BIR Caraga 2006 collection up by 15.61%

BUTUAN City (BEN BALCE/Jan. 16) - THE Bureau of Internal Revenue in Caraga region, covering the four provinces of the area, has exceeded its collection goal for 2006 of P1,578,359,000 by 15.61 percent. The total collections in the amount of P1,620,734,770.87 for the current year is P42,375,770.87 more than the target.

BIR Caraga director Tamanatao S. Amerol said the increase was due to concerted efforts and cooperation of the region’s revenue personnel, especially the revenue district officers who are the front liners in tax collection.

"The Bureau of Internal Revenue Revenue Region No. 17 has good reason to smile and be proud these days," Amerol said, adding, "It has, despite all odds, surpassed 2006 collection goals."

As of Jan 11, Amerol said their partial collection has reached P1,620,734,770.87.

Amerol clarified that the amount is still not the final amount until such time that the official report will be submitted.

"The tax payer’s cooperation and voluntary compliance contributed so much to the good performance shown by this revenue region," he said.

BIR Caraga Region oversees the collection efforts of four revenue district offices, namely Revenue District 103 in Butuan City headed by Edilberto C. Radaza, Revenue District 104 in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur headed by Lordel T. Monteclaro, Revenue District 105 in Surigao City headed by Satar T. Laguindab, and Revenue District 106 in Tandag, Surigao del Sur headed by Marcelino Yap.

"Compared to last year’s collection record of P1,401,845,034.50, our collections this year has increased by P218,889,736.37 or 15.619 percent more compared to last year’s collections," Amerol said.

Citing the region’s four-year annual tax collection performance report, Amerol said "the history of this revenue region covering the area composed of four provinces and three cities showed that for the last four years (2003-2004, 2005 and 2006) the region was able to consistently over-shoot its assigned goal and exceed its actual collections of the previews year."

The report showed a consistent yearly increase against its collection goals as follows: 2003, 10.01 percent; 2004, 10.67 percent; 2005, 13.27 percent; and 2006, 15.61 percent.

Moreover, Amerol said that, amidst the political and economic crisis besetting Caraga, the region "silently yet efficiently performed its task of collecting taxes for the government in line with the President’s agenda on increasing tax collections."

Amerol also said that even the neophyte revenue district officer of Tandag, Surigao del Sur, surpassed their goal in 2006.

"District officers Radaza (Butuan City), Monteclaro (Bayugan), Laguindab (Surigao City) even Yap of Tandag, Surigao del Sur, attributed the substantial increase in Caraga’s tax collections for this year," Amerol said.

"Neophyte" RDO proves equal to peers

Being dubbed a neophyte by his colleagues proved to be no hindrance to revenue district officer Marcelino "Lyno" Yap who did well and more in his far off post at Tandag, Surigao del Sur to the surprise of his older peers in Caraga region.

His colleagues attest that Yap, a relatively new-comer in Tandag who assumed his post last year, made waves when he posted an increase in his revenue collections surpassing his district's collection goal of P284,843,000 for 2006 by his actual collection of P289,924, 852.02; an increase of P5,081,582.02 or 1.78 percent more.

This feat, says Director Amerol contributed in no small measure to the Region's over-all good performance which posted a 15.61 percent increase in actual collections.

However, Yap said: "Still collections efforts of three other regional district offices help a lot to the region's over-all performance this year."

Even Yap said the three districts surpassed their district collections for the last four years. "The concerted efforts of all made the collections more than the target," said Yap.

For 2006 collections, Butuan-based RD 103 headed by RDO Radaza posted an increase of 3.53 percent; RD 104 headed by Bayugan, Agusan del Sur RDO Monteclaro posted a 3.53 percent increase; RD 105 led by RDO Laguindab based in Surigao City posted an increase of 5.96 perecent and RD 106 under RDO Yap posted an increase of 1.78 percent.

The following data furnished among the four districts, RDO Laguindab posted the highest revenue collection performance report for year 2006.

Although all of the district offices also posted increased revenue collection in varying percentages, Amerol said Yap is singled out as a surprise due to his being a relative newcomer to the region, his previous posting being a the Davao area.

In an interview, Yap said he initiated meetings and dialogues with local taxpayers in Tandag who heeded his call. The top taxpayers of his district are Tony Ling, Florencio Garay, Johnny and Clarence Pimentel, Isagani Jimenez, Alvin Py, Donald and Amador Que, and Pablito and Paul Vicencio as Top Individual Taxpayers;

Sudecor, DepEd, DPWH, Provincial Government of Surigao del Sur, Cantilan Bank, Enterprise Bank of Lianga, and Petco Corporation as Top Corporate Income Taxpayers; Sudecor as Top VAT Taxpayer; and the City Government of Tandag as Top Withholding Government Agent.

"All of this formed part of the total collections for the year," Yap said, adding that the "achievement of the cumulative goal for the period was also the result of increase in collection by accredited agent banks, RDO-106 collection agents' exemplary performances and the positive response of practicing professionals."

BIR-Caraga launches electronic revenue collection system

In line with its career and employee development program the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue Region 17 launched Thursday last week the electronic collection system called Payment Date Entry System (PDES) or e-lounge at the BIR regional center here.

Some 45 officers and rank and file employees of the agency led its regional district officers availed of the briefing and seminar conducted by the Revenue Data Center-Visayas headed by Ms. Lilia Guillermo,Deputy Commissioner of Information Group, Ms. Agnez Zape, RD, Visayas, and OIC of the Revenue Data Center-Visayas Aida S. Simborio.


BIR deputy commissioner of information group Ms. Lilia C. Guillermo (left) Ms. Aida Simborio (right) briefing participants on the Payment Data Entry System (PDES) held January 11, 2007 at the BIR Regional Training Center in Butuan City.

Ms. Simborio briefed the participants on the mechanics of Premyo sa Resibo after the launching the e-lounge.

The activity was made in compliance to Revenue Special Order No. 6-2007 issued on December 22, 2006 consistent with the Civil Service Memorandum Order stipulating that attendance of participants in the said training course will form part of their records.

The special order was signed by BIR Deputy Commissioner Verginia L. Trinidad.

Revenue Region No. 17 Regional Director Tamanatao "Tammy" S. Amerol (third from left in dark coat) leads BIR-Caraga personnel as he meets colleagues from the Revenue Data Center-Visayas at the Butuan City airport for the BIR e-lounge launching and briefing of the premyo sa resibo program. With Amerol are from left, Ms. Aida Simborio who brief participants on the said program and BIR deputy commissioner of information group Ms. Lilia C. Guillermo (2nd from left).

BIR RR 17 Regional Director Tammy Amerol (left) and Ms. Lilia C. Guillermo (right) BIR deputy commissioner of information group and Ms. Aida Simborio (background) who briefed participants in the Payment Data Entry System (PDES) training held January 11, 2007 at BIR Regional Taining Center in Butuan City. (Photo supply by Sasha, BIR 17 )

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A long way from anywhere

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BEN VILLOTA

The world may be becoming a smaller place, but you might not believe it if your nearest neighbours were over 2,000km away. Rob Crossan visits the remote outpost that is Tristan da Cunha

Tristan da Cunha is not the kind of place that you could stumble across by accident. It is hardly suitable for a mini-break, and it certainly is not a place you can travel to on a whim. To visit the most remote inhabited community on earth requires no small degree of effort - especially if the tides are high and the hurricane season is under way.

Situated almost exactly halfway between South Africa's Cape Town and the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo, Tristan da Cunha is a small volcanic island. An epic 2,333km from its closest neighbour - the equally bijou island of St Helena - it lies in the middle of the notoriously hostile stretch of the South Atlantic Ocean known as the Roaring Forties on account of its latitude and its fearsome winds: a veritable ships' graveyard which can increase the journey time of the few vessels that leave Cape Town from five days to anything up to two weeks.

The island does not have an airport, so until recently the easiest way to visit was via Britain's last remaining mail ship, the RMS St Helena. But this service came to an end last February, an ageing vessel and rising costs making it increasingly untenable. Now the only way to visit this ineffably distant place is by finding a berth on one of the tiny South African fishing boats that make the journey to Tristan seven or eight times a year to collect crayfish, the island's main source of income. I was lucky enough to be aboard RMS St Helena for her farewell voyage to Tristan, a journey that also marked the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the island.
Incredibly, Tristan da Cunha, just 110km2 with a hardy population of 268, is still a part of the UK. It constitutes by far the most remote of the anomalous hotchpotch of islands scattered across the planet - including Ascension Island, Anguilla, St Helena and Pitcairn - that make up the last remnants of the British Empire. Life on an island where there are only seven surnames, no mobile phones, one policeman, no crime and almost no visitors, is taking on greater importance as the 21st century progresses, with isolated communities such as this one becoming increasingly rare.

