of Makahambus, Kalambaguhan, Burgos and Capistrano streets.

A woman, Irene Miranda, was hurt when the 25-year-old jumped from the 2nd level of a burning house.

A two-door apartment owned by ex-vice mayor Antonio Soriano was destroyed.
Fe Licayan, a witness, said she saw the Saluaga brothers exchanging blows. Shortly after, she said she heard an explosion and then the fire spread.

Others said the fire started from the house of Joaquin Saluaga.

Abecia ordered arson investigators to dig deeper and see if the Saluaga brothers were really responsible. He said the local fire bureau would press charges if a case is established against the Saluagas.

"We are still verifying the reports. But this early, it really looks like an arson case based on what residents are saying," Abecia said.

It took more than two hours for firefighters to extinguish the fire. Abecia said the absence of protective gears such as gas masks made it difficult for firefighters to contain the fire that quickly spread because the houses were mostly made of wood.

Abecia said firefighters could not penetrate because of the absence of a pathway.
Curious onlookers and affected residents also gave firefighters a difficult time because it took time before they cleared the streets.

The fire alarm reached 4th level, prompting fire volunteers from private companies and from M
Misamis Oriental towns to respond.

Moreno says accusers backed by 'handlers, financiers'

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (BEN BALCE / Sept. 9) - MISAMIS Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno yesterday accused his accusers of being backed by ‘‘handlers and financiers’’ who are supposedly out to carry out a demolition job against him.

Moreno said it was unlikely that his accusers––Eddie Dangcal, Ronnie Waniwan and Rey Abacahin––were acting on their own when they field complaints for graft against him before the ombudsman on separate occasions.

"Their intentions are very obvious," said Moreno over DxIF-Bombo Radyo, adding that the complainants were merely being used.

Moreno said he feared the image of the province would be adversely affected by the accusations. ‘‘It’s not me, it’s the province that will really suffer.’’

He faulted his political opponents, saying they resorted to using ‘‘dummies’’ to press charges against him because they were supposedly running out of issues for the alleged demolition job. "All they are after is to demolish me, even to the extent of using dummies."

Abacahin, a local TV segment producer who is one of the complainants, strongly denied Moreno’s accusation.

"I filed the complaint against the governor because of principles. I have no financiers or handlers,’’ Abacahin said.

Abacahin, the first to press charges against Moreno, said he filed the complaint with the intention of knowing the truth and to pressure the governor to be accountable for the use of P12.6 million of capitol funds to provide private vehicles fuel last year.

Abacahin said the owners of all the private vehicles who were given fuel by the capitol in 2005 should also be investigated and subsequently charged in court, too.

The Mindanao Gold Star Daily

Flood Waters Wash Away Family of 4 in Misamis Oriental

VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental (MIKE BAÑOS / Sept. 9) – A FAMILY of four was washed away early Saturday morning when a flash flood hit their riverside dwelling in this municipality, barely a month after rampaging flash floods and storm tides brought by the southwest monsoon lashed ten towns of the province.

Ma. Cecilia Casino-Rivera, provincial information officer, identified the victims as the Yacona family of Ernesto Yacuna of San Roque Village, Relocation Site, Barangay Dayawan,. Their dwelling was washed away by raging flood waters which hit the area around 2:00AM Saturday, 09 September 2006.

Rescuers have already recovered the bodies of two children Marylose, eight (8) years old, and Jessabel, three (3) months old but the remains of the mother, Annalyn and youngest child Jessamie, two (2) year old have still not been found.

An unidentified number of other dwellings have also been reportedly swept away by the flash flood.

Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council Executive Officer Teodoro Sabuga-a has mobilized the PDCC Quick Reaction Team (QRT) and Bombo Radyo's Philippines 2000 Rescue Team to recover the remains of the missing mother and her child as well as bring relief goods to affected households in the area.

Earlier last month, Sabug-a appealed to the respective Sangguniang Bayans (municipal councils) of towns recently hit by similar flash floods and storm tides to pass an ordinance prohibiting the construction of human dwellings in vulnerable areas such as shorelines and riverbanks.

mike_banos_2000@yahoo.comalternate email : mike_banos@walla.com

Karapatan links military to another slay

A HUMAN rights group un northern Mindanao yesterday linked the military to Sunday night’s killing of an urban poor organization leader in Valencia city.

The victim was identified as Candelario Ayuda, 42, chair of the Kilusan ng Mamamayan in Valencia.

Ayuda was shot dead while driving a "motorela" at the Valencia city proper around 10 pm, Sunday. He was on his way home.

Karapatan regional coordinator Beverly Musni alleged that the assailants were members of the Military Intelligence Company (Mico) based in Bukidnon.

Musni said Ayuda was an organizer of the party-list group Bayan Muna.

The army’s 4th Infantry Division spokesperson, Maj. Nathan Sagun, strongly denied Karapatan’s allegation.

"That is a hasty conclusion by Karapatan, a fallacy," said Sagun.

Sagun then lashed at Karapatan. ‘‘When the NPA (New People’s Army) carries out a killing spree, they are silent.’’

However, Musni said the denial aired by Sagun would be measured against the unsolved killings of 745 other militants, activists and journalists in the country.

"Witnesses can prove that it was the military," Musni said.

Police said Ayuda’s killers used a caliber .45 pistol. They said two gunshot wounds in the back killed the militant leader.

"He died on the spot," police said.

Investigators reportedly recovered six slugs at the crime scene.

Police said they were still looking into the case and were trying to identify the suspects. They did not rule out the possibility that he was killed because of his involvement in militant activities. But they said there were other factors to be considered.

That can be read at Gold Star Daily