As the island's sole settlement, the evocatively named Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, comes into view it is as if we have travelled back in time to a 1920s Scottish highland village. The haphazard collection of tin-roofed bungalows clings onto one of only two small coastal strips; the rest is sheer rock cliffs. The passengers on RMS St Helena's final mail journey clamber down a precarious rope ladder and jump aboard a speedboat that takes us into the island's minuscule harbour. After seven days at sea, six of them spent without passing a single ship, bird or any form of human life, the normally forbidding sight of Tristan's volcano, rising almost 5,500m, is a very welcome sight.

Discovered 500 years ago by a Portuguese admiral named Tristão da Cunha, the island was first settled several centuries later. A small British military garrison was established to prevent the island being used as an escape route by Napoleon Bonaparte. This was never particularly likely as it would have involved Napoleon - who had been exiled to St Helena - making an enormous detour of some 2,500km. The British soon realised the folly of this venture and pulled out the garrison, but Corporal William Glass of the Royal Artillery - who was to become the first chief islander - his wife, children and two Devonian stonemasons, Samuel Burnell and John Nankivel, chose to remain on Tristan. In time, despite more than 200cm of rain a year, hurricanes, gales and the threat of the volcano erupting, the island became a thriving micro-economy through the sale of crayfish and rare postage stamps to the outside world.

The islanders endured their own two-year exile in the UK when the volcano erupted in 1961, destroying the crayfish factory but sparing Edinburgh of the Seven Seas. Incredibly, despite the islanders' exposure to cars, electricity, nightclubs and rock 'n' roll music during their stay in Calshott, Hampshire, almost every single one of them voted to return to the island at the earliest possible opportunity. This was despite persistent attempts by the UK government to block their return on the grounds that the island was now uninhabitable and suitable only as a site for nuclear testing. Many elderly islanders were so traumatised by their experience in the so-called civilised world that they have remained on Tristan da Cunha ever since.

One of the first things that you notice about Tristanians is their accent. The isolation from the outside world has created a local dialect that is a curious blend of early 19th-century colonial language (for instance, to feel ill in Tristan dialect is to feel 'qualmish', a word that died out in Britain in the early years of Queen Victoria's reign) and contemporary South African slang (pick-up trucks are known here, as in Cape Town, as 'bakkies'). When outsiders - or 'station fellas' as they are dubbed in a reference to the garrison stationed on the island during World War II - are around, the Tristan people's accent mellows to a soft, quiet lilt, reminiscent of the West Country. When talking among themselves, however, islanders' conversations appear all but unintelligible - a situation that I sensed they were keen to maintain.

A walk around the whole of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas takes just 15 minutes. Rising up behind the settlement is the endless cliff face of the volcano, covered with gulches that become torrential waterfalls when the rains set in. To the left of the village, only 200m away from the last house, you can see the enormous lava flow of 1961 which left a mountain of debris under which the original crayfish factory is buried. All the houses in the village are single-storey buildings that face towards the ocean. From the outside at least, most of them are virtually identical to the original cottages built by the island's earliest settlers. Loyalty to the crown is taken seriously and many houses contain a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. On clear days, the hippo-shaped rock of Inaccessible Island and nearby Nightingale Island can be seen. Here, the endemic and endangered Tristan Albatross breeds, making the island group a mecca for keen ornithologists.
Come and pull up a pew, man. There's loads of vodka to be drunk!' Leon Glass, 23-year-old son of Conrad, the island's policeman, offers me a stirring welcome at the Albatross Inn, Tristan da Cunha's only pub.

Open from 10am each day, it is a smart modern building where imported South African lager is just 60p a can and the surrounding ocean, rich in seafood, means that delicacies such as lobster quiche replace more usual pub snacks. 'There aren't many young people on the island at the moment,' Glass tells me. 'But those of us that are here want to stay. Almost nobody ever leaves Tristan for good. The quality of life here is so high. It's so safe; you know everybody and there are no worries for anybody in terms of money. I worked for a little while as a nightclub bouncer in Birmingham, where I saw some horrific fights and brawls. I'm glad I've visited the outside world, but I'm happiest here on the island.'

Glass's attitude is echoed by Mike Hentley, the current Administrator of Tristan. He has lived on the island for three years now and has presided over a period of great modernisation, including the installation of a new satellite communications system in 2006 which has allowed the locals to set up an internet café, and call the outside world at the rate of only 2p a minute. This is an enormous improvement on the eye-watering £6.50 per email and £1.80 per minute for phone calls that was the norm up to that point. 'We've only got one TV channel on Tristan,' says Hentley, as we talk in the spacious lounge of his house, which comes complete with a fluttering Union Jack in the front garden. 'It's the British Forces channel that comes from the Falklands, but I think even that has helped to put the people here off the outside world! They know that this is a very special place with a very tight-knit community. We have our problems, of course, but everyone here is so well looked after that there is no real desire to leave.

'Everyone is employed by either the government or Ovenstone [a South African company with an exclusive contract to sell the highly coveted Tristan crayfish to the US and Japan] to fish or maintain the village, and we have our own apartments in Cape Town where islanders can stay very cheaply if they want to take a holiday. We're almost completely self-sufficient here, unlike St Helena, which receives aid from the UK. Where else can you leave your house and car unlocked, or let your children go off camping on their own?'

But today even Tristan da Cunha is not completely free of the seditions of the outside world. Obesity is a problem, and Hently is currently leading a campaign to cut down the amount of alcohol consumed by the islanders: the culture of getting 'half touched' on most evenings is deeply ingrained in Tristan society. Another troubling issue is the lack of qualifications among Tristanians. Children leave the very basic island school at 15, and though there is the option to take GCSEs a year later, results are poor, creating a situation where even islanders who do want to leave are hampered in finding a job in the UK or South Africa. Yet, having fought so hard to return home after the eruption, the islanders have a rare attachment to their home. As the most remote community on earth, the people of Tristan are no longer quite as detached from the outside world as they once were. But as far as the strength and survival instinct of this reminder of the Empire goes, this place is unique. The slogan for the island - 'Our faith is our strength' -- could not be more apt.

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Be spritually blessed! Help build San Roque Chapel in Bgy. Patag, Cagayan de Oro City

SHARE YOUR BLESSINGS

"We disgusted with this wretched food!"

-NUMBERS 21:5

____________

The mere fact that we are able to wake up each morning is already such a blessing beyond compare; it is miracle.

Just how blessed are we indeed to be able to bathe ourselves with hot and cold running water (while others have to fetch for it), to have food on the table during breakfast (while others still have to look for what to eat the next day), to have a car to bring us to our work place (while others have to walk a mile or to reach their destination), to be in an airconditioned room while we work (while others have to toil amidst sunshine and rain) to have hot meals for lunch (while others have no choice but to eat whatever is unavailable), to be able to take power naps and coffee breaks (while others don't have this kind of luxury) to have dinner with the family and watch TV as we recline and call it a day (while others don't even have a TV so they go ahead and sleep the night away to wake up to another day).

How blessed are we really. So let's count our blessings instead of complaining.

Grow closer to God as Barangay Patag in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines' parishioners are praying with you every day.
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Free Estrada, Oro council urges Malacañang

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (RAUL G. MOLDEZ / Jan 6) - THE city council here passed a resolution urging the government to grant temporary liberty to detained former president Joseph Estrada pending the final resolution of the plunder charges against him.

The city council had joined other civil society groups also called on the government to allow him to post bail while awaiting the verdict of the Sandiganbayan on said plunder charges that remained unproven after almost six years of trial.

The resolution, authored by Councilor Maryanne Enteria, said Estrada's temporary liberty should be ordered for the sake of national unity and reconciliation.

During its regular session on Dec. 27, 2006 presided by acting Vice Mayor Juan Sia, the City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 8333-2006, expressing its support for the release of Estrada.

The resolution also cited Estrada's "unswerving adherence to the rule of law" during his five years' stay in prison. It said the ex-president "has shown no indication of fleeing the country to escape justice.”

Sia said the release of Estrada from prison may unify the nation and end the raging climate of hate engulfing the country.

“The national leadership has been time and again espousing national reconciliation among various political units and former President Estrada’s freedom may be the medicine to heal the wounds of the nation,”read one of the whereases of the resolution.

Sia said copies of the resolution will be furnished to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez and Sandiganbayan executive clerk of court Emma Rosario Lorbes for their appropriate and favorable action.

Earlier, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza said he was spearheading the signing of "Covenant of Unity" among top government officials, business and religious leaders who have consistently pressed the government to release Estrada from prison for the sake of national reconciliation.

He said Estrada’s release “appears to be the missing link in the journey toward national reconciliation.”
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it is strongly supporting the Covenant of Unity, saying that the release of Estrada from detention pending court resolution “is a giant step in the path toward political peace and national reconciliation especially at the onset of the New Year.”

Lawyer Miguel Varela, PCCI chairman, pointed out the Covenant of Unity “is seen to lift a huge barrier to national unity and reconciliation.”

He said releasing Estrada “would be a top-drawer in the Philippine political cauldron that is being swept by hate and political squabbling that pulls all plugs stopping the inflow of both foreign and local investments.”

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Special report: Bloody tale of the Abu Sayyaf’s notoriety

COTABATO CITY (John Unson / Dec 29) - If Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani is really dead, his death will only cause a major setback for his notorious group, but will never mean its end.

This is how many analysts and peace advocates here believe, though still weary on whether it was indeed Kahadaffy’s remains the Marines had unearthed three days ago in Barangay Kabuntakas, a secluded district in Patikul, Sulu.

The youngest among Janjalani siblings, who were born and raised by their parents in Isabela, Basilan, the leader of the Abu Sayyaf group (ASG) was feared for his ruthlessness against enemies.

Kahadaffy merely assumed the leadership of the ASG after his older brother, Ustadz Abdurajak Abubakar Janjalani, was killed in a brief gunbattle with policemen in a coastal village in Basilan in 1998.

Abdurajak first underwent guerilla training in Kandahar , Afganistan, before joining in the 1980s the mujahideen forces that fought the then Soviet-backed regime of Afgan President Mohammad Najibullah.

A member of the Moro National Liberation Front, who was a key staffer of jailed MNLF founder Nur Misuari when he was still governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said Abdurajak stayed long in Pakistan to study Islamic theology in one of the schools there prior to his sojourn to Afganistan.

“He was a very good baker. He worked part time in a bakery in Pakistan while we were studying there. We even asked him to teach us how to bake bread. We learned from him that he had worked as a baker while in Isabela, where he grew up,” the source, who asked not to be identified, said.

Abdurajak, according to the source, then never showed signs he would rise as a leader of a group both Mindanao ’s Muslims and Christians would fear.

The soft-spoken, silent-type Kadaffy was still a minor when Abdurajak was abroad.

There are neighbors of the Janjalanis in Isabela claiming to have been shown by Abdurajak photos of him and a “a very wealthy Arab mujahideen,” purportedly Osama bin Laden, the man who could have recruited him into joining the forces that fought the Afgan-backed government in Afganistan in the early 1980s.

Local preachers who studied abroad said Bin Laden, indeed, operated a recruitment office for the Afgan mujahideen forces somewhere in Peshawar , Pakistan in the early 1980s.

When Abdurajak returned to the country in the early 1990s, he wasted no time in organizing a tightly-knit group aimed at propagating da’awah (preaching) activities as a pretext to putting up a puritan Islamic community in Mindanao .

Abdurajak established a 15-member “council of emirs,” and enlisted a preacher named Amilhussin Jumani as its senior adviser.

From 1990 to 1992, Abdurajak established a core group composed of 10 units, support, under Ustadz Benhamad; security, under Calona Mutalan; finance, under Bashier Latiff; operations, under Omar Gahalin; supply, under Jalali Bakal; recruitment, under Basiri Jillang, urban sector, under Abdullah Jainal; planning, Edwin Angeles, also known as Ibrahim Panduga; intelligence, under Abdulhamad Samad; and logistics, under Amiludin Muin.

Samad and Muin were to be arrested by government agents in June 3 and, subsequently, June 10, 1994 respectively. Angeles, who surrendered to the government, was briefly incarcerated in Camp Crame and was gunned down in Isabela, while coming out of a mosque, after Abdurajak was killed by policemen.

Angeles was then a strong contender for the post left vacant with the death of Abdurajak. There has been no information on the whereabouts now of the other pioneer members of the units the slain ASG founder established.

Khadaffy was never a part of a any of the ASG’s 10 pioneer units. Neither was he allowed by Abdurajak to join the ASG’s four operating arms, the hit squad, led by Ustadz Wahab Salajin, demolition, under Ustadz Munap Salajin, the mujahideen sector, under Ramon Sangkula Hassan, and training section, under a certain Mustapha, believed to be a preacher trained in Egypt.

The operating units of the ASG first had its “baptism of fire” when its members perpetrated the bombing in the early 1990s of the M/V Doulos in the Zamboanga City port, and, subsequently, carried out the murder of Italian priest Salvatorre Cardezza in a nearby district on May 20, 1992.

As the ASG spread its wings in the Basilan, Sulu and the Zamboanga peninsula, Abdurajak also hopped from one Southern island to another, preaching and encouraging Muslims to rise and fight for an independent Islamic state in the region.

“He was an eloquent speaker. He spoke well of the verses in the Holy Qur’an and used certain verses to justify his quest for a Muslim state in Mindanao and as excuses for the ASG’s use of violence to pursue its objectives,” another MNLF member, who hails from Sumisip, Basilan, told The Cagayan de Oro Journal.

As a preacher, Abdurajak spoke ill of the Philippine government and the United States , like his benefactor, bin Laden, who was rabidly against US foreign policies too.

Part of the ASG’s ploy to catch international attention then was the abduction, one after another, of local and foreign Christian missionaries, among them Catholic priests and nuns, to project the “religious dimensions” of its bid for an Islamic state in the South.

The group, apparently aimed at catching the attention of the United States , abducted in 1994 linguist Charles Walton in Sulu, while studying there the Tausog and Sama dialects.

As a preacher, Abdurajak spoke ill of the Philippine government and the foreign policies of the United States .

He was said to have attempted to expand the ASG’s operation in Central Mindanao , but was reportedly rejected by the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), whose leader then, cleric Hashim Salamat, was keen on preventing “contamination” of his group with any influence from terrorist organizations.

Salamat’s position of furthering his bid for Moro-rule in Mindanao, was more premised on the framework of unity and co-existence with all sectors in the south, under the Islamic context of inter-faith solidarity and economic advancement that would not displace, but rather empower Mindanao ’s native Moro and other indigenous groups.

MILF insiders said Salamat’s principles and vision of “peace with justice” for Mindanao ’s Moro, Lumad and Christian groups are being carried on by his successor, Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim, who assumed the front’s leadership after Salamat’s demise in 2004 in Butig, Lanao del Sur.

Peace advocates, among them Catholic priests, are certain, it was for the MILF’s being a revolutionary organization and different in its religious and political convictions from the ASG that forced Khadaffy out of Central Midanao , where he hid from June to November 2005 to escape from government offensives against him in the Zamboanga peninsula.

Sources from Basilan, some of them local officials, said it was during the ASG’s plunder of Ipil, Zamboanga del Sur on April 4, 1995, where the young Khadaffy, already a combatant and a close-in security aide of Abdurajak, underwent his most crucial initiation in combat.

Abu Sayyaf fighters arrived at Ipil on board trucks and pumpboats that landed on its coasts, attacked the town proper, killed 42 civilians, seven soldiers and six policemen, and, before they fled, set 53 commercial establishments on fire. More than a hundred residents, trapped in the crossfire between the local police and military, were wounded in the attack.

Most of Khadafy’s followers were either children of MNLF fighters who perished in the so-called Mindanao conflict during the 1970s, or victims of abuses of the Marcos Regime, when the country was under martial law.

Misuari, while ARMM governor from 1996 to 2001, has repeatedly urged Malacañang to include in the Mindanao peace process special, extensive programs aimed at rebuilding the lives of victims of human rights abuses, quality education for the so-called “orphans of conflicts,” and employment that would give them jobs for them not to resort to religious extremism that tend to undermine the efforts of fostering peace and sustainable development in the south.

“Religious extremism is a concern now confronting Mindanao ’s moderate Muslims, which is strongly against terrorism. There are radical Islamists in schools, even in government offices,” said a ranking education official in Central Mindanao.

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Probers look into Turk's links to fire

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Ben Balce) - Cagayan de Oro City fire marshall Oscar Abecia yesterday ordered arson investigators to look for a Turk reportedly responsible for the fire that destroyed over 40 houses and more than P1 million worth of property in Barangay 15 of the city the day after Christmas.

Abecia said they would file charges against Norris Glandlandan if warranted.

Lucresia Vallego, owner of the house where the fire started, claimed the blaze began at the room being rented by Glandlandan and his family.

"Glandlandan was the one renting at my apartment. The fire started at his place," Vallego said adding that a day before the fire, she heard Glandlandan ordering his son to buy gasoline.

Abecia, however, said one of his fire investigators said the fire was caused by faulty electrical wiring.

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Councilors declare BIR director persona non grata

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Ben Balce and Mark Francisco) – The city council yesterday declared the director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) here persona non grata for supposedly snubbing an official inquiry into the alleged corruption in the local offices of the bureau here.

Declared persona non grata was Mustapha Garandosa, BIR director.

Two of his subordinates, assistant director Alberto Olasiman and Cagayan de Oro revenue district officer Ester Palala suffered the same fate.

Garandosa did not show up during the city council inquiry two Mondays ago because, supposedly, he was on leave. He failed to show up again during the council session yesterday.

In a letter written on his behalf by Olasiman, Garandosa said he regretted that he could not face the city council supposedly because a BIR memorandum prevented him from doing so.

The letter cited BIR Memorandum Order no. 25-2005 issued by BIR Commissioner Jose Mario Buñag on Oct. 12, 2005, that ordered all BIR employees nationwide not to issue statements or release documents pertaining to their jobs without his direct consent.

But Councilor Jose Benaldo said the basis of Buñag’s directive was Executive Order No. 464 prohibiting government officials and employees from appearing in legislative investigations.

Two sections of the executive order had since been nullified by the Supreme Court, he said.

“The (line of) reasoning of Gandarosa is unfounded and baseless,” said Simeon Licayan, adding that the council only wanted the BIR officials to shed light on the complaints.

Licayan said Gandarosa’s failure two show up in two-occasion was enough to declare him persona non grata.

Councilors said they were not checking the records of BIR but were questioning the bureau’s officials in regard to numerous complaints on extortion.

The city council passed a resolution requesting the Office of the President, the BIR, the Ombudsman, the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) and the Revenue and Incentives Protection Service of the Department of Finance (DOF) to investigate local BIR officials.

The councilors passed a third resolution asking the BIR to recall the three officials to its central office in Manila and ground them there pending the result of an investigation.

Councilor Cesar Ian Acenas said copies of the two resolutions would be furnished to local governments throughout the countrty to warn them of the alleged illegal modus operandi of some people in the BIR.

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2 MGB execs slapped with graft charges

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Ben Balce) – The Office of the Ombudsman in Davao has ordered former Mines and Geosciences Bureau director Glenn Marcelo Noble and a department head of the Bureau to answer a graft complaint filed against them.

Abner Fortaleza and Eugenio Sepulveda filed a complaint against Noble and Paul Salise before the 20th branch of the Regional Trial Court here last Oct. 25.

But earlier, they also filed a complaint against the two officials before the ombudsman.

In a three-page order dated Nov. 6, a copy of which was furnished this paper, ombudsman Maria Corazon Arancon directed Noble and Salise to submit their answer.

Arancon also directed Sepulveda and Fortaleza to submit a certificate of “non-forum shopping.”

Noble is now assigned at MGB Central Office in Manila while Salise is the chief of the Mining Environment and Safety Division of MGB-10.

Cagayan de Oro Journal tried to contact Noble and Salise for comment but to no avail.

Noble and Salise were accused of obtaining two sets of round-trip plane tickets each when they attended a conference in Baguio in November 2002. Public funds were used in buying the first sets of tickets since it was supposedly an official trip. But here’s the catch: a private firm based in Iligan City allegedly paid for the other set of tickets, supposedly for the same purpose.

Fortaleza and Sepulveda said it was unethical and a violation of law against graft.

The complainants also accused the officials of failing to account for solicitations made for a seminar in November 2002.

They alleged that some 90 people attended the seminar and that participants supposedly paid P1,500 each.
They called on the environment department to suspend Noble and Salise.

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A Happy Problem: ARMM & MSU System Teachers need more PCs

Excellence Awardee Maryam Manalundong with her family strikes a pose with MSU president Ricardo De Leon (left) and USAID representatives during graduation ceremony at Grand Caprice, Cagayan de Oro City.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mike Baños / Dec 21) - Teachers in the MSU-System of High Schools and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have what EduQuest, Inc. general manager Teresita Medado calls a "happy problem". They don't have enough computers and peripherals to integrate computers and the internet into classroom instruction.

During the Recognition and Awards Night for the IBM eMentor Scholarship program held last week at a local restaurant in Cagayan de Oro, Ms. Maryam Q. Manalundong, who was cited as the "Best Trainer" among the 27 graduates of the program, said they don't have enough computers to enable students to learn "hands-on". They also lacked LCD projectors to make up for the lack of PCs by projecting their lessons to the board for all students to see.

But Ms Medado called this is a "happy problem" because that particular batch of eMentors have "found good use for their PCs" and said she "wanted it recognized." Apparently, EduQuest worked with other schools before which "over-invested" in hardware and software but eventually found little use for it.

Even prior to that, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Growth in Equity for Mindanao (GEM) program already recognized the need to develop the "humanware" for this project by bringing in the IBM eMentor scholarship program for its Computer Literacy and Internet Connection (CLIC) program.

CLIC aims to promote computer literacy and the use of information and communications technology (ICT) among students and teachers in the ARMM and other conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. It provides internet-linked computers, software, printers, reference materials on computers and the internet, and training on basic troubleshooting and repairs to CLIC-beneficiary schools.

To improve the quality of ICT-facilitated learning in the ARMM, IBM and USAID through GEM launched the IBM eMentor Scholarship Program (also known as the IBM eMentor Teacher Professional Training and Practicum Program) in the ARMM and the MSU System of High Schools.

The IBM eMentor Scholarship Program is implemented and managed by EduQuest, Inc., an affiliate of Asia Pacific College, an institution founded by IBM Philippines and the SM Foundation. As a training provider and consultant on teaching strategies and tools, EduQuest designed the training course and certified the acquisition of competencies gained by teachers through the program. It was also responsible for monitoring the implementing the program by qualified and trained teachers in their own schools.

The program was developed with the rationale that improving the quality of education in the ARMM would help accelerate economic growth in Mindanao, improve the quality of life and bring about a just and lasting peace in the region.
ALUMNI 2006: Views of the video showing featuring the graduates.

In January 2006, 30 teachers were selected from a pool of 85 program applicants using a highly competitive process managed by GEM. Selection criteria included reading diagnosis rating, technology skill level and professional qualifications. As program beneficiaries, each teacher-scholar committed to share the skills they acquired with at least 10 teachers from their schools within 7-10 months after graduating from the program.

From the original pool of 30 qualified applicants, 28 teacher-scholars went through an intensive 8-day training program at the STI computer laboratory in Davao City last January. The training taught them how to maximize ICT applications, tools and resources in the classroom to inspire greater interest and increase the motivation to learn of students, thus increasing the quality of classroom instruction in the region (which has among the lowest literacy rate in the entire country) and also improved their ability to facilitate community participation in the learning process. Outputs and peer feedback were discussed on the last day of training.

Upon returning to their respective schools, the teacher-scholars now turned mentors applied their newly acquired skills and trained at least 10 other teachers, thus increasing the base of trained and qualified teacher-users for CLIC-partner schools.

Through the next 10 months, CLIC and IBM, through EduQuest, monitored and evaluated the implementation of the teacher-mentors' portfolio in their own schools. Twenty seven teacher-mentor scholars completed the requirements of the program and were graduated last December 3, 2006.

The three highest achieving teacher-scholars and who excelled in their specific fields were recognized with awards from IBM and EduQuest. The teacher-mentors were evaluated based on three major criteria: 1) Development and Implementation of Instructional materials using ICT; re-echo training or passing on what they have learned from the IBM eMentor program to their co-teachers, and teacher collaboration through various tools in the internet.

The 27 IBM eMentor Teacher-Scholars are Kusain M. Abas, Leticia S. Adjaril, Ma. Venus P. Aman, Floravel K. Ambas, Saliah Datucali H. Amin, Nor-ain M. Ampang, Aquil S. Andog, Arnold B. Asotigue, Achmad Dimalutang, Camaro T. Edzraphil, Arnel B. Hajan, Renette H. Jecostan, Aidyl Jeffrey A. Jikiri, Florida D. Maddie, Ma. Corazon G. Maguate, Mayleen P. Malagamba, Maryam Q. Manalundong, Caroline T. Marohom, Barbara Ann E. Pangcoga, Ranilo R. Remonde, Jemima O. Ruiz, Rheinjohn A. Sampang, Mariam A. Sunggod, Reynald L. Sykimte, Arlene B. Tawan, Ricardo B. Tarro and Nazer K. Usman.
(Left photo) MSU System President Ric de Leon addresses the graduates. Right photo shows Best Trainer Maryam Manalundong with De Leon and the USAID representatives.

Recognized as the top eMentor Scholars were Ms. Maryam Q. Macalundong, MSU Balindong, Lanao del Sur (1st place), Ms Caroline T. Marohom, Malabang National High School, Lanao del Sur (2nd Place) and Ms Nor-Ain M. Ampang, MSU Balo-i, Lanao del Norte.

Also granted special awards were Marohom (Best in Classroom Demonstrations), Manalundong (Best Teacher's Portfolio, Overall Best Online Discussant, Best Online Discussant/IBM Mentor Place, Best Online Discussant/IBM Yahoo group, Best Trainer), Edzraphil (Simplest Use of Technology to Achieve Maximum Impact) and Mr. Aquil S. Andog (Best Online Discussant/IBM eMentor Blogspot).

Although the program partners committed to continue supporting CLIC through the program, a formidable obstacle over which they basically have no control continues to hound the integration of computers and the internet in the ARMM, especially in Lanao del Sur: inadequate and unstable supply of electricity.

Dr. Ricardo de Leon, MSU- System President, acknowledged this problem but said the National Transmission Corporation (Transco) can hopefully address it in the near future upon the completion of a 69KV transmission line in Lanao del Sur aimed at stabilizing the power supply. Ironically, Lanao del Sur, together with Iligan City, are the hosts communities for the Agus hydro-electric power complex which supplies over half of Mindanao's present power needs.

The CLIC program in the ARMM is managed by Arcille Catherine "Happy" Raagas, herself a former teacher and mentor based in Cagayan de Oro City.

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Peace pact struck with NPA breakaway group

CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES SIGNED IN ORO
Hostilities between the Government of the Philippines (GRP) and the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Mindanao (RPMM) panels as they sign on December 19 the guidelines and ground rules for the implementation and monitoring of the agreement on the cessation of hostilities. GRP Panel chairman lawyer Franklin Quijano shaking hands with RPM-M panel member Armando Orbis as independent secretariat head Kaloy Manlupig of Balay Mindanao looks on. Photo by DANTE SUDARIA

GRP-RPMM PEACE PACT
Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Mangagawa ng Mindanao (RPM-M) Peace panel Members Armando Orbis, Freiderick Montes and RPM-M panel adviser Ike de Los Reyes signing on Tuesday the agreement with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) on the cessation of hostilities in Mindanao at Pryce Plaza hotel, Cagayan de Oro City. Photo by DANTE SUDARIA

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Ben Balce / Dec 20) – An agreement for a cessation of hostilities between government and a breakaway group of the New People's Army (NPA) here in Mindanao was signed at the Pryce Plaza here Tuesday, paving the way for the resumption of peace talks.

Signing the agreement, which was the third round formal talks, were government Peace Panel chairman Franklin Quijano, and RPMM Peace Panel Moniva Pascual. Other signatories were GRP Peace Panel member Froilan Melendrez, RPMM Peace Panel members Freiderick Montes, Armando Orbis, and RPMM political consultant Enrique delos Reyes.
The GRP and RPMM panels agreed on the following:

To commit the GRP and RPMM to the guidelines and ground rules operationalizes the implementation of the agreement on the cessation of hostilities that previously signed on Oct. 28, 2005.

To create of monitoring and coordinating committees, both at national and local levels, and mutual adoption of rules to handle issues relating to hostilities.

Also the RPMM signed with the government peace panel and independent secretariat Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. the "Joint Resolution to Further Advance the Gains of the government-RPMM Peace Process", in order to provides directions in terms of safety protocols and environment threats.

The third party, Independent Secretariat Charlito Manlupig and Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. executive director Ariel Hernandez also signed the agreement.

“These peace efforts exerted by the government with the RPMM shows how the current administration is trying to reach out to all groups in its pursuit of peace, Quijano said adding the focus of the talks is purely on development and not on violence.

Quijano said they both (GRP, RPMM) hoping that with the new development would contribute to address the inequity, underdevelopment and poverty in areas in Mindanao.

Pascual on his part said the strong convictions that the political crisis the country is going through will not be a hindrance or discouragement to their efforts to find peace in Mindanao. Manlupig said RPMM submitted a list of 104 barangays that need consultation and immediate intervention. ”Already 93 barangays have been attended to by the panels and the development are still ongoing,” Manlupig said.
The former NPA members dubbed as the "rejectionist group" also voiced their commitment to pursue attaining peace in Mindanao.

Manlupig said there are 93 of the 104 barangays have been consulted and rendered "immediate intervention" by the government-Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Mindanao (RPMM) Peace Panels. In an interview, Lanao del Norte police provincial director PSSupt. Laut Sarip said the current political crisis that presently encounter by the State is not a bar to the pursuit of peace. Laut who represented Police Regional Office 10 regional director Chief Supt.. Teodorico Capuyan said the signing would benefits not only both parties but the civilian communities in Mindanao.

Both the GRP and the RPMM also regarded the signing of the two documents as an important gesture in support of the fulfillment of confidence-building measures and in the eventual signing of final peace accord.

The parties also jointly acknowledged the threat to the environment caused by illegal logging operations in Upi, Shariff Kabunsuan and some other areas in Mindanao.
The panels also agreed to follow and enforce environmental protection laws such as the Indigenous People's Reform Act (IPRA) and other customary laws and implement sustainable environment programs. The GRP and the RPMM panels also specifically lauded the Independent Secretariat who witnessed and signed the above guidelines and ground rules.
Pascual said that “pursuing peace is more of paramount importance today and onward” and that the signing is “another significant milestone forward for the peace process.”

Quijano lauded the talks as “a much welcome development in arriving at a just conclusion to this peace process.”

“It must be noted that the “just end to all peace process” or the completion of comprehensive peace agreements with the rebel groups resulting in the permanent cessation of armed hostilities by 2010, is a major component of the President 10-point Agenda,” said Quijano.

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URGENT HELP: Ysa, 2 year old, missing since Nov. 23

Warm greetings,

I apologize if this appears to be an unsolicited mail, an off-topic message (in an e-group), or if you have received more than one copy of this. I rarely send messages to multiple recipients, unless I have carefully verfied it.

Please help a family recover their 2 year old daughter by sending this to as many recipients possible, particularly those residing in Metro Manila and nearby provinces (Cavite, Rizal, etc). Thank you very much. You kindness is very much appreciated.

Please forward.

This 2 year old girl had been missing since Nov. 23, 2006. She had been featured in QTV Channel 11 last Dec. 12, 2006, 10 PM, in the program "Sana'y Muling Magkapiling".

There's been a suspicion that a syndicate might be using her right now to beg on the streets, so please try to remember her face (or print this out and help in letting other people know). You might come across her during your Christmas shopping. If you do, please immediately seek the help of proper authorities. If you have companions, stay with her while someone gets help from nearby policemen, barangay tanods or other persons of authority. We hope that she could be found soon and be reunited with her family before Christmas.

Here is another reason not to give anything to beggars...instead, course your acts of charity to the appropriate institutions. Help keep children off the streets, especially the highways. Don't give these syndicates a reason to abduct children and make them beg. If nobody gives anything, there's no reason for people, especially children, to beg on the streets. Support the institutions that help the homeless and the poor. Do what is right.

- M I S S I N G -
Name: Ma. Ysabelle Sim Age: 2 years & 7 months old(Wearing Pink Sando and White Pajama)If found, pls. contact: Ms. Gilda Sim / Ester Rosales / Chairman Elvin "Allan" Patao Tel. No. 563 00 11 / 563 38 12 / 589 02 16 Add: 336 Kaingin St., cor. Labores Extension, Pandacan, Manila, Brgy. 858, Zone 93

****Just in case you may spot her. . .dear all,pls find attached picture & some info of my niece, Ysabelle. Nawawala since yesterday, Nov 23, around 11am, naglalaro malapit sa gate ng haus nmin. May nagsabi nakita daw xa away from our place kasama 1 badjao na babae, around 4pm nman nakita daw nung isang jeepney driver iyak na ng iyak, tulala na, karga nman ng isang badjao na lalake naghihintay ng masasakyan, pinagpapasa-pasahan xa para cguro maligaw kung sino man ang nakakita sa babaeng unang kumuha (i think isang grupo 2 ng nangunguha ng bata, d din cgurado kung talgang badjao un or nagpapanggap lng) Meron din kami nakausap kagabi isang batang pulubi, nakita nya nga daw c ysabelle may kasama isa pang bata along Taft Ave namamalimos na. Since yesterday na nawala xa until now naghahanap p din kmi, d kami makatulog kakaisip kung ano na ngyayari sa kanya, im sure gutom na un. Nag-report na kmi sa pulis, madami na nga daw case ngaun ng nawawalang bata.Pls include her in your prayers, na sana makita nmin cya agad. Baka makita nu cya, pls inform us immediately. U may also contact me thru Mobile No. 0919 2756394. Malaking tulong ito sa pamilya nmin. PLS. PASS....Maraming Salamat!Sandra Sim-De Niro
Below is the most recent information about Ysabelle.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Daddy Jojo Date: Dec 18, 2006 1:22 PM
Subject: Ysabelle update 1 Day Agosandra_ysabelle

HI GUYS! ds s sandra, ysabelles aunt. update re ysa: somebdy txtd me earlier...her name is diobel... they made a search ds aftrn along pedro gil & U.N. ave malapit sa ABE school May nakakita daw ky ysabelle ksama maliit na lalake last nyt sa UN, inutusan p daw manlimos c ysa, nakita daw nung 1 tindero. Kanina 1pm nakita nman daw ng tga-ABE sa pedro gil. they searched the place bt didnt find ysa. cguro timing lng tlga makikita dn natin xa. we really appreciate all ur efforts. GOD is really GOOD, knowing na marami kming karamay sa paghhnap ky ysa, it makes us strong. we hope & pray na sana makita n nmin xa before Christmas. May GOD listen to our prayers. 2 Weeks Ago hondatwin (friend of Ysabelle's aunt, about an inquiry on other marks to recognize Ysa)she has a scar on her upperlip, 6to7mm.well update pics..X X XThe above information is from a discussion forum of motorcycle enthusiasts: http://www.motorcyclephilippines.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64830

This may also be a good source of information on the search for Ysabelle.You may want to read their exchange of messages, especially the sentiments of the daddys in the group and those that search even if they are alone. There have been organized as well as individual searches to find her. Many would like to find her and reunite herwith the family before Christmas. Please be aware na lang po kung sino ang mga kakampi natin at magtulong-tulong tayo dahil siguradong nasa paligid lang ang mga abductors. If she's found, someone has to get the police while the others secure her safety.
May mga medyo mainit na (because they've been searching for days and worried about Ysa's condition), kaya ingat lang po ang mga mukhang badjao at baka mapagkamalan po kayo...tumulong na lang po kayo sa pagtawag ng pulis.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bruce Date: Nov 28, 2006 11:27 AM
Subject: Help find missing child
Forwarded by my friend na si Herald....

Hope we could help the family to find their child (kindly forward it to your friends para madaling mahanap ang batang ito

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Guys,I confirmed the authenticity of this....nakausap ko yung nanay and totoo nga since Nov. 23 pa daw nawawala yung anak nya.....hope we can help.... thanksHeraldHere is her pix.

---------- Forwarded message ----------From: DaddyJojoDate: Nov 28, 2006 12:07 PM
Let's all pray that God is taking good care of this child right now while her folks are looking for her. It has been 5 days and this 2 year old girl could be out there with strangers, scared and hungry. Let's keep a close watch at the children in our homes so that they will remain safe with us, Please forward this so that Ysabelle can be found immediately.

from http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2006-12-05&sec=8&aid=3530

December 05, 2006 07:21 PM Tuesday
Article read 134 time(s)
Badjao gypsies tagged in kidnap of girl, 2
By: Ferds Sevilla

NO WORDS can probably describe the pain and suffering of the family of the two-and-a-half-year-old girl who has been missing since Nov. 23.Witnesses accounts said Ma. Ysabelle Sim, together with other young children, has been spotted begging on streets with a woman and her group of Badjaos. Young Ysabelle was last seen standing at the gate of the family compound at 336 Kaingin St. in Pandacan, Manila, shortly before noon. Her mother Orencia "Ching" Sim, 29, said she found only the young girl's step-ins when she came out to check on her daughter. "Naglalaro siyang mag-isa sa gate at saka pinapanood niya 'yung mga batang lumalabas ng eskuwela, tapos bigla na lang nawala," recalled Mrs. Sim.The family compound is a block away from J. Zamora Elem. School. "Mahilig kasi siyang bumati sa mga batang nagdaraan. Parati nang nagboo-boom-tarat-tarat 'yan, tapos sasabihin joke lang," mumbled Orencia as she broke into tears.A tricycle driver told the Sims he saw a scarfed-woman carrying a girl that resembled Ysabelle around the time she disappeared. "Nu'ng ipakita namin 'yung picture ni Ysabelle, iyung-iyon na nga raw 'yung batang dala-dala nu'ng babaing naka-belo. Wala ngang tsinelas iyung bata," said the girl's grandmother Gilda, 52."Magulung-magulo pa ang aming isip na mag-anak. Paskung-pasko pa naman. Humihingi kami ng tulong sa mga awtoridad na hanapin ang anak ko," Jomar, Ysabelle's 30-year old father, appealed. The Sims are engaged in small-scale manufacturing of dry-goods and upholstery.Ysabelle's only sibling Pamela, 14, has also been traumatized by Ysabelle's disappearance.Hours after Ysabelle was abducted, the parents reported her disappearance to the Manila Police District (MPD) but no concrete action were taken. At one time, the Sims responded to a phone call about a sighting of Ysabelle outside Harrison Plaza, however, only a policewoman was available to accompany them."Nakita raw 'yung anak ko na kasa-kasama nu'ng mga Badjao na namamalimos pero nakaalis," Orencia said. The Badjao gypsies were reportedly seen Friday night at a slum area in San Marcelino, Malate but no policemen were available to assist the Sims.P/Supt. Hilario Orallo, MPD Station 9 commander in Malate, ordered his men search for the girl but the official was apparently ignored. The Sims also went to a house in a squatters area on Batallion St., Fairview, Quezon City, last Saturday following a call that Ysabelle was again seen with a group of street people begging for alms."Nakita raw sa bahay ng mag-asawa pero, nang puntahan namin, wala naman doon," said another relative, Ester Rosales, 56.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: suzetteDate: Dec 12, 2006 1:09 PM
nabasa ko yung rgarding dun kay ysabelle (missing), sya po ba yung ipapalabas sa ch. 11 mamayang gabi? 10pm hosted by jessicasoho yung pic kc na inattached d2 pareho cguro sya yun... yung title mamayang gabing show is SANAY MULING MAKAPILING..

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: DaddyJojo
Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2006 1:46 PM
Subject: Re: ysabelle (missing)
Hindi pa ba siya nahahanap? I have reformatted the email to show the pic with the text and sent the message to all the discussion groups I participate in. I continue to pray for her and hope that she'll be found soon. My God, I can't imagine how a 2 year old child could cope with being abducted by strangers...crying out, perhaps, hungry...sleepless...on the street. My prayer is that she will not be in such a condition and that God is taking care of her. Inaabangan ko rin ang TV program tonight. Akala ko nahanap na siya.
I just txted the cell number. Hindi pa rin daw nahahanap si Ysabelle.

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Shirley wrote:
Yes, am also praying that she'll be found the soonest time possible. The email made me cry imagining the condition of the child, without herparents... It's sickening to think why and how such people who have kidnapped her could ever exist. I pray that nobody will experience this.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: johannDate: Dec 13, 2006 8:41 AM
Subject: Re: ysabelle (missing)

Qtv episodeNapanood ko sa Qtv yung episode sa paghahanap kay ysabelle, oh, napaka cute na bata... sobrang na fefeel ko ang sakit na nadarama ng mother nya pati nung lola nya, kahit madaling araw talagang naghahanap sila. napakawalang puso naman ng kumuha sa batang yun para maging kasangkapan lang sa panlilimos... haynaku! bakit pa kaya may nilikha ang Diyos na ganun klaseng tao... Pardon me, pero sobra talaga yung mga taong dumukot sa bata... Nakikiisa kami ng pamilya ko sa pagdadasal para mabawi nila ang bata....

Johann

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6,000 teachers flocked at Misor Capitol on Teacher's Day

Senator Joker Arroyo poses with Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno and a group of teachers during Teacher's Day held at the Provincial Capitol grounds last Friday.

At least 6,000 teachers and non-teaching staff from all over Misamis Oriental flocked at the Provincial Capitol yesterday to grace the 2006 Teachers Day celebration. Sen. Joker Arroyo, who used to shun invitations for such gatherings, honored the teachers by his presence in this momentous occasion. All the teachers received an amount of P1,500 each as cash gift from the Provincial Government. Gov. Oscar Moreno increased the cash assistance from P1,000 last year to P1,500 this year. Capitol allocated an amount of P8.3M to cover the cash gift and expenses of the entire event. (Photo Supply from Prov'l Capitol Press Office)

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'People's initiative' still the best option, says Dongkoy

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Ben Balce / Dec 13) - Never mind if no one’s talking about it anymore, and never mind if the Supreme Court already killed it. For Cagayan de Oro Mayor Vicente Emano, the so-called ‘‘People’s Initiative’’ remains as the best option for constitutional reforms.

Emano said this after the Lower House decided to shelve moves to convene a constituent assembly and push for constitutional convention instead in an effort to change the 1987 Charter.

"If it’s Con-con now, I would rather go back to ‘people’s initiative,’" said Emano. "The last to decide is the people––so go back and ask the people by way of a ‘people’s initiative.’"

Emano maintained that there is an enabling law for a people’s initiative, adding that it is legal and the only way to directly hear the voice of citizens.

Which is why, Emano said, he is hoping that the SC would reconsider its position on the petition of Sigaw ng Bayan and the Union of Local authorities of the Philippines (Ulap). (Editor's note:
The petition was rejected by the SC on Dec. 12, 2006, according to reports).

"It is important to hear the voice of the people and that’s through a people’s initiative," Emano said.

The two pro-Charter change groups have filed a second motion for reconsideration before the SC which trashed their petition.

"I think people behind the people’s initiative will not stop and they will not surrender," Emano said.

If the SC reconsiders and rules in favor of Sigaw ng Bayan and Ulap, Emano said he would be fully behind it.

But if pro-Arroyo allies succeed in pushing the Con-con, Emano said the election of delegates can be held simultaneously with next year’s May 14 elections or the barangay elections.

But first, Emano said, the people ‘‘must be convinced that the electoral system is trustworthy."

Emano added: "Let’s see if the people would begin to trust the Comelec again after the 2007 elections."

Any change to the Constitution should be done in "a calm manner and not in a period of confusion," he said.

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Fraudulently illegal, says Ledesma of Con-ass; Emano, Jaraula counter: Ignorant

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (By Ben Balce, Joel Escol and Susan Palmes / Dec 9, 2006) -CAGAYAN de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma yesterday lashed at the House majority over its moves to convene a constituent assembly for Charter change, calling the efforts "fraudulently illegal and scandalously immoral."

But Cagayan de Oro Mayor Vicente Emano and Rep. Constantino Jaraula, the chair of the House constitutional amendments committee, have this to say about critics of the Lower House’s efforts: ‘‘Ignorant.’’

Protest actions aimed at pressuring the House to drop its plan to effect constitutional amendments by way of a constituent assembly without the Senate’s participation would start tomorrow in the city.

Ledesma was set on presiding over an emergency meeting of residents opposed to ‘‘Con-ass’’ at the Archbishop’s Palace late afternoon yesterday.

Ledesma, in an interview, said he would issue an official statement against ‘‘Con-ass’’ on behalf of the local Roman Catholic archdiocese anytime soon like other bishops in the country.

"We have not favored Con-ass ever since," said Ledesma, referring to the position of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

A bigger ‘‘prayer rally’’ is being organized on Dec. 15 to stop the House juggernaut.

"It will be staged nationwide. The local churches, including those in other places in Mindanao, will participate," said Ledesma.

President Arroyo’s allies here said ‘‘Con-ass’’ critics ‘‘don’t know what they’re saying.’’

"It’s easy to say ‘illegal’ and ‘immoral’... Those who are saying that are all ignorant,’’ said Rep. Jaraula.

Over DxIF-Bombo Radyo, Emano singled out ex-vice mayor Antonio Soriano who has been criticizing moves to change the Charter through a constituent assembly.

"I don’t agree with Soriano," said Emano who has been advocating for Charter change.
Over ABS-CBN-Caga-yan de Oro, Vice Mayor Michelle said the matter would have to be decided by the Supreme Court.

Archbishop Ledesma said he disagreed with politicians pushing for Charter change by way of a constituent assembly.

"There is really a need to respond more collectively to the present crisis," said the archbishop.
‘‘The Catholic Churchs has to respond to this crisis produced by the prospect of Charter change by administration congressmen desperately bent on creating themselves into a constituent assembly."

Ledesma also called on citizens to be vigilant. "The temptation to manipulate and to hold on to power endangers the common good and the safety of the greatest number."

Meanwhile, a multisectoral group opposed to ‘‘Con-ass’’ would start street demonstrations in the city starting from the capitol grounds tomorrow, announced Soriano, the chair of the Black and White Movement here. Soriano is also the regional chair of the opposition PDP-Laban.

The local chapter of the human rights watchdog Karapatan headed by lawyer Beverly Musni and the group of Iglesia Filipina Indiependente’s Fr. Antonio Ablon are expected to join.

On Monday, noise barrage would also be staged at 5 pm to decry congressmen who were taking part in the House juggernaut.

"People should act now. We should be vigilant to protect the Constitution,’’ said Soriano.

Musni, for his part, said Karapatan would join the upcoming nationwide protest actions.

"We cannot let this pass. They (House majority members) are deceiving us,’’ said Musni.

IFI’s Fr. Ablon said his group was expected to issue an official statement against ‘‘Con-ass’’ today.

Meanwhile, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) strongly raised its opposition to the move of the House majority.

‘‘It was a cavernly act… a show of the tyranny of numbers for self-serving interests. The process is clearly wrapped in the agenda of those who want to further perpetuate themselves in power, including President Arroyo, who is facing serious doubts to the legitimacy of her rule,’’ said NCCP.

NCCP general secretary Sharon Rose Joy Duremdes said the move was ‘‘an obvious attempt to postpone the May 2007 elections, a con that will turn the people into big losers.’’

Duremdes said congressmen disregarded the true aspirations of Filipinos, hence the ‘‘desperate attempt to resurrect an unpopular initiative that was already junked by the Supreme Court.’’

‘‘We are reiterating that the NCCP is not against Charter change. Constitutional amendments are necessary in order for the Charter to ensure the welfare of the citizens. No doubt, the present Constitution stands in need of substantial improvement, but definitely not at this time and certainly not for the wrong reasons,’’ reads a portion of the NCCP statement.

The NCCP also called on its member churches to be vigilant and ‘‘not allow anyone... to ride roughshod on our God-given right to participate in political processes that directly affect us.’’

It called Charter change through a constituent assembly ‘‘double jeopardy where the people are concerned.’’

‘‘We believe that every deed which disregards the well-being of people shall be brought under the stern judgment of our God,’’ it said.

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Opol mayor bags award for governance

CAGAYAN DE ORO JOURNAL (Ben Balce / Dec. 8) MAYOR Dixon Yasay of Opol, Misamis Oriental, received on Wednesday (Dec. 6) the Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence on behalf of the Municipal government, which has been adjudged as the best managed local government in the country.

German Ambassador Axel Weishaupt, assisted by Klaus Preschle of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, presented the award.

Like Yasay, other awardees who received awards were Calbayog Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento, Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado and barangay chairperson Carlos Ringor of Paco, Mankayan, Benguet.

The awarding ceremony was held at the Champagne Salon of the Manila Hotel.

The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung is an international foundation that assists developing countries in various areas of governance, among are about best practices in local government management and administration.

They conduct visitations, workshops and conference among officials of local governments and even among members of the executive and legislative branches of government to assist them on the mechanics and implementation of democratic principles and institution.

Opol, Misamis Oriental Mayor Dixon Yasay delivering his acceptance speech during the awarding ceremony of the Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence for the best-managed local government in the Philippines.

German Ambassador Axel Weishaupt (4th from left), assisted by M. Klaus Preschle (3rd from left) of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung presents the Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence for the best managed local government in the Philippines to (from left) Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento, Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado Opol, Misamis Oriental Mayor Dixon Yasay (2nd from right) and Barangay Captain Carlos Ringor of Paco, Mankayan, Benguet. The Simple awarding ceremony was held at the Champagne Salon of the historic landmark Manila Hotel. The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung is an international foundation that assists developing countries in various areas of governance, among which are about best practices in local government management and administration. They conduct visitations, workshops and conferences among officials of local government units and even among members of the Executive and Legislative branches of government to assist them on the mechanics and implementation of democratic principles and institutions.

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Normin’s top fugitive falls

FUGITIVE FALLS: Peter Herbito, region 10,'s No. 12 most wanted fugitive, with P140,000 cash reward for his capture was presented to the press by regional director C/Supt. Teodorico B. Capuyan after his arrest at Quezon, Bukidnon. Herbito has a pending case for violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act and for bolting out of jail.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (BEN BALCE / Dec. 6) - Barely a week after assuming his post as northern Mindanao’s topmost police official, C/Supt. Teodorico Capuyan made his first haul.

Capuyan yesterday presented to the media an arrested fugitive who had eluded lawmen for the last eight years, tagged as 12 most wanted person in the region.

The joint operatives of the Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division (RCDG) and the Police Regional Office 10 based in Camp Alagar, this city, arrested a certain Peter E. Herbito, 32, married, on December 3 at Balangay 9 Quezon, Bukidnon.

Capuyan said Herbito is tagged as number 12 most wanted person in the region carrying a reward of P140,000.

"The suspect escaped from his cell at Misamis Oriental Provincial jail in 1998," Capuyan said.

Capuyan said Herbito was once a drug (marijuana) courier getting his supplies of prohibited drugs from Damulog and disposed it in Cagayan de Oro City and nearby places in Misamis Oriental.

"Herbito’s arrest boosted the morale of our policemen," Capuyan said.

Herbito was arrested by virtue of arrest warrant issued by Branch 19 Judge Evelyn Gomotin-Nery of 10th Judicial Regional Trial Court in Cagayan de Oro.

Capuyan said the case is docketed as Criminal Case Number 97-848 with no bail bond recommended.

Herbito was turned-over to the proper authority for proper disposition, according to Capuyan.

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11 PNP officials named; get new postings says Calderon

NEWLY assumed northern Mindanao police head Chief Supt. Teodorico B. Capuyan (right) in pleasant conversation with PNP chief Director General Oscar C. Calderon (center) and the outgoing Chief Supt. Florante J. Baguio (left) during the turn over of command of Police Regional Office 10 (PRO 10) at Camp Alagar, Cagayan de Oro City.

CAGAYAN de Oro Journal (BEN BALCE / Dec. 5) - ELEVEN senior police officials including the newly assumed northern Mindanao police head Chief Supt. Teodorico B. Capuyan were named and given new assignments due to the impending retirement of a number of other senior police officials.

PNP chief Director General Oscar C. Calderon said the reorganization was recommended by the Senior Officers Placement and Promotions Board based on the review and evaluation of merit, seniority and competence of all the nominees.

The officers given new assignments were Chief Supt. Charlemagne Alejandrino as acting director for the Directorate for Plans; Chief Supt. Teodorico Capuyan, regional police chief of Northern Mindanao; Chief Supt. Andres Caro II as acting regional director of the Davao Region Police Office; Chief Supt. Pedro U. Tango as director of the Northern Police District; and Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales as acting district director of the Southern Police District;

Senior Supt. Fidel A. Cimatu as acting deputy chief of the Directorate for Plans; Senior Supt. Raul Castañeda as the new acting deputy director of the Directorate for Human Resources and Doctrine Development; Senior Supt. Orlando Mabutas as acting executive director of the DHRDD.

Senior Supt. Rolando Añonuevo, acting deputy director of the Intelligence Group and acting Task Force Commander of Task Force Sanglahi, the anti-terrorist unit of the PNP; Senior Supt. Edwin Corvera, deputy task force commander of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force; and Senior Supt. Atilano Morada, acting Airport Security Group director.

Former SPD acting director Senior Supt. Ricardo Padilla will have to wait in the wings to assume as Bicol region police director until current head Chief Supt. Victor Boco, who is retiring on Jan. 11, completes the PNP’s part in all relief and rehabilitation efforts for the typhoon-ravaged region.

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The pretty Meliza Gould shining

MONALISA's SMILE. This pretty lass Meliza Gould in all smiles as she pose for souvenir photos before a professional photographer.

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

By JOEL C. ESCOL

It was a good afternoon I waited for Ms. Meliza Gould at the lounge of VIP Hotel for our scheduled personal interview at around 3:00 pm.

Exactly at 3:00 pm the beauteous lass arrived at the hotel. She came very calm and confident. Although it maybe her first time to huddle with a media personality, but I would say she’s really smart and composed.

This gorgeous Meliza, who just celebrated her debut party at Mallberry Suites here, is half Filipina half New Zealander that maybe one of the reasons that would explain why she looked amazingly smart and ready for all questions when she seated in front of me for the interview.

Meliza is now currently on her 2nd year in International Studies Course at Xavier University . She’s the proud daughter of the late Frank Gould, a New Zealander and Emie, a Filipina.

EXCERPT :
JOEL ESCOL: Hello Meliza. Thank you for accepting my invitation for this interview. You’re really tall and in great shape like any other beauty queen.

MELIZA GOULD : Hi, thank you for that great introduction.
JE : Okay, let’s immediately get down to business. What’s the feeling of being chosen as Ms. Kauswagan and Ms, Guinsiliban ?

MG : Well, I feel great. Although am a little bit nervous during the coronation night. But my life is still the same now. I think nothing changes, except for the fact that I am now holding two titles in the same year.

JE : Was your being a beauty queen now one of your wildest dreams ?
MG : No. I didn’t really dream of becoming a beauty queen. It just happened. I don’t’ know (laughs)

JE : So who introduce you to this pageant thing. I mean, who encourage you to try your luck in beauty tilts ?
MG : (Laughs again) Actually a family friend visited our house and asked permission to my mom for me to join Ms. Kauswagan. Then that was it.

JE : Of course, among the important factors considered in beauty pageants are the way you walk, you talk and carry yourself on stage. In your first appearance was there someone who help you on these ?
MG : I have a gay friend who became my mentor. She’s the one responsible in taking care of me especially during competition nights.

JE : Being an ambassadress of goodwill now, are there any assignments from Chairman Roger Abaday of Kauswagan or from the mayor of Guinsiliban.
MG : Well, in Guinsiliban, I attended one of the activities of the town, but here in Kauswagan not yet. I heard the chairman was busy. That maybe the case I had not been given any assignment yet.

JE : Any message for the youth ?
MG : I just wanted to say that education is one of the best gift given to us by our parents so keep studying. I believe that education liberates man. Even though how hard life is but just keep yourself busy studying. Being educated is the best weapon to prepare us from the real challenges of life.
JE : Thank you again Meliza and God Bless.

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It’s fair enough, Kagay-anons say of new fair market values

CAGAYAN de Oro City – (RAUL MOLDEZ / Nov. 27) - The City Council late last week assured the public it will take note and consider their reactions, suggestions and comments on the proposed new schedule of fair market values and building permit fees and other charges.

In a public hearing, Vice Mayor Michelle Tagarda-Spiers said the adoption of both schedules is long overdue.

“Since 1997, there were no changes. We should have done three revisions already,” said Spiers adding, under the 1991 Local Government Code, local government units are mandated to revise fair market values every three years.

“It is not only mandated by law. It is long overdue,” she said.

The public hearing was held at the City’ Tourism office Thursday as Spiers thanked civic groups, nongovernmental organizations, landowners, developers, barangay officials, regional offices and other sectors for attending the public consultation.

“If you compare Cagayan de Oro City between 1997 and 2006, there is a world of difference. Cagayan de Oro has boomed, bloomed and blossomed so much,” the vice mayor pointed out.

Vice Mayor Spiers said the adoption of the new fair market values is necessary to enable the city to “keep pace with the changes” of time.

“We will consider your proposals before we will finally approve the schedule,” she added. City Assessor Atinodoro Asequia pointed out that under Sections 219 and 212 of RA 7160, also known as the 1991 Local Government Code, each LGU is authorized to revise fair market value schedule every three years.

In the proposed schedule, the City Assessor claimed that the increase is very minimal. Based on the figures presented by the City Assessor, the increase is pegged at the average of 20-percent from the existing rates, except in posh housing subdivisions.

“The increase is arrived at after making consultations with the realtors and other sectors. It is fair, just and reasonable,” Asequia said, adding that the valuation is based on the actual use.

Assessment officials said the city’s assessment level is lower than Cebu’s and Iligan’s. Barangay kagawad Camilo Sario of Bugo said the new valuation is fair enough. “It means 2 percent a year,” he said, referring to the number of years the city had not effected changes in the fair market value.

After the presentation of the fair market values by the City Assessor, officials of the City Building Office presented the new schedule of building permit fees and other charges based on the new provisions of the IRR of the National Building Code.

The public hearing was presided by Councilor Juan Sia, chair of the City Council committee on finance, and attended by Vice Mayor Spiers, Councilors Maryanne Enteria, Reynaldo Advincula, Ian Mark Nacaya, Alexander Dacer, Caesar Ian Acenas and Alfonso Goking.

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